WVTK Local & State News November 4, 2013

It’s taken a long time, but a methadone clinic in West Rutland will finally open this week.  Local leaders say it’s going to provide some much needed help for recovering addicts who have had to travel long distances each day to receive doses to get themselves off of opiates.  The clinic’s medical director says the medication is part of the treatment, but so is long-term support through 12-step programs as well as access to other programs to help them put their lives back together.

Four Chittenden County towns are planning to vote on a $1.5 million bond that would help fund construction of two artificial turf fields at the high school in Hinesburg.  They would be the first turf fields for Champlain Valley Union High School, replacing grass at two of the school’s seven playing fields.  The total cost of the project is $2.6 million, which would include bleachers with seating for 1,000 people and lights at one of the turf fields.  The towns voting tomorrow are Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne and Williston.

Investigators are trying to determine what started a devastating fire in West Rutland.  Firefighters say when they arrived at the scene on Skyline Drive Sunday morning, the two-story home was already engulfed in flames.  The homeowner wasn’t there at the time, and the fire chief believes the fire started in the garage and strong winds kept them from bringing it under control for six hours.  A state fire investigator was called in but so far there are no signs of the fire being suspicious.

A seven-acre field in Williston is being converted into an outdoor laboratory where scientists and engineers will study the effectiveness of solar panels when used in areas known for bad weather and long, cold winters.  Once construction is complete, the field will accommodate panels capable of converting sunlight into as much as 300 kilowatts of solar power.  The Vermont location, near the popular Taft Corners retail area, will be funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative.  It is one of five similar test locations across the country where solar panels will be tested under different climactic conditions. 

Homeowners in Burlington and South Burlington are being warned to watch out for thieves pretending to be landscapers.  People are calling in to police about people going door-to-door, offering to landscape for free.  Investigators believe landscaping is only being offered if someone answers the door, because otherwise the home is a potential target.  Burlington police say a man described as being about five-foot eight with short, messy blonde hair and a silver jacket may be a suspect and connected to a string of burglaries.

Veterans will be honored during Ticonderoga’s seventh annual “memory walk.”  "On Hallowed Ground, A Veterans Memory Walk at Valley View Cemetery,” will be held on Sunday and 1 p.m. in the west Pine Section of Valley View Cemetery.  The event will conclude with light refreshments served at the Hancock House in Ticonderoga after the program.