Vermont

Franklin County flock tests positive for bird flu

Published

1 year ago

December 28, 2024

Franklin County flock tests positive for bird flu

A flock of quail, guinea fowl, ducks and chickens tested positive for bird flu in Franklin County last week, according to Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (AAFM).

The owners of the flock notified state officials on Dec. 18, after one of their birds died suddenly and others became sick.

State officials tested the birds the next day, and a laboratory in Iowa later confirmed the birds had contracted highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1 bird flu.

It’s the fourth instance of avian flu in a domestic flock in Vermont since spring 2022.

“The recent cases are sort of tied to the migratory bird population moving around,” said Scott Waterman, a spokesperson for AAFM.

Importantly, Waterman said, lab testing also confirmed that this latest set of cases are not tied to the flu strain currently impacting dairy herds in other states.

However, the agency is urging people who own poultry and cattle to take precautions to limit their animals’ contact with wild birds.

“That’s where the wild bird-HPAI crossover happens, is when your domestic poultry start to interact with the wild bird population,” Waterman said.

He said domestic birds can catch the virus if they congregate with wild birds at a pond or if they have contact with the feces of wild birds.

Waterman said people can limit their animals’ risk of contracting the virus by cleaning coops regularly, fencing poultry in and taking care to quarantine cattle and birds that arrive from another farm.

It’s also important, he said, to wash and sterilize boots and clothing that’s come into contact with other animals.

Bird flu is deadly for most domestic poultry, and much of the Franklin County flock died from the disease. AAFM worked with the owners to euthanize the remaining birds.

The Vermont Department of Health is monitoring people who had close contact with the infected birds. At this time, no humans have tested positive for the disease in Vermont or in New England.

The Health Department said the risk of a human contracting bird flu in Vermont is low, but officials still advise wearing personal protective equipment if you work with bird or cattle feces, litter or raw milk.

You can find more information about bird flu in humans on the Health Department’s website.

Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message.

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Vermont

If you own VT woodland, workshop can help you plan for passing it on

Published

7 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Press Room

If you own VT woodland, workshop can help you plan for passing it on

Beth McDermott
| Reporter assisted by AI

Vermont Coverts is offering a free event to help woodland owners plan for the future of their forestland, according to a community announcement.

The event is scheduled for Jan. 26 at Pierson Library in Shelburne, according to the announcement from Vermont Coverts, a nonprofit.

The event is meant to help landowners and their families navigate the complex process of succession planning, especially when it comes to passing on land. Participants will have the opportunity to meet one on one with land managers, conservationists, financial advisors and estate planning professionals to get answers to their questions.

Succession planning can be a daunting task, but the nonprofit says it is an important step for families who want to ensure their land is managed according to their wishes.

The pop-up event is intended to make the process less overwhelming by bringing experts in and letting folks rotate between them to ask questions.

All participants will receive a copy of “For the Future of Your Forest: A Guide to Woodland Legacy Planning,” a guidebook produced by the Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Coverts.

The program is scheduled to occur in two sessions: 3-5 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 26.

Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. To register, contact the library at 802-985-5124 and specify which session you’d like to attend.

This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

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Vermont

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Monday, Jan. 19

Published

19 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Monday, Jan. 19

The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

MONDAY’S H.S. GAMES

Girls basketball

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Winooski at Stowe, 6 p.m.

Lyndon at North Country, 6:30 p.m.

Lamoille at Spaulding

Thetford at Harwood

Watch Vermont high school games on NFHS Network

Middlebury at Vergennes

South Burlington at Burlington

Champlain Valley at Mount Mansfield

Richford at Missisquoi

Rice at BFA-St. Albans, 7:30 p.m.

TUESDAY’S H.S. GAMES

Boys basketball

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Spaulding at Lyndon, 6:30 p.m.

Montpelier at North Country, 6:30 p.m.

Rutland at St. Johnsbury

Rice at South Burlington

Hazen at Lake Region

Essex at Colchester

RIchford at Williamstown

U-32 at Harwood

Northfield at Twinfield/Cabot

BFA-St. Albans at Champlain Valley

Middlebury at Vergennes

Randolph at Thetford

Enosburg at Missisquoi

Oxbow at Stowe

Mount Mansfield at Burlington, 7:30 p.m.

Blue Mountain at Danville, 7:30 p.m.

(Subject to change)

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Vermont

Vote for the Vermont Varsity Insider Boys Athlete of the Week powered by Delta Dental

Published

1 day ago

January 19, 2026

Press Room

Welcome to the sixth installment of the 2025-26 winter season for the Delta Dental Vermont Varsity Insider Athletes of the Week voting by high school sports fans.

This week, and every week during the sports seasons, members of the public may vote for a top girls athlete and a top boys athlete. And since last year, we added to the list of weekly nominees: There are now two stories, one for girls and one for boys, with more athletes on each ballot.

How do I cast my vote?

All voting is through the ballots at burlingtonfreepress.com. We will not accept votes through email or through social media.

Voting began Monday, Jan. 19, and continues through 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan 22.

How do we learn who wins?

The winners will be announced in a story published at burlingtonfreepress.com on Friday, Jan. 23.

May I nominate a deserving athlete for a future ballot?

Yes. Please nominate a Vermont high school athlete by sending an email to sports@burlingtonfreepress.com (Subject Line: Athletes of the Week nomination). Additionally, please include the athlete’s school, sport and any relevant details from that week’s games in the email.

Boys Athlete of the Week nominees

Alex Chagnon, South Burlington hockey: After a 26-save performance in a 5-3 win over Essex, Chagnon pitched a shutout with 23 stops as the Wolves blanked BFA-St. Albans.

Max Demaine, Lake Region wrestling: Demaine had the weekend’s fastest pin and won the 175-pound division at the Michael J. Baker Wrestling Classic at Essex on Jan. 17.

Cahota Lafond, Colchester wrestling: The senior reached 200 career wins and claimed the 126-pound division at the Michael J. Baker Wrestling Classic at Essex.

Camden Leno, U-32 hockey: The sophomore registered a goal and four assists in a 9-1 win over Rutland and had a pair of tallies in a 7-2 decision over Stowe.

Steele Nelson, Harwood basketball: After tallying 24 points, 15 rebounds and two steals in a 60-50 win over Montpelier, Nelson racked up 30 points and 10 rebounds in a 62-44 decision over Spaulding.

Ethan Whalen, Rutland basketball: After a 19-point outing in a 62-42 victory over Middlebury, Whalen dropped 20 points as Rutland bested South Burlington 61-45.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

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