WVTK Local & State News April 20, 2010

Businesses, farms, and non-profits that suffered an economic hardship due to the closure of the Crown Point Bridge can now apply for low or no-interest loans. The $800,000 earmarked for the loans is part of the $8.6-Million Jobs Bill passed by the state late last week. The deadline to apply for the loans is October 31.

A bill designed to boost the recycling of computers and other electronics is now law in Vermont. Governor Jim Douglas was at the Chittenden Solid Waste District in Williston yesterday to sign the electronic recycling bill into law. The bill makes it free for consumers to recycle their old electronics while manufacturers pick up the tab.

New federal regulations regarding road signage will cost taxpayers in Essex County nearly $1.9-Million. The regulations, which apply nationwide, stipulate that rectangular signs with an arrow be used on curses were the speed limit drops more than 15 miles per hour. Currently, most warning signs for curves in the region are diamond-shaped.

State education officials say it's likely Vermont won't get $38 million in federal grants for schools. Vermont doesn't put a premium on charter schools or tying teacher pay to student performance, two areas required to win the grants. Meanwhile the state's teacher's union says there hasn't been enough opportunity for teachers to participate in applying for the federal money.

The day before jury selection was to begin in the retrial of Bruce Bonville; he admitted to assault in the shooting of his son. The plea convicts him of “recklessly shooting” his son, Cory, on July 1, 2006. The Clinton County District Attorney said the family didn't wan to go though another trial. On May 3rd, Bonville could be sentenced to a maximum of 7 years in prison.

Police in St. Albans are looking for a hit-and-run driver. A teenage girl was hit in the legs Sunday night while she was walking along Lincoln Avenue. She was not seriously hurt. A witness says the car was light colored, had four doors and was driven by a man in his 20s. After hitting the girl, the car sped off down Congress Street.

Representative Peter Welch unveiled a bill designed to help dairy farmers. The legislation would create a "growth management program" for dairy farmers across the country. Each farm would be told how much .they could produce in order to help control the cost of milk. The bill, if passed, would require a referendum of dairy producers to be enacted.

A man is behind bars for allegedly firing a gun into the air in downtown Burlington. Police say 24-year old Dennis Rose fired a gun around 2 AM Friday near Maple and Church Streets, during a dispute with another man. No one was hurt. Rose is charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. He is being held for lack of $10,000 bail.

Students at Plattsburg State are calling on school administrators to do more about sex crimes on campus. More than 20 student held picket signs yesterday calling for resignations and changes in college judicial system. Protesters say most crimes are handled internally on campus and that doesn't make them feel safe.

More than a hundred people showed up last night to get answers about the new F-35 fighter jet that the Vermont National Guard might be getting. The main concern of area residents was the noise factor. The jets are said to be louder than the current F-16s. Another presentation by the Vermont National Guard is planned for tonight at 6 at the Winooski Middle School.

The non-profit group, Local Motion is looking for donations to help fund a bicycle ferry this summer. The ferry runs across the gap in Lake Champlain between Colchester and South Hero. Right now the ferry is only open on weekends. Officials with Local Motion say they are more than half way to their $1.2-Million goal to keep the ferry running everyday for several months.