Justin Huizenga, an 18-year veteran of the Winooski Police Department, has been appointed as the city's next police chief. Huizenga had been serving as interim chief since former chief Richard Herbert retired in December.

"After a rigorous national search, screening process and community engagement, it is clear that Chief Huizenga is the best possible chief for Winooski," city officials said in a release.

The Champlain Housing Trust, a membership-based nonprofit organization that creates and preserves affordable housing in northwest Vermont, recently elected two new members to its board of directors and presented leadership awards to three individuals and two organizations.

Newly elected to the board for three-year terms were Regina Mahoney, city manager of Essex Junction (public member), and Isaac Owusu, director of community engagement and support for the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance (resident member).

Award recipients were: