WVTK Local & State News July 30, 2010

The District 9 Environmental Commission has denied an Act 250 permit for a proposed gravel pit in Bristol. The commission ruled the proposal, which has been tied up in permitting and litigation for around seven years, “would cause and result in a detriment to public health, safety or general welfare.” The Lathrop Limited partnership can appeal the decision with in 30 days.

As the state agency that administers benefits to people living in poverty implements a new processing system for its services, charities in Addison County have reported that some of their clients have experienced delays in receiving benefits. The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity in Middlebury said that last week alone six people had received word that their applications had been delayed due to “work overload”.

This week Middlebury selectmen got a look at what could be the community’s next big capital improvement project. Once the Cross Street Bridge is completed a new municipal fire station may be next.

The bridge across the New Haven River at South Street in the Bristol village closed for repairs as of Tuesday and is not expected to open again until 2012 at the earliest. VTrans inspected the bridge last week as a follow up to an inspection last October.

Middlebury and Ripton officials will support looking closely at a $1.6-million plan to install a series of floodwalls and culverts along Route 125 from Ripton to East Middlebury. The project would be a way of minimizing washouts and other damage from future flooding.

The community of Ticonderoga will be host to the second annual Street fest tomorrow, bringing a mix of arts and craft vendors, food kiosks and other unique exhibitors to Main Street. Montcalm Street will close at 8AM for set-up, with the event kicking off at 10AM. Fort Ticonderoga's award-winning Fife and Drum Corps will open the event. The event will close at 4PM with the street reopening to vehicles at 5PM.

The director of the Vermont Correctional Academy has been sentenced to probation for a DUI last year. Barry Mulcahy of Leicester has been on paid administrative leave since his arrest last December. As part of a plea bargain, the state dismissed the felony charge of impeding a police officer and a misdemeanor charge of simple assault. Mulcahy agreed to plead guilty to DUI and disorderly conduct, with a minimum of four- to 18 months on probation.

Members of Vermont's delegation to Congress say the Air Force wants the Vermont National Guard to be the first guard unit to get the new F-35 fighter jet. The guard bases at the Burlington International Airport are 1 of 2 preferred homes for the planes, along with an Air Force base in Utah.

State Senator and gubernatorial hopeful Susan Bartlett is proposing a state office of innovation, saying the state can help Vermont inventors get their ideas into the marketplace. The proposal is part of Bartlett's jobs and economic development plan unveiled today. Bartlett is among five Democrats facing off in next month's primary.

An arson investigation is underway at a home in Rutland. Police say a fire at the Pelkey home on Smith Street Wednesday was deliberately set. No one was home at the time. Investigators say damage was contained to two rooms. Its the same home were Wendy Pelkey Grant, 2 years ago, shot and killed her husband. She is currently serving 6 to 15 years for manslaughter.

The Vermont National Guard is one step closer to getting the new F-35 fighter jets. The Air Force says it has narrowed its list of potential locations down to 2, South Burlington and a base in Utah. The new jets would arrive just in time as the F-16 is being phased out. If Vermont were chosen, the first jets would arrive in 2018.

A Vermont company that makes environmentally friendly cleaning supplies is pairing up with Wal-Mart. Starting in August, Seventh Generation products will be sold in 1,500 Wal-Marts nationwide, but not at the one in Williston. The company said the partnership is a great opportunity for them to get their product into more homes.

Clinton County Legislators are considering charging parking fees at the Plattsburgh International Airport. Since the airport opened in 2007, they have seen a steady increase in business and now the parking lots are full on a regular basis. The Airport Committee recommended the county seek bids from companies willing to manage the parking situation.

The Vermont Air Guard has its next mission, flying F-16s in Korea. Major General Michael Dubie did not give many details, only that the Green Mountain Boys will be flying missions in Korea starting sometime next year. Dubie would not comment on how long the deployment will last.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has changed its plans and will not be sending a dive team down to a sunken tugboat in Lake Champlain until next spring. Officials with the EPA say there isn't enough time to plan a dive to explore the William H. McAllister before seasons change. They fear that the tugboat that sank in 1963 might still have fuel aboard and be leaking it into the lake.