A bill creating a sort of driver's license and
identification for illegal immigrants passes in the House, and Governor Peter
Shumlin says he'll sign it. Yesterday, the legislation passed creating drivers'
privilege cards which will also be I-D's but will look different from regular
drivers' licenses. It's estimated about 15-hundred immigrant workers live in
Vermont, and are considered vital to the state's dairy industry.
After rejecting the House version of the doctor-assisted
suicide bill yesterday, the state Senate agreed to debate it again this
morning. The vote came late yesterday on
whether to allow Vermonters who have less than six months to live to ask their
doctors for a prescription for a lethal dose of medication. The sticking point between the House and
Senate is government safeguards, something the House wants and the Senate does
not. Supports of the bill hope a common
ground is reached before the Legislature adjourns this weekend.
The Vermont State Police arrested a man for aggravated
sexual assault. Police say 48-year-old
Brandon Shackett Jr. of Brandon is
accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl during a sleep over last
month. If convicted, Shackett faces a
maximum term of life in prison and may be fined no more than $50,000. Shackett is due in court next month.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given Vermont
verbal approval to begin demolition of flood-damaged buildings at the Waterbury
Office Complex. Governor Peter Shumlin Shumlin
says that work should begin this summer.
Vermont is still waiting
to find out how much money it is getting from FEMA. The state is expecting $40 million-$50
million and is confident it will get it.
New York State Police arrested two people on meth charges in
Mooers. Police say they arrested
54-year-old Warren Inman and 41-year-old Donald Labarge Jr. of Champlain, for
unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine.
Police initially went to a residence located on Bashaw
Road to investigate a petit larceny complaint when
they discovered remnants of a meth lab.
Both suspects were arraigned and were committed to the Clinton County
Jail on $15,000 cash bail. Additional
charges are pending.
A plea deal involving a fatality and a drunk driving charge
fell apart in court Tuesday. 17-year-old
James Companion is charged with D-U-I with death resulting from an accident
nearly a year ago in Colchester . His passenger, 25-year-old Tasha Maring died
when the car ran into a utility pole and caught on fire. The plea bargain anticipated Tuesday didn't happen
because defense attorneys want more time, including having a pre-sentence
investigation done beforehand. Both
sides hope to have a deal in place later this month.
Students and community members have petitioned Middlebury
College Addison
County
