Vermont officials are warning residents of elevated wildfire danger due to the dry and breezy conditions over the past couple of weeks. A press release says, debris burning is the leading cause of wild land fires in Vermont. State officials and local fire departments remind Vermonters that the increased potential for wildfires requires precautions by all. Remember to obey all local and state laws or restrictions on open burning and avoid burning on dry, windy days or when the National Weather Service issues Fire Weather Watches or Red Flag Warnings.
The new Edward Jones office in downtown Vergennes held an open house and grand opening celebration last week. The event was attended by owner Aaron Robertson's new and prospective clients as well members of the Addison County Chamber of Commerce and Vergennes Chamber. Edward Jones was founded by Edward D. Jones in Missouri in 1922. Jones’ son Ted Jones was responsible for the business’s current individual branch network, which has spread across the U.S. and Canada.
Middlebury’s 5K Otter Creek Mud Run, sponsored by the Addison County Chamber of Commerce, will be held Saturday, April 14th starting at the Otter Creek Child Center on Weybridge Street. The event kicks off at 7:30AM when registration begins. The 5K starts at 8:30 with the Tot Trot beginning at 9:15. Fees and admission before tomorrow are discounted: Tot Trot, for ages 2-13, is $8; the Student 5K, ages 14-18, is $15, and the Adult 5K $25. After April 7th, the fees are $8 for the Tot Trot, $15 for the Student 5K, and $30 for the Adult 5K. The race will start and finish at Otter Creek Child Center. Get more information HERE.
Brandon Music’s new Sunday Jazz series is underway, directed by Jonathan Lorentz, creator and director of the prestigious New Hampshire Jazz Center. Due to the enormous success Lorentz has had in New Hampshire, Brandon Music initiate this collaboration, which will bring many distinguished jazz artists to the area. The series, entitled Sunday Jazz at Brandon Music, will feature different musicians weekly during the 7 PM Sunday performance slot. This week you can enjoy the sounds of acclaimed Boston Pianist John Funkhouser. For advance ticket reservations and to view the entire concert series schedule just visit www.brandon-music.net/sundayjazz!
Boards and teachers refused to meet again yesterday, the second day of a strike that put about 650 students out of school and 65 teachers out of work. The fight is over block scheduling, or what teachers do during their work hours, in the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union. New details about the disagreement were revealed Thursday. According to Clarence Haynes, head of the negotiating team for the boards, the boards have agreed to back off an eight-hour-day request, instead opting to only make the work day seven and a half hours long. Neither side said they want the strike to continue.
Casella Waste Systems announced yesterday that it is in continuing discussions regarding the sale of Maine Energy Recovery Facility in Biddeford. Casella has been exploring a possible sale of the facility for some time. On Thursday, Casella confirmed reports that it has entered into a non-binding letter of understanding with Biddeford for the possible sale of the waste-to-energy plant to the city.
A Rutland man has been charged in connection with copper thefts in Castleton. Jason J. Bruno pleaded innocent Wednesday in Rutland criminal court to two felony burglary charges and two misdemeanor petty larceny charges. If convicted, he could face a total of 32 years in prison. Bruno was implicated in break-ins at Earth Waste Systems in July.
In its latest draft, Westport Central School's 2012-13 budget is close to complying with the state cap on tax-levy increases. The budget is now up .91 percent, with the tax-levy increase listed at 3.09 percent. The district is looking at a budget of $5,382,461, up $48,764 over the current school year. These figures are expected to change as school officials have been collaborating in keeping expenditures to a minimum.
Moriah Central School District is seeking candidates to fill three vacancies for three-year School Board terms. The vacancies, starting July 1st, are caused by the expiration of the terms now held by current members. Petitions are available in the District Office, Monday through Friday, and must be returned no later than 5PM April 16th to the District Clerk. The annual election and budget vote is slated for 1 to 8PM Tuesday, May 15th, in the Central Office Lobby. For more information, call the District Clerk Stacey Brassard at 546-3301, Ext. 603.
Farmer Bruce Crammond is expected to receive probation for not taking proper care of a horse he owned. Crammond was convicted in Ticonderoga Town Court of misdemeanor injuring animals and failure to provide proper sustenance for an animal, a violation of Section 353 of the State Agriculture and Markets Law. He was found guilty in February, following a bench trial late last year. On Wednesday, Town Justice James O'Bryan postponed Crammond's sentencing, but said he expects to sentence him to a term of probation.
Fort Ticonderoga’s new “Fort Fever Series” concludes for the season on Sunday, April 22nd at 2 p.m. with “Henry Knox: Beyond the Noble Train of Artillery” presented by Director of Education Rich Strum. The program takes place in the Deborah Clarke Mars Education Center. Doors open at 1:30 in the afternoon. The cost is $10 a person and will be collected at the door. It is free for members of the Friends of Fort Ticonderoga. You can learn more about upcoming education programs at Fort Ticonderoga by visiting the fort’s website at www.Fort-Ticonderoga.org.
There’s a new twist in the debate over immunizing Vermont's children. The House Health Care Committee voted to reverse the Senate's decision. The Senate passed a bill that requires all children be vaccinated against a range of illnesses. The bill prevented parents from claiming "philosophical exemptions," which would allow them to refuse to vaccinate their child before sending them to school. The House committee, however, passed a bill that allows for those philosophical exemptions.
Vermont House Speaker Shap Smith says he's going to forgo a run for Attorney General and will instead seek the post in the Legislature he has held since 2009. Smith, a Morristown Democrat, was first elected to the Legislature in 2002.
A Vermont high school was temporarily under lockdown yesterday after receiving a phone call from an unidentified person saying a student was coming to the school with a handgun. Police say the report concerning Montpelier High School turned out to be false.
Police have released the details of what they found while searching the property of Melissa Jenkins' accused killers. Some of the items like a bleach bottle and a stun gun box coincide with the disturbing condition police say 33-year-old Jenkins' body was found in. Allen and Patricia Prue were arrested last week.
A top Vermont utility regulator got sharp questioning from state senators as she tried to defend a plan for ratepayers to be paid back extra money they paid on electric bills a decade ago. Lawmakers object to a plan to repay CVPS ratepayers by investing $21 million in weatherization and other efficiency measures, which the utilities and the Department of Public Service say will save ratepayers more than $40 million over time. But senators yesterday questioned Public Service Commissioner Elizabeth Miller why ratepayers shouldn't be paid in cash.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says a new poll shows New York must increase its minimum wage. The Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday found 78 percent of voters support raising the $7.25 minimum wage. Almost 53 percent of Republicans support the measure, which is opposed now by the Senate's Republican majority. The GOP fears raising the wage will force employers to eliminate jobs to afford the higher pay. The poll shows 52 percent of voters support increasing the minimum over $8.50 an hour.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is calling on the Department of Transportation to require all airlines to disclose all carry-on baggage fees. According to a press release, Schumer's call comes after Allegiant Air is now charging passengers carry-on baggage fees of up to $35 per bag stored in an overhead bin. When customers purchase airline tickets, carry-on baggage fees are not listed as part of the initial price quote.
The North Country SPCA is inviting you to check out their new Facebook page! You can share stories about your pets, find out the latest shelter news, and connect with other members of our local pet-loving community! Recent posts include a YouTube video detailing our Capital Campaign, "Gimme Shelter!" highlighting the NCSPCA's efforts toward establishing a newer, more modern shelter to house our animals who are awaiting their forever homes. The link to their site is www.facebook.com/NorthCountrySPCA.
Sales of 'I Am Vermont Strong' commemorative license plates have been brisk since they were introduced in February in response to Tropical Storm Irene. Gov. Peter Shumlin marked a milestone by buying the 25,000th one to be produced. Proceeds from sales of the $25 plates, which have been sold at supermarkets, ski areas and other businesses, are going to the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund.
Phish bassist Mike Gordon has a new album. And all of its proceeds will help flooded Vermonters. The album is called Steamroller Wheelies: A restoration convoy. It's a compilation of collaborations from projects he's worked on since 1999. Sales of the album will benefit Irene flood relief. The album features other Phish band mates, Page McConnell and Jon Fishman, along with some other musicians.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
WVTK Local & State News April 5, 2012
An informational meeting about the South Street & Green Mountain Place Project will be held this evening at 5:00 in the MVAA Conference Room. The Town's Project Engineer and Staff will present a summary of utility work that includes; water, sewer, electricity and telecommunications, roadwork and traffic flow. A preliminary project construction schedule will also be presented.
The next Addison County Chamber Of Commerce Mixer is coming up on April 19th at Art on Main in Bristol. The Chamber will be helping to celebrate Art on Main’s 10th anniversary, along with the usual food, drink, door prizes and a chance to win the Pot of Gold. There was no winner of the pot in March. So, on April 19th there will be a drawing for $950. The mixer takes place from 5 – 7PM. For more information and to RSVP to Sue Hoxie just visit www.addisoncounty.com.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber Of Commerce will hold their mixer on Wednesday April 25th from 5:30 – 7:00PM at Sugar and Spice Country Shoppe. The great networking opportunity will include door prizes from George Sperry Marine Survey, McDonald’s and Wagon Wheel Restaurant. For more information just visit www.ticonderogany.com.
On the first day of what’s expected to be a weeklong teacher strike in four west Rutland County towns, details of one of the area’s most recently approved teacher contracts were released. Teachers working in six schools in the Addison-Rutland Supervisory Union based in Fair Haven will not take any pay increases for working last school year. The union is made up of schools in Castleton, Fair Haven, Benson and Orwell. This school year teachers will get a 2.87 percent pay raise across the board with no step increases or decreases. Next school year, teachers will get the same. On health care contributions, the two sides agreed teachers would pay 10 percent of premiums last year and the boards, 90 percent. And, teachers won’t get any raises based on years of experience, unless a contract is in effect.
Talks between teachers and school board members in the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union broke down Wednesday morning at about 1:30AM over a disagreement about who controls what teachers do during their 7 1/2 work hours each day. There is no timeline for schools reopening, but Vermont-NEA spokesman Darren Allen said negotiating teams won't meet again for at least a number of days and that means schools will likely be closed for the rest of the week.
Castleton State College students are busy making telephone calls as part of the college's new Castleton Polling Institute under the direction Dr. Rich Clark. The institute, just in time for the 2012 election, has quickly become a vital and respected in-state source of opinion and survey data. Using polling and focus groups, the institute involves students in research, data collection and data analysis. Students collect data and quantify public attitudes on a variety of issues both locally and nationally. The institute also provides services for outside clients including special interest groups. Dr. Clark, who is an associate professor of political science, established the Castleton Polling Institute last year.
Gasoline prices have surged past $4 a gallon at some stations around Vermont. Signs on Shelburne Road in South Burlington show the price of regular just over $4 or very close. Prices have been rising steadily, up more than 60 cents a gallon in Vermont in the past three months. Experts say the increase is tied to the rise in crude oil prices fueled by the Iran crisis and Wall Street speculation. According to VermontGasPrices.com, the average price in Vermont is now $3.95 a gallon. The highest price reported is $4.12 in South Royalton and the lowest is $3.81 in Rutland and Manchester.
Hundreds of pink T-shirts are being sold to help the two-year-old son of Melissa Jenkins. The Vermont Clothing Company says 700 of the "Vermont Cares" shirts have already been ordered from 25 states and even in Mexico. Profits go to the Melissa Jenkins Memorial Trust Fund, set up to care for her toddler son named Ty. Jenkins was a science teacher and coach at St. Johnsbury Academy.
The attorneys general from Vermont and ten other states are calling on Congress to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United campaign finance case. The decision gave a green light for corporations and labor unions to spend unlimited sums of cash on campaign ads.
A U.S.-Canadian panel created to seek ways to clean up Lake Champlain wants to get public feedback before it issues its final report. Hearings are set for next month. The bay in the lake's northernmost section has 1 of the lake's highest phosphorous pollution concentrations.
Vermont's top mental health official is promising the state will improve its methods for transporting mental health patients when they have to move. Mental Health Commissioner Patrick Flood says his department is working on the problem and hopes within the next few months to reach a standard where 60% of patients are moved in what he calls non-secure transports.
Vermont State Police say a brush fire on Interstate 89 in Waterbury started after a delivery truck lost a tire. Police say the delivery truck was just south of the Waterbury exit when the tire caught fire, came off the truck and flew across the lanes of the interstate, starting the brush fire on the north side of the highway on Wednesday afternoon. The Waterbury fire department called for mutual aid from departments in Berlin, Middlesex and Stowe.
The Vermont state agency that used to regulate banking, insurance and health care has a new, easier to remember name. The Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration is now known as, simply, the Department of Financial Regulation. The change was announced Wednesday. Financial Regulation Commissioner Steve Kimbell says the new name makes more sense since his organization is now more focused on financial oversight.
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin was on the defensive yesterday regarding the merger between Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service. As a state board wrapped up testimony, Governor Shumlin spoke out in support of the boards work. Governor Shumlin was confronted about the hearings after thousands of rate payers and politicians have criticized the merger, specifically how GMP will handle the $21-million dollars owed to CVPS customers who helped bail them out. He insists his support for this merger is because GMP has promised to save ratepayers nearly $150-million dollars over ten years.
Governor Peter Shumlin has signed into law an overhaul of the state's mental health system. Yesterday's bill signing was the culmination of a process that got underway quickly after Tropical Storm Irene in late August flooded and forced the closing of the Vermont State Hospital.
Officials from Champlain College are joining state government leaders and financial industry executives to call for better training in Vermont high schools on financial literacy. State Treasurer Beth Pearce, Champlain College President David Finney and others announced that about $270,000 had been raised so far to support the effort, beginning with a study of how effective financial education offered in high schools is now. They say students should know things like when it's wise to put something on a credit card or not and how to figure out how big a mortgage one can afford. Champlain's Center for Financial Literacy is spearheading the effort.
Vermont lawmakers are working on a bill that would allow schools to discipline students for what happens on and off school grounds. Victims of bullying are now going to have the opportunity to step up and say something. For example, printing a Facebook message or saving a text message, so the bullies can be held accountable. Lawmakers have also made changes to the definition of harassment, to include statements made in the written form.
Lawyers from the Vermont Attorney General's office are planning to meet with the state's attorney prosecuting the husband and wife charged with killing St. Johnsbury prep school teacher Melissa Jenkins. Attorney General William Sorrell said it's not unusual for his office to work with local prosecutors in the most serious cases. Last week 30-year-old Allen Prue and his 33-year-old wife Patricia Prue of Waterford were charged with second-degree murder.
Police in Barre say they've caught the teenager responsible for a rash of school bomb threats. The claims of bombs planted in school have disrupted classes and events at both Spaulding High School in Barre and U-32 high school in East Montpelier in the last two weeks. As a seventh threat was being left Wednesday morning, a suspect was caught in a Spaulding bathroom. Police say the 15-year-old boy later admitted to making the threats. He was cited into juvenile court.
New York's online store for surplus state property is up and running. The website NYSStore.com links consumers to the surplus personal property and real estate for sale. It coincides with an eBay sale of more than 450 state vehicles, which the Cuomo administration calls part of its initiative to cut the state fleet of more than 4,700 passenger vehicles.
A statewide poll finds New Yorkers think the secrecy and closed-door deals that led to last week's state budget approval are unnecessary and a serious problem. The poll finds that 55% of voters said the closed-door negotiations weren't necessary to achieve the budget. Three-quarters of voters say the lack of transparency surrounding the $132 billion budget is a very serious or somewhat serious problem. Quinnipiac pollster Maurice Carroll says that although voters don't like they process, they still like Cuomo, who drove that process. Cuomo defends the budget process as essential to adopting a spending plan and running government.
Inside Champlain College's Emergent Media Center, students are hard at work on a new iPhone application that could change the way people explore Vermont. The team of 11 is working to design and program ViewBoost. The app will use GPS technology and other tools to identify popular tourism spots and hidden Vermont gems like dairy farms and specialty shops across the state, while folks are on the move. A soft launch for ViewBoost is scheduled for this fall, just in time for foliage season. Champlain is under contract with ViewBoost. The arrangement is paying students for their work.
Brandon Music’s new Sunday Jazz series is underway, directed by Jonathan Lorentz, creator and director of the prestigious New Hampshire Jazz Center. Due to the enormous success Lorentz has had in New Hampshire, Brandon Music initiate this collaboration, which will bring many distinguished jazz artists to the area. The series, entitled Sunday Jazz at Brandon Music, will feature different musicians weekly during the 7 PM Sunday performance slot. This week you can enjoy the sounds of acclaimed Boston Pianist John Funkhouser. For advance ticket reservations and to view the entire concert series schedule just visit www.brandon-music.net/sundayjazz!
The next Addison County Chamber Of Commerce Mixer is coming up on April 19th at Art on Main in Bristol. The Chamber will be helping to celebrate Art on Main’s 10th anniversary, along with the usual food, drink, door prizes and a chance to win the Pot of Gold. There was no winner of the pot in March. So, on April 19th there will be a drawing for $950. The mixer takes place from 5 – 7PM. For more information and to RSVP to Sue Hoxie just visit www.addisoncounty.com.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber Of Commerce will hold their mixer on Wednesday April 25th from 5:30 – 7:00PM at Sugar and Spice Country Shoppe. The great networking opportunity will include door prizes from George Sperry Marine Survey, McDonald’s and Wagon Wheel Restaurant. For more information just visit www.ticonderogany.com.
On the first day of what’s expected to be a weeklong teacher strike in four west Rutland County towns, details of one of the area’s most recently approved teacher contracts were released. Teachers working in six schools in the Addison-Rutland Supervisory Union based in Fair Haven will not take any pay increases for working last school year. The union is made up of schools in Castleton, Fair Haven, Benson and Orwell. This school year teachers will get a 2.87 percent pay raise across the board with no step increases or decreases. Next school year, teachers will get the same. On health care contributions, the two sides agreed teachers would pay 10 percent of premiums last year and the boards, 90 percent. And, teachers won’t get any raises based on years of experience, unless a contract is in effect.
Talks between teachers and school board members in the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union broke down Wednesday morning at about 1:30AM over a disagreement about who controls what teachers do during their 7 1/2 work hours each day. There is no timeline for schools reopening, but Vermont-NEA spokesman Darren Allen said negotiating teams won't meet again for at least a number of days and that means schools will likely be closed for the rest of the week.
Castleton State College students are busy making telephone calls as part of the college's new Castleton Polling Institute under the direction Dr. Rich Clark. The institute, just in time for the 2012 election, has quickly become a vital and respected in-state source of opinion and survey data. Using polling and focus groups, the institute involves students in research, data collection and data analysis. Students collect data and quantify public attitudes on a variety of issues both locally and nationally. The institute also provides services for outside clients including special interest groups. Dr. Clark, who is an associate professor of political science, established the Castleton Polling Institute last year.
Gasoline prices have surged past $4 a gallon at some stations around Vermont. Signs on Shelburne Road in South Burlington show the price of regular just over $4 or very close. Prices have been rising steadily, up more than 60 cents a gallon in Vermont in the past three months. Experts say the increase is tied to the rise in crude oil prices fueled by the Iran crisis and Wall Street speculation. According to VermontGasPrices.com, the average price in Vermont is now $3.95 a gallon. The highest price reported is $4.12 in South Royalton and the lowest is $3.81 in Rutland and Manchester.
Hundreds of pink T-shirts are being sold to help the two-year-old son of Melissa Jenkins. The Vermont Clothing Company says 700 of the "Vermont Cares" shirts have already been ordered from 25 states and even in Mexico. Profits go to the Melissa Jenkins Memorial Trust Fund, set up to care for her toddler son named Ty. Jenkins was a science teacher and coach at St. Johnsbury Academy.
The attorneys general from Vermont and ten other states are calling on Congress to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United campaign finance case. The decision gave a green light for corporations and labor unions to spend unlimited sums of cash on campaign ads.
A U.S.-Canadian panel created to seek ways to clean up Lake Champlain wants to get public feedback before it issues its final report. Hearings are set for next month. The bay in the lake's northernmost section has 1 of the lake's highest phosphorous pollution concentrations.
Vermont's top mental health official is promising the state will improve its methods for transporting mental health patients when they have to move. Mental Health Commissioner Patrick Flood says his department is working on the problem and hopes within the next few months to reach a standard where 60% of patients are moved in what he calls non-secure transports.
Vermont State Police say a brush fire on Interstate 89 in Waterbury started after a delivery truck lost a tire. Police say the delivery truck was just south of the Waterbury exit when the tire caught fire, came off the truck and flew across the lanes of the interstate, starting the brush fire on the north side of the highway on Wednesday afternoon. The Waterbury fire department called for mutual aid from departments in Berlin, Middlesex and Stowe.
The Vermont state agency that used to regulate banking, insurance and health care has a new, easier to remember name. The Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration is now known as, simply, the Department of Financial Regulation. The change was announced Wednesday. Financial Regulation Commissioner Steve Kimbell says the new name makes more sense since his organization is now more focused on financial oversight.
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin was on the defensive yesterday regarding the merger between Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service. As a state board wrapped up testimony, Governor Shumlin spoke out in support of the boards work. Governor Shumlin was confronted about the hearings after thousands of rate payers and politicians have criticized the merger, specifically how GMP will handle the $21-million dollars owed to CVPS customers who helped bail them out. He insists his support for this merger is because GMP has promised to save ratepayers nearly $150-million dollars over ten years.
Governor Peter Shumlin has signed into law an overhaul of the state's mental health system. Yesterday's bill signing was the culmination of a process that got underway quickly after Tropical Storm Irene in late August flooded and forced the closing of the Vermont State Hospital.
Officials from Champlain College are joining state government leaders and financial industry executives to call for better training in Vermont high schools on financial literacy. State Treasurer Beth Pearce, Champlain College President David Finney and others announced that about $270,000 had been raised so far to support the effort, beginning with a study of how effective financial education offered in high schools is now. They say students should know things like when it's wise to put something on a credit card or not and how to figure out how big a mortgage one can afford. Champlain's Center for Financial Literacy is spearheading the effort.
Vermont lawmakers are working on a bill that would allow schools to discipline students for what happens on and off school grounds. Victims of bullying are now going to have the opportunity to step up and say something. For example, printing a Facebook message or saving a text message, so the bullies can be held accountable. Lawmakers have also made changes to the definition of harassment, to include statements made in the written form.
Lawyers from the Vermont Attorney General's office are planning to meet with the state's attorney prosecuting the husband and wife charged with killing St. Johnsbury prep school teacher Melissa Jenkins. Attorney General William Sorrell said it's not unusual for his office to work with local prosecutors in the most serious cases. Last week 30-year-old Allen Prue and his 33-year-old wife Patricia Prue of Waterford were charged with second-degree murder.
Police in Barre say they've caught the teenager responsible for a rash of school bomb threats. The claims of bombs planted in school have disrupted classes and events at both Spaulding High School in Barre and U-32 high school in East Montpelier in the last two weeks. As a seventh threat was being left Wednesday morning, a suspect was caught in a Spaulding bathroom. Police say the 15-year-old boy later admitted to making the threats. He was cited into juvenile court.
New York's online store for surplus state property is up and running. The website NYSStore.com links consumers to the surplus personal property and real estate for sale. It coincides with an eBay sale of more than 450 state vehicles, which the Cuomo administration calls part of its initiative to cut the state fleet of more than 4,700 passenger vehicles.
A statewide poll finds New Yorkers think the secrecy and closed-door deals that led to last week's state budget approval are unnecessary and a serious problem. The poll finds that 55% of voters said the closed-door negotiations weren't necessary to achieve the budget. Three-quarters of voters say the lack of transparency surrounding the $132 billion budget is a very serious or somewhat serious problem. Quinnipiac pollster Maurice Carroll says that although voters don't like they process, they still like Cuomo, who drove that process. Cuomo defends the budget process as essential to adopting a spending plan and running government.
Inside Champlain College's Emergent Media Center, students are hard at work on a new iPhone application that could change the way people explore Vermont. The team of 11 is working to design and program ViewBoost. The app will use GPS technology and other tools to identify popular tourism spots and hidden Vermont gems like dairy farms and specialty shops across the state, while folks are on the move. A soft launch for ViewBoost is scheduled for this fall, just in time for foliage season. Champlain is under contract with ViewBoost. The arrangement is paying students for their work.
Brandon Music’s new Sunday Jazz series is underway, directed by Jonathan Lorentz, creator and director of the prestigious New Hampshire Jazz Center. Due to the enormous success Lorentz has had in New Hampshire, Brandon Music initiate this collaboration, which will bring many distinguished jazz artists to the area. The series, entitled Sunday Jazz at Brandon Music, will feature different musicians weekly during the 7 PM Sunday performance slot. This week you can enjoy the sounds of acclaimed Boston Pianist John Funkhouser. For advance ticket reservations and to view the entire concert series schedule just visit www.brandon-music.net/sundayjazz!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
WVTK Local & State News April 4, 2012
Construction on the Addison County Humane Society’s new facility is progressing very well! According to the Executive Director Jackie Rose the outside construction is complete and once the interior drywall work is done the painting will begin. They anticipate being able to move the dogs into their new dog barn and temporarily move the other animals into the new construction by mid April while the existing building is renovated. Once the renovations are completed, they will permanently move the cats and pocket pets back into the existing building and put the final touches on the total project. The Society is hoping to have the entire project finished by the end of June and plan to hold a “Grand Opening” ceremony in July!! Rose is also happy to report that as of April 3, 2012, they have raised a little over $913,500 towards the total project goal of $1.12 million. That leaves approximately $206,500 to raise in order to meet their goal! Learn more and support their efforts by visiting www.addisonhumane.org.
The Town of Middlebury is in a good financial position compared with other Vermont municipalities. The Addison County seat has a $1.5 million budget surplus thanks to several 2011 construction projects that came in below budget. The Select Board approved an $8.4 million budget prior to Town Meeting. Earlier this year, former Middlebury Select Board Chairman John Tenny had stated that the budget surplus would mean no increase to the town tax rate.
Essex County lawmakers sought to create a tentative timeline Monday for the possible sale of Horace Nye Nursing Home. The county is opening another set of bids for the 100-bed public facility in a week. Although the revised bids aren't due until 5PM on April 9th, they've already been received. The Nursing Home Task Force Chairman said they wouldn’t be disclosed until the opening date.
The North Country will receive more than $45 million to repair 345 miles of roads and 11 bridges as part of the New York Works project. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the plan is not only to fix aging roads and bridges but also to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Slated for work this year is a number of projects in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties including $3.5 million for a 12-mile portion of Route 86 in Essex County. The New York Works program features $247 million in state funding, along with $917 million in federal funds, for a total of about $1.2 billion for road and bridge replacement and repairs.
A meeting in Killington today at noon at the Town Offices will discuss the warning for a public vote on changing the form of town government May 8th and the legality of a second petition to set the town manager's salary. On the 8th the public will decide whether or not to take the power away from the Select Board to decide what type of government the town should run by.
The Sirloin Saloon steakhouse on South Main Street in Rutland has closed after more than 40 years in business. The printed sign on the front door yesterday afternoon said: “Sorry we are closed indefinitely. Thank you so much for your patronage.” In an email statement announcing the closing, the owner said: “Economic pressures from the extended recession and increasing costs have made continued operations unsustainable.” The Rutland Sirloin Saloon employed 30 people. The Manchester Sirloin Saloon closed in December.
A Rutland teen has been charged with driving drunk after police say he hit one of their cruisers. It happened just before midnight Monday at the intersection of West and Pine streets. 18-year-old Ryan Clifford was not hurt. The patrolman was sent to the hospital but was later released. Both vehicles suffered moderate damage. Clifford was arrested on DUI charges.
Negotiations with a federal mediator between teachers and the boards for Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union failed last night. The teachers had said they would strike if an agreement wasn't reached by the start of classes Wednesday. They've have been working without a contract for nearly two years. Classes are cancelled until further notice.
School will be in session Wednesday for students in the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union. Around 10:30 last night, teachers and the school boards reached a tentative contract avoiding a teacher's strike planned for this morning. Teachers have been working without a contract since July. They wanted more money and secured arbitration rights. But details of the multi-year contract will not be released until it's ratified.
State Senator Randy Brock and other Vermont lawmakers are unhappy with Green Mountain Power's plan to put $21 million dollars owed to Central Vermont Public Service customers into efficiency programs. Brock wants the Shumlin administration to find a better way to get the money back to customers. Last week, a panel made up of business, political and local leaders met to discuss the merger between the two companies.
Ben & Jerry's had hundreds, maybe even thousands of customers at it's Church Street shop as it carried on a tradition. Tuesday was "Free Cone Day" when scoop shops around the world gave away free ice cream. It started back in 1979, and for Ben & Jerry's it's a way to say "thank you" to customers as the company celebrates its anniversary. This year, something new was added, and it's not just the new frozen Greek yogurt flavors, but an ice cream truck to deliver free cones to those who couldn't make it, such as fire stations and police departments.
Burlington police are warning residents of a phone scam after a caller tried to defraud an elderly woman telling her she had won a raffle but would have to wire money to Virginia to get her prize. Police say the caller identified himself as working for both the "Mega Millions Corporation" and for Wal-Mart.
Changes at Green Mountain coffee are impacting about 80 jobs in Vermont. The coffee company is shifting some of its order fulfillment work to an outside company called Kenco this summer. Kenco already manages Green Mountain coffee distribution centers in New Jersey - Tennessee - and California. Green Mountain Coffee says it expects about 80 employees in Williston and Waterbury to be impacted by the change. A company spokesperson says they will be able to take on new jobs at Green Mountain by either working with Kenco or in Green Mountain's production operation.
A regional airline that operates five flights out of the Burlington International Airport has filed for bankruptcy protection. Pinnacle Airlines flies for Delta, United, Continental and US Airways. Officials with the Tennessee-based airline say their current business model isn't sustainable. Pinnacle plans to wind down the United Express flights it operates for United Continental and US Airways. It will continue its Delta Connection flights for Delta Air Lines. About 7,800 people are expected to lose their jobs.
The state is moving forward with plans to build a new state hospital in Berlin. According to the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, the state has applied for permits for two locations in towns. One is on Paine Turnpike, the other on Fisher Road. The state doesn't own either property and officials tell the paper they will pursue whichever option pans out. Both applications include plans for a 30,000-square-foot, 25-bed facility.
A decade-old effort to streamline environmental reviews of developers' projects is coming to a head in the Vermont Legislature. A sharply divided committee of the Vermont Senate voted 3-2 yesterday to advance legislation to launch a pilot project to study which side in the debate is right.
A proposal to build a new Vermont State Police barracks may need a new location. The state has been interested in building a new barracks in Westminster, which would consolidate the Rockingham and Brattleboro barracks. The Brattleboro Reformer reports the real estate company entered into an agreement with the town to put a new recycling station near the police building, meaning the barracks would have to share a road with the center.
Gov. Peter Shumlin is promising to work with municipal officials and business owners to bring new jobs to the Bennington area. Shumlin spoke Monday at a luncheon sponsored by the Bennington County Regional Commission. He says long-term improvements in infrastructure, education and a renewed focus on agriculture will increase the number of jobs and lead to wage increases for employees who have suffered from stagnant earnings.
Vermont public health officials say where people live in the state can help determine how healthy they are. The comments come as the Health Department cites statistics that rank Vermont's healthiest counties. The statistics compiled by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that Chittenden County is Vermont's healthiest county while Essex County in the rural Northeast Kingdom is the least healthy.
The First Congregational Church of Crown Point will host its eighth annual Strawberry Festival this summer. Know as the “Brick Church in the Park,” the church has planned the 2012 festival for Sunday, June 24th beginning at 11AM. It will be held on the village green in front of the church at Veterans Park. The Strawberry Festival will include local music and talent, vendors and an open invitation to the community to share the park with a community-wide lawn sale.
The Town of Middlebury is in a good financial position compared with other Vermont municipalities. The Addison County seat has a $1.5 million budget surplus thanks to several 2011 construction projects that came in below budget. The Select Board approved an $8.4 million budget prior to Town Meeting. Earlier this year, former Middlebury Select Board Chairman John Tenny had stated that the budget surplus would mean no increase to the town tax rate.
Essex County lawmakers sought to create a tentative timeline Monday for the possible sale of Horace Nye Nursing Home. The county is opening another set of bids for the 100-bed public facility in a week. Although the revised bids aren't due until 5PM on April 9th, they've already been received. The Nursing Home Task Force Chairman said they wouldn’t be disclosed until the opening date.
The North Country will receive more than $45 million to repair 345 miles of roads and 11 bridges as part of the New York Works project. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the plan is not only to fix aging roads and bridges but also to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Slated for work this year is a number of projects in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties including $3.5 million for a 12-mile portion of Route 86 in Essex County. The New York Works program features $247 million in state funding, along with $917 million in federal funds, for a total of about $1.2 billion for road and bridge replacement and repairs.
A meeting in Killington today at noon at the Town Offices will discuss the warning for a public vote on changing the form of town government May 8th and the legality of a second petition to set the town manager's salary. On the 8th the public will decide whether or not to take the power away from the Select Board to decide what type of government the town should run by.
The Sirloin Saloon steakhouse on South Main Street in Rutland has closed after more than 40 years in business. The printed sign on the front door yesterday afternoon said: “Sorry we are closed indefinitely. Thank you so much for your patronage.” In an email statement announcing the closing, the owner said: “Economic pressures from the extended recession and increasing costs have made continued operations unsustainable.” The Rutland Sirloin Saloon employed 30 people. The Manchester Sirloin Saloon closed in December.
A Rutland teen has been charged with driving drunk after police say he hit one of their cruisers. It happened just before midnight Monday at the intersection of West and Pine streets. 18-year-old Ryan Clifford was not hurt. The patrolman was sent to the hospital but was later released. Both vehicles suffered moderate damage. Clifford was arrested on DUI charges.
Negotiations with a federal mediator between teachers and the boards for Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union failed last night. The teachers had said they would strike if an agreement wasn't reached by the start of classes Wednesday. They've have been working without a contract for nearly two years. Classes are cancelled until further notice.
School will be in session Wednesday for students in the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union. Around 10:30 last night, teachers and the school boards reached a tentative contract avoiding a teacher's strike planned for this morning. Teachers have been working without a contract since July. They wanted more money and secured arbitration rights. But details of the multi-year contract will not be released until it's ratified.
State Senator Randy Brock and other Vermont lawmakers are unhappy with Green Mountain Power's plan to put $21 million dollars owed to Central Vermont Public Service customers into efficiency programs. Brock wants the Shumlin administration to find a better way to get the money back to customers. Last week, a panel made up of business, political and local leaders met to discuss the merger between the two companies.
Ben & Jerry's had hundreds, maybe even thousands of customers at it's Church Street shop as it carried on a tradition. Tuesday was "Free Cone Day" when scoop shops around the world gave away free ice cream. It started back in 1979, and for Ben & Jerry's it's a way to say "thank you" to customers as the company celebrates its anniversary. This year, something new was added, and it's not just the new frozen Greek yogurt flavors, but an ice cream truck to deliver free cones to those who couldn't make it, such as fire stations and police departments.
Burlington police are warning residents of a phone scam after a caller tried to defraud an elderly woman telling her she had won a raffle but would have to wire money to Virginia to get her prize. Police say the caller identified himself as working for both the "Mega Millions Corporation" and for Wal-Mart.
Changes at Green Mountain coffee are impacting about 80 jobs in Vermont. The coffee company is shifting some of its order fulfillment work to an outside company called Kenco this summer. Kenco already manages Green Mountain coffee distribution centers in New Jersey - Tennessee - and California. Green Mountain Coffee says it expects about 80 employees in Williston and Waterbury to be impacted by the change. A company spokesperson says they will be able to take on new jobs at Green Mountain by either working with Kenco or in Green Mountain's production operation.
A regional airline that operates five flights out of the Burlington International Airport has filed for bankruptcy protection. Pinnacle Airlines flies for Delta, United, Continental and US Airways. Officials with the Tennessee-based airline say their current business model isn't sustainable. Pinnacle plans to wind down the United Express flights it operates for United Continental and US Airways. It will continue its Delta Connection flights for Delta Air Lines. About 7,800 people are expected to lose their jobs.
The state is moving forward with plans to build a new state hospital in Berlin. According to the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, the state has applied for permits for two locations in towns. One is on Paine Turnpike, the other on Fisher Road. The state doesn't own either property and officials tell the paper they will pursue whichever option pans out. Both applications include plans for a 30,000-square-foot, 25-bed facility.
A decade-old effort to streamline environmental reviews of developers' projects is coming to a head in the Vermont Legislature. A sharply divided committee of the Vermont Senate voted 3-2 yesterday to advance legislation to launch a pilot project to study which side in the debate is right.
A proposal to build a new Vermont State Police barracks may need a new location. The state has been interested in building a new barracks in Westminster, which would consolidate the Rockingham and Brattleboro barracks. The Brattleboro Reformer reports the real estate company entered into an agreement with the town to put a new recycling station near the police building, meaning the barracks would have to share a road with the center.
Gov. Peter Shumlin is promising to work with municipal officials and business owners to bring new jobs to the Bennington area. Shumlin spoke Monday at a luncheon sponsored by the Bennington County Regional Commission. He says long-term improvements in infrastructure, education and a renewed focus on agriculture will increase the number of jobs and lead to wage increases for employees who have suffered from stagnant earnings.
Vermont public health officials say where people live in the state can help determine how healthy they are. The comments come as the Health Department cites statistics that rank Vermont's healthiest counties. The statistics compiled by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that Chittenden County is Vermont's healthiest county while Essex County in the rural Northeast Kingdom is the least healthy.
The First Congregational Church of Crown Point will host its eighth annual Strawberry Festival this summer. Know as the “Brick Church in the Park,” the church has planned the 2012 festival for Sunday, June 24th beginning at 11AM. It will be held on the village green in front of the church at Veterans Park. The Strawberry Festival will include local music and talent, vendors and an open invitation to the community to share the park with a community-wide lawn sale.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
WVTK Local & State News April 3, 2012
The Paquette Building at the Field Days site containing RV's and boats has been broken into. Signs of forced entry were evident on several boats and RV's, as there were tool and pry marks on the doors and hatches. Damage to the property is undetermined at this time. Two battery-powered alarms were stolen from the building. There have been several recent burglaries at this property and State Police are asking the public for help in solving them. Please contact the New Haven Barracks if you have information regarding burglaries at Field Days. (802-388-4919)
The town of Bristol hopes to take advantage of a new State program to repair a bridge closed since 2010. Town administrator Bill Bryant says Bristol would save $117,000 under the accelerated bridge program. Bristol would bond for the bridge expense and pay it back over 20 years. This new program would see the State close one-third of the bridges scheduled for work this year instead of taking the more standard approach of building temporary roads and bridges to re-route traffic while work is under way. Under the new accelerated program, a bridge that takes up to 10 years to plan and build might now take two year.
The next Addison County Legislative Breakfast will take place on Monday the 9th at the Congregational Church in Shoreham. It’s another excellent opportunity to meet your Addison County legislators. Breakfasts start at 7AM with the program beginning at 7:30. Purchase of breakfast not required to attend but helps the hosts to defray the cost of opening their venue. For more information click HERE!
A Vermont Environmental Court Judge said the Development Review Board in Brandon lacked details and facts in its decision to grant a conditional use permit for the controversial Brandon Plaza project. Developer William McCabe proposed a 36,000-square-foot Hannaford supermarket, 12,000 square feet of separate retail space and 5,000 square feet for an out building where Route 7 meets Nickerson Road. The judge’s decision effectively sends the project back to the board.
The Monkton town flag will be dedicated on June 24, the 250th founding celebration of the town. Linda Reynolds, a Mt. Abraham Union High School art teacher, designed the winning flag. Her design, which depicts Monkton’s distinctive landscape of farm fields, pond and hills, garnered seventy per cent of the first choice vote by Town Residents. You can pre-order your own copy of the winning Monkton flag. The deadline for placing orders is May 18. Flags will be distributed prior to the 250th Founding Celebration. To find out how to pre-order a flag or for more information visit www.monktoncc.org.
Teachers of the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union are filing an unfair labor practice, alleging that the Union's boards forced teachers to remove buttons because the board thought parents and students were complaining. According to a press release, the school system issued an order yesterday saying all staff members are prohibited from displaying signs, wearing buttons, or having conversations with students about contract negotiations. Last week, teachers voted to strike unless a tentative agreement between them and the supervisory union's boards is reached before school starts Wednesday. Teachers are opened a strike headquarters yesterday afternoon. They have been working without a contract for more than 640 days.
Teachers and school boards in two Vermont supervisory unions will make a last ditch effort today to avert a strike. Teachers in the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union and the Windham Northeast Education Association are set to walk off the job tomorrow morning if no deal is reached. Teachers in both districts have been working for than a year without a contract.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Spring Open House on Wednesday, May 9th from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. The open house is open to all Chamber members who what to learn more about their benefits and any businesses or organization interested in becoming a TACC member. Coffee and light refreshments will be available. An Insurance Open House will also take place as part of the event. Chamber Members receive an array of benefits including marketing, promotion, publicity, exposure, credibility, member referrals, access to marketing and networking opportunities, a commerce card discount program, health insurance, energy savings, small business support, seminars, trainings, Chamber communications and more. For more information visit www.ticonderogany.com or the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
A part-time Ticonderoga police officer was arrested in Whitehall last Friday. Thomas Ruby, who is a part-time officer with the Ticonderoga and Whitehall police departments, was charged with violating an order of protection his estranged wife has against him. Ticonderoga officials said he would not work for the Ticonderoga Police Department while an investigation takes place.
The 42nd mayor in Burlington’s history is now on duty, and ready to serve. Miro Weinberger took the oath of office Monday night during the city council meeting, and afterwards gave his first State of the City address. He's focusing immediately on the city's budget gap, as well as the city's housing crunch and the Moran Plant Re-Development Project. Four new councilors were also sworn in, and Joan Shannon is replacing Bill Keough as Council President.
A new study by four Vermont police departments says, per capita, black drivers are almost twice as likely as white drivers to be stopped by police in Burlington and South Burlington. That's 1 of the findings released by a group called the Uncommon Alliance and police from Burlington, South Burlington, Winooski and the University of Vermont.
The public will get a chance tonight to weigh in on plans to run power lines under Lake Champlain. A hearing will be held at 6PM at the municipal offices in Whitehall, New York. The plan calls for burying two five-inch cables at the bottom of the lake on the New York side. Those lines would carry power from the Montreal area to the New York City market. The project would cost about two billion dollars. Five other public hearings will be held later this month.
Richmond is considering new parking restrictions near a dangerous but popular swimming hole. Last night the select board voted yes on a proposal that would ban parking on the traveled portion of Dugway Road, an access route to Huntington Gorge. The Police Chief says congestion along the road has slowed rescue efforts in the past and has been a problem for years. The issue will appear before the select-board again May 7.
A Vermont judge has ordered a Texas debt settlement company to pay a fine of $2 million in a consumer fraud case. Credit Solutions of America also must pay full refunds to 207 Vermonters totaling about $350,000. The state accused the company of using unsubstantiated claims that people can reduce their debt "in 60 seconds" to advertise its services.
Vermont has launched an environmental public health tracking web portal bringing environmental and public health data together in one place. The portal is designed to help policymakers, health professionals, researchers, students, residents and anyone who is interested to explore questions about links between our environment and health. The Health Department was awarded a $3.5 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in December 2009 to plan and build the statewide Tracking portal infrastructure and database.
Federal immigration agents arrested three illegal aliens in Vermont during a six-day nationwide sweep. Overall, more than 31-hundred arrests were made during Operation Cross Check. Those targeted were in the country illegally and were fugitives or considered threats to national security. The sweep comes nearly a year after officials pledged to focus their deportation efforts on illegal immigrants with serious criminal histories. In Vermont, two people were arrested in Burlington and a third was arrested in Springfield.
A new report shows widespread housing discrimination in Vermont's rental market. Rachel Batterson, Project Manager of Vermont Legal Aid's Housing Discrimination Law Project directed the study, conducted between 2009 and 2011. It found that rental housing providers gave preferential treatment to white renters 38% of the time; preferred white, American-born renters 40% of the time; preferred applicants with no children 36% of the time; and showed preferential treatment towards renters without disabilities 27 percent of the time.
President Barack Obama's visit to Vermont raised a lot of money and now police departments say they want a piece of it. Police say that will help cover their costs for the president's visit. While in Vermont, Mr. Obama banked hundreds of thousands for his re-election campaign. But police departments might never see any of it and taxpayers could end up paying for part of his fundraising trip.
Three teenagers, ages 13, 14 and 15, have been charged in connection with a vandalism and arson spree in Brattleboro over the weekend that caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. Brattleboro police arrested the three teens yesterday. Because of their age, their cases will be handled in juvenile court, and their names will remain confidential. The teens set fires at Vermont Bread Co., Barrows & Fisher Oil Co. and left extensive obscene and racist graffiti at both Brattleboro Union High School and Brattleboro Middle School.
Residents in a village who lost their covered bridge in last summer's storm say they just want it back the way it was. The current bridge in Quechee has been blockaded and unused since Irene hit last August. The Valley News reports residents were polled on redesign options at a weekend meeting.
Results from the annual Doyle Poll show strong support for banning the use of cell phones while driving and expanding Vermont's bottle deposit law. Washington County Senator Bill Doyle conducts the survey annually at town meetings. Of the 14 questions asked this year, the cell phone and bottle deposit questions both received support from over 3/4ths of respondents. Vermonters also remain about evenly divided on whether the state should continue efforts to close the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. The lowest yes total was the 35-percent for the number of people who are optimistic about the future of Vermont.
Students from Moriah, Peru, Ticonderoga and Beekmantown took honors in the recent North Country History Day at Fort Ticonderoga's Deborah Clarke Mars Education Center. The winning students will now compete at New York State History Day in Cooperstown on April 23rd. A gift from Wal-Mart SuperCenter of Ticonderoga helped support the regional contest.
A popular outdoor recreation destination will soon become more accessible. While mountain bikers, hikers and runners have been eager to hit the trails after an unusually warm winter, the team behind Rutland’s Pine Hill Park unveiled something new on Friday. An existing old carriage route running six miles from behind Proctor High School, south to Rocky Pond, will be called the “carriage trail” and act as a connector to the city park’s multi-use trails. But preparing the trail for pedestrian and mountain biking use will take time and it won’t be officially open and marked until the end of this fall.
The town of Bristol hopes to take advantage of a new State program to repair a bridge closed since 2010. Town administrator Bill Bryant says Bristol would save $117,000 under the accelerated bridge program. Bristol would bond for the bridge expense and pay it back over 20 years. This new program would see the State close one-third of the bridges scheduled for work this year instead of taking the more standard approach of building temporary roads and bridges to re-route traffic while work is under way. Under the new accelerated program, a bridge that takes up to 10 years to plan and build might now take two year.
The next Addison County Legislative Breakfast will take place on Monday the 9th at the Congregational Church in Shoreham. It’s another excellent opportunity to meet your Addison County legislators. Breakfasts start at 7AM with the program beginning at 7:30. Purchase of breakfast not required to attend but helps the hosts to defray the cost of opening their venue. For more information click HERE!
A Vermont Environmental Court Judge said the Development Review Board in Brandon lacked details and facts in its decision to grant a conditional use permit for the controversial Brandon Plaza project. Developer William McCabe proposed a 36,000-square-foot Hannaford supermarket, 12,000 square feet of separate retail space and 5,000 square feet for an out building where Route 7 meets Nickerson Road. The judge’s decision effectively sends the project back to the board.
The Monkton town flag will be dedicated on June 24, the 250th founding celebration of the town. Linda Reynolds, a Mt. Abraham Union High School art teacher, designed the winning flag. Her design, which depicts Monkton’s distinctive landscape of farm fields, pond and hills, garnered seventy per cent of the first choice vote by Town Residents. You can pre-order your own copy of the winning Monkton flag. The deadline for placing orders is May 18. Flags will be distributed prior to the 250th Founding Celebration. To find out how to pre-order a flag or for more information visit www.monktoncc.org.
Teachers of the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union are filing an unfair labor practice, alleging that the Union's boards forced teachers to remove buttons because the board thought parents and students were complaining. According to a press release, the school system issued an order yesterday saying all staff members are prohibited from displaying signs, wearing buttons, or having conversations with students about contract negotiations. Last week, teachers voted to strike unless a tentative agreement between them and the supervisory union's boards is reached before school starts Wednesday. Teachers are opened a strike headquarters yesterday afternoon. They have been working without a contract for more than 640 days.
Teachers and school boards in two Vermont supervisory unions will make a last ditch effort today to avert a strike. Teachers in the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union and the Windham Northeast Education Association are set to walk off the job tomorrow morning if no deal is reached. Teachers in both districts have been working for than a year without a contract.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Spring Open House on Wednesday, May 9th from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. The open house is open to all Chamber members who what to learn more about their benefits and any businesses or organization interested in becoming a TACC member. Coffee and light refreshments will be available. An Insurance Open House will also take place as part of the event. Chamber Members receive an array of benefits including marketing, promotion, publicity, exposure, credibility, member referrals, access to marketing and networking opportunities, a commerce card discount program, health insurance, energy savings, small business support, seminars, trainings, Chamber communications and more. For more information visit www.ticonderogany.com or the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
A part-time Ticonderoga police officer was arrested in Whitehall last Friday. Thomas Ruby, who is a part-time officer with the Ticonderoga and Whitehall police departments, was charged with violating an order of protection his estranged wife has against him. Ticonderoga officials said he would not work for the Ticonderoga Police Department while an investigation takes place.
The 42nd mayor in Burlington’s history is now on duty, and ready to serve. Miro Weinberger took the oath of office Monday night during the city council meeting, and afterwards gave his first State of the City address. He's focusing immediately on the city's budget gap, as well as the city's housing crunch and the Moran Plant Re-Development Project. Four new councilors were also sworn in, and Joan Shannon is replacing Bill Keough as Council President.
A new study by four Vermont police departments says, per capita, black drivers are almost twice as likely as white drivers to be stopped by police in Burlington and South Burlington. That's 1 of the findings released by a group called the Uncommon Alliance and police from Burlington, South Burlington, Winooski and the University of Vermont.
The public will get a chance tonight to weigh in on plans to run power lines under Lake Champlain. A hearing will be held at 6PM at the municipal offices in Whitehall, New York. The plan calls for burying two five-inch cables at the bottom of the lake on the New York side. Those lines would carry power from the Montreal area to the New York City market. The project would cost about two billion dollars. Five other public hearings will be held later this month.
Richmond is considering new parking restrictions near a dangerous but popular swimming hole. Last night the select board voted yes on a proposal that would ban parking on the traveled portion of Dugway Road, an access route to Huntington Gorge. The Police Chief says congestion along the road has slowed rescue efforts in the past and has been a problem for years. The issue will appear before the select-board again May 7.
A Vermont judge has ordered a Texas debt settlement company to pay a fine of $2 million in a consumer fraud case. Credit Solutions of America also must pay full refunds to 207 Vermonters totaling about $350,000. The state accused the company of using unsubstantiated claims that people can reduce their debt "in 60 seconds" to advertise its services.
Vermont has launched an environmental public health tracking web portal bringing environmental and public health data together in one place. The portal is designed to help policymakers, health professionals, researchers, students, residents and anyone who is interested to explore questions about links between our environment and health. The Health Department was awarded a $3.5 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in December 2009 to plan and build the statewide Tracking portal infrastructure and database.
Federal immigration agents arrested three illegal aliens in Vermont during a six-day nationwide sweep. Overall, more than 31-hundred arrests were made during Operation Cross Check. Those targeted were in the country illegally and were fugitives or considered threats to national security. The sweep comes nearly a year after officials pledged to focus their deportation efforts on illegal immigrants with serious criminal histories. In Vermont, two people were arrested in Burlington and a third was arrested in Springfield.
A new report shows widespread housing discrimination in Vermont's rental market. Rachel Batterson, Project Manager of Vermont Legal Aid's Housing Discrimination Law Project directed the study, conducted between 2009 and 2011. It found that rental housing providers gave preferential treatment to white renters 38% of the time; preferred white, American-born renters 40% of the time; preferred applicants with no children 36% of the time; and showed preferential treatment towards renters without disabilities 27 percent of the time.
President Barack Obama's visit to Vermont raised a lot of money and now police departments say they want a piece of it. Police say that will help cover their costs for the president's visit. While in Vermont, Mr. Obama banked hundreds of thousands for his re-election campaign. But police departments might never see any of it and taxpayers could end up paying for part of his fundraising trip.
Three teenagers, ages 13, 14 and 15, have been charged in connection with a vandalism and arson spree in Brattleboro over the weekend that caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. Brattleboro police arrested the three teens yesterday. Because of their age, their cases will be handled in juvenile court, and their names will remain confidential. The teens set fires at Vermont Bread Co., Barrows & Fisher Oil Co. and left extensive obscene and racist graffiti at both Brattleboro Union High School and Brattleboro Middle School.
Residents in a village who lost their covered bridge in last summer's storm say they just want it back the way it was. The current bridge in Quechee has been blockaded and unused since Irene hit last August. The Valley News reports residents were polled on redesign options at a weekend meeting.
Results from the annual Doyle Poll show strong support for banning the use of cell phones while driving and expanding Vermont's bottle deposit law. Washington County Senator Bill Doyle conducts the survey annually at town meetings. Of the 14 questions asked this year, the cell phone and bottle deposit questions both received support from over 3/4ths of respondents. Vermonters also remain about evenly divided on whether the state should continue efforts to close the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. The lowest yes total was the 35-percent for the number of people who are optimistic about the future of Vermont.
Students from Moriah, Peru, Ticonderoga and Beekmantown took honors in the recent North Country History Day at Fort Ticonderoga's Deborah Clarke Mars Education Center. The winning students will now compete at New York State History Day in Cooperstown on April 23rd. A gift from Wal-Mart SuperCenter of Ticonderoga helped support the regional contest.
A popular outdoor recreation destination will soon become more accessible. While mountain bikers, hikers and runners have been eager to hit the trails after an unusually warm winter, the team behind Rutland’s Pine Hill Park unveiled something new on Friday. An existing old carriage route running six miles from behind Proctor High School, south to Rocky Pond, will be called the “carriage trail” and act as a connector to the city park’s multi-use trails. But preparing the trail for pedestrian and mountain biking use will take time and it won’t be officially open and marked until the end of this fall.
Monday, April 2, 2012
WVTK Local & State News April 2, 2012
An informational meeting about the South Street & Green Mountain Place Project will be held this Thursday at 5:00pm in the MVAA Conference Room. The Town's Project Engineer and Staff will present a summary of utility work that includes; water, sewer, electricity and telecommunications, roadwork and traffic flow. A preliminary project construction schedule will also be presented. Stay up to date by visiting the Town Of Middlebury’s Website.
The Vergennes Lions Club presented a check to Addison County Special Olympics athlete John Hutchins and S.O. Program Coordinator Jim Wacker at a recent dinner meeting at the American Legion Post 14 in Vergennes. The Vergennes Lions Club is a sponsor of the Addison County Special Olympics program and donated a check for $600 to defray the cost of winter games this year at Suicide Six near Woodstock. John Hutchins emphasized the importance of athletic competition and building friendships through Special Olympics in Addison County. Special Olympics in Addison County is growing, with more than 50 active athletes participating in soccer, bowling, bocce ball, skiing, snowshoeing, swimming, basketball, and track and field practices and competition all year around.
Blue Spruce Farm in Bridport is one of only three farms throughout the country that has been chosen for the Elanco Award for Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability. This achievement is a result of Blue Spruce Farm’s commitment and dedication to reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The farm was awarded at a special ceremony in Washington D.C. Since the farm’s start in 1958, the Audet family has put an emphasis on caring for natural resources and the environment. As the largest employer in Bridport, the Audet’s strive to increase their labor and energy efficiency, provide the best in cow health and comfort and produce the highest quality milk for their farmer-owned Cabot cheese brand. They are probably best known for being the first dairy to participate in Central Vermont Public Service’s groundbreaking Cow Power program.
Middlebury Union High School Senior Emery Tillman of Cornwall will be presented with an engraved silver medallion April 3 to recognize her selection as one of Vermont’s top two youth volunteers for 2012 in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. She is being honored for undertaking a variety of volunteer activities as she has traveled around the United States and the world competing in freestyle kayaking events. As a state honoree, Emery also will receive $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C., where she will join more than 100 other top honorees from across the country for several days of national recognition events.
The tentative Port Henry village budget shows a $60,000-plus deficit that's being whittled down in budget workshops. By using $50,000 of its fund balance, the Village Board has the draft spending plan's tax levy down to about $562,000 for 2012-13. Last year's budget raised about $500,690 from taxes. The 2011-12 village budget totaled $820,010, with the tentative 2012-13 budget so far at about $853,000. The village fiscal year starts June 1 and ends May 31, 2013. The next budget session, which is open to the public, will immediately follow the annual organizational meeting at 7 tonight in the Village Hall.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its spring fundraiser “Five Hundred Dollar Fridays.” Every Friday in June, TACC will give away $500. For a $20 donation people will receive a ticket for a chance to win. “Five Hundred Dollar Fridays” tickets will be available at the TACC office throughout the months of April and May. The TACC will also donate $500 to be distributed among local food pantries. Only 300 tickets are available. Drawing dates will be June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. For more information visit www.ticonderogany.com.
Rutland City officials hope a storm water separation project on Library Avenue will satisfy state requirements on sewage overflows. The Board of Aldermen voted to endorse a letter outlining the project. The estimated project cost is around $2 million, but officials said a more precise estimate would be a part of initial project design. Despite several previous efforts to increase the city’s sewage capacity, storm-triggered overflows are still pushing the city over permitted limits, prompting the state to demand further work.
Stanley Wilbur has reached an agreement with the town of Proctor that will keep him in the administrator’s office for as long as three years. Wilbur, a retired civil engineer and Tinmouth selectman, was hired by the Select Board in August to replace the former administrator who was placed on an indefinite leave of absence by the town last year and never returned. The Vermont League of Cities and Towns worked with the town to find and sort through 43 applicants for the administrator’s job.
State Police are working with Brattleboro police and fire investigators to see if there's a link between fires and vandalism over the weekend. The incidents occurred Friday night and early Saturday morning, in the areas of the Brattleboro Union High School Cotton Mill Hill and South Main Street. A delivery truck and storage building were destroyed, but it's what could have happened which alarmed authorities because fuel storage tanks were close to the fire.
More than two-thousand people gathered late Friday afternoon to remember St. Johnsbury Academy teacher and coach Melissa Jenkins. Many of the mourners wore pink or at least had a bright pink ribbon, a color, which the 33-year-old teacher wore often. During the service, faculty members and students spoke, sharing stories about her. Her body was found Monday and two people have since been arrested and charged with her murder. A trust fund is now set up to help Jenkins' two-year-old son, Ty.
Burlington's newly elected mayor will be sworn in later today but on Sunday he announced one major appointment. Miro Weinberger introduced Paul Sisson as Chief Administrative Officer, which comes with a job description of dealing with a financial mess and figuring out Burlington's fiscal future. Sisson is a local financial consultant and CPA. Weinberger is hoping the City Council will approve Sisson's appointment tonight during its regular meeting.
It's a debate that's anything but sweet, as lawmakers work on changing the grading system for maple syrup. Vermont is the top producer of syrup, and the Senate has passed a bill changing Grade A Fancy syrup to "Golden Delicate." Grade A Medium Amber becomes "Amber Rich." The changes still need to be agreed upon in the House. Supporters of the changes say this would end up unifying the syrup classification system across the U.S. and Canada.
The Vermont Senate's Agriculture Committee has set a hearing for next week on what may be tough times coming for dairy farmers on the prices they get for their milk. Committee members are worried about a decline in milk prices projected for the coming months, as well as changes to federal farm programs that most farmers won't find favorable. The session is set for 9AM to Noon on April 11th in Statehouse Room 10.
Vermont's highest court has ruled that records of a criminal investigation at the Vermont State Police Academy will remain confidential. The state Supreme Court on Friday upheld a lower court ruling denying the Rutland Herald access to files on a criminal investigation of possession of child pornography by a trainer and other police academy employees.
The Vermont Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of a slain 12-year-old girl's father. James Bennett claimed the ex-wife of the suspect in his daughter's death should have protected her from him. The court upheld a lower court decision rejecting the complaint.
Mentally ill Vermonters who are involuntarily put in state care are still mostly being moved from place to place in shackles, seven years after the state decreed that they should be transported with "the least restrictive means necessary." State officials and county sheriffs say a very small percentage of patients are combative or are deemed to present a threat of violence. But data from the state Department of Mental Health show about two-thirds of patients being moved by sheriffs or police are in handcuffs and ankle chains. Deputy Mental Health Commissioner Mary Moulton acknowledges the mental health system is not living up to the terms of the law, but she says officials are working to fix the problem.
A Vermont gubernatorial candidate is speaking out against issuing a sales tax for use of software located on remote computer servers. Republican Randy Brock joins some other lawmakers speaking out against a Tax Department bulletin issued in 2010 saying that the sales tax applied to pre-written software licensed for use from a remote server. Brock says that a growing number of Vermont businesses use such servers for so-called "cloud computing." He says many of them are being hurt by the Tax Department's push to collect sales taxes on the software they use. Brock says the department has applied the tax retroactively to 2006 and has sent some businesses past-due tax bills in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The North Country Chamber of Commerce has once again been designated by Empire State Development Corp. to coordinate and lead New York State's participation in the Farnborough International Air Show. The show is held every two years outside London and is the largest global aviation and aerospace event of its kind. Scheduled this year for July 9th to 15th, the event is once again expected to feature more than 1,400 exhibitors and more than 120,000 visitors from the aviation and aerospace trade community.
Vermont utility regulators have determined they must start over in their review of whether the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant should get a new state permit for continued operation. The Public Service Board had been trying to decide whether it should revive a 3-year-old review stalled when lawmakers intervened in 2010 and blocked the board from issuing a decision on a new permit. A federal judge has ruled the Legislature overstepped its bounds and has put the matter back in front of the board. The board issued an order late last Thursday saying that rather than pick up where it left off it would start anew. The company says it looks forward to the opportunity to demonstrate the plant deserves a new certificate.
The National Weather Service says warm weather records for March have been broken in Vermont and New Hampshire. The weather service says the average temperature during March at Burlington International Airport was 43.2 degrees. The previous record monthly average was 40 degrees, set in 1903. In New Hampshire, the warmest March on record was recorded in Concord, which had an average temperature of 42.1 degrees. The weather service says that beats the old record, 41.1 degrees, that was set in 1921 and again in 1946.
Fort Ticonderoga recently received a grant from Stewart's Foundation supporting new King's Garden programs in 2012. The program will encourage young visitors to learn about different vegetables, flowers and insects. The funds will specifically support the development of four new themed areas within the Children's Garden. The Children's Garden, located in the King's Garden at Fort Ti, offers an opportunity for families to explore beauty and nature at one of America's oldest and most significant historic sites. The garden is open June 1st through October 8th and offers a wide variety of horticulture programs throughout the season.
The Night Shadows brought down the house with their performance of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” at the annual Ticonderoga High School Pops Concert last Thursday. The concert, which featured about 90 students, included the Night Shadows, the Sentinel Big Band, the school concert band and the mixed chorus. With the exception of the Gaga performance, the concert was a tribute to the music of Motown.
The Vergennes Lions Club presented a check to Addison County Special Olympics athlete John Hutchins and S.O. Program Coordinator Jim Wacker at a recent dinner meeting at the American Legion Post 14 in Vergennes. The Vergennes Lions Club is a sponsor of the Addison County Special Olympics program and donated a check for $600 to defray the cost of winter games this year at Suicide Six near Woodstock. John Hutchins emphasized the importance of athletic competition and building friendships through Special Olympics in Addison County. Special Olympics in Addison County is growing, with more than 50 active athletes participating in soccer, bowling, bocce ball, skiing, snowshoeing, swimming, basketball, and track and field practices and competition all year around.
Blue Spruce Farm in Bridport is one of only three farms throughout the country that has been chosen for the Elanco Award for Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability. This achievement is a result of Blue Spruce Farm’s commitment and dedication to reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The farm was awarded at a special ceremony in Washington D.C. Since the farm’s start in 1958, the Audet family has put an emphasis on caring for natural resources and the environment. As the largest employer in Bridport, the Audet’s strive to increase their labor and energy efficiency, provide the best in cow health and comfort and produce the highest quality milk for their farmer-owned Cabot cheese brand. They are probably best known for being the first dairy to participate in Central Vermont Public Service’s groundbreaking Cow Power program.
Middlebury Union High School Senior Emery Tillman of Cornwall will be presented with an engraved silver medallion April 3 to recognize her selection as one of Vermont’s top two youth volunteers for 2012 in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. She is being honored for undertaking a variety of volunteer activities as she has traveled around the United States and the world competing in freestyle kayaking events. As a state honoree, Emery also will receive $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C., where she will join more than 100 other top honorees from across the country for several days of national recognition events.
The tentative Port Henry village budget shows a $60,000-plus deficit that's being whittled down in budget workshops. By using $50,000 of its fund balance, the Village Board has the draft spending plan's tax levy down to about $562,000 for 2012-13. Last year's budget raised about $500,690 from taxes. The 2011-12 village budget totaled $820,010, with the tentative 2012-13 budget so far at about $853,000. The village fiscal year starts June 1 and ends May 31, 2013. The next budget session, which is open to the public, will immediately follow the annual organizational meeting at 7 tonight in the Village Hall.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its spring fundraiser “Five Hundred Dollar Fridays.” Every Friday in June, TACC will give away $500. For a $20 donation people will receive a ticket for a chance to win. “Five Hundred Dollar Fridays” tickets will be available at the TACC office throughout the months of April and May. The TACC will also donate $500 to be distributed among local food pantries. Only 300 tickets are available. Drawing dates will be June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. For more information visit www.ticonderogany.com.
Rutland City officials hope a storm water separation project on Library Avenue will satisfy state requirements on sewage overflows. The Board of Aldermen voted to endorse a letter outlining the project. The estimated project cost is around $2 million, but officials said a more precise estimate would be a part of initial project design. Despite several previous efforts to increase the city’s sewage capacity, storm-triggered overflows are still pushing the city over permitted limits, prompting the state to demand further work.
Stanley Wilbur has reached an agreement with the town of Proctor that will keep him in the administrator’s office for as long as three years. Wilbur, a retired civil engineer and Tinmouth selectman, was hired by the Select Board in August to replace the former administrator who was placed on an indefinite leave of absence by the town last year and never returned. The Vermont League of Cities and Towns worked with the town to find and sort through 43 applicants for the administrator’s job.
State Police are working with Brattleboro police and fire investigators to see if there's a link between fires and vandalism over the weekend. The incidents occurred Friday night and early Saturday morning, in the areas of the Brattleboro Union High School Cotton Mill Hill and South Main Street. A delivery truck and storage building were destroyed, but it's what could have happened which alarmed authorities because fuel storage tanks were close to the fire.
More than two-thousand people gathered late Friday afternoon to remember St. Johnsbury Academy teacher and coach Melissa Jenkins. Many of the mourners wore pink or at least had a bright pink ribbon, a color, which the 33-year-old teacher wore often. During the service, faculty members and students spoke, sharing stories about her. Her body was found Monday and two people have since been arrested and charged with her murder. A trust fund is now set up to help Jenkins' two-year-old son, Ty.
Burlington's newly elected mayor will be sworn in later today but on Sunday he announced one major appointment. Miro Weinberger introduced Paul Sisson as Chief Administrative Officer, which comes with a job description of dealing with a financial mess and figuring out Burlington's fiscal future. Sisson is a local financial consultant and CPA. Weinberger is hoping the City Council will approve Sisson's appointment tonight during its regular meeting.
It's a debate that's anything but sweet, as lawmakers work on changing the grading system for maple syrup. Vermont is the top producer of syrup, and the Senate has passed a bill changing Grade A Fancy syrup to "Golden Delicate." Grade A Medium Amber becomes "Amber Rich." The changes still need to be agreed upon in the House. Supporters of the changes say this would end up unifying the syrup classification system across the U.S. and Canada.
The Vermont Senate's Agriculture Committee has set a hearing for next week on what may be tough times coming for dairy farmers on the prices they get for their milk. Committee members are worried about a decline in milk prices projected for the coming months, as well as changes to federal farm programs that most farmers won't find favorable. The session is set for 9AM to Noon on April 11th in Statehouse Room 10.
Vermont's highest court has ruled that records of a criminal investigation at the Vermont State Police Academy will remain confidential. The state Supreme Court on Friday upheld a lower court ruling denying the Rutland Herald access to files on a criminal investigation of possession of child pornography by a trainer and other police academy employees.
The Vermont Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of a slain 12-year-old girl's father. James Bennett claimed the ex-wife of the suspect in his daughter's death should have protected her from him. The court upheld a lower court decision rejecting the complaint.
Mentally ill Vermonters who are involuntarily put in state care are still mostly being moved from place to place in shackles, seven years after the state decreed that they should be transported with "the least restrictive means necessary." State officials and county sheriffs say a very small percentage of patients are combative or are deemed to present a threat of violence. But data from the state Department of Mental Health show about two-thirds of patients being moved by sheriffs or police are in handcuffs and ankle chains. Deputy Mental Health Commissioner Mary Moulton acknowledges the mental health system is not living up to the terms of the law, but she says officials are working to fix the problem.
A Vermont gubernatorial candidate is speaking out against issuing a sales tax for use of software located on remote computer servers. Republican Randy Brock joins some other lawmakers speaking out against a Tax Department bulletin issued in 2010 saying that the sales tax applied to pre-written software licensed for use from a remote server. Brock says that a growing number of Vermont businesses use such servers for so-called "cloud computing." He says many of them are being hurt by the Tax Department's push to collect sales taxes on the software they use. Brock says the department has applied the tax retroactively to 2006 and has sent some businesses past-due tax bills in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The North Country Chamber of Commerce has once again been designated by Empire State Development Corp. to coordinate and lead New York State's participation in the Farnborough International Air Show. The show is held every two years outside London and is the largest global aviation and aerospace event of its kind. Scheduled this year for July 9th to 15th, the event is once again expected to feature more than 1,400 exhibitors and more than 120,000 visitors from the aviation and aerospace trade community.
Vermont utility regulators have determined they must start over in their review of whether the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant should get a new state permit for continued operation. The Public Service Board had been trying to decide whether it should revive a 3-year-old review stalled when lawmakers intervened in 2010 and blocked the board from issuing a decision on a new permit. A federal judge has ruled the Legislature overstepped its bounds and has put the matter back in front of the board. The board issued an order late last Thursday saying that rather than pick up where it left off it would start anew. The company says it looks forward to the opportunity to demonstrate the plant deserves a new certificate.
The National Weather Service says warm weather records for March have been broken in Vermont and New Hampshire. The weather service says the average temperature during March at Burlington International Airport was 43.2 degrees. The previous record monthly average was 40 degrees, set in 1903. In New Hampshire, the warmest March on record was recorded in Concord, which had an average temperature of 42.1 degrees. The weather service says that beats the old record, 41.1 degrees, that was set in 1921 and again in 1946.
Fort Ticonderoga recently received a grant from Stewart's Foundation supporting new King's Garden programs in 2012. The program will encourage young visitors to learn about different vegetables, flowers and insects. The funds will specifically support the development of four new themed areas within the Children's Garden. The Children's Garden, located in the King's Garden at Fort Ti, offers an opportunity for families to explore beauty and nature at one of America's oldest and most significant historic sites. The garden is open June 1st through October 8th and offers a wide variety of horticulture programs throughout the season.
The Night Shadows brought down the house with their performance of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” at the annual Ticonderoga High School Pops Concert last Thursday. The concert, which featured about 90 students, included the Night Shadows, the Sentinel Big Band, the school concert band and the mixed chorus. With the exception of the Gaga performance, the concert was a tribute to the music of Motown.
Friday, March 30, 2012
WVTK Local & State News March 30, 2012
At about 5:20 yesterday afternoon Troopers from the New Haven State Police Barracks responded to a disturbance at a residence on Route 7 in the Town of New Haven involving an intoxicated male with a firearm. With the assistance from the New Haven Fire Department, Route 7 was closed between Route 17 and Town Hill Road while the scene was rendered safe and negotiations occurred to bring the individual into protective custody. Route 7 was reopened approximately 7 hours later.
Police in Rutland are asking the public for help in tracking down a fugitive, and they warn he could be armed and dangerous. Police are looking for 36-year-old Martin Nichols. He is wanted on weapons and menacing charges in New York State. Police say they believe Nichols' girlfriend lives in Rutland and they have reason to believe he is in the city. But so far he has eluded the police, so they are now turning to the public for help. Police are warning the public not to approach Nichols as he could be armed and dangerous and has a history of making threatening statements. If you have any information just contact the Rutland City Police Department.
The third concert in Brandon Music’s benefit series for the Compass Music and Arts Center will take place tonight at 7:30PM in the Brandon Congregational Church. This Chamber Music Program will feature Paul Orgel on piano, Flutist Laurel Ann Maurer, and Cello Virtuoso John Dunlop. Friday evening’s program of chamber works includes music by Prokofiev, Martinu, Villa-Lobos, and Haydn. With a varied selection of familiar and new music, this concert will appeal to a wide audience. For ticket information and to learn more about CMAC, visit www.Brandon-Music.net.
An informational meeting about the South Street & Green Mountain Place Project will be held on Thursday, April 5 at 5:00pm in the MVAA Conference Room. The Town's Project Engineer and Staff will present a summary of utility work that includes; water, sewer, electricity and telecommunications, roadwork and traffic flow. A preliminary project construction schedule will also be presented. Stay up to date by visiting the Town Of Middlebury’s Website.
The House has given its strong support to legislation that's designed to provide opportunities to strengthen the state's agricultural sector. The legislation allocates just over $2 million to help launch new businesses and to create a manufacturing and processing infrastructure to support those ventures. Backers of the bill said the legislation is needed if Vermont is going to maintain a working landscape for decades to come. Shoreham Rep. Will Stevens said the bill is a way to ensure that Vermont's agriculture industry remains a vital part of the state's overall economy. It will come up for final approval in the House today and then be considered in the Senate.
Brandon Police are seeking information about a pair of break-ins this week that resulted in the theft of thousands of dollars worth of items and money. The first break-in occurred sometime during the day on Tuesday when someone broke into a home on Marshall Phillips Road. Police said several hundred dollars were stolen along with chain saws and video games and players. On Wednesday, another home was broken into on Smalley Road where the homeowner reported that jewelry and savings bonds were stolen. Police say they believe a vehicle was used in both crimes. Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call Brandon police at 247-0222.
The Rutland Development Review Board has said the West Street Armory can become a print shop. The DRB voted to approve a variance for Keith’s II of Pittsford to move its screen-printing and embroidery business to the Rutland building. Daniel Keith put in a bid for the building when the state put it up for sale following the completion of the new reserve center off Post Road. Keith’s II does contract printing and embroidery for sports programs regionally and nationally. Keith said he would move 20 existing employees to the building and use the extra space to add three to five more.
The State Health Department has banned the sale of synthetic marijuana, and Essex County advocates who were leading the fight say they're relieved. The Essex County Board of Supervisors had debated passing a law banning synthetic marijuana, commonly called K2 or Spice, but decided to hold off to see what the state would do. That action came yesterday when the State Health Commissioner issued an emergency order immediately banning the sale of synthetic marijuana products in New York.
An out-of-the-area man whose canoe capsized on Lake George near Ticonderoga was rescued safely. Ticonderoga Town Police said an unidentified resident heard the man's cries for help on Black Point Road Wednesday afternoon and took a rowboat out to pull the canoeist to safety. Police said he was in the frigid water for about 20 minutes before being rescued but had been wearing a life jacket. He told police a wave capsized the canoe.
The tentative Schroon Lake Central School budget reduces hours for 10 teachers but doesn't include any layoffs and it also exceeds the district's tax-cap limit. That means the budget must be OK'd by 60 percent of those voting in the school election. The proposed 2012-13 budget includes a 3.99 percent tax-levy increase, from $5.86 million this year to $6.09 million. The total spending plan is $7.23 million compared to $7.4 million this year.
Essex County will get $65,000 from a state grant to bolster inter-county hazardous-materials response coordination. The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services made the award to Essex County and participating partners Clinton, Franklin, Washington and Warren counties will share the money. The HazMat Grant Program focuses on the development of regional partnerships to enhance hazardous-materials response capabilities.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce will host OneWorkSource and the InternetXpress @ Your Library services Open House at the Chamber office on Wednesday, April 18th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Open Houses are available to employers, employees, and community members in the Ticonderoga area. The services will be provided initially once a month on the third Wednesday of the month unless otherwise advertised. For more information about the Open Houses at the Chamber Office visit www.ticonderogany.com.
Shoppers are about to get a yearlong break from the state sales tax on some clothing and footwear bought in New York. The state tax department says that as of April 1, the 4 percent tax won't be collected on items that cost less than $110, a limit raised from $55 during the past year. Most local governments will continue to collect their sales taxes.
The man who was identified only by his middle name, "Luke", and had been reported missing March 26, in West Rutland has been found. Vermont State Police said he was located yesterday and reported that Edward "Luke" Furneaux returned home during the morning hours of March 29th on his own accord.
Vermont State Police say they located Paulden Sherpa yesterday morning walking south on Route 7 in the town of South Wallingford. Police provided Sherpa a ride back to Spring Lake Ranch Treatment center where he was reported missing. Vermont State Police responded yesterday afternoon to a report of a missing person from the Spring Lake Ranch Treatment Center.
While Governor Peter Shumlin has been declining to say whether he's running for a second term this fall, he let something slip to a website, sort of. He admitted to the Capital Hill website Political he's campaigning among fellow governors to become the next chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. But, that slot only comes open after the current governor steps down, meaning Shumlin would have to still be governor in 2013. A Shumlin aide confirmed the story on Politico was accurate.
State lawmakers have approved six more years on the bench for two judges and a magistrate. The votes were an example of the state's judicial retention process, in which the legislature reviews judges' performance every six years and then votes in a joint session on whether to retain them. Some years the judges up for review draw heated debate, but this year the process was a quiet one.
Vermont townspeople say they don't know much about a woman who married an area resident and is now charged in a teacher's bizarre killing. Patricia Prue and husband Allen are accused of luring Melissa Jenkins with a story about a broken-down car and then taking her life. The Waterford Town Clerk says Allen Prue's family has had hard times but they weren't "bad news." Patricia Prue married Allen last year. Her ex-husband Jeffrey Witkoff lives in Littleton, CO. He says she recently requested a restraining order on him even though they hadn't talked in a couple of years. Patricia Prue's lawyer says he hasn't met with her yet.
Some of Melissa Jenkins' fellow teachers at St. Johnsbury Academy were handing out pink ribbons yesterday, to be worn in memory of Jenkins and support of her grieving family. Friends are calling for people across the state to honor Jenkins by wearing pink today. And a public memorial service will be held this afternoon in the Alumni Memorial Gymnasium at the high school at 4PM with as many as 1,400 people expected to attend.
President Barack Obama visits Vermont today. The president will arrive around 11:30 this morning and attend a pair of fundraising events; one at the Sheraton Hotel in South Burlington, the other at the University of Vermont. The movement of the president's motorcade from the airport to those venues will result in numerous road closures. Warning signs are up on Interstates 89 and 189 and on secondary roads around the area, advising motorists to expect 15-minute delays during the president's visit.
A top Vermont utility regulator is defending the proposed merger between the state's two biggest utilities, while skeptical lawmakers are questioning how a payback to ratepayers is being structured. Commissioner Elizabeth Miller of the Department of Public Service spoke to the Senate Economic Development Committee yesterday about the $21 million in extra payments CVPS ratepayers were ordered to make to the company a decade ago to keep it out of bankruptcy. Some consumer advocates and lawmakers say those ratepayers should be repaid in cash, but Miller's department has endorsed a plan by the utilities to put the money into heating efficiency in the CVPS territory. Lawmakers also are questioning the fact that after the merged company puts the money up, it will get it back over time.
Vermont lawmakers are planning to pay tribute to Lola Aiken, the widow of the late Sen. George Aiken, who is turning 100 this year. Today lawmakers will take up a resolution wishing Aiken a happy birthday and celebrating her long involvement in Vermont politics and civic work. Lola Aiken first became known as the chief of staff and later wife of the George Aiken, who served as governor and then U.S. senator. George Aiken died in 1984 at age 92. He retired from the Senate in 1975. Lola Aiken turns 100 in June.
Police in Rutland are asking the public for help in tracking down a fugitive, and they warn he could be armed and dangerous. Police are looking for 36-year-old Martin Nichols. He is wanted on weapons and menacing charges in New York State. Police say they believe Nichols' girlfriend lives in Rutland and they have reason to believe he is in the city. But so far he has eluded the police, so they are now turning to the public for help. Police are warning the public not to approach Nichols as he could be armed and dangerous and has a history of making threatening statements. If you have any information just contact the Rutland City Police Department.
The third concert in Brandon Music’s benefit series for the Compass Music and Arts Center will take place tonight at 7:30PM in the Brandon Congregational Church. This Chamber Music Program will feature Paul Orgel on piano, Flutist Laurel Ann Maurer, and Cello Virtuoso John Dunlop. Friday evening’s program of chamber works includes music by Prokofiev, Martinu, Villa-Lobos, and Haydn. With a varied selection of familiar and new music, this concert will appeal to a wide audience. For ticket information and to learn more about CMAC, visit www.Brandon-Music.net.
An informational meeting about the South Street & Green Mountain Place Project will be held on Thursday, April 5 at 5:00pm in the MVAA Conference Room. The Town's Project Engineer and Staff will present a summary of utility work that includes; water, sewer, electricity and telecommunications, roadwork and traffic flow. A preliminary project construction schedule will also be presented. Stay up to date by visiting the Town Of Middlebury’s Website.
The House has given its strong support to legislation that's designed to provide opportunities to strengthen the state's agricultural sector. The legislation allocates just over $2 million to help launch new businesses and to create a manufacturing and processing infrastructure to support those ventures. Backers of the bill said the legislation is needed if Vermont is going to maintain a working landscape for decades to come. Shoreham Rep. Will Stevens said the bill is a way to ensure that Vermont's agriculture industry remains a vital part of the state's overall economy. It will come up for final approval in the House today and then be considered in the Senate.
Brandon Police are seeking information about a pair of break-ins this week that resulted in the theft of thousands of dollars worth of items and money. The first break-in occurred sometime during the day on Tuesday when someone broke into a home on Marshall Phillips Road. Police said several hundred dollars were stolen along with chain saws and video games and players. On Wednesday, another home was broken into on Smalley Road where the homeowner reported that jewelry and savings bonds were stolen. Police say they believe a vehicle was used in both crimes. Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call Brandon police at 247-0222.
The Rutland Development Review Board has said the West Street Armory can become a print shop. The DRB voted to approve a variance for Keith’s II of Pittsford to move its screen-printing and embroidery business to the Rutland building. Daniel Keith put in a bid for the building when the state put it up for sale following the completion of the new reserve center off Post Road. Keith’s II does contract printing and embroidery for sports programs regionally and nationally. Keith said he would move 20 existing employees to the building and use the extra space to add three to five more.
The State Health Department has banned the sale of synthetic marijuana, and Essex County advocates who were leading the fight say they're relieved. The Essex County Board of Supervisors had debated passing a law banning synthetic marijuana, commonly called K2 or Spice, but decided to hold off to see what the state would do. That action came yesterday when the State Health Commissioner issued an emergency order immediately banning the sale of synthetic marijuana products in New York.
An out-of-the-area man whose canoe capsized on Lake George near Ticonderoga was rescued safely. Ticonderoga Town Police said an unidentified resident heard the man's cries for help on Black Point Road Wednesday afternoon and took a rowboat out to pull the canoeist to safety. Police said he was in the frigid water for about 20 minutes before being rescued but had been wearing a life jacket. He told police a wave capsized the canoe.
The tentative Schroon Lake Central School budget reduces hours for 10 teachers but doesn't include any layoffs and it also exceeds the district's tax-cap limit. That means the budget must be OK'd by 60 percent of those voting in the school election. The proposed 2012-13 budget includes a 3.99 percent tax-levy increase, from $5.86 million this year to $6.09 million. The total spending plan is $7.23 million compared to $7.4 million this year.
Essex County will get $65,000 from a state grant to bolster inter-county hazardous-materials response coordination. The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services made the award to Essex County and participating partners Clinton, Franklin, Washington and Warren counties will share the money. The HazMat Grant Program focuses on the development of regional partnerships to enhance hazardous-materials response capabilities.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce will host OneWorkSource and the InternetXpress @ Your Library services Open House at the Chamber office on Wednesday, April 18th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Open Houses are available to employers, employees, and community members in the Ticonderoga area. The services will be provided initially once a month on the third Wednesday of the month unless otherwise advertised. For more information about the Open Houses at the Chamber Office visit www.ticonderogany.com.
Shoppers are about to get a yearlong break from the state sales tax on some clothing and footwear bought in New York. The state tax department says that as of April 1, the 4 percent tax won't be collected on items that cost less than $110, a limit raised from $55 during the past year. Most local governments will continue to collect their sales taxes.
The man who was identified only by his middle name, "Luke", and had been reported missing March 26, in West Rutland has been found. Vermont State Police said he was located yesterday and reported that Edward "Luke" Furneaux returned home during the morning hours of March 29th on his own accord.
Vermont State Police say they located Paulden Sherpa yesterday morning walking south on Route 7 in the town of South Wallingford. Police provided Sherpa a ride back to Spring Lake Ranch Treatment center where he was reported missing. Vermont State Police responded yesterday afternoon to a report of a missing person from the Spring Lake Ranch Treatment Center.
While Governor Peter Shumlin has been declining to say whether he's running for a second term this fall, he let something slip to a website, sort of. He admitted to the Capital Hill website Political he's campaigning among fellow governors to become the next chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. But, that slot only comes open after the current governor steps down, meaning Shumlin would have to still be governor in 2013. A Shumlin aide confirmed the story on Politico was accurate.
State lawmakers have approved six more years on the bench for two judges and a magistrate. The votes were an example of the state's judicial retention process, in which the legislature reviews judges' performance every six years and then votes in a joint session on whether to retain them. Some years the judges up for review draw heated debate, but this year the process was a quiet one.
Vermont townspeople say they don't know much about a woman who married an area resident and is now charged in a teacher's bizarre killing. Patricia Prue and husband Allen are accused of luring Melissa Jenkins with a story about a broken-down car and then taking her life. The Waterford Town Clerk says Allen Prue's family has had hard times but they weren't "bad news." Patricia Prue married Allen last year. Her ex-husband Jeffrey Witkoff lives in Littleton, CO. He says she recently requested a restraining order on him even though they hadn't talked in a couple of years. Patricia Prue's lawyer says he hasn't met with her yet.
Some of Melissa Jenkins' fellow teachers at St. Johnsbury Academy were handing out pink ribbons yesterday, to be worn in memory of Jenkins and support of her grieving family. Friends are calling for people across the state to honor Jenkins by wearing pink today. And a public memorial service will be held this afternoon in the Alumni Memorial Gymnasium at the high school at 4PM with as many as 1,400 people expected to attend.
President Barack Obama visits Vermont today. The president will arrive around 11:30 this morning and attend a pair of fundraising events; one at the Sheraton Hotel in South Burlington, the other at the University of Vermont. The movement of the president's motorcade from the airport to those venues will result in numerous road closures. Warning signs are up on Interstates 89 and 189 and on secondary roads around the area, advising motorists to expect 15-minute delays during the president's visit.
A top Vermont utility regulator is defending the proposed merger between the state's two biggest utilities, while skeptical lawmakers are questioning how a payback to ratepayers is being structured. Commissioner Elizabeth Miller of the Department of Public Service spoke to the Senate Economic Development Committee yesterday about the $21 million in extra payments CVPS ratepayers were ordered to make to the company a decade ago to keep it out of bankruptcy. Some consumer advocates and lawmakers say those ratepayers should be repaid in cash, but Miller's department has endorsed a plan by the utilities to put the money into heating efficiency in the CVPS territory. Lawmakers also are questioning the fact that after the merged company puts the money up, it will get it back over time.
Vermont lawmakers are planning to pay tribute to Lola Aiken, the widow of the late Sen. George Aiken, who is turning 100 this year. Today lawmakers will take up a resolution wishing Aiken a happy birthday and celebrating her long involvement in Vermont politics and civic work. Lola Aiken first became known as the chief of staff and later wife of the George Aiken, who served as governor and then U.S. senator. George Aiken died in 1984 at age 92. He retired from the Senate in 1975. Lola Aiken turns 100 in June.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
WVTK Local & State News March 29, 2012
A husband and wife are being held without bail on charges of second-degree murder in the death of Melissa Jenkins. Allen Prue and his wife Patricia, both of Waterford, are accused of luring the high school science teacher out to help them Sunday night, saying their car broke down. Police affidavits say Jenkins died from strangulation, and apparently her two-year-old son saw what happened. He was found in his mother's car alone that night. A fundraiser is being planned to help the little boy.
At Middlebury’s Select-Board meeting this week an update was presented on the Middlebury River Planning & Restoration Project. Now that an approach and a funding source have been identified, the river planning effort is moving into its second phase: public input and information. It was also noted that the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed Erosion Hazard Regulations at the East Middlebury Methodist Church on Monday, April 16th at 7:00PM. Meanwhile The business development working group of five set a timeline that includes appointing members of the five member advisory board in April, with organization, public outreach-input and finalizing the job description for the Business Development Director in May, and starting the search for the Director in June. During the meeting the Board awarded the contract for the design of a grit drying bed for the wastewater treatment facility to Otter Creek Engineering. And after nearly three years of work, the Planning Commission has posted the draft Town Plan on the Town's website. The Planning Commission and the Select-Board will hold informational meetings and warned public hearings on the proposed plan later this spring.
An Award will be offered for information about graffiti on the Cross Street Bridge. With more graffiti appearing on the Cross Street Bridge in the wake of the Town having incurred a $7,000 expense to remove the first graffiti on the Bridge last fall, the Select-Board unanimously voted to offer a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible for the vandalism. Anyone with information should contact the Middlebury Police Department.
If you see streetlights in Middlebury that are not working you can report it to the Town Manager’s Office (802-388-8100 XT 202). In order to place a work order on the streetlight, they need the location of the streetlights and any numbers that are on the fixture. The Town pays a fixed charge for the streetlight whether or not it is working.
A man who goes by his middle name "Luke", first and last name not yet released by Vermont State Police in Rutland, was last seen at 3AM on Monday, in West Rutland. The man's vehicle, a 2000 Subaru Legacy, was left at his mother’s residence where he does not reside. Both the front windshield and front passenger’s window are damaged. Both right side tires were deflated, but there was no direct evidence of an accident. Police believe that the damage was done intentionally. No further information is known at this time.
The teachers of the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union have voted to go on strike April 4th unless their more-than-two-year contract dispute is ended with a fair settlement. The supervisory union's boards have continually stalled during negotiations, leading to teachers' working without a contract since July 2010, which is the longest such absence of a contract in Vermont. Teachers took the vote as a last resort, and hope the action shows how serious they are at reaching a settlement with the supervisory union's boards.
The teachers of Windham Northeast Supervisory Union authorized a strike for April 4th if a contract settlement isn't reached before then. Despite more than 15 months of bargaining, the supervisory union's boards have not wavered in their demands to undo four decades of collective bargaining. A bargaining session is scheduled for this evening.
All four principals in the Rutland Central Supervisory Union have had employment issues in the past month, with two principals resigning recently and now a third following suit. Superintendent Debra Taylor confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that Proctor Elementary School Principal Nancy Erickson submitted her letter of resignation and was expected to present it to the School Board on Tuesday night. The resignation is effective June 30th.
The call for a North Country slaughterhouse grew as plans to build one in Middlebury surfaced. Essex County organic-beef farmer "Sandy" Lewis shared his concept of a slaughterhouse and meat-processing plant with elected officials in recent months. He has also tested such a facility's agricultural-use status on his land with the Adirondack Park Agency. Lewis said Vermont's leadership is ahead of the game. The proposed Vermont site would expand operations of Vermont Livestock currently based in Ferrisburgh.
After hearing compelling details about the link between synthetic marijuana and violent crimes, Warren County supervisors endorsed a proposed law banning the substances. The supervisors serving on the county Legislative and Criminal Justice committees voted unanimously on Tuesday to enact a law prohibiting the sale, use, possession or distribution of synthetic marijuana and herbal incense. The proposed law is now headed or the full county Board of Supervisors at their April 20th meeting, and the board is expected to set a public hearing on the law for mid-May. The law could be in effect in late May.
Vermont Attorney William Sorrell is warning consumers of a new telephone scam. According to a press release, callers claim to be from Microsoft and state the consumer's computer has been infected with a virus and/or series of operating system errors. The caller then asks if they can access their computer remotely so they can "fix" the problem. By giving the caller access to their computer, this allows the caller to have unrestricted access to any files and Internet browsing history. It also gives the scammers opportunity to install malicious software onto the computer to capture sensitive information.
Vermont's unemployment rate has dropped below 5% for the first time in nearly three and a half years. The state Department of Labor says the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February in Vermont was 4.9%, down two-tenths of a percent from the January figure.
More than 300 subway cars will be built for New York City's mass transit system in Plattsburgh, keeping 500 jobs alive. It's part of a $600 million contract with Montreal-based Bombardier. Governor Andrew Cuomo says the deal will keep 300 workers busy and support 200 more jobs from suppliers.
The U.S. Senate is looking to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, a landmark law that supports Meals on Wheels and other programs for seniors. The Older American Act was the first initiative by the federal government to help seniors remain independent in their homes and communities. The Older Americans Act will provide basic meals, home-care, help coordinating long-term care, job training, legal services and protection from abuse and neglect in nursing homes. The Act was originally enacted in 1965.
Vermont is joining 10 other states asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn an immigration law implemented by the state of Arizona. Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell and the other states claim that Arizona's immigration law requires state law enforcement officers to detain and arrest individuals who appear to be illegal immigrants.
The Montpelier artist Bo Muller Moore received word this week that a lawyer at the federal trademark office in Washington has said, in a preliminary ruling, that his Eat More Kale design is likely to cause confusion with Chik-Fil- A's Eat Mor' Chikin' slogan. If that ruling holds up, he won't be able to trademark or protect his original design. He could also have to shut down his website, eatmorekale.com, and cease and desist selling and printing his Eat More Kale shirts and stickers.
Outstanding Ticonderoga High School graduates are being sought. The Ticonderoga Alumni Association will once again honor leading graduates this July during the annual Alumni Golf Tournament weekend. Distinguished Alumni Awards are given each year to alumni who have distinguished themselves through their career success and contributions to community and society. Recipients of this award are selected by a committee from nominations submitted by the public. Nominations for the 2012 Awards will be accepted through May 25th. Any person who graduated from THS before 2002 is eligible to be nominated. Current residency in Ticonderoga is not a requirement. For more information or a nomination form, visit www.ticonderogaalumni.org
Champlain Area Trails has launched its spring travel-writing contest. CATS is coordinating a series of travel writing contests to boost the local economy through outdoors recreation based tourism. The trail group’s first travel writing contest concluded in December with first prize awarded for an article jointly written by a ninth grade student and his tutor in Westport and the People’s Choice prize to a young mother who named her baby while hiking a CATS trail. CATS wants to compile travel articles describing visits throughout the year to encourage more year-round tourism. The CATS travel contest will run through April 30th with prizes awarded on June 2nd. Entrants should submit 800 to 1,300 word articles with two to six photos. For full details visit www.champlainareatrails.com/contest.
If you're feeling lucky, you might want to buy a Mega Millions ticket ahead of Friday's drawing. It's currently the world's largest jackpot in history at $500,000,000. Mega Millions is played in 44 states, including Vermont. Also, Mega Millions had a Vermont winner in Tuesday's $250,000 drawing. The winning ticket was sold at Joe's Discount Beverage in Springfield.
At Middlebury’s Select-Board meeting this week an update was presented on the Middlebury River Planning & Restoration Project. Now that an approach and a funding source have been identified, the river planning effort is moving into its second phase: public input and information. It was also noted that the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed Erosion Hazard Regulations at the East Middlebury Methodist Church on Monday, April 16th at 7:00PM. Meanwhile The business development working group of five set a timeline that includes appointing members of the five member advisory board in April, with organization, public outreach-input and finalizing the job description for the Business Development Director in May, and starting the search for the Director in June. During the meeting the Board awarded the contract for the design of a grit drying bed for the wastewater treatment facility to Otter Creek Engineering. And after nearly three years of work, the Planning Commission has posted the draft Town Plan on the Town's website. The Planning Commission and the Select-Board will hold informational meetings and warned public hearings on the proposed plan later this spring.
An Award will be offered for information about graffiti on the Cross Street Bridge. With more graffiti appearing on the Cross Street Bridge in the wake of the Town having incurred a $7,000 expense to remove the first graffiti on the Bridge last fall, the Select-Board unanimously voted to offer a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible for the vandalism. Anyone with information should contact the Middlebury Police Department.
If you see streetlights in Middlebury that are not working you can report it to the Town Manager’s Office (802-388-8100 XT 202). In order to place a work order on the streetlight, they need the location of the streetlights and any numbers that are on the fixture. The Town pays a fixed charge for the streetlight whether or not it is working.
A man who goes by his middle name "Luke", first and last name not yet released by Vermont State Police in Rutland, was last seen at 3AM on Monday, in West Rutland. The man's vehicle, a 2000 Subaru Legacy, was left at his mother’s residence where he does not reside. Both the front windshield and front passenger’s window are damaged. Both right side tires were deflated, but there was no direct evidence of an accident. Police believe that the damage was done intentionally. No further information is known at this time.
The teachers of the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union have voted to go on strike April 4th unless their more-than-two-year contract dispute is ended with a fair settlement. The supervisory union's boards have continually stalled during negotiations, leading to teachers' working without a contract since July 2010, which is the longest such absence of a contract in Vermont. Teachers took the vote as a last resort, and hope the action shows how serious they are at reaching a settlement with the supervisory union's boards.
The teachers of Windham Northeast Supervisory Union authorized a strike for April 4th if a contract settlement isn't reached before then. Despite more than 15 months of bargaining, the supervisory union's boards have not wavered in their demands to undo four decades of collective bargaining. A bargaining session is scheduled for this evening.
All four principals in the Rutland Central Supervisory Union have had employment issues in the past month, with two principals resigning recently and now a third following suit. Superintendent Debra Taylor confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that Proctor Elementary School Principal Nancy Erickson submitted her letter of resignation and was expected to present it to the School Board on Tuesday night. The resignation is effective June 30th.
The call for a North Country slaughterhouse grew as plans to build one in Middlebury surfaced. Essex County organic-beef farmer "Sandy" Lewis shared his concept of a slaughterhouse and meat-processing plant with elected officials in recent months. He has also tested such a facility's agricultural-use status on his land with the Adirondack Park Agency. Lewis said Vermont's leadership is ahead of the game. The proposed Vermont site would expand operations of Vermont Livestock currently based in Ferrisburgh.
After hearing compelling details about the link between synthetic marijuana and violent crimes, Warren County supervisors endorsed a proposed law banning the substances. The supervisors serving on the county Legislative and Criminal Justice committees voted unanimously on Tuesday to enact a law prohibiting the sale, use, possession or distribution of synthetic marijuana and herbal incense. The proposed law is now headed or the full county Board of Supervisors at their April 20th meeting, and the board is expected to set a public hearing on the law for mid-May. The law could be in effect in late May.
Vermont Attorney William Sorrell is warning consumers of a new telephone scam. According to a press release, callers claim to be from Microsoft and state the consumer's computer has been infected with a virus and/or series of operating system errors. The caller then asks if they can access their computer remotely so they can "fix" the problem. By giving the caller access to their computer, this allows the caller to have unrestricted access to any files and Internet browsing history. It also gives the scammers opportunity to install malicious software onto the computer to capture sensitive information.
Vermont's unemployment rate has dropped below 5% for the first time in nearly three and a half years. The state Department of Labor says the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February in Vermont was 4.9%, down two-tenths of a percent from the January figure.
More than 300 subway cars will be built for New York City's mass transit system in Plattsburgh, keeping 500 jobs alive. It's part of a $600 million contract with Montreal-based Bombardier. Governor Andrew Cuomo says the deal will keep 300 workers busy and support 200 more jobs from suppliers.
The U.S. Senate is looking to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, a landmark law that supports Meals on Wheels and other programs for seniors. The Older American Act was the first initiative by the federal government to help seniors remain independent in their homes and communities. The Older Americans Act will provide basic meals, home-care, help coordinating long-term care, job training, legal services and protection from abuse and neglect in nursing homes. The Act was originally enacted in 1965.
Vermont is joining 10 other states asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn an immigration law implemented by the state of Arizona. Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell and the other states claim that Arizona's immigration law requires state law enforcement officers to detain and arrest individuals who appear to be illegal immigrants.
The Montpelier artist Bo Muller Moore received word this week that a lawyer at the federal trademark office in Washington has said, in a preliminary ruling, that his Eat More Kale design is likely to cause confusion with Chik-Fil- A's Eat Mor' Chikin' slogan. If that ruling holds up, he won't be able to trademark or protect his original design. He could also have to shut down his website, eatmorekale.com, and cease and desist selling and printing his Eat More Kale shirts and stickers.
Outstanding Ticonderoga High School graduates are being sought. The Ticonderoga Alumni Association will once again honor leading graduates this July during the annual Alumni Golf Tournament weekend. Distinguished Alumni Awards are given each year to alumni who have distinguished themselves through their career success and contributions to community and society. Recipients of this award are selected by a committee from nominations submitted by the public. Nominations for the 2012 Awards will be accepted through May 25th. Any person who graduated from THS before 2002 is eligible to be nominated. Current residency in Ticonderoga is not a requirement. For more information or a nomination form, visit www.ticonderogaalumni.org
Champlain Area Trails has launched its spring travel-writing contest. CATS is coordinating a series of travel writing contests to boost the local economy through outdoors recreation based tourism. The trail group’s first travel writing contest concluded in December with first prize awarded for an article jointly written by a ninth grade student and his tutor in Westport and the People’s Choice prize to a young mother who named her baby while hiking a CATS trail. CATS wants to compile travel articles describing visits throughout the year to encourage more year-round tourism. The CATS travel contest will run through April 30th with prizes awarded on June 2nd. Entrants should submit 800 to 1,300 word articles with two to six photos. For full details visit www.champlainareatrails.com/contest.
If you're feeling lucky, you might want to buy a Mega Millions ticket ahead of Friday's drawing. It's currently the world's largest jackpot in history at $500,000,000. Mega Millions is played in 44 states, including Vermont. Also, Mega Millions had a Vermont winner in Tuesday's $250,000 drawing. The winning ticket was sold at Joe's Discount Beverage in Springfield.
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