Wide net
Changeover
Police disrupt statewide catalytic converter ring
Ouimet leaves post as Shelburne’s fire chief
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Volume 51 Number 46
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November 17, 2022
Shelburne woman votes for first time
Veterans Day
From Liberia to Shelburne, Linda Yekeh shares her story LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
Behind Shelburne resident Linda Yekeh’s infectious smile and joyous personality is a story of hope, perseverance and determination in the face of hardship. Yekeh came to Burlington in 2013 from Liberia. Since she was 13 years old, Liberia has been plagued with war, famine and a lack of safety for her and her six family members that remained in the country. Her move to America nine years ago was just the beginning of a new life.
She initially arrived in the U.S. without her husband and two daughters, but reconnected with her mother, father and sisters who were already living in Burlington. Taking classes with Mercy Connection, an educational and values-driven social impact organization, she was eventually naturalized as a U.S. citizen on June 25, 2021 — her birthday. “It was tough working and learning at the same time,” Yekeh shared, noting that her coworkers and others were quick to See YEKEH on page 12
CVU beats Middlebury for Division I football title LAUREN READ SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
PHOTO BY LEE KROHN
Retired Col. Bud Ockert of Shelburne was the keynote at Shelburne’s Veterans Day ceremony on Friday at the Shelburne Veterans Monument. More photos on page 10.
All season long, the Champlain Valley Union High School football team has been led by its offense. The high-powered Redhawk offense has helped CVU blow teams away. But on Saturday night in Rutland in the Division I state championship game and with a title on the line, it was the defense that saved the day. Champlain Valley won the title game 24-19 and captured the program’s first state championship by stopping a Middlebury
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comeback on the goal line as time expired. “We legitimately lost our mind,” CVU coach Rahn Fleming said. “The ball gets knocked away, the clock ticked to zero and everybody on the defense began to run toward the sideline and everybody on the sideline began to run toward the defense. It was so symbolic of how it didn’t matter if you set foot on the field for a single competitive rep, we got there together.” For most of the second half, it looked like the No. 1 Redhawks would not need any late game drama to ensure a title win. See FOOTBALL on page 8
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