Friday, January 30, 2015

WVTK Local & State News January 30, 2015

Our area is getting ready for a deep freeze. The National Weather Service says sub-zero temperatures and blowing snow are expected through the weekend. Nighttime temperatures could reach as low as 20 below zero. State public safety officials are urging people to make sure that plenty of fuel reserves are on hand, be careful with pets outdoors and check on neighbors who may need assistance.

The Vermont Health Department says six children and one adult from the Charlotte Central School test positive for tuberculosis (TB). Parents of the children with positive test results have been notified by the health department. None of the children or adults at the Freedom Rain Children's Center in Colchester, have tested positive for TB infection. The Health Department says there is no active cases of TB at the school or children's center and there is no ongoing risk. The one person who has active TB is not at the school. Because there were some positive results found in the first round of testing, they are expanding skin testing to all students. Children who tested negative in the first round of testing will be re-tested in eight to 10 weeks. A total of 150 students and staff at Charlotte Central School were tested for TB.

An motor vehicle accident this morning knocked out power to residents in and around Shoreham this morning. Just after 5am, a tractor trailer traveling on 22A was driving in the middle of the road due to snowy conditions. As the first tractor trailer was approaching the intersection with Route 74, another tractor trailer was doing the same and did not move over. The first truck went off the road and struck a utility pole. No injuries were reported and Green Mountain Power quickly replaced the pole and restored power.

A Rutland man is facing charges accusing him of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. Police say Jon Gilbert worked at the Vermont Achievement Center as a therapeutic advocate in the autism program when the crimes occurred. He allegedly sexually abused the female student on a school trip last summer and had sexual conversations with her on social media. Gilbert is charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a child, and is due in Rutland Superior Court next month.

The effort to name the beagle as Vermont's state dog is being met with resistance from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA says they oppose any effort to designate a specific breed to be the state dog. They say that would encourage unscrupulous breeders to churn out litters of the specific breed in puppy mills. PETA is suggesting that Vermont designate the all American mutt as the state dog instead.