WVTK Local & State News June 16, 2010

Voters in Ticonderoga and Schroon Lake passed their school spending plans while residents in St. Regis Falls said no. The schools districts offered revised budgets for the up-coming school year after voters turned down the first versions back in May. Under New York Law, St. Regis Falls must now adopt a contingency budget.

19 people have been arrested on drug charges as police wrap-up a lengthy investigation. During the drug raids, police recovered a large amount of cocaine, marijuana, and prescription drugs, as well as several thousand dollars cash. Police say the dealers were selling to people in Milton and the surrounding communities.

Rutland Police Chief Anthony Bossi is home and recovering well from surgery performed earlier this month. He returned home Saturday and was resting comfortably after the unspecified medical procedure. 

No date has been set for Bossi’s return.

A section of the Saranac River in the heart of Plattsburgh is now off limits to all people as crews work to clean up the riverbed. That pertains to boaters, tubers, kayakers, anglers, and swimmers. The clean-up project is part of a plan to rid the river of deposits from the former coal-tar plant that operated on the banks of the river decades ago.

Governor David Patterson says he will offer budget legislation but if lawmakers don't act, then he will put the cuts into the next emergency spending bill. The emergency spending bill approved Monday Night included $300-Million in cuts to mental-health and human-services programs. The next emergency spending bill could included cuts in economic development and transportation.

Two Vermont State employees working for the Governor's Highway Safety Program are now on paid administrative leave, and authorities are not saying why. Program Coordinator Jeanne Johnson and Alcohol Safety Program Coordinator Stephen Reckers were put on leave. Officials say a number of grants given out by the program are now under review.

State officials say Vermont's General Fund revenues were almost 10% below expectations for the month of May. But there is good news; officials feel the state is on target for the year. The state is almost $2 million ahead of its projections for the year to date. The biggest shortfall last month came in personal income tax receipts, which were off 30%.

The American Red Cross is asking for blood donations, especially if you are Type O-Negative. O-Negative is known as the "universal" blood because it can be used by patients with any blood type. Officials say the blood supply in Northern New England is at critical levels. 83 Hospitals across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine get their blood from the Red Cross.

The state's teachers believe that poverty at home continues to play a big role in classroom achievement, and that poorer districts have less favorable learning conditions in their schools. That's according to a survey of teachers and support staff commissioned by the Vermont-National Education Association.

State tourism officials are asking businesses and organizations to serve as "information ambassadors" to boost tourism. Businesses that agree to participate will post a new blue "info" sign, and to give out maps and other information about sights to see in their area.

Independent candidates for office are unhappy with a change in the law that will require them to file as candidates by tomorrow. In prior years, independents could wait until after the September primary to file. The change is part of a new law that moved the primary to August.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a public meeting next week on the safety performance of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. NRC staff conducted their annual assessment of the nuclear plant and will present their findings. They will also discuss the recent leak of radioactive isotopes from underground pipes and the resulting contamination of groundwater around the plant. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on June 22 at the Brattleboro Union High School.

A Rutland woman charged with being the getaway driver in an armed robbery at a Subway restaurant on Woodstock Avenue in the city answered to a felony charge yesterday. Natasha Bruso pleaded innocent in Rutland District Court to a charge of aiding in the commission of a felony. She was cited last month to appear in court after she allegedly told police she drove two men to and from Subway on March 22. The hold-up netted $313 from the register.

A Rutland woman charged with selling heroin to a police informant on three separate occasions answered to a trio of felony offenses yesterday. 

Holly Palmer pleaded innocent in Rutland District Court to three sale-of-heroin charges. She was freed on conditions of release after her arraignment. If convicted, Palmer faces up to 15 years in jail.

The Sherman Free Library in Port Henry is hosting "Be a Reading Champ" this summer. Children in grades kindergarten through sixth grades can earn prizes for reading books through Aug. 21. Each week between now and Aug. 14 children can put their name in a drawing for prizes. At the end of the program, there will be gift certificates for first, second and third place for the ones who read the most.

With cyber-bullying a growing problem, some companies are trying to curb it. One new Facebook application will let parents track and control pretty much everything their children do on the social media website. It's called GoGoStat Parental Guidance, and it will alert parents to friend requests, wall posts, and other interactions. GoGoStat is free. There are other similar applications, such as Social Shield, and while they do cost a few bucks each month, they also allow for more control.