Thursday, May 8, 2014

WVTK Local & State News May 8, 2014

Residents in Middlebury will go to the polls next Tuesday for the re-vote on the $6.5 million plan to build new town offices and a recreation center. On Town Meeting Day, voters said yes in favor of the plan but a petition triggered a re-vote on the project that will build a new municipal building on Main Street and a new Recreation Center to be built on Creek Road. Also on Tuesday, voters in Ferrisburgh will decide the fate of the Ferrisburgh Central School budget. The original proposal was defeated on Town Meeting Day. The new $3.5-million budget proposal is $120,000 less the plan on Town Meeting Day.

Even though it's getting warmer out, don't be tempted to take a dip in the lake. While the air may feel warmer, it takes a lot longer for the lake to warm up. The National Weather Service issued a cold water warning Wednesday reminding people to be cautious. Right now, Lake Champlain is hovering around 40 degrees and if you fall into water that cold, hypothermia can set in quickly. Meteorologists say by late July - early August the lake should be at its warmest temperature, which is usually in the low 70's.

The state of Vermont wants to make it easier for people to make their child support payments. The Office of Child Support announced Wednesday it had launched a new service that allows parents and employers to make child support payments online with credit or debit cards. Child Support Director Jeff Cohen says officials believe the flexible payment options will help people make their payments faster and on time. They also expect the options to increase the total amount of child support collected for children in Vermont.

A Shelburne woman has been arrested after leading police on a high-speed car chase through three towns. Just after 5 PM yesterday afternoon, South Burlington Police received a report of a vehicle driving erratically. Authorities met the woman, 58-year-old Ann Cooper, at her home, that’s when she took off. At one point, they say, Cooper's vehicle even veered onto a golf course, missing golfers, before driving back onto Spear Street. Eventually police were able to corner the driver in front of the Williston State Police barracks. Officers from South Burlington, Williston and Hinesburg as well as Vermont State Police responded. Officials say no one was hurt and there was minimal damage to their cruisers. Cooper is charged with DUI, gross negligent operation, driving with a suspended license and attempting to elude a police officer.