Hartford
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is among the new initiatives the Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association plans to launch in the Upper Valley.
The chapter held a luncheon last month in Quechee to raise funds for education, care and support, and to “build relationships” as it lays the groundwork for the new walk, according to a news release from the Vermont organization. So far, the “Reason to Hope” event has raised more than $6,000 to fund programs and services to help Vermonters living with dementia, and to support “cutting-edge research worldwide.”
Windsor County has the state’s second highest concentration of people living with Alzheimer’s, and there is “a great thirst” for more education, programs, and services and support, said Martha Richardson, the chapter’s executive director.
Registration for the new walk will open at 10 a.m. in Lyman Park, followed by a ceremony at 11 a.m. The walk will begin at 11:15 a.m.
Anyone interested in joining or fielding a team can get more information or register at www.alz.org/walk.
Bradford, Vt.
The new bridge will be a single-span curved steel girder bridge, with an unpaved, concrete deck and new galvanized steel tubing bridge rail. It will feature two travel lanes with two four-foot wide shoulders for pedestrian and bicycle use.
The bridge closure period is scheduled to start on June 16 and continue to Sept. 8. Daily lane closures can be expected prior to the bridge closure period and following the bridge’s re-opening. Flaggers will be present to maintain traffic flow.
An offsite detour for vehicles to use during the closure period will be marked with signs. Route 25B through traffic will be directed to use Route 25 and Route 5 as a detour route around the project.
Construction is expected to be completed by mid-September. Weekly updates will be posted on roadworkupdates.com.
Concord (ap)
A Bristol police officer shot and killed a bear last month after the officer responded to a bear complaint at a home and the animal ran toward him.
The homeowner told WMUR-TV that he found the bear in his garage and that the animal had torn off his door frame.
The move comes as the bear population in northern New England is growing.
Bennington, Vt. (ap)
The legislation, signed on Friday, requires those who release perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, into the air, groundwater, surface water or soil to be liable for the costs of clean up and extending water supply lines from a public water system to impacted properties.
The chemical that has been linked to cancer and other illnesses was found in private wells in Bennington and North Bennington around a former factory now owned by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics.
WCAX-TV reported that the state and company have been working on negotiating a settlement.
Londonderry, n.h. (ap)
Police said 22-year-old Julia Melendez, of Boston, was driving north on Interstate 93 on Friday when she lost control of the vehicle and hit a guardrail. Melendez died of her injuries.
Police say a child passenger was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and then flown to Boston Children’s Hospital to be treated for serious injuries. An adult passenger was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Rutland (ap)
The Downtown Rutland Partnership announced on Wednesday that Steven Peters will take over as executive director on June 14.
The Rutland Herald reported that the 30-year-old Peters is currently on the board of directors for the Rutland Young Professionals. He hopes that will give him a fresh perspective when it comes to marketing the downtown area and attracting new businesses.
Alburgh, Vt. (ap)
Police said 64-year-old Stephen Thomas was wearing diving equipment as he tried to locate moorings to attach buoys to in the water when he went unresponsive Friday afternoon.
A witness swam out, brought him to shore and starting performing CPR until emergency crews arrived.
Thomas was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police say an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
Boston (ap)
The bill defines a Native American mascot as a “name, symbol, or image that depicts or refers to an American Indian tribe, individual, custom, or tradition that is used by a public school as a mascot, nickname, logo, letterhead, or team name.”
The bill gives specific examples, including “Indians,” “Indianettes,” “Chieftains” and “Braves.”
The bill would prohibit the use of any Native American mascot by a Massachusetts public school.
The bill will be heard a 10 a.m. hearing Tuesday by the Legislature’s Education Committee at the Statehouse.
Portland, Maine (ap)
Portland Police said 32-year-old William Ficklin faces charges including attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
The victim, 39-year-old Russell Solak, is in stable condition at Maine Medical Center.
Police said that Ficklin shot Solak late Tuesday on Preble Street in the area of a parking garage in Portland.
Lt. Robert Martin said that anonymous tips led police to Ficklin, whom they arrested Friday morning.
Lynn, Mass. (ap)
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police said the woman, in her 40s, was struck around 100 yards south of the platform at Lynn Commuter Rail station shortly before 6 p.m. on Friday in Lynn.
Authorities said foul play is not suspected. The woman has not been identified.
Cambridge, Mass. (Aap)
Authorities say no one has been charged in the June 3, 2012 shooting that killed Charlene Holmes and wounded a 17-year-old girl in Cambridge. Authorities say the two teens are not believed to have been the intended targets.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Police Commissioner Brent Larrabee are seeking information from witnesses in the investigation, which remains open and active.