WVTK Local & State News March 12, 2010

Green Mountain Power and CVPS have signed a 26-year deal with Hydro-Quebec. The contract would take effect in 2012 and runs though 2038. The deal inked yesterday means the Canadian power producer will provide 1/3 of Vermont’s power and Vermont lawmakers will designate Hydro-Quebec's power as "renewable" energy.

Governor Jim Douglas has received Quebec’s Highest Honor. The Nation Order of Quebec is usually reserved for a resident of Quebec; in fact, Governor Douglas is the first American political to receive the honor. The award is presented to someone for outstanding achievement and action that support Quebec.

It's still winter, but the ground is very dry in some areas. And that's prompted a warning from firefighters. The trouble spots are areas without any snow, like spots in Vergennes. Firefighters from Vergennes and Ferrisbugh battled an out-of-control grass fire yesterday afternoon. Fire officials say a simple spark could lead to a major fire under these dry conditions.

Plattsburgh city councilors unanimously approved a tobacco-free policy for the City Beach, parks, and recreational areas. The ban, passed at last night’s meeting, would eliminate smoking in those public areas, which are highly traveled by families with children.

Nova Buss has received an order for 24 busses. The $10-Million order was placed by the city of Honolulu. The busses will be assembled at the Plattsburgh Plant. Delivery is expected by the end of the year. The contract also contains options for additional buses, but the company said the number and value has yet to be determined.

Burlington police are investigating two burglaries that took place yesterday. Police say the first break-in happened at Pure Pop Music, on South Winooski Avenue. The second burglary happened at Mirror Mirror on Main Street. The suspect is described as a white male with a large build. No other details are available at this time.

Vermont regulators told the U.S. EPA that they will not approve the dumping of 33,000 tons of soil from a Massachusetts Superfund site at the Moretown landfill. According to the EPA, the soil is a hazardous “substance” but not a hazardous “waste.” A spokesman for the EPA says the agency is seeking alternative sites to take the waste soil.

The Essex Alliance Church has gotten approval from the town of Williston to build a new church. The church would be built on 54 acres off Route 2A near Taft Corners. The plans call for a 100,000-square-foot building with a cafe and a bookstore. Planners still need state land-use and traffic permits, but hope to break ground in the fall and open in 2012.

The University of Vermont says it's dealing with more drunk students than ever before. UVM Police say they’ve taken more than 130 students into custody this year, which is more than all of last year. UVM police also say they are dealing with more drunk female students. Public drunkenness is a civil offense, not a criminal offense in Vermont.

A court has sided with Vermont authorities -- ruling that tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds' used deceptive and misleading ads to sell its Eclipse "reduced risk" cigarettes. Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell's office claimed the company's claims weren't backed up by scientific evidence.

Bird lovers take note: unless you want to tempt the bears, you might want to remove your feeders. That's the advice from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. The agency says bears are starting to leave their dens and after a long winter's hibernation, many of them are hungry and looking for food. Fish and Wildlife Colonel David LeCours says his agency is already receiving reports of bears eating from feeders. LeCours recommends that Vermonters take down their feeders until next fall.