Thursday, July 30, 2009

Town seeks grant for commuter parking

They want the feds to pick up the tab for commuter parking...



The town of WIlliston wants a grant to help pay for a 20 space park and ride, so they've applied for it. The lot would be an extension of an existing lot behind the town hall. The project will cost about 150 thousand dollars and could come with a bus stop. The school bust that goes to Champlain Valley Union High School already stops at the existing lot, and the town wants moire than that one stop. Town Manager Rick McGuire said the Crittenden County Transportation Authority want to make the proposed park and ride just one of the stops along a proposed route that runs along U S 2 from Williston Village to Burlington.

Lewd Caller Gest Suspended Sentence

A Lewd 911 caller got a suspended jail sentence.



A Vermont man who repeatedly called Portsmouth 911 and made lewd remarks to dispatchers, got a suspended jail sentence, was ordered to pay restitution,had to apologize to the victims and has continue mental health treatment. Forty four year old Peter Dubois of Randolph was in Portsmouth District Court on Wednesday were he was scheduled for trial on 41 counts of Class A misdemeanor phone harassment. With an attorney present, Dubois entered a plea agreement with the prosecution that placed 37 of the charges on file without a finding for a year, pending his good behavior and conditions. He pleaded guilty to four counts of phone harassment and was sentenced to 90 days in jail with all of it suspended proving that he behavie himself. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the city in an amount to be determined within 60 days.

Park and Ride Could Happen for Williston

Town seeks grant for commuter parking


The town of WIlliston want a grant to help pay for a 20 space park and ride, so they've applied for it. The lot would be an extension of an existing lot behind the town hall. The project will cost about 150 thousand dollars and could come with a bus stop. The school bust that goes to Champlain Valley Union High School already stops at the existing lot, and the town wants moire than that one stop. Tow Manager Rick McGuire said the Crittenden County Transportation Authority want to make the proposed park and ride just one of the stops along a proposed route that runs along U S 2 from Williston Village to Burlington.


Leued 911 Caller Gets Suspended Sentence

A Lewd 911 caller got a suspended jail sentence.



A Vermont man who repeatedly called Portsmouth 911 and made lewd remarks to dispatchers, got a suspended jail sentence, was ordered to pay restitution,had to apologize to the victims and has continue mental health treatment. Forty four year old Peter Dubois of Randolph was in Portsmouth District Court on Wednesday were he was scheduled for trial on 41 counts of Class A misdemeanor phone harassment. With an attorney present, Dubois entered a plea agreement with the prosecution that placed 37 of the charges on file without a finding for a year, pending his good behavior and conditions. He pleaded guilty to four counts of phone harassment and was sentenced to 90 days in jail with all of it suspended proving that he behavie himself. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the city in an amount to be determined within 60 days.

Landlord charged with stealing from tenant

When a tenant failed to pay the rent on his camper, the landlord apparently tried to take it in trade. Polce arrested 48-year-old Dennis Barbour on a felony burglary charge. He pleaded not guilty Monday. State police said Barbour broke in while the tenant was out and stole entertainment equipment and power tools, then sold the items. Barbour reportedly told police he also stole the tenant's truck tires previously. He faces up to 16 years in jail if convicted.


Officer faces treatment, testing after attck by HIV patient

A man diagnosed with HIV will answer to felony charges that he spat into the face of a Rutland police officer. 31-year-old Gerald Lamb pleaded not guilty in Rutland District Court to aggravated assault against a police officer. He is being held on $25,000. Police wnet to Lamb's apartment June 17 when family members reported Lamb had a head injury and may have taken drugs. Lamb resisted emergency workers and had to be restrained by police. He allegedly spit into the face of Sgt. David Schauwecker while in the emergency room at Rutland Regional Medical Center. Schauwecker will have to undergo treatment and HIV testing for the next year.

Police say jail inmate tried to scare witness

A jail inmate facing sexual assault charges reportedly asked friends to intimidate the victim into not testifying. Police say 27-year-old Zachary Dalley asked a New York City man to come to Vermont and "take care of" the victim. Dalley is now also charged with obstruction of justice.

Governor, Shumlin spar over\ Vermont Yankee future

Governor Douglas suggested yesterday that the state senate should vote to close the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant rather than demand a power supply contract. Senate President pro tem Peter Shumlin said lawmakers don't have all the information they need for such a vote. Shumlin said he hasn't yet decided how he'll vote on a license renewal for the plant. Its current authorization expires in 2012. A spokesman for the plant's owner said talks with utility companies are ongoing.

Teachers Honored

Two Vermont teachers are being honored by President Obama, as among the best in the nation, at teaching math and science. Christa Duthie-Fox teaches science at the Charlotte Central School. Cathleen Newton teaches math at the Dothan Brook School in White River Junction. They were among just 87 teachers nationwide to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence. They head to Washington this fall to get their awards and $10 thousand.

Boaters Rescued During Storm

An okay outcome for two boaters on Lake Champlain yesterday. Machenna Ford and his fiancé were snorkeling when a storm blew up. "Wind started picking up and the boat cut out," Ford tells Fox44. Ford's boat engine stopped working as a storm moved through. The strong winds pushed their boat against a group of rocks trapping the two on the lake. They tried using a bull horn to call for help from a nearby boater, but he couldn't hear them through the storm. Eventually people driving by on Route 2 spotted the couple and called for help. Machenna says he just thankful rescue crews were able to save them and that no one got hurt.

Kids Count Says VT Kids Fare Well

Vermont fared well compared to other states in an annual report on children's welfare and health. This year, Vermont is ranked eighth among states by the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count report, and it is normally among the top 10. The small number of Vermonters - there are 131,000 children in the state, according to the study - means the state is susceptible to wide swings in its statistics based on a relatively small number of incidents. For instance, the number of children dying by age 14 jumped several percentage points in 2006, the latest year for which data is available. However, the state's small size also means every one of those deaths is tracked and studied by public health officials, and it appears to be a statistical anomaly, said Dr. Donald Swartz, a pediatrician who is medical director of the Vermont Department of Health.

Arsonoist Sought

Police are investigating a suspicious fire at the Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington. A neighbor called 911 around 4 a.m. Tuesday reporting the smell of smoke. When firefighters arrived a maintenance shed and gymnasium roof were on fire. No one was hurt in the fire, which took several hours to put out. The damage is estimated to be between $250,000 and $300,000. Officials say people were seen in the area at the time of the fire. They are asking anyone with information to call the Vermont Arson Tip Line at 1-800-32-ARSON.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Poultnry Man Tries Jail Break

Vermont State Police say a Poultney man who tried to escape the Rutland Jail this month said he did it became he feared for his life.


Court documents indicate that 23 year old Herman Hier made his July 4 escape attempt because of daily threats from QUOTE "three guys with tattoos, weighing approximately 240 pounds." The Rutland Herald says that while Hier succeeded in scaling a 12-foot-high, interior chain-link fence in the jail's recreation yard, he was stopped as he tried to climb an exterior gate that led to a roadway. Hier pleaded innocent Tuesday when arraigned in Rutland District Court on a felony charge of trying to escape from a correctional facility. Bail was set at 35 thousand dollars but Hier couldn't come up with it because he's being held without bail on a prior charge.

CT Man Drowns in Lake Champlain

Man dies swimming in Lake Champlain



Vermont authorities say a 54-year-old man from Connecticut drowned while swimming in Lake Champlain. The Rutland Herald reports that officials say Ray Petreccia of Brooklyn, Connecticut went swimming in the lake but never surfaced. His wife, who was in a rowboat, reported him missing around 11:15 Sunday morning. Vermont State Police divers located Petreccia's body about 200 yards from shore around 4:30 p.m. and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Vermont State Police and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are conducting an investigation into the drowning and Addison County States Attorney John Quinn ha asked for an autopsy.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Man drowns in Lake Champlain

A 54-year-old man from Connecticut has died while swimming in Lake Champlain. The man was reported missing by his wife while swimming Sunday morning. Vermont State Police divers found his body about 200 yards from shore. He was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation is being conducted by State Police and the Medical Examiner. An autopsy will be performed.

Two Do Time for Coke Crime; A Third to be Sentenced Next Month

Two men who pleaded guilty to selling crack cocaine in the Rutland area were handed lengthy prison sentences by a federal judge on Monday and a third person in the drug ring will be sentenced later.


Twenty eight year-old Charles Brown of Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced to five years in prison and then four years of supervised release. Brown's co-defendant 49-year-old Gordon Ritchie of Rutland, was sentenced to 55 months in jail and five years of supervised release. Jennifer Leonard, a third party in the drug trafficking ring, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine along with Ritchie, who is her uncle and Brown, who is her boyfriend in September 2008. Leonard is scheduled for sentencing next month. Investigators say The trio brought "large" amounts of crack from Massachusetts to Vermont from early 2005 to March 2006.

Two in Hospital After Fall on Sunday

Two people were flown to the hospital on Sunday after they fell from a two story deck on Church Street in Rutland



A nurse at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center said on Monday that 19-year-old Nicole LaPlante was in fair condition and 27-year-old Vaugh Wilcox was listed in serious condition. The two were airlifted to the hospital in New Hampshire after the incident. Police Sergeant David Schauwecker said police and ambulances were called to 29 Church Street around 1:30 a.m. after a broken railing caused LaPlante and Wilcox to fall to the dirt driveway below. Schauwecker said there was no indication of foul play at the scene.


Two draw prison time in crack cocaine case; a Third Person to be Sentenced Next Month

Two men who pleaded guilty to selling crack cocaine in the Rutland area were handed lengthy prison sentences by a federal judge on Monday and a third person in the drug ring will be sentenced later.


Twenty eight year-old Charles Brown of Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced to five years in prison and then four years of supervised release. Brown's co-defendant 49-year-old Gordon Ritchie of Rutland, was sentenced to 55 months in jail and five years of supervised release. Jennifer Leonard, a third party in the drug trafficking ring, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine along with Ritchie, who is her uncle and Brown, who is her boyfriend in September 2008. Leonard is scheduled for sentencing next month. Investigators say The trio brought "large" amounts of crack from Massachusetts to Vermont from early 2005 to March 2006.

Two Hurt in Fall From Two Story Deck in Rutland

Two people were flown to the hospital on Sunday after they fell from a two story deck on Church Street in Rutland



A nurse at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center said on Monday that 19-year-old Nicole LaPlante was in fair condition on Monday and 27-year-old Vaugh Wilcox was listed in serious condition. The two were airlifted to the hospital in New Hampshire after the incident.
Police Sgt. David Schauwecker said police and ambulances were called to 29 Church Street around 1:30 a.m. after a broken railing sent LaPlante and Wilcox plummeting to the dirt driveway below. Schauwecker said there was no indication of foul play at the scene.


Basketville founder dies

The man whose small company in Putney became a global business thanks to President Richard Nixon died Saturday. Frank Wilson was 89. At one time, his company, Basketville, had nine stores on the east coast. The company sold baskets made from ash and oak in small stands and stores. Wilson was one of the first Americans to trade with China after President Nixon ended a long-standing trade embargo.

Entergy gets extension

The Federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission has given Entergy Corporation a six month extension in its efforts to get state approvals and financing to spin off its five nuclear plants, including the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon. The company asked for the requested in May, facing uncertainties in financial markets and delays in getting approvals from New York State and the State of Vermont..

Solar plant to be built near Rutland

An odd-looking construction project will be coming to Rutland town. The Public Service Board has approved an application to build a 50-kilowatt solar-array power station along Route 7. The $400,000 project includes about 265 3 by 5 foot solar panels arranged in arrays on the ground. The solar array is being designed and built by Stafford Technical Center students in cooperation with CV Solar and Wind of Rutland and ReKnew Energy Systems. The high-voltage work will be done by members of the IBEW union. Most power plants are designed to be low-profile facilities, but the solar project is being designed for visibility as part of the education aspect of the plant.

Chase suspect held in Middlebury

The Middlebury man accused of stealing a car and a tank of gas before leading police on a four-mile chase has pleaded innocent. 24-year-old Brett Lane was ordered to undergo an examination at the Vermont State Hospital after his arraignment in Rutland District Court. After the evaluation, he will be returned to the Rutland jail, where he will be held on $500 bail. State police said Lane was identified by Middlebury Police, who had received a complaint from Lane's neighbor thathe had taken her car without permission. Lane is being held at the Rutland jail.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Police still looking for sex predator

State police are once again asking the public for help in finding a dangerous sexual predator. Despite several reports of possible sightings from the public, police haven't located fugitive Richard Pike. Pike was last seen Friday fleeing into the woods near his apartment after probation officers tried to apprehend him.
He is wanted on a New Hampshire warrant; he has at least one conviction in that state for sexual assault.
Police ask anyone with information to contact the Vermont State Police at 222-4680.

Same sex lobby money lopsided

Money used to lobby lawmakers on the same sex marriage bill was largely spent by those in favor. The group Vermont Freedom to Marry spent more than $293,000 to influence lawmakers and the public on bill that was approved by the Legislature. Take It to The People, a group that was against the measure only spent about $10,000.

Minors found drunk at fire department party

Sheriff's deputies say minors were drinking at a fire department's anniversary party. Five minors were ticketed for possessing alcohol at the weekend party celebrating the Chelsea Fire Department's one-hundred-twenty-fifth anniversary. One man was accused of assaulting a police officer and another was charged with driving under the influence. Police at the scene said the alcohol at the event was not intended for minors.

Turn in Your Clunker, Get a Chunka Change!

Put your seat belts on for this story: The government is finally helping you get a new car!


Tthe Cash for Clunkers program is on now and the government says the program is multi fold: They say it will crank up the stalling auto industry, and help drivers go farther on a tank of gas. WCAX TV reports that one dealership, business was chugging along. The rebate program allows owners of cars that are newer than 1984 models to trade them in and get up to 45 hundred dollars toward a brand new, more fuel efficient vehicle. New car buyers can get 35 hundred to 45 hundred dollars, depending on how much their fuel efficiency improves with the new vehicle. You can't go out and buy a clunker to cash it in. Your trade has to run, be registered and insured for the past year. has to be less than 25 years old and get less than 18 miles to the gallon. The program is on now and runs through November first..

Middlebury College Makes the Grade

When it comes to rankings, Middlebury College ranks right up there.


Middlebury College ranks up there with the best of them if you ask the 122 thousand students the Princeton Review surveyed, The Burlington Free Press says the Princeton Review has published its 2010 edition of “The Best 371 Colleges" and Middlebury ranks number two in School runs like butter and Most popular study abroad program. It ranks number four in Professors get high marks. Students ranked Middlebury number six in two categories: students study the most and Best quality of life. It ranks tenth in best classroom experience. Middlebury takes 14th place in Best Campus Food and Best Career Services. And its rated 19th by students for Athletic Facilities. Other Vermont schools made the list too, for things like the alleged prevalence of marijuana on campus, being the least religious. For the “Birkenstock-wearing, clove-smoking, tree-hugging vegetarians” list, Bennington came in at number eight and Marlboro at number ten, each cracking the top 10.
The Best 371 Colleges“ will be in bookstores Tuesday.





Sunday, July 26, 2009

Budgets Being Cut at Universities in Slow Economy

Everybody's making cuts in the current economic state, and higher education institutions are no exception.



Universities across the country are laying off staff and cutting budgets where they can. Bloomberg News reports that as schools are freezing professors' pay, they're having to look at their own presidents for leadership. At Middlebury College, spending has been cut in half on events, staff and maintenance at the president’s house. Bloomberg says cutting back on presidential salaries and administrative budgets won’t affect the large cuts that colleges and universities will have to make over the next few years to keep up with the economy.

Gay pride celebrated in Vermont, nationwide

Vermont's 27th annual Pride Vermont parade was held Saturday, and this year, celebrants had more to celebrate than in years past. Vermont lawmakers passed a bill last spring making gay marriage the law effective Sepember 1st. This year is also the 40th anniversary of the so-called Stonewall rebellion. Stonewall was a New York City gay nightclub that was raided by police in 1969, when just being gay was a crime in many places. The raid, and the resistance to anti-gay sentiment, is widely regarded as the birthplace of the gay rights movement. New Hampshire also passed a same sex marriage bill this year. Supporters are pleased with the progress made this year, but say they still have a long way to go toward making same sex marriage a reality nationwide.

State ends phone spying probe

Vermont regulators who were looking into allegations that phone companies gave customer calling records to the Federal government will drop their investigation, but are by no means convinced it didn't happen. The Public Service Board dropped the probe because a law passed by Congress last year gives the telephone companies immunity against any legal complaints stemming from their cooperation with the NSA.

Innocent plea in overdose death

A Vermont woman has pleaded innocent to charges she sold prescription drugs to a friend who died after taking too many of them. 45-year-old Brenda Kennett was arraigned in connection with the death last year of Caitlin Lancey of Bellows Falls. Police said Lancey was found dead the day after Kennet sold her four morphine tablets for 200 dollars. Bellows Falls Police Detective Jennifer Carroll said Lancey was no stranger to the department; officers had been to her home three times in connection with Lancey's drug overdoses.

Washington sending more dam money to Vermont

More money from the Economic Stimulus Plan is on its way to Vermont. The state's congressional delegation announced Friday that more than 3 million dollars will be used for work on U.S. Forest Service land, creating or preserving up to 40 jobs. The lion's share of that money will pay for long overdue trail maintenance in the Green Mountain National Forest. Just over a million dollars will fund the repair of dams between Lefferts Pond and the Chittenden Reservoir.

Police searching for armed sex predator

State Police are looking for a convicted sex offender they consider to be a dangerous predator. 32-year-old Richard Pike of Fairlee was last seen running from probation officers Friday. State Police Sgt. Matt Amadon said Pike is wanted on a warrant from New Hampshire, where he had at least one conviction for sexual assault and is charged with failing to comply with the sex offender registry law. Pike is considered to be armed and dangerous. If you know anything about his whereabouts, you're asked to call Vermont State Police.

Hospitals join forces to save money

A Middlebury hospital will join with two others to cut their administrative costs. Porter Medical Center in Middlebury, Gifford Medical Center in Randolph and Copley Hospital in Morrisville hope the economies of scale will enable them to purchase necessities like workers' compensation insurance at a lower cost. It's not a takeover by one hospital, but a collaboration of equals that hopefully will also help attract more top-notch professionals. The Vermont Hospital Shared Service Network, as the network will be known, will be able to negotiate better rates for everything from office supplies to insurance companies. No layoffs are expected as a result of the collaboration.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Teacher guilty in child sex case

A former Bradford Elementary School teacher has pleaded guilty to state charges related to sexual assault on a child. Fifty-three-year-old Richard Foster is already serving 25 years on a federal child pornography conviction. Foster will not be eligible for parole until he is in his 70s.

Cop cleared in shooting

The Vermont Attorney General's office has cleared a Shelburne police officer for shooting a suspect in a convenience store parking lot. A report says Officer Robert Barrows had reason to believe his life was in danger in February when he fired at a vehicle being driven by Kelley O'Brien of Burlington. O'Brien recovered from his injuries and was jailed on a variety of charges.

Repeat sex offenses charged

A registered sex offender from Bennnington who was convicted in 2005 to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl was in court again yesterday; accused of sexually assaulted another 12-year-old girl on Sunday. 27-year-old Julio Cruzado pleaded innocent to three felony charges. Cruzado faces a minimum of 25 years if convicted. Cruzado served time for the earlier case and was released from prison last year.

Coke dealer gets jail, fines

An Addison man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for distributing cocaine. 42-year-old Martin D'Onofrio was sentenced by Judge William Sessions was ordered to forfeit more than $30,000 from the drug sales and a Mercedes-Benz. Officers from the Northern Vermont Drug Task Force arrested D'Onofrio with 500 grams of cocaine. A search of his home found more cocaine and $10,000 cash.

Woman charged with impersonating doctor

Rutland Police say a Proctor woman tried to obtain prescription refills by pretending to be her doctor. 39- year-old Cynthia McGuire-Cioffi pleaded innocent to prescription fraud in Rutland District Court. She was arrested by Rutland police last month after pharmacists at the CVS store received a telephone refill request from someone claiming to be McGuire-Cioffi's doctor. Something about the caller didn't sound right, and the pharmacist checked back with the doctor's office, which denied having called. Their next call was to Rutland police.

Court video conferencing still a question

The jury is still out on court video conferencing. Defendants may not have to go to court to be arraigned, they can just be video conferenced in. WCAX TV reports that the courts have tried out the system for about a year and a half now. It's a pilot project in a multi-year program that could allow all detainees to be arraigned either by Internet or videoconferenciing. Lawmakers say they hope that videoconferencing arraignments will cut the yearly cost of transporting some eight thousand detainees to and from the court for arraignments. Bennington County Attorney Erica Marthage says the test has been a nightmare. She says defendants have not been able to communicate privately with there attorneys and, she says, "Sound problems, technological things, it is difficult for me to imagine that this saves the state money or resources in any fashion." She says defendants are often told not to say things in open court that they blurt out to their attorneys.

Student appointed to Board of Education

Gov. James Douglas has appointed the newest member of the state Board of Education. Robert Kelley of Brandon is a student representative to the Otter Valley Union High School Board and will fill one of two student seats on the board. He's a member of the student council and winner of a citizenship award from the Otter Valley Teachers' Association.

Stratton Mountain Fire Tower to get facelift

The President's economic stimulus will help fund a facelift for the historic Stratton Mountain fire tower.
The money's being released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Brattleboro Reformer Newspaper reports that some 657 thousand dollars will be shared among the Stratton Mountain tower rehabilitation and other projects in the National Forest located in Addison, Bennington and Rutland Counties. The Stratton Mountain fire tower is one of only two left in the National Forest from the 1920s and 30s. At that time, the towers were built to help protect the land from unregulated operations. The money's part of an even bigger package of about three and a half million dollars in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. Vermont is in line to accept the money for trail, dam and ecosystem projects in the Green Mountain National Forest.

Bennington County Part of Video Arraignment Pilot

Jury Still Out on Court Video Conferencing


Defendants may not have to go to court to be arraigned, they can just be video conferenced in. WCAX tv reports that the courts have tried out the system for about a year and a half now. It's a pilot project in a multi-year program that could allow all detainees to be arraigned either by internet or videoconferenciing. Lawmakers say they hope that videoconferencing arraignments will cut the yearly cost of transporting some eight thousand detainees to and from the court for arraignments. Bennington County Attorney Erica Marthage says the test has been a nightmare. She says defendants have not been able to communicate privately with there attorneys and, she says, "Sound problems, technological things, it is difficult for me to imagine that this saves the state money or resources in any fashion." She says defendants are often told not to say things in open court that they blurt out to their attorneys. I'm Deb Albertson.


Stratton Mountain Fire Tower Gets Makeover

The President's economic stimulus will help fund a facelift for the historic Stratton Mountain fire tower.

The money's being released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Brattleboro Reformer Newspaper reports that some 657 thousand dollars will be shared among the Stratton Mountain tower rehabilitation and other projects in the National Forest located in Addison, Bennington and Rutland Counties. The Stratton Mountain fire towerr is one of only two left in the National Forest from the 1920s and 30s. At that time, the towers were built to help protect the land from unregulated operations. The money's part of an even bigger package of about three and a half million dollars in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. Vermont is in line to accept the money for trail, dam and ecosystem projects in the Green Mountain National Forest.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Legion baseball brackets set

The brackets for the eight-team, double-elimination American Legion Baseball State Tournament have been announced. The latest now from Deb Anderson:

The first pitch of the tournament is Friday at Barre Town Recreation Field. Defending champ and Northern Division top seed Addison County takes on Bellows Falls Post 37, the number four seed in the Southern Division. That game starts at 9 a.m. Rutland takes on Essex at noon and Bennington faces Colchester at four p.m. The late evening game has the OEC Kings taking on either Fair Haven or Chester at seven p.m. The Rutland Herald says the tournament runs for five days and a champ will be crowned Vermont's rep to the Northeast Regional Tournament in Manchester New Hampshire.

Thieves hit Humane Society

Vermont state police need your help to catch whoever broke into a Humane Society office. Deb Albertson has more:

Police say between Monday night and Tuesday morning somebody broke into the Rutland County Humane Society. They allegedly stole an undisclosed amount of money that came from fundraisers. The funds cover about 70 percent of the local Humane Society’s annual revenue. WCAX TV reports that this is the second time in as many years that the Rutland County Humane Society has been broken into. No animals were hurt in the incident. If you have any information about the break in, state police want to hear from you. I'm Deb Albertson.

Realtor failed to disclose lead paint

A St. Johnsbury realtor will pay $10,000 for filing a false lead paint compliance statement with the Health Department. The penalty is part of an agreement between the realtor, Susan Aiken and the Vermont Attorney General's office. Aiken admitted filing the affidavit in 2008 to sell a rental property.

Rutland man killed in crash

A crash at a Clarendon intersection yesterday killed a Rutland man. Police say 75-year-old George Wolf was on US Route 7 when he collided with a pickup truck traveling through the intersection at Route 103. Witnesses say Wolf failed to stop at the red light in the intersection. He was ejected from his car and died on the way to the hospital. The driver of the truck was treated for minor injuries.

Rutland Free Clinic may close - lack of funds

The Rutland Free Clinic may be forced to close. The clinic has a thirty thousand dollar gap in its budget, and if a way can’t be found to close it, about sixteen hundred people without adequate insurance may have to go without medical care. Executive Director Karen Glade said the free clinic usually receives a 73-thousand dollar grant from the state, but the delivery of those funds has been moved from August to October. Unless enough cash can be raised, the clinic will close by the middle of next month and won’t reopen until the grant is received. All is not lost just yet, however. State Senators William Carris and Kevin Mullin have told Glade they would make calls to get the grant funds released.

Charges in repeated child sex offenses

A 61-year-old Bridport man could spend the rest of his life in prison for molesting a girl for 13-years beginning when was just 5 years old. William Keefe was arraigned in Rutland District Court on Monday. He pleaded innocent to sexual assault with a victim younger than the age of 13 and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. Judge Thomas Zonay set bail at $35,000 for Keefe, who was taken to the Rutland jail after the hearing.

Robbers Rip Off Rover in Rutland

Vermont state police need your help catching the bad guys who ripped off a local Humane Society.

Police say between Monday night and Tuesday morning somebody broke into the Rutland County Humane Society. They allegedly stole an undisclosed amount of money that came from fund raisers. The funds cover about 70 percent of the local Humane Society's annual revenue. WCAX TV reports that this is the second time in as many years that the Rutland County Humane Society has been broken into. No animals were hurt in the incident. If you have any information about the break in, state police want to hear from you. I'm Deb Albertson.

American Legion Baseball Brackets Announced

The brackets for the eight-team, double-elimination American Legion Baseball State Tournament have been announced.



The first pitch of the tournament is Friday at Barre Town Recreation Field. Defending champ and Northern Divison top seed Addison County takes on Bellows Falls Post 37, the number four seed in the Southern Division. That game starts at 9 a.m.
Rutland takes on Essex at noon and Bennington faces Colchester at four p.m. The late evening game has the OEC Kings taking on either Fair Haven or Chester at seven p.m.
The Rutland Herald says the tournament runs for five days and a champ will be crowned Vermont's rep to the Northeast Regional Tournament in Manchester New Hampshire.

Robbers Rip off Rover in Rutland

Vermont state police need your help catching the bad guys who ripped off a local Humane Society.\

Police say between Monday night and Tuesday morning somebody broke into the Rutland County Humane Society. They allegedly stole an undisclosed amount of money that came from fund raisers. The funds cover about 70 percent of the local Humane Society's annual revenue. WCAX TV reports that this is the second time in as many years that the Rutland County Humane Society has been broken into. No animals were hurt in the incident. If you have any information about the break in, state police want to hear from you. I'm Deb Albertson.



American Legion Baseball State Tournamen Brackets Announced

The brackets for the eight-team, double-elimination American Legion Baseball State Tournament have been announced.



The first pitch of the tournament is Friday at Barre Town Recreation Field. Defending champ and Northern Divison top seed Addison County takes on Bellows Falls Post 37, the number four seed in the Southern Division. That game starts at 9 a.m.
Rutland takes on Essex at noon and Bennington faces Colchester at four p.m. The late evening game has the OEC Kings taking on either Fair Haven or Chester at seven p.m.
The Rutland Herald says the tournament runs for five days and a champ will be crowned Vermont's rep to the Northeast Regional Tournament in Manchester New Hampshire.





Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Douglas New Head of NGA

Governor James Douglas is officially the head of the National Governors Association.

Douglas' tenure started on Monday at the NGA's conference in Biloxi Mississippi and he designated health care reform and improving American's overall health as the top priority for the governors for the year, Douglas told the Rutland Herald.com that he hopes states will move to reform healthcare and not wait for Congress to do it. He says states have to do it themselves. Quote -- "We're an aging population," the governor continued. "We can't afford to have people ill and out of work, demanding more from the health-care system. It's in the economic best interest of our states and the nation that people are healthier. The goal can't be just changing how we deliver care, but how we improve it." Douglas is calling for more private insurers and less govenment involvement in the healthcare sytem.



Monday, July 20, 2009

Unemployment in Rutland More Than Doubles in a Year

Last year Rutland's unemployment was 4.9, but this year it's a lot worse.



More people than just teens in Rutland are looking for work this summer. WCAX TV reports that the local Career Resources Center has seen adults who are heads of households also looking for jobs. The state Labor Department says unemployment in the area is at about ten percent. People who work at the Center say they're seeing more people looking for jobs because they've seen so many big businesses close in the past year. Jamie Stewart is with the Rutland Economic Development Corporation and says a year ago businesses would not expand here because there weren't enough employees. Officials at the Career Resources Center say Rutland's ten percent unemployment is the highest in the state

CDC: H1N1 in Vermont "Sporadic"

The Centers for Disease Control says Vermont has sporadic cases of the H1N1 or swine flu virus.






And that's nothing like other parts of the country, where there are cases reported on a daily basis. For now, health providers throughout the state are reporting few H1N1 cases. They say that could change however. Officials say with the normal flu season peaking in November and December, we could see more swine flu. The Vermont Department of Health says the number of specimens submitted for testing has declined this month, and that it was slightly higher in May and June. State epidemologist Patsy Kelso says the number of cases confirmed in Vermont is small and has no pattern to it.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

CDC Says Flu Cases in Vermont "Sporadic"

The Centers for Disease Control says Vermont has sporadic cases of the H1N1 or swine flu virus.



And that's nothing like other parts of the country, where there are cases reported on a daily basis. For now, health providers throughout the state are reporting few H1N1 cases. They say that could change however. Officials say with the normal flu season peaking in November and December, we could see more swine flu. The Vermont Department of Health says the number of specimens submitted for testing has declined this month, and that it was slightly higher in May and June. State epidemologist Patsy Kelso says the number of cases confirmed in Vermont is small and has no pattern to it.

Beer Brings Suds and Buds

Thousands Turn Out for Vermont Brewer's Festival


If you love beer, this was the place to be over the weekend!


The place was Burlington, and more specifically, the waterfront for the Vermont Brewer's Festival. It was an event a beer lover dreams about: a weekend of beer...more than 30 local and national brews from which to choose. While some came to do business over a few brews, others came to reunite with friends. No matter why they say they came, -- to share some suds and meet their buds or try a new brew or ale, they came here for the beer! I'm Deb Albertson.

Parks chief looks to boost visits

Visits to Vermont state parks are down 14 percent this year, so officials are looking at ways to entice people to come back. Jason Gibbs became the commissioner of Forest, Parks and Recreation in November. His strategies, including a Facebook page haven't been enough to upstage bad weather so far, but Gibbs also plans to identify the defining attractions of each park and highlight them in advertising.

Dairy co-op to close

A dairy that was formed by farmers seeking stable milk prices has shut its doors. The Vermont Milk Company was founded three years ago by a group of dairy farmers who bought a plant in Hardwick. The plan was to pay farmers a premium for synthetic-free milk to produce cheese, yogurt and ice cream.The company was forced to close because of its debt.

Revolutionary war reenactment this weekend

A reenactment of the Revolutionary War will be held at Mount Independence in Orwell next weekend. Battle reenactments, demonstrations and living history activities will take place both days. The Declaration of Independence will be read Saturday afternoon at 2. The military fort was built in 1776 to defend against a British attack from Canada.

Road rage incident in Walmart lot

Authorities say a man who became angry that a parking lot was blocked by a paving machine, deliberately ran into the machine Wednesday afternoon, then drove away when the machine burst into flames. No one was injured, but police are looking for information about the man’s identity.

Supremes rule in favor of DUI suspect

A ruling by the Vermont Supreme Court may set a suspected drunk driver free. The high court has ruled that Christopher Harris' failure to signal when leaving a circle in Brattleboro might not have been a good enough reason for a trooper to pull him over. Harris wants evidence that he was over the limit excluded because the officer lacked justification for the stop. The issue in question is when a driver in a traffic circle is supposed to signal a turn, since the vehicle is always changing direction. The court agreed with that state law on the matter isn’t clear enough.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Suspected drunk driver give himself away

A suspected drunk driver in Bennington didn’t make police work very hard at all to catch him Wednesday night. Police say 59-year-old John Campbell pulled up next to a state police cruiser at an intersection on Route 7. When the trooper glanced at Campbell's car, he noticed a glass of beer on the trunk. Campbell’s blood alcohol content was over the legal limit. He was cited for DUI.

State advisors - no end in sight to recession

Two of Vermont’s top economists say there’s no end in sight to the recession, and they’re predicting another big drop in tax revenue. Despite a brief downturn in unemployment a couple of months ago, more Vermonters are out of work, and state income tax revenues are down as a result. Rep. Michael Obuchowski of the legislature’s Joint Fiscal Committee has offered to mediate between Governor Douglas and the Democratic-party controlled legislature to end months of feuding between them. Douglas responded the Legislature would have to come up with solid ideas to cut state spending to a sustainable level.

Schools chief wants misconduct reported

Vermont's schools chief doesn’t want superintendents to hesitate to report allegations of misconduct or incompetence by teachers or other employees. Armando Vilaseca his department reviewed several cases of possible wrongdoing that weren’t reported by superintendents. He said only a few have been accused of misconduct, but emphasized the importance of investigating problems that do occur.

Competency hearing asked for molester

The lawyer for a man accused of keeping a boy locked in a room and sexually abusing him said he’s not sure his client is competent to stand trial. 37-year-old Robert Pratt was in Court for a hearing yesterday; Judge John Wesley ordered Pratt held without bail. He faces six felony charges that each carry a mandatory 25 years in prison. Bennington County Public Defender Frederick Bragdon said Pratt has a severe learning disability, and his office will investigate Pratt’s competency.

Potter movie sells out in Rutland

They’re heeere! Harry Potter and his gang have arrived in Rutland, with the latest Harry Potter movie; "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince." On its first day in theatres, the film earned the most money in one day than any other in history. At a minute after noon yesterday, the film hit the screen at Rutland's Plaza Movieplex 9 where three theaters were sold out for the first time ever. The theatre’s assistant manager said it was also the highest-grossing day for the Movieplex.

Group says state needs financial openness laws

Vermont is in last place when it comes to state financial-disclosure laws. Political observers warn the lack of such laws means elected officials are able to manipulate the lawmaking process for personal gain. Vermont is one of only three states that don’t require its public officials to make their personal finances public. Some lawmakers say Vermont’s a small state with ethical people, and that’s enough to keep elected officials honest. But Mary Boyle of Common Cause said voters have a right to know when an officeholders' financial affairs conflict with their legislative duties.

Vandals hit Middlebury festival

Seems like there’s always someone who can’t let others have a good time. Vandals struck the Festival on the Green in Middlebury. Portions of the main tent collapsed after the support ties were cut. The damage is estimated at about $5,000. Festival organizer Pat Boera said the show ill go on despite the damage. Volunteers helped employees repair the tent for last night's performance. Police say they’re investigating.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Vermont retirement funds short of cash

The state of Vermont needs more than $31 million for its state employees' and teachers' retirement systems. State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding told the commission the money is needed because of investment losses that hit the funds during the past two years.

FairPoint get the message, makes changes

A high-level shake up at FairPoint Communications will mean a new executuve whose job it will be to resolve operational problems in New England. CEO David Hauser appointed Vicky Weatherwax to the new position of vice president of business solutions. Weatherwax will be responsible for assessing and fixing problems involving customer service, billing and other systems. FairPoint bought Verizon's landline telephone and Internet operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont last year for $2.3 billion. The troubles began when FairPoint rolled out its own back-office computer systems. The changes were announced one day after the Vermont Department of Public Service questioned whether FairPoint should be allowed to continue to operate in the state if it doesn't fix its operational problems.

Race is on for campaign funds

Democrats hoping to take on Gov. Jim Douglas in the 2010 election have gotten an early start on raising cash. Secretary of State Deb Markowitz has raised the most cash so far, raising nearly 2-hundred-thousand dollars. State Senator Doug Racine has raised more than a hundred-two thousand. The party will hold a primary in the Governor’s race, but it is too early to say how many candidates will compete for the nomination. So far, Republican Governor Douglas has raised about a hundred and four thousand dollars.

Man sentence for high speed chase

A Connecticut man pleaded guilty to charges related to in a crime that led to a deadly police chase. 22-year-old Rahe Autry had been charged with assault and robbery with injury. He will spend at least four years behind bars. Police said Autry was one of four men who were involved in a drug-related shooting in Leicester last year. The suspects led police on a high-speed chase during which a Rutland police dog was killed. The men were later arrested after assaulting and three people and stealing their car.

Recreation center saved

The future of the Rutland Regional Fieldhouse is secure, now that Castleton State College has purchased the property. The Fieldhouse went into foreclosure last month. with more than a million dollars of debt. The college paid $650,000 for the Fieldhouse, effectively saving the facility.

New content on town website

The town of Clarendon is going way beyond the usual municipal website content by adding a newsletter filled with community news and events. The Clarendon Messenger contains articles about events in town as well as the schedule of meetings and department contact numbers found on most other town sites. Select Board member George Ambrose is the Messenger’s publisher. He said some technical glitches delayed the July edition but new software will make the process more reliable in the future.

Life term for molester

A 74-year-old Bennington man who admitted sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl will never be released from prison. Alvin Reed pleaded guilty in Bennington District Court. He has a history of sexual crimes and was convicted of statutory rape in 1974. The latest charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Party death probed

Two people have been charged in the overdose death of a 19-year-old from Swanton. The two face charges in the June 8 death of Jeremy Chapple. Authorities say one bought a bottle of bourbon for Chapple, and the other sold him the anti-anxiety drug Lorazepam. Emergency crews responded to a 911 call from a party in Swanton reporting Chapple had passed out and wasn’t breathing. He was declared dead an hour later at the hospital in St. Albans.

Two people have been charged in the overdose death of a 19-year-old from Swanton. The two face charges in the June 8 death of Jeremy Chapple. Authorities say one bought a bottle of bourbon for Chapple, and the other sold him the anti-anxiety drug Lorazepam. Emergency crews responded to a 911 call from a party in Swanton reporting Chapple had passed out and wasn’t breathing. He was declared dead an hour later at the hospital in St. Albans.

Two people have been charged in the overdose death of a 19-year-old from Swanton. The two face charges in the June 8 death of Jeremy Chapple. Authorities say one bought a bottle of bourbon for Chapple, and the other sold him the anti-anxiety drug Lorazepam. Emergency crews responded to a 911 call from a party in Swanton reporting Chapple had passed out and wasn’t breathing. He was declared dead an hour later at the hospital in St. Albans.

State questions FairPoint problems

The state has filed a petition with the Public Service Board to determine if FairPoint Communications can provide reliable operations in the state. The petition seeks to find out why FairPoint hasn’t lived up to expectations. The Department says FairPoint is in a period of transition since taking over Verizon's landlines in Vermont and two other states, but it says the company has continued to have service problems and issued a report last week that was overly optimistic. FairPoint is trying to improve service, expand broadband access and restructure its debt after losing nearly $8 million in the first quarter of this year.

Fortune teller loses a fortune

Maybe she should have seen this coming: A woman has pleaded guilty to stealing $200,000 from a famous psychic. 51-year-old Denise Hall is charged with wire fraud stemming from the embezzlement of money from Rosemary Altea of Dorset. Altea, a self-proclaimed spiritual medium has been on the Oprah Winfrey show and Larry King Live. Hall worked as her bookkeeper from 2001 to 2008. Sentencing is set for October, when Hall could face up to 20 years in prison.

Gun theft probed

A Fair Haven man who stole two guns from his grandfather's neighbor to pay off a drug debt has pleaded innocent. 24-year-old Christopher Washburn allegedly stole the guns from a Fair Haven home. The homeowner reported that the only other person in the home that day was Washburn. The homeowner said that after Washburn left; he discovered a coin collection and the guns missing. Police learned that Washburn sold the guns to a man for $50. The man denied that he traded drugs for the guns. Police say more arrests are pending.

Molotov cocktail burns school

Investigators say a fire in the parking lot of the Northeast Elementary School was intentionally set. Firefighters arrived at the school early yesterday in response to a fire that state police say was started by a Molotov cocktail. The fire was so hot it damaged the driveway. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call city police at 773-1816.

Top Cop faces DUI

Vergennes Police Chief Michael Lowe will face DUI charges. Vermont State Police say Chief Mike Lowe was driving under the influence June 7 when his police cruiser hit a parked car in Vergennes. Police waited for the results of a blood test before charging Lowe. Those results indicated that Lowe had prescription medication in his system.

Charges in party death

Vergennes Police Chief Michael Lowe will face DUI charges. Vermont State Police say Chief Mike Lowe was driving under the influence June 7 when his police cruiser hit a parked car in Vergennes. Police waited for the results of a blood test before charging Lowe. Those results indicated that Lowe had prescription medication in his system.

Man charged in knife attack

A Middlebury man is facing up to 30 years in prison for allegedly threatening and choking a woman. 27-year-old Brian Cline pleaded innocent in Rutland District Court. A woman told police she was waiting for a friend in front of the fire department when 27-year-old Brian Cline pulled out two knives and held them to her throat, according to affidavits. A witness who tried to intervene said Cline also threatened him. Police said Cline blamed the woman for his life. He is being held on $5,000 bail.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Two killed in Brandon accident

Two people were killed and six others were injured Sunday night in a two-car crash on Route 7 in Brandon. State police say the dead are a 61-year-old man from Arlington and his 15-year-old foster child. The man’s wife and three other children in their car were hurt. The driver of the other car was also injured. All of the children are in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services. Police declined to name the victims until their families are notified.

Woman denies taking lunch money

The woman accused of stealing lunch money from students at Mount Abraham Union High School pleaded not guilty to embezzlement charges yesterday. Police say 39-year-old Amy Cousino stole $22,000 in cash over a ten-month period, and ran up $19,000 worth of personal charges on the district's credit cards.

A Killington lawyer convicted of hindering an investigation of a traffic accident has been denied a request for a new trial. Judge Thomas Zonay rejected Melvin Neisner's claim that the jury foreman in his case jeopardized his right to a fair trial by looking up a word. Neisner, a former traffic court judge, was convicted last year of hindering a police investigation and negligent operation of a motor vehicle after leaving the scene of an accident and lying to police.

A Killington lawyer convicted of hindering an investigation of a traffic accident has been denied a request for a new trial. Judge Thomas Zonay rejected Melvin Neisner's claim that the jury foreman in his case jeopardized his right to a fair trial by looking up a word. Neisner, a former traffic court judge, was convicted last year of hindering a police investigation and negligent operation of a motor vehicle after leaving the scene of an accident and lying to police.

No new trial for convicted lawyer

A judge has denied a motion for a new trial in the case of a Killington lawyer convicted of hindering police investigating a traffic accident. Judge Thomas Zonay rejected Melvin B. Neisner's claim that the jury foreman in his case jeopardized his right to a fair trial by doing independent research about the word "hinder" while he was serving. Zonay said that wasn't grounds to find Luis Alvarez had acted inappropriately. Neisner, a former traffic court judge, was convicted last year of a felony count of hindering with a police investigation and misdemeanor counts of grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident and lying to police.

Lawmakers begin work on next year's budget

With the new state budget finally in place, Vermont lawmakers are back in Montpelier trying to get a head start on next year’s spending plan. A special legislative committee will work to trim $30 million in spending, primarily by changing the way the state does business and by using more technology. The Douglas administration has started its own review of state government with the same goal. Later this week, state economists will meet with lawmakers and the governor to discuss if and when the recession might begin to ease.

Man to help with ball field resurfacing

When a local businessman learned of the need to resurface the ball fields behind the Fair Haven Grade School, he stepped up and offered to do the job, gratis. David Camara Jr. of Camara Slate will give the town 500 truckloads of fill assist the Select Board with the planning. Camara said he has children who play on the fields and that his company sponsors teams that play there. The project will raise the girls' softball, Little League and midget league fields. The work will need to get the state’s approval because the property is in a flood plain. Camara will provide two trucks and is looking for someone to volunteer trucks and drivers to haul the materials to the site.

Woman killed in canoe accident

A Sunday fishing outing ended in tragedy for a Bristol woman who died when she fell out of a canoe. Vermont State Police said yesterday that 41-year-old Kelly Bruner was fishing with friend Ken Palmer when she fell out of the boat while trying to retrieve her fishing pole. Palmer was not able to reach her as she drifted away. Bruner was able to swim and both called for help from the water but by the time anyone was able to reach them, Bruner had drowned. She was pronounced dead at Porter Hospital in Middlebury. An autopsy will be conducted.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

More suits against Diocese

The Roman Catholic diocese in Vermont has been hit with two new lawsuits claiming it transferred assets to avoid paying the alleged victims of priest sex abuse. The lawsuits were filed in state and federal court this week by 27 people with cases pending in Chittenden Superior Court, along with several of those who won damages and are awaiting rulings on appeals. The lawsuits claim the diocese started shifting church assets into trusts in 2005, putting them beyond the reach of creditors, including the alleged victims. Tom McCormick, an attorney for the Diocese, maintains the diocese did not engage in any fraudulent transfers.

Molester failed to register

Authorities say a man accused of fondling his daughter's friend had been on Florida's sex offender registry since 1996 but didn't register when he moved to Vermont several years ago. Police say Robert Kolibas (ko-LEE-bas) of Williston gave the 13-year-old a drug-laced smoothie during a sleep-over May 29 and later fondled her. In Florida, Kolibas pleaded no contest to providing obscene materials to a minor.

Cocaine kingpin dethroned for a decade

The head of a St. Johnsbury drug ring will spend the next ten years in prison. 37-year-old Oscar Santos pleaded guilty In March to cocaine conspiracy charges. Prosecutors said Santos worked with a group of people to sell large amounts of the drug over a three-year period. He was given the mandatory minimum sentence of ten years on Tuesday. Santos was the last of twelve defendants arrested in connection with the case. All of the others pleaded guilty.

Dog bites man, free to go

The seven-day window of opportunity has expired for a pit bull to be seized after it attacked and severely injured a 64-year-old man two weeks ago. Rutland Town Police Chief John Sly said the town had seven days to act. Curtis Stewart was knocked to the ground by the pit bull and was bitten in four places. He was taken to the hospital where he received 13 stitches. The pit bull and his owner were allowed to leave the scene by Deputy David Fox of the Rutland County Sheriff's Department. But Sheriff Stephen Benard said Richard Holman and his pit bull, Bugsy, were free to go because the dog had an up-to-date rabies vaccination.
Just to be safe, Stewart has undergone 10 rabies shots and has two more left..

No secret for crossdresser

A Rutland man who walked into an underwear store and showed off his own will serve probation. Police said 49-year-old Robert Scott was a regular customer at Victoria's Secret in Diamond Run Mall in 2007, where he was known as a crossdresser named Robbie. On two visits, police said Scott asked store clerks to assist him in the changing room, then exposed himself to them. Scott received a suspended sentence of two to five years in prison Wednesday in Rutland District Court.

Vermont economy second to last

Vermont's economy is ranked 49th out of the 50 states, according to a study by the American Legislative Exchange Council. The study said, “High personal income and property taxes, along with some of the highest labor costs in America all hurt Vermont's economic outlook." The study did give the state good grades for its relatively low sales tax burden and quality legal system. Two of Vermont's neighbors had a better economic outlook with New Hampshire placing 37 and Massachusetts 26. New York was 50. Last year, the organization ranked Vermont last among the 50 states.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Rain was near disaster in Rutland

If the heavy rain on Tuesday had lasted another 5 or 10 minutes, Rutland could have seen a major disaster. Public Works Commissioner Alan Shelvey said Rultand has a margin of only a few minutes before heavy rain turns to devastation. The city had a close call Tuesday, causing public works personnel to drop whatever they were doing and make flood prevention job one. He said city planners are beginning to plan ahead and will be refiguring its drainage system to prevent backups in the future.

Two missing from youth camp

State Police are asking for the public's help to find a pair of runaways from Camp E-Wen-Akee in Benson. 14-year-old Jeffrey Tanner and 16-year-old Damian Gratton walked away from the facility for at-risk youth Tuesday night. Gratton is 5-7 and 155 pounds, with black hair. Tanner is 5-8, 145 pounds, with brown hair.

Woman in court on drug charges

A North Clarendon woman was in Rutland District Court Monday, charged with cocaine and heroin possession. 41-year-old Darleen Palmer pleaded innocent to the drug charges. She was ordered held on $2,500 bail. Palmer was arrested on July 3 after city police, acting on a tip, found crack cocaine inside her pant leg. Police said they also found three small Baggies containing heroin.

Complaint filed about out of town cops

A Fair Haven resident told the town Select Board that its police officers spend too much time on out-of-town details and not enough in town. He says he realized there was a problem after a dispatcher told him nobody was available to respond to his report that minors had broken into his mother's home and were holding a party. Richards said he often sees Fair Haven officers in other towns on traffic details funded by state and federal grants. Fair Haven Police Chief William Humphries said Thursday that the follow-up to Richards' call was mishandled, but there's always an officer in town. Fair Haven is in talks with Castleton and Poultney about creating a regional police force, and Humphries said the boards will discuss the matter with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns in the near future.

Student made fake bills as a joke

The 17-year-old Rutland High School student charged with counterfeiting says he made fake twenty dollar bills as a joke. Jeff DeJarnette was charged with felony counterfeiting after Rutland police and U.S. Secret Service agents traced the bad bills back to DeJarnette, and police say he admitted making them with a copier at his Chittenden home. He pleaded innocent in Rutland District Court last week, but hopes to reach a plea deal to avoid the 14-year maximum sentence for counterfeiting. DeJarnette said he was surprised to learn that another 17-year-old student used one of the counterfeit bills but wasn't charged. Officer J. Michael Warfle said he only presented the case against DeJarnette to the prosecutor's office because of the other student's cooperation.

Personal use of city cars to continue

Certain city employees can keep driving their city cars to and from work, a benefit that union officials say helps police, but the mayor's office says will cost the taxpayers money. The city decided to end the practice in November, but the police union filed a series of grievances. An independent arbitrator has ruled that city detectives and school resource officers should be allowed drive to and from work in department vehicles, and ordered the city to reimburse the affected officers for their mileage retroactive to November. The union's George Lovell said Tuesday the use of city vehicles allowed the detectives and school officers to respond faster to emergency calls.

Furlough days for state courts

Vermont courts will close for 12 days in the coming year in order to save money. The furlough days will be unpaid days for court employees. That should save as much as $420,000. Half-day closings already announced will still happen unless it comes in the same week with a full-day closing. Closures and furlough days are being instituted in all branches of state government as part of the effort to close a $14 million budget gap. About 200 state workers who did not receive previous pay cuts will be affected by the 12 furlough days.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Rutland officer out of hospital

The Rutland Police officer who was hurt in an accident Thursday is out of the hospital, but it’s still unclear what caused a seizure that caused Officer Gary Tobin to hit a stopped car on West Street. Tobin told State Police investigators he has no recollection of the accident or events leading up to the crash. Lt. Kevin Geno said Tobin has not returned to work yet and did not know when he would return.

Rutland board discusses issues

The Rutland Board of Aldermen is looking back on the major points of disagreement with the mayor during budget negotiations last month. Alderman Joe Tilden asked the board to force a meeting of the Board of Civil Authority to review the layoffs of the two recreation department employees, saying the mayor would not do so. The mayor and Recreation Superintendent denied a request for a hearing by the two employees. City Attorney Andrew Costello said seven of the aldermen need to support such a request in order to force the mayor to hold the meeting. Alderman Kevin Coleman introduced a motion to possibly rectify what he believes are problems in how the budget process is conducted. Coleman introduced new language for a charter change that would have the mayor prepare a summary of projected revenue and an estimated tax rate by Nov. 1st. The proposal was referred to an August 5th meeting on the city's charter.

Sex crime units boosted

State and local police, along with social workers and prosecutors continue to expand the state special units that investigate sex crimes. The Legislature intended to have the entire state covered by the special units as of July 1st, but officials say they hope to have the units in place by the end of the year. The units have trained police and others who do nothing but investigate sex crimes. Officials say the state's existing units in Chittenden and two other counties have proven their effectiveness.

Underage drinking party busted

Four adults have been charged after cops broke up a big underage drinking party. State police responded to a noise complaint Sunday night in the town of Stamford and came across a large graduation party. More than 30 minors were cited for underage drinking and four adults were cited for enabling consumption.

Kids charged with vandalizing school

Bennington police have cited nine juveniles for vandalizing a former school building. The teens, all between the ages of 13 and 15, threw rocks through the windows of Catamount Elementary last month. They also allegedly broke in and set off fire extinguishers. Police said they also believe the gym has been used as an indoor skate park. Damage estimates are around $10,000.

Man charged with multiple abuse crimes

A 37-year-old Bennington man is charged with abuse and sexual assault on a boy who was in his care for six years. Robert Pratt pled innocent to charges that included repeated sexual assaults on the child. Police say the boy was victimized between the ages of 10 and 16 while he lived with Pratt in a Bennington apartment building. Bennington County Prosecutor Erica Marthage said Pratt kept the boy locked in his room, denied food and water was not allowed to use the bathroom. She called the treatment “torture.” Police say the boy, who is now 17, reported the abuse for the first time in recent weeks. Pratt was arrested and jailed at the state prison in Rutland. If convicted he faces life behind bars.

Union wants Rutland hospital employees

Rutland Regional Medical Center takes on some of the patients from the troubled Vermont State Hospital, the State Employees Association hopes to get hiring priority. The union, which represents 8,000 workers, told hospital officials their members should get hiring priority if a new psychiatric wing is built. Vermont officials have tried to close the state hospital for some time because it is not adequate to care for mental disorders and substance abuse. Reforms at the hospital have been on hold over how the state plans to proceed.