Michael Albans

An East Arlington defendant who was accused last year of repeated aggravated sexual assault of a child in and other charges took a negotiated plea deal that spares him any further jail time when state prosecutors dismissed most charges after further investigation into the case led to a different suspect.

John Pena-Baez at a hearing in 2023. Pena-Baez is charged in the death if Isaiah Rodriguez.

Odalys Velez-Perez at one of her court hearings in 2023

Odalys Velez-Perez at one of her court hearings in 2023 Michael Albans — Bennington Banner

Bennington resident votes in the afternoon light at the Bennington Firehouse.

MANCHESTER — Many in the Northshire and nationwide are describing the 2024 election as “historic,” and that may prove true in Vermont – but not for the reason you might expect.

Young student presents Veteran Wally Mattison with a card and a handshake after ceremony. Michael Albans — Bennington Banner

Daniel Banyai, fresh off recent foreclosure proceedings on his West Pawlet property and a still-pending assault on a police officer case in Rutland, was charged in late October with two counts of violating his conditions of release after a verbal altercation with a 17-year-old inside a Granville, NY Dunkin Donuts.

Mike Botieri of Operation 2 Save Lives, speaks to representatives from several local agencies on a new program to bring social welfare, health, and law enforcement together to resolve ongoing issues. Michael Albans — Bennington Banner

A Manchester defendant with a prior felony conviction for possessing graphic and disturbing child abuse pornography, and who was again charged in 2022 with six more counts, took a plea deal Wednesday that sends him to jail for 1-10-years.