WVTK Local & State News July 26, 2010

Lake Champlain groups will share $6.5-Million in federal funding to protect and restore the lake. Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy obtained the money in the current federal budget. The Great Lakes Fisheries Commission will funnel the money to lake projects. The money is in addition to the $18-Million Vermont and the federal government budgeted for lake this year.

New York Governor David Paterson is calling the Legislature back for a rare summer session to complete a state budget now 15 weeks late. The budget was due on April 1st. Paterson said the special session is scheduled for 6 PM on Wednesday. He says that if a budget isn't finished, he'll call another session for Thursday.

A former postal clerk in Rutland has been indicted on federal mail theft charges. Last Thursday, a federal Grand jury charged Michelle Donahoe with embezzling mail items in 2009. Investigators say Donahoe stole hundreds of pieces of mail taking checks and cash valued over $1,000. If convicted, Donahoe could face up to 5 years in prison.

A Wallingford woman says she photographed a catamount in her back yard, and according to a state biologist it could be the real thing. He said that while he could not confirm it was a catamount that was sighted by Linda Reeves of Wallingford, he could not dismiss it, either. Catamounts are a type of mountain lion that was native to pre-Columbian Vermont. They are officially believed to have been hunted to extinction however there are 50 to 55 sightings around the state each year.

Williston Police were led on a high-speed chase over the weekend. Around 11 PM Friday night, police tried to pull over a Chevy Blazer for erratic driving near the Shaw's on Williston Road. The driver then led police on a high-speed chase toward Richmond that ended when the driver hit a telephone poll at the bottom of French Hill. The driver, 32-year-old Paul West of Hinesburg, was killed on impact. The passenger, 35-year-old James Savard Jr of Burlington, was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The incident is still under investigation.

Broadband Internet access throughout Vermont remains elusive three years after lawmakers and Gov. Jim Douglas said that was their goal by 2010. Now all six gubernatorial candidates are saying they'll continue to push for statewide broadband. The goal of statewide broadband by 2010 was set in legislation passed in 2007, which also created the Vermont Telecommunications Authority.

Vermont Governor Jim Douglas' office says he plans to appoint nine new members to the state's commission on Native American Affairs by September 1st if enough qualified candidates apply. A new law requires members to have lived in the state at least three years and for the commission to reflect a diversity of affiliations and geography.

Vermont Governor Jim Douglas was in Germany, where he and a group of other governors are visiting wounded soldiers. It was the last stop on a 4-day trip to the Middle East. The delegation also stopped in Sharana Air Base, south of Kabul, where Douglas met with Vermonters from the 3-172 Infantry Company of Westminster.

The Ticonderoga Heritage Museum has a new — and big — exhibit. A turbine from a hydroelectric plant has been placed outside the museum at the entrance to Bicentennial Park. Besides the new exhibit, this summer the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum will again host a series of children's programs. The children's programs, held every Wednesday and Friday at 9AM through Aug. 14, and are free.

The Vermont Department of Health has issued a warning about Blue-Green Algae Blooms in St. Albans Bay. Recent tests show the blooms in St. Albans Bay contain low-level toxins. Officials said people can still use the area for recreation, but are warning residents to stay clear of the large blooms of algae.

Due to flood damage from last week's storms, the City of Plattsburgh Recreation Center's weight room is closed. 4-inches of water collected in the nautilus room, weight room, hallway and portions of the cardio room. Most of the flooring in those areas will have to be replaced. The repairs should be completed in the next 7 to 10 days.

Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss has called a special meeting next Monday to discuss Burlington Telecomm. During the meeting, City Council will receive an update on the company's status from BT's financial advisors. BT is supposed make another loan payment with interest on August 17th, but the city does not have that money.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department wants your help to monitor wild turkeys. It is estimated there are about 50,000 wild turkeys in Vermont. The state is trying to keep track of them to set hunting seasons. Starting August 1st, wildlife officials want the public to go online and report turkey sightings.

The Town of Plattsburgh has passed a local law that bans using a rifle on Cumberland Head. The measure was adopted to protect the safety of Cumberland Head residents and those who travel its roads. The law however does not ban other legal weapons, such as shotguns, muzzle loaders, black powder firearms and bow and arrow.

With the help of some new grant money, The City of Plattsburgh will be constructing 2 new docks for kayakers and canoeists to launch from. The grant money is from the Environmental Protection Fund. The docks will be built at Wilcox Park and the Dock Street Landing. Officials hope to have the new docks built by late fall and open for the public to use next spring.

Vermont officials say there have been an unusual number of attacks by rabid foxes this year, but it's not cause for alarm. The latest attack happened July 11, when an 8-year-old boy was bit on the leg in Bennington. It tested positive for rabies and both father and son are undergoing treatment. Officials say this is the 6th attack by a rabid gray fox this year.

The Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury has a new distinction to brag about. They were just ranked by Trip Advisor as 1 of the Top 10 Sweetest Attractions in the United States.