Springfield, Vt.
Springfield Fire Chief Russ Thompson said staff members jumped into action when they noticed smoke in the building around 8:30 p.m., first placing a call to 911 and then working swiftly to remove all of the animals.
“We were able to save the building and to be more effective because the staff quickly called 911 and gave us a chance to get there in a timely fashion,” Thompson said in a telephone interview on Friday.
All seven animals — a mix of cats and dogs — were unharmed. Some of the animals went home to their families that night, while others stayed with an employee or at a neighboring vet clinic.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Thompson said. The fire is believed to have started in the rear of the building.
Vernon Temple, speaking on behalf of his son Brad Temple, who owns the clinic with Dena Meehan, said the staff at Springfield Animal Hospital are busy picking up the pieces and planning their next steps.
The owners plan to fix the building and move back in as quickly as possible, Vernon Temple said.
In the interim, they hope to rent temporary office space.
The phone lines to Springfield Animal Hospital are open, and the clinic is actively taking calls, Temple said.
“They hope to be back in practice very quickly,” Temple said.
Claremont
Scott Berry, 34, was sentenced on a criminal mischief charge by Judge Brian Tucker and also was given a suspended two- to four-year sentence in state prison on a felony burglary charge, Assistant Sullivan County Attorney Justin Hersh said on Friday.
Berry also must pay $262 in restitution to Dusty’s Cafe and $400 to Kleen Laundry, both on Pleasant Street.
Berry pleaded guilty to breaking through the wall of Kleen Laundry on the night of Aug. 30 to gain entry into Dusty’s, where he stole $119 from two cash registers and caused $143 in damage. Surveillance videos from both businesses led police to Berry.
Hersh said the court also recommended Berry participate in the Transitional Re-entry and Inmate Life Skills program at the jail.
If Berry violates his good behavior requirements or his probation, prosecutors could seek to impose the state prison sentence, Hersh said.
Montpelier
Republican Gov. Phil Scott announced on Thursday that Sarah George would become the next Chittenden County state’s attorney.
George, who attended Vermont Law School, replaces T.J. Donovan, who became Vermont’s new attorney general earlier this month. Scott says George is a strong, decisive prosecutor who came highly recommended.
George grew up in Quechee and graduated from Hartford High School in 2001. She still comes to the Upper Valley on weekends, where she works as a server at the Simon Pearce restaurant in Quechee.
She has served as deputy state’s attorney since 2011. She prosecuted thousands of cases, including aggravated assault, domestic violence and murder.
— Staff and wire reports