Vermont

St. Albans city leaders discuss solutions to repeat crimes

Published

2 years ago

June 10, 2024

St. Albans city leaders discuss solutions to repeat crimes

ST. ALBANS, Vt. (WCAX) – Officials in the city of St. Albans are putting out a call to all residents who have noticed a string of crimes happening in the community.

“We had a situation here. Somebody broke in and took all the money out of the register. That was a lot for me because you know that was like a vulnerable thing for me. Like hey, somebody is in my place,” said business owner of Hangry The Donut Bar Erica McClain.

McClain has owned a business and lived in St. Albans, off and on, for the past ten years.

Recently, she’s noticed what she calls a slow uptick of crime on Main St. and in the neighborhood. She says she believes many of the people committing the crimes have struggles of their own, people just need to be more careful.

“I mean you got to lock your doors, you can’t have your cars open or your home doors unlocked just because, just in general you know, when people wanna do something bad, they are going to do it,” McClain said.

For the past several months, city officials report an unusual amount of low level crimes, like attempted burglaries, car break-ins, and house break-ins, on a weekly basis.

According to the police, the crimes are being committed by the same group of individuals. Sometimes five retail thefts a day, by the same person. Police bumped up their patrols on Main St., but now the crimes have ventured out into the surrounding community. City Manager Dominic Cloud says, the people committing the crimes are suffering with substance use disorder.

“In St. Albans there’s half a dozen folks who are struggling with addiction. They are fueling their addiction, robbing from the community. What’s missing there is that accountability mechanism that forces someone to get their life together,” Cloud explained.

City of St. Albans Police Chief Maurice Lamothe says the department could receive as many as 25 calls a week related to these misdemeanor crimes. But because the crimes only require a citation to go to court. Sometimes with no arrest, holding repeat offenders accountable is tough.

“The courts hands are somewhat tied. In the state statute, because you can only ask so much bail. Bail is designed so that the state meaning the court believes that you are a risk of flight and not to come to court. That’s when they can set bail. For these people that are repeat offenders in our area. They are not any flight of risk. They may not go to court, but they are not going to flee the area,” Lamothe said.

The city will hold a public safety forum, on June 17, at City Hall.

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Vermont

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

Published

4 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

How to see a reindeer in Vermont

Vermont Reindeer Farm in West Charleston is home to the only three reindeer, or caribou, living in the state. Here’s what it’s like to visit them.

Looking for ways to enjoy the rest of the cold New England winter?

While staying indoors often seems better than facing the cold, the region has lots of outdoor activities that brighten the winter season, including skiing, snow tubing and, of course, ice skating. From Burlington to Stratton, Vermont has plenty of indoor and outdoor ice rinks, many of which offer lessons, concessions and special events in addition to ice skating.

Here are five places in Vermont where you can go ice skating this winter.

Spruce Peak Village Ice Rink

This outdoor ice rink is located in the heart of the village at Spruce Peak, a ski resort in Stowe formerly known as Stowe Mountain Lodge.

Guests can skate daily surrounded by the majestic ski slopes of the Green Mountains. On Friday nights, the Spruce Peak Village ice rink hosts glow skate parties with a light show, glow sticks and a live DJ. Skate rentals and lessons are also available for purchase.

When: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday or noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Spruce Peak, 7412 Mountain Road, Stowe

Ice Haus Arena

Located up at Jay Peak Resort near the Canadian border, Ice Haus Arena is the newest ice-skating arena in the state. The indoor rink is complete with bleacher seating, a rental and repair shop, four locker rooms, a pro shop, a snack bar and of course, an NHL-sized rink where guests can participate in public skating or skating with sticks and pucks.

General admission to the rink is $6, with skate rentals available for $6, skate sharpening available for $7 and helmets available for $3.

When: Online schedule updated daily

Where: Jay Peak Resort, 830 Jay Peak Road, Jay

C. Douglas Cairns Recreation Arena

This indoor arena has not one, but two NHL-size ice rinks for hockey, public skating and stick and puck practices. Off the ice, Cairns Arena also offers a pro shop and a cafe with hot food, snacks and drinks.

Skating at Cairns costs $5 for adults or $3 for children and seniors, and skates are available to rent for an additional $5.

When: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday, with exceptions. Check the online schedule at cairnsarena.finnlyconnect.com..

Where: 600 Swift St., South Burlington

Mill House at Stratton Mountain Resort

Surrounded by the scenic Stratton Mountain Resort, Mill House Pond is the perfect outdoor spot for public ice skating or skating lessons.

Public skating costs $20, and bookings can be made online.

When: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday or noon to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday and Sunday-Monday

Where: Stratton Mountain Resort, 5 Village Lodge Road, Stratton Mountain

Riley Rink at Hunter Park

A large indoor sports facility, Northshore Civic Center has an Olympic-sized ice rink, along with a concession stand and retail shop. The rink offers public skating, stick and puck practice, hockey and skating lessons.

When: Check the online schedule for weekly updates

Where: 410 Hunter Park Road, Manchester Center

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Vermont

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Published

16 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Staff reports
| USA TODAY Network

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Vermont rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 375 in the week ending February 21, up from 357 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims rose to 212,000 last week, up 4,000 claims from 208,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 132.0%. Michigan, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 49.9%.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.

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Vermont

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

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.