WVTK Local & State News November 20, 2014

Jonathan Gruber will no longer be working on Vermont’s healthcare system. A spokesman for Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin said that the state will no longer pay the ObamaCare architect. Videos have surfaced over the last week showing Gruber saying the Affordable Care Act passed due to the “stupidity of the American taxpayers”. Gruber’s original contract with the state was worth more than $400,000. He’s already been paid $160,000. Gruber was consulting on policies that will help Vermont move to a single payer healthcare system.

The Mount Abe School Board reviewed the defeat of their $32-million bond request at their last meeting. On November 4, the bond request was defeated by a 2-to-1 margin. Board members came to the consensus that residents just didn’t want to foot the bill for the entire project to make a number of much needed upgrades to Mount Abraham Union High School. They also discussed informing the public more about any future requests, including tours of the current facilities. It was also mentioned that they should look for some grant sources to help offset the costs to taxpayers. The School Board hopes to have another proposal in front of the voters for Town Meeting Day.

An inmate at Marble Regional Correctional Facility in Rutland is accused of receiving narcotics hidden in a pair of sweatpants. State Police say inmate William Castelanno received a shipment of clothes and other personal items that initially passed inspection. However, a later search of his cell revealed an opioid drug that is used to ease the withdrawal effects of heroin. The New York native is facing drug charges and is due in Rutland Superior Court on the charge next month.

The Addison Northwest Supervisory Union is moving. They recently signed a lease to move their headquarters from their current location on Green Street in Vergennes to the Kennedy Brothers Building on Main Street. Officials say the more, which will take place in June, will save the Union about $12,000 a year.

There may be a new millionaire living among us. Vermont Lottery officials announced earlier today that a winning Tri-State Megabucks ticket was sold at the Middlebury Beef store located on Route 7, south of Middlebury. The lone winning ticket matched all five numbers and the Megaball in last night’s drawing. This is Vermont’s second million dollar prize this year, back in April, a $1 million ticket was sold in Putney.