WVTK Local News November 13, 2009

The closest ferry to the Champlain Bridge may shut down this weekend. Many travelers have been using the Ticonderoga Ferry since the bridge closed. It's only about ten miles south of the bridge-- the most convenient alternative for many commuters. But the Ti Ferry normally closes for the winter and owners say they will shut down on Sunday unless the state of New York steps in to help supply personnel and pay for improvements to help the ferry operate in wintry weather. Transportation officials say they are in negotiations with the ferry owners and are optimistic a deal can be reached to keep the Ti Ferry operating until a new temporary ferry can begin operating near the bridge.

Vermont state officials are being told the economy may have bottomed out, but the recovery is going to be slow and painful. That was the word yesterday to the state Emergency Board, which is made up of legislative money committee chairs and Governor Jim Douglas. The board meets to get the revenue forecast.

The Plattsburgh Board of Education named a new principal for Plattsburgh High School last night. Glenn Hurlock, currently the assistant principal at PHS, will move over to the main office on January 1st. Parents and teachers said they're glad the whole process is over, and hope the dust will settle now.

A home in Essex Junction is destroyed after a fire last night. Firefighters were called to the two-story home on Cascade Court shortly after 7 and found flames shooting out of the building. Luckily no one was hurt, and no one was home at the time. No word yet on what might have caused the fire.

Two Republican Burlington city councilors are sponsoring a resolution that would offer a public apology to veterans in the wake of comments made by a representative of Progressive Mayor Bob Kiss at a Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday. The speaker, Jon Hausrath of Burlington, upset some members of the crowd at Battery Park with remarks that commemorated war resisters.

Vermont health officials say swine flu continues to spread throughout the state, though they don't have firm numbers. State Health Commissioner Dr. Wendy Davis says many of those developing H1N1 flu symptoms are recovering at home and don't need to get tested, so there's no way to confirm they have the illness.

A fundraising effort to help bring Vermont National Guard troops home for the holidays so far has raised $150,000 that will be used to charter buses. About 700 troops will be training in Indiana in December and will get a week off at the holidays, but must pay for their own trips home.

The Vermont Air National Guard will conduct night flying training next week from Tuesday through Friday. During these training periods, there will be two scheduled multi-aircraft takeoffs during the early evening hours, and all F-16s are expected to be on the ground no later than 9:30.