*The garrison public affairs office translates summaries of local news articles for the convenience of non-Italian speaking community members. The information contained in these summaries is originally written by Italian news sources and does not reflect the opinion of U.S. Army Garrison Italy or any of its tenant commands. Direct any questions about the Italian news to the garrison public affairs office.*
Italian News from Vicenza – January 13, 2026
The Olympic torch arrives in Piazza dei Signori – January 13, Il Giornale di Vicenza
Vicenza is preparing to welcome the Olympic torch, and temporary changes are planned in the heart of the historic center to accommodate the event. A municipal ordinance requires the removal of market stalls in Piazza dei Signori, Piazza delle Biade and Piazzetta Palladio from the evening of Jan. 19 through the end of Jan. 20. The measure supports the passage of the Milan-Cortina Olympic torch, expected on Jan. 20. The 20 torch bearers are scheduled to reach Piazza dei Signori around 7 p.m., where the brazier will be lit in front of the Palladian Basilica. A celebratory setup — including a stage, LED wall and sponsor areas — will be installed in the morning and removed later that evening. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
Vicenza expands role of volunteer Carabinieri patrols – January 13, Il Giornale di Vicenza
Vicenza is strengthening its civic‑assistant program by expanding the duties of the National Carabinieri Association. A revised agreement increases volunteer patrols in the historic center, adding Friday and Saturday evening shifts, a third weekly patrol, and support during major events. City leaders say the goal is to boost visibility and coordination with local police. The association expects more than 200 annual services from 45 volunteers, who often help manage tensions, assist during medical issues and provide a reassuring presence that residents appreciate. (Summary by Angela Balbo)
Monte Berico residents push for more cameras to stop thefts – January 13, Il Giornale di Vicenza
Residents of Monte Berico have submitted a petition with 300 signatures urging the Vicenza Municipality to install the dedicated fiber‑optic network needed for municipal video‑surveillance cameras and the Targa System. They argue the area suffers frequent thefts and requires stronger security infrastructure. Committee founder Nicolò Naclerio and neighborhood spokesman Luca Periz stress that fiber is essential both for residents’ connectivity and for effective monitoring. The City Council acknowledged the issue but lacks funds to extend the special fiber, currently available only up to Ponte Furo. While officials seek public or private financing, residents report continued attempted break‑ins in the area. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
Parking payments still unstable, major fixes expected in 2026 – January 12, Il Giornale di Vicenza
Nearly two months after Municipia‑Gestopark took over Vicenza’s parking system, several payment and equipment failures persist. Some exit columns still don’t accept card payments, and multiple street meters lack contactless functions. Users have reported blocked exits, broken intercoms and out‑of‑service machines at garages including Cattaneo, Fogazzaro and Canove. Mobility assessor Cristiano Spiller says many issues stem from long‑standing faults inherited from the previous operator, noting that dozens of meters had broken card readers. He expects a “significant step forward” in 2026, when outdated barrier systems will be replaced and ongoing maintenance—now underway—should restore full functionality. (Summary by Angela Balbo)
Union calls for tasers after local police officers assaulted – January 12, Il Giornale di Vicenza
Two local police officers were assaulted Jan. 9 by a driver who refused to stop during a traffic check, instead continuing the wrong way before halting near his home. When asked for his documents, the man tried to flee and then attacked the officers. Additional units arrived late due to a malfunctioning patrol car alarm system. The driver, found carrying a knife, was reported for resisting an officer and unlawful possession of a weapon. The Diccap-Sulpm union condemned the incident, arguing that inadequate equipment and faulty vehicles endanger officers and that Tasers could have prevented the confrontation. (Summary by Angela Balbo)
One hundred thirteen missing in eight months, with 18 still in limbo – January 12, Il Giornale di Vicenza
From January to August 2025, the Vicenza province recorded 113 missing‑person reports, a 17.7 percent increase compared to 2024. Of these, 95 individuals were located, while 18 remain missing. Cases spanned all age groups, though most involved adults between 18 and 65. Despite the rise in reports, recovery rates improved thanks to coordinated efforts by the Prefecture and law‑enforcement. Authorities continue to stress the importance of filing reports immediately, as the first 24 hours—the “golden time”—are critical. Nationally, Italy registered 16,285 missing‑person reports during the same period, while the Veneto recorded 716 cases, slightly fewer than the previous year. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
ZTL “trap” in Vicenza: 2,400 fines for U.S. personnel and how to avoid them – January 11, Il Giornale di Vicenza
More than 2,400 fines were issued in 2025 for unauthorized entry into Vicenza’s Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL), underscoring a recurring challenge for U.S. military and civilian personnel. Many drivers unintentionally enter restricted areas due to unfamiliar signage and navigation apps that fail to flag electronic gates. In a video message, Lt. Col. Jonathan Kuhn highlighted the thousands of fines accumulated by community members for ZTL and bus‑lane violations. To reduce incidents, the garrison is focusing on education through initiatives like “Coffee with the Cops” and updated online guidance. Key advice includes not relying solely on GPS, watching illuminated ZTL signs and ensuring permits are valid. The goal is to prevent costly mistakes and improve coexistence with the city. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
A hot meal and a warm bed in a city gripped by cold – January 11, Il Giornale di Vicenza
A harsh cold snap has pushed dozens of people to the Caritas soup kitchen on Via Pasi, where about 100 individuals receive two hot meals a day. Many are homeless, while others work but cannot afford both rent and food. The line grows longer as temperatures drop, and the nearby Caritas shelter on Via Torretti—expanded to 53 beds—fills quickly. Staff report rising requests for help and increasingly fragile situations, from people arriving without shoes to workers sleeping outdoors. Volunteers provide meals, guidance and basic support, offering warmth and dignity when the cold becomes dangerous. (Summary by Angela Balbo)
New bridge obscures historic skyline: “A suburban scar,” critics say – January 11, Il Giornale di Vicenza
Local association Italia Nostra Vicenza criticizes the new cycle‑pedestrian walkway over the Bacchiglione, calling it a “wound to the gaze” that disrupts the historic view of Ponte degli Angeli and Palazzo Angaran. The association argues the modern structure is out of place in a UNESCO‑listed city center and contrasts sharply with the recently restored 1911 iron bridge in Viale Giuriolo, praised for respecting its original character. Italia Nostra considers the project an unnecessary scar on Vicenza’s landscape and questions its €800,000 cost, noting an existing historic walkway could have been adapted. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
Berici Hills, exploring caves, villages and nativity trails – January 11, il Giornale di Vicenza
“Presepiamo,” now in its third year, is a community initiative on the Pozzolo di Villaga plateau offering two scenic nature trails featuring handmade nativity scenes throughout January. The red route is nearly six kilometers long, includes 25 nativity scenes, a 180-meter elevation gain and is partly accessible to people with disabilities. It passes through caves, fountains, historic mills and panoramic viewpoints. The gold route is a 4.25-kilometer hilly dirt trail with 13 nativity scenes and a 140-meter elevation gain, starting near the Madonna di Monte Berico shrine and looping through the Valle Verde area. (Summary by Silvia Trevisan)
City installs three more cameras, server capacity now maxed out – January 10, Il Giornale di Vicenza
Vicenza has added three new surveillance cameras in Viale San Lazzaro, bringing the citywide total to 130. More installations are planned for 2026, but the expanding network is pushing the city’s server and software to their limits, requiring an IT upgrade. Mayor Giacomo Possamai emphasized the need to extend video surveillance beyond the historic center into neighborhoods, though dedicated fiber‑optic lines make expansion costly. Recent installations in San Pio X and San Lazzaro were funded with €95,000 in ministerial support. All cameras feed into a system shared with local and national law‑enforcement agencies. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
Zovencedo, stone home reveals life inside the mountain – January 8, Il Giornale di Vicenza
Zovencedo, a small town in the Berici Hills, preserves one of the Veneto’s most unusual historic homes: a stone dwelling carved directly into the mountain. Known as the Sengia dei Meoni, the site served quarry workers from the late 1800s through the mid‑20th century before housing local families. Its last resident left in 1959 after lightning damaged the structure. Restored with European funds, the two‑story home now anchors a cultural and natural park that includes the Vicenza Stone Museum and a didactic forest. Mayor Stefania Marchesini says the town wants residents and visitors to rediscover this heritage. Guides and volunteers continue to promote the area’s quarrying history, visible in the hand‑cut ceilings and tools still on display. (Summary by Angela Balbo)
Recent Italian News highlights
Borgo Casale residents trapped by construction: ‘No notice given’ – January 9, Il Giornale di Vicenza
Residents of Via Borgo Casale found themselves unable to access their private driveways after district‑heating construction began at the intersection with Viale Margherita—without prior notice. Giorgio Niero, a local resident, reports widespread confusion among neighbors and businesses, who now face the prospect of paying for blue‑stripe parking with no indication of how long the disruption will last. Attempts to obtain information from the Municipality’s Traffic Office have gone unanswered, while Public Works says the issue is not within its authority. With some driveways already blocked and more closures expected, residents are calling for timely communication and clear alternatives before being left stranded. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
Golden Key: ViOff lights up Vicenza for the Vicenzaoro gold fair – January 9, Il Giornale di Vicenza
The 15th edition of ViOff – “Golden Key”, the off‑show program of the Vicenzaoro gold fair, will enliven Vicenza’s city center from January 16–18, with the Golden House at Palazzo delle Poste as its hub. Inaugurated by city and industry leaders, ViOff highlights collaboration between institutions, businesses, and the international gold fair. Events include the Golden Talk, bringing 600 students to explore goldsmithing, museum demonstrations, guided tours, tastings, and themed menus. Buyers from 140 countries will experience curated visits across the city. Visitors can “fish” for QR‑coded keys granting access to museums, exhibitions, and historic shops, while the Golden House hosts art displays, performances, workshops, and family activities. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
Reinforcements delayed for Vicenza police as Olympics take priority – January 8, il Giornale di Vicenza
Reinforcements for the Vicenza police headquarters will be delayed due to the Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics. Newly trained agents and inspectors will first be deployed to support Olympic security and will reach their assigned posts in Vicenza only from March 1. The State Police’s Central Directorate informed national unions and called a meeting for Jan. 13 to discuss staffing for the Games, criteria for disadvantaged postings, and the effective date of personnel mobility. Vicenza, which has repeatedly received fewer officers than needed, now faces at least two more months of understaffing. Union representatives stress the city’s urgent needs, from major events to high‑risk zones. (Summary by Silvia Trevisan)
Deep freeze hits Vicenza: Lake Fimon turns to ice – January 8, Il Giornale di Vicenza
A severe cold front has gripped the Vicenza area, and the Arctic chill is expected to persist for several days. Nearly all slopes are open at the Verena ski area in Roana, Le Melette in Gallio, Val Formica, Biancoia in Lusiana Conco and most of Kaberlaba in Asiago. Cross‑country centers have also expanded their trails, with Campolongo, Campomulo, Enego Marcesina, Monte Corno and Asiago Golf Arena offering dozens of groomed kilometers. Close to Vicenza, Lake Fimon has frozen over, a sight once common in winter but now rare due to climate change, drawing crowds to admire its striking colors and reflections at sunset. (Summary by Angela Balbo)
A million visitors light up Vicenza’s holiday season – January 8, Il Giornale di Vicenza
Vicenza city officials reviewed the success of its Christmas program, which drew an estimated one million visitors from early December to Epiphany. The city invested €250,000, an amount effectively doubled through sponsors and the Vicenza è Consortium. Highlights included 200 events; video mapping on the Basilica Palladiana; festive lighting; markets; the Christmas Village and an ice rink with 12,500 visitors. Civic museums recorded 35,441 entries, with strong attendance across major sites. Officials praised the initiative’s cultural impact, community support and improved security. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
City tests plastic‑bottle compactor with future rewards plan – January 8, Il Giornale di Vicenza
A new plastic‑bottle compactor has been installed in San Pio X on Via Giuriato, near the public water station. The machine, owned by the city rather than private retailers, allows residents to recycle plastic bottles and caps more efficiently. It currently offers no rewards, but the city plans to introduce incentives, and officials are in talks to involve local shops in a discount system. The project has been well received on social media and could expand to other neighborhoods if funding allows. (Summary by Angela Balbo)
Transplants, Vicenza helps all of Italy – January 8, Il Giornale di Vicenza
San Bortolo Hospital confirms its role as a national leader in organ donation and transplantation. The final donation of 2025 came from a 72‑year‑old Altavilla volunteer, honored with a moving guard of respect before surgeons performed a complex DCD procedure. His liver was transplanted in Verona, while both kidneys were transplanted in Vicenza, the second becoming the first transplant of 2026. In 2025, San Bortolo carried out 41 transplants and coordinated 36 donations, thanks to highly specialized teams across anesthesia, surgery, nephrology and intensive care. Organs retrieved in Vicenza—hearts, lungs, livers, kidneys and tissues—were sent to major Italian centers, helping save patients nationwide. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
Municipality imposes alcohol bans, reduced hours on six businesses – January 6, Il Giornale di Vicenza
The Municipality of Vicenza has issued six new ordinances restricting opening hours and banning alcohol sales for businesses linked to disorder and public‑safety concerns. The measures follow two months of local‑police checks in several neighborhoods. Among the sanctioned venues are the Dersut Café in Corso San Felice, which must close at 6 p.m. and stop selling alcohol from 2 p.m. for 60 days, and multiple shops and call centers in Via Firenze, Via Gorizia, Via Torino and Viale Milano, each facing 30‑day limits. Authorities cite recurring issues involving drug dealing, street gatherings and disturbances. City officials say the targeted actions aim to reduce degradation and improve safety in the area near the train station. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
Bolzano Vicentino backs “third way” plan for Via Aldo Moro extension – December 21, Il Giornale di Vicenza
Bolzano Vicentino has expressed support for the so-called “third way” option for the extension of Via Aldo Moro, now favored over the Anconetta and Ospedaletto routes and expected to be finalized by late 2026. The proposal envisages a road running parallel to the Vicenza–Treviso railway, linking the Vicenza Nord motorway exit to the Postumia road alongside the A31. The mayor views the project as an opportunity to improve connectivity with Vicenza and heal a geographic divide. The hamlet of Lisiera would be most affected, with plans to relocate the outdated toll booth, create interchange parking, consider reopening a railway station and enhance sustainable mobility. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
Vicenza ER launches online patient tracking tool – December 16, Il Giornale di Vicenza
ULSS 8 Berica has launched “Percorso PS,” a new online tool that lets families follow a patient’s progress through the emergency room in real time. By entering the patient’s tax code and admission number - printed on the wristband given at triage - users can see whether the patient is waiting, being examined, or undergoing tests, as well as the overall status of care until discharge. The system is designed to provide clear, transparent updates while protecting privacy. ULSS officials say the service aims to reduce stress for families and ease pressure on ER staff, who often face more than 200 daily visits in Vicenza. (Summary by Angela Balbo)
Marian Jubilee to begin in February at Monte Berico – December 14, Il Giornale di Vicenza
The Marian Jubilee Year marking the 600th anniversary of the apparitions at Monte Berico will open Feb. 8, 2026, with a Mass led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. The jubilee will run 13 months, closing March 7, 2027, with more than 100 events already scheduled. Organizers hope the Pope may visit Vicenza, recalling John Paul II’s 1991 stop at Monte Berico and other city sites. Monte Berico will host an international Marian conference Feb. 6-8, concerts, art exhibits and cultural programs. Special jubilees will highlight groups including the sick, families, migrants, police and artists. Tens of thousands of pilgrims are expected. (Summary by Angela Balbo)
Olympic flame begins journey toward Cortina – December 6, Il Giornale di Vicenza
The Olympic flame for the 2026 Milan‑Cortina Winter Games was lit Dec. 6 at Rome’s Quirinale Palace, with President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other leaders present. Outgoing Veneto Governor Luca Zaia hailed Cortina’s unique role as a two‑time host, after staging the 1956 Games. The torch will pass through 110 provinces before reaching Cortina on Jan. 26, 2026, the 70th anniversary of those Games. Zaia said the event will reach 3.5 billion viewers and generate $5.3 billion in GDP. Preparations continue with challenges: seating limits at venues, ticketing, transport and delayed parking construction. Work on the bobsled track is complete, but cable car and shuttle plans remain unresolved. (Summary by Angela Balbo)
Momentum builds for Valdastico Nord: €5B Vicenza–Brenner link – December 5, Il Giornale di Vicenza
The Valdastico Nord (A31 extension) project gained momentum as Veneto’s new governor Alberto Stefani met Trentino president Maurizio Fugatti to establish a shared approach. Both leaders emphasized its strategic importance for easing traffic, boosting economy, and linking Veneto and Trentino more directly. The planned extension will connect Vicenza (Piovene Rocchette area) northwards into Trentino, ultimately linking with the A22 Brenner highway near Trento. Estimated at €5 billion, it promises faster connections, improved logistics and greater regional integration. Confindustria Vicenza applauded Stefani’s initiative, pledging full support. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
State Police expand YouPol app to trains to boost safety – December 2, Il Giornale di Vicenza
The State Police announced Dec. 1 that the YouPol app now extends to train passengers and stations, offering a fast, geolocated reporting system for risky situations, suspicious behavior, or critical issues. Users can send photos, videos, or short messages directly to Railway Police and police headquarters for immediate assessment and intervention. Since December 2024, YouPol has logged 46,877 general requests, 24,962 drug reports, 3,357 domestic violence cases and 3,648 bullying reports, mostly from northern and southern cities. Main users are aged 51–60 (100,000), followed by 18–30 (20,000) and minors (5,000). With 5,650 monthly anonymous reports, YouPol strengthens prevention and citizen-police collaboration. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)
Viale Roma transformation will link station and historic center – November 30, Il Giornale di Vicenza
Viale Roma is being transformed into a pedestrian lane, with work scheduled to finish by February 2026. The project will create a wide walkway between the train station and Porta Castello, highlighted by a central white stone strip aligned with Giardino Salvi. Road space has been narrowed to seven meters for two lanes, while pedestrian areas will expand to nearly 14 meters. The redesign aims to connect the historic center with the station and provide space for markets and events. (Summary by Angela Balbo)
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