WVTK Local & State News June 18, 2010

Around two-dozen neighbors made their final appeal this week to the Middlebury Development Review Board to deny a bid by the Fenn family to establish a gravel pit off Route 116, just north of Quarry Road. The neighbors argued the pit proposal violates local zoning laws; would bring dust, toxic fumes and noise pollution to a residential area and would set up the potential for traffic collisions on Route 116.

Three more teachers in the area have announced their retirement. Sue LaRock, Julie Fox and Jean Childers, who count each other as friends as well as co-workers, have each decided to retire from their jobs at the Neshobe School after a combined 68 1/2 years of service.

Drivers here in Middlebury got their first-ever opportunity to travel behind the town’s municipal building, as Academy Street officially opened to traffic in the first of what will be several changes in downtown traffic patterns this summer. Academy Street is the new, one-way road linking College Street to Main Street. It is but one part of the $16 million Cross Street Bridge project scheduled for completion by the end of this October.

The new boss at Schroon Lake Central School will be a familiar face. Gerry Blair, who served as interim superintendent at Schroon Lake from 1997-98, will return June 28. Blair will serve as interim again, replacing Mike Bonnewell while the district searches for a new permanent superintendent. Bonnewell, who has been Schroon Lake superintendent for nearly a decade, is leaving June 30 to take a new position.

Part of Rutland’s auxiliary watershed, located on a remote portion of Notch road in Mendon, has been turned into a dumping ground by people disposing of everything from household garbage to construction waste. And with the level of illegal dumping taking place since September, the frequency of the cleanups and the costs associated with the work could increase. The city forester had considered fencing off the land but feels that would not solve the problem.

More Vermont inmates will be released from jail in the coming weeks. To fill a budget hole, the Legislature and governor cut the corrections budget by $7 million. Some of the savings is coming from releasing non-violent offenders early. Authorities say those released early will be monitored in the community.

Construction work on North Willard Street in Burlington has come to a complete halt after crews found a buried skull. Crews were digging drainage ditches near St. Joseph's Cemetery when they unearthed the skull. The cemetery has been used since the 1800s so officials believe there could be unmarked graves. Police do not suspect fowl play.

A fire in downtown Randolph has destroyed part of the Main Street block. Fire crews arrived on the scene yesterday morning to find flames shooting out of the roof of the 3-story building. Everyone made it out of the un-harmed. The blaze, which has been ruled arson, destroyed the top floor and a section of the roof, but water damage is an issue throughout.

Hundreds of people turned out for CPVH's annual "Eat Desert First" event, bringing together cancer survivors and their families. The event held last weekend, allows cancer survivors to share their stories with others and provides hope for those who have been recently diagnosed with cancer.

A 16-year-old is facing a number of charges after being pick-up for going 101-mph on Interstate 89. An Agency of Transportation Inspector was monitoring traffic yesterday near the Richmond Exit when he stopped Kevin B. Nelson of Waterbury. Nelson also faces fines for having 2 passengers in the car who were not family members, which is against junior operator rules.

The Campbell Soup Company is recalling 15 million pounds of Spaghetti-Os with Meatballs. According to the company, the meatballs did not get the proper amount of heat in the cooker. The recall includes Spaghetti-Os with Meatballs, A to Z with Meatballs, and Fun Shapes (Cars) with Meatballs. The affected cans have "EST 4K" along with the use-by date between June 2010 and December 2011 printed on the bottom of the can. No illnesses have been reported.

Vermont transportation officials are urging political campaign supporters not to plant their lawn signs in places that could obscure drivers' sight lines. State law bans off-premises signs and those placed within public highway rights of way.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says it's satisfied that Vermont Yankee officials were truthful in their dealings with federal regulators. Vermont Yankee's owners came under fire earlier this year amid revelations they had provided misleading testimony to state regulators about the presence of underground piping at the nuclear power plant in Vernon.

The school day in Colchester is going to be longer next year by about a half hour. Starting in September 2011, the length of the school day will be extended by a half hour to a full 7 hours. The decision was made this week by the Colchester School Board at the suggestion of the superintendent.

Authorities are once again warning you to be on the lookout for what's called the "Grandparent Scam" or "Canada Scam". The scam works like this, someone calls a senior citizen pretending to be a grandchild arrested in Canada needing money. Police say think twice and always double check a relative’s whereabouts before getting caught up in the scam.

The Colchester Food Shelf is looking for a new location. Right now the food shelf is located in cramped quarters at the Holy Cross Church. If fact, each year around the holidays, they end up having to turn away donations because they just don't have the storage space. They say they are looking for a place that has plenty of room and is a bit more local.

Construction work on North Willard Street in Burlington has come to a complete halt after crews found a buried skull. Crews were digging drainage ditches near St. Joseph's Cemetery when they unearthed the skull. The cemetery has been used since the 1800s so officials believe there could be unmarked graves. Police do not suspect fowl play.

A fire in downtown Randolph has destroyed part of the Main Street block. Fire crews arrived on the scene yesterday morning to find flames shooting out of the roof of the 3-story building. Everyone made it out of the un-harmed. The blaze, which has been ruled arson, destroyed the top floor and a section of the roof, but water damage is an issue throughout.

Hundreds of people turned out for CPVH's annual "Eat Desert First" event, bringing together cancer survivors and their families. The event held last weekend, allows cancer survivors to share their stories with others and provides hope for those who have been recently diagnosed with cancer.

Construction work on the Exit 15 off ramp on Interstate 89 will begin Monday. According to the Vermont Department of Transportation, or VTrans, drivers should plan extra time to get to their destination. The plan is to add another lane to the ramp to avoid traffic being backed up on the Interstate. Crews will also add a new traffic light at the intersection with Route 15.

After a 10-year hiatus, the Vermont Reggae Fest is back this year. The 3-day event in Johnson is scheduled for August 13th through the 15th. To make sure neighbors are well informed, the Lamoille County Sheriff's Department will be holding an informational meeting at the site of the Lamoille County Field Days on June 29th at 6 PM.

And in Sports ... Vermont's Boys of Summer are back. The Vermont Lake Monsters will kick-off the 2010 Season tonight at Centennial Field against the Lowell Spinners. The first pitch is at 7:05. Yesterday afternoon the team was at the University Mall signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. This season, the Lake Monsters will play 38 home games at Centennial Field.