WVTK Local & State News January 5, 2011

State Police arrested 18-Year-Old Kyle Birchmore for creating bombs and throwing them at houses in the town of Addison on the night of December 3rd & 4th. The bombs, or "improvised chemical explosive devices," were thrown at houses near the Kayhart Dairy Farm on Lake Street and Tri Town Road in Addison. 
Police credited several citizens for helping them track down and ultimately arrest Birchmore.

Rutland Regional Medical Center’s emergency department spent five hours in lockdown early Saturday morning. Spokeswoman Jill Jesso-White said she could not go into specifics on the reason for the lockdown, which lasted from 2AM to 7AM. Incoming patients are still able to access the department during a lockdown through the triage area.

Anna Laroche of North Ferrisburgh was caught driving 35 mph over the speed limit while under the influence of alcohol on Route 7 in New Haven Saturday. During the stop, she showed signs of intoxication and after roadside sobriety tests, was arrested for driving under the influence. She was also charged with excessive speed and is cited to appear in Addison District Court to answer both charges.

According to the Rutland County Sheriff’s Department a young dog who broke free of its leash on High Pond Road in Brandon on Sunday afternoon returned home minutes later with three bullet wounds. The dog, “Timber,” a less-than-year-old Siberian husky and malamute mix, was treated for bullet wounds. The incident happened around 3PM. If the dog wasn’t chasing deer or attempting to harm someone, police plan to bring a charge of animal cruelty against the shooter.

Gov.-elect Peter Shumlin has appointed Harold Colston as executive director of the Vermont Commission on National and Community Service. The Commission, with a state-administered $2 million grant from the federal government, coordinates Americorps National service programs and other volunteer and community services across Vermont.

Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas is saying his goodbyes. The four-term Republican, who didn't run for re-election, steps down Thursday to make way for Democrat Peter Shumlin. Douglas will give a 2 PM farewell speech to a joint session of the Legislature in Montpelier today that looks back at his tenure and what he considers Vermont's success during it. After that, Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie will give a farewell of his own in the state Senate chamber.

Vermont's 2011 legislative session is set to get under way with Democrats in control of the governor's office, the Senate and House, but with no extra money to spend. In fact, state budget analysts say a shortfall of state funds that earlier had been estimated at about $112 million now has ballooned to about $150 million.

A spokesman said that a Vermont renewable energy developer has dropped a lawsuit against outgoing Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie and Dubie's former gubernatorial campaign manager after the two apologized over criticisms directed at Gov.-elect Peter Shumlin's campaign. Those criticisms also targeted David Blittersdorf, founder of Hinesburg-based NRG Systems and Williston-based AllEarth Renewables and a major donor to the Shumlin campaign in a way that Blittersdorf maintained inaccurately defamed him.

Vermont Air National Guard pilots are on their way to South Korea. Six F-16 jets flew out yesterday morning for a month-long peacekeeping mission. They'll run training sessions with military counterparts in South Korea. Two hundred support staff will follow the F-16s, leaving for the region Sunday.

The Vermont Air Guard hopes to one day replace their F-16s with new F-35s, but a decision from the military has been delayed. The Vermont guard is on the short list of bases being considered as an initial host for the joint strike fighters. One major hurdle is an environmental impact study that includes such issues as noise pollution, which is a real concern for some neighbors of the air guard base.

New federal statistics show that Vermont ranks second in the country for the percentage of residents being treated for addiction to painkillers. The rate of admission to treatment facilities nationwide is about 45 for every 100,000 residents. Maine is number one on the list with a rate of 386 admissions per 100,000. And Vermont is next at 331 per 100,000.

Some of the records of the administration of outgoing Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas are going to be sealed for six years. Secretary of State Deb Markowitz, who is also leaving office tomorrow, says Douglas reached an agreement with her office on the length of time sensitive records will remain sealed.

With House Republicans making it clear that health care repeal is their first priority, Congressman Peter Welch wants to mobilize Democrats to protect four provisions of the health care law; age 26 coverage, pre-existing conditions, free preventive care for seniors, and lifetime limits for chronic conditions. Welch will propose his amendment tomorrow.

Gifford Medical Center in Randolph is making the move to get rid of soda and other sugary drinks. The hospital already offers healthier meals using local ingredients, and officials say removing the sweetened drinks from the cafeteria and vending machines is the next step to offering healthier alternatives. According to a Yale University study 58 percent of Vermont adults are overweight and many health experts consider the elimination of sugar-sweetened beverages as a prime target.

A Texas commission has approved a plan to allow 36 states to dump low-level radioactive waste in West Texas. The site currently only accepts waste from Texas, Vermont and the federal government. The commission earlier Tuesday guaranteed Vermont 20% capacity in the dump.

A former legal aide in the Vermont U.S. Attorney's office has been charged with obstruction of justice and making a false statement. Danielle Hall, who was arraigned Tuesday, is charged with providing information relevant to a federal criminal grand jury investigation to the target of it. If convicted, Hall faces up to 15 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Vermont's snowmobiling season had only been rolling along for about two and a half weeks when it came to a halt New Year's weekend. That's because for the third year in a row, we experienced a significant early-season thaw. The Executive Director of Vermont's Association of Snow Travelers says none of the snowmobile trails in the state are open now, and the timing is taking a big hit to the industry. More than a foot of snow is needed for trails to re-open.

Federal health leaders say more drivers are buckling up. A recent report from the Center for Disease Control found nearly six out of every seven adults, or 85%, wore seat belts in 2008. Health official’s say that has helped cut the number of deaths in crashes. Lieutenant John Flannigan with the Vermont State Police and says Vermont is at the national average of 85 percent.

Thousands of Vermonters are already signing up for government health care and many more are expected. Nationwide 10,000 baby boomers a day will turn 65 for the next twenty-years. Agency of Human Services Acting Commissioner Brendan Hogan says 100,000 Vermonters are in Medicare. But as more baby boomers enroll that could double. Baby boomers will need to learn how to navigate the turbulent health care waters.

Since being sworn in on New Year's Eve, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been working around the clock; leading a crusade he says will clean up the Empire State. He will deliver his State of the State address today. The 56th governor of New York is set to announce the first of several mergers of state agencies to reduce the size of state government, propose a pay freeze for the state's 200,000 employees and a property tax cap.