WVTK Local & State News March 31, 2010

Construction crews are still in the process of removing the old Crown Point Bridge. Before construction can begin on the new bridge, the old one must be completely removed. The U.S. Coast Guard requires all the debris to be out of the main channel of Lake Champlain by April 15 and entirely out by June 1. State officials say they appear to be right on schedule. The new bridge has already been designed and will open to bids next month. A contract will be awarded in early May, with construction starting early this summer. Construction on that new $70 million bridge is expected to be done in September 2011.

An engineering firm has been chosen to oversee repairs to McKinley Bridge in Rutland Town, which could begin as early as April. McKinley Bridge spans East Creek and is a bypass from Route 7 to the State Police Headquarters as well as to the McKinley Avenue fire station. During the process of bridgework traffic will be diverted from McKinley Avenue to North Grove Street to Grove Street to Field Avenue to Route 7.

Police in Ticonderoga believe they've solved a string of residential burglaries dating back to late last year. 25-year-old Timothy D. McDougal was arrested Monday for 5 burglaries in which a variety of items including firearms, jewelry and cash were stolen. Authorities say the investigation is still open, and more charges are possible.

Dairy farmers from around the state demanded help at a conference yesterday. They say the low milk prices are causing them to lose money. One plan they discussed would require dairy farmers to give up some production control and basically be told how much milk to produce. Many dairy farmers said it might not be the perfect plan but anything is better than what they’ve got now.

State Human Services Chief Robert Hoffman says Vermont needs to step up its efforts to get low-risk offenders out of prison as it tries to trim spending. Hoffman's assessment came as state officials unveiled an efficiency plan that could save $38 million. Hofmann says Vermont's incarceration rates have been going up while its crime rate has been flat or declining.

Vermont is hoping better technology could help the state trim the budget and improve services. Governor Jim Douglas has suggested larger companies electronically file their W-2 forms electronically with the state. It's a move officials say could result in greater efficiency and faster processing of tax returns.

Governor David Paterson is suspending hundreds of current and new construction projects because of the state’s budget issues. Paterson administration officials said all projects not paid for by federal economic stimulus funds will be delayed until the Legislature and the governor agree on next year’s budget or emergency funding.

Days after Vermont Yankee officials declared they'd fixed a tritium leak state health workers are reporting higher readings of another radioactive isotope. Cesium 137 is said to be more dangerous than the tritium that plant and state officials have been measuring in the groundwater. The reading came from the soil around the nuclear power plant.

The head of the Vermont National Guard says some of the state's soldiers in Afghanistan are involved in ongoing combat. Major General Michael Dubie says one Vermont soldier suffered minor wounds in an explosion. The soldier is expected to recover fully and is planning to return to duty. The Vermont National Guard is leading a 3,200-member brigade.

Plattsburgh City School Officials got together again last night to work on next year’s budget. The Plattsburgh City School District needs to cut nearly $1.7 million due to a reduction in state aid. The district is looking at cutting 13 positions and not filling another 8. The board must approve the budget by April 8. Taxpayers will vote on it on May 18.

The Vermont House of Representatives gave final approval to making Instant Runoff Voting, or IRV, history. On Town Meeting Day, voters in Burlington voted to not use the controversial system in electing the mayor. Since the Legislature has to approve all local charter changes, the next stop for final approval is the Senate.