Vermont

Vt. Corrections delays release of notorious repeat offender Harley Breer

Published

1 year ago

January 1, 2025

Vt. Corrections delays release of notorious repeat offender Harley Breer

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – The expected release of one of Vermont’s most notorious career criminals prompted immediate concerns in the community where he plans to live, but Vermont Corrections officials say Harley Breer’s release has now been delayed.

Breer has been in and out of jail since the late 1980s for a variety of crimes, including kidnapping, sexual assault and assault.

He has been in prison since his arrest following a five-day manhunt in April 2021. His minimum release date was Dec. 1, 2024, and Vermont’s Department of Corrections confirmed to WCAX News the state is preparing Breer for release. The news was first reported by freelance journalist Mike Donoghue.

But Wednesday morning, a Department of Corrections spokesperson told WCAX News that they are now delaying Breer’s release until at least next week. We don’t know why.

Essex County State’s Attorney Vince Illuzzi told WCAX that Breer plans to live in the small town of Caanan, which borders New Hampshire and Canada.

The news prompted immediate community concern, especially since Canaan’s Police Department was disbanded in 2023. The town has a part-time contract for police services through the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, whose Guildhall office is about 45 minutes away from Caanan. Illuzzi says Caanan relies on U.S. Customs and Border Protection as their primary agency to respond to emergencies.

Illuzzi says he has contacted Vermont Corrections Commissioner Nick Deml asking him to reconsider Breer’s placement in Caanan.

“It’s a difficult place to put someone who has a record of being a career criminal. And we think that the commissioner should reverse that decision and locate Mr. Breer in an area where he would be close to the Department of Corrections office that will supervise him, and secondly, where there are adequate resources in the form of law enforcement and other supervisory agencies that can keep a close eye on Mr. Breer,” Illuzzi said.

Breer’s latest conviction came in May 2023 when The Times Argus reports Breer reached a plea agreement for charges connected to a 2021 manhunt. Police say Breer, who was on house arrest, escaped custody by removing his ankle monitor, assaulted a neighbor near his Marshfield home and went on the run. His charges were reduced, with a final deal having him serve four to 10 years on obstruction of justice convictions and up to 20 years on probation on an unlawful mischief conviction, according to the Times Argus. His sentence included credit for time served.

The Times Argus reports part of Breer’s probation includes mandatory mental health, anger management and risk reduction programming.

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Vermont

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

Published

26 minutes 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

13 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.