WVTK Local & State News September 21, 2010

Weather Channel Meteorologist Ray Stagich Says Sunny Today with a High Around 70.

A new, statewide body to spur innovations in Vermont’s agricultural industry is set to begin work. The Agricultural Development Board, which includes five Addison County members, will address a range of agricultural topics. Last week members were preparing for the board’s first meeting, which will take place late this month or early next month. The board will likely address the Vermont Seal of Quality, fluctuating milk prices, the Farm to Plate initiative, and other hot-button topics in agriculture.

Chief justice of the Vermont Supreme Court Paul Reiber kicked off a series of talks he’ll deliver around the state at Mount Abraham Union High School on Friday. The goal is to further educate students about their country’s judiciary system. He hopes that this classroom visit will be the first of many and is going to be involved in starting a project that will get local judges into schools and classrooms all over the state to help educate high school students about civics.

The United Way of Addison County officially launched its 2010 fund drive last week. United Way officials this year have set a campaign goal of $775,000 whish is the same financial goal that was set last year. United Way officials hope to attain this year’s goal with a lot of hard work and by trying to expand its traditional base of givers. For more information just visit www.unitedwayaddisoncounty.org.

Middlebury Police Chief Tom Hanley received a significant bump in rank. On September 14th he was elected president of the New England Association of Chiefs of Police. That’s an organization through which law enforcement agencies from throughout the Northeast collaborate on training, management and crime-solving techniques.

Middlebury business leaders, town officials and Middlebury College have joined forces in an effort to help stimulate more business growth here in town. This would be achieved through an array of options including a new position of “economic development director.”

The Essex County Clerk's office is now selling original EZ Passes for $25. You can purchase them Monday through Friday between 8AM and 5PM. They will also be available at the Ticonderoga Department of Motor Vehicles office Tuesday and Wednesday from 8AM – 3:30PM.

The Rutland aldermen have narrowly passed a combined water and sewer rate increase of 10.54 percent. No figures were provided to the aldermen about what the new rates would be set at or what the increases would equate to for average two-person and four-person homes. The bulk of the proposed increase is in the water rate.

Vermont State Police are now reviewing photographs taken during Sheffield Field Day, for any clues about a missing woman. It's been more than a week since Pat O'Hagan vanished, and state police say the woman was kidnapped from her home. One of her friends supplied pictures taken during the town's annual event on Labor Day, a few days before her disappearance. Police have not said what they're looking for in the pictures, but are still asking the public for any shots taken at Field Day this year.

Vermont Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Dubie says Democrat Peter Shumlin's plan to trim the state's corrections budget by releasing some nonviolent offenders is irresponsible and reckless. Shumlin maintains the money could be saved if Vermont found community placements for offenders with convictions for drug crimes and other nonviolent offenses. Dubie says Shumlin's plan to release 780 nonviolent offenders would allow someone convicted of child pornography or of selling methamphetamine to children to be released into Vermont communities.

Some Vermont communities are taking inventory of their intersections. Residents in Burlington, St. Johnsbury, Rutland and Brattleboro, are invited to participate in surveying how safe their streets are for walking. They're taking part of the Complete Streets Week: Making Vermont Walkable for All Generations. Volunteers will evaluate how roads address walkers’ needs, such as whether there are adequate traffic signals, crossing signals, properly marked crosswalks - and if there's enough time to cross the street.

The Republican candidate for Secretary of State, Jason Gibbs, crashed his car early Friday morning. His vehicle veered off Route 100 in Duxbury and got stuck in a ditch. The accident occurred just before 1:00 a.m. Gibbs says exhaustion due to a busy campaign season is to blame. He has been cleared by police.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation just launched V-Transparency, a new on-line tool designed to help Vermonters easily access information on roads, bridges and culverts. You can get bridge inspection reports, pavement condition reports, and find out about future projects in your neighborhood -- right from your home computer.

You no longer have to be married to adopt a child in New York. Governor David Paterson signed a law to update the state's adoption regulations. The new law allows unmarried straight and gay couples to adopt children. Individuals already had that right. The goal of the new law is to make sure that all kids are cared for and have insurance -- even if a couple splits up.

The Vermont Cancer Center at the University of Vermont and Fletcher Allen Health Care won a 100-thousand dollar "Hyundai Hope on Wheels" grant. The money will be used to support innovative work and treatment of kids with neuroblastoma. That's an often-fatal cancer that affects very young children. The Vermont Cancer Center is one of seven sites in New England to receive the Hyundai award.

Addison County residents are gearing up for the Middlebury Lock-Up on September 29th. Residents are being accused of “having a big heart for Jerry’s Kids.” Business executives are volunteering to be “arrested and serve time” in a mock jail at Swift House Inn in an effort to raise money for the local MDA. Participants or “Jailbirds” are asked to raise $1,600 to send two children to MDA summer camp. Anyone interested in donating money to the MDA Lock-Up or would like to Volunteer can contact Piper Allport at 802-862-6424 or pallport@mdausa.org.

Vermont is an old state. According to the latest census figures about 14.5 percent of Vermonters are 65 years old or older. That translates into just over 90-thousand people.