Inspectors with the state Agency of Transportation conducted a partial bridge inspection on Route 7 in Brandon Tuesday. The water levels are still too high to assess the integrity of the bridge safety. Another inspection is tentatively planned for today, but will depend on the level of water. Meanwhile Otter Valley Union High School and Neshobe Elementary School in Forest Dale will be closed until at least Tuesday, and the town offices will be temporarily moving to the Brandon Fire Station for two to six weeks.
Irene has impacted the beginning of the school year for many students. Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon will not begin classes today as scheduled. In response to the extensive damage to roads and bridges in our area, the decision has been made to delay the start of classes until Tuesday, September 6th. Other schools around the area remained closed, we’ll keep you up to date on the air and HERE.
FEMA has arrived in Vermont. It held a news conference with local politicians Tuesday afternoon about what people can expect in regards to federal assistance. FEMA officials say they have been all over the state looking at the damage. The FEMA Administrator says they secured what's known as immediate needs funding to help evacuees pay for hotels and rentals. As for long term help, here's what we know, for individual assistance the maximum a person can qualify for is about $30,000, but it's all need based. The problem FEMA is stretched thin after hurricane Irene left damage in several states. The Federal Appropriations Committee meets next week to discuss how much and where these federal funds will go. You are encouraged to file a claim with your federal flood insurance, before looking for FEMA assistance.
Many people who own small businesses around the state suffered some damage. The good news for some of you, help may be available. Vermont is launching an emergency loan program, so you can make repairs or rebuild while you wait to be reimbursed by federal emergency funds. Governor Peter Shumlin says $10 million will be made available. Click HERE for details on the program.
As the North Country continues the task of cleaning up from Tropical Storm Irene, many hope for a stronger helping hand from the federal government this time. In a letter to President Barack Obama, Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand asked for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Clinton, Essex and 23 other counties.
As the clean up from Irene gets underway in earnest, many local officials are pleading with the public to keep away from damaged and closed roads. Ernie Anderson is a selectman in the town of Royalton, and he's been out helping with traffic re-routing. But Anderson says too many curiosity seekers trying to get a look at the storm’s aftermath are hampering work crews. He says some people think just taking a quick look won't do much harm, but he says when everyone thinks that way, it adds up to a real problem.
Some 105 Essex County Roads need repair in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene. Many are closed. Extensive washouts, bridge destruction and undermined pavement account for much of what the county faces in repairs. A complete list of Essex County road closures, updated every few minutes, is posted on the county website HERE.
The American Red Cross is busy getting crucial supplies to the people who need it the most. Hannaford grocery stores donated a truck full of water, fruit and food for the Red Cross to hand out. The struggle is getting the supplies to those people that are stranded. That’s why the National Guard stepped in. Their high water vehicles helped them get into a couple of communities that were otherwise inaccessible. To learn more about volunteering or how to make a monetary donation head to the Vermont Red Cross website.
The Rutland DMV was severely damaged during the flooding. Services moved to the Mahady Court House in Middlebury. They have a mobile office that's usually there 2 days week, but it will be there 5 days a week now to better serve customers.
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin says it could be months before many of the 2,000 state employees can get back to work at the state office complex in Waterbury. He says a majority of the employees who work in Waterbury are staying home, although they are being paid. Shumlin toured the state complex on Tuesday along with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. In some ground floor parts of the complex, water from the nearby Winooski River was nearly 6-feet deep after Sunday's flooding. The Governor says that as bad as it is at the Waterbury complex, he's more worried about Vermonters who lost their homes and businesses. Sanders says that despite the restrained federal budget, he thinks Congress will provide Vermont the emergency assistance it needs.
There are still thousands of people in New York without power. When Tropical Storm Irene hit the North Country, it took out power to nearly 50 percent of New York State Electric and Gas's customers. NYSEG has restored power to more than 20,000 but close to 12,000 people still remain in the dark. NYSEG Regional Manager, Mark Leta said, he has seen other storms produce more damage in the North Country, but the outages are spread all over Clinton and Essex counties and many of the wires and poles are cut off by washed out roads.
According to Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras Rutland City has a 30-day water supply on hand, not 2 days, as has been reported elsewhere. However, the City does need your help in conserving water. Due to the destructive flooding caused by Hurricane Irene, the City's primary raw water supply has been temporarily interrupted. The City has about a 30-days supply of water in our reservoir and supply tanks. The water quality will be up to its normal excellent standard. There is no need to boil water at this time. Please conserve water as much as you can. Avoid using water to wash cars, or wash down mud left by the flood, or to water your garden.
Rutland Regional Medical Center President Tom Hubner says a woman in respiratory distress in Killington needed to get to the hospital on Monday afternoon, but the road between the two communities was cut and impassable. So the patient was taken by the Killington ambulance to the west side of the break in Route 4 in Mendon, her stretcher was loaded onto a special ATV and then driven to another ambulance that took her to the hospital in Rutland. He says the patient, who he did not identify, is doing fine.
The New York Farm Bureau is helping farmers who suffered devastating damage from Tropical Storm Irene. The farm advocacy group is working with state and local government officials to determine the damage to crops and dairy herds. Farm Bureau President Dean Norton says the group and officials are reaching out to farmers to assess the damage for reimbursement from insurance and potentially from federal disaster funds. Farmers can call the bureau at 518-436-8495 or their local county emergency management office.
Vermont farmers are urged to report losses from Tropical Storm Irene but officials won't know the extent of the impact for some time while the state is still responding to the massive flood damage. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture says the heavy rains accompanied by high winds are leaving farmers with flooded fields and barns, debris, and limited options for milk pick-ups. Agency of Agriculture Secretary Chuck Ross says state and federal officials need to hear from farmers to determine what kind of help might be available.
Officials at the Green Mountain National Forest say flooding damage from Tropical Storm Irene is extensive in the forest. Spokesman Ethan Ready says the forest is still open but that anyone venturing into it should know that many areas, roads, camp sites and trails are inaccessible, thanks to high water, washouts and compromised bridges. Some drinking water systems may also be compromised. Ready says it'll take time for the Forest Service to assess the condition of trails, roads and recreation sites. Forest Service officials are recommending that people postpone visits to the forest for now.
Among the damaged roads and bridges in Vermont are several of the state's iconic covered bridges. Many are tourist attractions that have withstood the test of time, but not Irene. State officials have not yet tallied the damage, but at least three and maybe more covered bridges have been swept away by powerful river currents. Governor Peter Shumlin promises they, along with all the damaged roads, will be rebuilt.
The Vermont Department of Health and Vermont Agency of Agriculture issued an advisory this week for anyone growing fruit and vegetables that may have come into contact with floodwaters. Floodwaters could have been contaminated and people are urged to discard aboveground fruit or vegetables that have matured and cannot be washed and cooked prior to consumption. Produce to be concerned about are lettuce, greens, herbs, tomatoes and squash that have already developed fruit. Root crops can be consumed as long as they are thoroughly washed and cooked. It is difficult to remove all the contamination with just plain rinsing. Any produce in question should be thrown away.
With access from the outside limited and state agencies facing tremendous demand, communities are doing what they can to take care of their own needs, with neighbors helping neighbors. If you would like to help out the United Way has set up a relief fund. You can donate at Vermont211.org. The Red Cross, of course, is on the ground in many communities and is always in need of support, www.redcross.org. There is also a grassroots volunteer effort underway online. The site is vtresponse.wordpress.com, it has listings for people willing to lend a hand in various communities.
A man was killed in Castleton Monday when his semi-truck fell over top of him. It happened on West Castleton Road. Emergency crews say they found 52-year-old Dennis Hayword pinned between a tire and a tree. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
There are still no answers as to how 11-year-old Celina Cass died. Officials had hoped to have the toxicology results back last week to determine the cause of death, but that didn't happen. They say it is not unusual for toxicology results to take up to eight weeks.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
WVTK Local & State News August 30, 2011
Emergency supplies provided by the federal government are going to be distributed across Vermont to people and communities still reeling from the effects of the remnants of Hurricane Irene. Thirty trucks from the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived at the Vermont National Guard's Camp Johnson early Tuesday. The trucks carried supplies such as food, blankets and other necessary items. Those supplies are now being distributed to the Vermont communities in greatest need. Helicopters will be used to distribute the supplies to communities that are unreachable by roadways. Trucks driven by National Guard soldiers will distribute the supplies to the communities reachable by land.
Vermont's largest electric utility says it could be weeks before all of its customers get their power back. The Central Vermont Public Service Corp. says that as of Tuesday morning almost 19,000 customers remained without power. At the peak of the storm about 70,000 CVPS customers were without power. Vermont's other utilities are reporting about 1,200 outages. The remnants of Irene did more than just drop trees onto power lines. Some CVPS electric substations were damaged or destroyed by floodwaters and power cannot be restored in some areas until roads into the areas have been repaired. In some areas, entire sections of the utility system will have to be rebuilt.
The town of Bristol issued a boil water order on Sunday for all residents who use water from the municipal water system. They should continue to boil their water for five minutes before consuming it until further notice. The order was issued after the New Haven River potentially inundated part of the water system. As a precaution, the entire system is being flushed out and sterilized. This process could take several days and requires three consecutive clean tests before the order can be dropped.
A boil water order has been issued for the Town of Moriah until further notice. The order is the result of two water line breaks.
Irene's rain and strong winds also knocked out power to tens of thousands of people across the state. As of 5PM Monday the hardest his area was Windsor County where more than 13,000 homes were without power. Next was Rutland with more than 8,000. In Orange County 4,500 are without power. And in Windham outages are just under 3,000. Utility officials say it could be days or even weeks before they get to everyone, simply because there are so many road closures and so many communities that are isolated.
Residents across Addison County and Brandon continue to cope with the massive amount of water that the remnants of Hurricane Irene dumped on Vermont over the weekend. Thousands of utility customers lost power at some point during the storm. Middlebury College reported 3.21 inches of rain with maximum winds there clocked at 37 mph. Rainfalls elsewhere were believed to be even higher. A Cornwall resident reported 4.5 inches at his rain gauge. Flooding was also bad in Brandon, where Route 7 was reported flooded from McConnell Road in the south all the way to Route 73 in the village.
Route 7 in Brandon was closed Monday morning due to flooding from the Neshobe River and probably will remain that way for several days, according to Select Board Chairman Richard Baker. It may not open until tomorrow at the earliest. Baker said costs for infrastructure repairs were still being calculated downtown and on Newton Road in Forest Dale, which was completely washed out. Without factoring in the damage to private property in the downtown, where Brandon House of Pizza was washed off its foundation, Baker estimated the repairs would easily top $1 million.
Residents of Rutland town and Rutland City are being asked to limit water use. At the board of Alderman meeting Monday night, Mayor Chris Louras announced significant damage to the intake system at the city reservoir. The reservoir takes in water from the Mendon Brook on Route 4, which was compromised by the storm. He says there is about a two-day supply of water at the treatment facility and up to 30 days left in the reservoir, which can no longer take in water. The Mayor has yet to determine a cost or put a time frame on repairing the intake system.
By the time Hurricane Irene reached the Ticonderoga area on Sunday, it had been officially downgraded to a tropic storm. The remnants of the hurricane dumped heavy rain and brought strong winds that caused flooding, downed trees and left thousands with out electricity. Town and county highway workers, firefighters, police and others responded to the storm, which began with light rain at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday. The strongest portion of the storm hit at about noon and lasted until about 4PM. Rain continued into Monday morning.
On Monday President Obama signed an emergency declaration to deal with Vermont flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. In a statement from the White House the President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Vermont and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Irene beginning on August 26, 2011, and continuing.
Part of a ski lodge has collapsed at Vermont's Killington resort and about 300 hotel guests are stranded at a nearby inn because of road damage from Tropical Storm Irene. The flooding of the Roaring Brook eroded part of the K-1 lodge. About half of the Superstar Pub collapsed meanwhile, 300 guests were stranded at the Inn of the Six Mountains, which is cut off by road damage.
Several communities are considered islands now, cut off from the rest of the state because roads and bridges are washed out. And that is making it very difficult for state and federal help to move in. They are Bennington, Cavendish, Chester, Granville, Killington, Mendon, Middletown Springs, Strafford, Stratton and Wilmington. There will be a meeting at the Dover School today at 2PM for Wilmington and Dover residents and business owners, aiming to get more information and resources to the community.
The state office complex and state hospital in Waterbury are crippled and could remain that way for weeks. Gov. Peter Shumlin says much of the state office complex, the nerve center for state government, was underwater. That includes many of the computers that run human services and other programs. Shumlin says no employees who work at the Waterbury complex should come to work this week unless they are contacted by supervisors. About 52 patients from the state hospital, which was also flooded, had to be relocated to other facilities around the state.
Officials say three people have died and one person is missing in Vermont in flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Irene. Vermont Emergency Management officials say a woman drowned in the Deerfield River in Wilmington; a man was killed in Mendon after being swept away by floodwaters, and his companion is still missing. And police said Monday that another man was found dead in Lake Rescue in Ludlow.
It appears most New England apple orchards came through Tropical Storm Irene largely unscathed. Russell Powell, director of the New England Apple Growers Association, said Monday that he has heard reports of some tree damage from high winds and fruit being knocked to the ground. But, overall, he said most growers are "breathing a sigh of relief" that the storm did not cause more problems just as apple-picking season was getting under way in the region. Powell did caution, however, that he has not yet heard from growers in Connecticut or in Vermont - states hit hard by flooding from Irene.
Vermont officials say it would not have helped to issue more extensive evacuation orders before the arrival of Tropical Storm Irene because it was impossible to tell where flooding would be at its worst. Both Gov. Peter Shumlin and Sen. Patrick Leahy say there are several instances around the state where one town was unscathed, while another in the same river valley was devastated. Leahy said Monday there was concern that telling people to go to another location would have put them in more danger than if they stayed home. The men were responding to criticism voiced by some in the national media that Vermont was not aggressive enough about ordering evacuations.
Former Vermont Governor Jim Douglas is settling into his position as an executive in residence at Middlebury College. Part of his role is to deliver guest lectures at various classes, primarily those dealing with the field of political science. He taught a course titled, “Vermont Government and Politics” during the 2011 winter term, and will teach the same course again this winter. He is also enjoying spare time and more time with his family.
Three years after the Legislature passed Act 92, the Vermont Energy Efficiency and Affordability Act, the state is not on pace to reach the act’s goal of improving energy efficiency in 25 percent of Vermont homes, roughly 80,000, by 2020. Instead, the state is likely to fall short of this goal by 28,000 homes. One Middlebury resident says she’s not surprised given the high upfront cost of weatherizing a home, which can be around $7,500. For low-income Vermonters, a recent report recognizes the need for subsidies in order to finance home improvement projects.
Young scientists from across the globe will join forces at the fifth International Earth Science Olympiad in Modena, Italy, next month to help solve some Italian environmental problems. Two key members of the U.S. team are from Addison County: Mount Abraham Union High School physics teacher Tom Tailer and team member Kenny Micklas, who is a senior at Mount Abe and a Lincoln resident. The event takes place September 5th – 14th.
Vermont's largest electric utility says it could be weeks before all of its customers get their power back. The Central Vermont Public Service Corp. says that as of Tuesday morning almost 19,000 customers remained without power. At the peak of the storm about 70,000 CVPS customers were without power. Vermont's other utilities are reporting about 1,200 outages. The remnants of Irene did more than just drop trees onto power lines. Some CVPS electric substations were damaged or destroyed by floodwaters and power cannot be restored in some areas until roads into the areas have been repaired. In some areas, entire sections of the utility system will have to be rebuilt.
The town of Bristol issued a boil water order on Sunday for all residents who use water from the municipal water system. They should continue to boil their water for five minutes before consuming it until further notice. The order was issued after the New Haven River potentially inundated part of the water system. As a precaution, the entire system is being flushed out and sterilized. This process could take several days and requires three consecutive clean tests before the order can be dropped.
A boil water order has been issued for the Town of Moriah until further notice. The order is the result of two water line breaks.
Irene's rain and strong winds also knocked out power to tens of thousands of people across the state. As of 5PM Monday the hardest his area was Windsor County where more than 13,000 homes were without power. Next was Rutland with more than 8,000. In Orange County 4,500 are without power. And in Windham outages are just under 3,000. Utility officials say it could be days or even weeks before they get to everyone, simply because there are so many road closures and so many communities that are isolated.
Residents across Addison County and Brandon continue to cope with the massive amount of water that the remnants of Hurricane Irene dumped on Vermont over the weekend. Thousands of utility customers lost power at some point during the storm. Middlebury College reported 3.21 inches of rain with maximum winds there clocked at 37 mph. Rainfalls elsewhere were believed to be even higher. A Cornwall resident reported 4.5 inches at his rain gauge. Flooding was also bad in Brandon, where Route 7 was reported flooded from McConnell Road in the south all the way to Route 73 in the village.
Route 7 in Brandon was closed Monday morning due to flooding from the Neshobe River and probably will remain that way for several days, according to Select Board Chairman Richard Baker. It may not open until tomorrow at the earliest. Baker said costs for infrastructure repairs were still being calculated downtown and on Newton Road in Forest Dale, which was completely washed out. Without factoring in the damage to private property in the downtown, where Brandon House of Pizza was washed off its foundation, Baker estimated the repairs would easily top $1 million.
Residents of Rutland town and Rutland City are being asked to limit water use. At the board of Alderman meeting Monday night, Mayor Chris Louras announced significant damage to the intake system at the city reservoir. The reservoir takes in water from the Mendon Brook on Route 4, which was compromised by the storm. He says there is about a two-day supply of water at the treatment facility and up to 30 days left in the reservoir, which can no longer take in water. The Mayor has yet to determine a cost or put a time frame on repairing the intake system.
By the time Hurricane Irene reached the Ticonderoga area on Sunday, it had been officially downgraded to a tropic storm. The remnants of the hurricane dumped heavy rain and brought strong winds that caused flooding, downed trees and left thousands with out electricity. Town and county highway workers, firefighters, police and others responded to the storm, which began with light rain at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday. The strongest portion of the storm hit at about noon and lasted until about 4PM. Rain continued into Monday morning.
On Monday President Obama signed an emergency declaration to deal with Vermont flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. In a statement from the White House the President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Vermont and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Irene beginning on August 26, 2011, and continuing.
Part of a ski lodge has collapsed at Vermont's Killington resort and about 300 hotel guests are stranded at a nearby inn because of road damage from Tropical Storm Irene. The flooding of the Roaring Brook eroded part of the K-1 lodge. About half of the Superstar Pub collapsed meanwhile, 300 guests were stranded at the Inn of the Six Mountains, which is cut off by road damage.
Several communities are considered islands now, cut off from the rest of the state because roads and bridges are washed out. And that is making it very difficult for state and federal help to move in. They are Bennington, Cavendish, Chester, Granville, Killington, Mendon, Middletown Springs, Strafford, Stratton and Wilmington. There will be a meeting at the Dover School today at 2PM for Wilmington and Dover residents and business owners, aiming to get more information and resources to the community.
The state office complex and state hospital in Waterbury are crippled and could remain that way for weeks. Gov. Peter Shumlin says much of the state office complex, the nerve center for state government, was underwater. That includes many of the computers that run human services and other programs. Shumlin says no employees who work at the Waterbury complex should come to work this week unless they are contacted by supervisors. About 52 patients from the state hospital, which was also flooded, had to be relocated to other facilities around the state.
Officials say three people have died and one person is missing in Vermont in flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Irene. Vermont Emergency Management officials say a woman drowned in the Deerfield River in Wilmington; a man was killed in Mendon after being swept away by floodwaters, and his companion is still missing. And police said Monday that another man was found dead in Lake Rescue in Ludlow.
It appears most New England apple orchards came through Tropical Storm Irene largely unscathed. Russell Powell, director of the New England Apple Growers Association, said Monday that he has heard reports of some tree damage from high winds and fruit being knocked to the ground. But, overall, he said most growers are "breathing a sigh of relief" that the storm did not cause more problems just as apple-picking season was getting under way in the region. Powell did caution, however, that he has not yet heard from growers in Connecticut or in Vermont - states hit hard by flooding from Irene.
Vermont officials say it would not have helped to issue more extensive evacuation orders before the arrival of Tropical Storm Irene because it was impossible to tell where flooding would be at its worst. Both Gov. Peter Shumlin and Sen. Patrick Leahy say there are several instances around the state where one town was unscathed, while another in the same river valley was devastated. Leahy said Monday there was concern that telling people to go to another location would have put them in more danger than if they stayed home. The men were responding to criticism voiced by some in the national media that Vermont was not aggressive enough about ordering evacuations.
Former Vermont Governor Jim Douglas is settling into his position as an executive in residence at Middlebury College. Part of his role is to deliver guest lectures at various classes, primarily those dealing with the field of political science. He taught a course titled, “Vermont Government and Politics” during the 2011 winter term, and will teach the same course again this winter. He is also enjoying spare time and more time with his family.
Three years after the Legislature passed Act 92, the Vermont Energy Efficiency and Affordability Act, the state is not on pace to reach the act’s goal of improving energy efficiency in 25 percent of Vermont homes, roughly 80,000, by 2020. Instead, the state is likely to fall short of this goal by 28,000 homes. One Middlebury resident says she’s not surprised given the high upfront cost of weatherizing a home, which can be around $7,500. For low-income Vermonters, a recent report recognizes the need for subsidies in order to finance home improvement projects.
Young scientists from across the globe will join forces at the fifth International Earth Science Olympiad in Modena, Italy, next month to help solve some Italian environmental problems. Two key members of the U.S. team are from Addison County: Mount Abraham Union High School physics teacher Tom Tailer and team member Kenny Micklas, who is a senior at Mount Abe and a Lincoln resident. The event takes place September 5th – 14th.
Monday, August 29, 2011
WVTK Local & State News August 29, 2011
President Obama Monday signed an emergency declaration to deal with Vermont flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Statement from the White House: The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Vermont and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Irene beginning on August 26, 2011, and continuing. The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the State of Vermont. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Craig A. Gilbert as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.
As of 7 a.m. Monday, 37,500 customers of the Central Vermont Public Service Corp. remained without power. But the damage caused by the remnants of Hurricane Irene to dozens of utility poles and many roads have washed away, leaving utility crews unable to reach affected customers. CVPS Vice President Joe Kraus calls the situation "unchartered territory." He says a half a dozen substations were submerged in floodwaters. CVPS has brought in crews from as far as Illinois, but they are stymied because they can't reach the damage. In some cases utility crews had to spend the night with customers as the flooding trapped them.
More than 700 Vermont telephone customers are unable to communicate because of damage caused by the remnants of Hurricane Irene. And at least 3,000 additional customers of FairPoint Communication have limited service Monday. FairPoint spokeswoman Sabina Haskell says the company's Pittsfield central office is out of commission entirely. She says it had been operating on battery power, but when crews went to fuel the generators the road to the office was inaccessible. An additional 1,300 customers in the Pittsfield-Rochester area have limited service. About 1,400 lines are affected in Jacksonville and another 550 in Readsboro. Customers there are unable to call 911, but they should be able to call local emergency services. Haskell says a fiber optic cable has been broken near Rochester. Crews are working to repair the damage.
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin says the rain might be over, but the state is just beginning to assess the damage left by the remnants of Hurricane Irene. Shumlin said Monday state officials had been preparing for the worst before the storm and in some parts of the state the worst happened. He says Vermont hasn't seen flooding on this scale since early in the last century. Shumlin says he's planning to tour the state Monday in a National Guard helicopter, flying down the Connecticut River valley and then up the west side of the state. Shumlin says officials have moved from crisis management to assessing the damage. He says "We're still tallying up the damage. There's a lot of it and more to be reported."
Vermont state government is going to be closed in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Early Monday, state officials decided that all non-essential state workers should stay home. The plan had been to have non-essential employees report for work at 10AM. Scores of schools are also closed across the state on Monday. Susan Allen, a spokeswoman for Gov. Peter Shumlin, says Monday will be a day to assess the damage from flooding from one end of the state to the other. The storm hit the southern part of the state first and the damage became apparent on Sunday. But the flooding didn't become severe in the northern parts of the state until after dark so officials have yet to fully assess the damage.
Please be advised that the opening of all state offices will be delayed on Monday August 29, 2011 until 10:00 a.m. All employees designated as essential personnel for reduced workforce situations, including Corrections, Public Safety, Institutions, and Transportation Maintenance, should report for work as normally expected. We will update this message at 7:30 a.m. on Monday August 29, 2011.
The Vermont & the New Hampshire Valley Red Cross has opened several shelters for people seeking refuge from Hurricane Irene. As of 5:30 p.m. Sunday, the Red Cross said that more than 200 people are using the various shelters in the state. Officials say that number is expected to rise. The Red Cross has opened 10 shelters including Rutland High School on Stratton Road. People who need to leave their homes and are in need shelter should call Vermont 211.
The Heavy rain is caused power outages throughout Vermont. Just after 6 p.m. Sunday, over 38,000 customers are without power. The bulk of those outages are in Rutland, Windsor, Windham and Bennington counties. Vermont's utilities brought in hundreds of out-of-state workers from as far away as Illinois, Texas, Missouri and Canada to help with restoration efforts after Hurricane Irene hits the state.
East Middlebury faced evacuations yesterday. The river in East Middlebury had just starting to crest over its banks and run down the road around 5PM. Rescue crews started to go door-to-door to tell residents to evacuate. Highway and rescue personnel continued monitoring the river closely. The rains had slowed by 8PM and the river started going back down.
Vermont State Police say the state's emergency command center in Waterbury was evacuated yesterday. Police say the command center has moved to the FEMA Joint Field Office in Burlington on Lakeside Ave.
Otter Creek caused some major concerns in Rutland yesterday. Otter Creek was at record levels cresting at over 16 feet, twice the flood stage of 8 feet. Conditions only worsened in Rutland County last night. Castleton College is completely underwater and won't reopen until tomorrow. We also know the Brandon House of Pizza has come off of its foundation and was in the middle of the road, which is closed last night.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Irene hit New York hard. Essex and Clinton County were hit the hardest. The Ausable River flooded, causing a number of evacuations. Dozens of roads in both counties are closed due to flooding or washouts and emergency officials are telling people to stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to venture out.
Gov. Peter Shumlin has warned that the worst could still lie ahead of us in some parts of the state. The governor called the scope of the damage in Vermont extraordinary. He said crews all around the state will be working to fix roads today.
It finally happened, and ahead of the storm: The arch for the new Lake Champlain Bridge was lifted into place on Friday. The center arch of the bridge was floated out and set in place. It's more than four hundred feet long and 83-feet tall. Coincidentally, the arch was lifted up, set and bolted into place 82-years to the day the original Champlain Bridge opened. With smaller projects like pouring concrete, building sidewalks and doing the electrical, it's not known yet when the new bridge will finally open to traffic.
As of 7 a.m. Monday, 37,500 customers of the Central Vermont Public Service Corp. remained without power. But the damage caused by the remnants of Hurricane Irene to dozens of utility poles and many roads have washed away, leaving utility crews unable to reach affected customers. CVPS Vice President Joe Kraus calls the situation "unchartered territory." He says a half a dozen substations were submerged in floodwaters. CVPS has brought in crews from as far as Illinois, but they are stymied because they can't reach the damage. In some cases utility crews had to spend the night with customers as the flooding trapped them.
More than 700 Vermont telephone customers are unable to communicate because of damage caused by the remnants of Hurricane Irene. And at least 3,000 additional customers of FairPoint Communication have limited service Monday. FairPoint spokeswoman Sabina Haskell says the company's Pittsfield central office is out of commission entirely. She says it had been operating on battery power, but when crews went to fuel the generators the road to the office was inaccessible. An additional 1,300 customers in the Pittsfield-Rochester area have limited service. About 1,400 lines are affected in Jacksonville and another 550 in Readsboro. Customers there are unable to call 911, but they should be able to call local emergency services. Haskell says a fiber optic cable has been broken near Rochester. Crews are working to repair the damage.
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin says the rain might be over, but the state is just beginning to assess the damage left by the remnants of Hurricane Irene. Shumlin said Monday state officials had been preparing for the worst before the storm and in some parts of the state the worst happened. He says Vermont hasn't seen flooding on this scale since early in the last century. Shumlin says he's planning to tour the state Monday in a National Guard helicopter, flying down the Connecticut River valley and then up the west side of the state. Shumlin says officials have moved from crisis management to assessing the damage. He says "We're still tallying up the damage. There's a lot of it and more to be reported."
Vermont state government is going to be closed in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Early Monday, state officials decided that all non-essential state workers should stay home. The plan had been to have non-essential employees report for work at 10AM. Scores of schools are also closed across the state on Monday. Susan Allen, a spokeswoman for Gov. Peter Shumlin, says Monday will be a day to assess the damage from flooding from one end of the state to the other. The storm hit the southern part of the state first and the damage became apparent on Sunday. But the flooding didn't become severe in the northern parts of the state until after dark so officials have yet to fully assess the damage.
Please be advised that the opening of all state offices will be delayed on Monday August 29, 2011 until 10:00 a.m. All employees designated as essential personnel for reduced workforce situations, including Corrections, Public Safety, Institutions, and Transportation Maintenance, should report for work as normally expected. We will update this message at 7:30 a.m. on Monday August 29, 2011.
The Vermont & the New Hampshire Valley Red Cross has opened several shelters for people seeking refuge from Hurricane Irene. As of 5:30 p.m. Sunday, the Red Cross said that more than 200 people are using the various shelters in the state. Officials say that number is expected to rise. The Red Cross has opened 10 shelters including Rutland High School on Stratton Road. People who need to leave their homes and are in need shelter should call Vermont 211.
The Heavy rain is caused power outages throughout Vermont. Just after 6 p.m. Sunday, over 38,000 customers are without power. The bulk of those outages are in Rutland, Windsor, Windham and Bennington counties. Vermont's utilities brought in hundreds of out-of-state workers from as far away as Illinois, Texas, Missouri and Canada to help with restoration efforts after Hurricane Irene hits the state.
East Middlebury faced evacuations yesterday. The river in East Middlebury had just starting to crest over its banks and run down the road around 5PM. Rescue crews started to go door-to-door to tell residents to evacuate. Highway and rescue personnel continued monitoring the river closely. The rains had slowed by 8PM and the river started going back down.
Vermont State Police say the state's emergency command center in Waterbury was evacuated yesterday. Police say the command center has moved to the FEMA Joint Field Office in Burlington on Lakeside Ave.
Otter Creek caused some major concerns in Rutland yesterday. Otter Creek was at record levels cresting at over 16 feet, twice the flood stage of 8 feet. Conditions only worsened in Rutland County last night. Castleton College is completely underwater and won't reopen until tomorrow. We also know the Brandon House of Pizza has come off of its foundation and was in the middle of the road, which is closed last night.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Irene hit New York hard. Essex and Clinton County were hit the hardest. The Ausable River flooded, causing a number of evacuations. Dozens of roads in both counties are closed due to flooding or washouts and emergency officials are telling people to stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to venture out.
Gov. Peter Shumlin has warned that the worst could still lie ahead of us in some parts of the state. The governor called the scope of the damage in Vermont extraordinary. He said crews all around the state will be working to fix roads today.
It finally happened, and ahead of the storm: The arch for the new Lake Champlain Bridge was lifted into place on Friday. The center arch of the bridge was floated out and set in place. It's more than four hundred feet long and 83-feet tall. Coincidentally, the arch was lifted up, set and bolted into place 82-years to the day the original Champlain Bridge opened. With smaller projects like pouring concrete, building sidewalks and doing the electrical, it's not known yet when the new bridge will finally open to traffic.
Friday, August 26, 2011
WVTK Local & State News August 26, 2011
Utilities are preparing for Hurricane Irene, and are advising customers in Vermont of the potential for damaging high winds and heavy rain that could cause extensive damage and power outages Sunday. While all utilities are diligently preparing for the storm, customers should prepare for the possibility of being without power for several days, possibly even more, should the storm take a track for the worse. Utility crews are on standby and are bringing in outside contract crews to ensure a strong response if the storm brings significant problems. Government officials are also coordinating efforts to assure the necessary resources are available. Vermont utilities urged customers to be sure to have flashlights, batteries, food and water available in case they lose electrical service, and suggested that friends, family and neighbors check on elderly Vermonters who may need help. Candles are not recommended as light sources during a power outage due to fire risk.
Gov. Peter Shumlin is asking Vermonters to be prepared for Hurricane Irene. The storm is expected to make its way up the East Coast toward Vermont this weekend. The governor is vacationing at his summer home in Nova Scotia, but his staff says he was in contact with Emergency Management via phone Thursday. The governor is asking Vermonters to pay close attention to the weather reports and be prepared for widespread power outages and possible flash floods.
The threat of heavy weather associated with Hurricane Irene is prompting two Vermont colleges to adjust their schedules. The University of Vermont canceled a Sunday evening convocation and a twilight induction ceremony on the college green in Burlington. At Norwich University, Vice President of Student Affairs Michael Kelley has told upperclassmen scheduled to begin arriving for the fall semester on Saturday and Sunday that they're welcome to come back Friday instead.
The New York state Department of Transportation says the lifting of the center arch span for the new Lake Champlain Bridge is underway. Lifting the arch into place will take four to eight hours. The public can watch the work but some marine and vehicle traffic restrictions will be in place. Ferry service remains operational during the work.
Vermont state police say both drivers involved in a two-truck crash that closed Route 7 in Ferrisburgh earlier this week would face charges in connection with the crash. Both trucks are owned by Reithoffer Manufacturing, which runs the midway at the Champlain Valley Fair. Police say one driver, 40-year-old Joseph Barwick, was found to have multiple log book violations tied to an attempt to conceal the number of hours he drove in a week. Police say the other driver, 50-year-old Iva Williams, had alcohol and prescription drugs that were not prescribed to her. The company faces $933 in fines for equipment violations and for employing a medically unqualified driver.
Vermont State Police are currently investigating the report of stolen metal bulldozer tracks from the Lathrop Lumber Mill in Bristol. Approximately 40-50 metal bulldozer tracks were stolen from a wooden pallet at the property. The approximate value for the stolen bulldozer tracks is $2,000. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police in New Haven. (802-388-4919)
State Police are investigating the theft of four ATV's from a farm in Bristol. The ATV's that were stolen are a Green 2000 Honda 4 Trax, a Red 2001 Honda Rancher, a Orange 2003 Honda Rancher and a Red 2003 Honda Rancher all with rear and front racks on them. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)
Middlebury Selectwoman Janelle Ashley has stepped down from her position because her family is moving to the town of Whiting. She said that she would miss being such a central part of what’s happening in the Middlebury community.
The future of the Bristol Works business campus is on hold as Bristol town officials are working through an official zoning classification for the property. The owners of the property plan to use the 5.5-acre site to host a range of businesses and organizations, including office space for the Addison Northeast Supervisory Union, a prospective health center, and manufacturing space for energy technology and value-added food products.
A group of Moriah residents will get town water service this year thanks to an unexpected grant. The town has received $1.9 million to create a water district in the Forge Hollow, Elk Inn Road and Stone Street area. The town board will open bids for the project at its Sept. 13 meeting. Construction is expected to begin immediately and be completed this fall. When a bid is awarded, a meeting will be scheduled with area residents to explain the construction process.
A law requiring contractors to be licensed by the town is being considered by Ticonderoga officials. A public hearing on a proposed law to “regulate contracting businesses in the town of Ticonderoga” will be held at 6PM Thursday, September 9th at the Community Building. If adopted by Ti trustees, the law will require all contractors doing business in the town to be licensed by the town board.
A suspicious package sighting had security officials calling in South Burlington police to the Dynapower and Lane Press complex around 3:45PM Thursday. South Burlington Police could not figure out what the item was. They were concerned by the weight of the package saying it did not move during strong gusts of wind and rain. Lab results on the package could take weeks, and anyone with any knowledge of the suspicious package should call police.
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders is fighting to keep Social Security alive for another 75 years. Sanders says there needs to be a change in the format of collecting money for Social Security. He said his legislation would apply the same payroll tax already paid by 90% of Americans to those with incomes over $250,000. Sanders said he would introduce his legislation to Congress when it reconvenes.
The Vermont Lottery is exploring a number of options to help boost interest in its games, because sales over the past few years have been relatively flat. The Vermont Lottery is launching a pilot program this fall to sell some of its products in vending machines at prime locations around the state. Money from the Vermont Lottery goes directly into the state's Education Fund. Last year the fund received just over $21 million. The vending machines will be up and operating before Thanksgiving.
The final touches are underway at the Mad River Food Hub in Waitsfield. The 4,000-square-foot space will help farmers’ process and preserve their products and get them to market. One of hub's main goals is to meet the state's demand for meat processing facilities. These rooms are designed to handle about 10,000 pounds of pork and beef a week. The new facility is part of Vermont Farm to Plate initiative aimed at strengthening the state's food system. So far five companies have committed to using this new space.
Consumers shopping for a new washer or refrigerator will be able to take advantage of new state rebates for high-efficiency Energy Star appliances starting next month. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has announced a new $3 million rebate program for the purchase of high-efficiency refrigerators and clothes washers. The program begins September 2nd. Rebates of $350 will be available for refrigerators and $250 for clothes washers that meet Consortium for Energy Efficiency super-efficiency levels.
Vergennes Day celebrates its 30th year tomorrow. The event kicks off this evening with a street dance featuring the music of "The Hitmen", from 7-11PM. Vergennes Day, hosted by the Addison County Chamber of Commerce, is a celebration of city and community and can be enjoyed by all ages. Full details of the event and a schedule of activities are available at www.Vergennesday.com. Also join WVTK live from 10AM – 4PM tomorrow at Vergennes City Park! Bruce & Hobbes will be there from 10AM – 1PM signing autographed pictures and then join Amanda Leigh from 1PM – 4PM. You can register for some great prizes while you’re there! Special thanks to Windows and Doors by Brownell for supporting our broadcast!
The Ticonderoga summer youth recreation program has completed its season, providing activities to local children. More than 150 youngsters signed up for the program with more than 100 attending on a daily basis. The program offered children arts, crafts, sports, games, swimming and more daily.
As it has done for more than 120 years, Moriah will mark the unofficial end of summer with its annual Labor Day celebration. Activities are planned Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd and 4th in the village of Port Henry. The Moriah Chamber of Commerce sponsors the festivities. The celebration will begin Saturday when the North Country Travelers Band will perform at Port Henry beach 6 to 9. The concert will be followed by a fireworks display at the beach. A chicken barbecue will be held at noon Sunday on Main Street at the intersection of St. Patrick’s Place. At the same time groups will start lining up for the traditional Labor Day parade, which will start at 1PM. The theme for the parade this year is The Champlain Bridge.
Gov. Peter Shumlin is asking Vermonters to be prepared for Hurricane Irene. The storm is expected to make its way up the East Coast toward Vermont this weekend. The governor is vacationing at his summer home in Nova Scotia, but his staff says he was in contact with Emergency Management via phone Thursday. The governor is asking Vermonters to pay close attention to the weather reports and be prepared for widespread power outages and possible flash floods.
The threat of heavy weather associated with Hurricane Irene is prompting two Vermont colleges to adjust their schedules. The University of Vermont canceled a Sunday evening convocation and a twilight induction ceremony on the college green in Burlington. At Norwich University, Vice President of Student Affairs Michael Kelley has told upperclassmen scheduled to begin arriving for the fall semester on Saturday and Sunday that they're welcome to come back Friday instead.
The New York state Department of Transportation says the lifting of the center arch span for the new Lake Champlain Bridge is underway. Lifting the arch into place will take four to eight hours. The public can watch the work but some marine and vehicle traffic restrictions will be in place. Ferry service remains operational during the work.
Vermont state police say both drivers involved in a two-truck crash that closed Route 7 in Ferrisburgh earlier this week would face charges in connection with the crash. Both trucks are owned by Reithoffer Manufacturing, which runs the midway at the Champlain Valley Fair. Police say one driver, 40-year-old Joseph Barwick, was found to have multiple log book violations tied to an attempt to conceal the number of hours he drove in a week. Police say the other driver, 50-year-old Iva Williams, had alcohol and prescription drugs that were not prescribed to her. The company faces $933 in fines for equipment violations and for employing a medically unqualified driver.
Vermont State Police are currently investigating the report of stolen metal bulldozer tracks from the Lathrop Lumber Mill in Bristol. Approximately 40-50 metal bulldozer tracks were stolen from a wooden pallet at the property. The approximate value for the stolen bulldozer tracks is $2,000. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police in New Haven. (802-388-4919)
State Police are investigating the theft of four ATV's from a farm in Bristol. The ATV's that were stolen are a Green 2000 Honda 4 Trax, a Red 2001 Honda Rancher, a Orange 2003 Honda Rancher and a Red 2003 Honda Rancher all with rear and front racks on them. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)
Middlebury Selectwoman Janelle Ashley has stepped down from her position because her family is moving to the town of Whiting. She said that she would miss being such a central part of what’s happening in the Middlebury community.
The future of the Bristol Works business campus is on hold as Bristol town officials are working through an official zoning classification for the property. The owners of the property plan to use the 5.5-acre site to host a range of businesses and organizations, including office space for the Addison Northeast Supervisory Union, a prospective health center, and manufacturing space for energy technology and value-added food products.
A group of Moriah residents will get town water service this year thanks to an unexpected grant. The town has received $1.9 million to create a water district in the Forge Hollow, Elk Inn Road and Stone Street area. The town board will open bids for the project at its Sept. 13 meeting. Construction is expected to begin immediately and be completed this fall. When a bid is awarded, a meeting will be scheduled with area residents to explain the construction process.
A law requiring contractors to be licensed by the town is being considered by Ticonderoga officials. A public hearing on a proposed law to “regulate contracting businesses in the town of Ticonderoga” will be held at 6PM Thursday, September 9th at the Community Building. If adopted by Ti trustees, the law will require all contractors doing business in the town to be licensed by the town board.
A suspicious package sighting had security officials calling in South Burlington police to the Dynapower and Lane Press complex around 3:45PM Thursday. South Burlington Police could not figure out what the item was. They were concerned by the weight of the package saying it did not move during strong gusts of wind and rain. Lab results on the package could take weeks, and anyone with any knowledge of the suspicious package should call police.
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders is fighting to keep Social Security alive for another 75 years. Sanders says there needs to be a change in the format of collecting money for Social Security. He said his legislation would apply the same payroll tax already paid by 90% of Americans to those with incomes over $250,000. Sanders said he would introduce his legislation to Congress when it reconvenes.
The Vermont Lottery is exploring a number of options to help boost interest in its games, because sales over the past few years have been relatively flat. The Vermont Lottery is launching a pilot program this fall to sell some of its products in vending machines at prime locations around the state. Money from the Vermont Lottery goes directly into the state's Education Fund. Last year the fund received just over $21 million. The vending machines will be up and operating before Thanksgiving.
The final touches are underway at the Mad River Food Hub in Waitsfield. The 4,000-square-foot space will help farmers’ process and preserve their products and get them to market. One of hub's main goals is to meet the state's demand for meat processing facilities. These rooms are designed to handle about 10,000 pounds of pork and beef a week. The new facility is part of Vermont Farm to Plate initiative aimed at strengthening the state's food system. So far five companies have committed to using this new space.
Consumers shopping for a new washer or refrigerator will be able to take advantage of new state rebates for high-efficiency Energy Star appliances starting next month. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has announced a new $3 million rebate program for the purchase of high-efficiency refrigerators and clothes washers. The program begins September 2nd. Rebates of $350 will be available for refrigerators and $250 for clothes washers that meet Consortium for Energy Efficiency super-efficiency levels.
Vergennes Day celebrates its 30th year tomorrow. The event kicks off this evening with a street dance featuring the music of "The Hitmen", from 7-11PM. Vergennes Day, hosted by the Addison County Chamber of Commerce, is a celebration of city and community and can be enjoyed by all ages. Full details of the event and a schedule of activities are available at www.Vergennesday.com. Also join WVTK live from 10AM – 4PM tomorrow at Vergennes City Park! Bruce & Hobbes will be there from 10AM – 1PM signing autographed pictures and then join Amanda Leigh from 1PM – 4PM. You can register for some great prizes while you’re there! Special thanks to Windows and Doors by Brownell for supporting our broadcast!
The Ticonderoga summer youth recreation program has completed its season, providing activities to local children. More than 150 youngsters signed up for the program with more than 100 attending on a daily basis. The program offered children arts, crafts, sports, games, swimming and more daily.
As it has done for more than 120 years, Moriah will mark the unofficial end of summer with its annual Labor Day celebration. Activities are planned Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd and 4th in the village of Port Henry. The Moriah Chamber of Commerce sponsors the festivities. The celebration will begin Saturday when the North Country Travelers Band will perform at Port Henry beach 6 to 9. The concert will be followed by a fireworks display at the beach. A chicken barbecue will be held at noon Sunday on Main Street at the intersection of St. Patrick’s Place. At the same time groups will start lining up for the traditional Labor Day parade, which will start at 1PM. The theme for the parade this year is The Champlain Bridge.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
WVTK Local & State News August 25, 2011
The lifting of the center arch span for the new Lake Champlain Bridge has been postponed by predicted bad weather. Vermont transportation officials said the lift should happen on Friday. The New York state Department of Transportation had originally said the 400-foot arch would be floated on barges from its construction site in Port Henry starting around dawn today. The public can watch the work tomorrow but some marine and vehicle traffic restrictions will be in place. Ferry service will remain operational during the work.
FairPoint officials say a spam email is circulating and it could compromise your online security. Customers say they have received an email, which appears to be from my FairPoint with a link asking them to fill out a verification form saying it will enable the company to serve their customers and increase their performance. FairPoint officials say it's a spam email, and they are unsure how hackers got the email addresses of their customers. FairPoint Communications will never contact customers or employees asking for their login name and/or password via email.
In Vermont those people who help during emergencies are preparing if Hurricane Irene does hit the area. The staff at the American Red Cross in Burlington says it's monitoring the hurricane's latest projected track. While it is still early, the Red Cross says it's already taking steps to make sure people and resources are ready to go if the hurricane causes problems across our area. The Vermont National Guard says it is also ready if the governor needs them. The guard says it actually practiced last year for a hurricane hitting Vermont.
State Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Lincoln Road in Bristol yesterday, which was operated by Walter Bell. During the stop it was found that Bell's privilege to drive in Vermont was criminally suspended. Bell was also found to be in Possession of Marijuana. Bell was processed at the New Haven Barracks and released on a citation to appear in court in Middlebury.
Vermont State Police are currently investigating a theft involving of a 12 foot white Sunfish sailboat from private property in the Town of Panton. The Sunfish was stolen sometime between the Fall of 2010 and August 21, 2011. The estimated value of the sailboat is $2,000. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)
In recognition of Labor Day, Addison County Transit Resources will be closed Monday, September 5th. There will be no bus service and ACTR’s administrative offices will be closed. This applies to: Tri-Town Bristol, Tri-Town Vergennes, Middlebury Shuttle, Snow Bowl Shuttle, Burlington LINK and Rutland Connector. Normal service resumes Tuesday, September 6th. For more details visit www.actr-vt.org.
Another controversy has erupted in Killington. Despite members of the public urging the town's three-member Select Board to not hire Seth Webb, the town's economic development and tourism director as the interim town manager, the chairman of the board said it wasn't the public's decision. Current Town Manager Kathleen Ramsay resigned last week for a job as the assistant town manager in Middlebury.
Police investigating a domestic fight in Pittsford last week ended up making an arrest for cultivating marijuana. Police were called to a home on Whipple Hollow Road on Thursday where a woman told police that 37-year-old Rodney J. Kenny injured her by hitting her in the elbow with an ashtray. The woman also told police that Kenny had marijuana plants growing behind the house. Pittsford police said they seized five marijuana plants found on the property. Bail was set at $5,000 for Kenny.
The chimes of the Westport Library have been silenced. The Westport Library Association will hold a meeting in September to vote on a resolution of an issue between them and the Inn at the Library Lawn regarding the chimes. Both sides expressed hesitation to speak on the matter, only to say that there was an issue that was heading toward resolution concerning the chimes.
Rutland's Downtown Partnership is moving. The office will relocate from its current space on Wales Street behind City Hall to a vacant space at the corner of Merchants Row and West Street. Downtown Partnership officials say it's a cost-saving move that gives them the ability to work next door to the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce. The new location is right in the center of downtown, which officials’ hope increases visibility. The move is expected to take place by October.
Two cranes have toppled in separate incidents in Vermont, injuring the driver of 1. A 75-ton crane tipped over in Calais Wednesday afternoon, trapping the driver. He was extricated from the crane and flown by helicopter to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. His condition was unknown. Earlier in the day in Georgia, a crane fell into Georgia Market on Route 7 at about 8:30AM. No one was injured. Workers were about to put a truss on the frame of the building when the crane operator felt it start to tip.
A high school chemistry and physics teacher at Vermont's Thetford Academy is 1 of 50 educators from around the country to have been selected for a special weeklong program on science, technology, engineering and math education. Marc Chabot spent a week earlier this month in Silver Spring, MD at a program that focused on real-world applications in the classroom of science and related subjects. Chabot says he's grateful to have been given the chance to participate, because it's important for teachers of technology to stay up to date with changes in technology.
Teacher evaluations in New York can no longer be based solely on standardized test scores. That's according to the state supreme court, which issued a ruling on the matter Wednesday. The justices ruled that 40 percent of a teacher's evaluation can still be based upon test scores, but those tests must be chosen by local school districts through collective bargaining with their union.
The Shumlin Administration is bracing for the possibility that all highway construction projects in Vermont might have to be suspended at the beginning of October. The Transportation Secretary says that step would be needed if Congress fails to reauthorize the federal gasoline tax. The 18-cent federal gas tax will sunset on October 1st unless Congress votes to extend it. Revenue from the tax goes into the federal Highway Trust Fund and this year Vermont received $210 million from the Fund to finance hundreds of transportation projects. Congressman Peter Welch says he's concerned that there's going to be strong opposition from the House Republican caucus to reauthorize the tax.
As cities and towns across Vermont battle the rising cost of health insurance for their employees, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns is pushing a special program that's supposed to help municipalities lower it. The program is supposed to be cheaper because the league has more leverage by covering more people. Traditionally, the league's Health Trust contracted with a private insurance company for the coverage, but 15 percent of the league's members have opted out over the past three years because the average premium rate increased by between 7 and 20 percent. Now, the league has reorganized its Health Trust program. Instead of limiting towns to one insurer, towns will have a choice of insurance companies.
New Hampshire health officials say their tests for radioactive tritium in Connecticut River water so far are turning up negative. The announcement follows one last week from the state of Vermont that samples of river water taken from near the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant had turned up positive for the substance. Both state health departments have been conducting stepped up tests for tritium since it was announced last year that it had turned up in groundwater monitoring wells on the grounds over Vermont Yankee.
The large-scale Kingdom Community Wind project in Lowell is coming under fire from critics who say it's too expensive and environmentally damaging. About 80 people protested yesterday, saying the cuts in carbon emissions coming from the 21 turbines will cost more than $100 per ton of carbon saved.
Central Vermont Public Service Corp. is looking for power wherever they can find it. The utility announced Monday it has applied to the Public Service Board to spend roughly $340,000 from an insurance refund on grants for a variety of renewable energy projects. The largest single proposal listed Monday was $50,000 to develop two solar electrical hybrid vehicle-charging stations. The company will issue a request for proposals to schools, nonprofits and other organizations that might be interested in hosting such a site. The hosting organization will be expected to come up with some money of its own.
A suspected thief caught on camera has turned himself in to police in South Burlington. Surveillance cameras at Small Dog Electronics caught images of a man who police say walked out with a computer he didn't pay for. Police say, 18-Year-Old Tyler Corwell of Richford turned himself in. He was cited into court to face a retail theft charge.
Colchester residents are going to decide whether the Vermont community should buy a 26-acre summer camp on Lake Champlain's Malletts Bay from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington. The Burlington Free Press reports the church is selling the property to help pay the settlement from a series of priest sexual abuse cases.
Tips to investigators and donations to a reward fund continue to flow as New Hampshire officials try to unravel how an 11-year-old Stewartstown girl died. Lead prosecutor Jane Young says investigators in recent days received a dozen new tips and an additional $2,300 in reward money in the case of Celina Cass of Stewartstown.
Ausable Valley Habitat for Humanity has hit double-digits. The organization held an open house at the site of it's 10th home, located on the Goff Road in Westport, on Saturday. The home has been modeled after the European LEEDS standards, creating a very energy-efficient dwelling. The walls are 10 inches thick and extremely well insulated. There are triple glazed windows in the four-bedroom house. Ausable Valley Habitat for Humanity is preparing for its 11th home, and welcomes new volunteers not only in the construction process, but also to facilitate in the family selection process, public relations, fund raising and other administrative activities. Visit www.avhabitat.org.
FairPoint officials say a spam email is circulating and it could compromise your online security. Customers say they have received an email, which appears to be from my FairPoint with a link asking them to fill out a verification form saying it will enable the company to serve their customers and increase their performance. FairPoint officials say it's a spam email, and they are unsure how hackers got the email addresses of their customers. FairPoint Communications will never contact customers or employees asking for their login name and/or password via email.
In Vermont those people who help during emergencies are preparing if Hurricane Irene does hit the area. The staff at the American Red Cross in Burlington says it's monitoring the hurricane's latest projected track. While it is still early, the Red Cross says it's already taking steps to make sure people and resources are ready to go if the hurricane causes problems across our area. The Vermont National Guard says it is also ready if the governor needs them. The guard says it actually practiced last year for a hurricane hitting Vermont.
State Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Lincoln Road in Bristol yesterday, which was operated by Walter Bell. During the stop it was found that Bell's privilege to drive in Vermont was criminally suspended. Bell was also found to be in Possession of Marijuana. Bell was processed at the New Haven Barracks and released on a citation to appear in court in Middlebury.
Vermont State Police are currently investigating a theft involving of a 12 foot white Sunfish sailboat from private property in the Town of Panton. The Sunfish was stolen sometime between the Fall of 2010 and August 21, 2011. The estimated value of the sailboat is $2,000. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)
In recognition of Labor Day, Addison County Transit Resources will be closed Monday, September 5th. There will be no bus service and ACTR’s administrative offices will be closed. This applies to: Tri-Town Bristol, Tri-Town Vergennes, Middlebury Shuttle, Snow Bowl Shuttle, Burlington LINK and Rutland Connector. Normal service resumes Tuesday, September 6th. For more details visit www.actr-vt.org.
Another controversy has erupted in Killington. Despite members of the public urging the town's three-member Select Board to not hire Seth Webb, the town's economic development and tourism director as the interim town manager, the chairman of the board said it wasn't the public's decision. Current Town Manager Kathleen Ramsay resigned last week for a job as the assistant town manager in Middlebury.
Police investigating a domestic fight in Pittsford last week ended up making an arrest for cultivating marijuana. Police were called to a home on Whipple Hollow Road on Thursday where a woman told police that 37-year-old Rodney J. Kenny injured her by hitting her in the elbow with an ashtray. The woman also told police that Kenny had marijuana plants growing behind the house. Pittsford police said they seized five marijuana plants found on the property. Bail was set at $5,000 for Kenny.
The chimes of the Westport Library have been silenced. The Westport Library Association will hold a meeting in September to vote on a resolution of an issue between them and the Inn at the Library Lawn regarding the chimes. Both sides expressed hesitation to speak on the matter, only to say that there was an issue that was heading toward resolution concerning the chimes.
Rutland's Downtown Partnership is moving. The office will relocate from its current space on Wales Street behind City Hall to a vacant space at the corner of Merchants Row and West Street. Downtown Partnership officials say it's a cost-saving move that gives them the ability to work next door to the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce. The new location is right in the center of downtown, which officials’ hope increases visibility. The move is expected to take place by October.
Two cranes have toppled in separate incidents in Vermont, injuring the driver of 1. A 75-ton crane tipped over in Calais Wednesday afternoon, trapping the driver. He was extricated from the crane and flown by helicopter to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. His condition was unknown. Earlier in the day in Georgia, a crane fell into Georgia Market on Route 7 at about 8:30AM. No one was injured. Workers were about to put a truss on the frame of the building when the crane operator felt it start to tip.
A high school chemistry and physics teacher at Vermont's Thetford Academy is 1 of 50 educators from around the country to have been selected for a special weeklong program on science, technology, engineering and math education. Marc Chabot spent a week earlier this month in Silver Spring, MD at a program that focused on real-world applications in the classroom of science and related subjects. Chabot says he's grateful to have been given the chance to participate, because it's important for teachers of technology to stay up to date with changes in technology.
Teacher evaluations in New York can no longer be based solely on standardized test scores. That's according to the state supreme court, which issued a ruling on the matter Wednesday. The justices ruled that 40 percent of a teacher's evaluation can still be based upon test scores, but those tests must be chosen by local school districts through collective bargaining with their union.
The Shumlin Administration is bracing for the possibility that all highway construction projects in Vermont might have to be suspended at the beginning of October. The Transportation Secretary says that step would be needed if Congress fails to reauthorize the federal gasoline tax. The 18-cent federal gas tax will sunset on October 1st unless Congress votes to extend it. Revenue from the tax goes into the federal Highway Trust Fund and this year Vermont received $210 million from the Fund to finance hundreds of transportation projects. Congressman Peter Welch says he's concerned that there's going to be strong opposition from the House Republican caucus to reauthorize the tax.
As cities and towns across Vermont battle the rising cost of health insurance for their employees, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns is pushing a special program that's supposed to help municipalities lower it. The program is supposed to be cheaper because the league has more leverage by covering more people. Traditionally, the league's Health Trust contracted with a private insurance company for the coverage, but 15 percent of the league's members have opted out over the past three years because the average premium rate increased by between 7 and 20 percent. Now, the league has reorganized its Health Trust program. Instead of limiting towns to one insurer, towns will have a choice of insurance companies.
New Hampshire health officials say their tests for radioactive tritium in Connecticut River water so far are turning up negative. The announcement follows one last week from the state of Vermont that samples of river water taken from near the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant had turned up positive for the substance. Both state health departments have been conducting stepped up tests for tritium since it was announced last year that it had turned up in groundwater monitoring wells on the grounds over Vermont Yankee.
The large-scale Kingdom Community Wind project in Lowell is coming under fire from critics who say it's too expensive and environmentally damaging. About 80 people protested yesterday, saying the cuts in carbon emissions coming from the 21 turbines will cost more than $100 per ton of carbon saved.
Central Vermont Public Service Corp. is looking for power wherever they can find it. The utility announced Monday it has applied to the Public Service Board to spend roughly $340,000 from an insurance refund on grants for a variety of renewable energy projects. The largest single proposal listed Monday was $50,000 to develop two solar electrical hybrid vehicle-charging stations. The company will issue a request for proposals to schools, nonprofits and other organizations that might be interested in hosting such a site. The hosting organization will be expected to come up with some money of its own.
A suspected thief caught on camera has turned himself in to police in South Burlington. Surveillance cameras at Small Dog Electronics caught images of a man who police say walked out with a computer he didn't pay for. Police say, 18-Year-Old Tyler Corwell of Richford turned himself in. He was cited into court to face a retail theft charge.
Colchester residents are going to decide whether the Vermont community should buy a 26-acre summer camp on Lake Champlain's Malletts Bay from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington. The Burlington Free Press reports the church is selling the property to help pay the settlement from a series of priest sexual abuse cases.
Tips to investigators and donations to a reward fund continue to flow as New Hampshire officials try to unravel how an 11-year-old Stewartstown girl died. Lead prosecutor Jane Young says investigators in recent days received a dozen new tips and an additional $2,300 in reward money in the case of Celina Cass of Stewartstown.
Ausable Valley Habitat for Humanity has hit double-digits. The organization held an open house at the site of it's 10th home, located on the Goff Road in Westport, on Saturday. The home has been modeled after the European LEEDS standards, creating a very energy-efficient dwelling. The walls are 10 inches thick and extremely well insulated. There are triple glazed windows in the four-bedroom house. Ausable Valley Habitat for Humanity is preparing for its 11th home, and welcomes new volunteers not only in the construction process, but also to facilitate in the family selection process, public relations, fund raising and other administrative activities. Visit www.avhabitat.org.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
WVTK Local & State News August 24, 2011
The Town of Middlebury will be doing 4 - Cross Culverts and Ditching on South St. now thru the end of August. South St. will be closed to thru traffic between East View and the Horse Farm. Work will begin at 6AM. During this time there will be no through traffic allowed in the work zone. They expect to be done daily by 5PM. Ditching will begin once the culvert work is done along with some ledge removal to the South of the College composting area.
Also, on Putt's Pond Road in Ticonderoga crews will be reconstructing the road for the next two to three weeks. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers in the work zone.
The New York State Department of Transportation has announced plans to transport and lift into place the center arch span of the new Lake Champlain Bridge this Thursday. You will be able to watch the transport and lift, but some marine and vehicle traffic restrictions will be in place. The transport process is expected to begin at sunrise on Thursday with lift work extending into the late afternoon or early evening. The ferry connecting New York State to Vermont will remain open and operational at all times during the work however, higher than normal traffic levels near the bridge site may cause some highway traffic congestion.
Last week, the 143-year-old Hall and Breen Organic Farm in Orwell, one of the oldest farms in Vermont, opened its doors to farmers from Addison and Rutland counties to see demonstrations of its twin high-tech robo-milkers. The automated milking units replace the need for hiring some farm hands. The robot revolution is actually an electronic revolution, which includes everything from iPad farm apps to automated, self-directing tractors which is part of an experimental effort by John Deer. The system also uses real-time, remote-sensing NASA satellite Imagery of acreage moisture and crop infestation.
Police say a head-on crash of 2 tractor-trailers owned by the same company closed Route 7 for several hours in Ferrisburgh. The trucks collided Tuesday just south of Dakin Farms, when the southbound one veered across the centerline. No one was injured. Both trucks were owned by Reithoffer Shows, which runs the midway at the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction. One was carrying a ride to the fairgrounds. Reithoffer officials at the scene declined comment. Traffic was detoured off Route 7 for several hours before the road reopened mid-afternoon.
Vermont's Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is going to be searching for the location of the shipyard used to build U.S. Navy vessels used to repel a British attack on Lake Champlain during the War of 1812. The museum will use a grant of almost $24,000 from the National Park Service to undertake an archaeological survey to find the precise location of the shipyard. U.S. Navy Commodore Thomas McDonough built a fleet at a yard on the Otter Creek in Vergennes prior to the 1814 British invasion of New York State. On Sept. 11, 1814 McDonough used the fleet built at Vergennes to defeat the British fleet at the Battle of Plattsburgh. Maritime Museum Archaeologist Joanne Dennis says she expects the dig to take place in October.
Things were rocking and rolling from Burlington to Brattleboro, but the East Coast earthquake apparently caused no serious damage in Vermont. Vermont Emergency Management spokesman Mark Bosma says Tuesday's quake prompted numerous calls to that office. He urged that members of the public not to use 911 unless they have a genuine emergency. The 5.9-magnitude quake, centered in Virginia, was felt at least as far north as Burlington, where the offices of Seventh Generation were evacuated. And it was felt in Brattleboro, where Assistant Town Clerk Jane Fletcher thought she was having a dizzy spell.
Town officials in Proctor will begin going door to door within the next two weeks to collect income data that could trim thousands of dollars off repayments on a $6.1 million project. Approved by a narrow town wide vote a year ago, the project calls for multiple upgrades to the water system and a switch from surface water to groundwater. The town mailed out surveys to a large portion of Proctor’s 1,900 residents but didn’t receive enough back to constitute a representative sample. Board members hope to collect at least 75 more surveys by going door to door.
A 14-year-old boy was shot yesterday afternoon at a remote camp in Eden. Police say it happened near the Eden-Lowell town line around 4 o'clock. Police say the boy, his 15-year-old brother and several other kids hiked to a remote cabin where they found some guns. Investigators say the 15-year-old accidentally shot his brother in the groin and lower leg while handling a revolver. The group hiked out to call for help. As of last night the boy was being treated at Fletcher Allen.
An attempted murder suspect may soon be been released from jail. 27-year-old Dean Heffernan is accused of shooting at 34-year-old Shawn Holbrook of Hinesburg earlier this month after a drug deal went wrong. The judge initially ordered Heffernan to be held without bail but has now eased conditions because Holbrook has disappeared. According to the Burlington Free Press, bail has now been set at $50,000 dollars. The Judge said the prosecution has weakened its case by losing track of the alleged victim.
Vermont state officials are advising hunters of migratory game birds that they need to register with the federal government. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department provides migratory game bird hunters with a registration process online and by phone. Vermont, like other states, is required to annually provide a list of hunter names to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The program is designed to help federal and state fish and wildlife agencies to develop reliable estimates of the number of migratory game birds harvested throughout the country.
A web site devoted to open government in Vermont is offering new information about the money the state spends to hire contractors. Vermont Transparency, whose web site is vttransparency.org allows users to view more than 121,000 transactions in which the state hired outside contractors the first three-quarters of the last fiscal year. Vermont Transparency is a joint project of 2 organizations: the free-market-oriented Ethan Allen Institute and liberal Public Assets Institute. Both groups say they support greater openness in government.
New England is seeing a revival in farmers growing grain. Vermont and Maine were once the bread basket of the northern U.S., but they lost that distinction in the 1800s, when the Erie Canal and intercontinental railroad made it easier to bring grain east from the Midwest. But small farmers on the nation's coasts are growing wheat again as more people clamor for locally grown food. An estimated 30 farmers in Vermont and Maine are growing an acre or 2 of grains, and a number of others with smaller plots.
Police in South Burlington are looking for a suspected thief. Surveillance cameras at Small Dog Electronics captured the man. Police say it happened Monday morning. The suspect walked behind a service desk, unplugged the computer, put it in his backpack and walked out the door. Anyone with information is asked to call South Burlington Police. (802-846-4111)
Governor Peter Shumlin says he wants to work to support legislation this winter that would expand public school choice opportunities at the high school level throughout the state. Shumlin told members of the State Board of Education recently that his approach is quite simple - all students in Vermont should be able to go to any public school in the state. Currently, there are 91 towns that don't have an elementary school or a high school and these communities are able to tuition their students to public or private schools. Shumlin's plan would leave this arrangement in place while expanding public school choice to all other towns.
Another person with Vermont ties has been arrested in Washington as part of the protest opposing the pipeline to deliver oil from the tar sands in Alberta, Canada. Greg Delanty, a native of Cork, Ireland, is a professor and artist-in-residence at Saint Michael’s College. Delanty was arrested yesterday in front of The White House. He is among thousands of demonstrators in Washington who plan to be arrested from now through September 2nd at sit-ins.
The state of Vermont would like to restore passenger rail service to Montreal within three years. Transportation Rail Director Joe Flynn says much needs to be done to meet the goal, but he says it's doable. Amtrak service to Montreal ended in 1995. Part of the challenge in re-establishing a passenger train to Montreal is finding a way to screen the people crossing the border.
Federal officials are warning that the first hurricane to seriously threaten the U.S. in three years could cause flooding and other impacts from Florida to New England. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says people along the entire Eastern Seaboard need to pay attention to Irene. Hurricanes are not only a "Southern thing" and Irene could affect the Mid-Atlantic and northeast coast. National Hurricane Center director Bill Read says even farther north, the Atlantic waters can be warm enough to keep Irene churning as a hurricane. Hurricanes typically can maintain or gain strength over warmer waters.
This years Fort Ticonderoga Corn Maze is offering a history lesson! Kids of all ages can get quite the workout in the process, as there are 2 miles of trails in the 6-acre maze that's cut in the shape of Fort Ticonderoga. The Fort’s Maze is part of a national initiative called Lets Move! Museums & Gardens dedicated to battling childhood obesity. For more information about the Corn Maze visit www.FortTiconderoga.org.
Texting while driving is illegal in all three states in our area. But police say it's hard to enforce and people just don't seem to listen. A new phone app hopes to change that. A national campaign encourages teens and parents to take action, by downloading a free application called Phoneguard. It blocks your phone from receiving texts while the car is moving. And even sends a return text back informing your friends you are driving.
Also, on Putt's Pond Road in Ticonderoga crews will be reconstructing the road for the next two to three weeks. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers in the work zone.
The New York State Department of Transportation has announced plans to transport and lift into place the center arch span of the new Lake Champlain Bridge this Thursday. You will be able to watch the transport and lift, but some marine and vehicle traffic restrictions will be in place. The transport process is expected to begin at sunrise on Thursday with lift work extending into the late afternoon or early evening. The ferry connecting New York State to Vermont will remain open and operational at all times during the work however, higher than normal traffic levels near the bridge site may cause some highway traffic congestion.
Last week, the 143-year-old Hall and Breen Organic Farm in Orwell, one of the oldest farms in Vermont, opened its doors to farmers from Addison and Rutland counties to see demonstrations of its twin high-tech robo-milkers. The automated milking units replace the need for hiring some farm hands. The robot revolution is actually an electronic revolution, which includes everything from iPad farm apps to automated, self-directing tractors which is part of an experimental effort by John Deer. The system also uses real-time, remote-sensing NASA satellite Imagery of acreage moisture and crop infestation.
Police say a head-on crash of 2 tractor-trailers owned by the same company closed Route 7 for several hours in Ferrisburgh. The trucks collided Tuesday just south of Dakin Farms, when the southbound one veered across the centerline. No one was injured. Both trucks were owned by Reithoffer Shows, which runs the midway at the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction. One was carrying a ride to the fairgrounds. Reithoffer officials at the scene declined comment. Traffic was detoured off Route 7 for several hours before the road reopened mid-afternoon.
Vermont's Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is going to be searching for the location of the shipyard used to build U.S. Navy vessels used to repel a British attack on Lake Champlain during the War of 1812. The museum will use a grant of almost $24,000 from the National Park Service to undertake an archaeological survey to find the precise location of the shipyard. U.S. Navy Commodore Thomas McDonough built a fleet at a yard on the Otter Creek in Vergennes prior to the 1814 British invasion of New York State. On Sept. 11, 1814 McDonough used the fleet built at Vergennes to defeat the British fleet at the Battle of Plattsburgh. Maritime Museum Archaeologist Joanne Dennis says she expects the dig to take place in October.
Things were rocking and rolling from Burlington to Brattleboro, but the East Coast earthquake apparently caused no serious damage in Vermont. Vermont Emergency Management spokesman Mark Bosma says Tuesday's quake prompted numerous calls to that office. He urged that members of the public not to use 911 unless they have a genuine emergency. The 5.9-magnitude quake, centered in Virginia, was felt at least as far north as Burlington, where the offices of Seventh Generation were evacuated. And it was felt in Brattleboro, where Assistant Town Clerk Jane Fletcher thought she was having a dizzy spell.
Town officials in Proctor will begin going door to door within the next two weeks to collect income data that could trim thousands of dollars off repayments on a $6.1 million project. Approved by a narrow town wide vote a year ago, the project calls for multiple upgrades to the water system and a switch from surface water to groundwater. The town mailed out surveys to a large portion of Proctor’s 1,900 residents but didn’t receive enough back to constitute a representative sample. Board members hope to collect at least 75 more surveys by going door to door.
A 14-year-old boy was shot yesterday afternoon at a remote camp in Eden. Police say it happened near the Eden-Lowell town line around 4 o'clock. Police say the boy, his 15-year-old brother and several other kids hiked to a remote cabin where they found some guns. Investigators say the 15-year-old accidentally shot his brother in the groin and lower leg while handling a revolver. The group hiked out to call for help. As of last night the boy was being treated at Fletcher Allen.
An attempted murder suspect may soon be been released from jail. 27-year-old Dean Heffernan is accused of shooting at 34-year-old Shawn Holbrook of Hinesburg earlier this month after a drug deal went wrong. The judge initially ordered Heffernan to be held without bail but has now eased conditions because Holbrook has disappeared. According to the Burlington Free Press, bail has now been set at $50,000 dollars. The Judge said the prosecution has weakened its case by losing track of the alleged victim.
Vermont state officials are advising hunters of migratory game birds that they need to register with the federal government. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department provides migratory game bird hunters with a registration process online and by phone. Vermont, like other states, is required to annually provide a list of hunter names to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The program is designed to help federal and state fish and wildlife agencies to develop reliable estimates of the number of migratory game birds harvested throughout the country.
A web site devoted to open government in Vermont is offering new information about the money the state spends to hire contractors. Vermont Transparency, whose web site is vttransparency.org allows users to view more than 121,000 transactions in which the state hired outside contractors the first three-quarters of the last fiscal year. Vermont Transparency is a joint project of 2 organizations: the free-market-oriented Ethan Allen Institute and liberal Public Assets Institute. Both groups say they support greater openness in government.
New England is seeing a revival in farmers growing grain. Vermont and Maine were once the bread basket of the northern U.S., but they lost that distinction in the 1800s, when the Erie Canal and intercontinental railroad made it easier to bring grain east from the Midwest. But small farmers on the nation's coasts are growing wheat again as more people clamor for locally grown food. An estimated 30 farmers in Vermont and Maine are growing an acre or 2 of grains, and a number of others with smaller plots.
Police in South Burlington are looking for a suspected thief. Surveillance cameras at Small Dog Electronics captured the man. Police say it happened Monday morning. The suspect walked behind a service desk, unplugged the computer, put it in his backpack and walked out the door. Anyone with information is asked to call South Burlington Police. (802-846-4111)
Governor Peter Shumlin says he wants to work to support legislation this winter that would expand public school choice opportunities at the high school level throughout the state. Shumlin told members of the State Board of Education recently that his approach is quite simple - all students in Vermont should be able to go to any public school in the state. Currently, there are 91 towns that don't have an elementary school or a high school and these communities are able to tuition their students to public or private schools. Shumlin's plan would leave this arrangement in place while expanding public school choice to all other towns.
Another person with Vermont ties has been arrested in Washington as part of the protest opposing the pipeline to deliver oil from the tar sands in Alberta, Canada. Greg Delanty, a native of Cork, Ireland, is a professor and artist-in-residence at Saint Michael’s College. Delanty was arrested yesterday in front of The White House. He is among thousands of demonstrators in Washington who plan to be arrested from now through September 2nd at sit-ins.
The state of Vermont would like to restore passenger rail service to Montreal within three years. Transportation Rail Director Joe Flynn says much needs to be done to meet the goal, but he says it's doable. Amtrak service to Montreal ended in 1995. Part of the challenge in re-establishing a passenger train to Montreal is finding a way to screen the people crossing the border.
Federal officials are warning that the first hurricane to seriously threaten the U.S. in three years could cause flooding and other impacts from Florida to New England. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says people along the entire Eastern Seaboard need to pay attention to Irene. Hurricanes are not only a "Southern thing" and Irene could affect the Mid-Atlantic and northeast coast. National Hurricane Center director Bill Read says even farther north, the Atlantic waters can be warm enough to keep Irene churning as a hurricane. Hurricanes typically can maintain or gain strength over warmer waters.
This years Fort Ticonderoga Corn Maze is offering a history lesson! Kids of all ages can get quite the workout in the process, as there are 2 miles of trails in the 6-acre maze that's cut in the shape of Fort Ticonderoga. The Fort’s Maze is part of a national initiative called Lets Move! Museums & Gardens dedicated to battling childhood obesity. For more information about the Corn Maze visit www.FortTiconderoga.org.
Texting while driving is illegal in all three states in our area. But police say it's hard to enforce and people just don't seem to listen. A new phone app hopes to change that. A national campaign encourages teens and parents to take action, by downloading a free application called Phoneguard. It blocks your phone from receiving texts while the car is moving. And even sends a return text back informing your friends you are driving.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
WVTK Local & State News August 23, 2011
The Town of Middlebury will be doing 4 - Cross Culverts and Ditching on South St. beginning today thru the end of August. South St. will be closed to thru traffic between East View and the Horse Farm. Work will begin at 6AM. During this time there will be no through traffic allowed in the work zone. They expect to be done daily by 5PM. Ditching will begin once the culvert work is done along with some ledge removal to the South of the College composting area.
The National 9/11 flag made its 47th stop at the VFW in Middlebury yesterday. It is a giant American flag recovered from the wreckage of the Twin Towers nearly a decade ago. The remnants were sent to Greensburg, Kansas where senior citizens replaced close to half of it. Since then, the 9/11 flag has toured the nation, slowly being pieced together by patches of retired flags from every State. The flag has three States to travel to before making its final stop on September 11, 2011. It will be on display at the National September 11th Memorial Museum.
On September 13th Weybridge residents will gather for the first of several upcoming community forums to share their views on how the local elementary school should be governed and managed in the future as the school enrollment continues to decline. The meeting will be the first in a series of discussions in all seven Addison Central Supervisory Union towns on whether the district should consider consolidating its governance structure and or more effectively share resources due to growing expenses and fewer students.
J.P. Carrara & Sons has indefinitely postponed a previously planned expansion of its East Middlebury gravel pit. According to the company the sluggish economy is the primary reason for the decision.
Ferrisburgh selectmen and Eastern Development Corp. have struck a deal for the sale of the town’s 34.9-acre parcel at the junction of Routes 7 and 22A. The company has not disclosed the exact nature of its plans, but the select-board is optimistic based on discussions with Eastern Development, that the town and neighboring Vergennes will be happy. Selectmen hope to use sale proceeds to complete a $150,000 purchase of a home and 2 acres next to the Grange Hall.
The Shoreham select-board has selected longtime resident and former orchardist Sanford Witherell to join its ranks until the March elections. He will be filling a recently vacated spot on the board. Witherell and his family owned and operated the Noggin Orchard in Shoreham until Champlain Orchards acquired the property about two years ago.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied a State of New York request to extend the period of the disaster declaration for spring flooding. FEMA earlier declared a major disaster declaration for the period April 28th through May 9th to allow municipalities to apply for funding to cover damage caused by storms and flooding in 21 counties, including Clinton, Essex and Franklin. The state later requested that period be extended to April 3rd through May 30th, but FEMA has notified the state that the request has been denied.
Vermonters heading to their local fair this summer and fall will find something new in addition to animals, carnival rides and fried dough. Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be on hand to offer residents information about rebuilding homes damaged by this spring's flooding. FEMA officials will be on hand at the Caledonia County Fair, the Champlain Fair, the Vermont State Fair and the Tunbridge Word's Fair. They will also be attending a number of Farmer's Markets around the state.
A motion to dismiss an attempted second-degree murder charge against John Walters will be argued in Rutland criminal court next week. The almost three-year-old case against the former Proctor man went to trial last summer. But after a week of testimony, the jury was unable to return a unanimous verdict, which resulted in the judge declaring a mistrial. Prosecutors have said they plan to retry the case, but in a motion filed earlier this year, Walters’ defense attorney said the court should dismiss the charge outright because important forensic evidence in the case had either been lost or destroyed.
Senator Bernie Sanders is playing a prominent national role to encourage liberal and progressive voters to be more actively involved in the budget decisions that will be made by Congress this fall. There's no question that Sanders believes that President Obama and Congressional Democratic leaders have failed to stand up to conservative Republicans in Washington. For instance, he was very disappointed that they supported legislation extending the nation's debt ceiling without including new taxes on the wealthy in the package. Sanders says his goal is to mobilize voters to send a clear message to the Congressional super committee on debt reduction that new tax revenue must be part of any final deal.
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will pay a visit to New Hampshire this week. Romney will hold town hall meetings in Keene and Lebanon on Wednesday. The former Massachusetts governor will also hold a business roundtable in Claremont. Romney last paid a visit to the area in 2007 when he was seeking the Republican nomination, ultimately losing to Arizona senator John McCain.
A Whitehall, NY man was arrested Monday and charged with setting a car on fire almost a year ago in Fair Haven. Police in Fair Haven arrested Daryn P. Lowell and charged him with third-degree arson for allegedly setting fire to a car that was completely destroyed on Grape Street during the early morning hours of September 4, 2010.
A legislative committee has begun to review the long list of exemptions that currently exists to the state's public records laws. Secretary of State Jim Condos says the goal is to reduce the number of exemptions to open records, which now stands at 240, and make government more transparent. The study committee grew out of a bill that passed this year, which Condos calls the first major re-write of public records laws since 1976.
Gearing up for elections next year, Vermont Democrats say they've hired a new field director to help the party prepare for 2012. Ryan McLaren, a lifelong Vermonter and former aide to Gov. Peter Shumlin, will oversee the party reorganization process this fall. Party Executive Director Jesse Bragg says McLaren's field experience will be key for Democratic campaigns next year.
Vermont's efforts to strengthen management of court records are getting a big boost from the federal government. The Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, a division of the secretary of state's office, has received a grant of more than $118,000 to preserve records from three county courthouses dating from 1794 through 1945. Officials say they hope eventually to spread the effort beyond court records for Orleans, Lamoille and Caledonia counties to include courthouses statewide.
A spokesman for former New York Gov. George Pataki says the Republican is taking a harder look at running for president, saying Democratic President Obama is faltering and the Republican field is thin. Several factors are in play and among them are what Pataki considers Obama's lack of a serious plan to deal with the nation's debt, and Pataki's own moderate views that could attract independent voters in the important New Hampshire primary.
Scientists at the Dartmouth College Medical School are going to use an $11 million grant to work with their colleagues throughout northern New England, including the University Of Vermont, to study the way genetics and the environment work together to trigger and prevent disease. The grant from the National Institutes of health will help Dartmouth establish a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence. The center will recruit and train young biologists who will do the research into the interaction between genes and the environment in causing or preventing diseases.
The Depot Theatre in Westport is proud to present the outrageously funny one-man comedy smash hit "Fully Committed", a theatrical tour de force that pits one versatile actor against 90 pages of text. Fully Committed opens the Friday and runs through Sunday, September 4th. Evening performances are at 8PM with matinees on August 28th and September 3rd at 2PM. The Sunday, September 4th performance is at 5PM. All tickets are $25, and reservations are recommended.
The National 9/11 flag made its 47th stop at the VFW in Middlebury yesterday. It is a giant American flag recovered from the wreckage of the Twin Towers nearly a decade ago. The remnants were sent to Greensburg, Kansas where senior citizens replaced close to half of it. Since then, the 9/11 flag has toured the nation, slowly being pieced together by patches of retired flags from every State. The flag has three States to travel to before making its final stop on September 11, 2011. It will be on display at the National September 11th Memorial Museum.
On September 13th Weybridge residents will gather for the first of several upcoming community forums to share their views on how the local elementary school should be governed and managed in the future as the school enrollment continues to decline. The meeting will be the first in a series of discussions in all seven Addison Central Supervisory Union towns on whether the district should consider consolidating its governance structure and or more effectively share resources due to growing expenses and fewer students.
J.P. Carrara & Sons has indefinitely postponed a previously planned expansion of its East Middlebury gravel pit. According to the company the sluggish economy is the primary reason for the decision.
Ferrisburgh selectmen and Eastern Development Corp. have struck a deal for the sale of the town’s 34.9-acre parcel at the junction of Routes 7 and 22A. The company has not disclosed the exact nature of its plans, but the select-board is optimistic based on discussions with Eastern Development, that the town and neighboring Vergennes will be happy. Selectmen hope to use sale proceeds to complete a $150,000 purchase of a home and 2 acres next to the Grange Hall.
The Shoreham select-board has selected longtime resident and former orchardist Sanford Witherell to join its ranks until the March elections. He will be filling a recently vacated spot on the board. Witherell and his family owned and operated the Noggin Orchard in Shoreham until Champlain Orchards acquired the property about two years ago.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied a State of New York request to extend the period of the disaster declaration for spring flooding. FEMA earlier declared a major disaster declaration for the period April 28th through May 9th to allow municipalities to apply for funding to cover damage caused by storms and flooding in 21 counties, including Clinton, Essex and Franklin. The state later requested that period be extended to April 3rd through May 30th, but FEMA has notified the state that the request has been denied.
Vermonters heading to their local fair this summer and fall will find something new in addition to animals, carnival rides and fried dough. Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be on hand to offer residents information about rebuilding homes damaged by this spring's flooding. FEMA officials will be on hand at the Caledonia County Fair, the Champlain Fair, the Vermont State Fair and the Tunbridge Word's Fair. They will also be attending a number of Farmer's Markets around the state.
A motion to dismiss an attempted second-degree murder charge against John Walters will be argued in Rutland criminal court next week. The almost three-year-old case against the former Proctor man went to trial last summer. But after a week of testimony, the jury was unable to return a unanimous verdict, which resulted in the judge declaring a mistrial. Prosecutors have said they plan to retry the case, but in a motion filed earlier this year, Walters’ defense attorney said the court should dismiss the charge outright because important forensic evidence in the case had either been lost or destroyed.
Senator Bernie Sanders is playing a prominent national role to encourage liberal and progressive voters to be more actively involved in the budget decisions that will be made by Congress this fall. There's no question that Sanders believes that President Obama and Congressional Democratic leaders have failed to stand up to conservative Republicans in Washington. For instance, he was very disappointed that they supported legislation extending the nation's debt ceiling without including new taxes on the wealthy in the package. Sanders says his goal is to mobilize voters to send a clear message to the Congressional super committee on debt reduction that new tax revenue must be part of any final deal.
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will pay a visit to New Hampshire this week. Romney will hold town hall meetings in Keene and Lebanon on Wednesday. The former Massachusetts governor will also hold a business roundtable in Claremont. Romney last paid a visit to the area in 2007 when he was seeking the Republican nomination, ultimately losing to Arizona senator John McCain.
A Whitehall, NY man was arrested Monday and charged with setting a car on fire almost a year ago in Fair Haven. Police in Fair Haven arrested Daryn P. Lowell and charged him with third-degree arson for allegedly setting fire to a car that was completely destroyed on Grape Street during the early morning hours of September 4, 2010.
A legislative committee has begun to review the long list of exemptions that currently exists to the state's public records laws. Secretary of State Jim Condos says the goal is to reduce the number of exemptions to open records, which now stands at 240, and make government more transparent. The study committee grew out of a bill that passed this year, which Condos calls the first major re-write of public records laws since 1976.
Gearing up for elections next year, Vermont Democrats say they've hired a new field director to help the party prepare for 2012. Ryan McLaren, a lifelong Vermonter and former aide to Gov. Peter Shumlin, will oversee the party reorganization process this fall. Party Executive Director Jesse Bragg says McLaren's field experience will be key for Democratic campaigns next year.
Vermont's efforts to strengthen management of court records are getting a big boost from the federal government. The Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, a division of the secretary of state's office, has received a grant of more than $118,000 to preserve records from three county courthouses dating from 1794 through 1945. Officials say they hope eventually to spread the effort beyond court records for Orleans, Lamoille and Caledonia counties to include courthouses statewide.
A spokesman for former New York Gov. George Pataki says the Republican is taking a harder look at running for president, saying Democratic President Obama is faltering and the Republican field is thin. Several factors are in play and among them are what Pataki considers Obama's lack of a serious plan to deal with the nation's debt, and Pataki's own moderate views that could attract independent voters in the important New Hampshire primary.
Scientists at the Dartmouth College Medical School are going to use an $11 million grant to work with their colleagues throughout northern New England, including the University Of Vermont, to study the way genetics and the environment work together to trigger and prevent disease. The grant from the National Institutes of health will help Dartmouth establish a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence. The center will recruit and train young biologists who will do the research into the interaction between genes and the environment in causing or preventing diseases.
The Depot Theatre in Westport is proud to present the outrageously funny one-man comedy smash hit "Fully Committed", a theatrical tour de force that pits one versatile actor against 90 pages of text. Fully Committed opens the Friday and runs through Sunday, September 4th. Evening performances are at 8PM with matinees on August 28th and September 3rd at 2PM. The Sunday, September 4th performance is at 5PM. All tickets are $25, and reservations are recommended.
Monday, August 22, 2011
WVTK Local & State News August 22, 2011 (Afternoon Update)
The Brandon Select Board will be discussing various items tonight including considering a hazard mitigation plan. The meeting is at the Brandon Fire Station at 7PM. Along with a hazard mitigation plan; the board will also consider the proclamation for National Preparedness Month coming up in September, a road closure for a special event and an appointment to Trustee of Public Funds. A copy of the complete agenda can be found HERE.
On September 13th Weybridge residents will gather for the first of several upcoming community forums to share their views on how the local elementary school should be governed and managed in the future as the school enrollment continues to decline. The meeting will be the first in a series of discussions in all seven Addison Central Supervisory Union towns on whether the district should consider consolidating its governance structure and or more effectively share resources due to growing expenses and fewer students.
Ferrisburgh selectmen and Eastern Development Corp. have struck a deal for the sale of the town’s 34.9-acre parcel at the junction of Routes 7 and 22A. The company has not disclosed the exact nature of its plans, but the select-board is optimistic based on discussions with Eastern Development, that the town and neighboring Vergennes will be happy. Selectmen hope to use sale proceeds to complete a $150,000 purchase of a home and 2 acres next to the Grange Hall.
Gearing up for elections next year, Vermont Democrats say they've hired a new field director to help the party prepare for 2012. Ryan McLaren, a lifelong Vermonter and former aide to Gov. Peter Shumlin, will oversee the party reorganization process this fall. Party Executive Director Jesse Bragg says McLaren's field experience will be key for Democratic campaigns next year.
Gasoline prices in Vermont are continuing to go down. In the last week the average price for gasoline in the state fell 3.9 cents to $3.62 a gallon. Nationally, the average price decreased 1.4 cents to $3.58. Over the last month the national average price of gas dropped by 10.4 cents. The website Vermontgasprices.com says that even though the price of gas is declining, the average price is still 89.2 cents higher than it was a year ago.
Vermont's efforts to strengthen management of court records are getting a big boost from the federal government. The Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, a division of the secretary of state's office, has received a grant of more than $118,000 to preserve records from three county courthouses dating from 1794 through 1945. Officials say they hope eventually to spread the effort beyond court records for Orleans, Lamoille and Caledonia counties to include courthouses statewide.
Scientists at the Dartmouth College Medical School are going to use an $11 million grant to work with their colleagues throughout northern New England, including the University Of Vermont, to study the way genetics and the environment work together to trigger and prevent disease. The grant from the National Institutes of health will help Dartmouth establish a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence. The center will recruit and train young biologists who will do the research into the interaction between genes and the environment in causing or preventing diseases.
Police arrest a Vermont teen after he confessed to starting the fire that damaged the P&S Furniture building two weeks ago in Barre. The 15-year-old male told police he was lighting fires on a couch outside of the warehouse, when the fire got out of control and spread to the building. Police say the juvenile told them he had no involvement in the other fires that recently happened in Barre.
On September 13th Weybridge residents will gather for the first of several upcoming community forums to share their views on how the local elementary school should be governed and managed in the future as the school enrollment continues to decline. The meeting will be the first in a series of discussions in all seven Addison Central Supervisory Union towns on whether the district should consider consolidating its governance structure and or more effectively share resources due to growing expenses and fewer students.
Ferrisburgh selectmen and Eastern Development Corp. have struck a deal for the sale of the town’s 34.9-acre parcel at the junction of Routes 7 and 22A. The company has not disclosed the exact nature of its plans, but the select-board is optimistic based on discussions with Eastern Development, that the town and neighboring Vergennes will be happy. Selectmen hope to use sale proceeds to complete a $150,000 purchase of a home and 2 acres next to the Grange Hall.
Gearing up for elections next year, Vermont Democrats say they've hired a new field director to help the party prepare for 2012. Ryan McLaren, a lifelong Vermonter and former aide to Gov. Peter Shumlin, will oversee the party reorganization process this fall. Party Executive Director Jesse Bragg says McLaren's field experience will be key for Democratic campaigns next year.
Gasoline prices in Vermont are continuing to go down. In the last week the average price for gasoline in the state fell 3.9 cents to $3.62 a gallon. Nationally, the average price decreased 1.4 cents to $3.58. Over the last month the national average price of gas dropped by 10.4 cents. The website Vermontgasprices.com says that even though the price of gas is declining, the average price is still 89.2 cents higher than it was a year ago.
Vermont's efforts to strengthen management of court records are getting a big boost from the federal government. The Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, a division of the secretary of state's office, has received a grant of more than $118,000 to preserve records from three county courthouses dating from 1794 through 1945. Officials say they hope eventually to spread the effort beyond court records for Orleans, Lamoille and Caledonia counties to include courthouses statewide.
Scientists at the Dartmouth College Medical School are going to use an $11 million grant to work with their colleagues throughout northern New England, including the University Of Vermont, to study the way genetics and the environment work together to trigger and prevent disease. The grant from the National Institutes of health will help Dartmouth establish a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence. The center will recruit and train young biologists who will do the research into the interaction between genes and the environment in causing or preventing diseases.
Police arrest a Vermont teen after he confessed to starting the fire that damaged the P&S Furniture building two weeks ago in Barre. The 15-year-old male told police he was lighting fires on a couch outside of the warehouse, when the fire got out of control and spread to the building. Police say the juvenile told them he had no involvement in the other fires that recently happened in Barre.
WVTK Local & State News August 22, 2011
About 14,000 CVPS customers lost power Sunday after two waves of strong thunderstorms rolled through the state during the afternoon and evening. The afternoon wave of storms hit Rutland, Windham and Windsor counties the hardest, with scattered outages in Orange and Bennington counties. During the evening the wave hit Franklin County, and re-hit Rutland, Windsor and Bennington counties, with scattered outages in Windham County. The towns of Brandon, Randolph, Jamaica, Brattleboro and Dummerston were hit particularly hard.
A Bristol man is facing charges for allegedly pointing a gun at a woman in campground this weekend. Donald Brown is charged with reckless endangerment. The 45-year-old allegedly aimed a muzzleloader at 31-year-old Patricia Lafayette as she was leaving the Green Mountain Campground in Bristol. Police say the two have a history of not getting along. No shots were fired.
A big landslide in northern New York continues to grow. It's nearly a mile long and covers 82 acres on Porter Mountain in Keene Valley. One home has been destroyed, and three others have been damaged. It started with super-saturated ground following our wet spring. At its peak, the ground moved as much as two feet a day. Geologists say the earth is still moving, and they predict it will continue to move. They're now briefing emergency personnel about the potential for more destruction.
Vermont State Police were recently dispatched to the Snake Mountain Parking lot area in Addison for a reported car break in. Numerous items were stolen to include a purse with approximately $200 in cash along with several credit cards and a cooler with red and white stickers on it. Anybody with possible information regarding the theft is asked to contact the New Haven State Police Barracks. (802 388 4919)
A local man was arrested after a protest at the White House. Bill McKibbins of Ripton is behind bars stemming from a protest against a U.S. and Canadian oil pipeline. According to the group sponsoring the protest, "Tar Sands Action" McKibbins will stay in jail until sometime today. McKibbins is one of dozens of demonstrators protesting the seven billion dollar oil pipeline. The line would run from Alberta, Canada to Texas refineries. The state department is set to issue a final environmental report within the month and issue a decision by the end of the year.
Statistics and patient surveys collected at Rutland Regional Medical Center show gains in some areas and improvement needed in others. For the most part, Rutland’s latest report results are in line with other medical facilities around the state. However the hospital needs to improve in infection among hip replacement patients and in patient satisfaction levels. The report can be seen in full at www.rrmc.org.
Entergy wants to bar three of Vermont's expert witnesses from taking the stand as the company continues to fight the state's efforts to close the nuclear plant. Vermont Yankee is slated to close next year. But Entergy filed a lawsuit in April, saying only the federal government has the authority to close the nuclear plant. Entergy's lawyers say three witnesses for the state lack the scientific, technical, or specialized knowledge needed. Trial is scheduled to begin September 12 in Brattleboro.
The Vermont Air National Guard says there will be increased military flight operations from its Burlington International Airport base starting Tuesday. The Air National Guard will be conducting close air support training in military training areas over New York and New Hampshire. The Guard says there also will be increased helicopter activity in the areas of the Ethan Allen Training Site in Underhill and Jericho and the Fort Drum, NY region. The exercises run through Sept. 1. All flights will be conducted during the Vermont Air National Guard's normal weekday flying hours, which are generally between 9:00AM and 5:00PM. There are no weekend flight operations.
Former Gov. Jim Douglas is continuing to speak out against large-scale wind power development on Vermont's mountain ridges. He doesn't want to criticize his successor, Gov. Peter Shumlin, but he's clearly at odds with Shumlin on the subject of utility scale wind power development like Green Mountain Power's Kingdom Community Wind project in Lowell. Douglas has long maintained that Vermont is known for its unspoiled mountain vistas. He says building 400-foot-plus wind turbines on mountaintops isn't a good trade-off because the turbines don't generate enough energy to justify themselves.
Environmental officials in Vermont say they've signed off on five environmental permits for the Kingdom Community Wind project in Lowell. The $150 million project, which will erect 21 wind turbines along the mountain ridge, is still awaiting final go-ahead from Vermont utility regulators to begin construction.
Former Governor Jim Douglas says he's "profoundly disappointed" by the inability of both Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress to come together on a meaningful debt reduction plan. The group is known as the Bipartisan Policy Center and it includes four former Senate Majority leaders. Douglas says the goal of the organization is to encourage Congressional leaders to adopt a bipartisan approach to the major issues facing the country. That's something that he says is sorely lacking in the current debate over the nation's deficit.
A free-trade agreement between the United States and other countries around the Pacific Ocean might not seem like an obvious topic of discussion inside Vermont's Statehouse. But in Vermont, Maine and other states, there's growing concern that such agreements could undermine states' authority in a host of areas, ranging from the regulation of groundwater extraction by bottled water companies, to negotiating lower prices for prescription drugs, to issuance of state approval for a takeover of an electric utility by a foreign-owned company. Those watching the interplay of state laws and the provisions of international trade agreements acknowledge that some of their worries are speculative. But they say the issues bear watching.
Maine Gov. Paul LePage is asking the Air National Guard to cancel plans to expand low-level training for fighter pilots over western Maine. The Air National Guard is seeking additional airspace for training for homeland defense. Under the proposal, fighter jets from National Guard units in Massachusetts and Vermont would be allowed to fly as low as 500 feet over western Maine and a sliver of northern New Hampshire.
Vermont businesses that sell heating fuel to customers under the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will get a bit less money per gallon this winter for their product. For the past two winters under former Gov. Jim Douglas, dealers have delivered fuel to low-income Vermonters at a 5-cent-per-gallon discount when they are being paid with LIHEAP money. The Shumlin administration is increasing the “discount off retail” under LIHEAP to 10 cents per gallon. Vermont received $25 million in LIHEAP money last winter, which helped about 36,000 Vermont households with their heating bills.
The entertainment industry is recognizing the work of Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy. The Directors Guild of America says Leahy, as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has led an effort to protect intellectual property by cracking down on "rogue" web sites that profit from the illegal distribution of copyrighted content. Leahy will receive his award in October in New York City. The Directors Guild was created 75-years ago and represents thousands of directors in film, TV, and commercials.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is visiting early primary states, but his campaign says the Senator has no plans to run for President. Sanders was in Nevada last week and then New Hampshire this past weekend. He has indicated he's disappointed in the performance of President Obama. Sanders has floated the idea that someone challenge the President in a primary because the president is not addressing progressive issues.
Thousands of striking Verizon workers will return to work today, but still without an agreement. About 45-thousand Verizon workers across the East Coast, including those in Northern New York, went on strike two weeks ago after their contract expired. Although the dispute over the elimination of benefits and increased health care contributions is not over, the company and the union have agreed to narrow the issues and set up a process to negotiate a new contract. The strike involved Verizon's landline operations.
New York Sen. Charles Schumer said cellphone carriers could effectively put an end to a spike in phone thefts by deactivating the phones themselves instead of their data storage or SIM cards. Schumer said cellphones have unique identity numbers assigned, and that the technology is already effectively used in Europe to deter stealing. He noted that 41 percent of all property crimes in New York City in the first half of this year were related to cellphones, with devices like the iPhone and Android phones easily resold on the black market. In letters, he asked AT&T, T-Mobile and Nextel to follow Verizon's approach in the U.S. and turn off stolen phones.
Vermont's bear hunting season is set to get underway. It kicks off on September 2nd and runs until November 16th. The state's bear population has risen to more than 6-thousand animals in recent years. The state tries to keep the bear population slightly lower than that.
You know summer is coming to a close when the circus ends its run in Vermont. Sunday was the final day for Circus Smirkus performers. The youngsters perform all over New England for seven weeks each summer. And as tradition goes, they completed their run in Greensboro, the home base of the circus.
Former Gov. James Douglas says he has no interest in being considered for the presidency of the University of Vermont. He thinks the UVM Board of Trustees will be able to find strong candidates to replace former President Dan Fogel, who left at the end of July. UVM has been headed before by a former Vermont governor, Thomas P. Salmon, who served as governor in the 1970s, was president of the university for several years during the 1990s.
A Bristol man is facing charges for allegedly pointing a gun at a woman in campground this weekend. Donald Brown is charged with reckless endangerment. The 45-year-old allegedly aimed a muzzleloader at 31-year-old Patricia Lafayette as she was leaving the Green Mountain Campground in Bristol. Police say the two have a history of not getting along. No shots were fired.
A big landslide in northern New York continues to grow. It's nearly a mile long and covers 82 acres on Porter Mountain in Keene Valley. One home has been destroyed, and three others have been damaged. It started with super-saturated ground following our wet spring. At its peak, the ground moved as much as two feet a day. Geologists say the earth is still moving, and they predict it will continue to move. They're now briefing emergency personnel about the potential for more destruction.
Vermont State Police were recently dispatched to the Snake Mountain Parking lot area in Addison for a reported car break in. Numerous items were stolen to include a purse with approximately $200 in cash along with several credit cards and a cooler with red and white stickers on it. Anybody with possible information regarding the theft is asked to contact the New Haven State Police Barracks. (802 388 4919)
A local man was arrested after a protest at the White House. Bill McKibbins of Ripton is behind bars stemming from a protest against a U.S. and Canadian oil pipeline. According to the group sponsoring the protest, "Tar Sands Action" McKibbins will stay in jail until sometime today. McKibbins is one of dozens of demonstrators protesting the seven billion dollar oil pipeline. The line would run from Alberta, Canada to Texas refineries. The state department is set to issue a final environmental report within the month and issue a decision by the end of the year.
Statistics and patient surveys collected at Rutland Regional Medical Center show gains in some areas and improvement needed in others. For the most part, Rutland’s latest report results are in line with other medical facilities around the state. However the hospital needs to improve in infection among hip replacement patients and in patient satisfaction levels. The report can be seen in full at www.rrmc.org.
Entergy wants to bar three of Vermont's expert witnesses from taking the stand as the company continues to fight the state's efforts to close the nuclear plant. Vermont Yankee is slated to close next year. But Entergy filed a lawsuit in April, saying only the federal government has the authority to close the nuclear plant. Entergy's lawyers say three witnesses for the state lack the scientific, technical, or specialized knowledge needed. Trial is scheduled to begin September 12 in Brattleboro.
The Vermont Air National Guard says there will be increased military flight operations from its Burlington International Airport base starting Tuesday. The Air National Guard will be conducting close air support training in military training areas over New York and New Hampshire. The Guard says there also will be increased helicopter activity in the areas of the Ethan Allen Training Site in Underhill and Jericho and the Fort Drum, NY region. The exercises run through Sept. 1. All flights will be conducted during the Vermont Air National Guard's normal weekday flying hours, which are generally between 9:00AM and 5:00PM. There are no weekend flight operations.
Former Gov. Jim Douglas is continuing to speak out against large-scale wind power development on Vermont's mountain ridges. He doesn't want to criticize his successor, Gov. Peter Shumlin, but he's clearly at odds with Shumlin on the subject of utility scale wind power development like Green Mountain Power's Kingdom Community Wind project in Lowell. Douglas has long maintained that Vermont is known for its unspoiled mountain vistas. He says building 400-foot-plus wind turbines on mountaintops isn't a good trade-off because the turbines don't generate enough energy to justify themselves.
Environmental officials in Vermont say they've signed off on five environmental permits for the Kingdom Community Wind project in Lowell. The $150 million project, which will erect 21 wind turbines along the mountain ridge, is still awaiting final go-ahead from Vermont utility regulators to begin construction.
Former Governor Jim Douglas says he's "profoundly disappointed" by the inability of both Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress to come together on a meaningful debt reduction plan. The group is known as the Bipartisan Policy Center and it includes four former Senate Majority leaders. Douglas says the goal of the organization is to encourage Congressional leaders to adopt a bipartisan approach to the major issues facing the country. That's something that he says is sorely lacking in the current debate over the nation's deficit.
A free-trade agreement between the United States and other countries around the Pacific Ocean might not seem like an obvious topic of discussion inside Vermont's Statehouse. But in Vermont, Maine and other states, there's growing concern that such agreements could undermine states' authority in a host of areas, ranging from the regulation of groundwater extraction by bottled water companies, to negotiating lower prices for prescription drugs, to issuance of state approval for a takeover of an electric utility by a foreign-owned company. Those watching the interplay of state laws and the provisions of international trade agreements acknowledge that some of their worries are speculative. But they say the issues bear watching.
Maine Gov. Paul LePage is asking the Air National Guard to cancel plans to expand low-level training for fighter pilots over western Maine. The Air National Guard is seeking additional airspace for training for homeland defense. Under the proposal, fighter jets from National Guard units in Massachusetts and Vermont would be allowed to fly as low as 500 feet over western Maine and a sliver of northern New Hampshire.
Vermont businesses that sell heating fuel to customers under the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will get a bit less money per gallon this winter for their product. For the past two winters under former Gov. Jim Douglas, dealers have delivered fuel to low-income Vermonters at a 5-cent-per-gallon discount when they are being paid with LIHEAP money. The Shumlin administration is increasing the “discount off retail” under LIHEAP to 10 cents per gallon. Vermont received $25 million in LIHEAP money last winter, which helped about 36,000 Vermont households with their heating bills.
The entertainment industry is recognizing the work of Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy. The Directors Guild of America says Leahy, as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has led an effort to protect intellectual property by cracking down on "rogue" web sites that profit from the illegal distribution of copyrighted content. Leahy will receive his award in October in New York City. The Directors Guild was created 75-years ago and represents thousands of directors in film, TV, and commercials.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is visiting early primary states, but his campaign says the Senator has no plans to run for President. Sanders was in Nevada last week and then New Hampshire this past weekend. He has indicated he's disappointed in the performance of President Obama. Sanders has floated the idea that someone challenge the President in a primary because the president is not addressing progressive issues.
Thousands of striking Verizon workers will return to work today, but still without an agreement. About 45-thousand Verizon workers across the East Coast, including those in Northern New York, went on strike two weeks ago after their contract expired. Although the dispute over the elimination of benefits and increased health care contributions is not over, the company and the union have agreed to narrow the issues and set up a process to negotiate a new contract. The strike involved Verizon's landline operations.
New York Sen. Charles Schumer said cellphone carriers could effectively put an end to a spike in phone thefts by deactivating the phones themselves instead of their data storage or SIM cards. Schumer said cellphones have unique identity numbers assigned, and that the technology is already effectively used in Europe to deter stealing. He noted that 41 percent of all property crimes in New York City in the first half of this year were related to cellphones, with devices like the iPhone and Android phones easily resold on the black market. In letters, he asked AT&T, T-Mobile and Nextel to follow Verizon's approach in the U.S. and turn off stolen phones.
Vermont's bear hunting season is set to get underway. It kicks off on September 2nd and runs until November 16th. The state's bear population has risen to more than 6-thousand animals in recent years. The state tries to keep the bear population slightly lower than that.
You know summer is coming to a close when the circus ends its run in Vermont. Sunday was the final day for Circus Smirkus performers. The youngsters perform all over New England for seven weeks each summer. And as tradition goes, they completed their run in Greensboro, the home base of the circus.
Former Gov. James Douglas says he has no interest in being considered for the presidency of the University of Vermont. He thinks the UVM Board of Trustees will be able to find strong candidates to replace former President Dan Fogel, who left at the end of July. UVM has been headed before by a former Vermont governor, Thomas P. Salmon, who served as governor in the 1970s, was president of the university for several years during the 1990s.
Friday, August 19, 2011
WVTK Local & State News August 19, 2011 (Afternoon Update)
New York state transportation officials say the center arch span for the new Lake Champlain Bridge will be floated to the construction site next week and lifted into place, weather permitting. They say that tentative plans call for the 400-foot arch to be brought on barges from Port Henry, on the New York shore 2 miles west of the bridge. Agency officials say a definite date for the move will be set as assembly of the arch nears completion. It will take about four hours to move the arch to the construction site and another eight to lift into place. High winds or lightning could delay the lift.
Seth Webb, Killington’s Economic and Tourism Director has been offered a job as interim town manager. If Webb accepts the offer from the town's Select Board, he will fill in for Kathleen Ramsay, the town's manager since 2008, who submitted her resignation on Tuesday to return to Middlebury.
Vermont's unemployment rate continues to climb. For the third month in a row, the statewide jobless rate is up. The state Department of Labor says the rate for July was 5.7%, up two-tenths of a percent. The July rate is just under the rate for July 2010 and 3.4% less than the national unemployment rate. Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan says that among the state's 17 labor-market areas, Hartford had the lowest rate at 3.7%, while Newport had the highest at 8.2%.
New York's Congressional leaders want federal officials to change how they distribute disaster aid. Residents of northern New York were denied federal money to help cleanup after flooding this spring -- mostly from Lake Champlain. Homeowners on the Vermont side received millions of dollars to rebuild. Congressional leaders in New York say that's because the formula FEMA uses is based on a state's total population. Even though the rural North Country is comparable in population to Vermont, FEMA's formulas factored in New York's larger population centers and washed away any chance for upstate residents.
Pharmaceutical companies are underwriting a new program in Vermont that they say will help uninsured and under-insured people who are struggling to pay for prescriptions. The Montpelier-based non-profit Vermont Rx Card has launched the program. It's designed to give residents discounts on medications at local pharmacies. The discount card is accepted at almost every chain and independent pharmacy in the state, and there are no eligibility requirements or enrollment forms.
Governor Peter Shumlin will travel to Labrador this weekend to "begin the conversation" with Canadian officials about bringing large amounts of electricity generated by their massive hydro dams to the New England region in the coming years. Shumlin says it's clear that Canada is going to have a surplus hydropower in the future and he thinks it could be a good source of electricity for many New England states.
Seth Webb, Killington’s Economic and Tourism Director has been offered a job as interim town manager. If Webb accepts the offer from the town's Select Board, he will fill in for Kathleen Ramsay, the town's manager since 2008, who submitted her resignation on Tuesday to return to Middlebury.
Vermont's unemployment rate continues to climb. For the third month in a row, the statewide jobless rate is up. The state Department of Labor says the rate for July was 5.7%, up two-tenths of a percent. The July rate is just under the rate for July 2010 and 3.4% less than the national unemployment rate. Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan says that among the state's 17 labor-market areas, Hartford had the lowest rate at 3.7%, while Newport had the highest at 8.2%.
New York's Congressional leaders want federal officials to change how they distribute disaster aid. Residents of northern New York were denied federal money to help cleanup after flooding this spring -- mostly from Lake Champlain. Homeowners on the Vermont side received millions of dollars to rebuild. Congressional leaders in New York say that's because the formula FEMA uses is based on a state's total population. Even though the rural North Country is comparable in population to Vermont, FEMA's formulas factored in New York's larger population centers and washed away any chance for upstate residents.
Pharmaceutical companies are underwriting a new program in Vermont that they say will help uninsured and under-insured people who are struggling to pay for prescriptions. The Montpelier-based non-profit Vermont Rx Card has launched the program. It's designed to give residents discounts on medications at local pharmacies. The discount card is accepted at almost every chain and independent pharmacy in the state, and there are no eligibility requirements or enrollment forms.
Governor Peter Shumlin will travel to Labrador this weekend to "begin the conversation" with Canadian officials about bringing large amounts of electricity generated by their massive hydro dams to the New England region in the coming years. Shumlin says it's clear that Canada is going to have a surplus hydropower in the future and he thinks it could be a good source of electricity for many New England states.
WVTK Local & State News August 19, 2011
State Police are investigating multiple car break-ins the Addison and Bristol area. Vehicles are being broken into during daylight hours at popular hiking and swimming locations in the county, resulting in damage to vehicles and items being stolen. State Police urge people to lock their vehicles with their windows up, and leave all valuables at home when planning to be at these locations for any period of time. State Police ask that anyone with any information contact the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. (802.338.4919)
The Vermont Apportionment Board voted 4-2 on a final recommendation for redrawing boundaries for the Vermont House of Representatives that leaves most Addison County districts the way they are now. Lawmakers will discuss VAB proposals for the House and Vermont Senate during the 2012 legislative session before voting on a final reapportionment plan.
The Vergennes Planning Commission has finished much of the complex task of rewriting city zoning to conform to the 2009 city plan. Job planners intend to complete it in time to hold formal public hearings in November or December.
Select-boards in Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and Starksboro have set 2011-2012 property tax rates that range from a 0.17-cent decrease in Starksboro to a 10.18-cent increase in New Haven. These property tax rates stem from spending levels previously agreed on by residents at Town Meeting Day for municipal and school services for the current fiscal year.
Leicester town planners are hoping that the end is in sight for the adoption of a new Leicester Town Plan. The planning commission is inviting all year-round and summer residents of the town to an open house at the Leicester Town Office next Wednesday from 7 to 8:30PM, where the current draft of the plan will be on display.
The founder of The McKernon Group Inc., Jack McKernon has retired from his long time position as owner and CEO of the Brandon-based business. Kevin Birchmore, president of the company and McKernon’s business partner for the last 25 years, has acquired the ownership position of the company and has taken on a partner, Justus Cameron, who is the newly appointed vice president.
Town supervisors in Essex County have opted to get prices for a new timecard system using fingerprints. The nearly 700 full-time, part-time and per-diem county employees would have to press their fingers to a panel to clock in and out. The system, at $100,000, would not save the county money. But it would make the county-payroll process less complex, reducing the need for duplicated paperwork.
A contractor for the state Agency of Transportation dug up documents that went as far back to a year after Vermont joined the union in 1791 to determine the historic right of way for the Route 7 corridor. The Department of Transportation announced Wednesday it will use the 1792 right of ways for Segment 3 of the Pittsford-Brandon road project. The Agency of Transportation will be recording the historic right of ways on September 12th and will be available at the Pittsford municipal offices. Residents will then have 120 days to appeal the right of way in civil court in Rutland.
A Rutland man who police say was found with items stolen from seven different homes and vehicles was ordered held on $50,000 bail Wednesday. Shane T. Goodrich, pleaded innocent to four felonies and six misdemeanor charges in Rutland criminal court. Goodrich was arrested late last week after he was found in a car that police said was filled with 50 items stolen during break-ins in Rutland, Rutland Town and Clarendon between July 31st and August 5th.
The Vermont attorney general's office says a Williston contractor has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating Vermont's workers' compensation laws. Donald Bevins, who operated "Twin City Roofing" and "Around the Clock Property Maintenance," pleaded guilty in June to failing to maintain workers' compensation insurance. Bevins was sentenced on Thursday to one to two years all suspended except for 30 days. He also was placed on probation and prohibited from working or operating a home a repair business. A hearing is planned in September to determine the amount Bevins will be required to pay related to the victims' injuries.
A Burlington man has pleaded not guilty to charges he killed a neighbor whose body was found under a railroad bridge. But Daniel Whalon has not yet undergone an evaluation to determine if he is mentally competent to understand court proceedings. Whalon was arraigned Thursday on a second-degree murder charge in the killing of Ralph Bell. Defense attorney Sandra Lee told The Burlington Free Press that Whalon entered his plea before the evaluation so that he gets credit for time served in prison. An evaluation is planned for August 29th.
Vermont's rabies bait drop will start next week to prevent the spread of the disease among wildlife. The fish-bait vaccine will be hand-placed in rural areas of 8 Vermont counties. An aerial bait drop will take place from planes sometime during the first week of September. Federal officials are trying to stop the spread of raccoon rabies into Canada. Officials say the baits are not harmful to children or pets if touched or eaten, but say the pellets should not be handled or disturbed. If one is found on a lawn or driveway, they say to remove it wearing a glove and to throw it away.
A new report says home sales in Maine were flat last month, while the other five New England states saw a decline from the previous month. The RE/MAX New England report says all six states have seen gains this year but saw declines in July. RE/MAX says that despite the one-month blip overall trends are up for the year. He says hot weather kept many buyers out of the market in July.
A new web site has been set up to provide Vermont tenants and landlords information about their rights and responsibilities. The site, at www.rentalcodes.org, provides guidance on the health and safety standards that existing residential rental housing in Vermont must meet.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking for the public's help in finding bats in Rutland County. Biologists want to know about bats living in attics, barns, churches, garages, bat houses, or other buildings as it gages the number of bat colonies remaining in Rutland County. They are particularly interested in learning about little brown bats, which have been devastated by white nose syndrome. The bat is now listed as endangered in Vermont. Biologists hope to monitor the population over time or move them to prevent them from being harmed. The department is asking the public to report bats by filling out a report on its web site or calling 802-782-0098.
New Hampshire public health officials say they'll conduct additional testing of Connecticut River water in the wake of the discovery of radioactive tritium in the river. Starting today, the state Division of Public Health Services will step up testing. The bureau chief for the public health agency, says that the Vermont Department of Health's tritium results finding doesn't necessarily create a risk of harm to the public, but that it's still concerning. She says New Hampshire has been testing for months and gotten no results above minimum detectable levels.
New Hampshire prosecutors have set up a reward fund for information in the suspicious death of an 11-year-old girl. The Attorney General's Office said Thursday $5,000 offered last month by an anonymous donor in northern New Hampshire has started up the fund. The reward will be offered for any information leading to the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in the death of Celina Cass of Stewartstown. The public has been calling in to donate money. It supplements a $25,000 reward offered by the FBI.
A member of the Ticonderoga Elks has been elected to head the national organization. David Carr of Crown Point was elected national president of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at its national convention in Phoenix. Carr took the oath of the highest office in the order on July 21st.
Lobster and chicken are the order of the weekend, as the 45th annual Lobsterfest is set to take place Labor Day weekend at the Westport Marina and Galley Restaurant. The Lobsterfest starts on Friday, September 2nd, and continues through Sunday, September 4th. There will be music on each night of the event, with the Blues Trio playing on Friday, Natalie Ward on Saturday and Damaged Goods on Sunday. For more information visit www.Westportmarina.com.
Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union has started its second annual school supplies drive for area children in need. The campaign asks the public to drop-off new school supplies at any TFCU branch or ATM site throughout August. Standard supplies such as notebooks, pencils and crayons are needed. Larger items such as backpacks, pencil boxes, binders and calculators are also in high demand. Visit TFCU's website, www.tfcunow.com or contact any branch for more information.
More than four decades after Woodstock became the most famous Music festival ever, the town of Moriah will host its own concert event. Moriahstock, billed as "a summer day of peace and Music," will be held at the Port Henry bandstand Saturday, August 27th, beginning at 1PM. Moriahstock is the first collaboration between the Moriah Community and Economic Development group, pH7 and the Moriah Chamber of Commerce.
With record demand for local food assistance, Central Vermont Public Service has announced a 22,000-item goal for the 2011 CVPS Fill the Cupboard Challenge. That is the highest goal ever for the annual food drive, which benefits the Rutland Community Cupboard. Businesses, clubs, schools, sports teams, churches and other organizations are encouraged to register for the challenge, then collect food donations between Sept. 6 and 23 and deliver them to the Rutland Community Cupboard. CVPS will donate 25 cents to the Community Cupboard for every item collected, up to a total of $5,000. The company will also donate $500 in the name of the group that collects the most food. Participants should pre-register for the challenge by calling Chris Adams at 747-5424.
The Vermont Apportionment Board voted 4-2 on a final recommendation for redrawing boundaries for the Vermont House of Representatives that leaves most Addison County districts the way they are now. Lawmakers will discuss VAB proposals for the House and Vermont Senate during the 2012 legislative session before voting on a final reapportionment plan.
The Vergennes Planning Commission has finished much of the complex task of rewriting city zoning to conform to the 2009 city plan. Job planners intend to complete it in time to hold formal public hearings in November or December.
Select-boards in Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and Starksboro have set 2011-2012 property tax rates that range from a 0.17-cent decrease in Starksboro to a 10.18-cent increase in New Haven. These property tax rates stem from spending levels previously agreed on by residents at Town Meeting Day for municipal and school services for the current fiscal year.
Leicester town planners are hoping that the end is in sight for the adoption of a new Leicester Town Plan. The planning commission is inviting all year-round and summer residents of the town to an open house at the Leicester Town Office next Wednesday from 7 to 8:30PM, where the current draft of the plan will be on display.
The founder of The McKernon Group Inc., Jack McKernon has retired from his long time position as owner and CEO of the Brandon-based business. Kevin Birchmore, president of the company and McKernon’s business partner for the last 25 years, has acquired the ownership position of the company and has taken on a partner, Justus Cameron, who is the newly appointed vice president.
Town supervisors in Essex County have opted to get prices for a new timecard system using fingerprints. The nearly 700 full-time, part-time and per-diem county employees would have to press their fingers to a panel to clock in and out. The system, at $100,000, would not save the county money. But it would make the county-payroll process less complex, reducing the need for duplicated paperwork.
A contractor for the state Agency of Transportation dug up documents that went as far back to a year after Vermont joined the union in 1791 to determine the historic right of way for the Route 7 corridor. The Department of Transportation announced Wednesday it will use the 1792 right of ways for Segment 3 of the Pittsford-Brandon road project. The Agency of Transportation will be recording the historic right of ways on September 12th and will be available at the Pittsford municipal offices. Residents will then have 120 days to appeal the right of way in civil court in Rutland.
A Rutland man who police say was found with items stolen from seven different homes and vehicles was ordered held on $50,000 bail Wednesday. Shane T. Goodrich, pleaded innocent to four felonies and six misdemeanor charges in Rutland criminal court. Goodrich was arrested late last week after he was found in a car that police said was filled with 50 items stolen during break-ins in Rutland, Rutland Town and Clarendon between July 31st and August 5th.
The Vermont attorney general's office says a Williston contractor has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating Vermont's workers' compensation laws. Donald Bevins, who operated "Twin City Roofing" and "Around the Clock Property Maintenance," pleaded guilty in June to failing to maintain workers' compensation insurance. Bevins was sentenced on Thursday to one to two years all suspended except for 30 days. He also was placed on probation and prohibited from working or operating a home a repair business. A hearing is planned in September to determine the amount Bevins will be required to pay related to the victims' injuries.
A Burlington man has pleaded not guilty to charges he killed a neighbor whose body was found under a railroad bridge. But Daniel Whalon has not yet undergone an evaluation to determine if he is mentally competent to understand court proceedings. Whalon was arraigned Thursday on a second-degree murder charge in the killing of Ralph Bell. Defense attorney Sandra Lee told The Burlington Free Press that Whalon entered his plea before the evaluation so that he gets credit for time served in prison. An evaluation is planned for August 29th.
Vermont's rabies bait drop will start next week to prevent the spread of the disease among wildlife. The fish-bait vaccine will be hand-placed in rural areas of 8 Vermont counties. An aerial bait drop will take place from planes sometime during the first week of September. Federal officials are trying to stop the spread of raccoon rabies into Canada. Officials say the baits are not harmful to children or pets if touched or eaten, but say the pellets should not be handled or disturbed. If one is found on a lawn or driveway, they say to remove it wearing a glove and to throw it away.
A new report says home sales in Maine were flat last month, while the other five New England states saw a decline from the previous month. The RE/MAX New England report says all six states have seen gains this year but saw declines in July. RE/MAX says that despite the one-month blip overall trends are up for the year. He says hot weather kept many buyers out of the market in July.
A new web site has been set up to provide Vermont tenants and landlords information about their rights and responsibilities. The site, at www.rentalcodes.org, provides guidance on the health and safety standards that existing residential rental housing in Vermont must meet.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking for the public's help in finding bats in Rutland County. Biologists want to know about bats living in attics, barns, churches, garages, bat houses, or other buildings as it gages the number of bat colonies remaining in Rutland County. They are particularly interested in learning about little brown bats, which have been devastated by white nose syndrome. The bat is now listed as endangered in Vermont. Biologists hope to monitor the population over time or move them to prevent them from being harmed. The department is asking the public to report bats by filling out a report on its web site or calling 802-782-0098.
New Hampshire public health officials say they'll conduct additional testing of Connecticut River water in the wake of the discovery of radioactive tritium in the river. Starting today, the state Division of Public Health Services will step up testing. The bureau chief for the public health agency, says that the Vermont Department of Health's tritium results finding doesn't necessarily create a risk of harm to the public, but that it's still concerning. She says New Hampshire has been testing for months and gotten no results above minimum detectable levels.
New Hampshire prosecutors have set up a reward fund for information in the suspicious death of an 11-year-old girl. The Attorney General's Office said Thursday $5,000 offered last month by an anonymous donor in northern New Hampshire has started up the fund. The reward will be offered for any information leading to the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in the death of Celina Cass of Stewartstown. The public has been calling in to donate money. It supplements a $25,000 reward offered by the FBI.
A member of the Ticonderoga Elks has been elected to head the national organization. David Carr of Crown Point was elected national president of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at its national convention in Phoenix. Carr took the oath of the highest office in the order on July 21st.
Lobster and chicken are the order of the weekend, as the 45th annual Lobsterfest is set to take place Labor Day weekend at the Westport Marina and Galley Restaurant. The Lobsterfest starts on Friday, September 2nd, and continues through Sunday, September 4th. There will be music on each night of the event, with the Blues Trio playing on Friday, Natalie Ward on Saturday and Damaged Goods on Sunday. For more information visit www.Westportmarina.com.
Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union has started its second annual school supplies drive for area children in need. The campaign asks the public to drop-off new school supplies at any TFCU branch or ATM site throughout August. Standard supplies such as notebooks, pencils and crayons are needed. Larger items such as backpacks, pencil boxes, binders and calculators are also in high demand. Visit TFCU's website, www.tfcunow.com or contact any branch for more information.
More than four decades after Woodstock became the most famous Music festival ever, the town of Moriah will host its own concert event. Moriahstock, billed as "a summer day of peace and Music," will be held at the Port Henry bandstand Saturday, August 27th, beginning at 1PM. Moriahstock is the first collaboration between the Moriah Community and Economic Development group, pH7 and the Moriah Chamber of Commerce.
With record demand for local food assistance, Central Vermont Public Service has announced a 22,000-item goal for the 2011 CVPS Fill the Cupboard Challenge. That is the highest goal ever for the annual food drive, which benefits the Rutland Community Cupboard. Businesses, clubs, schools, sports teams, churches and other organizations are encouraged to register for the challenge, then collect food donations between Sept. 6 and 23 and deliver them to the Rutland Community Cupboard. CVPS will donate 25 cents to the Community Cupboard for every item collected, up to a total of $5,000. The company will also donate $500 in the name of the group that collects the most food. Participants should pre-register for the challenge by calling Chris Adams at 747-5424.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
WVTK Local & State News August 18, 2011 (Afternoon Update)
State Police are investigating multiple car break-ins the Addison and Bristol area. Vehicles are being broken into during daylight hours at popular hiking and swimming locations in the county, resulting in damage to vehicles and items being stolen. State Police urge people to lock their vehicles with their windows up, and leave all valuables at home when planning to be at these locations for any period of time. State Police ask that anyone with any information contact the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. (802.338.4919)
The Vergennes Planning Commission has finished much of the complex task of rewriting city zoning to conform to the 2009 city plan. Job planners intend to complete it in time to hold formal public hearings in November or December.
Select-boards in Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and Starksboro have set 2011-2012 property tax rates that range from a 0.17-cent decrease in Starksboro to a 10.18-cent increase in New Haven. These property tax rates stem from spending levels previously agreed on by residents at Town Meeting Day for municipal and school services for the current fiscal year.
Leicester town planners are hoping that the end is in sight for the adoption of a new Leicester Town Plan. The planning commission is inviting all year-round and summer residents of the town to an open house at the Leicester Town Office next Wednesday from 7 to 8:30PM, where the current draft of the plan will be on display.
The founder of The McKernon Group Inc., Jack McKernon has retired from his long time position as owner/CEO of the Brandon-based business. Kevin Birchmore, president of the company and McKernon’s business partner for the last 25 years, has acquired the ownership position of the company and has taken on a partner, Justus Cameron, who is the newly appointed vice president.
An anonymous donor has started a fund for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in the death of Celina Cass of Stewartstown. The Attorney General's Office said the donor, who wishes to remain nameless, is offering $5,000 for information. They say other people have been calling in to contribute to the fund. This money is in addition to the $25,000 reward offered by the FBI before the girl's body was found.
Vermont Yankee's owners say the state may be overestimating the amount of radioactive tritium in water samples taken from the Connecticut River. That word comes one day after the Vermont Health Department announced test results confirming for the first time that tritium leaking from the Vernon reactor had reached the river.
In a statement issued Thursday, Entergy Corp. said its testing shows levels of tritium below what is known as the minimum detectable amount. The state Health Department reported Wednesday that two samples taken last month from the river's shoreline showed concentrations just above the minimum detectable amount.
Police in Vermont say nearly two-dozen teenagers used school computers and a special email account to access indecent photos and videos taken by female classmates. Authorities said Thursday that 22 students have admitted to using the school computers in February to view 30 to 40 images and three videos, many of which were sent by cell phone. The students will not face charges but must attend mandatory sessions with a community board.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has tips for Vermonters who want to help protect the state's endangered bat populations. White nose syndrome has now killed more than 90 percent of the state's little brown and northern long-eared bats. The two species have been placed on the state's endangered species list, and now the fish and wildlife department has methods Vermonters should follow for handling the bats. Many involve guidelines on what to do with a bat you believe may have rabies. Visit the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Website for more information.
The Vergennes Planning Commission has finished much of the complex task of rewriting city zoning to conform to the 2009 city plan. Job planners intend to complete it in time to hold formal public hearings in November or December.
Select-boards in Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and Starksboro have set 2011-2012 property tax rates that range from a 0.17-cent decrease in Starksboro to a 10.18-cent increase in New Haven. These property tax rates stem from spending levels previously agreed on by residents at Town Meeting Day for municipal and school services for the current fiscal year.
Leicester town planners are hoping that the end is in sight for the adoption of a new Leicester Town Plan. The planning commission is inviting all year-round and summer residents of the town to an open house at the Leicester Town Office next Wednesday from 7 to 8:30PM, where the current draft of the plan will be on display.
The founder of The McKernon Group Inc., Jack McKernon has retired from his long time position as owner/CEO of the Brandon-based business. Kevin Birchmore, president of the company and McKernon’s business partner for the last 25 years, has acquired the ownership position of the company and has taken on a partner, Justus Cameron, who is the newly appointed vice president.
An anonymous donor has started a fund for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in the death of Celina Cass of Stewartstown. The Attorney General's Office said the donor, who wishes to remain nameless, is offering $5,000 for information. They say other people have been calling in to contribute to the fund. This money is in addition to the $25,000 reward offered by the FBI before the girl's body was found.
Vermont Yankee's owners say the state may be overestimating the amount of radioactive tritium in water samples taken from the Connecticut River. That word comes one day after the Vermont Health Department announced test results confirming for the first time that tritium leaking from the Vernon reactor had reached the river.
In a statement issued Thursday, Entergy Corp. said its testing shows levels of tritium below what is known as the minimum detectable amount. The state Health Department reported Wednesday that two samples taken last month from the river's shoreline showed concentrations just above the minimum detectable amount.
Police in Vermont say nearly two-dozen teenagers used school computers and a special email account to access indecent photos and videos taken by female classmates. Authorities said Thursday that 22 students have admitted to using the school computers in February to view 30 to 40 images and three videos, many of which were sent by cell phone. The students will not face charges but must attend mandatory sessions with a community board.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has tips for Vermonters who want to help protect the state's endangered bat populations. White nose syndrome has now killed more than 90 percent of the state's little brown and northern long-eared bats. The two species have been placed on the state's endangered species list, and now the fish and wildlife department has methods Vermonters should follow for handling the bats. Many involve guidelines on what to do with a bat you believe may have rabies. Visit the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Website for more information.
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