WVTK Local & State News July 29, 2010

The town of Brandon reached an agreement with artist Liza Myers to keep her mural up through October when the Brandon Artist's Guild summer fundraiser comes to an end. Zoning regulators complained the mural violates Brandon's sign ordinance. But Myers argued it was her contribution to the fundraiser, not advertising for her gallery. She hopes the ordinance will be changed. Brandon's planning commission is discussing amendments to the current sign rules.

With less than 30 days until the start of school, the threat of a teachers’ strike in Rutland Town still looms, but officials say no matter what school will open. 

The Chairwoman of the School Board said the board hopes to agree on a multi-year contract with teachers before Aug. 25 but in the event of strike there will be an alternative plan in place.

The aldermen’s Public Works Committee in Rutland is supporting a request to have a $1.2 million bond request for Library Avenue placed on the November ballot. By a 3-to-2 vote the committee made the recommendation last night. The issue will need to pass the full Board of Aldermen on Monday before it is placed on the ballot.

There is still no state budget in place after yesterday's special session in Albany. Governor David Patterson says he will keep forcing lawmakers back to Albany until the budget that was due April 1 is passed. The next session is scheduled for today. 9 senators were missing from yesterday's special session.

The House has OK'd a measure aimed at protecting American authors, journalists and publishers from foreign libel judgments. Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, along with Alabama Republican Jeff Sessions, co-authored the measure, which now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.

New York is a finalist in a competition with other states to receive millions of dollars in school reform grants. The "Race to the Top" competition is part of President Obama's economic stimulus law and rewards reforms aimed at improving schools. The grant could bring $500 million to the cash-strapped state. Vermont chose not to apply for the grant money. The winners will be announced in September.

Magic Hat Brewing Company, the largest craft brewer in Vermont may be the target of an acquisition by a company based in Rochester, New York. "Beer Business Daily" has reported North American Breweries was days away from closing the deal to purchase Magic Hat's parent company.

The Attorney General's office continues to investigate whether Vermont Yankee's owners intentionally misled the state. Officials are reviewing 2 million pages of documents. They plan to start interviewing Entergy workers in the fall. Vermont Yankee is set to close in 2012.

The Black Watch Memorial Library in Ticonderoga will host a concert in conjunction with the Heritage Museum. It is a family performance by Nan Hoffman celebrating the summer reading program entitled "Sing A Story – Read A Song: Make A Splash – Read!" It will take place Friday, July 30 at 9 a.m. at the Heritage Museum, 137 Montcalm Street. It is free and open to the public.

Tonight’s second annual “Honor Our Past” fundraiser at Rutland’s Holiday Inn produced by the School Board of Christ the King and Mount St. Joseph Academy is expected to draw more than 230 attendees and at least $20,000 for student scholarships. The event has become a key part in sustaining MSJ’s future for a new generation of Catholics and students who don’t subscribe to a particular denomination but want a small school environment. Tickets for the event are $75 a person.

A Vermont man has begun a 2-day jail stay for his role in an alcohol-fueled vandalism spree that damaged six fiberglass cows in downtown Burlington in May. Christopher Newton, who broke his foot when 1 of the cows fell on him, also will have to pay restitution. The cows are part of the "Cows come Home" public art project.

Voters in Clinton County will decide in November whether or not to abolish term limits for county legislators. At a public hearing before last night's meeting, several people spoke up in favor of abolishing the term limits. Legislators then voted 7 to 2 in favor of placing the issue on the November ballot.

Essex Middle School is now going solar. Solar Panels have been added to roof. Officials say the panels will provide between 15 to 20-percent of the schools power. The school and its Edge Academy are among 10 Vermont schools that received funding to install solar panels. School administrators say they will also use them as a tool in teaching about solar energy.

A pair arrested in Burlington for stealing a car may have helped police crack even more cases. Burlington Police say they arrested 29-year-olds Sean Maring and Nina Keus, both of Burlington, on Tuesday. Police say they have now linked the pair to a number of other crimes in South Burlington and Essex.