WVTK Local & State News March 19, 2010

Vermont Governor Jim Douglas is praising a legislative committee for acting quickly to move a jobs bill to the floor of the state's House of Representatives. Gov. Jim Douglas yesterday urged lawmakers to take up the bill as soon as possible so he can sign the measure into law. The bill sets aside eight-point-67 million in federal stimulus money for economic development initiatives as a way of creating jobs. Douglas says each day that passes without approving the bill is a missed opportunity.

The state Senate has approved a proposal to release 200 nonviolent prison inmates early as a way of saving money. The measure, which still needs House approval, would have prisoners released if they've served their minimum sentences but are being held for lack of housing. If passed, the state would save about $4.6-Million.

Police were called to Peru Central School after a student allegedly brought a BB Gun to school. The 13-year-old boy has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. Authorities say the boy never used the gun, never displayed it and never threatened to hurt anyone. Police and school officials are still investigating the incident.

The Vermont Milk Company has been auctioned off. The Vermont Milk Company opened its doors in 2006 after a group of frustrated dairy farmers banded together, left their co-ops, and started their own business. The plant paid farmers a premium price for their milk. In addition to the sale of the plant itself, more than 160 items from inside the plant were also auctioned off.

As state authorities investigate whether Burlington officials misled regulators about the city-owned Burlington Telecom, City Council members have their own questions. Two council members are questioning city administrators about the transfer of $17 million in city money to the telecom operation.

Officials at Small Dog Electronics say their Web site was hacked in February, during a Haiti earthquake donation drive. Twelve hundred people had their credit card information stolen. Small Dog has already contacted all 1,200 people who were compromised. They've also hired two auditing companies and installed a new, more secure server.

The Vermont House has approved legislation calling for mediation between mortgage lenders and homeowners before a foreclosure occurs. Backers of the bill say it's often cheaper for banks to renegotiate a mortgage at a lower monthly payment than foreclosing, taking possession of the property and trying to resell it.

A Vermont teen will be arraigned on a charge of second degree murder today following the death of a one-year-old girl. Police say 19-year-old Alexander Stolte, was babysitting his girlfriend's daughter Kyleigh McDaniel at home in Chelsea Wednesday night when he killed the child. The medical examiner says the baby suffered multiple blunt impacts to the head.

Jurors in the drug trial of a local business man say they can’t get a unanimous verdict. Stephen Giroux, the former owner of Champy’s Car Wash, is on trail for cocaine charges. Yesterday, the 12-member jury said they were unable to reach a unanimous decision. The judge in the case has asked them to work toward a verdict. Jurors return today to continue deliberations.

North Country Community College is adding 4 new degree programs. The school is also asking the state for permission to provide weekend classes for students wishing to become nurses. Students can earn degrees in solar-energy fields, fine arts, paramedics and environmental science.

It’s a big weekend for UVM sports. This afternoon at 5 PM, the University of Vermont Men’s Hockey team will skate against Boston College in the Hockey East Semifinals. Tonight at 9:30, the Men’s Basketball Team will take on the Syracuse in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. And Sunday afternoon, the Women’s Basketball team will play against Wisconsin in the Woman’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Just in time for spring and the arrival of warmer weather, the Rutland Ben & Jerry's scoop shop is reopening at a new location, 219 Woodstock Ave. Owner Sarah Decandio was forced to move the scoop shop when her lease expired at the Trolley Square location late last year. Aubuchon Hardware is the new Trolley Square tenant. Now in the Great Outdoors Trading Co. complex on Woodstock Avenue, Ben & Jerry's is set to reopen at 11 a.m. today.

And in more Ice Cream news the owner of a popular ice cream shop in Ticonderoga, N.Y., plans to rebuild. The Wind-Chill Factory on Route 9N burned down last week. Investigators say a heater is to blame for the blaze. The owner is not sure when the ice cream shop will reopen.