Burlington Free Press

burlingtonfreepress.com — A teenager has admitted to driving drunk and crashing into a telephone pole in Colchester, killing his passenger. James Companion, 17, of St. Albans struck a deal with prosecutors Tuesday in Vermont Superior Court in Burlington and pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence resulting in the death of Tasha Maring, 25, of Colchester.

burlingtonfreepress.com — The dispute between University Mall and South Burlington came to an end Monday when the City Council voted 5-0 to approve the mall's application to replace a two-story building at 205 Dorset St. with a new 6,000 square-foot building that will include retail space and a drive-through bank.

burlingtonfreepress.com — The former longtime animal control officer for Winooski, Essex and Colchester has pleaded not guilty to two counts of prohibited acts while on duty. Gary A. Francis Sr., 69, of Colchester denied charges that he offered to pay two women $20 each to show him their breasts during the course of his official duties.

burlingtonfreepress.com — The lawyer for a Sheffield man prosecutors have linked to the fatal shooting of a neighbor Mary "Pat" O'Hagan in 2010 says in court papers her client should receive only the mandatory minimum 15-year sentence in an unrelated sexual exploitation case. Richard E. Fletcher, 26, is due for sentencing next week in U.S.

burlingtonfreepress.com — Tom Ayres, former marketing director for the Flynn Center, was announced Tuesday afternoon as the new executive director of First Night Burlington. Ayres, who was elected to Burlington City Council in March, replaces Jennifer Crowell. Crowell, a native of southern Vermont, has moved to western Massachusetts to be closer to family.

burlingtonfreepress.com — MOORE, Okla. - Rescuers neared an end of their desperate search for survivors in the debris of destroyed homes, schools and businesses Tuesday, a day after after a massive tornado blasted through this Tornado Alley town, killing at least 24 people and injuring more than 200.

burlingtonfreepress.com — Tuesday's results High school softball Vergennes 7, Colchester 1 Enosburg 5, Danville 4 (8) Essex 3, St. Johnsbury 0 Peoples at Winooski, 3 p.m. North Country at Spaulding, 4 p.m. Champlain Valley at Missisquoi Harwood at Northfield Hazen at Richford Lake Region Union at Lyndon Middlebury at Burlington, ppd.

burlingtonfreepress.com — WASHINGTON - Many U.S. technology firms would not have to first offer jobs to American workers before hiring foreign guest workers for programming and other high-skilled positions, under a deal crafted by Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

burlingtonfreepress.com — MOORE, Okla. - The search for survivors and the dead is nearly complete in the Oklahoma City suburb that was smashed by a mammoth tornado, the fire chief said Tuesday. Gary Bird said he's "98 percent sure" there are no more survivors or bodies to recover under the rubble in Moore, a community of 56,000 people.

blogs.burlingtonfreepress.com — The rankings solidified a bit this week, but there have been some shifts with a tough loss to Burlington dropping them down and continued strong play from Mount Anthony and Missisquoi moving them up. As always, feel free to leave comments, suggestions and your own top 10 in the comments section below.