WVTK Local & State News February 24, 2010

The National Weather Service continues its Winter Storm Warning Through 1AM Thursday. Today Snow mixing with rain this afternoon, 4 to 6 inches possible, High around 32.

Winter weather is leaving thousands of people in the dark when they wake up Wednesday morning. Most of the outages in Vermont are in the central and southern part of the state. As of 5 am, there are just more than 5,500 reports of power outages. The hardest hit areas are Chittenden County, which is reporting 1,600 outages, and Addison County, which has 1,200 outages. In New York, several cities and towns are reporting outages as well. Those areas include:
Altona
Cadyville
Elizabethtown
Essex
Keeseville
Lewis
Mineville

Vermont lawmakers are scheduled to vote today on the fate of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. Yesterday Vermont Yankee proposed a new power deal of $20 million in low-cost energy that Vermont could use to attract new businesses or to encourage job growth. Senate President Pro Tem, Peter Shumlin, says the deal does nothing to change the vote.

A judge says a Williston man accused of fondling a 13-year-old friend of his daughter during a sleep over is competent to stand trial. 51-year-old Robert Kolibas was also in court yesterday being arraigned on a new charge of unlawful restraint for which he plead not guilty. Kolibas is now facing four felony charges. The trial is expected to start on March 23.

The family of a Ticonderoga man run-down while jogging is hoping a $10,000 reward will bring new information leading to an arrest. Anthony Morette was out running in December when he was struck by a car and killed. Ticonderoga Town Police are still tracking leads as this case remain a top priority.

Catholics in the North Country have a new bishop. Pope Benedict has appointed Reverend Terry LaValley as bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. The 39-year-old from Mooers Forks, will succeed the Most Reverend Robert Cunningham. LaValley has been filling the bishop’s duties since last May. He said he looks forward to becoming a full-time bishop.

A Rutland County judge has ordered the arrest of a Virginia woman who has refused to return her daughter to her former civil union partner. Lisa Miller was found in contempt of court when she didn't show up for a hearing yesterday in her custody fight with Fair Haven woman Janet Jenkins. Miller has since gone missing.

Power company CVPS is seeking donations to Shareheat, the utility's emergency fuel assistance program. The utility says donations have dried up with the rough economy but matching funds are still available to help low-income Vermonters needing heating help. The program typically helps more than 1,000 families a year.

State wildlife officials are urging Vermonters to not feed deer bagged corn and grain. Biologists say the animals' digestive systems can't handle the food and say it can also cause brainworm and other afflictions. Instead, they suggest people plant apple trees for deer and other animals to feed from.

A Richford man suspected of robbing 5 banks in Franklin County plead not guilty to federal bank robbery charges. 23-year-old Chad Lussier has already pleaded not guilty to state charges for allegedly robbing the TD bank in Enosburgh late last month. Federal prosecutors have now taken over the case. Convictions in the federal system can bring longer sentences.

Local and State Police in Vermont and New York will be helping out the U.S. Border Patrol keep an eye on the U.S. / Canadian Border. The program called Operation Stone Garden uses officers from sheriffs departments and state and local police agencies, who work during their off hours and are paid overtime by the federal government, to watch the border.

The New York Senate has passed a resolution against delaying income tax refunds as a way to ease the state's financial pinch. Governor Paterson says the state may need the delays to pay its bills. The nonbinding Senate measure is meant to build support and persuade the governor.

Burlington voters are being asked to approve a $21.5 million bond for the airport this Town Meeting Day. The bond would support construction of two new parking levels on the northern end of the garage, adding 600 parking spaces. The top parking level would be covered by a roof that features solar panels to power the garage and green space for visitors to enjoy.