WVTK Local & State News June 6, 2013

Vermont State Police are investigating a series of burglaries in the Cornwall area.  Troopers responded to a residence yesterday for a report of a burglary from a garage off West Street in Cornwall.  Investigators say several tools were stolen out of his garage between Monday night and Wednesday morning.  Vergennes State Police are attempting to locate two orange Husqvarna chainsaws with 18-inch bars as well as several other items.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police.  Information can also be submitted anonymously online at www.vtips.info.

Monkton has once again rejected an agreement on the proposed natural gas pipeline.  After several hours of intense discussion at a special meeting on Monday night, Monkton’s selectboard rejected a Memorandum of Understanding negotiated between Vermont Gas officials and Monkton.  Around 70 citizens attended the meeting.  The gas company’s petition for a Certificate of Public Good for Phase I of its Addison Natural Gas Project is currently under consideration by the Public Service Board.

Vermont is now the 17th state to get rid of criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana.  Governor Peter Shumlin signed a measure into law this morning.  The law replaces criminal penalties with civil fines similar to a traffic ticket for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana or five grams of hashish.  The law also treats possession of such amounts of marijuana by people under age 21 the same as underage possession of alcohol, including referral to court diversion for a first offense, potential civil penalties and/or license suspension, and criminal penalties for a third violation.

Ticonderoga will have a youth recreation program this summer.  The program, which served about 200 children each year, was victim of budget cuts a year ago.  Officials say the 2013 program will be self-sufficient and not cost local taxpayers anything.  The cost of the program, which is due at registration, is $10 a day for each child.  Children who are entering kindergarten through age 13 can attend up to five days a week 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 8 through Aug. 2 at Ticonderoga Elementary-Middle School.  Scholarships are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Scholarship information is available at the town clerk’s office.

The Middlebury College campus has said goodbye to a prominent feature of its athletic complex, the Bubble.  The 40,000-square-foot air-filled structure was inflated in 2002 as a temporary home for the Panther squash courts and other athletic facilities.  Workers deflated it earlier this week.  In its place will stand a brand new athletic field house, complete with an indoor track and squash courts.  After deflation and transportation, the Bubble will have a new home at Castleton State College.  Castleton officials say they are thrilled for the new dome.

Thanks to recent warm, wet weather - mosquitoes are out in force.  That has many in towns around Brandon concerned - because that’s where the mosquito born Triple E virus killed two people last year.  Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or Triple E, and West Nile are both rare and potentially deadly viruses.  Officials say people should take common sense precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites, using bug spray with DEET, covering up when they’re outside and when possible avoiding being out between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.