WVTK Local & State News April 2, 2010

The Vermont State Police have increased security around Governor Jim Douglas. Douglas says the heightened security was in direct response to a letter received by governors across the country, demanding their resignations. State Police are not releasing any details about what security measures are being taken.

Businesses in Addison County affected by the closing of the Crown Point Bridge are still waiting for help from Montpelier. Lawmakers promised help in the form of grants and loans from federal stimulus funds but they have been unable to come to a consensus on how they would dispense the money. Some business owners say they will have to close soon if they don’t get help.

Bids are now being accepted for construction of a new Champlain Bridge-- even as haggling continues over labor rules for the project. Transportation officials hope to have construction underway on the new bridge design later this spring. But who will build the bridge and under what rules still must be determined. Last week, Vermont rejected a project labor agreement. Transportation officials are concerned that only companies who use union labor would be able to win contracts for the bridge and most Vermont contractors are non-union.

The House Government Operations Committee is expected to weigh in this morning on three Rutland City charter amendments that, while overwhelmingly approved by voters last month, may pose constitutional questions if ratified by the Legislature. On Town Meeting Day, Rutland voters approved 10-year term limits for the aldermen and mayor and higher health insurance premiums for city and school workers.

Goodrich in Vergennes has just won a $13.6-million contract. The aircraft machinery maker will make its helicopter diagnostic system for the U.S. Navy. It gives technicians feedback on structural performance and rotor function and wear, allowing crews to fix the aircraft before a major problem pops up.

New York is once again issuing state income tax refund checks. Governor David Paterson put the payments on hold so the state would have enough cash on hand to meet its financial obligations. Those who filed their tax returns in late February and in early March were affected by the delay. Payments started going out yesterday.

According to the New York State Department of Labor, About 46,000 New York residents will see the end of their unemployment benefits starting Monday. Locally that breaks down to 139 people in Clinton County, 51 in Essex County and 68 in Franklin County. The Senate failed to extend benefits before starting a 2-week recess.

One of North America's oldest historic sites has a new leader. Beth Hill has been appointed executive director of Fort Ticonderoga. She held a similar role in North Carolina for the past six years at Fort Dobbs, a French and Indian War site. One of Hill's first challenges is to explore whether the Mars Education Center can extend its season or possibly remain open year-round. Hill takes over at Fort Ticonderoga on May 1.

A female corrections officer at the Clinton County Jail is facing charges for allegedly having sexual contact with an inmate. Cheri Evans was arrested yesterday. While authorities are still investigating the case, Evans is not permitted on Sheriff’s Department property. Officials are not releasing any other information.

Federal regulators are trying to downplay health fears involving the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. They told state lawmakers yesterday that none of tritium and other radioactive substances pose a safety or health threat. Officials from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission were in Vermont to update lawmakers in Montpelier on the status of their investigation.

Vermont State Police say the death of a 5-month old baby in Jeffersonville does not appear to be suspicious. Police say there were called to the home on Upper Pleasant Valley Road Wednesday morning for a 5-month-old boy who was found unresponsive by his mother. Authorities are still investigating the cause of death.

New England is tops in the country when it comes to vaccination rates for swine flu. Both Vermont and Maine were toward the top in vaccination rates. Rhode Island had the highest vaccination rate, at about 39 percent -- three times higher than Mississippi, which had the lowest rate.

Broadband access in Vermont continues to grow, but is still far short of the Governor's 100-percent goal. In 2001, only 9-percent of Vermont households had broadband internet service. Now, 80-percent of Vermont households either have the service or have access to it.