Vermont

Governor says violent crime not just a problem in Burlington

Published

2 years ago

August 28, 2024

Governor says violent crime not just a problem in Burlington

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont’s governor is addressing the influx of violent crime in the state’s largest city, saying gun violence is a problem affecting communities across the state, not just Burlington.

Police in the Queen City have had their hands full this month, investigating several shootings, armed robberies involving guns, a homicide at a nightclub on Church Street, gunfire leading to an abandoned car riddled with bullet holes and covered in blood in a public park, and seeking information on young people concealing firearms and getting into fights downtown.

“Incidents like this and the ongoing incidents that Burlington is struggling with show how complex the community safety issues have been and have been for a long time in the city,” said Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, P-Burlington.

Gov. Phil Scott attended a manufacturing workforce roundtable in Lyndon on Tuesday. We asked him what could be done about the situation.

“We’re not just seeing it in Chittenden County; it’s everywhere,” said Scott, R-Vermont.

Scott points to recent legislation that stiffens penalties for dealing drugs, like fentanyl and xylazine, and allows prosecutors to charge teens as adults in cases of gun violence.

It comes as Burlington grapples with concerns over open drug use, public encampments and the uptick in gun crimes.

“We need to do more,” Scott said. “People need to be held accountable for their actions and I don’t think we’ve done that as well as we should.”

Next week, about 300 more Vermonters will be out on the street following cuts to Vermont’s subsidized hotel-motel program.

With the legislative session about four months away, Scott says he’ll continue to push for more measures for more accountability like bail reform.

“Hopefully, we’ll get some more of what we promoted in the last couple of sessions,” the governor said.

Democratic Senate President Pro Tem Phil Baruth said this week that lawmakers will likely act on new gun restrictions in Burlington bars next session, claiming there’s been a sea change in public opinion on banning guns in bars.

“We are not equal in terms of the challenges we are seeing in our downtown cities with addiction, firearms and violence,” said Baruth, D/P-Chittenden County.

The discussion comes as college students return to the Queen City, a major economic driver for Burlington and the state as a whole.

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Related Topics:Burlington Crimes Featured gov guns news Phil scott violence violent WCAX

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Vermont

Wrong-way driver stopped on I-89, charged with DUI

Published

10 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Wrong-way driver stopped on I-89, charged with DUI

BOLTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A wrong-way driver was safely stopped on Interstate 89 overnight Sunday.

Vermont State Police say just before 12:30 a.m., they stopped the car near marker 77, near Bolton.

The driver, Denise Lear, 60, of Revere, was charged with driving under the influence and gross negligent operation.

Lear is expected in court Monday.

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Vermont

Women’s Lacrosse Bested in Burlington by Vermont – University at Albany Great Danes

Published

22 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Women’s Lacrosse Bested in Burlington by Vermont – University at Albany Great Danes

Score: UAlbany 4, Vermont 14

Location: Virtue Field | Burlington, Vt.

Records: UAlbany (10-5, 5-1 America East) | Vermont (8-6, 4-1 America East)

Short Story: UAlbany women’s lacrosse fell to the Vermont Catamounts on Saturday afternoon.

Key Stats

Grace Cincebox recorded a total of 14 saves with 13 goals allowed for a .565 save percentage.

Ravan Marsell led the Great Danes with two points on one goal and one assist.

Four different UAlbany players scored in the contest.

Reggie Williams was the team’s leader with three ground balls.

Delilah Mile caused a team high three turnovers.

How It Happened

The Catamounts came out of the gates hard and heavy, scoring all three goals between both sides in the first quarter.

Vermont would take an 8-0 lead in the second quarter before Amanda Williamson found the back of the net on a women-down goal to put the Great Danes on the board and make it 8-1.

The Great Danes would allow one more goal in the first half to trail 9-1 after 30-minutes of play.

Grace Cincebox would enter the half with 10 saves.

Riley Forthofer started the Great Danes off in the second half to make it a 9-2 game, before Vermont put up three more goals to take a 12-2 lead entering the final quarter of play.

Mya Carroll and Ravan Marsell both scored on back-to-back free-position goals to make it a 12-4 game.

The Catamounts finished the game with two more goals to take the win 14-4.

Up Next
The Great Danes will next have a bye week and wait to see the outcome of next week’s Vermont vs UMass Lowell game to see who will host the America East Tournament.

Social Central: Stay up to date with UAlbany women’s lacrosse by following the team on Instagram (@UAlbanyWLax), Facebook (UAlbany Women’s Lacrosse), and X (@UAlbanyWLax) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.

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Vermont

Vermont lands two cities in America’s top 15 happiest list

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Vermont lands two cities in America’s top 15 happiest list

Is creativity the missing key to better health?

Research suggests creative activities like art, music and crafts may benefit mental health as much as other key health habits.

Here’s another reason Vermont is the best New England state: It’s home to one of the top 5 happiest cities in the United States.

Plus, it has another within the top 15.

Massachusetts, on the other hand, doesn’t even break the top 50. Nor, does Connecticut or Rhode Island.

The personal finance website analyzed 182 of the largest cities in the country, and ranked Boston 63rd overall. Although the city is home to some of the nation’s top universities, high-ranking hospitals, and well-regarded companies, it didn’t break the top 50.

To get the rankings, WalletHub compared the cities using 29 metrics, including life-satisfaction index, depression rate, poverty rate, job security, and acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, and cities were assigned an overall happiness score.

Here’s a look at how the cities ranked.

South Burlington is No. 4 happiest city, Burlington is No. 11

South Burlington came on top for Vermont in WalletHub’s list of the happiest cities in the United States, ranking at No. 4. In scored very high for emotional and physical well-being coming in at the No. 4 spot, which made up for coming in No. 48 for community and environment. It was No. 9 for income and employment ranking. That gave it a total happiness of score of 70.15

Burlington wasn’t far behind at all, taking the No. 11 spot on the list and a happiness score of 67.54. It’s highest score was for income and employment ranking where it came second. It ranked No. 13 for community and environment and No. 21 for emotional and physical well-being.