WVTK Local & State News January 4, 2010

The snow storm blanketing the area has now become the largest snowstorm witnessed in Burlington in more than 120 years of record keeping. The National Weather Service says the storm dumped over 32 inches of snow in the Burlington area. Burlington seemed to receive the most while other parts of the state received a lot less snow.

The Ti Ferry that runs between Ticonderoga, N.Y., and Shoreham, Vt., stopped running as of Sunday. The cable ferry normally closes during the winter, but agreed to stay open after the bridge closed to help get commuters back and forth across the lake. But now the company says it has not been able to secure marine insurance beyond Jan. 3 and so it plans to suspend operations. A new temporary ferry service is under construction near the demolished bridge. But it is not expected to be open until the end of January. In the meantime, VTrans and the NYSDOT say the following transportation alternatives are available for travelers:

Ferry Service:

The Essex/Charlotte Ferry remains open and is operating 24 hours per day. There is no charge for passengers during this transportation emergency. A schedule can be found by visiting www.ferries.com.

Bus Service:

New York Service North (AM) to the Essex Ferry: From Ticonderoga NY to the Essex NY two buses are running - originating from the Ticonderoga WalMart at 4:25 A.M. and 5:25 A.M. Pickup locations along the way include: Crown Point (Sacred Heart Church), Port Henry (Nu-Way), Port Henry (Dock Street), and Westport Fairgrounds, arriving at Essex Ferry at 5:50 A.M. and 6:50 A.M. Beginning Monday, January 4, public transportation in New York via Trailways will be available to the Essex ferry dock, with connecting service in Vermont. Buses in Vermont will take riders to several stops within Addison County, including Northlands Job Corps, Goodrich, Main Street Vergennes and the greater Middlebury area. Return trips later in the afternoon are also available. NYSDOT will post flaggers in Essex to direct bus traffic to the ferry should the traffic become heavy.
New York Service South (PM) from the Essex Ferry: From Essex NY to Ticonderoga NY will run two buses originating from the Essex Ferry Dock at 4:30 P.M. and 5:30 P.M. Drop-off locations along the way include: Westport Fairgrounds, Port Henry (Dock Street), Port Henry (Nu-Way), and Crown Point (Sacred Heart Church).

Service from New York to Vermont (AM) through Whitehall NY: One bus will run from Crown Point NY to Vermont (business locations). The bus originates at the Crown Point (Sacred Hearts Church) at 5:45 A.M. with a stop at Ticonderoga WalMart at 6:00 A.M., then on to the following Vermont locations of Middlebury College 7:45 A.M., Porter Medical Center 7:50 A.M., and Goodrich Aeronautical 8:15 A.M. An additional bus through Whitehall to major employers in Vermont will be added if needed.
Service from Vermont to New York (PM) through Whitehall NY: One bus will return from Vermont (business locations) to Crown Point NY. Bus originates at the Goodrich Aeronautical at 4:00 P.M., Porter Medical Center 4:30 P.M., Middlebury College 4:35 P.M. and arrives in Ticonderoga, NY 6:20 P.M., and Crown Point NY (Sacred Hearts Church) 6:35 P.M.

Dial-A-Ride Service in Vermont:

Dial-A-Ride service from Charlotte Ferry to Burlington VT: This service is available, but requires 24-hour advanced notice. For more information or to schedule a ride travelers may call 1-802-878-1527.
Dial-A-Ride and Fixed Route service from Charlotte Ferry to Vergennes VT: Dial-A-Ride service is also available, and requires 24-hour advanced notice. For more information or to schedule a ride travelers may call 802-388-1946 or visit the website at www.actr-vt.org.

For further information on the bus schedule, travelers may call Trailways at 800-858-8555.
Travelers are advised to check the various ferry websites as well as www.aot.state.vt.us and www.nysdot.gov/lakechamplainbridge for information on schedules.

Gov. Jim Douglas says he's focused on balancing the most difficult state budget he's faced in his seven years as Vermont's chief executive. Douglas tells the Burlington Free Press than when the Legislature reconvenes for the 2010 session, he'll ask lawmakers to restrict how much local school districts can spend.

Freya von Moltke, a former Nazi resister who made a home in Vermont, has died at the age of 98. Her son, told the Valley News that his German-born mother died Friday after suffering a viral infection earlier in the week. Freya von Moltke served with her husband as prominent members of the German resistance during World War II.

A bridge linking northernmost Vermont and New Hampshire across the Connecticut River is set to close for four days for a detailed inspection. The Bridge Street Bridge between West Stewartstown, N.H., and Beecher Falls, Vt., will close today though this Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is making grant money available to help provide broadband Internet access to Vermont libraries. The money is expected to be used as the state's match for federal funding the state will seek in early 2010 under the federal Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.

Vermont rallied for a 4-3 win over Alabama-Huntsville in the opening round of the Sheraton/TD Bank Catamount Cup tournament. Playing before a sell-out crowd at home, Vermont outshot Alabama 39-14 in Saturday night's game, but had to overcome a third period deficit to move to the tournament championship game Sunday.