Claremont Workshop Will Teach About Septic Systems

Claremont — A “Septic Smart” workshop will be held on Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. until noon the Claremont Savings Bank Community Center, 152 South St., Claremont.

The event, presented by the Mount Ascutney Subcommittee of the Connecticut River Joint Commissions, will cover how septic systems work, how to tell when something is wrong, how often to clean them and other basic knowledge. It will also explain the regulations related to installing a new system or replacing an old one. The information is designed for New Hampshire and Vermont residents and targeted toward homeowners.

“It can save a homeowner a ton of money on emergency repairs when simple maintenance and a basic knowledge of what not to flush would prevent problems,” said Kelly Stettner, who is helping to organize the event.

Participants are asked to pre-register by emailing k.stettner101@gmail.com or calling 802-738-0456.​ Please include your name, contact information and number of people attending.

White River Rotary Club Gives Awards to Local Nonprofits

White River Junction — The White River Junction Rotary Club has awarded $7,500 to local nonprofits and $1,000 for a literacy project for its sister club, the White River Rotary Club of South Africa.

Local recipients included Second Growth, White River School, U.S.-Japan Technical Connections Inc., Good Neighbor Health Clinic, Hartford Community Coalition, Upper Valley Waldorf School, the American Precision Museum and the Center for Cartoon Studies.

An additional $1,000 will benefit Books In Homes, a literacy project in South Africa.

Vermont Holds Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference

Fairlee (ap) — More than 200 people involved in emergency response attended an annual preparedness conference in Fairlee.

The 10th annual conference hosted by Vermont Emergency Management started Friday and ran through Saturday. Attendees included fire and police personnel as well as representatives from hospitals, colleges, companies and ski areas.

Vermont Emergency Management Director Erica Bornemann said the state continually sees the need to work together with those “outside of the traditional world of emergency response.”

The conference includes more than 50 educational sessions and demonstrations.

Vermont National Guard Medical Team Heading to St. Thomas

Colchester, Vt. (ap) — Members of the Vermont National Guard are heading to the Caribbean to help with relief efforts after Hurricane Irma.

A team of 20 nurses, physician assistants, medical administrators, combat medics and a doctor will be traveling to St. Thomas Island in the next few days.

The storm, at one point the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the open Atlantic, eventually claimed dozens of lives as it tore up the Caribbean and the southeastern United States.

Maj. Gen. Steven Cray, the Vermont National Guard’s adjutant general, said he’s extremely proud of how quickly people volunteered for the mission.

N.H. Man Who Shot at Police to Spend More Than 10 Years in Prison

Concord (ap) — A New Hampshire man who fired at police during a standoff in December has been sentenced to serve at least 10 years in prison.

Ryan Brouillard pleaded guilty to 16 charges and was sentenced on Thursday in court in Concord. The presiding judge agreed with the prosecution’s recommendation of a sentence of a minimum of 10 years in prison. Brouillard’s attorneys argued for a sentence of seven to 14 years.

The 34-year-old was arrested and charged in Concord after Franklin police launched a manhunt for him after they say he fired at police officers during a standoff. No one was injured during the standoff.

Franklin Police Chief David Goldstein said he is pleased with the sentence, saying it sends a message that police officers and the public need to be protected.

— Staff and wire reports