WVTK Local & State News February 6, 2012

Vermont health officials are weighing the risks of other outbreaks of a powerful 48-hour stomach flu that just occurred on the Middlebury College campus. On the heels of the campus outbreak, several reports of Norovirus have been noted elsewhere in Addison County and in Franklin County by the Vermont Health Department. Teachers of several schools in Rutland County have also reported outbreaks. Norovirus outbreaks are often linked to food or water, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control. The Vermont Department Of Health says frequent hand washing helps to reduce the spread of the virus.

A report of a person falling through the ice Saturday at Elfin Lake in Wallingford prompted a large-scale response by rescue crews, including a certified ice rescue team from Middlebury and tentative plans for aerial support. But after a “walk over” of the ice by a rescue team tethered to ropes on shore, no evidence was found that anyone had fallen through. Rescue crews from six towns were called to the small lake just after 4PM on Saturday after a person on the shore reported that someone they had seen on the ice just minutes before was nowhere in sight.

State Police are trying to track down two men who attacked a woman by the side of the road this weekend in New Haven. Karrie Hall was pulled over changing her baby's diaper when police say the two men pulled up and demanded Hall's purse. When she refused, police say the men hit her and threatened her baby. Hall then emptied the purse and the men took off. Investigators say the men were driving a black two-door car with a load exhaust. Anyone with any information is asked to contact State Police at the New Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)

Vermont State Police reported that a burglary occurred January 30th at the Brandon Scrap yard on Route 7 in Leicester. Several items were stolen from the business after the back door was pried open. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police new Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)

A two-car accident occurred on Route 7 in Pittsford on Saturday morning. Michelle Racette of Pittsford was driving the first vehicle and Robert Mullin of North Ferrisburgh was operating the second vehicle. She failed to remain a safe distance behind Mullin and was unable to stop her vehicle when he came to a stop causing her to rear-end Mullin’s vehicle.

With grant money provided by the National Scenic Byways Program, the Addison County Chamber and Addison County Regional Planning Commission produced a new guide for our region titled "Addison County Guide to Activities Along the Lake Champlain Byway." Addison County is one of three counties that make up the Lake Champlain Byway. The new guide provides a list and map of the cultural, natural, historical and recreational opportunities available within the seven Addison County municipalities that are designated as Byway towns. These are Cornwall, Ferrisburgh, Middlebury, Orwell, Shoreham, Vergennes and Whiting. Hopefully more towns will be added to the list soon. Visit the Byway website for more details.

Brandon’s police chief is hoping to revitalize interest in a community outreach program designed to help low-level, first-time offenders. Chief Christopher Brickell is looking for members for Brandon’s Restorative Action for Victims and Offenders, a program that helps local offenders avoid entering into the court system. He has contacted the schools and business organizations for new participants, but has only found two interested people. For more information, contact the Chief at the Brandon Police Department. (802-247-0222 or email cbrickel@dps.state.vt.us)

The city of Rutland may help clean out Mendon Brook. The Public Works Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the full board grant the Town of Mendon access to remove debris from the brook on city-owned land and to make a “gift” of $5,000 to the town. The city owns land in Mendon on parts of the municipal watershed. Members of the Mendon Select Board came to the aldermen asking that the city remove debris that accumulated in those parts of Mendon Brook during Tropical Storm Irene.

Solution Tree, a publishing company with a focus on education, has recognized Rutland High School. It recognizes schools that promote collaboration among teachers in order to offer a better learning experience for students of all abilities. Rutland High has been working with the program for four years. Evidence of improved student achievement is what won them the award. Rutland is one of 200 schools in the U.S. and Canada to receive the recognition.

After-school programs in Moriah and Willsboro are at risk of closing. Funding for the two programs will end in April and unless additional money is found, both sites will close. Operated by Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc., the programs have offered children care and educational activities since December of 2000. The ACAP after-school program currently serves 61 children from 46 families at Moriah Central School and 24 children from 16 families at Willsboro Central School. The Program Manger says $31,000 is needed to get the Moriah and Willsboro programs through the remainder of the school year.

Work is about to start on one bridge replacement while plans for another are under way in the town of Moriah. Work will begin on the Titus Road Bridge, which has been closed since it was damaged by flooding last May. The construction project is scheduled to be completed by May 31st. Engineers are also designing a new bridge to replace the Moriah Center Bridge on Plank Road. That bridge is now open to traffic, but has been flagged as “severely deteriorated” by state inspectors. The Moriah Center Bridge over Mill Brook was built in 1920. It had major repairs in 1987. Work on the bridge will take place in 2013 and is expected to take about three months to complete.

Police in Richmond are warning residents about a telephone and email scam that promises people cars and cash prizes. Police say the catch is that people contacted are told they must send cash first by Western Union to get the prizes. Authorities are reminding residents to never give out personal information to unknown corporations or people and never send cash.

It's on to the state Senate for a bill that would redesign Vermont's mental health system now that the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury has been closed. The House on Friday took final action to pass the bill, which calls for a new 25-bed hospital in central Vermont, with 20 more beds added to existing facilities in Brattleboro and Rutland, as well as increased use of less-restrictive community settings for some patients.

More proof this morning that Vermonters know their snow. A team from Vermont has taken first place at the United States National Snow Sculpting contest. The event was this weekend in Wisconsin. Three Burlington artists make up "Team Vermont." Their winning sculpture was called "Inner Piece."

Congressman Peter Welch will be in Waterbury to describe what sorts of tax relief might be available to people who suffered losses in Tropical Storm Irene. The Vermont Democrat plans to appear this morning with accountants, an Internal Revenue Service official and others to talk about forms of tax relief.

The Vermont National Guard is planning a series of 3 veterans' career skills workshops in February. The workshops are open to all veterans and their spouses. Guard officials say participants will learn critical skills to assist them in their job searches and career decisions. The sessions are set for 8AM to 4PM on Thursday at the Holiday Inn in South Burlington; February 14th at the White River Junction Reserve Center; and February 16th at the Rutland Reserve Center.

The Roman Catholic diocese of Vermont says it could be put out of business, and constitutional protections of religious freedom could be violated by a priest-abuse lawsuit. The Burlington Free Press cites papers filed by the diocese in U.S. District Court in Burlington. They say paying more big damage awards to victims of long-ago priest sexual abuse could bring those results. The diocese is asking Judge William Sessions III to throw out a lawsuit filed in 2010 by a man alleging that, as an altar boy, a priest molested him in Rutland in 1974.

Vermont officials helping the state recover from Tropical Storm Irene say the long-term changes in the state produced by the storm could rival those prompted by the great flood of 1927. Almost since the rain stopped last August people have compared the damage caused by Irene to the flood of 1927, which experts say still rates as Vermont's greatest natural disaster. Many say the '27 flood fundamentally changed the state physically, politically and socially, ushering the state into the 20th century. Vermont's chief recovery officer, Sue Minter, is overseeing what she hopes will create similar, long-term changes.

Governor Andrew Cuomo spoke before roughly 500 invited guests at Plattsburgh State on Friday. The Governor came to the North Country to continue to make the case for his budget proposals. One of the key topics of conversation was the need for educator evaluations. Cuomo said that if his administration and unions don't have a deal by mid-month he would impose evaluation criteria. He also outlined a project to rebuild New York's infrastructure, including 11 bridges across the North Country. Cuomo also reconfirmed plans to help fund the restoration of the strand theater and other economic development projects.

In a ceremony at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, the Community High School of Vermont donated a rowing skiff named “Perseverance” to the museum. In a collaborative education adventure this fall, the Community High School students and faculty worked with LCMM boat builders in the museum boat-shop building two of these graceful rowing craft. The rowing skiff will be used in the museum’s fleet of 12 rowing boats that provide on-water programming and competition for over four hundred youth rowers annually.

Culinary instructor Woody Danforth and his culinary student's at the Hannaford Career Center’s Glass Onion Restaurant will host a luncheon on Friday, February 17th at 11:30AM for adults age 60 and over. The menu will feature a baked filet of sole with white wine sauce. The event will be sponsored by CVAA. A donation of $5 is suggested. Reservations are required. Call 1-800-642-5119 to reserve a place.

Young artists are being sought in Moriah to help with a local history project. The Sherman Free Library in Port Henry has received a New York State Developing Community Arts Grant to fund the creation of 10 banners and stories relating to local history. Children ages 8 to 12 can participate in the project. The grant provides for the majority of banner costs but the team will need additional donations to fund brackets and publishing expenses for the banner book. Children interested in taking part in the project can contact the library. Call 546-7461 or Email shermanfreelibrary@yahoo.com.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is looking for a few good fishermen to teach the sport in their communities. The volunteer instructors must first go through a daylong workshop, which will be held at the end of March. Participants will learn how to teach a clinic in fishing techniques, ethics, fish ecology and management, and tackle craft. The instructors will then organize and volunteer at fishing clinics in their communities to teach successful fishing techniques and ethical practices to future anglers. The free workshop will be held at the Kehoe Education Center in Castleton on March 24 from 8:30AM to 6PM. Preregistration is required by March 12 by contacting the Let's Go Fishing program coordinator in Rutland at 802-747-7900.