Thursday, June 12, 2014

WVTK Local & State News June 12, 2014

The Vermont Public Service Board will be holding its second and final hearing on the proposed Phase II of the Addison Rutland Natural Gas Project tonight, beginning at 7 PM at the Middlebury Union High School auditorium. All are welcome.

Governor Peter Shumlin signed a ban on using a cell phone behind the wheel of automobile in to law today. Starting October 1, drivers cannot hold their portable devices to talk, text or look anything up. You can however use your phone if you use a hand free device. Vermont health officials say 40 percent of accidents in the state are caused by drivers who are distracted by various things, including cellphone use.

If you have a “Vermont Strong” license plate on your vehicle, you can keep it there for another 2 more years. Earlier today, Governor Peter Shumlin signed legislation extending the date at which you can still display the special license plate on you vehicle. The license plates were sold all over the state to raise money to help people recover from flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011.

The state's Attorney General has cleared a state agency of criminal wrongdoing in the death of a toddler. However, the conclusion is some very real mistakes were made by the Vermont Department for Children and Families in the welfare of Dezirae Sheldon. Her stepfather is now charged with her murder, but investigators say it was a mistake for the DCF to put her back in her home after her mother was convicted last year of breaking the child's legs. The toddler died a few weeks after she was returned to her mother's custody.

The Lake Champlain International Father's Day Fishing Derby gets underway soon, with Friday being the last day to register. It's become a Father's Day tradition, and with this being its 33rd year, you can bet new generations of anglers are planning on going. The LCI Outreach Director says it's pretty common to see three, maybe even four generations in the same boat. The derby attracts thousands each year, and runs Saturday through Monday.