WVTK Local & State News December 8, 2010

By an overwhelming vote of 110-39, the Sudbury public has voted to keep Sudbury Country School open and they are willing to pay more taxes for it. During the next five years, the total tax increase on a $200,000 home would be $660, or about $11 a month. A petition from residents was recently filed with the town to take the question of whether to close the school and tuition students to the public. The Sudbury School Board was required to act on that petition, warranting the Monday special meeting and vote.

A Pittsford man remains in critical condition after being run over Monday. Timothy Abare was lying face down on Elm Street in Pittsford early Monday morning. Police say there was evidence of alcohol, but say they don't know why Abare was unconscious. Police are waiting for results of blood tests.

The Rutland School Board has decided to make its own offer to the state. The state has recommended the board cut $607,000 from the $26 million it would normally seek in school aid. Instead, the board agreed to cut $200,000. A letter containing the news will be sent to the desk of the state Education Commissioner by December 15th as required by Challenges for Change.

The Rutland Board of Aldermen approved a new policy on health insurance buyouts. Mayor Christopher Louras presented the policy to the board, along with one on unpaid leave, for inclusion in the city's employee handbook. 

It allows nonunion employees who have other health insurance options to opt out of the city plan and get half of the employer's contribution, saving the city the other half.

Officials say four train cars carrying liquid propane have derailed in northwestern Vermont late yesterday, but the cars aren't leaking and no one has been evacuated. The St. Albans Fire Chief said that 2 of the four cars are on their sides, a third is leaning and the wheels of a fourth car are off the track.

Two Rutland residents are in jail accused of selling crack and heroin in Whitehall, N.Y. Reginald Watson of Rutland is a convicted murderer and gang leader who police say has been making regular drug sales in New York. Tara Stone also of Rutland, was arrested for allegedly selling drugs to a police informant. Watson and Stone both face serious drug charges and are being held in a New York jail for lack of bail.

For the fourth year in a row, Vermont has been named the "Healthiest State in America." Vermont ranks high in 14 of 22 public health measures relating to behaviors, community and environment, policies and clinical care. Since 1990, prevalence of smoking, and deaths from cardiovascular disease has decreased significantly.

Vermont Gov.-elect Peter Shumlin is quickly filling the top posts in his administration. On Tuesday, Shumlin announced that former lawmaker Mary Peterson will be tax commissioner; Deputy Human Resources Commissioner Kate Duffy will move up to commissioner; and Rob Ide will remain as commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The Vermont Department of Children and Families is hoping to clear a backlog of people seeking assistance by hiring more staff to process applications. Outgoing DCF Commissioner Steve Dale says a new system designed to streamline the process for people applying for multiple benefit programs has not gone as smoothly as hoped.

Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie says a "Pure Vermont" slogan he used in his gubernatorial campaign was about the people and products that make Vermont great. The comment comes in response to controversy over the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights' decision not to reappoint Curtiss Reed Jr. to chair its Vermont state advisory committee. In a newspaper column this fall, Reed criticized Dubie's slogan.

One organization is making sure children of military families have a happy holiday season. Stacks of books, teddy bears, and dolls are ready to be sent to thousands of kids throughout New England. Operation Tribute organized a gift-wrapping party at the Vermont National Guard base in Colchester yesterday. By partnering with Dunkin Donut stores, the organization plans to get gifts to more than 30,000 kids by Christmas.

Bolton Valley Resort is on the market. The ski resort's co-owners say they want to maximize Bolton's potential offerings and keep it competitive in a time when smaller ski resorts are closing due to financial issues. So they're selling the 750-acre resort for an undisclosed price or looking for partners in joint investment ventures on a number of capital improvements, including a snow tubing park.

With more than two feet of snow on the ground and more in the forecast, folks in Northern Vermont are all but guaranteed a white Christmas this year. At Jay Peak and other ski resorts they were enjoying the two feet of powder and taking reservations by the dozen.

In March, one lucky winner will win the grand prize in HGTV's Dream Home Giveaway, an amazing Vermont ski lodge in Stowe. This year's dream home is 34-hundred square feet and features a "ski-in" and "ski-out" location as well as enough space to sleep a whole ski team. The home is valued at around two million dollars and the winner will be picked at random this spring.

Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont rank among the nation's leaders in turning out Peace Corps volunteers. Officials for the worldwide service organization say Vermont ranks as the top volunteer-producing state on a per-capita basis, with 59 Peace Corps volunteers currently serving. New Hampshire ranks No. 8 nationwide with 62 volunteers.