WVTK Local & State News April 21, 2010

It has been confirmed; Rutland Police Sergeant David Schauwecker had been fired by the city. The Board of Alderman voted April 7 to fire Schauwecker after hearing evidence, but the decision wasn't made public until he received the news himself. Court papers say Schauwecker took evidence containing inappropriate images and viewed them on work computers.

Vermont State Police are searching for a man who claimed to be a police officer. Investigators say the man pulled a woman over on Route 22A in Fair Haven Monday Night and searched her car. The woman says she later discovered money missing from her wallet. The suspect is described as a white male about 6 feet tall, weighing 165 to 170 pounds.

The Rutland Public Schools District will bring the conversation of how to fight cyber-bullying to city parents and students. Two technology safety professionals from Prevent Child Abuse Vermont will lecture to parents at 6:30 tonight in the Rutland Intermediate School auditorium about what they can do to prevent online harassment. The district's focus is to make students and parents aware of anonymous bullying that has popped up as fast as technology has expanded.

A new round of tax appeals, beyond the Board of Civil Authority, has begun in Rutland Town. These include five appeals to the state appraiser and four appeals to superior court. Of these appeals, Diamond Run Mall is the highest-valued property. The mall has been denied appeal twice — first by town listers and most recently by the BCA. Diamond Run is one of nine properties appealing tax assessments further than the BCA level.

The state senate has given preliminary approval to a $600-Million Transportation Bill. The plan includes $113 million to fix more than 70 town and state bridges this year. The bill also includes funds for the new Crown Point Bridge along with money for new public bus routes, and to expand 5 new park-and-ride lots for commuters.

Drivers in Black Brook can expect some delays and detours. The Silver Lake Road Bridge is closing today. The bridge is being demolished, and a new bridge will be built. The bridge is almost 50 years old. Federal stimulus money is paying for the new bridge. It should be built by late August or early September.

An Enosburg man was taken to the hospital after Vermont State Police say he was shot by his brother. Police say 20-year-old Kenneth Dudley shot his brother 18-year-old Adam Dudley in the leg at their Main Street apartment shortly before 2 AM yesterday morning. Authorities say the brothers were arguing over the rent at the time of the incident.

More than a dozen catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles at Heritage Toyota. Police say workers at Heritage noticed them missing yesterday morning. Investigators say the thief or thieves cut the catalytic converters out of the vehicles. People steal catalytic converters because they contain platinum.

The leader of the Vermont Senate says a campaign finance bill will not pass this year. Democratic leaders had wanted to pass a bill after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled corporations and labor unions can spend unlimited cash on political campaigns. A Senate bill would have created transparency by showing which groups paid for political ads and it would have forced a company's board of directors to approve all political advertising.

Police in Burlington are warning drivers against stopping at pedestrian crosswalks at green lights. The call comes after two people were hurt when a southbound motorcycle hit a pedestrian after a car in the northbound lane had stopped to let two girls cross the street. Police say people who don't follow the signals create a dangerous mix of pedestrians and cars at intersections.

The Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne is gearing up for its busy Mother's Day season, and it's hiring dozens of seasonal workers for duties in the call center. The company is looking for people with computer and people skills. A job fair is set for today and Friday from 10 to 4. You can also stop by the factory Saturday morning. The jobs expected to last four weeks.