WVTK Local & State News March 16, 2010

Workers on the new Crown Point Bridge have re-discovered an army fort from 1731. It is uncertain if the archaeological re-discovery will affect plans for the new bridge. The foundation of a small 1731 French Fort was found near a standing pier of the old bridge on the Vermont shore. An 18th century map shows the fort, which was used from 1731 to 1759, exactly where it was found.

Vermont Emergency Management leaders want to you think about the threat of flooding at this time of year. They've teamed up with the National Weather Service to declare this week "Flood Safety Week". They say 9 of Vermont's 11 federally declared disasters involved flooding. State leaders urge you to have a plan in place if you're caught in a flood.

The Vermont Department of Education says the state has been chosen to be part of a pilot program that will provide supper for some children participating in after school programs. Vermont is one of 13 states and the District of Columbia to participate in the Area Eligible Afterschool Supper Pilot through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Officials at FairPoint Communications announced the company has had a break-thru in broadband service. FairPoint has completed a fiber-based network in Essex Junction and Milton and now offers what it calls super-fast Internet service. The company plans to roll out that service to dozens of other communities soon.

An outbreak of the mumps has hit Plattsburgh State. 3 cases of students with mumps have been confirmed so far, with 3 more pending. As a result, more than 200 students may not be able to return from spring break unless they are fully vaccinated. The Clinton County Health Department is holding a free mumps and MMR vaccination clinic tomorrow.

Real estate sales in Chittenden County are on the increase. Professionals say home prices have dropped 6 percent in the last year; and that drop has helped spur more home sales. Federal tax credits have also helped in getting the real-estate market moving. Home sellers have also been cutting deals to get their homes to sell before the deadlines.

The U.S. Air Force is planning to hold a hearing next month in South Burlington to discuss the possibility of the Vermont Air National Guard getting the new F-35 fighter jet. The F-35 is said to be noisier than the F-16s it is designed to replace. The Vermont Air National Guard base is one of five installations across the country being considered to host the F-35.

The Adirondack Regional Tourism Council has been told it will not receive almost $500,000 in funding that was included in the budget for this year. The money was part of a matching funds program that was in last year’s budget and supposed to be in this year’s too. Officials say the cut represents about half of their budget.

A former teacher has been arrested for the 4th time in a student sex case. John Buttura Jr. of Waterbury is charged with having a relationship with a 16-year-old student. The new charges accuse Buttura of contacted the girl after being ordered not to. The former Twinfield Union School teacher pled not guilty to the new charges yesterday.