Low 42F. If you're looking for "ISpys," dating or LTRs, this is your scene. | Updated August 25, 2020 at 6:53 p.m. If he wins reelection he told Seven Days he will run for a new two-year term in 2017 he will be the longest-serving mayor in Rutland history. "Now should I be looking at the positive? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Dalton Beitel death, obituary: Florida Southern college student death cause. for sale by owner According to Major Tradeau, Chris Louras, armed with an AR-15-style rifle exchanged some fire towards the officers. To criticize, correct or praise our reporting, please send us a letter to the editor or send us a tip. They'd say their greatest problem is finding enough workers," Huebner said. If we dont get a say in this, this will be used in March.. However, Donovan While we've appreciated the suggestions and insights, right now Seven Days is prioritizing our core mission producing high-quality, responsible local journalism over moderating online debates between readers. Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Rutland, Vermont. I got smoked, Louras admitted the day after the election. for sale by owner Were not like the Kool-Aid drinkers in Burlington, he said. This, along with support from the local fire department who had their own beef with Louras was enough to oust the incumbent mayor in March 2017. Although his parents weren't much into politics, his uncle Peter Louras had served for years on the board. After Alderwoman Sharon Davis slammed him and the crowd erupted in applause, he assured a reporter, "Nothing I haven't heard before.". The former mayors late son is also suspected of killing his "There's a potential workforce here, not unlike lots of places, that isn't interested in the sort of grungy, dirty, hardworking, entry-level jobs that are the sort of thing you will do because you're glad for a fresh start," said Notte. Rutland cousins both died of gunshot wounds to the head, records say But at times, he has had little to say about what's gone wrong on his watch. Learn how Report for America and local philanthropists are contributing to the cause, Tags: Politics, cannabis related, Chris Louras, New Americans, Rutland, Syrian refugees, Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, Cyclist Killed in Crash With Truck While Riding in Rasputitsa Race, Shooting Victim Found on Downtown Burlington Sidewalk, The Tangled Tale Behind the Abrupt Resignation of Middlebury Union High Schools Principal. life or someone elses. The Vermont State Police learned that a mans body was discovered off of Vermont Route 53, also known as Lake Dunmore Road, in Salisbury. They want to give the best possible future to their children because they lost everything.". Vermont State Police say Louras drove by the police station around 5:30 a.m. and fired several shots into the front entrance and drove away. Bets are in. Instead, he says "people with an R next to their name," or "guy with a D next to his name." This year, there will be an estimated 60 million refugees and displaced people worldwide. Now Louras is a general manager for Foley Distributing. 5, The Tangled Tale Behind the Abrupt Resignation of Middlebury Union High Schools Principal, 2. "It does not paint a pretty picture," Louras said. Concluding that he's a "technocrat, not a politician," he returned to Rutland and rebranded himself as a nonpartisan fixer. While we champion free speech, facts are a matter of life and death during the coronavirus pandemic, and right now Seven Days is prioritizing the production of responsible journalism over moderating online debates between readers. Life is fragile, and we need to hold our loved ones tight, Allaire said at Tuesdays news conference. People take that for what it is genuine.". But longtime alderman Dave Allaire, who had challenged Louras twice before and lost, harnessed anger over resettlement. The end-run has given his opponents political cover critics are now arguing against both the refugees and Louras' conduct and irritated some people who were inclined to support him. Like his predecessors dating back to the 1970s, Louras has focused on Rutland's economy, which started declining when local industries mills, quarries and a railroad shut down. If you're looking for "ISpys," dating or LTRs, this is your scene. The man killed in the officer involved shooting has been identified as Christopher Louras, 33, of Rutland. A firefight broke out between the suspect and police, during which the suspect was hit. Technically, Louras was a maintenance pilot he oversaw repairs, then flew the choppers to make sure the work had been done right. They engaged in secrecy for one simple reason they feared that involving the public sooner would derail the effort. That landed him at a number of large military bases in Texas, Alabama and Kentucky before the 1991 Gulf War. If all goes well, backers say, this will not be a one-off event: Rutland will take its place alongside Burlington and Winooski and welcome a new batch of refugees every year. The cousins death is still under investigation in Addison County, Donovan said. Vermont State Police on Tuesday confirmed that Christopher Louras was responsible for the murder of his cousin, Nicholas Louras. Footage from a police cruisers dashboard camera, obtained by NECN Tuesday, shows a chase through a popular shopping areas parking lot in downtown Rutland on Oct. 8. It has quietly funneled most refugees who arrived in Vermont Bosnians, Somalians, Bhutanese, Congolese, Burmese and Iraqis to Burlington and Winooski. They walked away from the homes we had squatters," Louras said. You have permission to edit this article. Stay on top of all of Vermont's criminal justice news. With so many employers promising jobs, Rutland became Merdzanovic's top choice. David Trapeni, the author of the petition, asked Merdzanovic during the recent meeting. Notifications from this guestbook will end. There was a pursuit, a few hundred yards. Well check it out and report the results. Jack Thurston. Christopher G. Louras, 33, was killed Tuesday after exchanging gunfire in downtown Rutland on the morning of Oct. 8 following a short pursuit in the Rutland Shopping Plaza parking lot, police said. click here. ", "How much pushback do you need?" Police say he was shot nine times and died at the hospital. Nicholas R. Louras | Obituaries | rutlandherald.com October, after he led them on a chase and opened fire on the officers first. post your listing. People are angry, said local physician Timothy Cook. All content The citys Project Vision program has been working on named Chris Louras. Trudeau said he wouldnt say why investigators believe the Rutland shooting is connected to the Salisbury homicide. Da Capo Publishing, Inc. As he sat in his messy office, Louras joked about making an appearance a few hours later at a local forum hosted by right-wing author Jim Simpson, who travels the country speaking out against refugees. UPDATE 10/10/2019: The Vermont State Police today identified Nicholas Louras, 34, of Rutland, as the homicide victim found on Tuesday in Salisbury. As interpreted by Simpson and the segment of the populace that insists President Barack Obama is a Muslim, it's a conspiracy between the UN and liberals to create one world government. RUTLAND, Vt. . Police said Christopher Louras shot out the window at the police. There will be no criminal charges filed against four Vermont Officers cleared in Rutland shootout that killed ex-mayor's son That's where Louras excels, airbrush in hand. State Police have not confirmed that, saying only that both cases remain under investigation. Yeah, I get it. Vermont-Based Feds Pursue Fraud Claims Against Health Records Company, Newport Prison Superintendent Removed From Post, Former Rutland mayor Christopher C. Louras. When he was still mayor in April 2016, Louras announced the city would become Vermonts newest resettlement community and welcome 100 mostly Syrian refugees, with more expected to follow. The idea of bringing immigrants to Rutland was something Louras said he had been thinking about long before the world was focused on Donald Trump or the war in Syria. Everyone in the room knew who he was. Dave Allaire is Rutland's current mayor - who's related by marriage to his predecessor at city hall and to both of the Louras cousins who lost their lives - Nick and Chris. The cousins death is still under investigation in Addison County, Donovan said.This has been a tragic event for our community, and of course, personally for my family, said Mayor Dave Allaire, Rutlands current mayor, who is related by marriage to his predecessor at city hall and to both of the Louras cousins who died, Nick and Chris.Mayor Allaire voiced his full support for the men and women of the Rutland Police Department, and thanked them for their work in a high-stress and highly dangerous situation to prevent further loss of life.Separately, Chris Louras mother, Crystal King, told NBC5, that she and Chris grandmother, Mary, loved the young man dearly and miss him every day.Life is fragile, and we need to hold our loved ones tight, Allaire said at Tuesdays news conference.Allaire noted he is optimistic a focus on addressing substance use disorders and forming neighborhood partnerships in Rutland can help strengthen his community after the encounter many here say really rattled locals.The citys Project Vision program has been working on improving the quality of life and addressing drug concerns in Rutland for years now.Drugs are believed to be a factor in the Louras cousins deaths, as Gov. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. He said he's not ready to self-reflect on losing his sixth reelection bid in the midst of Rutland refugee resettlement debate. said State Rep. Peter Fagan (R-Rutland). ", Although Louras said the planning "maybe could have been handled a little better," he insisted that if he could do it all over again, he wouldn't change anything. Vermont Wants an Equitable Cannabis Industry. Louras, the son of former Rutland mayor Christopher Louras, died within seconds or minutes of suffering a gunshot wound to his head in the shootout, a death certificate filed Tuesday with the state Department of Health stated. As mayor, he definitely weathered his share of criticism. Incumbents are hard to beat in Vermont. The younger Louras, Vermonts attorney general said, was in a mental health crisis when he shot seven times at officers, as well as at the entrance of the Rutland City Police Department. Life can be cruel and there are many twists and turns we may never understand. "I have to imagine there's at least one or two people considering a run against him, thinking he's shot himself in the foot here, either for bringing in the refugees or the close-to-his-chest nature," predicted Notte. From Rutland High School, he went straight to the University of Vermont, where he graduated with a political science degree in 1982. Share with Us. I don't understand how the planning process works for this. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WPTZ-TV. Champlain St. Ste. Allaire noted he is optimistic a focus on addressing substance use disorders and forming neighborhood partnerships in Rutland can help strengthen his community after the encounter many here say really rattled locals. Drugs are believed to be a factor in the Louras cousins He got on the city's 11-member governing board but had bigger ambitions. We consider this matter now closed, announced Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan, who added that he does not consider the way Louras died to be the way the totality of his life should be judged. bravery before anyone else was hurt. Anyone who may have information about the incident, including and photos or videos, should contact the Vermont State Police in Rutland at 802-773-9101. He lets himself dream of Syrians opening falafel shops and young people moving back to be part of the newfound diversity. Published June 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. At 91, he still goes to work every day at Sam Frank Distributors in downtown Rutland. Christopher Louras was mayor of Rutland for a decade, president of the citys board of aldermen, and served two years as a state representative. Scoopers at Ben & Jerry's in Burlington Seek to Unionize. There were no injuries to police or other civilians. Chance of rain 80%. Correction 4:30 p.m. 9/27/2019 An earlier version incorrectly identified the model type of the Chinook helicopter. 2023 The name of the man found in Salisbury will be released following notification of his family and further investigation. Fairlee Developer Wants to Help Others Tackle Small-Town Housing Roadblocks, 4. ", "I would have preferred more advance notice. However, through the surveillance cameras that the police department had, police was able to identify the vehicle and its registration. Nick Louras, 34, of Rutland, was found dead of gunshot wounds off Route 53 in Salisbury last October. At the same time, the other side is circulating a petition with more than 500 names calling for a public vote to oppose the refugees' relocation. Mayor Allaire voiced his full support for the men and women of the Rutland Police Department, and thanked them for their work in a high-stress and highly dangerous situation to prevent further loss of life. Tags: Rutland, Chris Louras, police shooting, drive-by shooting, AR-15, Vermont State Police, Web Only, Image. Theres no way we can possibly afford this.. Nick Louras was born July 2, 1927, in Rutland, son of Nicholas and Amalia (Alexandrides) Louras. Cindy Seager. More than 170 people turned out to a meeting at a Unitarian church, volunteering to help the refugees. Christopher George Louras RUTLAND Christopher George Louras, died at age 33. Chris Louras shot up the police station on Wales Street around 5:30 a.m., firing multiple times into the buildings front entrance and then fleeing the scene. Will the State Pony Up? This has been a tragic event for our community, and of course, personally for my family, said Mayor Dave Allaire, Rutlands current mayor, who is related by marriage to his predecessor at city hall and to both of the Louras cousins who died, Nick and Chris. Mayor Chris Louras Rutland and Burlington are the only two Vermont cities in which an elected mayor functions as the day-to-day chief executive officer. Louras was the son of Rutlands former longtime mayor, also As the board of aldermen meeting crept into its fourth hour, Louras moved closer to the front, leaning against the wall, shuffling from side to side, occasionally shaking his head or curling his lips into a sarcastic smile. In the possible homicide in Salisbury case, the body of a man was discovered early Tuesday afternoon off Route 53, also known as Lake Dunmore Road. Louras was one of only two Republicans who signed onto the bill, which former Republican governor Jim Douglas vetoed. Louras was the son of Rutland's former longtime mayor, also named Chris Louras. Commissioners refused; Bossi resigned in 2012. Gov Phil Scott, speaking at his weekly press conference last Wednesday, said the deaths may be tied to drugs. 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", Not a bit," Louras said. The city had become a defacto property manager, picking up the garbage and mowing lawns. I'd be honored to hav Two Buildings That Straddle the Canadian Border Bedevil Tenants and a Health Inspector, 7. The younger Louras,. Da Capo Publishing, Inc. But I'm not at the point where I'm willing to self-reflect, especially with a microphone., As to whether he regretted the way he handled the refugee resettlement issue, he was quick to say "no. Subscribe To 'The Frequency,' Our Daily Morning Newsletter, Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program Plans For Fewer Refugees After US Admissions Cap, Vermont Officials, Businesses Concerned About Decline In Refugees. Even if he was clearly avoiding the microphone, Mayor Chris Louras wasn't hiding. Following high school, he served in the US Air Force in the Korean War as an Airplane Mechanic. Life is fragile, and we need to hold our loved ones tight, Allaire said at Tuesdays news conference. Police have not said how the two deaths are linked, other than the familial relationship between the two. entrance of the Rutland City Police Department. Christopher George Louras | Obituaries | rutlandherald.com He's all over town," said Tom Huebner, president of Rutland Regional Medical Center a Rutland native who has known Louras for decades. It has long struggled with a stagnant economy and a declining population and has failed to attract the young families it needs to grow. Acting unilaterally, however, may have jeopardized his laudable gambit. Or send us a tip. He lost a reelection bid in a four-way Town Meeting Day race in March 2017 to David Allaire. 219 likes. Now that President Trump is expected to call . He served 10 years active duty, maintaining and test flying CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Even the governors who protested the arrival of Syrian refugees last fall have no legal authority to close off their states. Nick was a 1945 graduate of Rutland High School. Former Vt. mayor's son killed in police shootout; may be linked to homicide A year from now, Louras envisions dozens of refugees renting apartments, filling jobs, and opening businesses. A Rutland Welcomes Facebook page has 1,000 members. "I'm sure there are some in the community who are concerned about the refugees themselves. The fleeing vehicle became lodged trying to cross a set of train tracks on the edge of the large parking lot near the Amtrak train station. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. There's an internal report documenting problems in the Rutland Police Department, but Louras did not release it to the public when news of Todd's lawsuit broke. Sen. Peg Flory (R-Rutland), who was then House minority leader, said Louras was "intense." Last week, the first two of an expected 25 Syrian refugee families arrived in Rutland, Vt., a scenic, blue-collar town of 16,000 people. Louras and allies insist that the supporters outnumber the opponents. Walt Amses: Of popes and POTUS saints or sinners? Louras said he struggles to find solace in that. Get an email notification whenever someone signs the guestbook. Police shoot, kill man who allegedly fired into Rutland Police Contributions may be made to the Mentor Connector, 110 Merchants Row, Rutland, VT 05701. Allaire's optimistic a focus on addressing substance use disorders and forming neighborhood partnerships can help strengthen his community after the encounter many here say really rattled Rutland. Louras and four officers three from the city police, one from the Rutland Town force exchanged numerous shots. VTDigger is now accepting letters to the editor. In the wake of Louras's announcement, that theory appears to have gained a toehold in Rutland. After a one-time payment of $925, plus minimal language, housing and employment assistance, more than 80 percent of refugees meet the federal definition of "self-sufficient" within a year of arriving in Vermont. Sister Valerie and brother Nico were also on the payroll. ((JACK THURSTON: The former mayor's late son is also suspected ((MAYOR DAVE ALLAIRE / Rutland, VT: 12:18: this has been a tragic event for our community, and of course, personally for my family.)) Your email address will not be published. person will not be tolerated. In prior years, Louras shaved his head, and rocked a Mohawk, for the same cause. or anything. There will be no criminal charges filed against four Vermont police officers who shot and killed the son of Rutlands former mayor back in October, after he led them on a chase and opened fire on the officers first. "You should be doing just the opposite. Its too early to draw that conclusion, he said. "There's not a successful, vibrant and growing community in the country that hasn't embraced New Americans.". Police later located the white Ford Focus around 7 a.m. near the Walmart in the downtown shopping plaza. Chris Louras inside the Speak Easy Cafe in Rutland, Vt. Corey Hendrickson for the Boston Globe Kilcullen steeled himself, then read it, with rising gratitude and not a little amazement. "The way it was handled in the fall of 2015 and the spring of 2016 was the only way it could have been handled in order to get the three families we did into Rutland.". accounts, the history behind an article. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Now, they say lab tests have confirmed it. Peter Miller, Iconic Vermont Photographer, Dies at 89, 3. Learn how Report for America and local philanthropists are contributing to the cause, Cyclist Killed in Crash With Truck While Riding in Rasputitsa Race, Shooting Victim Found on Downtown Burlington Sidewalk, The Tangled Tale Behind the Abrupt Resignation of Middlebury Union High Schools Principal. Rutland, VT (05701) . 2023 homes for sale Mayor Allaire voiced his full support for the men and women of the Rutland Police Department, and thanked them for their work in a high-stress and highly dangerous situation to prevent further loss of life. Three are from Rutland City, one was from Rutland Town.Donovan and Kennedy said the officers actions were legally justified under the states self-defense rules, which consider someone guiltless if they hurt or kill another person while trying to protect their own life or someone elses.Both prosecutors praised police for facing a threat with bravery before anyone else was hurt.For that, I am eternally grateful to these officers and thank them for their actions, Kennedy said.The former mayors late son is also suspected of killing his own cousin, Nicholas Louras, before that shootout with police. Particularly galling, Louras said, was the reaction of Republican colleagues when he cosponsored a 2005 bill that would have made companies that produced genetically modified seeds liable for inadvertent crop damage on neighboring farms. Get him worked up, and his voice rises. VPRs Nina Keck wanted to see how the city and those most closely involved with the refugee debate have changed because of it. Erin Mansfield is VTDiggers health care reporter. 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