WVTK Local & State News April 15, 2010

Governor Jim Douglas wants lawmakers to drop the idea of promoting a labor agreement to cover rebuilding the Crown Point Bridge. Most construction companies in Vermont are nonunion and say the proposal would shut them out of the project. Some State Senators say using union standards for pay and benefits will result in better treatment of workers on the project.

A compliance check of more than 200 registered sex offenders in Rutland, Bennington and Addison counties found only a small percentage in violation of their residency requirements. Of the 233 sex offenders checked on during the first two weeks of April, only four were found to be living at addresses not reported to the state registry.

School administrators and the Rutland School Board are backing a plan that will change Rutland Middle School students' schedules at the start of the 2010-11 school year — one that includes eight-minute-longer classes and students taking core classes such as English, math and science at different times during the school week. Other changes include the reduction of one core class a week, replaced by a 40-minute study skills and tutorial class to be taken by all students.

A proposal to apply the state sales tax to vitamins and nutritional supplements is being opposed by Governor Jim Douglas. Douglas says taxing items people take for their health runs counter to his efforts to both hold the line on tax hikes and promote good health. Health advocacy groups have also came out against the tax increase.

Hinesburg has a new police chief. Fred Silber was appointed by the select board and replaces Chris Morrell, who was fired last month. Silber is a veteran officer with the department and has been acting chief since Morrell was fired.

Governor Jim Douglas wants Vermonters to fill out paperwork detailing what health care decisions they might want made should they become incapacitated. The form can be found on the state Health Department's Web site.

Members of the state House passed a bill yesterday requiring Vermont Yankee to set aside more money for eventual clean up of the nuclear power plant when it finally closes down. There was barely a whisper of debate, and the vote was unanimous, 139 in favor, none in opposition. Vermont Yankee officials say they don't believe the legislation is necessary because the company is committed to restoring the site.

New York State Police are conducting an investigation into how a woman locked up since 2008 in the Franklin County Jail got pregnant. The defense attorney for 25-year-old Rhonda Amber Dufoe of Snye, Quebec has confirmed that his client is between 5 and 6 months pregnant. Dufoe is behind bars waiting to be sentenced for her role in an Akwesasne murder.

A Beekmantown man faces multiple charges after allegedly stabbing another man multiple times yesterday morning near Pizza Bono in downtown Plattsburgh. Police have charged 45-year-old Christopher Jones in connection with the 3 AM incident. Police said Jones and the victim had been arguing over about $5 in change left on the restaurant counter.

Senator Patrick Leahy has delivered more than $700,000 in federal grant money that will help control invasive species in Lake Champlain. He said $500,000 will be spent on water chestnut control and nearly $100,000 will go toward fighting sea lamprey. The money will be put to use immediately to continue the efforts to beautify Lake Champlain.

The property manager of the Imperial Industrial Park in Plattsburgh says several new businesses are moving in. Many of them are Canadian Companies looking to expand. A small bread-making company and a telemarketing company will soon move in. A new company called Solve Composites has already moved into the building and is getting ready to open in June.

The names of two farm workers, one killed and the other seriously injured by a freight train were released. 78-year-old Gregory Crawford of Williston was killed when the backhoe he was driving was hit by the train. 28-year-old Shain Parker of Williston hit by the equipment as it was pushed by the train. The crash remains under investigation.

Retail sales nationwide may be up, but that's not the case in Vermont. Sales tax revenue is actually down quite a bit since last year. Economists say there are signs the recession is over and the economy is on its way to recovering. However they say it's going to be a slow process here in the Northeast with possible setbacks.