Thursday, December 11, 2014

WVTK Local & State News December 11, 2014

The Vermont State Police wants to remind you to clear all the snow and ice from the roof and windshield of your vehicle. Snow dislodging from a moving vehicles can create an extreme driving hazard for all motorist. In addition, snow and ice covering the windows of the vehicle creates blind spots. You can be pulled over and ticketed for not having your vehicle cleaned off … $162 for Obstruction to driver's view and $134 for travelling with an unsecured load.

Vermont is the second healthiest state in the country. A new report from the United Health Foundation places Vermont only behind Hawaii among the healthiest states in the nation. The report says the state's excellent high school graduation rates, low child poverty and low rates of violent crime all are factors in the state's score. It also indicates that Vermont's obesity rate is seventh lowest in the country, although that rate has risen from eleven-percent to 24-percent since 1990.

Governor Peter Shumlin is praising a decision by Apple to stop offering an app that some Vermont high school students say had been used to bully their classmates. Students at Rutland High School last week launched a petition drive to Apple and the creators of the After School app after they said it had been used to post negative and obscene comments and surveys about some students at their school. Shumlin says he's proud of the students, and pleased their message was heard.

Early child care workers in Vermont will not be joining the American Federation of Teachers union. Earlier this year, the Vermont Legislature pass a law allow early educators to unionize and negotiate a contract with the state. Voting was done by mail. When the votes were counted yesterday, the measure was defeated, with 418 against joining the union and 398 for joining. The union would have represented about 1,300 home child care workers.

Line crews are working around the clock to restore power to all customers. Earlier today there was over 18,000 customers still without power. That number is down from 55,000 on Tuesday Night. Over 200 line works have been brought in from out of state to help fix all the broken lines. GMP officials say it could be tomorrow before all the power restored.