Monday, January 27, 2014

WVTK Local & State News January 27, 2014

An adult, who was giving a child a lesson on how to operate a snowmobile, is dead after colliding with a semi.  State Police say 48-year-old Mark Lussier of Benson had the 10-year-old boy sitting in front of him on the sled, and was traveling across the lawn of a home on Vermont Route 22-A.  According to police, the snowmobile went over a snow embankment, launched into the air, and collided with the side of the big rig which was passing by.  Lussier was dead at the scene while the child, Brian Norton, was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries.

A fire over the weekend completely destroyed French’s Restaurant in Crown Point.  Fire fighters a number of area departments helped battle the blaze till 4 am on Saturday and then had to return a couple hours later when the fire spread to the second floor.  Investigators say the fire started inside a wastebasket in the pizza room of the snack bar Friday night.  The building is said to be a total loss.  A family living on the second floor was displaced.  Everyone made it out of the building without any injuries.  The owner of the building, Ronnie Ryan, says he plans to rebuild and open another food stand.

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin appointed Sally Fox's Husband Michael Sirotkin to fill the open senate seat.  Fox passed away from cancer on January 10.  A press release says Sirotkin was chosen as one of 3 nominees sent to the governor by a large marjority of the 60 committee members.  Sirotkin has been an attorney and lobbyist focusing on consumer issues, labor issues, the civil justice bar, affordable housing and land conservation.  Sirotkin says he will cease lobbying activities and is selling his interest in the firm that he is a partner in.  Sirotkin will begin work in the senate on February 11.

Burlington residents can have their say for the last time tonight before voting in March on three gun ordinances.  The regular City Council meeting at City Hall will include hearings on measures banning guns in bars, give police authority to seize firearms from domestic violence suspects, and require safe storage methods by gun owners.  While opponents say the proposals unfairly restrict use of firearms in the city supporters say these ordinances are needed in order to prevent violence.  If approved by Burlington voters the measures then go before the state legislature.

Over 20 teams took part in the 15th annual Face Off Against Breast Cancer hockey event this past weekend.  All the money raised will go for The Cancer Patient Support Program, which helps cancer patients and their families with everything from counseling to helping buy food.  Organizers of this event say that they were planning on raising more than $60,000 at this year’s event for a great cause.