WVTK Local & State News October 20, 2010

The U.S. Post Office is planning to offer a special pictorial postmark for the grand opening of the Cross Street Bridge here in Middlebury. The opening is scheduled for October 30th. On that day, Post Office staff will be at the bridge from 12 Noon to 4 PM., selling envelopes and postcards, which upon request, will be stamped with the pictorial representation of the bridge.

Rural Vermont announced the hiring of Jared Carter as the organization's new executive director. Carter is an activist and will work with Vermont farmers to promote Rural Vermont's mission of a self-sufficient local food system that supports farmers and communities.

Middlebury's revamped and "green" McDonald's Restaurant will reopen October 28th. The new, energy efficient restaurant will sport a fresh exterior and interior look with added outside green space. On hand for the ribbon-cutting event will be Gov. Jim Douglas as well as Bruce from the WVTK Wake Up Crew. The restaurant will open at 7 AM with Gov. Douglas cutting the ribbon at 3 PM. Ronald McDonald will appear from 5-7 that afternoon.

Mark Brady of Middlebury has been selected for induction into the Vermont Association of Broadcasters' Hall of Fame. Brady served as program director of radio station WJOY during the early 1970’s. He later purchased WFAD-AM here in Middlebury and then later added WCVM-FM. Brady also served three years as president of the VAB. He’s currently the general manager of New Market Press newspapers.

Former Rutland Fire Chief Gerald Lloyd died at the age of 75 Monday night. He served 41 years at the Fire Department, 13 of those years as chief. During his long tenure, he's credited with helping to unionize the department's membership, upgrading its training standards and leading crews in some of the most dangerous fires the city has seen. Lloyd's memorial service will be at Christ the King Church on Friday at 1 PM with a reception to follow.

Rutland City police are investigating a break-in and burglary at Freeman Jewelers that took place Monday night. Someone pitched a stone through one of the two glass front doors. The person or persons involved in the break-in grabbed more than a half dozen pieces of jewelry from one of the cases and fled the scene. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Rutland police.

A newly appointed Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs has started meeting in what officials say is a step toward creating a system for recognizing Indian tribes in the state. On Tuesday the nine-member commission heard testimony on the history of tribes seeking state recognition in Vermont. A new state law created a process for the commission to recommend tribal recognition.

The two major party candidates for Vermont governor are going at it again. With two weeks to go before the Nov. 2 election, Democrat Peter Shumlin and Republican Brian Dubie squared off yesterday in their twelfth debate, at a museum on the shores of Lake Champlain.

Police in Burlington, Vt., have released the name of a woman found slain in her home. The body of 50-year-old Kathleen Smith was found amid signs of a struggle in Burlington's north end on Monday. Police Lt. Jennifer Morrison says the cause and manner of death aren't known yet but that investigators have classified it as a homicide. Police took the unusual step yesterday of releasing photographs of a man they said isn't a suspect but might have important information about the case, asking that anyone who recognizes him contact them.

Police at the University of Vermont are investigating the untimely death of a student. School officials say the deceased was a freshman from out-of-state, but they have not released his name. He was found dead in Chittenden Hall Monday. Police are investigating, but school officials say no other people were involved and they do not suspect foul play.

Three people were sent to the hospital after an accident on Route 7 in Ferrisburgh yesterday morning. The crash involved two northbound vehicles. Police say the driver of a Subaru wasn't paying attention and drove right into the rear of a Jeep that was slowing down to make a turn. The collision caused the Jeep to roll over, injuring three of the five people inside. The accident backed up traffic on the busy highway for more than an hour.

Arizona Sen. John McCain is lending his support to a U.S. Senate candidate from Vermont. McCain attended a fundraiser and a rally for Republican candidate Len Britton, who's running against Sen. Patrick Leahy. About 175 people, many of them aging veterans, turned out for the rally in South Burlington.

FairPoint Communications and its major union have agreed on making 90 temporary call center employees permanent, and the union is celebrating the change. The change affects temporary workers at FairPoint facilities in Portland and Bangor, ME, Manchester, NH. And Burlington. Officials with Local 1400 of the Communication Workers of America say the change comes after an 18-month battle with management, and will mean both better job security for the workers and better service for customers.

1 of 2 companies that offers health insurance through Vermont's public program Catamount Health is increasing its rates next year by 21%. The state has approved the increase requested by MVP Health Care. A single person paying MVP for the full cost of health insurance will be charged $527 a month. Roughly the same coverage from the state's other provider, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, is $414 a month. Catamount Health subsidizes coverage for low income Vermonters on a sliding scale based on income.

Vermonters appear to be divided over what should happen to the state's nuclear plant. That's according to the results of a new poll released on Monday. Of the 625 people surveyed, 44 percent said they oppose a new 20-year license for Vermont Yankee while 39 percent want to see the plant's license renewed when it expires in 2012. The poll found 17 percent are undecided.

Rep. Peter Welch held a roundtable yesterday with local business and education leaders to discuss job opportunities for the returning 1,500 guard members from Afghanistan. According to Welch unemployment with returning soldiers is 20 percent and that's twice the national average. Suggestions from yesterday’s meeting will be evaluated and could be incorporated into legislation.