Trooper Who Punched Suspect During Shaftsbury Arrest Cited for Assault

By Derek Brouwer on April 7, 2021 at 6:14PM

Zink's is the second misdemeanor assault citation issued this week against a Vermont police officer for force used during an arrest. Tuesday, former St. Albans corporal Mark Schwartz was cited for Tasing a man in February of 2019. 

Former St. Albans Cop Charged With Assault for Sidewalk Tasing

By Derek Brouwer on April 6, 2021 at 6:43PM

A man who answered the phone for Northern Watch on Tuesday would not put a reporter in touch with Schwartz. The former officer did not immediately return a separate call for comment. 

A Bid to Decriminalize an Opiate-Addiction Drug Gets a Boost

By Kevin McCallum on April 6, 2021 at 5:38PM

——> "I think we’ve done a good job on this bill," said Rep. Ann Pugh (D-Burlington) said.  "It will save lives." 

Art Broken: A Mural Defaced, Then Cleaned Up, in the Old North End

By Sally Pollak on March 30, 2021 at 4:28PM

For about 40 years, Burlington artist Tony Shull has painted murals  — colorful and humorous pieces that light up his city's streetscape. One adorns the north side of the Nunyuns Bakery & Café building in the Old North End, at the corner of North Champlain and North streets.

AG Donovan Refiles Third Major Case That Sarah George Dismissed

By Derek Brouwer on March 19, 2021 at 6:32PM

Fortier's attorney, David Sleigh, said the state has yet to present any new information that would justify the renewed prosecution nearly two years after the previous case was dropped. Fortier's current hospitalization order lasts until November, Sleigh said, suggesting his release into the community was not imminent.

Leahy Reintroduces Bill to Clean Up EB-5 Foreign Investor Program

By Kevin McCallum on March 18, 2021 at 7:31PM

“Senator Leahy and Senator Grassley have been pushing for their bipartisan EB-5 reforms long before the situation in Vermont,” Carle wrote in an email. “Some of what they have been trying to do likely would have helped address the case in Vermont, but this reform push predates that, and is much bigger than that.”

Vermont Supreme Court Upholds Murder Convictions in 2016 Crash That Killed Teens

By Derek Brouwer on March 12, 2021 at 1:42PM

COVID-19 Is Racing Through Vermont's Largest Prison

By Kevin McCallum on March 2, 2021 at 11:58PM

Shooter Previously Deemed Insane Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge

By Derek Brouwer on February 9, 2021 at 4:21PM

Montague has publicly pressed for his shooter's prosecution and previously expressed optimism when Nolan brought fresh gun charges in 2019. On Tuesday, he told Seven Days he was still processing the terms of the deal but planned to issue a statement in the near future.

Vermont Law School Receives $3 Million Grant for Restorative Justice Program

By Chelsea Edgar on February 2, 2021 at 6:29PM

As Vermont Law School grapples with lagging enrollment and financial woes exacerbated by the pandemic, the grants represent a significant investment. “There's definitely a social justice mission that is part of Vermont Law School, and this is really giving focus to that and building it out,” said Stephanie Clark, director of the center.