WVTK Local & State News January 26, 2010

Documents show that the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant's operators knew there were underground pipes at the plant of the type top plant officials later said didn't exist. A sworn affidavit from Vermont Yankee's chief engineer refers to a report from November 2007 on the plant's buried piping and tank inspection program. At least 15 towns will have a resolution about the future of Vermont Yankee on their Town Meeting Day ballots. The resolution asks the legislature to hold the plant to its agreed closing date of 2012 and not extend its operating license.

Officials say two milk tanker trucks and a car were involved in a fiery crash on Interstate 89 in Montpelier that killed two people. Monday's early morning crash killed a 43-year-old man driving 1 of the trucks and a 62-year-old woman who was a passenger in the car.

The future remains uncertain for the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation or VSAC. The leader of the non-profit talked openly Monday about the challenges VSAC is facing. Legislation in Washington, D.C. could effectively end the group's loaning to future college students. It could also mean big changes for VSAC. "There is a certain nervousness," remarked Don Vickers, VASC's President & CEO. "I have to work here everyday with 350 people who look at me each and everyday when I come in wondering, 'Does Don think we are going to make it? Does Don think we are not going to make it? Are we going to have a job today? Are we going to have a job tomorrow?'" The group hopes Vermont's congressional delegation can fix the legislation to allow VSAC to keep loaning to students.

Hardware stores across the state of Vermont are giving away hundreds of new light bulbs as part of a program called “Bring Back Light”. The program is designed to have people bring back their old bulbs for recycling and get a new one. The goal is to keep mercury out of the environment. The program runs while supplies last, or until 5 PM on Friday.

A murder suspect who was arrested in Vermont is headed back to New York city to face prosecution. Thirty-1-year-old Justin Waller waived extradition Monday in Vermont District Court in Bennington, where prosecutors says Waller will be returned to New York by week's end.

Starting March 1, there will be a new airline at the Plattsburgh International Airport. The new airline service, Colgan Air will be taking the service over for Cape Air. The change in service means bigger planes will be making direct flights to Boston. Colgan Air’s planes have at least 15 more seats on each plane as compared to the 9-seater planes Cape Air uses.

A new Salvation Army store has opened in Essex Junction. The old Toro dealership on Route 15 has been turned into a Salvation Army Family Thrift Store. Unlike its locations in Burlington and South Burlington, this store has a drop-off location with a covered loading dock with an expanded area for furniture.

A bankruptcy judge in Delaware has given Tops Friendly Markets the go-ahead to buy Penn Traffic Co.'s 79 supermarkets in the Northeast. Tops, a 76-store chain based in suburban Buffalo, is aiming to purchase nearly 80 P&C, Quality Markets and BiLo stores in New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont and New Hampshire.

The United States Air Force could decide to bring the newest and best fighter jet to Burlington. While most people admit it would be a big honor, there's one thing in the way, the potential noise. The U.S. Air Force is considering bringing the F-35 to a handful of bases, including Burlington's Air National Guard.

Five hopefuls for governor met at the University of Vermont yesterday evening, debating state education policy. The discussion included Peter Shumlin, Susan Bartlett, Doug Racine, Deb Markowitz and Matt Dunne. Brian Dubie did not attend the event.