Man gets police

attention, races off

ST. JOHNSBURY — A Vermont man faces multiple charges after crashing his car near a Vermont State Police barracks during a high-speed chase.

Police say they followed Steven Kimball, 27, of Peacham after he drew their attention by revving the engine of his Chevy Camaro outside the St. Johnsbury police department shortly after midnight Friday.

Officials say Kimball then took off, hitting speeds of more than 120 mph before spinning out of control and striking several guard rails before his car came to a stop.

Kimball was charged with driving while intoxicated, careless and negligent operation of a motor vehicle and attempting to elude authorities.



Vt. Health Benefit

Exchange forums

WILLISTON — This week marks the start of a series of forums held by the Department of Vermont Health Access about the new Health Benefit Exchange, scheduled to launch in late 2013.

The Exchange is a marketplace for individuals, families and small businesses to compare and purchase qualified private health insurance plans, determine eligibility for and enroll in public health insurance plans, and access federal tax credits.

The public forums will be held throughout the state in September and October, covering topics ranging from benefits to be covered to what the Exchange website might look like.

The first session is set for Thursday night at Isley Public Library in Middlebury.



Grant helps get

care for disabled

WILLISTON — Vermont has received an $18 million federal grant to help it pursue a program designed to get disabled residents the care they need at home, rather than in long-term care facilities.

The Money Follows the Person Program allows a transfer of services for disabled Vermonters when they move from institutional settings back into the community.

The state Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living got a demonstration grant from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to launch the program last year and is implementing it statewide now.

Anyone receiving Vermont Medicaid and living in a nursing facility can apply for the program.



March in memory

of murder victim

BURLINGTON — Organizers are planning a charity walk and run in Burlington next weekend to help prevent violence against women in memory of a Vermont woman who was abducted and killed in 2005.

The sixth annual Laura's March, in memory of Laura Winterbottom, will be held next Saturday starting at Oakledge Park.

The 31-year-old Winterbottom was abducted, raped and murdered after leaving a Burlington restaurant in 2005.

The primary beneficiaries of this year's march will be Women Helping Battered Women and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program.

There is no entry fee, but participants are encouraged to raise money.

For more information, visit the Laura Kate Winterbottom Memorial Fund online at www.lkwfund.org.



— Staff and wire reports



Chimney Point

is focus of talk

BURLINGTON — Archeologists have recovered evidence of 9,000 years of human occupation, ranging from Native American settlements to portions of a French fort at the Chimney Point State Historic Site in West Addison.

The excavations were done as part of the construction of a new bridge between Vermont and New York.

Archaeologists say the historic and archaeological research shows the significance of Chimney Point to the Native American and European history of the Champlain Valley and Vermont.

John Crock, associate professor of anthropology and director of the University of Vermont's Consulting Archaeology Program, will present the findings at a talk in Burlington this month.

The free event will be held Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. at the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum.