WVTK Local & State News March 7, 2013

Some of Vermont's lawmakers are considering expanding the state's beverage and bottle deposit program.  Right now, five-cent deposits are only added to beer, soda and hard liquor.  However, it's now suggested to add a nickel deposit to bottled water, sports drinks, and iced teas.  Milk and other multiple-serving containers would not get the tax.  Benefits seen are raising more money for the state plus encouraging recycling.  Other states, including Maine have already done this.  Opponents say they doubt it would have much effect.

Vermont State Police troopers responded to a report of a burglary at a residence on U.S. Route 7 in Wallingford.  Investigators say two handguns, a .357 Taurus and a .9MM Star, two Apple Ipods, and $50 cash were stolen from the residence.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police at Rutland, 802-773-9101.  Information can also be submitted anonymously online at www.vtips.info or text CRIMES (274637) to Keyword VTIPS.

Rutland's Police Chief says the city has applied for a $1 million U.S. Department of Justice grant to target mental health, substance abuse, poverty and other quality-of-life issues in one neighborhood.  Chief James Baker says a higher percentage of Rutland County's burglaries, thefts, vandalisms and assaults take place in a five-block-wide section of the city.  Baker distributed handouts at a public forum last night describing the northwest neighborhood as a "hot zone' for criminal acts. He said of the 13,000 police calls each year in the city, about 73 percent are in the neighborhood.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is urging the USDA to choose New York for their Greek yogurt pilot program.  A press release outlined the state's interest in being chosen for the pilot program, as well as encouraged USDA to amend the protein crediting standards to better reflect the nutritional value of Greek yogurt.  The press release says New York's yogurt plants have more than doubled in production and grew by 850 million pounds.  The USDA pilot programs would be a part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. This program provides meals in both public and private non-for-profit schools.

Police say two people were killed this morning in a crash in Quechee.  It happened on Route 4 at about 9:30 between the Quechee Gorge and the Fat Hat Factory.  Investigators say a 63-year-old woman from Woodstock was headed east when she crossed the center line and hit a trailer being towed by a westbound truck.  She then hit a westbound car head on.  Route 4 was closed and traffic was re-routed to Quechee Main Street for several hours so police could investigate.

If you heard some loud booms yesterday, you're likely to hear a few more this month.  Blame it on the Massachusetts Air National Guard.  The Guard already did some training in the skies over southern Vermont last month, and need to get a few more days of practice in.  Training is scheduled from about 9 AM until noon each Wednesday remaining in March.