Thursday, May 31, 2012

WVTK Local & State News May 31, 2012


An informational meeting about the South Street & Green Mountain Place Project will be held this afternoon at 5:30 in the MVAA Conference Room.  In response to input from the public meeting held in April, the Town will present traffic calming concepts for the project. The meeting will be taped by MCTV.

Rutland Regional Medical Center's board of directors has voted to close a popular physical rehabilitation unit at the hospital.  By an 8 to 7 vote with one member abstaining, the board voted behind closed doors to cut the clinic from the coming year's budget.   The clinic will close on October 1st.   Hospital CEO and president Thomas Huebner broke the news to a group of nurses from the ward that waited outside the meeting room for more than an hour while the board deliberated yesterday morning.  Beginning in October patients who utilized the services at RRMC will have to travel to Burlington or Windsor where the other two acute care rehab units are located.

The Goodrich Corporation in Vergennes has landed a new multi-million dollar contract with the U.S. Army.  The 9.9 million dollar deal is for the company's helicopter maintenance diagnostic systems.  The Army is purchasing Goodrich's Health and Usage Management Systems known as HUMS. The units give mechanics feedback on a helicopter's engine performance.

Vermont State Police are currently investigating the theft of a John Deere Hydraulic Push manure spreader from a farm on Middle Road in the town of Bridport. If anyone has information regarding the theft please contact Trooper Doxsee at the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks.  (802-388-4919)

Vermont State Police are investigating the theft of a Snap On mechanics tool box, mechanics tools, and an electric powered toy bike from a residence in Monkton. The owner had been a tenant at the property and was storing the property in a garage at the location. The estimated value of the stolen property is approximately $12,000 for the toolbox and $400 for the toy bike. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks.  (802-388-4919)

Woodchuck Hard Cider of Middlebury unveiled Private Reserve Ginger this week.  The adult beverage features organic yellow ginger sourced from Hawaii.  Woodchuck worked with a local Middlebury food co-op as well as Vermont distributor Black River Produce, to bring the ginger to the Green Mountains.  Hawaii’s Big Island is one of the few places that grows organic ginger, which is in season during the spring and summer months.

Various Essex County Road Construction Projects continue this week. Countywide road construction: Crews will be performing general projects. On Route 74 in Ticonderoga crews will be patching potholes. Traffic will be controlled by “flaggers” in construction areas.


It looks like Rutland will finally get an IHOP.  The Midway Diner on South Main St. will be sold to the Handy family, which owns the state’s only IHOP on Dorset Street in South Burlington.  A purchase and sale agreement is in place but is contingent on several factors, including approvals from the city’s Development Review Board.  The DRB will hold a hearing on June 6th to take up a subdivision of the Midway property. The board will also hear from the Handy’s on their plans to make exterior changes to the building, as an IHOP.

The 20th Annual Ticonderoga Area Car Show will be held Sunday, August 5, 2012 in Ticonderoga’s Bicentennial Park. There will be 27 classes with awards in each class. The show is a judged show and a “SuperWheels Showdown” Qualifier. The first 150 People registered will receive a goody bag & dash Plaque! During the Car Show there will be food, vendors, a 50/50 Raffle, Car Show Raffle and music by Jerry’s Juke Box as well as the Kiwanis Duck Race, a Piston Toss and a Muffler Wrap. The Chamber is currently seeking additional food and non-food vendors for the show. Area businesses and vendors are encouraged to participate. Vendor forms and information along with rules and regulations are available at www.ticonderogany.com. The deadline to register as a vendor for the show is Friday, June 29th.   (You can also call the Chamber Office at 518-585-6619 or email: chamberinfo@ticonderogany.com)

Incumbent Bill Sorrell formally launched his re-election campaign Wednesday in front of roughly 100 supporters at the Statehouse. Sorrell told the group that he's fought for stronger environmental laws, he's battled the national tobacco companies and he's worked to implement critical consumer protection laws.  If he's re-elected, he says his top priority will be to educate Vermonters about the dangers that exist on the Internet and other forms of social media.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation is embarking on a series of highway construction and repair projects that are part of the biggest transportation-spending plan in state history. Governor Peter Shumlin signed the $658 million transportation bill Wednesday in Richmond in front of the historic Checkered House Bridge on Route 2. The bridge over the Winooski River is being widened to preserve its historic character.

Power plants, not power lines, may be in Vermont's future as a way to ease bottlenecks on the state's transmission grid.  The Vermont Electric Power Company, which operates the statewide grid, is exploring alternatives to building costly new transmission upgrades.  Chris Dutton, VELCO's CEO talked about the potential options at an energy conference in Montpelier for the staff of the New England governors and eastern Canadian premiers. In the Rutland area, Dutton said a proposed biomass plant could help stabilize the grid. And to meet the needs near Burlington, electricity could be imported from Hydro-Quebec and fed into the grid, not at the border but through a converter in Chittenden County.

Vermont's Burlington College has a new president. The trustees of the college named Vice President Christine Plunkett to the top job. She will take office on Friday. The Burlington Free Press reports Plunkett emerged from among five finalists in a national search that drew 60 applications. She replaces Jane Sanders, who resigned in September after seven years as president.

Entergy Vermont Yankee wants state regulators to change legal rulings that limited its operation to March of this year.  Entergy has approval from the federal government to operate until 2032. But it still needs permission from the Vermont Public Service Board for a new 20-year state license, called a certificate of public good.  The PSB has allowed Entergy to operate its nuclear plant while it reviews the case. But now Entergy wants the board to go back and alter earlier orders that restricted storage of spent fuel, and limited operation to this past March.

New York is dusting off its 40-year-old "I Love NY" icon in a $2 million tourism push aimed at vacationers in the state, in neighboring states and in Canada.  Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the TV campaign Wednesday, marking the return of the "I Love NY" logo with a heart in place of the word "love."  The summer tourism commercials will run in upstate markets as well as in Cleveland, Philadelphia, Toronto, Montreal and Connecticut.  TV ads will run on network and cable stations. They include NBC's "Today" show, ABC's "Good Morning America" and the Food Network, where Cuomo's girlfriend, Sandra Lee, is a host.  Print ads will adorn New York City taxis.  New Yorkers are invited to redraw the "I Love NY" symbol for an online gallery at http://iloveny.com.

The First Annual Starksboro Coffeehouse Benefit will feature Pete Sutherland, local, and student performers at the Common Ground Center in Starksboro this Saturday.  Doors open at 6PM and the runs from event 6:30-8:30PM. The suggested donation is $5 per person or $10 per family. However, no one will be turned away from the event for lack of funds. Light fare will be served including desserts and beverages.  All proceeds will benefit Robinson Elementary musical instrument scholarships.  For more details contact San Gordon via e-mail at sgordon@anesu.org or by telephone at 453-2949.

Brandon Music on Country Club Road in Brandon will present Judi Silvano’s Indigo Moods Quartet, featuring Fred Jacobs on trumpet, Tom Cleary on piano, John Rivers on bass and special guest Dan Silverman on trombone this Sunday at 7pm in the Music Café. She was voted Top Ten Jazz Vocalist in Down Beat Magazine Reader's Poll four times.  The concert is a part of the year-round weekly Sunday Jazz at Brandon Music series. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $18 at the door. Brandon Music offers an Early Bird dinner special, which includes a ticket for the jazz performance, for $25 per person. Enjoy the chef’s award-winning chili and cornbread as well as dessert before listening to world-class jazz. Reservations are required for dinner.  For more information just visit www.brandon-music.net.

Infidelity, mistaken identity, people drunk at work and two hours of laughter are just some of the characteristics of the Tony-nominated play “Moon Over Buffalo.” Starting Friday, the Brandon Town Players will perform the gut-wrenching comedic play during a two-weekend run at Brandon’s Town Hall Theater. Performances begin at 7:30PM Friday and Saturday at Town Hall Theater. A matinee at 2:00PM will follow on Sunday.

The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival gets underway tomorrow! For more than a quarter of a century, the Queen City has celebrated live music during the annual Discover Jazz Festival. Music resonates from every corner of Burlington — from the region’s premier performing arts facility, the Flynn Center, to the Church Street Marketplace, to Waterfront and City Hall Parks, to neighborhood restaurants. This 10-day event is a chance for the community to revel in jazz’s spectrum of different forms and meet the world-renowned artists. Visit www.discoverjazz.com.

From Fox 44 and ABC 22 News:

The National Weather Service has confirmed that Tuesday's storms did produce a tornado in West Glover, Vermont.  Experts say it was considered a weak tornado but it's still rare for any tornado to hit the state.  As storms hit the area Tuesday, National Weather Service meteorologist Brooke Taber watched as a dangerous thunderstorm moved across northern Vermont.  "We did have this classic tornadic signature on radar for about an hour," says Taber.  Taber's suspicions proved right after a visit to West Glover Wednesday.  That's where he says he saw up to 50 trees that were uprooted, twisted or snapped and some damage to a home. "We did see debris signatures that were associated with a tornadic thunderstorm and we did rate it an EF-0," says Taber.  Taber says the tornado packed winds of up to 80 miles an hour, cut a path 100 yards wide and was on the ground for a third of mile.  On Wednesday, he also checked out what up to five inches of rain and flash flooding damaged in northern Vermont.  "People were saying they saw walls of water that did the damage in 30 minutes," says Taber.  He says that washed out roads, culverts and moved cars.  Taber says the collision of strong winds, warm temperatures, high humidity and fronts produced Tuesday's storms.  "They are not very typical. Usually once to two times a year we'll get storms of these magnitudes," says Taber.  Taber says a tornado only hits Vermont about once a year.  He says the rating, EF-0, which is the lowest tornado rating, is the usually strength for a tornado in Vermont.

Vermont taxpayers, be on the lookout. The Green Mountain State is cracking down on unpaid taxes, costing some people a chunk of change.  For the first time in the 75 years his business has been operating, John Center, the owner of Fabian Earth Moving, Inc., was told he was not paying his taxes correctly.  "It was kind of a trying experience. The auditor spent the better part of 3 weeks at our business," Center said.  The auditor found that Center owes Vermont a couple hundred dollars for some obscure taxes like a sales tax for grass seed, or for equipment parts from out of State.  "You know we try to keep up on State Web sites and this kind of thing but a lot of times when you call a State agency if you talk to five different people you're going to get a lot of different answers," Center said.  But Center is not the only one who is being forced to pay up. A few years ago, Vermont's legislature hired several new auditors in a move to pinch every penny to help close Vermont's budget gap.  "We want to make sure that everyone is paying the right amount of taxes. Don't need to raise taxes if everybody is paying what is actually owed," Tax Commissioner Mary Peterson said.  For some people, that may mean paying several years worth of taxes that they did not know existed. That could be anywhere from a hundred to hundreds of thousands of dollars.  "People do need to keep up with the tax laws," Peterson said.  But she also recognizes that tax policy can be confusing.  "We're actually hiring some outreach specialists so that we can do a better job of developing our policies and educating people on what those policies are," Peterson said.  The aggressive tax collection has only had average results. It gave the State roughly $7 million in extra tax revenue. That is compared to the State's projected budget gap of $46 million this year. To learn what you can do if you have unpaid taxes, click HERE

A plan to alleviate heavy traffic near Exit 16 in Colchester is making progress. Wednesday night the public got a chance to voice concerns and ask questions about the multi-million dollar project. The proposed project is called a ‘Double Crossover Diamond Interchange,' and while a number of residents seem happy change is being made to the overpopulated intersection there a number of concerns when it comes to pedestrian safety and overall driver confusion.  Driving down Route 2 and Route 7 in Colchester can be a gridlock headache, but a project is in the works to improve the traffic congestion.  It requires both sides of traffic to briefly cross on opposite sides of the road. The project will also widen US Routes 2 and 7 from the Winooski town line up one mile north into Colchester.  "It will allow a free flow of traffic for the left turn lane as you get southbound on the interchange and will actually free up a lot of the congestion on the interchange," said Kevin Marshia with the Vermont Agency of Transportation.    Some people at the meeting agree it will be beneficial for drivers.  "It's clear that its well thought out and carefully designed in regard to motor vehicles," said a member in the audience.  However, several had concerns about pedestrian safety, "They may have difficulties trying to get across these ramps."  Project designers say they hope to start construction in 2014-2015. The public has 10 days from Wednesday's meeting to submit commits and concerns on the project.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

WVTK Local & State News May 30, 2012


An informational meeting about the South Street & Green Mountain Place Project will be held this Thursday at 5:30 PM in the MVAA Conference Room.  In response to input from the public meeting held in April, the Town will present traffic calming concepts for the project. The meeting will be taped by MCTV.

Repair work continues on the historic Pulp Mill Covered Bridge that was originally constructed in the 1800s.  Recently, Middlebury and Weybridge officials closed the bridge over Otter Creek for major structural repairs now underway.  Approximately 2,000 cars and light trucks traversed the span every day.  In 2002, the bridge was closed for several weeks while work was done on a middle truss.  According to the Vermont Agency of Transportation, the first effort to maintain the bridge began in the 1860s with plank arches. Then, two concrete piers with hardwood cribbing were constructed in 1979. Work was also done on the trusses in 1991.  The one-of-a-kind bridge takes it name from a 19th century pulp wood mill that stood nearby. Both the towns of Weybridge and Middlebury maintain the historic span.

Middlebury Union High School officials announced the school’s class of 2012 valedictorians.  They are William Conlon, Stephen Peters-Collaer and Emma Ryan.  Graham Barlow, Hannah Kraus and Nellie Pierce are the 2012 salutatorians. 

The New York State Department of Transportation has announced a commemoration program highlighting the original 1929 Lake Champlain Bridge, which was replaced by a new span last fall.  The program now has two interpretive displays located in New York’s Lake Champlain Visitors Center and Vermont’s Chimney Point State Historic Site along with a website, www.dot.ny.gov/LCBCommemoration.  Additional displays will be installed in the region later this year. 

The Ti-Alliance in partnership with the Town of Ticonderoga, is hosting a speaker series on Monday nights during the month of June. All of the speakers will address topics related to revitalizing communities. Programs will be at 7 p.m. on the top floor of the Ticonderoga Community Building on Montcalm Street.  All of the presentations are free and open to the public. The Ti-Alliance is a not-for-profit, local development corporation whose mission it is to restore economic prosperity in the Ticonderoga region, by serving as a clearinghouse for innovative ideas and resources, and a catalyst for public-private partnerships and investment opportunities.

Members of the Horace Nye Task Force have made their recommendation to sell the Essex County owned nursing home to Centers for Specialty Care.  Members of the Horace Nye Task Force sub-committee overwhelmingly showed their support for the New York City-based care provider who also operates 15 facilities in the state. The full Board of Supervisors will next meet this coming Monday where the recommendation is expected to be voted on by the 18 supervisors under the weighted vote system.

According to the County Department of Social Services Commissioner John O’Neill the tenacious work ethic of the Essex County Child Support Enforcement Unit collected $3.8 million last year.  The nine-person unit threw people in jail, seized bank and retirement accounts and intercepted tax refunds to get the money.  The Social Services group is charged with collecting court-ordered child support from parents, and it’s averaging 2,000 cases a year. 

A petition drive has started in Rutland to save the local hospital's inpatient rehabilitation unit.  But hospital officials say they have no choice. They're grappling with a $7 million budget shortfall, and closing the rehab unit will save $3.5 million.  Rutland's 12-bed inpatient rehab unit helps people recover from strokes, head or spinal injuries, joint replacements and some long-term ailments.  It's one of only three acute rehab facilities affiliated with a hospital in the state. So if it closes, patients will have to travel to Burlington or Mount Ascutney Hospital for such care. Rutland Regional Medical Center's board of directors will decide this week whether to go along with the plan to close the rehab center or to try a different approach.

Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras is meeting with school officials today to talk about his plan to direct money from the sale of the former Dana School to city coffers.  Louras said he believes the school “department” still has the authority to take $300,000 or 3 cents on the grand list every year from taxes collected. That’s according to an approved ballot question in 1998.


On Thursday, an assistant professor of computer science at Norwich University is making it official:  he's running for office.  Jeremy Hansen of Montpelier is kicking off his campaign for state Senate tomorrow morning at Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, intending to run as an independent.  In a news release to the "Burlington Free Press," Hansen says that while we're living in the information age, Vermont is getting by with horse-and-buggy representation, and he wants to change that, by empowering Washington County citizens with direct representative democracy.

The head of the Vermont National Guard says he's thrilled and honored to be taking a new military job, but he will be sorry to leave the men and women he has served with for more than 30 years.  Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie says it will probably be late summer before he leaves Vermont for his new position in Colorado as the deputy commander of the United States Northern Command.  The command was created following the 9/11 attacks to protect U.S. territory and provide military support for civil authorities in the event of a national emergency.  Last week the U.S. Senate confirmed Dubie in the new post.  Dubie's deputy will succeed him until the Legislature can elect a permanent replacement next winter.

Vermont Congressman Peter Welch says he wants to hear from residents about their struggles with student loans.  Congress is at loggerheads over how to avoid a July 1st doubling of interest rates on some Stafford Student Loans, and Welch and the head of the Vermont Student Assistance Corp. will be holding a telephone conference this evening with people concerned about the issue.  VSAC’s Don Vickers will join Welch on the 7:30 call.  Following brief introductory remarks, Vermonters taking part in the call will have a chance to ask questions, share their stories and offer their ideas.  To join the call, dial (toll-free) 877-229-8493 and enter PIN code 13785.

Town officials in Morristown have formally approved an agreement with the state to host some beds from the state mental hospital.  The agreement comes nearly nine months after Tropical Storm Irene devastated the State Hospital in Waterbury.  The hospital will be replaced with one central and two regional facilities. Morristown will host 16 beds for a year beginning in July.  The town was slated to discuss the plan at a select board meeting last night.  Meanwhile town officials in Berlin will hold their own meeting today on the plan for the 25-bed central hospital in that central Vermont town.

Congressman Peter Welch hopes a partnership that's been helping Vermont National Guard members with their small business needs can become a model for the nation.   It's hard enough to start or run a small business. But to do it while you're deployed in the military can be truly daunting.  Back in 2008, Vermont's Small Business Development Center won a 300-thousand dollar grant to work directly with the Vermont National Guard to help veterans with their small business needs.   Because of the program's success, Welch is working to expand the partnership nationwide.

The Cuomo administration is suspending its restrictions on smoking in parks, pools, beaches and historic sites after a smokers rights groups objected.  Instead, the administration said yesterday the measures would be voluntary for at least two months while a full rule-making process including public comment is concluded.  The state parks department issued its order in April after the Legislature failed to approve laws that would restrict smoking to some areas of the public facilities this summer. Failure to obey could have resulted in a disorderly conduct arrest.

Brandon Music on Country Club Road in Brandon will present Judi Silvano’s Indigo Moods Quartet, featuring Fred Jacobs on trumpet, Tom Cleary on piano, John Rivers on bass and special guest Dan Silverman on trombone this Sunday at 7pm in the Music Café. She was voted Top Ten Jazz Vocalist in Down Beat Magazine Reader's Poll four times.  The concert is a part of the year-round weekly Sunday Jazz at Brandon Music series. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $18 at the door. Brandon Music offers an Early Bird dinner special, which includes a ticket for the jazz performance, for $25 per person. Enjoy the chef’s award-winning chili and cornbread as well as dessert before listening to world-class jazz. Reservations are required for dinner.  For more information just visit www.brandon-music.net.

The third annual Ticonderoga street art project seeks to decorate downtown sidewalks and stores with hand-painted, handcrafted birdhouses.  Sponsored by the Ticonderoga Montcalm Street Partnership the inaugural street art project featured “Soldiers on Parade,” wooden colonial soldiers painted and placed throughout the community. The second street art project was “Relax in the Adirondacks” and had decorated Adirondack chairs placed in the town.  This year’s street art theme is “For the Birds.”  To get involved just visit the TMSP website www.timainstreet.org

Nicholas Manfred, a seventh-grader at Moriah Central School, will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., this week.  Manfred earned his spot in the national competition by winning the Champlain Valley Educational Services Regional Spelling Bee at Seton Catholic Central School in March. After round one yesterday all 278 spellers will participate in rounds two and three of the competition, which will be televised live on ESPN3, from 8AM to 5:15PM today. Manfred’s progress in the bee can be tracked live during the competition at www.spellingbee.com

Kaylie Flannigan said her 10-day service trip to several poverty-stricken communities in Honduras earlier this year changed her life.  The Fair Haven Union High School senior from Castleton was part of a group of more than 30 people who traveled to the city of Donli in Honduras as part of an annual service trip by Rotary International. Since returning home, the Vermont student has made it her mission to raise money that will help supplement the loss of government funding. She created Hope for Honduras, a benefit fundraiser that will run throughout the summer. With the help of her mother, Angela Woodbury, she has planned at least one fundraising event during the summer months, including a lawn sale on the weekend of the town wide yard sale in Castleton. Other events include a spaghetti dinner and silent auction in July, a basket raffle in August and a second lawn sale in September. People can also donate cans and bottles at the Castleton redemption center, make a monetary donation or even sponsor a child.

From Fox 44 and ABC 22 News:

Keeping kids safe on Facebook: Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell teamed up with social media giant Facebook to give parents a better idea on how to keep minors protected.  Dozens of parents listened Tuesday night on how to keep their kids' Facebook profiles secure.  "I didn't know a lot of the functionality that existed," said parent Wendy King.  Wendy King says she learned a lot of new ways to monitor what her child does on the popular social media website, "I am on Facebook quite a bit mainly because my daughter is of age and I wanted to be a consumer to understand what she was facing."  Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell hosted the event to help give parents more information, "A lot of parents don't know much about Facebook, they are intimidated by it."  Sorrell says it's especially important for parents to be informed when it comes to cyber bullying, "I wanted more people in this community to know how to try and combat and protect young Vermonters from being cyber bullied."  Bullying was a focus of this meeting how other kids and parents can report it to Facebook.  "Kids aren't necessarily approaching their peers directly face to face but if there was a mechanism, where they could report that to a trusted adult, through an e-mail or something like that I think would be helpful," said King.

Strong thunderstorms, which packed rain, wind and lightning caused problems all across our area Tuesday.  Vermont Emergency Management says that there are no reports of serious damage.  The worst appears to be roads that were washed out, including a part of Route 74.  Flooding also affected Vermont routes 14, 100, and 302.  For about fifty-feet, parts underneath Route 74 were washed out.  That forced the road to be temporarily closed.  Crews planned to narrow the lanes so the road could re-open.  "There was a lot of rain. I think we got three, three and a half inches of rain total in like an hour period," says Leo Audet, who lives on Route 74 near Cornwall.  We actually first met Audet three years ago, after flash flooding also washed out this road.  "It's in the same area but not as bad as it was last time," says Audet.  Heavy rain also caused minor flooding including in fields and around streams and rivers.  For the latest on road closures click to www.511vt.com.  

Firefighters from throughout central Vermont were converging on the city of Barre where three fires were reported in homes within minutes of each other.  The fires were reported Tuesday morning after a series of thunderstorms passed through the region.  Mayor Thomas Lauzon says officials believe lightning strikes caused the fires, although a final determination has not been made.  Lauzon says the fires damaged two homes off U.S. Route 302, on Liberty and Waterman streets. A 200-year-old farmhouse on Allen Street in a different section of the city was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived. He says the fire in the farmhouse was reported by a passer-by, which delayed the response by firefighters.  No human injuries have been reported, although a number of pets are missing.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

WVTK Local & Sate News May 29, 2012

Area law enforcement agencies will be conducting sobriety and seat belt checkpoints throughout the week.  Police urge motorists to always wear seat belts and use designated drivers when appropriate.

The annual Memorial Day Parade in Vergennes drew thousands, as it usually does, in what turned out to likely be the biggest Memorial Day parade in what residents call the state's smallest city.  This was at least the 57th year of the parade, with 90 floats, and the usual school marching bands and politicians.  After the parade, however, is when things turned somber, with speakers remembering and honoring the fallen.  That includes more than three dozen Vermonters who lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq.

New Haven State Police are investigating a rash of mailbox vandalism's, which occurred on Saturday May 26th at approximately 4 AM on Royce Hill Road, Fisher Road, Murray Road and several other roads in the town of Orwell. If you have any information regarding the vandalism's please contact Trooper Doxsee at the State Police barracks in New Haven. (802-388-4919)

An informational meeting about the South Street & Green Mountain Place Project will be held this Thursday at 5:30 PM in the MVAA Conference Room.  In response to input from the public meeting held in April, the Town will present traffic calming concepts for the project. The meeting will be taped by MCTV.

Regional educators can again pick up techniques for the classroom from one of the area’s most impressive instructors: Lake Champlain.  The Champlain Basin Education Initiative is hosting an 11-day course for K through 12 educators, including a five-day session in July that will focus on field-based exploration of the Lake Champlain Basin. Participants will canoe the LaPlatte River, explore Mount Philo with a geologist, row longboats while discussing history with the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum staff, tour International Paper and explore the Ausable River from headwaters to Lake Champlain. 

When they mobilized following Irene, they didn't intend to still be around nine months later, but the group Restoring Rutland has found they are still needed.   The group says some in Rutland County are still without homes and lacking basic necessities. They are continuing to raise needed funds. Last week, a silent auction in Rutland raised over 7-thousand dollars, which will be distributed to local aid groups in and around Rutland County. Members of Restoring Rutland plan to host another fundraiser sometime in the near future.

Killington is forming two new committees to study ways to keep taxes low and get more people to move to the mountain resort town, which would in turn grow the tax base.  The town is asking interested residents to apply for the committees by June 7.  The Select Board is seeking candidates interested in serving on volunteer committees to analyze how the community can grow its full-time population. Anyone interested in applying to be on the committees can mail a letter of interest to the Killington Select Board.

The 2012 Ticonderoga Area Farmers Market sponsored by the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce in coordination with Inter-Lakes Health will take place on Saturday’s from June 30th through October 13th, 2012 (weather permitting).  The Farmers Market will be located on Route 9N south of Moses Circle and Liberty Monument except on Saturday, July 28th where the market will be in downtown Ticonderoga for the 4th Annual StreetFest. Farmers and vendors interested in participating in the market should contact the Chamber at 518-585-6619, chamberinfo@ticonderogany.com, visit www.ticonderogany.com or stop by the office located at 94 Montcalm Street in downtown Ticonderoga.

Ticonderoga’s teachers would like to thank everyone who came out to McDonald’s on May 1st and supported their efforts to raise funds. Local instructors flipped burgers and waited on customers during the third annual McTeacher Night.  McTeacher Night raised $4,000, which will be used for long overdue renovations at the kindergarten playground area at the Ticonderoga Elementary-Middle School. The playground committee also would like to express its appreciation to the all the teachers who worked at McTeacher Night and to the community members whose support made this a success.


Vermont is dropping its request for a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law.  President Obama said last year states were allowed to apply for the waiver in order to get flexibility in how they meet the strict requirements of the federal law.  Vermont was one of 37 to apply for the waiver, but the U.S. Department of Education told the state more information was needed.  The State Board of Education has since voted unanimously to drop the request, deciding it wasn't worth all the work to proceed.  Vermont will continue testing students to measure yearly progress.

Just in time for the start of the summer season, the Vermont State Parks has rolled out a free iPhone app that gives visitors the ability to access and organize all sorts of information.  Parks director Craig Whipple says the new app is essentially a field guide - on your Smartphone.  Whipple says the iPhone app is designed to provide everything from general information about each park, with directions, campground maps, photos, and contact numbers. Whipple says plans are in the works to make an android version of the Vermont State Parks app sometime soon.

The Derby Wind Project is being grounded.   The developer says he is pulling the plug on the proposal to build two wind turbines in the Canadian border town of Derby.  Encore Redevelopment has withdrawn the plan because of the mounting costs and the international dispute.   Many residents on both sides of the border expressed their concerns over the turbines.   The Caledonian Record reports, Encore will come back next year with a plan for a one-turbine project.

The Select Board and School Board in the central Vermont town of Berlin are slated to hold a joint meeting this week on a plan to build a new state psychiatric hospital in the town.  The session set for 6 PM tomorrow at the Berlin Elementary School is to include a presentation from state officials on the plan to build a 25-bed hospital as part of the plan to replace the former state hospital in Waterbury.  Sites near the Central Vermont Medical Center and the state regional library are under review.  The meeting also will include questions and comments from the public.

Vermont is among a handful of states looking to shore up revenues without raising taxes by making sure that current tax laws are enforced fully.  Vermont, Idaho and Oklahoma all hired additional tax auditors during the recent recession when revenues were lagging and have reaped millions of dollars as a result. After some resistance from taxpayers, lawmakers responded by canceling or placing a moratorium on the state's efforts to tax the toothbrushes given out by dentists, meals served at senior housing facilities, and software provided over the Internet in so-called cloud computing applications.

Sen. Charles Schumer is urging airlines to allow families with young children to sit together without paying extra.  The New York Democrat is reacting to a news story last week detailing how families this summer are going to find it harder to sit together without paying fees that can add up to hundreds of dollars over the original ticket price. Since last year, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines and United Airlines have increased the percent of seats they set aside for elite frequent fliers or customers willing to pay extra.

The Ticonderoga Festival Guild will offer people a night on the town when its holds its “Progressive Dinner.”  The biennial dinner will be Saturday, June 12th and the theme is “Wine, Winning and Song.”  This year's dinner will feature three area locations never used before. Appetizers will be at Tierney's, salad and entree at the Knights of Columbus hall, and dessert and beverages at the Wagon Wheel. Two seatings are scheduled, the first at 4 PM and the second at 5:30 PM. Each course takes approximately one hour.  Music will be featured at each venue by musicians Ernie Huntington, Gary Knight and Mary Lou and Michael Vassallo.  Door prizes are also part of the evening.  Tickets are $28. Reservations must be made in advance by calling 585-7015, emailing cburdick5@nycap.rr.com or mailing a check to the Ticonderoga Festival Guild at PO Box 125, Ticonderoga 12883.

Memorial Day may be the unofficial start to summer, but it sure felt like the real thing over the weekend.  With temperatures in the 80's, people flocked to the state parks that are now open for the season. There are 51 state parks spread across the state of Vermont and they'll be open through Labor Day.

Revolutionary War re-enactors will recreate an encampment of colonial militia at the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum in Burlington next weekend.  The Warner Regiment is planning to recreate soldiers who were training to reinforce the American forces in Canada in 1776.  You will get a chance to the view their lifestyle as well as tools and crafts from the time.  Museum interpreters will also offer tours of the historic Allen House, home to Ethan Allen, the leader of the Green Mountain Boys, who made a name for himself by helping to take Fort Ticonderoga from the British in the early days of the Revolutionary War.

From Fox 44 and ABC 22 News:

Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell invited experts from Facebook to talk to parents and students about online bullying Tuesday.  "It is certainly increasing nationally and we have had some unfortunate situations in Vermont," says Sorrell.  Sorrell says bullying lead to at least one suicide in the state.  Bullying also prompted a sit in at Essex High School in November.  Sorrell says it just happens that the high school was chosen for a discussion about online bullying.  Sorrell says there will be experts from Facebook to talk to parents about social media and what their kids are doing online.  He says kids can learn about how to protect their privacy on Facebook and hopefully prevent bullying.  "We want to be aggressive in response to that and we want to protect kids and let them know how to better protect themselves from being a victim of bullying," says Sorrell.  Sorrell says schools in Vermont are now more responsible for bullying outside the classroom. He also says the state has tougher laws that can be used against online bullies.  "People shouldn't think that because it's online that it's not illegal," says Sorrell.  The discussion is at the Essex High School at 7PM Tuesday.  It's open to any parent or student, not just those from Essex.

For people with cancer fighting the disease takes all of the strength and courage they have the last thing they need to worry about is finding a way to get to the hospital to receive life-saving treatments.   But the American Cancer Society says transportation is one of the biggest barriers for some cancer patients.  That's why it created the "road to recovery" program... And right now, there's a great need for volunteer drivers.  “Every year, almost 3,000 Vermonters are diagnosed with cancer and we want to make sure they're focused on getting well and getting better and that finding transportation isn't something that hinders their care.”  Some cancer patients have caregivers who work full time, others don't own a car and some people are just too weak to drive.

Friday, May 25, 2012

WVTK Local & State News May 25, 2012


Beginning Monday the 28th through Friday June 29th Seymour Street will be closed to through traffic at Main Street and at Elm Street. Seymour Street will be reconstructed from Main Street north past the Fire Station. The street and sidewalks will be lowered. Pedestrians are asked to please use caution. Access to businesses and residences north of the Fire Station will be via the Elm Street End.

This coming Memorial Day our very own Hobbes will make Vermont history by becoming the first canine to become a Police Dog in Two Cities! Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel will officially add him to the Vergennes Police Department as an honorary canine police officer. The honor will mark the second city to honor our four-legged friend. Middlebury Police Chief Tom Hanley added Hobbes to the Middlebury Police Department in February 2011. In adding Hobbes to his department, Chief Merkel cited the dog’s work with children and the work he has done with his co-host Bruce Zeman to make Vermont a better place. The appointment will take place during a ceremony following the Vergennes Memorial Day Parade. The Vergennes Police Chief is looking forward to having a new canine member on the force noting that his story is an “inspiration and is exciting for Vergennes and Vermont as a whole.” As for the duo’s future plans, their first book, “Hobbes Goes Home,” is scheduled to be released in the Fall of 2012.

A family’s cat was lost in a fire at a Brandon home yesterday morning and their dog had to be revived by emergency personnel.  Brandon Fire Chief Eric Mallory said the dog was in a sealed crate during the fire and had to be revived using an oxygen mask. He said the dog was taken to a Rutland veterinary and would be fine.  Firefighters responded to a single-family home on Barlow Avenue in Brandon just before ten yesterday morning.  The owner, Steve Bissette, was not home at the time the fire stated.  Chief Mallory said they had the Vermont State Police fire investigators on the scene who determined it was not suspicious and it had started in a room near a computer.

Visitors to a popular swimming hole in Clarendon may have trouble finding a place to park their cars.  A town ordinance prohibits parking on Gorge Road and anyone who violates the ordinance risks a ticket. Board members indicated the town had passed an ordinance banning parking along Gorge Road to reduce illegal and unwanted activities ranging from drug use to nude swimming.


Wallingford residents will have to answer a $100,000 question next month.  The Wallingford Select Board has scheduled a special meeting in June to seek voter approval for a low-interest loan to be used for a Route 140 West bridge project.  The loan of up to $100,000 would enable the town to secure a $400,000 state transportation grant to paint and repair the historic truss bridge spanning Otter Creek.

The Essex County Ethics Committee issued a decision reprimanding Keene's supervisor for using town gas.  Its findings came yesterday after a six-week review, saying the committee believes Bill Ferebee's use of 14 gallons from the town fuel pumps did "present the appearance of impropriety, which violates the ethical principles of Essex County and the Town of Keene."  But his action in freely admitting the gas use and paying for it the next day "proves he had no intent to defraud the town."  The decision ruled "there is no evidence of fraud or official misconduct."

The Hannaford supermarket chain says all seafood sold in its 181 stores in the Northeast is now documented as sustainable.  The Maine-based chain says under its new policy, it documents all seafood products as coming from fisheries governed by effective, science-based management plans. Hannaford's George Parmenter said the policy has resulted in the removal of about 50 seafood products from its stores, all from overseas suppliers. He said other suppliers have improved their harvesting practices to come in line with company standards.

The federal government has introduced its Secure Communities immigration enforcement policy in Vermont, despite the state's so-called bias-free policing policy.  Vermont officials say they won't make any changes to their policy despite the shift at the federal level. Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn says there's nothing in the new federal immigration policy that will affect how Vermont State Police work in this state.

Republican candidate for governor Randy Brock and a team of policy advisors are fine-tuning a free-market alternative to Gov. Peter Shumlin’s single-payer health care proposal.  At the GOP’s convention last Saturday, Brock revealed the rough outlines of his conservative take on health care reform. Less government intervention, not more, Brock said, will allow market forces to work their cost-containment magic.

A new Vermont law will help save lives and it started with one influential 8th grader.  In February Williston Central School 8th grader Tommy Watson set out to train 100 people in CPR.  Watson trained Governor Peter Shumlin right before he signed a new law that would give every Vermont student the opportunity to learn CPR before they graduate from High School.   That means thousands of people will be trained each year.   Watson says it's important because hundreds of thousand of people suffer from sudden cardiac arrest.

Vermont is withdrawing their application for a flexibility waiver for the No Child Left Behind Act.   The Vermont Department of Education has been negotiating for flexibility with the United States Education Department since August 2011.  The press release says the U.S. Education Department is insisting on using a single test to determine accountability and using that test to evaluate teacher performance.  Vermont will not lose any money from withdrawing. The Vermont Department of Education says they will continue to operate under the existing federal law.   The state board voted unanimously to stop work on the waiver. Congress is expected to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which would void any new system formed under the flexibility waiver.

Former Republican Lt. Gov. T. Garry Buckley has passed at age 89.  Buckley's family says he died peacefully of old age on Wednesday in Stowe, where he lived with his wife.  Buckley became lieutenant governor in 1977 despite losing the general election. No candidate received a majority in the 1976 race for lieutenant governor, so the state Legislature had the power to pick. It chose Buckley over Democrat John Alden in a 90-87 vote.  Buckley served until 1979.

Burke Mountain has been sold to Bill Stenger, Jay Peak's president, and his long-time partner Ari Quiros.   Officials say there will be cross-promotional activities between the two resorts as early as next winter.  This is just the latest in a string of big moves by the owners of Jay. Last year, the park opened its indoor water-park.  New plans are also in the works to build new hotels and additional ski lifts.   The price of the deal is not being released and Jay obtained ownership of the Burke Mountain Resort on Tuesday.


The Agency of Natural Resources is dealing with a "gift" that keeps on giving courtesy of Tropical Storm Irene.  It's called Japanese Knotweed, which is an invasive plant spread by the storm last year.  It's considered problematic because it spreads by its shallow roots.  In other words, if you try to dig it up when it's already well established, you may just be creating more plants.  Japanese Knotweed looks like red asparagus and is often referred to as "bamboo."

Former Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss wants to stay in politics, but this time as a state senator.  He announced Thursday he's running as an independent, but still has to collect the 100 signatures needed to get on the ballot.  Those are due June 14th.  The primary election is August 28th, but by running as an independent he would not be involved in that.  Kiss says his six years serving in the Vermont House followed by six years as Burlington's mayor are both assets as he goes after one of six seats in the Chittenden district.  One of the six incumbents, Democrat Hinda Miller, is retiring.

Camp Johnson has just undergone a $1.8 million expansion.  The new building will primarily be used for recruitment purposes as well as marketing efforts and license distribution. The building is more than 8,000 square feet and has been in the works for six years. Funding for the project came from the U.S. Military construction budget.

New York State has a hotline this prom and high school graduation season to help keep young drivers off the road if they've been drinking.  State officials set up 1-866-UNDER21 to report underage drinking, thinking it could help stop young people from driving under the influence of alcohol. Calls go to the state police, who forward them to local agencies. The anonymity of callers is protected. State officials say drivers under 21 represent about 5 percent of licensed drivers, but are involved in more than 12 percent of fatal crashes.

Brandon Music on Country Club Road in Brandon will host the Swing Noire Trio this Friday at 7:30PM.  Tickets are $15 per person. Based in Vermont, Swing Noire plays Gypsy Jazz in the tradition of the world-famous Hot Club of France. Their sound is reminiscent of the early days of jazz.  Then on Sunday as part of the weekly jazz series at Brandon Music get ready to take in the sounds of Jazz Vocalist Sharon Jones in the Music Café at 7PM. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $18 at the door. Brandon Music offers an Early Bird dinner special, which includes a ticket for the Sunday jazz performance, for $25 per person.  Get details about both concerts right now at www.brandon-music.net.

The Beatles tribute band, “Tomorrow Never Knows” will perform at 7:30PM on Saturday at the Brandon Town Hall.  The band, which just played two sold out shows at the Middlebury Town Hall Theater, covers nearly every phase of The Beatles’ catalog, often in the form of the albums being played track-by-track in their entirety. They aim to replicate the Beatles’ music.  The performance will benefit the town hall. Tickets are $15. Tickets for seniors and students are $13 and can be purchased at Carr’s Florist and Gifts or at the door.

Clare Whitney, a student at Schroon Lake Central School, met many hungry children during a Mission of Hope visit to Nicaragua in February and she came home determined to help.  That’s the reason’s she’s planning a 5-kilometer race Saturday, June 16th.  With your help her goal is to raise $10,000 by the end of the year and she’d like to raise half of that with this race alone. Whitney says this money will pay for the lunches of a little more than 130 children for one school year. The race will be held at Schroon Lake Central School. There will be a children’s fun run at 9AM with the 5K-race beginning at 9:30. Runners can contact Whitney at 532-9222 or Email her at clare.whitney95@yahoo.com to register.

From Fox 44 and ABC 22 News:

Vermont Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan says this summer's job outlook appears far better than last year.  "We're feeling very confident about employment numbers for hiring this summer. And we're seeing that and we're hearing that from the Vermont employer communities," Noonan said.  Noonan says the construction industry is getting stronger and so is manufacturing. CareerBuilder.com reports that 45 percent of the country's manufacturers plan to bring on summer hires.  "And leisure and hospitality, even though it had a decline because of the seasonal lay-offs at the end of the ski season, we are starting to see those numbers pick up and they are hiring," Noonan said.  Noonan says there is one more industry that is picking up steam and it could keep you employed permanently. It is professional and technical services.  "Professional services include things like architecture, legal counsel, accounting, pay-roll, graphic design engineering," Noonan said.

We have an update to a story from earlier this week where American flags stolen from 2 Winooski homes.  Turns out u-s senator Patrick Leahy saw the story and decided to help.  He sent both homeowners replacements.  Not just any flags...but ones that once flew over the US capitol.  As you can imagine both homeowners were surprised...and grateful for the gifts.  “We didn't expect it at all and it's an honor to get that...that people care and they would think about getting us a flag and when we get a pole it will be flying."   Winooski police have not made any arrests.  If you know anything about the thefts...you're asked to give them a call.

A holiday weekend, a marathon, and good weather. That's a mix that could make for a busy weekend in Burlington and it's a big change from a year ago as the city and businesses struggled with historic flooding.  The tables were out and Breakwater Cafe & Grill in Burlington was ready for customers Thursday.  "It's about 34 days earlier than last year and with a lot less work and a lot less stress," says Al Gobeille, owner.  Gobeille still has a hard time thinking back to last spring.  "It was two months of four-feet of water where we are standing right now," says Gobeille.  When Lake Champlain poured into his restaurant, Gobeille saw money drain out.  He says between lost sales and repairing damage, flooding cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars.  "It was a survival summer. It was hard to complain because there were homeowners that were forced from their homes," says Gobeille.  While it's been a year since the lake flooded, some of the damage has not been repaired. That was a concern to organizers of the Key Bank Vermont City Marathon.  Race Director of Communications Leandre Waldo-Johnson says there were detours last year because of the flooding.  She says thankfully the damaged parts of the route have recently been repaired.  "The Public Works' crew and the Department of Parks and Recreation have done an exceptional job getting the course ready for us," says Waldo-Johnson.  Waldo-Johnson expects some 8,000 runners and 30,000 spectators for the 24th annual marathon Sunday.  She says they could pump up to $3.5-million into the area.  "We are so excited. It's going to be a great event," says Waldo-Johnson.  There are going to road closures Sunday morning because of the marathon.  Organizers say drivers should prepare for long delays near the course.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

WVTK Local & State News May 24, 2012



This coming Memorial Day our very own Hobbes will make Vermont history by becoming the first canine to become a Police Dog in Two Cities! Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel will officially add him to the Vergennes Police Department as an honorary canine police officer. The honor will mark the second city to honor our four-legged friend. Middlebury Police Chief Tom Hanley added Hobbes to the Middlebury Police Department in February 2011. In adding Hobbes to his department, Chief Merkel cited the dog’s work with children and the work he has done with his co-host Bruce Zeman to make Vermont a better place. The appointment will take place during a ceremony following the Vergennes Memorial Day Parade and the Vergennes Police Chief is looking forward to having a new canine member on the force noting that his story is an “inspiration and is exciting for Vergennes and Vermont as a whole.” As for the duo’s future plans, their first book, “Hobbes Goes Home,” is scheduled to be released in the Fall of 2012.

Beginning Monday the 28th through Friday June 29th Seymour Street will be closed to through traffic at Main Street and at Elm Street. Seymour Street will be reconstructed from Main Street north past the Fire Station. The street and sidewalks will be lowered. Pedestrians are asked to please use caution. Access to businesses and residences north of the Fire Station will be via the Elm Street End.

The Vergennes Partnership wants the public to consider the "new" Vergennes as a place to live, work and play. The community organization will host a special event, "Back to the Future: Destination Vergennes", a pictorial revue about the rebirth of the Little City, this tonight from 6 – 7:30PM at the Vergennes Opera House.  The show will highlight the accomplishments of the Partnership since its 1999 inception with past and present images of the city, a display, and tables for each Partnership committee. The event will also be the launch for the Vergennes Wi-Fi Internet project.

The Town of Ticonderoga is holding a public hearing at 6 this evening to get public input on the town's housing, infrastructure and economic development needs.  Ti Alliance President Justin Woods said the hearing would gain public input to be used in applying for infrastructure grants.  The session will take place at the Ticonderoga Community Building.

This week the Middlebury Select Board approved an Agreement with Efficiency Vermont for administration of the PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy Program) loan program for energy efficiency upgrades. The first round of funding for energy upgrades and/or renewable energy projects will be available this summer. Efficiency Vermont will provide marketing materials and information about the program will be posted on the Town's web site.

The Middlebury Select Board adopted a resolution to continue to work with ACTR to address burdens upon the Town, if any, consistent with the intent of the DRB condition and to coordinate ACTR's proposed facility sidewalk with the Town's planned project on Creek Road.

The Planning Commission shared proposed zoning amendments on Flood & Fluvial Erosion Hazards for consideration by the Middlebury Select Board. The Board must hold at least one public hearing on the zoning amendments before adopting the new regulations. The Select Board forwarded the proposed regulations to the River Task Force for review and recommendations.  The full text of the proposed regulations will be available on the Town's website.

The Town Of Middlebury received nine bids from contractors for the repair of under cutting of the banks of the Otter Creek along Creek Road. The Board awarded the bid to Acker Excavating with a low bid of $11,415. All necessary permits for the work will be obtained and the work is eligible for 90% funding from FEMA.

The Middlebury Select Board re-appointed David Hamilton as one of the Town's delegates to the Addison County Regional Planning Commission at this weeks meeting.  Meanwhile given the short timeline for letters of interest after the Select Board expanded the Advisory Board by two members, the Business Development Fund Advisory Board recommended extending the deadline for letters to June 1st and using non-traditional methods for reaching candidates, such as Facebook, Twitter and e-mail lists of affiliated local organizations.

A Meeting on the South Street Road Construction Project has been scheduled for May 31st at 5:30PM at MVAA on Collins Drive. The purpose of the meeting is to present recommendations for traffic calming measures on South Street developed in response to public input at a meeting on the project in April. The recommendations will then be presented to the Public Works Committee for review at a meeting on June 7th or 8th.

Middlebury Rotary Club’s Stephen Freeman Service Above Self Award and the club's annual community service awards dinner took place at the Middlebury Inn last week.  The Freeman Award was named after a life-long Rotarian.  The recipient of that award was John Derick.  Derick’s volunteer work on the Train Around Middlebury demonstrated a life long dedication to the community.  The recipient of the Buster Brush Community Service Award was Greg Wry for ongoing service to the community.

Members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 15/13 will once again join with the Ticonderoga Elks in working to make the 2012 Elks Fishing Tournament a success.  The members of the Flotilla will be at the tournament on June 2nd to promote marine/boating safety. Activities will include distribution of materials and items that encourage the children, along with their parents to keep an eye on fishing, boating and enjoying the water in a safe manner.

The Best Fourth In The North Committee is seeking participants for the 2012 Best Fourth In The North Parade and Bed Race. The Theme for the 2012 Parade will be “A Salute To Community Volunteers”. The Bed Race will begin at 1:45 PM in front of the Ticonderoga Fire Department. The parade will begin at 2:00 PM. The Grand Marshall for the Best Fourth In The North Parade will be Bob Dedrick who is a dedicated volunteer in Ticonderoga and truly is a leading example for the community. Parade and Bed Race applications as well as rules and regulations are available on their Website or at the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce office.  Applications must be in by June 25th.

Horace Nye supporters have organized a special day to show their support for the county-owned facility Saturday, June 2nd at the Memorial Park on Main Street.  Task Force to Save Horace Nye member Celeste Beeman said the event has been organized for county resident’s to hold his or her own public hearing outside the walls of the County Building.  The event will begin at 10AM and will include several guest speakers such as the Moriah Town Supervisor. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with residents of the home, family and friends of residents as well as the staff at there.

A farmers’ market is set to open on an open lot off of Route 7 in Pittsford. It will be the town’s first ever farmers’ market. The farmers’ market is a nonprofit organization approved the Vermont’s Secretary of State Office. All they are waiting for now is their tax-exemption number. It will be located on an empty land parcel owned by local business owner Mike Blanchard, across from Winning Image Graphix on Route 7. 


A Rutland company now has the backing of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce as one of the top businesses in Vermont.  On Wednesday, the Foley Family of Companies was named outstanding business of the year at the Vermont Chamber Business and Industry Expo.  Company president Mark Foley says his team of 150 people is the reason they won.  The Foley family runs several businesses statewide, which address items like laundry services and party supplies to expanding development in Rutland.

Rutland teachers have a new contract with the school board unanimously approving the deal.  That happened last night, as it approved the four-year pact, which gives teachers a raise each year of either close to or at three-percent.  Teachers will also contribute from eleven- to 13-percent towards health care costs. 

Police say two men have been charged with robbing a clerk at the Midway Mobil on South Main Street at knifepoint about 11:20PM Tuesday in Rutland.  Police arrested Shaun Batease and Adam Hornbeck after they were seen leaving the area, tracked by a police dog and found to be in a local basement.  They were jailed at the Rutland jail and are due to be arraigned yesterday in Superior Court.

Middlebury resident and former Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, Gray Stevens and Bill Cleary are this year's LCI Lake Champlain Heritage Award recipients.  The award recipients were recognized for their dedication to improving the health of Lake Champlain and the heritage that makes area communities strong and desired places to call home.  The three individuals receiving the 2011 LCI Lake Champlain Heritage Awards were presented with their plaques at the Vermont Business Expo.

Governor Peter Shumlin says the state's economy is headed in the right direction as the unemployment rate declines and the business climate improves.  Shumlin held his weekly news conference in South Burlington, at the business expo organized by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The annual event is the state's biggest business-to-business trade show. So the economy was at the top of the governor's talking points.


A private ceremony today at Camp Johnson honors the state's fallen soldiers.  Members of the Vermont National Guard are attending, along with representatives from the state and congressional delegations.  It's being held at the Fallen Heroes Memorial, which includes the names of all Vermonters who made the ultimate sacrifice.

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From Fox 44 and ABC 22 News:

Since January 14 small dairy farms in Vermont have gone out of business. Miles Tudhope has known the dairy industry for more than a quarter of a century.  "There's been good times and really a lot of struggles," said Orwell dairy farmer, Miles Tudhope.  The Orwell farmer says his industry saw a tough year in 2009, "Some farms borrowed a lot of money, I mean they borrowed some tens, hundreds of thousands of dollars to stay in business."  Just three years later, more bad news, the price of milk is projected to fall. Add that to," The feed prices, the fuel prices, every cost are going up and every consumer out there knows," said Tudhope.  14 small dairy farms in Vermont have called it quits and sold off their cattle. Tudhope doesn't seem surprised given what they've been through, "It's the tipping point, the thing that makes them go over the edge. They are tired. They've been doing it for 30, 35 years and they get tired."  Tudhope doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon, "There are a lot of very successful dairy farms in the state that are very prosperous and they will weather the storm and they will be there in the future."

Governor Peter Shumlin has thrown his support behind the plan to put F-35 fighter jets at the Vermont Air National Guard base.  Shumlin says he's proud that the Air Force has made the Vermont Guard one of its top two choices for the new planes.  But the proposal has been much less welcome among officials and residents in communities around Burlington International Airport.  They worry about the noise the new generation planes will cause, especially in residential areas that currently are relatively protected from the F-16s that are now based in Burlington.  But Governor Shumlin says he thinks the noise will be offset by other factors.

On Wednesday, the City of Montpelier took a step to make sure its drinking water remains safe.  Recently the Vermont Supreme Court ruled the city couldn't stop people from fishing, boating and swimming on Berlin Pond.  While the court said the city couldn't stop people from doing those things, the city decided it could try to stop people from getting to the water.  For fishermen, who haven't cast a lure here in at least 85-years, Berlin Pond is a dream.  "You know there's got to be some big fish in here. You just know it. You just got that gut instinct," says Leo Williams, a fisherman.  But this has become a nightmare for people in Montpelier who have relied on the pond for their drinking water for 130-years.  "My question is, this is our water supply and this is important and how are we going to secure it?" says Angela Timpone, Montpelier City Councilor.  On Wednesday, the Montpelier City Council tried to figure out what to do in response to a recent ruling from the Vermont State Supreme Court.  The court ruled the city does not have the right to stop people from fishing, boating and swimming here.  "We have a few concerns, invasive species being in there," says Todd Law, director of public works.  Law says people and boats could contaminate the pond and the city's water supply.  "We have essentially been in a holding pattern to coordinate our response," says Chief Anthony Facos, Montpelier Police Department.  Facos says because the city owns most of the land around the pond officers could patrol it and kick people out who are trespassing.  That leaves just a small area on the water's edge not owned by Montpelier and would still be open.  "As long as it's open, I'll be here many more times because I want to get that one big bass," says Williams.  The City of Montpelier will also look at long-term solutions to stop people from using the pond again.  But for now, they hope warnings and possible citations from police protect their water.

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Brandon Music on Country Club Road in Brandon will host the Swing Noire Trio this Friday at 7:30PM.  Tickets are $15 per person. Based in Vermont, Swing Noire plays Gypsy Jazz in the tradition of the world-famous Hot Club of France. Their sound is reminiscent of the early days of jazz.  Then on Sunday as part of the weekly jazz series at Brandon Music get ready to take in the sounds of Jazz Vocalist Sharon Jones in the Music Café at 7PM. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $18 at the door. Brandon Music offers an Early Bird dinner special, which includes a ticket for the Sunday jazz performance, for $25 per person.  Get details about both concerts right now at www.brandon-music.net

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

WVTK Local & State News May 23, 2012


Beginning Monday the 28th through Friday June 29th Seymour Street will be closed to through traffic at Main Street and at Elm Street. Seymour Street will be reconstructed from Main Street north past the Fire Station. The street and sidewalks will be lowered. Pedestrians are asked to please use caution. Access to businesses and residences north of the Fire Station will be via the Elm Street End.

The Vergennes Partnership wants the public to consider the "new" Vergennes as a place to live, work and play. The community organization will host a special event, "Back to the Future: Destination Vergennes", a pictorial revue about the rebirth of the Little City, this Thursday from 6 – 7:30PM at the Vergennes Opera House.  The show will highlight the accomplishments of the Partnership since its 1999 inception with past and present images of the city, a display, and tables for each Partnership committee. The event will also be the launch for the Vergennes Wi-Fi Internet project.

On Monday Vermont State Police investigated a report of suspicious person seen on South Main Street in Whiting.  Further investigation led to the arrest of Joseph A. Wedge of Bristol for domestic assault, burglary, aggravated assault, and violations of conditions of release.  Wedge was processed at the New Haven VSP Barracks and subsequently lodged at Marble Valley Correctional. He was set to appear in Addison District Court yesterday.

The historic 1830s barns of Glen Dale Farm on Cider Mill Road in Cornwall will provide an historic stage for the Henry Sheldon Museum Antiques Auction to be held Friday, June 1st.  The auction preview starts at 4:30PM and the auction starts at 6PM.  Tom Broughton of Addison County will be the auctioneer.  All proceeds from the auction benefit the Sheldon Museum.  The Bridport Grange will provide food for the event. For a list of items to be auctioned, visit the Sheldon’s website, www.HenrySheldonMuseum.org

In light of the passage of legislation favoring hemp farming, Rural Vermont officials said H.747 authorizes the Vermont Agency of Agriculture to begin the process of allowing Vermont farmers the economic opportunity to cultivate hemp. The legislation is still dependant on the removal of federal prohibitions for Vermont farmers to cultivate industrial hemp as a cash crop. Rural Vermont will host a presentation on the economic potential of industrial hemp on Wednesday, June 6th at 7PM.  The talk and discussion will be held at the Addison County Regional Planning Commission office on Seminary Street in Middlebury.

Area students are receiving an excellent education according to a national news magazine.  U.S. News & World Report ranks Ticonderoga, Moriah, Crown Point and Schroon Lake high schools among the best in the nation.  Ticonderoga received a Silver Award in the list of top schools nationwide. Moriah, Crown Point and Schroon Lake each received a Bronze Award.  More than 22,000 public high schools were evaluated for the report with 4,318 cited. Schools were rated based on state assessments and college readiness as measured by student success in Advanced Placement and other college-prep programs.

Representatives of the Peebles Department Store chain said yesterday they are opening a Ticonderoga store within 90 days. The new store will take space vacated by Tops Friendly Market in the shopping plaza at Routes 9N and 74 in Ticonderoga.  It will feature moderately priced brand-name clothing and accessories, fragrances, home furnishings, cosmetics and footwear.  Brand Marketing Director Jennifer Grammar of Stage Stores Inc., the parent company of Peebles, said the new store would hire six to 12 associates, plus managers.  She said the opening would be at the end of August.

First, Essex County lawmakers' chairs were collapsing. Now, it looks like the roof itself is in danger of coming down at the Old County Courthouse.  The County Board of Supervisors meets weekly at that building in Elizabethtown, but members were told Monday that the four pillars out front are in danger of snapping off if they're not repaired soon. The County Public Works Committee unanimously approved immediate repairs to the pillars. The Old Courthouse is a historic building, so the State Historic Preservation Office must be consulted.

The developers of the proposed wind project in Rutland County told town officials and residents in Castleton on Monday that approximately three to five turbines would be constructed in the town’s portion of the ridgeline if the project moves forward.  Steve Eisenberg, managing director of Reunion Power, said they do not have the actual turbine determination as they are still working on developing the project’s site map, which would also include road locations, transmission lines and the maintenance building.  This was the second of four public informational meetings with the project’s host communities.

According to Rutland City officials heavy copper piping has been stolen from the pipe-house at White’s Pool.  Recreation Superintendant EJay Bishop said a plumber brought in to do repair work at the pool yesterday morning discovered that the pipes were missing.  Bishop said he expects to have replacement estimates in the next couple days and that the pool should still be ready for its scheduled opening date of June 16th.  The 4-inch pipe fed into the pool’s heater and estimated that between 30 and 40 feet were taken.

The Department of Buildings and General Services has permission to sell the downtown parking deck if the City of Rutland does not take over management of it.  A provision in the capital bill approved earlier this month clears the way for the sale of the deck as well as the Bloomer Building “following negotiations with the City of Rutland.” Should the city take over the deck, the bill authorizes the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services to spend $81,000 on new equipment there. 

Vermont and FEMA officials are seeking public input on the Waterbury office rebuild plan.   According to a press release, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state of Vermont will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, May 30th in Waterbury.  The hearing will take place at 7PM in Thatcher Brook Primary School cafeteria on Stowe Street. An open house is scheduled at 6:30PM where the public will have the opportunity to view general information and talk with representatives from the state and federal government.

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From Fox 44 and ABC 22 News:

The state of Vermont is now a part of a federal program aimed at identifying illegal immigrants arrested and charged with crimes.  The Department of Homeland Security says its Secure Communities program went into effect yesterday in Vermont.  The program shares the fingerprints of illegal immigrants charged with crimes with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. Advocates for Vermont immigrants say the program was implemented in the state without consulting state officials.

Scientists say you may notice some changes this summer in Vermont's waterways due to last year's flooding.  Fox44's Louisa Moller headed out on a motorboat Tuesday with Mark Lurvey.  "I think it's going to be a good boating season because everything compared to last year is going to be easy," Lurvey said.  He is partially right. Lake Champlain is back at normal levels, but there are still some lurking dangers.  "There's always debris out there, especially in the spring. You know, all the rivers are dumping into the lake. Until it moves and settles through the summer, it's always a hazard," U.S. Coast Guard member Bryon Kravchuck said.  The debris should be nothing like what we saw last spring or from Tropical Storm Irene, but Kravchuck says it is a good idea to use extra caution.  "Safe speed and keep a sharp lookout for objects," Kravchuck said.  If you plan to go swimming, there are some other things to look out for. The water may look foggy due to a buildup of sediment from last year's flooding. Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources says this is not a health hazard.  However, ANR is also testing for chemicals dumped in the water by the floods. The agency says tests have not revealed anything dangerous so far. But, biologists will continue testing throughout the summer.  There is one more water danger that crops up every year: toxic blue algae. ANR says algae blooms on lakes could be higher this summer because of the extra sediment in the water.

What's one more month after you've waited 20 years? That's how long some people have been waiting for a Walmart to be built in the Town of St. Albans.  A groundbreaking ceremony that was scheduled for the end of this month has been pushed back, again.   "There's federal highway permits, there's a water line extension that has to go, there's off-site storm water projects that needed to be completed before Walmart broke ground, and all of that stuff is now done," said project manager Jeff Davis said.  And when the time comes, the grass will be cleared and the weeds will have to go, before the 5th Walmart in the state can be built.  "We're ready to build, we're really excited," said Davis.  And that excitement has been building for two decades.   "As early as 1992, was the first time it was ever brought up," said Town Manager Gerry Myers.  The old corn field will be transformed into a discount superstore. It will mean jobs and allow for continued economic development, but it will not be welcomed by everyone.  "Vermont has its own image, it has its own fabric and some people believe that Wal-Mart's take away from that fabric," Myers said.  While some people oppose what the superstore will do to the scenery, others are excited about the convenience. In fact, after I stopped by the nearby Price Chopper, and talked with about a dozen people, I couldn't find one person who doesn't want Walmart to come to town.   Michaela Bushey says it'll save her from having to drive to Williston.  "It takes me a good solid hour to get down there, and it's not convenient," Bushey said.  Construction should start in July and be ready for Walmart shoppers by summer 2013.

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If the presidential election were to be held today, there's no doubt Obama would win the state.  Rich Clark, director of the Castleton Polling Institute, says it's also a good state to be a Democrat in, as Governor Peter Shumlin would win by a landslide if elections were held today.  Shumlin currently has 60-percent of Vermonters who say they'd elect him again.  Twenty-seven-percent say they favor Republican challenger Randy Brock, while eleven-percent say simply they're not sure.

Despite a public apology from the superintendent of the Burlington School district, community members are still calling for her resignation.  They met Tuesday night at the diversity and equity meeting, and said Superintendent Jeanne Collins needs to step down because of no action addressing what some call racial oppression.  Collins says she takes responsibility for the frustration many feel about race inequality in the district, but adds she can still make a change.  She says she's going to share her ideas of how to move forward next week.

Gov. Peter Shumlin will visit the offices of the gay rights organization Outright Vermont to celebrate the recent passage of two bills aimed at stamping out bullying in schools.  Shumlin recently signed into law two bills related to bullying.  One allows people to sue schools for failing to take steps to stop harassment. The other requires schools to adopt policies aimed at cracking down on harassment, hazing and bullying.  Outright is praising Shumlin as a protector of gay rights.

Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy wants the United States to cut spending on programs that he says aren't working in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.  As chairman of an appropriations subcommittee on foreign aid, Leahy has a great deal of control over federal purse strings. And he said US taxpayers shouldn't waste money on programs that he says have failed. Leahy said the proposed cuts would not affect national security or the safety of US troops.

Brandon Music on Country Club Road in Brandon will host the Swing Noire Trio this Friday at 7:30PM.  Tickets are $15 per person. Based in Vermont, Swing Noire plays Gypsy Jazz in the tradition of the world-famous Hot Club of France. Their sound is reminiscent of the early days of jazz.  Then on Sunday as part of the weekly jazz series at Brandon Music get ready to take in the sounds of Jazz Vocalist Sharon Jones in the Music Café at 7PM. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $18 at the door. Brandon Music offers an Early Bird dinner special, which includes a ticket for the Sunday jazz performance, for $25 per person.  Get details about both concerts right now at www.brandon-music.net.

Coming up this Saturday the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum will present Shipwreck Story Day featuring performances by members from the Lyric Theater cast of "Titanic: The Musical". A selection of props and photographs will reveal how Lyric volunteers created the settings for the dramatic tale. Other special activities will be offered all day as well.  For more information just visit http://www.lcmm.org.

The Chaffee Art Center has announced it will host its 51st annual Art in the Park Festivals August 11-12 and October 6-7.  With its 50-year tradition, Art in the Park is the longest running continuous craft festival in the region. The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has voted the August Festival a Top 10 Summer Event.  If you are a craftsperson or artisan who works in almost any medium, this is a great opportunity for marketing your products to thousands of people from all across New England. Applications received by June 30th will be juried on July 11th.  For more information visit www.chaffeeartcenter.org