WVTK Local & State News April 14, 2010

The Vt. Legislature has now passed a jobs bill pushed by the governor. The $8.6 million in federal money will go toward new broadband, new businesses, and job training. There is also money for farmers and businesses impacted by the Champlain Bridge closure. And lawmakers included money to keep the Vermont Seal of Quality program running. Officials estimate the entire jobs bill could help keep and create hundreds of jobs.

Port Henry has gained a new fire chief but lost a longtime village trustee. James Hughes was chosen as chief of the Port Henry Volunteer Fire Department at its April 8 annual election. Hughes resigned from the Board of Trustees on Monday Night. Serving in both posts would essentially have made Hughes his own boss, because the fire chief reports to the Village Board.

A former school bookkeeper in Bristol has admitted to embezzling $22,000 in student lunch money at Mount Abraham Union High School. Police say Amy Cousino also ran up $19,000 in personal charges on the district's credit cards to pay her bills. As part of a plea deal, Cousino will be on probation for the next 5 years and will pay part of the money back.

The company proposing to lay a high voltage transmission line under the length of Lake Champlain and the Hudson River offered a better look at its plan at a meeting in Plattsburgh, last night. Transmission Developers Incorporated, or TDI, is a two-year-old Canadian company working on its first ever project. The Champlain Hudson Power Express would connect power generation sources in Northern New York and Canada, to New York City and the surrounding area. Before the company gets the go ahead from regulators and a thumbs up from environmental groups it will have to prove this project will bring big benefits without doing harm.

The Vermont House has given preliminary approval to legislation requiring the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant's owners to put up additional money toward dismantling the reactor when it eventually shuts down. Backers of the bill say it's designed to enforce an agreement made by Vermont Yankee to restore the in Vernon to a green field after decommissioning is complete.

A bill that has passed the senate and is now waiting for action from the house would call from stronger regulations on salvage yards in Vermont. State officials say nearly three-quarters of the salvage yards in Vermont are operating without state licenses or effective regulation. The legislation would setup rules for the proper handling of junk cars and similar materials.

The family of a Rutland woman who died in a state prison last year has reached a settlement with a private company that provides health care in state prisons. The Rutland Herald reports Prison Health Services reached the out of court deal with the family of Ashley Ellis. Ellis died in August after she wasn't given medication needed to counteract a heart condition.

Castleton State College recently completed several improvements to Spartan Arena and is planning a major green initiative this summer. CSC President David Wolk said the college has installed new stairways, fire exits and an elevator to address deferred maintenance issues as well as comply with health and safety regulations. Topping the list of efficient changes this summer will be new lighting fixtures throughout the facility.

There’s new information out about the F-35 Fighter Jets that Vermont Air National Guard might be getting. Officials say the F-35 is quieter on take-off than the F-16, but slightly noisier while flying overhead. An audiologist in Burlington says it will be a noticeable difference, but not by much. This information will be included in the environmental impact study being released this summer.

Burlington's Greyhound bus terminal will be moving from Pine Street to the city's airport early next month. Airport officials say the move is expected to boost the number of Canadian travelers who fly out of Burlington.

A St. Albans farm worker was killed when the backhoe he was operating was hit by a train. Police are not releasing his name. A second man was walking next to the backhoe. He was seriously hurt and was rushed to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. Police are still trying to figure out why the men were on the tracks and how fast the train was traveling.

Voters in the Town of Essex and Essex Junction both said yes to their spending plans for the upcoming year. Essex Junction approved their $16 million dollar budget yesterday. Essex Junction also approved their Parks and Recreation budget as well. In Essex Town, voters said yes to their $18 million school budget.