Monday, March 8, 2010

WVTK Local & State News March 8, 2010

Workers laid off from Monahan Filaments can apply for federal aid. The U.S. Department of Labor announced Friday that the former employees at Monahan had been declared eligible for "worker adjustment assistance." The program, part of the Trade Act of 1974, provides training and job placement services to workers whose jobs have been sent overseas. Monahan first said it would lay off roughly half its Vermont employees last year before it announced it would close its Middlebury plant entirely. The company, which makes filaments for products from toothbrushes to industrial brushes, also announced partnerships with Chinese and Indian companies.

Governor Jim Douglas be leading a delegation to Canada this week to discuss a bilateral relationship with Quebec. Douglas, along with Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie, and some business leaders will be meeting with Quebec government officials. Douglas says it's important for the state and province to build on their economic, trade, energy and environmental ties.

Police are still investigating a snowmobile accident in Dannemora that clamed the life of one of the riders. Police say 41-year-old Everett Willis of Brainardsville was involved in a collision and died at the scene. Police arrested another member of the group, 43-year-old Roger Wilcox, and charged him with operating a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol.

An early morning fire yesterday morning did moderate damage to a snack bar in Ticonderoga. Fire fighters were called to the Wind Chill Factory on Route 9N just after 1 am Sunday and found a fire burning in the back of the building. The snack bar was closed for the season. Fire fighters were able to put out the flames but say there is extensive damage inside the building.

The town of Vergennes has received a $500-thousand grant that will help with a much needed senior housing project. The grant brings the town one-step closer to fully-funding the 25-unit project. The total cost of the project is about $6 million. Project Managers say they expect to see the first residents move into their new homes in the Spring of 2011.

Experts say a 19th century painting that once hung on a wall in a committee room of the Vermont Statehouse could be worth $1.5 million. The painting called "The Quack Doctor" was created by Montpelier painter Thomas Waterman Wood. The painting has been moved to the legislative lounge, where it is less likely to be damaged accidentally.

A car accident Saturday Morning in Ferrisburgh sent four people to the hospital. Police say around 8 AM, Saturday Morning, the driver of a green Honda Civic hit another car after he fell asleep behind the wheel. The accident forced police to shut down a 3-mile stretch of Route 7 for about 2-hours.

Both Shaw’s and Hannaford’s have pulled a number of items off the shelves because they contain Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein. The FDA says the popular food flavoring additive may contain salmonella. Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein is included in more than 50 dips, soups, and snacks.

St. Albans was named one of the top 50 of America's best affordable suburbs by Bloomberg Business Week in a survey published last week. Despite the down economy, Vermonters looking to buy real estate turn to St. Albans as an option due to its proximity to Burlington. St. Albans also scored high points for a low unemployment rate of 6.8 percent.

Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz is officially kicking of her campaign for governor. The Democrat will hold a noon-time rally today at the Barre Auditorium. Markowitz is one of 5 Democrats seeking the party nomination ... to run for the seat being vacated by Governor Jim Douglas.

The Rutland Herald is legally challenging a City Hall decision to deny access to some records related to computer pornography investigations at the Rutland Police Department and Department of Public Works. In a five-page complaint prepared Friday, Burlington attorney Robert Hemley argues that the newspaper and the public should have access to disciplinary records regarding employees punished for looking at Internet pornography while at work. The complaint, expected to arrive at Rutland Superior Court today, follows on the heels of a records request submitted by the newspaper in February.