WVTK Local & State News December 3, 2009

A Ticonderoga man was killed in a hit and run accident. Tony Morette was reportedly jogging near the intersection of Route 22 and Shore Airport Road early yesterday morning, when police believe he was struck by a tractor-trailer that took off. Police say Morette was able to provide a description of the truck prior to his death. Police are still looking for the truck.

A Pownal woman who lost her unborn twins in a car crash last summer says a proposal to boost penalties for crimes harming pregnant women doesn't go far enough. State Senator Richard Sears says the bill is limited so that it avoids the debate over abortion rights.

Lauded as a hero after he was taken captive by Somali pirates last April, some of Richard Phillips' former crewmembers now say he ignored repeated warnings to keep the Maersk Alabama at least 600 miles off of Africa. Phillips has declined comment on the allegations.

Regulators have reached a tentative deal with Central Vermont Public Service settling a complaint over the utility's staffing levels. Under the arrangement, which must get Public Service Board approval, the company would be able to eliminate 17 jobs within five years.

Take those resort snowfall totals with a grain of salt. Two Dartmouth College professors compared resorts' snowfall figures with nearby government monitors and found the resort figures exaggerated. Vermont Public Radio reports the largest discrepancies also typically happened on weekends.

The Vermont Health commissioner says the swine flu outbreak appears to be waning in the state. But Dr. Wendy Davis says the incidence of H1N1 swine flu is still widespread and there are still many people at high risk of complications who have not been vaccinated. Davis said that between Sept. 1 and Nov. 28, 130 people were hospitalized in Vermont with swine flu.

New York lawmakers have rejected a bill to legalize gay marriage. The Senate decision yesterday comes after months of delays and arm twisting of lawmakers sympathetic to the bill but representing conservative districts. It follows a referendum in Maine earlier this month that struck down a gay marriage law before it took effect.

Vermont artists are getting creative to help the hungry. The Vermont Arts Council has organized another online art auction to raise money for the Vermont Foodbank. Officials say last year's auction raised $10,254 and provided 27,000 meals for hungry Vermonters. Officials say the foodbank's need is just as great or even greater this year. So the arts community is rallying again, by contributing more than 100 pieces of original art, crafts, jewelry, event tickets, private concerts and more. Bidding starts at $100 on all items, which can be viewed at http://www.vermontartscouncil.org. The auction called "doing our pART" ends Friday at 5 p.m.