WVTK Local & State News September 22, 2010

The 2011 Vermont Teacher of the Year is at Vergennes Middle School. Language Arts and Social Studies teacher Jennifer Lawson is the winner of the state title, which she hopes to use for a bigger purpose. Lawson says it means opportunity to become a student again, and to learn from others who were named Teacher of the Year. She says it's an opportunity for her to become more aware and active in state and national initiatives regarding education. Lawson, who has been teaching for 12 years, is now a candidate for National Teacher of the Year, and will travel to the White House for a reception next spring.

A Vermont Railway cargo train derailed near South Main Street and Park Street in Rutland yesterday afternoon. Traffic was backed up from about 5:45 to 6:15 PM as rail workers attempted to get the derailed train off of South Main Street, where it came to a halt after three cars nearly tipped over on the tracks behind Creed Ice Co. and KFC. No one was injured and Vermont Railway has yet to determine what caused the derailment.

Last night marked the fourth time Democratic candidate for governor Peter Shumlin and the GOP nominee Brian Dubie debated the issues. And, it was far from low-key. Hundreds of people attended the debate, with both candidates not wasting any time making their points on issues regarding the corrections department, health care and the projected budget deficit.

The major candidates for Vermont lieutenant governor are differing sharply in their philosophy of government, with the Democrat stressing expanding early childhood education and health care and the Republican talking up self-reliance. Republican state Sen. Phil Scott and Democratic Rep. Steve Howard expressed those views as they squared off for an hour-long debate last night before a crowd of about 80 in St. Albans.

A group that wants Vermont Yankee nuclear plant closed is getting involved in the Vermont governor's race in a big way. Green Mountain Future launched a second TV spot bashing Republican candidate Brian Dubie for supporting the troubled nuclear power plant, which is seeking a 20-year license extension. Democrat Peter Shumlin wants Vermont Yankee closed.

Labor officials say Vermont's unemployment rate for August remained at 6% for the second month in a row. The national unemployment rate for August ticked up to 9.6%, from 9.5% in July. Around Vermont, unemployment rates ranged from 3.5% in Hartford to 7.3% in Newport.

Police across the country will be working to get prescription drugs off the streets this weekend in the first-ever Nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back event. Authorities are asking people to clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in unused pills so they don't end up in the hands of addicts. The collection will take place at locations all over the country on Saturday. There are 54 collection sites in Vermont alone.

The Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation just wrapped up Operation Care Package. Thousands of people donated money for the group to send care packages to our troops overseas. They just started arriving this week. In all, about 50 will go to airmen and women stationed in Saudi Arabia and more than 1,500 care packages are headed to Afghanistan.

The newspaper industry is facing new challenges and that's prompted two Vermont newspapers to make some big changes. In response to a decline in subscriptions, the Rutland Herald and the Barre Times Argus will begin offering new electronic versions of the papers starting Oct. 1. The e-edition will differ from the website in that it will include additional content such as embedded video and audio clips, and photo galleries, in addition to several other distinct features.

New Hampshire and Vermont residents will get some help heating their homes this winter. Vermont is getting nearly $600,000 and New Hampshire is receiving $800,000 in emergency aid from the federal government. The money will be distributed to qualified homeowners and renters through the state's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

New York Gov. David Paterson is calling the Legislature back before Election Day. Paterson will use the session to try to force lawmakers to pass his proposed local property tax cap. New York's school and government taxes are some of the highest in the nation. A date for the session will be set this week.

The Vermont Youth Orchestra kicks off its new season Friday night. The VYO was established in 1957 by a group of parents who wanted to create musical opportunities for kids. Today, it serves more than 600 each year from Vermont, New York and New Hampshire. The season kicks off Friday at St. Mary's Church in St. Albans. Then they have a matinee performance Sunday at the Flynn.

As a variety of hard ciders continue to grow in popularity throughout Vermont and beyond, Champlain Orchards invites autumn visitors to experience the Green Mountain State's apples, cider, and local food pairings at the state's first ever CiderFest on Saturday, Oct. 2nd from 3–7 p.m. at Champlain Orchards on Route 74 in Shoreham. CiderFest will showcase regional apple wines, sweet ciders, and hard ciders paired with local foods and Vermont products plus other events like hayrides and apple picking. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online at www.champlainorchards.com, by calling 802-897-2777, or by visiting Champlain Orchards.

West Rutland will hold its semiannual town wide yard sale Saturday. The event is set for 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call the town office at 438-2263.