WVTK Local & State News March 5, 2010

Links to suspected child pornography files found on a Vermont Police Academy trainer's computer in January show they were imported from a portable device plugged into David McMullen's computer, according to an affidavit attached to a newly released state police search warrant. The warrant, returned to Middlebury District Court on Thursday, was executed almost two months ago at McMullen's home in Cornwall. State police have said that hours after police searched the home on Jan. 15, McMullen shot and killed himself on the academy's Pittsford grounds.

Hundreds of Vermont troops, still training in Indiana, will be going to Afghanistan within the next 10 days. The troops, that are still in Indiana, had to stay longer because the transport planes were diverted to Haiti to help with relief efforts. As for the mission change to combat duty from training roles, Vermont's Guard commander says his men and women are ready.

Another member of Governor David Paterson’s team has resigned. Communications Director Peter Kauffmann is the third person to leave the Paterson administration in two weeks. Kauffmann says he cannot continue in the administration plagued by the scandals that threaten the jobs of Paterson and those he directed.

Due to cuts in state-aid and soaring costs, a number of schools in our area are looking at cutting staff and programs in order to keep budgets down. Salmon River Central School may cut 41, Peru Central School may let go 25, and Tupper Lake Central School might have to say goodbye to 32 positions. School officials say they don’t feel right in asking taxpayers to foot the bill.

Vermont's "Cash for Appliances" rebate program starts on Saturday. People turning in old refrigerators and washing machines are eligible for up to $200 in rebates if they purchase Energy Star efficient appliances. Vermont was allotted about $600,000. That means when the money runs out, so does the program.

The Douglas Administration and the Vermont State Police Officers Union have reached a deal on a new contract. The one-year contract includes a pay freeze and a number of other cuts which equal the 3 percent cut that other state employees are taking. The concessions will save the state almost 1-Million Dollars.

Vermont lawmakers have scheduled a final vote for next week on a bill that would grant anonymity to donors who give to the University of Vermont or other public colleges. The confidentiality exemption --- which is only for those who seek it --- wouldn't be available if within 3 years of making the gift, the person does more than $10,000 worth of business with the school.

It looks like it could get more expensive for students at Plattsburgh State to live on campus. As part of the renovation plans for the PSU dorms, room rates for standard double rooms are likely to rise an additional $125 per semester. The prices are expected to go up for each dorm as each one is renovated, starting next fall.

The Vermont Department of Health said its efforts against the H1N1 outbreak were a success but it's still asking people to take precautions. Nearly a third of the state was vaccinated this season. During the outbreak, 149 people were hospitalized with a flu-like illness. Health officials say the peak flu season maybe over but they will continue to monitor flu activity throughout the summer.

Spring may be a couple weeks away but some Maple Sugar Makers are getting an early jump on the season. With the warmer days and cooler nights, the sap has started to run, and that has sugar makers starting to collect and boil the season’s first run of syrup.