Here in Middlebury budgets only changed slightly this year. The town budget of $5,571,824 to be raised by taxes is up $1,012, or less than 1 percent, from last year's $5,570,812. The town school budget went from $5,685,813 to $5,771,989, up $86,176, or 1.5 percent. The Middlebury Union budget went from $15,530,470 to $15,967,209, an increase of $436,793, or 2.8 percent. The town ballot also features items authorizing the Select Board to borrow up to $203,000 to replace vehicles over the next five years, to establish a reserve fund for technology to preserve land records and to phase out the business personal property tax. Middlebury meets at 7 p.m. today in the Town Hall Theater, where budgetary items are voted from the floor. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the municipal auditorium/gymnasium.
Vermont merchants said they have high hopes for the upcoming sales tax holiday. They're confident it will provide a much needed boost for their sales. Saturday, March 6, is one two sales tax holidays this year for any purchase less than $2,000. Many businesses will be open 24 hours on March 6 for stoppers to take advantage of no sales tax.
A judge has declared the Plattsburgh man accused of a double murder in Dannemora competent to stand trial. 52-year-old Tony Pavone is accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend Patricia Howard and her new boyfriend Timothy Carter at Carter's home last month. Pavone is charged with two counts of second-degree murder.
Officials have lifted a weight limit on trucks using the temporary ferry between Addison and Crown Point. Vermont and New York had imposed the weight and axle restrictions when the new temporary ferry opened last month. Vermont Transportation Secretary David Dill said truckers may now use the ferry in the same capacity as they used the bridge.
Vermont police say they've arrested a Massachusetts man in connection with a break-in at a home decor and gift shop in South Burlington. Police responded to a burglar alarm at The Willow House and followed footprints in the snow before arresting 21-year-old Derek Wales of Brimfield, Mass.
He was charged with burglary and taken to the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility.
The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife is warning anglers across the state to beware of thin ice. Vermont head game warden Colonel David LeCours says the ice fishing has been good in recent weeks, but the water is warming and ice is moving away from shores in some places.
Burlington is looking at a potential partnership with Google to become a test site for a new super-high-speed fiber optic communications network. Google is looking for communities to act as test sites. The city is planning a public meeting on its application to Google this Thursday at 6:30 at City Hall.
Governor David Patterson has announced that he is ending his campaign for governor. Paterson insisted that ending his campaign had nothing to do with the recent controversy surrounding his office. The State's Attorney General is investigating whether Paterson tried to stop a woman from filing a domestic abuse case against one of the governor's close aides.
Voters in Colchester on Town Meeting Day will decide if the town should look into buying some waterfront property. The Catholic Diocese is selling the 29 acres Camp Holy Cross in Colchester to help settle lawsuits. Supporters worry the land could be snapped up by developers. Voters would have the final say if and how the land is purchased.
Crew worked through the weekend to restore power to customers throughout New England. Now the lights are back on for customers in Vermont but New York still has about 87,000 without power, New Hampshire more 83,000, and Maine 16,000. At the peak of the storm last week, more than a million utility customers throughout the region had lost power.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
WVTK Local & State News February 26, 2010
As the next storm moves into our region bringing along with it high winds, snow, and rain, officials are warning everyone to expect more power outages. This comes on the heels of a storm early yesterday that knocked out power to tens of thousands of customers. In fact, as of late last night, there were still almost 6,000 customers in Southern Vermont in the dark.
There's a new effort to keep Rutland residents informed about the police department following recent problems. The Rutland Police Commission will hold two public meetings at night a month. That's in addition to morning meetings already held twice a month. The change comes after a recent pornography investigation in the city police department. The commission says it wants to restore public trust in themselves and the police department by improving communication.
The former nanny accused of inappropriately touching a 10-year-old boy in Grand Isle plead not guilty to new charges of child porn and child exploitation. The judge presiding over the trail granted the prosecutions request yesterday for 2 separate trials for 24-year-old Donald Shepherd. The first trial is scheduled to start in April.
Despite pressure from leading New York Democrats, Governor David Paterson says he won't drop his election bid amid a growing scandal involving a key aide. Paterson says he'll talk to fellow Democrats, but for now he's continuing his campaign. The governor has been urged to halt his campaign amid allegations of domestic abuse against a close aide.
Retired Plattsburgh City School teacher Raymond “Foxy” Gagnon is expected to plead guilty today to possessing child pornography on his personal computer. The 61-year-old has been facing federal charges since last June. The change-of-plea hearing is expected to happen in an Albany courtroom this morning. Sentencing will probably take place in late April.
The Vermont House has passed a bill that would make it free for people to recycle their electronic waste. If approved, the bill would set up several drop-off sites in every county where people could drop their old TV's, printers and computers for free. Supporters say the end goal is to keep as many electronics out of the landfills as possible.
Governor Jim Douglas says the debate over Vermont Yankee is far from over. Wednesday, the state Senate voted against allowing Vermont Yankee to operate past 2012. But the governor calls that vote just political theater. The House of Representatives could still write its own nuclear bill. Vermont Yankee official hopes they can convince lawmakers to change their position.
A girls basketball coach in AuSable Forks was sentenced to 6 months on probation for having sex with an underage boy. 36-year-old Joey Strong pleaded guilty to rape. Strong was arrested last year for having sex with a 16-year-old boy at a hotel and providing him with alcohol. She was a veteran coach for Holy Name School when she was arrested.
On Town Meeting Day, voters in Vermont will be asked once again to participate in the Doyle Poll. The list of questions this year includes the re-licensing of Vermont Yankee, whether to ban cell phones and texting while driving, and how do Vermonters feel about their health insurance. The list of non-binding questions is way to gauge how Vermonters feel about a number of issues.
The Vermont lighting company, Hubbardton Forge of Castleton, has laid off 13 workers as it continues to cope with the effects of the weak economy. This week's layoffs are on top of 26 layoffs last year. The company now employs 188 people. The company's president say business has yet to return to normal.
Governor Jim Douglas yesterday signed into law a new program that requires Vermont agencies to try to find ways to cut $38 million of costs from state government. The $38 million targeted in the so-called "Challenges for Change" is roughy a quarter of a Vermont's $150 million budget gap.
There's a new effort to keep Rutland residents informed about the police department following recent problems. The Rutland Police Commission will hold two public meetings at night a month. That's in addition to morning meetings already held twice a month. The change comes after a recent pornography investigation in the city police department. The commission says it wants to restore public trust in themselves and the police department by improving communication.
The former nanny accused of inappropriately touching a 10-year-old boy in Grand Isle plead not guilty to new charges of child porn and child exploitation. The judge presiding over the trail granted the prosecutions request yesterday for 2 separate trials for 24-year-old Donald Shepherd. The first trial is scheduled to start in April.
Despite pressure from leading New York Democrats, Governor David Paterson says he won't drop his election bid amid a growing scandal involving a key aide. Paterson says he'll talk to fellow Democrats, but for now he's continuing his campaign. The governor has been urged to halt his campaign amid allegations of domestic abuse against a close aide.
Retired Plattsburgh City School teacher Raymond “Foxy” Gagnon is expected to plead guilty today to possessing child pornography on his personal computer. The 61-year-old has been facing federal charges since last June. The change-of-plea hearing is expected to happen in an Albany courtroom this morning. Sentencing will probably take place in late April.
The Vermont House has passed a bill that would make it free for people to recycle their electronic waste. If approved, the bill would set up several drop-off sites in every county where people could drop their old TV's, printers and computers for free. Supporters say the end goal is to keep as many electronics out of the landfills as possible.
Governor Jim Douglas says the debate over Vermont Yankee is far from over. Wednesday, the state Senate voted against allowing Vermont Yankee to operate past 2012. But the governor calls that vote just political theater. The House of Representatives could still write its own nuclear bill. Vermont Yankee official hopes they can convince lawmakers to change their position.
A girls basketball coach in AuSable Forks was sentenced to 6 months on probation for having sex with an underage boy. 36-year-old Joey Strong pleaded guilty to rape. Strong was arrested last year for having sex with a 16-year-old boy at a hotel and providing him with alcohol. She was a veteran coach for Holy Name School when she was arrested.
On Town Meeting Day, voters in Vermont will be asked once again to participate in the Doyle Poll. The list of questions this year includes the re-licensing of Vermont Yankee, whether to ban cell phones and texting while driving, and how do Vermonters feel about their health insurance. The list of non-binding questions is way to gauge how Vermonters feel about a number of issues.
The Vermont lighting company, Hubbardton Forge of Castleton, has laid off 13 workers as it continues to cope with the effects of the weak economy. This week's layoffs are on top of 26 layoffs last year. The company now employs 188 people. The company's president say business has yet to return to normal.
Governor Jim Douglas yesterday signed into law a new program that requires Vermont agencies to try to find ways to cut $38 million of costs from state government. The $38 million targeted in the so-called "Challenges for Change" is roughy a quarter of a Vermont's $150 million budget gap.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
WVTK Local & State News February 25, 2010
After nearly 4 hours of debate, the state Senate voted 26 to 4 to block the extension of Vermont Yankee's operating license past 2012. Some Senators wanted to delay the vote, saying the economic impact of closing the plant needs to be reviewed further. Vermont is the only state in the country with a law giving its Legislature a say over a nuclear plant's re-licensing.
Crews are working around the clock to restore power to customers still in the dark in southern Vermont. More than 19,000 customers were without power earlier this morning, down from more than 21,000 households yesterday. The majority of the outages are in Windham, Windsor, and Rutland Counties. Vermont Emergency Management officials say today’s forecast of a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and high winds could lead to more outages.
The Randolph man charged with kidnapping and murdering his 12-year-old niece is asking a federal judge to hold his trial in another state. Attorneys for Michael Jacques say it’s impossible for Jacques to get a fair trail in Vermont due to all the pretrial publicity. The defense has also requested that the trial be moved from federal to state court.
As the snow piles up this week, state agriculture officials are reminding farmers they need to try to get snow off of their barn roofs to try to avoid any collapses. They say many agricultural buildings aren't designed to hold a lot of snow. The warning comes especially for older roofs.
A Siena College poll released this week said 58 percent of New Yorkers would support wine sales in grocery stores. Governor David Paterson proposed the change as part of his 2010-2011 budget proposal, estimating it could bring in $250 million. Opponents said it would put many small liquor stores out of business and cost the state thousands of jobs.
A bone marrow drive was held yesterday at the University of Vermont. The bone marrow registry is running low on donors. If fact, according to the bone marrow registry 6 thousand people a day are still looking for a transplant match. The drive is a way to get people to sign up for the National Bone Marrow Registry. About 100 people signed up yesterday.
Crews are working around the clock to restore power to customers still in the dark in southern Vermont. More than 19,000 customers were without power earlier this morning, down from more than 21,000 households yesterday. The majority of the outages are in Windham, Windsor, and Rutland Counties. Vermont Emergency Management officials say today’s forecast of a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and high winds could lead to more outages.
The Randolph man charged with kidnapping and murdering his 12-year-old niece is asking a federal judge to hold his trial in another state. Attorneys for Michael Jacques say it’s impossible for Jacques to get a fair trail in Vermont due to all the pretrial publicity. The defense has also requested that the trial be moved from federal to state court.
As the snow piles up this week, state agriculture officials are reminding farmers they need to try to get snow off of their barn roofs to try to avoid any collapses. They say many agricultural buildings aren't designed to hold a lot of snow. The warning comes especially for older roofs.
A Siena College poll released this week said 58 percent of New Yorkers would support wine sales in grocery stores. Governor David Paterson proposed the change as part of his 2010-2011 budget proposal, estimating it could bring in $250 million. Opponents said it would put many small liquor stores out of business and cost the state thousands of jobs.
A bone marrow drive was held yesterday at the University of Vermont. The bone marrow registry is running low on donors. If fact, according to the bone marrow registry 6 thousand people a day are still looking for a transplant match. The drive is a way to get people to sign up for the National Bone Marrow Registry. About 100 people signed up yesterday.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
WVTK Local & State News February 24, 2010
The National Weather Service continues its Winter Storm Warning Through 1AM Thursday. Today Snow mixing with rain this afternoon, 4 to 6 inches possible, High around 32.
Winter weather is leaving thousands of people in the dark when they wake up Wednesday morning. Most of the outages in Vermont are in the central and southern part of the state. As of 5 am, there are just more than 5,500 reports of power outages. The hardest hit areas are Chittenden County, which is reporting 1,600 outages, and Addison County, which has 1,200 outages. In New York, several cities and towns are reporting outages as well. Those areas include:
Altona
Cadyville
Elizabethtown
Essex
Keeseville
Lewis
Mineville
Vermont lawmakers are scheduled to vote today on the fate of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. Yesterday Vermont Yankee proposed a new power deal of $20 million in low-cost energy that Vermont could use to attract new businesses or to encourage job growth. Senate President Pro Tem, Peter Shumlin, says the deal does nothing to change the vote.
A judge says a Williston man accused of fondling a 13-year-old friend of his daughter during a sleep over is competent to stand trial. 51-year-old Robert Kolibas was also in court yesterday being arraigned on a new charge of unlawful restraint for which he plead not guilty. Kolibas is now facing four felony charges. The trial is expected to start on March 23.
The family of a Ticonderoga man run-down while jogging is hoping a $10,000 reward will bring new information leading to an arrest. Anthony Morette was out running in December when he was struck by a car and killed. Ticonderoga Town Police are still tracking leads as this case remain a top priority.
Catholics in the North Country have a new bishop. Pope Benedict has appointed Reverend Terry LaValley as bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. The 39-year-old from Mooers Forks, will succeed the Most Reverend Robert Cunningham. LaValley has been filling the bishop’s duties since last May. He said he looks forward to becoming a full-time bishop.
A Rutland County judge has ordered the arrest of a Virginia woman who has refused to return her daughter to her former civil union partner. Lisa Miller was found in contempt of court when she didn't show up for a hearing yesterday in her custody fight with Fair Haven woman Janet Jenkins. Miller has since gone missing.
Power company CVPS is seeking donations to Shareheat, the utility's emergency fuel assistance program. The utility says donations have dried up with the rough economy but matching funds are still available to help low-income Vermonters needing heating help. The program typically helps more than 1,000 families a year.
State wildlife officials are urging Vermonters to not feed deer bagged corn and grain. Biologists say the animals' digestive systems can't handle the food and say it can also cause brainworm and other afflictions. Instead, they suggest people plant apple trees for deer and other animals to feed from.
A Richford man suspected of robbing 5 banks in Franklin County plead not guilty to federal bank robbery charges. 23-year-old Chad Lussier has already pleaded not guilty to state charges for allegedly robbing the TD bank in Enosburgh late last month. Federal prosecutors have now taken over the case. Convictions in the federal system can bring longer sentences.
Local and State Police in Vermont and New York will be helping out the U.S. Border Patrol keep an eye on the U.S. / Canadian Border. The program called Operation Stone Garden uses officers from sheriffs departments and state and local police agencies, who work during their off hours and are paid overtime by the federal government, to watch the border.
The New York Senate has passed a resolution against delaying income tax refunds as a way to ease the state's financial pinch. Governor Paterson says the state may need the delays to pay its bills. The nonbinding Senate measure is meant to build support and persuade the governor.
Burlington voters are being asked to approve a $21.5 million bond for the airport this Town Meeting Day. The bond would support construction of two new parking levels on the northern end of the garage, adding 600 parking spaces. The top parking level would be covered by a roof that features solar panels to power the garage and green space for visitors to enjoy.
Winter weather is leaving thousands of people in the dark when they wake up Wednesday morning. Most of the outages in Vermont are in the central and southern part of the state. As of 5 am, there are just more than 5,500 reports of power outages. The hardest hit areas are Chittenden County, which is reporting 1,600 outages, and Addison County, which has 1,200 outages. In New York, several cities and towns are reporting outages as well. Those areas include:
Altona
Cadyville
Elizabethtown
Essex
Keeseville
Lewis
Mineville
Vermont lawmakers are scheduled to vote today on the fate of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. Yesterday Vermont Yankee proposed a new power deal of $20 million in low-cost energy that Vermont could use to attract new businesses or to encourage job growth. Senate President Pro Tem, Peter Shumlin, says the deal does nothing to change the vote.
A judge says a Williston man accused of fondling a 13-year-old friend of his daughter during a sleep over is competent to stand trial. 51-year-old Robert Kolibas was also in court yesterday being arraigned on a new charge of unlawful restraint for which he plead not guilty. Kolibas is now facing four felony charges. The trial is expected to start on March 23.
The family of a Ticonderoga man run-down while jogging is hoping a $10,000 reward will bring new information leading to an arrest. Anthony Morette was out running in December when he was struck by a car and killed. Ticonderoga Town Police are still tracking leads as this case remain a top priority.
Catholics in the North Country have a new bishop. Pope Benedict has appointed Reverend Terry LaValley as bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. The 39-year-old from Mooers Forks, will succeed the Most Reverend Robert Cunningham. LaValley has been filling the bishop’s duties since last May. He said he looks forward to becoming a full-time bishop.
A Rutland County judge has ordered the arrest of a Virginia woman who has refused to return her daughter to her former civil union partner. Lisa Miller was found in contempt of court when she didn't show up for a hearing yesterday in her custody fight with Fair Haven woman Janet Jenkins. Miller has since gone missing.
Power company CVPS is seeking donations to Shareheat, the utility's emergency fuel assistance program. The utility says donations have dried up with the rough economy but matching funds are still available to help low-income Vermonters needing heating help. The program typically helps more than 1,000 families a year.
State wildlife officials are urging Vermonters to not feed deer bagged corn and grain. Biologists say the animals' digestive systems can't handle the food and say it can also cause brainworm and other afflictions. Instead, they suggest people plant apple trees for deer and other animals to feed from.
A Richford man suspected of robbing 5 banks in Franklin County plead not guilty to federal bank robbery charges. 23-year-old Chad Lussier has already pleaded not guilty to state charges for allegedly robbing the TD bank in Enosburgh late last month. Federal prosecutors have now taken over the case. Convictions in the federal system can bring longer sentences.
Local and State Police in Vermont and New York will be helping out the U.S. Border Patrol keep an eye on the U.S. / Canadian Border. The program called Operation Stone Garden uses officers from sheriffs departments and state and local police agencies, who work during their off hours and are paid overtime by the federal government, to watch the border.
The New York Senate has passed a resolution against delaying income tax refunds as a way to ease the state's financial pinch. Governor Paterson says the state may need the delays to pay its bills. The nonbinding Senate measure is meant to build support and persuade the governor.
Burlington voters are being asked to approve a $21.5 million bond for the airport this Town Meeting Day. The bond would support construction of two new parking levels on the northern end of the garage, adding 600 parking spaces. The top parking level would be covered by a roof that features solar panels to power the garage and green space for visitors to enjoy.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
WVTK Local & State News February 23, 2010
Federal regulators have confirmed that the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant had leaked radioactive tritium years before the current leak that's being investigated. An earlier leak was described in whistle blower's report to a member of the Legislative Oversight Panel last week. Now the Nuclear Regulatory Commission confirms that leak happened.
Labor and business groups are pushing state lawmakers to put off a vote on a license extension for the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. The groups are pointing to Governor Jim Douglas' call for a time-out in the debate over the plant and citing Vermont Yankee's economic impact. The vote is planned for this week.
20 people have been indicted on drug and other charges in an alleged cocaine ring that operated out of a South Burlington auto detailing shop. Federal prosecutors say Michael Olsen of Milton ran the ring, saying it typically got the drugs from dealers in California and Arizona and would then pass them along to other locations across Vermont.
A new Sienna College Polls shows Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has a huge lead over Harold Ford Jr. in a potential Democratic primary matchup. But former Republican Governor George Pataki outpolls both Gillibrand and Ford in a general election race. Pataki has not said whether or not he will run.
Officials with the Village of Essex Junction are considering a local options tax. The town of Essex tried to pass a local option tax last year and it failed. Village leaders say the money is needed to help maintain village roads and the local fire department. A public forum will be held in Essex Junction tonight to inform the public on the local option tax.
Burlington city councilors say so far it looks like lenders are not holding the city in default after Burlington Telecom failed to make a loan payment. Last week, Burlington Telecom couldn't make a $386,000 loan payment. City councilors say they're open to all options right now, including the possibility of a private partnership.
New Yorkers have more time to take advantage of the “Great Appliance Swap Out”, a state-run program that gives rebates to consumers who purchase high-efficiency appliances. The program began on February 12th and was originally scheduled to end this past Sunday. The program is being continued until all available funds are gone. For more details go to NYApplianceSwapOut.com.
A 246-year-old border spat in Chittenden County is close to coming to an end. Arbitrators have signed off on the deal involving the towns of Shelburne and St. George. A lawyer says St. George gets a "slight advantage" as the border is settled, but it only affects one home.
The Adirondack Northway now has cell-phone coverage from Lake George to Canada. T-Mobile yesterday completed a major network expansion across the region, bringing 29 new cell sites online.
A Vermont Senate Panel is looking at a new tax to help prop up the state’s unemployment fund. The new tax would ask the employed to pay more to help the unemployed while keeping the maximum benefit at $425 a week. The Economic Development Committee passed the legislation by a vote of 3 to2.
A bill in the Vermont Senate and Vermont House are basically looking to do the same thing … consolidate school districts across the state. To learn more about the bills, the Senate and House Education Committees will be holding a hearing the proposals tomorrow night at 5 PM at the statehouse.
Labor and business groups are pushing state lawmakers to put off a vote on a license extension for the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. The groups are pointing to Governor Jim Douglas' call for a time-out in the debate over the plant and citing Vermont Yankee's economic impact. The vote is planned for this week.
20 people have been indicted on drug and other charges in an alleged cocaine ring that operated out of a South Burlington auto detailing shop. Federal prosecutors say Michael Olsen of Milton ran the ring, saying it typically got the drugs from dealers in California and Arizona and would then pass them along to other locations across Vermont.
A new Sienna College Polls shows Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has a huge lead over Harold Ford Jr. in a potential Democratic primary matchup. But former Republican Governor George Pataki outpolls both Gillibrand and Ford in a general election race. Pataki has not said whether or not he will run.
Officials with the Village of Essex Junction are considering a local options tax. The town of Essex tried to pass a local option tax last year and it failed. Village leaders say the money is needed to help maintain village roads and the local fire department. A public forum will be held in Essex Junction tonight to inform the public on the local option tax.
Burlington city councilors say so far it looks like lenders are not holding the city in default after Burlington Telecom failed to make a loan payment. Last week, Burlington Telecom couldn't make a $386,000 loan payment. City councilors say they're open to all options right now, including the possibility of a private partnership.
New Yorkers have more time to take advantage of the “Great Appliance Swap Out”, a state-run program that gives rebates to consumers who purchase high-efficiency appliances. The program began on February 12th and was originally scheduled to end this past Sunday. The program is being continued until all available funds are gone. For more details go to NYApplianceSwapOut.com.
A 246-year-old border spat in Chittenden County is close to coming to an end. Arbitrators have signed off on the deal involving the towns of Shelburne and St. George. A lawyer says St. George gets a "slight advantage" as the border is settled, but it only affects one home.
The Adirondack Northway now has cell-phone coverage from Lake George to Canada. T-Mobile yesterday completed a major network expansion across the region, bringing 29 new cell sites online.
A Vermont Senate Panel is looking at a new tax to help prop up the state’s unemployment fund. The new tax would ask the employed to pay more to help the unemployed while keeping the maximum benefit at $425 a week. The Economic Development Committee passed the legislation by a vote of 3 to2.
A bill in the Vermont Senate and Vermont House are basically looking to do the same thing … consolidate school districts across the state. To learn more about the bills, the Senate and House Education Committees will be holding a hearing the proposals tomorrow night at 5 PM at the statehouse.
Monday, February 22, 2010
WVTK Local & State News February 22, 2010
A spokesman for Vermont Governor Jim Douglas says the governor is expected to defend the U.S. EPA's designation of carbon dioxide as a pollutant at a meeting of the National Governors Association. Douglas spokesman David Coriell says the governor has been a strong proponent of efforts to stem climate change.
Police say they are investigating inappropriate images on students' cell phones at a Vermont middle school. Investigators say the case began Wednesday when an official at Colchester Middle School discovered 1 of the images. WCAX-TV reports officials later found that that image and others were being distributed among multiple students.
It was a busy weekend for rescuers at the Stowe Mountain Resort. Officials said four skiers were brought down Saturday night and the second group was located at first light on Sunday. The skiers were cold but appeared to be uninjured. They all went off the trails and wound up on the other side of Mount Mansfield.
On March 3rd, voters in Moriah will be asked to almost $10 million in improvements to Moriah Central School, with no cost to local taxpayers. The new project would replace the school roof and heating boilers, renovate the school swimming pool and reconnect the facility to the power grid. A public information meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night at 7 PM in the school auditorium.
Schuyler Falls has been hit with a rash of graffiti. Police say someone has been spray painted some strange messages on signs at the Town Recreation Park. Graffiti is also sprayed on parts of the softball field, storage shed, a number of businesses, and even the playground. Anyone who might have information is asked to New York State Police.
David Paterson has launched his campaign for a full four-year term as governor. During a press conference on Sunday, he said he’s had a “difficult past few weeks,” but intends to press ahead. Paterson's announcement makes him the first Democrat in the race, but probably not the last. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is expected to challenge Paterson in a primary.
The mannequin taken from in front of the Waterfront Diving Center in Burlington has found her way home again. Pearl, as she’s known, was taken from her post outside of the Diving Center last Wednesday, a spot she had occupied for about 20 years. It was the second time Pearl has gone missing, but much like last time, she's managed to make it back again.
A prison guard is now behind bars accused of inappropriate conduct with 3 different female inmates. Police are investigating claims against 40-year-old Ed White, a corrections officer at the Northwest Correctional Center in Swanton. White is currently suspended from work and being held on $100,000 bail.
A Vermont company that makes protective masks for health care workers and emergency responders has laid off 35 employees as the spread of swine flu has declined. The masks have been made by Triosyn Corporation in Williston. The masks carry an iodine-based agent that filters the air being breathed in.
Stephen King's link to the American gothic will be the subject of a free lecture March 3 in Burlington. University of Vermont professor Tony Magistrale, who chairs the school's English department and is expert on Edgar Allen Poe, will examine King's work as it relates to Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Mark Twain in a talk entitled "Why Stephen King Still Matters."
Police say they are investigating inappropriate images on students' cell phones at a Vermont middle school. Investigators say the case began Wednesday when an official at Colchester Middle School discovered 1 of the images. WCAX-TV reports officials later found that that image and others were being distributed among multiple students.
It was a busy weekend for rescuers at the Stowe Mountain Resort. Officials said four skiers were brought down Saturday night and the second group was located at first light on Sunday. The skiers were cold but appeared to be uninjured. They all went off the trails and wound up on the other side of Mount Mansfield.
On March 3rd, voters in Moriah will be asked to almost $10 million in improvements to Moriah Central School, with no cost to local taxpayers. The new project would replace the school roof and heating boilers, renovate the school swimming pool and reconnect the facility to the power grid. A public information meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night at 7 PM in the school auditorium.
Schuyler Falls has been hit with a rash of graffiti. Police say someone has been spray painted some strange messages on signs at the Town Recreation Park. Graffiti is also sprayed on parts of the softball field, storage shed, a number of businesses, and even the playground. Anyone who might have information is asked to New York State Police.
David Paterson has launched his campaign for a full four-year term as governor. During a press conference on Sunday, he said he’s had a “difficult past few weeks,” but intends to press ahead. Paterson's announcement makes him the first Democrat in the race, but probably not the last. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is expected to challenge Paterson in a primary.
The mannequin taken from in front of the Waterfront Diving Center in Burlington has found her way home again. Pearl, as she’s known, was taken from her post outside of the Diving Center last Wednesday, a spot she had occupied for about 20 years. It was the second time Pearl has gone missing, but much like last time, she's managed to make it back again.
A prison guard is now behind bars accused of inappropriate conduct with 3 different female inmates. Police are investigating claims against 40-year-old Ed White, a corrections officer at the Northwest Correctional Center in Swanton. White is currently suspended from work and being held on $100,000 bail.
A Vermont company that makes protective masks for health care workers and emergency responders has laid off 35 employees as the spread of swine flu has declined. The masks have been made by Triosyn Corporation in Williston. The masks carry an iodine-based agent that filters the air being breathed in.
Stephen King's link to the American gothic will be the subject of a free lecture March 3 in Burlington. University of Vermont professor Tony Magistrale, who chairs the school's English department and is expert on Edgar Allen Poe, will examine King's work as it relates to Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Mark Twain in a talk entitled "Why Stephen King Still Matters."
Friday, February 19, 2010
WVTK Local & State News February 19, 2010
In a procedural move, the Senate Finance Committee has voted to send to the full Senate a bill that would authorize the state to grant a new license for Vermont Yankee. The full Senate is expected to vote down the bill, putting lawmakers on record as opposing the continued operation of the nuclear plant.
State regulators are looking into whether the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant had past problems with leaking radioactive tritium. Legislative consultant Arnie Gundersen says he received a tip from a plant employee about prior leaks and passed the information on to the Department of Public Service.
A nanny charged with molesting a 10-year-old boy at a state park in Vermont is facing new charges. State police say an examination of digital devices owned by 24-year-old Donald Shepherd turned up hundreds of images and dozens of videos of suspected child pornography.
State officials have unveiled a plan to replace the aging Vermont State Hospital with a new, 15-bed unit in Waterbury and regional facilities in Rutland and White River Junction. The move would create 45 new slots for mental health patient, but some lawmakers are questioning how it will be funded.
Vermont Technical College is using federal energy funding for a new biomass project that will both heat the campus and give students some hands-on experience. The project will use a wood pellet boiler, with students using the boiler to test other forms of biomass fuels.
Gun control laws in northern New England are being given low marks in the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence's annual survey of state gun laws. The survey gave Maine a score of 11 out of 100 for its laws, while New Hampshire was given a 9 and Vermont was given an 8. The Brady Campaign says laws in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont allow the sale of guns without background checks, put children at risk and help feed the illegal gun market. Utah was at the bottom of the survey with a score of 0, while California was given the highest score, a 79. The Brady Campaign is a Washington-based group that advocates for stronger gun control laws.
The head of Vermont's Film Commission is fighting to spare the agency from the budget ax. Joe Bookchin says the office brings in millions in spending across the state from filmmakers, and helps promote the state.
Vermont's half-pipe heroine's Hannah Teter and Kelly Clark claimed their second Olympic medals Thursday night at the 2010 Winter Games. Teter won silver and Clark bronze in the women's snowboard half-pipe in Vancouver.
State regulators are looking into whether the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant had past problems with leaking radioactive tritium. Legislative consultant Arnie Gundersen says he received a tip from a plant employee about prior leaks and passed the information on to the Department of Public Service.
A nanny charged with molesting a 10-year-old boy at a state park in Vermont is facing new charges. State police say an examination of digital devices owned by 24-year-old Donald Shepherd turned up hundreds of images and dozens of videos of suspected child pornography.
State officials have unveiled a plan to replace the aging Vermont State Hospital with a new, 15-bed unit in Waterbury and regional facilities in Rutland and White River Junction. The move would create 45 new slots for mental health patient, but some lawmakers are questioning how it will be funded.
Vermont Technical College is using federal energy funding for a new biomass project that will both heat the campus and give students some hands-on experience. The project will use a wood pellet boiler, with students using the boiler to test other forms of biomass fuels.
Gun control laws in northern New England are being given low marks in the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence's annual survey of state gun laws. The survey gave Maine a score of 11 out of 100 for its laws, while New Hampshire was given a 9 and Vermont was given an 8. The Brady Campaign says laws in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont allow the sale of guns without background checks, put children at risk and help feed the illegal gun market. Utah was at the bottom of the survey with a score of 0, while California was given the highest score, a 79. The Brady Campaign is a Washington-based group that advocates for stronger gun control laws.
The head of Vermont's Film Commission is fighting to spare the agency from the budget ax. Joe Bookchin says the office brings in millions in spending across the state from filmmakers, and helps promote the state.
Vermont's half-pipe heroine's Hannah Teter and Kelly Clark claimed their second Olympic medals Thursday night at the 2010 Winter Games. Teter won silver and Clark bronze in the women's snowboard half-pipe in Vancouver.
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