WVTK Local & State News August 30, 2010

Beginning today parking lines will be marked on College St. here in Middlebury. Construction of the East half of the roundabout will begin. All parking from Park St. to the Otter Creek Bakery driveway will be removed permanently. Please be aware of traffic pattern changes in the downtown construction zones, pay close attention to traffic controllers and do not use your cell phone while travelling in these areas.

Rep. Steve Maier has officially withdrawn from the general election ballot. This gives the Middlebury Democratic Committee a week in which to pick someone to run in his place. Maier, chairman of the House Health Care Committee, said he will not seek a fifth consecutive two-year term in the House in order to pursue a new career opportunity. The nine-person committee will gather at the Ilsley Public Library at 5 PM tomorrow to consider nominees.

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra has nearly reached its endowment campaign goal of $3.5 million. Executive Director Alan Jordan reported the VSO has raised $3.14 million and hopes to reach its goal in the coming months. Currently the VSO presents 40 concerts around the state and 200 educational outreach programs in Vermont schools each year. The upcoming 76th season promises to bring excitement to every corner of Vermont. For additional information just visit VSO Dot Org.

On Saturday the City of Vergennes, Towns of Ferrisburgh, Panton and Waltham presented awards to F. Ann Sullivan to show their recognition for her many years of service to the city and surrounding communities. During her 39-year career in education, Ann has traveled the halls of Vergennes Union High School in just about every capacity possible and has touched the lives of three generations.

The body of Vermont National Guard soldier Tristan Southworth, killed earlier this month in Afghanistan is back in the Green Mountain State. Along the route, to his hometown of Hardwick people gathered on roadways, overpasses and driveways, with flags in silent tribute to the National Guard soldier. He will be buried with full military honors on Wednesday.

The uncertified count of statewide votes in last Tuesday's primary election was released Friday, giving Peter Shumlin the win for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. However, second-place finisher Doug Racine was just 197 votes behind, and he wants a recount. That could take another two weeks, and some Democrats worry it creates more uncertainty besides losing two weeks of campaigning before the November general election.

The warm, sunny weather has most northern New Englanders thinking summer. But fall colors are beginning to make an early debut in many parts of the region. In New Hampshire, people in the lakes and Seacoast regions are already seeing some trees give up their greens for vibrant reds, yellows, oranges and browns. Next door in Maine, some species - especially paper and yellow birch - are turning yellow and shedding their foliage earlier than normal because of the dry summer. Vermont.com says fall foliage season will soon arrive. Early on, the higher the elevation the better the chances of bright leaf colors.

A Vermont lawyer facing jail time for lying about his role in a traffic accident goes before the state's highest court Thursday in a bid to have his convictions thrown out. Melvin Neisner of Killington was found guilty in 2008 of gross negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, lying to a police officer and impeding a police officer. His appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court says police, prosecutors and the trial judge made errors in his case.

The ACAP After School Program is currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year. Current program sites include Moriah Central School, Schroon Lake Central School and Crown Point Central School. Students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade are eligible to participate. Call 1-877-873-3207 ext. 234 for an application.

The first phase of work on the Saranac River Trail in Plattsburgh will begin today, and city officials are reminding residents that the effort may bring brief disruptions to traffic. Steltzer Road will temporarily be closed to 2-way traffic while work is being done, but residential access will be available.

If your looking for a secluded 92-acre camp in the Adirondacks that can house hundreds of people at once, than the state has the perfect piece of property for you, Camp Gabriels. The former prison will be sold though an auction soon. As for the asking price, the state is comparing 2 different appraisals before releasing the minimum bid amount.

The Chief of the St. Albans Fire Department has resigned. Chief Joe Beaudry had spent the past 33 years at the department, but Mayor Marty Manahan says Beaudry is leaving on good terms after giving 30 days notice. The mayor says he doesn't know yet what will happen to the position, he adds that's a decision for the city council.

The summer vacation is officially over for most kids around Vermont. Most school districts have gone back to the drawing board to keep schools running on shrinking budgets. The Vermont Department of Education reports that school districts will have to face a $23 million shortfall as they prepare their budgets for 2011. That means there are many more cuts to come.

Plattsburgh City School is already transforming its teacher-evaluation system to include data on how students evolved during the school year. School officials are hoping that will provide the district an edge in securing a portion of the $700-Million that New York state just won in the federal Race to the Top competition.