Wednesday, July 28, 2010

WVTK Local & State News July 28, 2010

Energy analysts say heating oil prices are projected to rise only modestly this coming winter, giving homeowners in the Northeast a second year of relief from the sky-high prices they were paying two years ago. The U.S. Energy Information Administration is projecting that residential prices in the Northeast will climb gradually in the months ahead before topping out at about $3.10 a gallon in the dead of winter.

The Department of public works is asking Rutland city aldermen to make a definitive decision on whether they will give residents the chance to vote on a $1.2 million bond for a Library Avenue storm sewer project. The project is on the state’s Municipal Pollution Control Projects Priority List, which makes it eligible for about $800,000 in assistance out of the total $2 million cost. The state has to know by Aug. 13 whether the city will pursue the opportunity.

Vermont has joined with 30 other states in an effort to create national standards that measure what students know, regardless of where they live. The states have jointly applied for millions in federal grant funds to develop a new way to assess student progress, using a common set of national standards to gauge how much – or how little – students know. 
Grant awards are expected to be announced by the U.S. Department of Education this September.

A website with extensive information about the newly launched Adirondack Region Medical Home Pilot can now be reached online at www.adkmedicalhome.org. The pilot, launched earlier this year, offers a new, patient-centered model for the delivery of health care services that emphasizes the role of primary care. It is expected to increase access to services, improve quality of care, and lower costs over the long-term.

Next month's state primary ballot will include an unusual three-party primary for the part-time job of lieutenant governor, which is opening up as Brian Dubie makes a run for governor. The Democratic, Progressive and Republican parties all have two person battles to make the November ballot in the race.

Vermont's ACLU is part of a coordinated effort by civil liberties groups trying to force the FBI to turn over records on the agency's use of racial or ethnic profiling. The Vermont group's head says FBI agents have typically been able to collect information about "ethnic-oriented" businesses and other characteristics in communities with ethnic populations.

The Rutland Regional Medical Center has been given permission by the state of Vermont to upgrade a key piece of cancer-fighting equipment. The state has issued a certificate of need that will allow the medical center to replace its 15-year-old linear accelerator, a tool used to direct cancer-fighting radiation at a tumor while doing minimal damage to surrounding tissue.

A 27-year-old musical tradition is moving. The Champlain Valley Folk Festival is this weekend in Burlington. Thirty-five groups are performing in Waterfront Park. The event had been in Kingsland Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh, but several costly years of rain forced the organization to look for alternatives. Tickets are now $20. It kicks off with a dance this Friday and features two full days of concerts Saturday and Sunday.

An office complex in Essex Junction was evacuated yesterday morning. Smoke sent everyone out of One Market Place for about 45 minutes while firefighters investigated the situation. The smoke was first noticed at a hair salon. Firefighters found the smoke coming from a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.

Both Clinton and Franklin Counties are receiving a boost in federal funds to help increase security along the Canadian border. Clinton County will be getting $400-thousand, which officials say will be used for equipment and to pay for overtime for deputies. Franklin County will receive $300-thousand in federal money to buy equipment for the border.

A new company will be starting production at Imperial Park in Plattsburgh. SOLVE Composites has signed a five-year lease. Once they finish renovating their space, they will be making parts for Nova Bus. Erin Hynes of The Development Corporation says SOLVE will create 44 jobs within the first 2 years of production.

Authorities are investigating a fire in Barre that started next to a railroad tanker car filled with heating oil. When firefighters arrived Sunday evening, they discovered a burning box spring mattress propped up against the tanker. Fire crews quickly doused the flames. Officials say there was never a serious threat of explosion because the tanker was not pressurized.

A Vermont man is going to prison for child pornography. 44-year-old Glenn Little of Georgia pled guilty to owning child porn and was sentenced today to 20 months in jail. Investigators caught up with Little after police in Illinois downloaded images from his computer. He was ordered to report to prison next month.

A former University of Vermont men's basketball player is turning pro. Marqus Blakely has signed a 2-year deal with the Los Angles Clippers. While no details were given on how much he'll receive, Blakely will only get the full amount if he makes the team after preseason camp this fall. Blakely graduated this spring after earning 2 America East Player-Of-The-Year Trophies, and leading the Catamounts to the NCAA tournament.