WVTK Local & State News September 30, 2010

A Marine who died last week in Afghanistan is back home in the Green Mountain State. Hundreds of people stepped out of work and school to line the streets as Lance Corporal Anthony Rosa e was moved through Swanton. His funeral is going to be held this Saturday at 11AM.

A police chase and crash ended with four people taken to the hospital, as well as one arrest. Officers in Burlington say they spotted a car yesterday driven by Jamal Walker who is wanted on several felony drug charges. It ended when he crashed into two other vehicles at Maple and St. Paul Streets and ran off. He was caught a few blocks later. Walker is charged not only on the original warrants, but also some new ones including aggravated assault.

A big grant will help Vermont make primary health care a top priority. The $131,786 federal grant is going to the University of Vermont. With it, the school will plan ways to expand the state's primary health care work force and provide more community-based prevention programs. The grant is part of $320 million awarded nationwide under the Affordable Care Act.

A pair of Crown Point educators is getting set to run for their students. Principal Elaine Dixon and teacher Crystal Farrell of Crown Point Central School will compete in the Marine Corps Marathon and 10K road races in Washington, D.C., October 31st. They will be part of Team CFES, raising money for the “College For Every Student” program at their school. Dixon will run the 26.2-mile marathon, while Farrell will run the 6.2-mile 10K race.

In a recent citizen's forum Crown Point residents discussed if they should scrap the present elected board of assessors in favor of a sole appointed one. About 100 people turned out to question a panel of three assessment experts. The Crown Point town board has debated the issue although no decisions have been made. Much of the meeting was dominated by questions relating to assessment practices and not relevant to the question of appointed vs. elected assessors.

A $50 million stimulus grant is headed to Vermont to help pay for upgrades to the rail line used by the Amtrak Vermonter passenger train. The funding will help improve track, roadbed and bridges along 190 miles of rail lines between St. Albans and Springfield, Mass. The upgrades are expected to reduce trip times and improve reliability.

New York is getting $6.3 million in federal stimulus money to improve the state's broadband service. The state has created an online map to show where broadband is available and to pinpoint areas where there are gaps in service. Vermont will get a total of $172 million to expand broadband services.

Vermont State Police say 2 of their officers acted improperly in voiding a speeding ticket issued to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Shumlin. Shumlin was cited for going 81 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone on Interstate 91. But the June 17 citation was voided after an unidentified trooper contacted him, offering to do so if Shumlin wished. But it was subsequently reinstated, and Shumlin says he paid a $152 fine after pleading guilty.

Two Vermont projects will share $375,000 in federal funding to create jobs and economic opportunities in rural parts of northern Vermont. The Northern Vermont Fiber Optic Connection project will receive $234,000 to expand a fiber optic connection and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail based in Waitsfield will get $141,150 for signs, online planning and access infrastructure for the 740 inland paddling trails across New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Quebec.

A knife-wielding man who was shot by police is headed for a psychiatric evaluation. A judge Wednesday ordered 19-year-old Brendan Houston, of Montpelier, sent to the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury for an evaluation after his arraignment. He allegedly threatened a police officer with a knife before he was shot in the hand.

The state of Vermont says only half of residents eligible for a phone subsidy are taking advantage of the program. The Department of Public Service says the state wants to get the word out about the Lifeline program, designed to ensure low income residents are able to contact emergency and other medical services.

The towns of Ticonderoga and Crown Point have been asked to help fight milfoil in Eagle Lake. The Eagle Lake Property Owners, Inc. has approached each town board asking them to become "lead agents" in the application of a herbicide in the lake. Eagle Lake is located partially in the town of Ticonderoga and partially in the town of Crown Point. The herbicide application will be funded through the Crown Point Invasive Species Grant. There is to be no cost to local taxpayers. The Ticonderoga and Crown Point town boards are reviewing the request to serve as "lead agents." No decisions have been made.

Looking for a good weekend getaway? Well, look no further than right here in Vermont. Boston Magazine has compiled a list of the 52 best weekend getaways in the region for its October issue. Nine Vermont towns are on the list. They're Brattleboro, Brandon, Craftsbury Common, Jay, Manchester, South Burlington, Stowe, Plymouth, and Warren. Lake Champlain also made the list.

Make-A-Wish Idol will celebrate its fifth anniversary as it returns to Murphy's Tavern in two weeks. The event, which raises money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York, has raised thousands of dollars to help grant wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. For more information about Make-A-Wish Idol, contact Rosio at 420-5372 or alyssarosio@yahoo.com.

Volunteers are needed to erect a new playground at Ticonderoga Elementary School. The school Parent-Teacher Organization is looking for 100 people to assist in the project Saturday, Oct. 23. Staff from Parkitect, the company providing the playground equipment, will coordinate the project. Interested people are asked to Email Michele Eicher at meicher@ticonderogak12.org.

Two Schroon Lake Northway rest stops will close on Dec. 1 because state budget cuts. The rest stops accessible to northbound travelers between exits 27 and 28, and a rest stop for southbound travelers between exits 31 and 32 are affected. The southbound rest stop near Schroon Lake was closed on June 4 due to a failed septic tank. It remains closed.