Man denies hosting drinking party

BENNINGTON — A North Bennington man is facing a misdemeanor charge after police said there were eight people younger than 21 drinking at his home in November.

Matthew J. Wilkinson, 21, pleaded innocent in Bennington criminal court on Monday to a charge of enabling minors to drink alcohol. He was released without bail.

In an affidavit, Trooper Lewis Hatch, of the Vermont State Police, said police raided a party at a home on Lake Paran Road on Nov. 24 shortly after midnight.

After an investigation, police identified eight people who were younger than 21 but whose blood alcohol content indicated they had been drinking.

Hatch said Wilkinson, who lived at the home, told police he had hosted the party and was responsible for everyone there.