In August, the Rutland Chapter of the NAACP awarded Louras its "Courage in Action Award" for his efforts on behalf of Syrian refugees. racist or sexually-oriented language. Commissioners refused; Bossi resigned in 2012. person will not be tolerated. 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Police say some aspects of the case, including the precise timeline of events, remain under investigation. Louras said he struggles to find solace in that. In 1995, he left the military and moved back home to Rutland to work for the family business. Get an email notification whenever someone signs the guestbook. A General Electric aviation plant is one of the few remaining. Louras said he was trying to stick up for local agriculture. Refugees are needy folks, said former Rutland City Treasurer Wendy Wilton. Burlington Chief Threatened to Arrest Doc Who Was Treating Gunshot Victim, Hospital Says, 7. There is no bigger advocate for the city of Rutland." And I know everything is right in their world., He added, However, I can't look at anything broader for this community because of the tragedy for our country. But he also believed the mayor made a crucial mistake in not informing all the members of the board of aldermen ahead of time. Those are the big ones with two rotors. Your email address will not be published. bravery before anyone else was hurt. "I think someone could make hay with that.". Let's keep Rutland moving forward and build on the progress that we have made. Rutland has an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent, right around the statewide average of 3.2 and well below the national rate of 5 percent. "And there's ample housing," she added, in contrast to the real estate markets in Burlington and Winooski. Final Reading: When will the legislative session wrap up? He lets himself dream of Syrians opening falafel shops and young people moving back to be part of the newfound diversity. However, through the surveillance cameras that the police department had, police was able to identify the vehicle and its registration. Our education reporter is Tiffany Pache. ((Nats car crash)) After getting stuck on railroad tracks- the driver gets out, shooting at officers. Alan J. Keays is the former longtime news editor of the Rutland Herald. If you want a pest-free patio this spring, the most important thing you can do is take away those elements that bugs find desirable. High 57F. Chance of rain 60%.. Nick Louras was born July 2, 1927, in Rutland, son of Nicholas and Amalia (Alexandrides) Louras. Copyright 2015 - 23 CLIFFORD FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATION SERVICE. Technically, Louras was a maintenance pilot he oversaw repairs, then flew the choppers to make sure the work had been done right. And it was. After the brief chase, the officers drew their own guns, striking Louras nine times, with a fatal wound to the head, according to prosecutors who discussed their probe of the case during a news conference Tuesday in Rutland. When no jobs appealed to him after college, Louras enlisted as a warrant officer in the U.S. Army and learned to fly twin-rotor Chinook helicopters. Nick was a 1945 graduate of Rutland High School. for sale by owner It's so wrong that I can't get past that to talk about how good it is that we have these three families here.. His paternal grandfather, Nicolaos, emigrated from Greece in 1906 to escape Ottoman Turks. There will be no criminal charges filed against four Vermont He recalls a fellow Republican telling him, "You shouldn't be supportive of the bill because those people don't vote for us.'" "He's a highly active, sometimes hyperactive guy who cares deeply, deeply for the Rutland community. Although the two remain close, she said, "When he makes up his mind, he goes full bore. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Everyone in the room knew who he was. post your listing. How do I keep bugs off my patio this spring? "This has to be planned very, very well. Does Lauzon take his own advice? The organization knew little about Rutland, and had never considered the city as a possible destination, director Amila Merdzanovic said. Vermont State Police have said they are not looking for any other suspects in Nicholas Louras death at this time, though the killing has called a homicide. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, ((MAYOR DAVE ALLAIRE / Rutland, VT: 12:49: life is fragile, and we need to hold our loved ones tight.)) Louras was one of only two Republicans who signed onto the bill, which former Republican governor Jim Douglas vetoed. Emails from a public records request show Louras and Merdzanovic considered announcing it but nixed the idea. But at times, he has had little to say about what's gone wrong on his watch. All content 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. 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. My issue is process. Separately, Chris Louras's mother says she and his grandmother loved her son dearly and miss him every day. 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. She can be reached at tpache@vtdigger.org. The date, time and location of his death is listed as October 2019/unknown, according to the document. According to Major Tradeau, Chris Louras, armed with an AR-15-style rifle exchanged some fire towards the officers. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WPTZ-TV. VTDigger publishes a wide range of stories about Vermonts educational system from early childhood education issues to public and private K-12 schools to higher education. 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"Ten years in office has tempered my style a little, and it hasn't tempered Chris," said Lauzon, adding that he would have handled the refugee situation differently. "Not a lot I can learn from that guy!" For that, I am eternally grateful to these officers and thank them for their actions, Kennedy said. That's where Louras excels, airbrush in hand. But the resettlement agency has long wanted to open up a second refugee hub in Vermont to be able to serve more people. The citys Project Vision program has been working on improving the quality of life and addressing drug concerns in Rutland for years now. Rochester Grocery Store to Close, Leaving Residents in the Lurch, 6. These days, however, politics are notably absent from his private sector job managing a local distribution business. If its that controversial an idea that you can't let anybody know what's going to happen until after it's happened, you're doing something wrong, Smathers said. Were not like the Kool-Aid drinkers in Burlington, he said. Phil Scott, R-Vermont, said in October. If we dont get a say in this, this will be used in March.. 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. Walt Amses: Of popes and POTUS saints or sinners? The United States has agreed to take in 85,000, including 10,000 Syrians, though the country has fallen behind on its schedule to fulfill that pledge. The construction of Interstate 89 50 miles to the north contributed to the city's isolation. The cousins "People lived full lives before coming to the U.S.; we have to remember that," Merdzanovic said. "There was a considerable. Well check it out and report the results. For information about our guidelines, and access to the letter form, please Former Rutland mayor Christopher Louras sits at home with his dog, Raye. VRRP never announces refugee arrivals in Burlington or Winooski. "Ask any employer in town. Tuesday the A.G. and the Rutland County State's Attorney announced they won't charge the four officers who returned fire: three from Rutland Both prosecutors praising police for facing a threat with bravery before anyone else was hurt. A Rutland man who died last week in a shootout with police and his cousin whose body was found in Salisbury the same day were both killed by gunshot wounds to the head, according to state records released Tuesday. He traced it back to 2008 and 2009 during the sub-prime mortgage crisis, when out-of-state property owners began defaulting on multi-family homes in Rutland. Jasper Craven covers politics for VTDigger. At the time, he referred all questions to the city's attorney. "He's a go-at-it alone person. We cover state elections, the Vermont Legislature, the governors office, state agencies and major political parties. 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. After Alderwoman Sharon Davis slammed him and the crowd erupted in applause, he assured a reporter, "Nothing I haven't heard before.". PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. ((T.J. DONOVAN / D- VT Attorney General: 7:41: we consider this matter now closed.)) Da Capo Publishing, Inc. He can be reached at mpolhamus@vtdigger.org. Ironically, Rutland's refugee issue is now thoroughly politicized. "I was like, what is going on? It didn't help when local, national and even international journalists descended on Rutland's blighted Northwest and Southwest neighborhoods, portraying the areas as ground zero in Vermont's "opiate crisis.". All Rights Reserved.Funeral Home Website by Batesville | Funeral Planning and Grief Resources. There will be no criminal charges filed against four Vermont police officers who shot and killed the son of Rutland's former mayor back in October, after he led them on a chase . But it wasnt until late 2015, when former Governor Peter Shumlin announced Vermont would open its doors to Syrian refugees, that Louras saw an opportunity to act on his idea. But, if enough of his constituents disagree, Louras knows he may not be in office to see his vision come to fruition. Nicholas Louras body was found by a passerby early on the afternoon of Oct. 8 on the edge of Route 53, also known as Lake Dunmore Road, in the Addison County town of Salisbury, about a 40-minute drive to Rutland. Smathers, who is now the director of the Rutland Free Library, said he fully supported the idea of bringing in refugees. He was a member of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and Rutland Elks Lodge. And thats where I went.". In 2016, Chris Louras, Rutland's then-mayor, announced that the city would welcome 100 refugees from war-torn Syria. Chris works his ass off. A graveside service will be held in the spring of 2017 in Evergreen Cemetery.Donations in Mr. Louras memory may be made to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 8 Cottage St., Rutland VT 05701.Arrangements are by the Clifford Funeral Home. Shooting Victim Found on Downtown Burlington Sidewalk, 3. NBC5 chose not to broadcast or publish the moment 33-year-old Christopher Louras is struck by police bullets. 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. This year, there will be an estimated 60 million refugees and displaced people worldwide. both said they wont charge the four officers who returned fire. Nick was a 1945 graduate of Rutland High School. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Now Louras is a general manager for Foley Distributing. And he said his conviction has grown even stronger after watching the backlash and the level of acrimony that he says still exists three years later. All the while, the man responsible for the controversy stood silently in the back of the room, his wife and young son by his side for moral support. "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. Louras was the son of Rutland's former longtime mayor, also named Chris Louras. homes for sale anti-anything. It has long struggled with a stagnant economy and a declining population and has failed to attract the young families it needs to grow. | Updated August 25, 2020 at 6:53 p.m. Three are from Rutland City, one was from Rutland Town. Vermont State Police, the agency heading the investigation in both deaths, have not released any information in either case since Thursday. On this issue, what I was surprised at was not the level of the contention, but the fact that it didn't abate and just simply grew," he said. Louras privately lobbied the VRRP to choose Rutland, then spent months quietly laying the groundwork for the refugees' arrival without seeking approval from the board of alderman, or even telling most city officials what he was up to. home/garden Vermont State Police say Louras drove by the police station around 5:30 a.m. and fired . People take that for what it is genuine.". Even the governors who protested the arrival of Syrian refugees last fall have no legal authority to close off their states. Critics worried about how the city would pay for a large influx of new residents. Before he got into politics, he was in the Army. Acting unilaterally, however, may have jeopardized his laudable gambit. 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. "We feel really confident in being able to get folks placed on the ground down there," Vermont Department of Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan said. guiltless if they hurt or kill another person while trying to protect their own Separately, Chris Louras mother, Crystal King, told NECN and its affiliate, NBC 5 News, that she and Chris grandmother, Mary, loved the young man dearly and miss him every day. now. Agenda 21, as defined by the United Nations, is a strategy for sustainable development. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. VTDigger publishes Vermont business and economic news. RUTLAND, Vt (NEWS10) Police officers in Rutland, Vermont shot and killed a man they say fired shots at the Rutland City Police Department building Tuesday morning then drove off. They'd say their greatest problem is finding enough workers," Huebner said. I kid him about it. Im looking into how aging in Vermont impacts living essentials such as jobs, health care and housing. I dont think thats too much to ask.. 33-year-old Christopher Louras is struck by police bullets. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Police are investigating the death as a possible homicide, along with potential links to the subsequent shooting at the Rutland Police Department and events occuring in a parking lot off Evelyn Street near the railroad tracks downtown. Rutland, VT (05701) . In 2007, he ran for mayor along with five other candidates. Life is fragile, and we need to hold our loved ones tight, Allaire said at Tuesdays news conference. 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. Donovan and Kennedy said the officers actions were legally He came to Burlington for a three-hour meeting in December, and his pitch proved persuasive. Investigators have not yet identified a motive for the killing. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. An off-duty officer spotted the suspect car about an hour-and-a-half later, and a police chase ensued through the Rutland City Plaza. I choose to remember the good times with young Chris back in our "hockey family" days. Published June 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. 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. However, Donovan wouldnt discuss that while the murder investigation is still underway in Addison County. If you're looking for "ISpys," dating or LTRs, this is your scene. Life is fragile, and we need to hold our loved ones tight, Allaire said at Tuesdays news conference. VTDigger covers criminal justice issues including Vermont legal issues, Vermont courts and the Vermont Department of Corrections. Need more info? WCAX News spoke with a witness who watched it all go down. That landed him at a number of large military bases in Texas, Alabama and Kentucky before the 1991 Gulf War. My concern is: What's the plan?" ", "How much pushback do you need?" "Agenda 21," Louras casually explained to a puzzled visitor. Peter Miller, Iconic Vermont Photographer, Dies at 89, 3. VTDigger publishes daily stories on health care. According to a press release . The fact that we shut the doors on tens of thousands of families just like them. passed away on April 19, 2023. Huebner said he has 120 vacancies at Rutland Regional Medical Center, from entry-level housekeepers and cleaners to nurses and technicians. 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. Thanks for reading. improving the quality of life and addressing drug concerns in Rutland for years Sister Valerie and brother Nico were also on the payroll. "When these folks start coming into our community we'd love to work with them. homes for sale One in five Vermonters is considered elderly. Louras wielded an "AR-15-style" gun, Trudeau said. I'm just doing my thing, Louras said. Drugs are believed to be a factor in the Louras cousins deaths, as Gov. Vermont State Police on Tuesday confirmed that Christopher Louras was responsible for the murder of his cousin, Nicholas Louras. ((ROSE KENNEDY / Rutland County State's Attorney: 11:47: for that, I am eternally grateful to these officers and thank them for their actions.)) or anything. 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. That feels good. 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. Their names are expected to be released Wednesday, Oct. 9. Hello, 21st Century! "I've got voters who invited that guy to come to Rutland!". Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. At 91, he still goes to work every day at Sam Frank Distributors in downtown Rutland. Merdzanovic was evasive when asked at the meeting if a "no" vote would prompt her organization to look elsewhere. "You've never heard of Agenda 21?". No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism "He is very blunt. Louras got in line. Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Well check it out and report the results. 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. deaths, as Gov. "We decided that would be a great idea to try to replicate what happened at the turn of the century, when all the southern and eastern Europeans came to Rutland and built this community," he said. Louras said. Police have said the deaths are linked, but have stopped short of calling the younger Christopher Louras a suspect in his cousins death. With the crisis in war-torn Syria, which has prompted millions of displaced people to flee to Europe, the VRRP is upping that number to 400. The family patriarch came to Rutland in search of all the same things the Syrians want today: justice, religious freedom, security and work. He keeps a model of the chopper in his city hall office along with a crushing amount of paper piled on the desk, floor and coffee table and couch. 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It. There were no injuries to police or other civilians. Meanwhile, by all accounts, the three refugee families that did make it are doing well. Some questioned whether the immigrants would carry communicable diseases. Meetings at city hall in 2016 were packed with people on both sides of the resettlement issue. We've chosen to freeze the video before it shows 33- year-old Christopher Louras fall after getting struck by police bullets. 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. "It was an itch I had to scratch," he said. Once you open that door, thats it, we're going to have to take hundreds of them, said Dave Trapeni, who had run against Louras in a previous mayoral race.
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