Vermont State Police On January 18, 2023, at approximately 10:52 PM the Johnson Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at an unoccupied single-family residence. An off-duty firefighter reported the fire to 911 after seeing flames inside the building. When fire crews arrived, they discovered the structure completed involved in fire. Firefighters conducted an external defense attack on the fire. Investigators are pursuing the possibility that the fire was the result of direct human involvement. The intent of that involvement is unknown and under investigation. There were no reported injuries associated with this fire event. The structure is a complete loss and valued at approximately $100,000.

Vermont Business Magazine A new study has revealed the states where house prices rose the most over the past year. It should come as no surprise to anyone in Vermont that they have risen at a rapid pace since the beginning of the pandemic. A new study based on 2022 home values shows that Vermont had the third highest increase in the nation. The research by Santa Monica realtors analyzed data from Zillow for the past year, across all 50 states to determine which state had seen the biggest rise in housing prices. The average house price in Vermont is now $386,285 after increasing 16.9% over the past 12 months. Of the five fastest growing states, Vermont had the second highest home value, just behind Florida, which was also the fastest growing.

Vermont Business Magazine Celebrating its 40^th anniversary, outdoor headwear and accessories brand, Turtle Fur, is excited to announce that as of December 21^st, 2022, they have officially become a Certified B Corporation™ (B Corp™), joining a community of leaders committed to doing business for good. To achieve B Corp certification, Turtle Fur underwent a lengthy review of their business practices and operations, measuring the effect those have on their people, their community, and the environment. The results are scored, and companies must meet a minimum score to achieve certification. Becoming B Corp certified means that a company is committed to using business as a force for positive change.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announces $200,000 in grant funds to strengthen Vermont’s specialty crop industries and producer associations. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture crops (including honey, hops, maple syrup and mushrooms), and nursery crops (including Christmas trees and floriculture). Interested applicants should apply by February 28, 2023 at 11:59 PM. 

Vermont Business Magazine The ACLU filed a lawsuit Tuesday on behalf of John Chinnici, who was unlawfully arrested, interrogated, and searched by Bennington police after they repeatedly pressured multiple witnesses and suspects to name Mr. Chinnici as an accomplice in a January 2016 armed robbery, despite the fact that Mr. Chinnici did not match witness descriptions and no other evidence connected him to the crime. While still trying to get Mr. Chinnici named as an accomplice, Bennington police arrested Mr. Chinnici without probable cause, and went on to make multiple misrepresentations in their interviews with Mr. Chinnici and in their application for a warrant to search his phone. Mr. Chinnici was prosecuted based on evidence arising from these unlawful actions, though his resulting conviction was eventually thrown out. Mr. Chinnici now asserts that BPD officials and the Town of Bennington violated his federal and state constitutional rights.