Williston
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MARCH 16, 2023
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
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St. Hilaire pleads guilty to stalking
Former selectboard member sentenced to 6 months probation BY JASON STARR Observer staff Former Williston Selectboard member Gordon St. Hilaire pleaded guilty to stalking Monday in Chittenden County Criminal Court, accepting responsibility for actions he took that led his ex-girlfriend to fear for her safety and suffer emotional distress. St. Hilaire resigned from his selectboard seat in December after Williston Police cited him with stalking and unlawful mischief. He pleaded not guilty to both charges during a November arraignment, but changed his plea during a court appearance Monday in Burlington. He was sentenced to six months of probation with the condition that
he not have any contact with the victim. A sentence of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 was deferred, and the unlawful mischief charge dropped, pending the successful completion of probation. “I want to sincerely apologize to (the victim),” St. Hilaire said during Monday’s hearing. “She can be reassured that this will never happen again … I’m trying to move forward with things that are helping me and I will continue to do that … I just want her to know that I’m very, very sorry. I wish her the best in the future.” St. Hilaire’s attorney, Brooks McArthur, noted that St. Hilaire has no prior criminal history and has been seeing a mental health professional. “I’ve never been in a situation like this, and I never will be again,” St. Hilaire said. see ST. HILAIRE page 7
Recount confirms Isham’s selectboard win
Boys make CVU history with comeback win Redhawks capture firstever state championship BY LAUREN READ Observer correspondent
Champlain Valley was hunting for its first-ever program title, taking on the three-time defending champs, trailing by eight points and running low on time. The Redhawks needed a spark and they needed one fast.
Enter Ollie Cheer. The junior came into the game
“This win means a lot for this program.” Coach Mike Osborne
with just under four minutes to play in the third quarter with the Redhawks trailing Rice 31-22.
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The Williston Town Clerk’s office completed a recount Monday of the results of last Tuesday’s Town Meeting Day election, confirming the three-vote victory of Mike Isham over Ellie Beckett for a seat on the Williston Selectboard. Beckett requested the recount after the 772-to-769 vote tally was reported by the Town Clerk last Tuesday evening. She remains a member of the Williston Planning Commission. “I hope I can continue to serve Williston in other capacities,” she wrote in a letter to the Observer, published in full on Page 7. Isham will serve the remaining year on the three-year seat vacated in December by Gordon St. Hilaire (see related story above). The seat will be up for election again next March. Isham’s first meeting with the board is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21 at Town Hall. — Jason Starr
CVU’s Logan Vaughn, left, and Alex Provost celebrate the Redhawks’ state championship win over Rice on Saturday at UVM’s Patrick Gymnasium. PHOTO BY PAUL LAMONTAGNE/VTSPORTSIMAGES.COM
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When he left the game with three minutes to go in regulation, Champlain Valley had a 37-34 lead. It was a lead CVU would not relinquish as it beat Rice 42-38 to capture the Division I boys basketball title — the first state championship in program history — on Saturday at UVM’s Patrick Gym. “I am so proud of these guys,” said CVU coach Mike Osborne. “I have had so many former players see BASKETBALL page 16