The school budget in Benson goes up for a third vote this week. The School Board will hold an informational meeting at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Community Hall on the proposed budget. Polls are open there Tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Ticonderoga Central School board of education has cut more than a quarter-million dollars from the proposed 2010-11 budget rejected by voters last month. The revised spending plan will go back to voters Tuesday, June 15th at the Hague Community Center and at Ticonderoga High School. If the budget is again rejected, law requires the district to go directly to a contingency budget, a level set by the state that limits spending. The proposal calls for a 4.77 percent increase in the tax levy.
Police in Rutland have arrested 3 people the allegedly ran a cocaine ring out of local daycare. Police say they seized cocaine and a handgun at the daycare run by Kelly Vitagliano. She was arrested, along with Anthony Petit and Morey Clark. The Department of Children and Families has been notified about the bust at the daycare. No kids were there at the time.
Several mailboxes were destroyed and signposts were pulled up from the ground in Charlotte. The most damage was on Spear Street and Sheehan Green Road. Vermont State Police say troopers are investigating the incidents as cases of vandalism. The vandalism caused hundreds of dollars in property damage.
Vermont's Catamount Health Insurance Program is facing a funding crisis. According to officials, the 4-year-old program will need at least $3.8-Million just to stay a float this year. The program is receiving less than expected funding from the federal government this year and one of the private insurers offering Catamount Health is requesting a rate increase.
Divers have recovered the body of a UVM Student that jumped off a bridge into the Winooski River. Police say 26-year-old Sasi Kunta was swimming with some friends Saturday Night when he jumped into the river and never resurfaced. His body was found yesterday morning around 8:30. Police do not suspect fowl play.
The Vermont Health Department is urging people to avoid contact with bats they find inside their homes. People who find bats inside should call the Vermont Rabies Hotline to determine if exposure has put someone at risk of rabies.
Gov. Jim Douglas has signed a bill designating Canadian utility Hydro Quebec as renewable energy. It may have been the last bill of the Republican's tenure in office. Friday's action also makes Vermont the first state to call Hydro Quebec green. Vermont's utilities pushed for the bill. Now that Hydro Quebec has the renewable label, they can buy power for less as part of a 26-year contact they're still working on.
The former tenants of Castleton's Parsons Hill apartment project may have to settle with little more than a moral victory from a court decision against the development's landlords. A Rutland jury decided last year that the Parsons Hill Partnership was liable for toxins in the water system. But a Vermont Supreme Court decision released on Friday closed the door on liability claims against one of those parties. The high court's decision comes as a blow to the former tenants who hoped to receive significant settlements from the insurance company.
The Rutland Herald's fight for access to Rutland City disciplinary records will be heard and possibly decided by a superior court judge next month. The newspaper went to court in March seeking access to records regarding internal investigations of pornography found on the computers of three police officers and two public works employees dating back to 2004.
A 17-year-old Plattsburgh woman escaped a fire in her home by crawling out a second story window. Rebecca Duquette was woken up by the smoke detector Saturday Morning and called 911. She reportedly smashed a window with a musical instrument and then police were able to help her to escape with only minor injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The National Weather Service says an EF-1 Tornado touched down in Craftsbury yesterday. The tornado created a 2 and 1/2 mile path of destruction including a dairy farm. A number of houses lost shingles and debris were spotted swirling around. Some trees were also ripped up and Golf ball sized hail fell in several communities.
New York is joining 22 other states in creating an electronic waste recycling law. Under the bill signed by Governor David Patterson, all manufacturers that sell electronic equipment in the state must have a free recycling program in effect by April 1, next year. The law covers TVs, VCRs, DVD and mp3 players, game consoles, fax machines, and computers.
A faulty fourth-floor fire detector forced the evacuation of hundreds from the Bloomer state office building in Rutland Friday morning. For the second time in little more than a week, the four-story building was unexpectedly emptied. But unlike the propane gas leak that closed the building for half a day last month, workers and customers were able to return after a 15-minute review by city firefighters.
The Boys & Girls Club of Rutland County won a $500 grant. This was one of six totaling $4,000 awarded last week from the Downtown Rutland Partnership. Their application outlined a plan to host a series of enhanced open houses at the Merchants Row facility. But rather than just show off their own programs and building, they had the idea of incorporating downtown restaurants and local artists.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
WVTK Local & State News June 4, 2010
More than 100 local workers will be needed to help build the new Crown Point Bridge. Officials from Flatiron Constructors have started to arrive and they expect to start hiring once the equipment arrives and offices are built. Offices will be built on both sides of the lake. The groundbreaking for the new bridge is expected to be held within the next few days.
Goodrich in Vergennes has just landed a big military contract. The U.S. Army will pay $54 million dollars for its helicopter maintenance diagnostic system. The so-called HUMS system tells mechanics when something on the helicopter is about to fail. The technology helps keep choppers in the air, rather than undergoing unnecessary inspections on the ground.
Governor Jim Douglas is allowing a school bill to become law without his signature. The bill urges local school districts to consolidate. Douglas says he supports the idea of school district consolidation as a way to help rein in on school spending but doesn't see how this bill will help control costs. Meanwhile the Addison Central Supervisory Union board took another small exploratory step into the arena of school governance consolidation, electing to create an ad hoc committee that will help coordinate debate on the controversial issue.
Shoreham voters will soon get a chance to decide whether the town should build new municipal offices or incorporate them into a Newton Academy re-build that would also include a community center. Plans call for the Shoreham select board to prepare a list of three options to address the town’s quest for more municipal office space and to potentially fill the void left by the April 7 burning of the historic Newton Academy on School Street.
Former Vergennes Police Chief Michael Lowe’s case in Addison County District Court concluded on May 26, when the Judge denied motions by Lowe’s attorney to reduce the six-month sentence he gave him on May 5. Lowe reported on May 12 to the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield to await transport to an out-of-state prison.
A live-in drug rehab center for youth is planning to make its new home in Rutland County but the director isn't saying where, just yet. Hope and Community Inc. is planning to announce its new location Monday. The nonprofit's idea is to set up an aftercare facility for youths out of jail and those recovering from drug and alcohol abuse, ages 14 to 22.
The Rutland City Department of Public Works has completed a $32,000 energy efficient lighting project at the wastewater treatment plant. About 200 lighting fixtures and control units were installed to replace less-efficient equipment under the scope of the project, which is expected to pay for itself through energy savings within three to five years.
The principal of Poultney High School has resigned and is taking the same job at Weathersfield School in Ascutney. The resignation of Jean Marie Oakman wasn't a surprise and interviews with four potential new school leaders started yesterday. Oakman submitted her resignation letter to the Poultney School Board on May 18. The district plans to have a new school leader hired as soon as possible.
Governor Jim Douglas has signed a bill that will unify the court system in Vermont. The bill cuts the number of probate court districts down to 5 in the state and makes a number of other changes to the system, which will operate under the jurisdiction of the state Supreme Court. The changes will take about 2 years to implement. Meanwhile
Residents in Clinton County have a chance to dump old batteries and other hazardous waste for free. Tomorrow, people can bring items to the Clinton County Landfill from 8 to 3. The service will be free to county residents, but proof of residency may be required. Officials said it is a safe outlet for the disposal of normal household hazardous waste materials.
The newest addition to the Community College of Vermont is now officially open. Officials cut the ribbon yesterday, marking the opening of the $17 million building in Winooski. It will be home to more than 2,000 students this summer. It's also now the largest CCV campus. The building includes 35 classrooms science labs and art studios.
38 communities around Vermont will be getting municipal planning grants that will help local leaders plan for growth and development. The grants of up to $15,000 are being awarded by Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development. The grant money can be used for a number of projects like updating town plans, maps and zoning bylaws.
The Department of Homeland Security has decided to close the Morses Line Border Crossing. The closing spares a family farm that would have had some of its fields taken by imminent domain. Senator Patrick Leahy says, closing the hardly used border crossing makes financial sense because improvements would have cost the government more than $5-Million.
Vermont's labor commissioner says people calling the state's unemployment call centers are seeing shorter wait times. The commissioner says fewer busy signals could be a sign that the economy is improving. The number of Vermonters collecting unemployment benefits has dropped from 26-thousand a week last winter to about 20-thousand.
Tomorrow is Vermont Adult Learning's Big Truck Day in Middlebury taking place from 10am to 2pm at the American Legion on Boardman Street. This fun-filled family event will feature many big trucks and lots of Kid friendly fun with clowns, face painting, games and activities! There will also be a 50/50 raffle as well as lunch food and baked goods for sale. Stop by from 10 – Noon and meet Bruce & Hobbes from the Wake-Up Crew! You’ll even have the opportunity to have your picture taken with our K-9 friend☺! Admission is free for children; $5 for adults. It’s all to benefit students of Vermont Adult Learning and the Vermont Adult Learning Childcare Center.
Tomorrow people across Addison County will take to the woods in celebration of National Trails Day. In the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, visitors will find events designed to educate the public about the options available to them on the nearby trails, including bird watching, hiking, biking and trail maintenance. The celebration will be based at Blueberry Hill Inn and Cross Country Ski Center in Goshen.
Goodrich in Vergennes has just landed a big military contract. The U.S. Army will pay $54 million dollars for its helicopter maintenance diagnostic system. The so-called HUMS system tells mechanics when something on the helicopter is about to fail. The technology helps keep choppers in the air, rather than undergoing unnecessary inspections on the ground.
Governor Jim Douglas is allowing a school bill to become law without his signature. The bill urges local school districts to consolidate. Douglas says he supports the idea of school district consolidation as a way to help rein in on school spending but doesn't see how this bill will help control costs. Meanwhile the Addison Central Supervisory Union board took another small exploratory step into the arena of school governance consolidation, electing to create an ad hoc committee that will help coordinate debate on the controversial issue.
Shoreham voters will soon get a chance to decide whether the town should build new municipal offices or incorporate them into a Newton Academy re-build that would also include a community center. Plans call for the Shoreham select board to prepare a list of three options to address the town’s quest for more municipal office space and to potentially fill the void left by the April 7 burning of the historic Newton Academy on School Street.
Former Vergennes Police Chief Michael Lowe’s case in Addison County District Court concluded on May 26, when the Judge denied motions by Lowe’s attorney to reduce the six-month sentence he gave him on May 5. Lowe reported on May 12 to the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield to await transport to an out-of-state prison.
A live-in drug rehab center for youth is planning to make its new home in Rutland County but the director isn't saying where, just yet. Hope and Community Inc. is planning to announce its new location Monday. The nonprofit's idea is to set up an aftercare facility for youths out of jail and those recovering from drug and alcohol abuse, ages 14 to 22.
The Rutland City Department of Public Works has completed a $32,000 energy efficient lighting project at the wastewater treatment plant. About 200 lighting fixtures and control units were installed to replace less-efficient equipment under the scope of the project, which is expected to pay for itself through energy savings within three to five years.
The principal of Poultney High School has resigned and is taking the same job at Weathersfield School in Ascutney. The resignation of Jean Marie Oakman wasn't a surprise and interviews with four potential new school leaders started yesterday. Oakman submitted her resignation letter to the Poultney School Board on May 18. The district plans to have a new school leader hired as soon as possible.
Governor Jim Douglas has signed a bill that will unify the court system in Vermont. The bill cuts the number of probate court districts down to 5 in the state and makes a number of other changes to the system, which will operate under the jurisdiction of the state Supreme Court. The changes will take about 2 years to implement. Meanwhile
Residents in Clinton County have a chance to dump old batteries and other hazardous waste for free. Tomorrow, people can bring items to the Clinton County Landfill from 8 to 3. The service will be free to county residents, but proof of residency may be required. Officials said it is a safe outlet for the disposal of normal household hazardous waste materials.
The newest addition to the Community College of Vermont is now officially open. Officials cut the ribbon yesterday, marking the opening of the $17 million building in Winooski. It will be home to more than 2,000 students this summer. It's also now the largest CCV campus. The building includes 35 classrooms science labs and art studios.
38 communities around Vermont will be getting municipal planning grants that will help local leaders plan for growth and development. The grants of up to $15,000 are being awarded by Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development. The grant money can be used for a number of projects like updating town plans, maps and zoning bylaws.
The Department of Homeland Security has decided to close the Morses Line Border Crossing. The closing spares a family farm that would have had some of its fields taken by imminent domain. Senator Patrick Leahy says, closing the hardly used border crossing makes financial sense because improvements would have cost the government more than $5-Million.
Vermont's labor commissioner says people calling the state's unemployment call centers are seeing shorter wait times. The commissioner says fewer busy signals could be a sign that the economy is improving. The number of Vermonters collecting unemployment benefits has dropped from 26-thousand a week last winter to about 20-thousand.
Tomorrow is Vermont Adult Learning's Big Truck Day in Middlebury taking place from 10am to 2pm at the American Legion on Boardman Street. This fun-filled family event will feature many big trucks and lots of Kid friendly fun with clowns, face painting, games and activities! There will also be a 50/50 raffle as well as lunch food and baked goods for sale. Stop by from 10 – Noon and meet Bruce & Hobbes from the Wake-Up Crew! You’ll even have the opportunity to have your picture taken with our K-9 friend☺! Admission is free for children; $5 for adults. It’s all to benefit students of Vermont Adult Learning and the Vermont Adult Learning Childcare Center.
Tomorrow people across Addison County will take to the woods in celebration of National Trails Day. In the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, visitors will find events designed to educate the public about the options available to them on the nearby trails, including bird watching, hiking, biking and trail maintenance. The celebration will be based at Blueberry Hill Inn and Cross Country Ski Center in Goshen.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
WVTK Local & State News June 3, 2010
Fair Haven Police say 2 juveniles stole a car and went on a joy ride to Brandon. According to investigators, an 11-year-old male and a 12-year-old female saw the keys in the ignition of an SUV on Memorial Day and decided to take it. At one point, the kids met up with 18-year-old Monica Doyle. Police say Doyle stole items in the vehicle and later slashed the tires.
An 8-member commission, set up by the Vermont Board of Education, is looking at how the state might consolidate school districts. Officials say merging some of the 280 districts will provide more opportunities for students and cut costs. The commission will meet throughout the summer and present its recommendations to the board in the fall.
Lowe's and Kobalt Tools in partnership with SkillsUSA are helping the next generation of trade professionals develop their skills at Champlain Tec in Mineville through their Toolbox for Education program. Lowe's is donating approximately $1,100 worth of Kobalt tools to the school as part of the national program.
Police in Fair Haven say they have arrested four people who they are investigating in relation to a long string of local burglaries including stealing tires and wheels from a Grape Street home. The series of burglaries drove the Select Board to offer a $500 reward last month for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the burglars. While no one received the $500 reward in this arrest someone could still claim the reward by providing information tying any of the four to other burglaries, or other burglars.
Killington and communities along Routes 4 and 100 are seeking official designations of the roads as "scenic byways" by the end of the year. The program manager for Vermont Byways said that while it takes a great deal of local support, the odds are good for at least one of the roads. The program is designed to encourage towns to work together to promote their scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, archeological and natural qualities.
Authorities say there were no fatal traffic accidents through the Memorial Day Weekend. During the 4-day period from May 28 though May 31, there was 41 crashes, none with any fatalities, 98 seat belt violations and 814 speeding violations. Police were out in force to remind people to wear seat belts during the annual Click-It or Ticket Campaign, which runs through June 6.
A group of Vermont Air National Guard Solders is coming home today after spending the last month helping in Haiti. The unit just finished dismantling a number of temporary bases set up to get humanitarian aid into the country after the earthquakes this past January. The group is scheduled to arrive in Burlington this morning.
With school almost out for the summer, a number of construction projects are getting started at schools in the Plattsburgh area. At Bailey Elementary, crews are putting in a new entryway to increase security. The same will happen at Oak Street and Momot Elementary and Stafford Middle School. All the work is being paid for with state grant money.
With the state budget already more than 2 months late, Governor David Patterson said, starting Friday, he will include some of his cuts to the budget in the emergency spending bills he sends to the Legislature. Lawmakers each week must pass the emergency spending measures or risk shutting down Albany.
Under a settlement reached with State Regulators, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont will repay subscribers $3-Million. The settlement follows a state probe into the $7-Million retirement package given to former CEO William Milnes. The company also agreed to work with the state to identify strategies for holding down health care costs.
Thirty-eight communities around Vermont will benefit from municipal planning grants awarded by Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development. Grants of up to $15,000 for each community are designed to help local leaders plan for growth and development.
Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas plans to sign into a law a bill aimed at streamlining the state's judicial system. The resulting bill calls for consolidation of staff, regionalization of court administrative functions, use of technology to reduce unnecessary expenditures, improvement of resource flexibility, and reallocation of jurisdiction between courts. The measure will enable courts to remain open in all 14 Vermont counties, something that earlier versions of the bill did not do.
New York lawmakers have passed bills to require overtime pay for more than 200,000 housekeepers, nannies and other domestic workers in the state. Overtime pay will be required after eight-hour workdays and the workers will entitled to at least one day off a week. Differences still need to be worked out between the House and Senate versions of the bills, but if the Governor ultimately signs the bill, advocates say New York will become the first state establishing those rights for household workers.
Fort Ticonderoga and The King's Garden invite guests from around the North Country to visit free of charge this Saturday. "Neighbor Appreciation Day" is an opportunity to see exhibits, experience programming and take tours. Local residents have always been admitted free of charge to Fort Ticonderoga and the King's Garden for the regular programming, but for this special day the area is expanded to include those who live in Essex, Clinton, Washington, and Warren counties in New York; and Addison, Chittenden and Rutland counties in Vermont.
Two men who allegedly set fire to a generator and lawn mower in Ticonderoga were apprehended after a search through woods at the base of Mount Defiance. Nathan Thatcher and Jonathan Paquette both of Ticonderoga were each charged with two counts of fifth-degree arson, two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief and criminal trespass. Thatcher and Paquette are due back in court June 9.
The Vermont Bike Ferry is expanding its services. Local Motion, the group that runs the ferry that connects the bike path from Colchester to South Hero, has announced that this year they will be running during the weekends from July 3 though September 6. In the past, it was only available weekends in August. Also this year, the suggested donation for a round trip is $10.
The Plattsburgh City Beach is once again closed. The Clinton County Health Department says it's a violation of state law to have gates open with no staff. With the warm temperatures last week, the city had opened the beach gates and was treating the area like a park, people could enjoy the sand and picnic areas, but the water was off limits. The beach will officially open on June 23.
An inmate who escaped from Lyon Mountain Correctional Facility last fall will remain behind bars for another 2 to 4 years. Scott Atkins was sentenced yesterday in Clinton County Court. Adkins had served less than a year of his 4-year sentence for attempted burglary when he slipped out of the prison last August.
Officials are concerned about the spread of the invasive species in Vermont's waterways known as Rock Snot. Its real name is Didymo, and it was just spotted in the Gihon River in East Johnson. Rock snot can cover the bottom of a river and disrupt the aquatic life. In three years, it has shown up in the Lake Champlain Basin, also the Connecticut River, the Mad River, and now the Gihon.
An 8-member commission, set up by the Vermont Board of Education, is looking at how the state might consolidate school districts. Officials say merging some of the 280 districts will provide more opportunities for students and cut costs. The commission will meet throughout the summer and present its recommendations to the board in the fall.
Lowe's and Kobalt Tools in partnership with SkillsUSA are helping the next generation of trade professionals develop their skills at Champlain Tec in Mineville through their Toolbox for Education program. Lowe's is donating approximately $1,100 worth of Kobalt tools to the school as part of the national program.
Police in Fair Haven say they have arrested four people who they are investigating in relation to a long string of local burglaries including stealing tires and wheels from a Grape Street home. The series of burglaries drove the Select Board to offer a $500 reward last month for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the burglars. While no one received the $500 reward in this arrest someone could still claim the reward by providing information tying any of the four to other burglaries, or other burglars.
Killington and communities along Routes 4 and 100 are seeking official designations of the roads as "scenic byways" by the end of the year. The program manager for Vermont Byways said that while it takes a great deal of local support, the odds are good for at least one of the roads. The program is designed to encourage towns to work together to promote their scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, archeological and natural qualities.
Authorities say there were no fatal traffic accidents through the Memorial Day Weekend. During the 4-day period from May 28 though May 31, there was 41 crashes, none with any fatalities, 98 seat belt violations and 814 speeding violations. Police were out in force to remind people to wear seat belts during the annual Click-It or Ticket Campaign, which runs through June 6.
A group of Vermont Air National Guard Solders is coming home today after spending the last month helping in Haiti. The unit just finished dismantling a number of temporary bases set up to get humanitarian aid into the country after the earthquakes this past January. The group is scheduled to arrive in Burlington this morning.
With school almost out for the summer, a number of construction projects are getting started at schools in the Plattsburgh area. At Bailey Elementary, crews are putting in a new entryway to increase security. The same will happen at Oak Street and Momot Elementary and Stafford Middle School. All the work is being paid for with state grant money.
With the state budget already more than 2 months late, Governor David Patterson said, starting Friday, he will include some of his cuts to the budget in the emergency spending bills he sends to the Legislature. Lawmakers each week must pass the emergency spending measures or risk shutting down Albany.
Under a settlement reached with State Regulators, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont will repay subscribers $3-Million. The settlement follows a state probe into the $7-Million retirement package given to former CEO William Milnes. The company also agreed to work with the state to identify strategies for holding down health care costs.
Thirty-eight communities around Vermont will benefit from municipal planning grants awarded by Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development. Grants of up to $15,000 for each community are designed to help local leaders plan for growth and development.
Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas plans to sign into a law a bill aimed at streamlining the state's judicial system. The resulting bill calls for consolidation of staff, regionalization of court administrative functions, use of technology to reduce unnecessary expenditures, improvement of resource flexibility, and reallocation of jurisdiction between courts. The measure will enable courts to remain open in all 14 Vermont counties, something that earlier versions of the bill did not do.
New York lawmakers have passed bills to require overtime pay for more than 200,000 housekeepers, nannies and other domestic workers in the state. Overtime pay will be required after eight-hour workdays and the workers will entitled to at least one day off a week. Differences still need to be worked out between the House and Senate versions of the bills, but if the Governor ultimately signs the bill, advocates say New York will become the first state establishing those rights for household workers.
Fort Ticonderoga and The King's Garden invite guests from around the North Country to visit free of charge this Saturday. "Neighbor Appreciation Day" is an opportunity to see exhibits, experience programming and take tours. Local residents have always been admitted free of charge to Fort Ticonderoga and the King's Garden for the regular programming, but for this special day the area is expanded to include those who live in Essex, Clinton, Washington, and Warren counties in New York; and Addison, Chittenden and Rutland counties in Vermont.
Two men who allegedly set fire to a generator and lawn mower in Ticonderoga were apprehended after a search through woods at the base of Mount Defiance. Nathan Thatcher and Jonathan Paquette both of Ticonderoga were each charged with two counts of fifth-degree arson, two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief and criminal trespass. Thatcher and Paquette are due back in court June 9.
The Vermont Bike Ferry is expanding its services. Local Motion, the group that runs the ferry that connects the bike path from Colchester to South Hero, has announced that this year they will be running during the weekends from July 3 though September 6. In the past, it was only available weekends in August. Also this year, the suggested donation for a round trip is $10.
The Plattsburgh City Beach is once again closed. The Clinton County Health Department says it's a violation of state law to have gates open with no staff. With the warm temperatures last week, the city had opened the beach gates and was treating the area like a park, people could enjoy the sand and picnic areas, but the water was off limits. The beach will officially open on June 23.
An inmate who escaped from Lyon Mountain Correctional Facility last fall will remain behind bars for another 2 to 4 years. Scott Atkins was sentenced yesterday in Clinton County Court. Adkins had served less than a year of his 4-year sentence for attempted burglary when he slipped out of the prison last August.
Officials are concerned about the spread of the invasive species in Vermont's waterways known as Rock Snot. Its real name is Didymo, and it was just spotted in the Gihon River in East Johnson. Rock snot can cover the bottom of a river and disrupt the aquatic life. In three years, it has shown up in the Lake Champlain Basin, also the Connecticut River, the Mad River, and now the Gihon.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
WVTK Local & State News June 2, 2010
It's now illegal to text while driving in Vermont. Governor Jim Douglas signed the bill into law yesterday. The bill also bans anyone under the age of 17 from using their cell phones or other any electronic device while driving, including their iPod. Violators will face a $100 fine for a first offense and a $250 fine for each additional offense.
Vermont lawmakers will not return next week to deal with a bill that was vetoed by the governor. Last week Governor Jim Douglas vetoed a bill that would change the current-use program. Douglas said the bill would have increased taxes for owners of farms and forestlands. Lawmakers will instead, address the current-use issue next session, which begins in about 6 months.
The town of Moriah water department will shut the water off on the Moriah Road today from 8 a.m. to noon to install a fire hydrant. Water may be cloudy when it comes back on; residents can run their outside hose until water clears.
Teachers in Rutland Town will be on the picket line again this morning. They say they are hoping to send a message to the school board by picketing each day this week before school starts. Teachers say they're currently working under imposed conditions that include a 0-percent salary increase. Both sides are hoping to negotiate a multi-year deal.
Rutland City Police Chief Anthony Bossi will take a prolonged leave of absence soon for a medical condition requiring surgery. While Bossi is on leave, Capt. Scott Tucker will serve as acting chief. The 12-year chief is expected to make a full recovery and could return to work in a matter of weeks.
The Rutland Board of Aldermen will have up to $5,000 in city funds to hire outside legal counsel to help them review and possibly rewrite charter language concerning the city's Police Commission. At a meeting last week between the mayor, city attorney and two representatives of the board, Mayor Christopher Louras agreed to dedicate the funds from the city attorney's budget to get more specific about the scope of work they're seeking.
New York School Districts are finally getting their state-aid payments, but only partial payments. They usually get their state funding payments in March but this year Governor Patterson decided to hold on till the June 1 deadline. School Districts across the state will have to wait for the rest of the funding till there is a state budget in place, which is already 2 months late.
The Schroon Lake Central School District will again ask residents to approve a 2010-11 budget. A revised budget proposal will go to voters June 15 noon to 8 p.m. in the school lobby. Anticipating no increase in state aid, the proposed budget called for a 5.5 percent increase in taxes. Much of that increase is attributed to an on-going building project at the school.
Ticonderoga teachers will take night jobs at the local McDonald's next Tuesday June 8. That's when the Ticonderoga Elementary-Middle School will host "McTeacher Night" at the Ti McDonald's on Wicker Street. The event will feature teachers serving food 4:30-7 p.m. to raise money for a new playground at the school. The goal is to raise $4,000.
New York Governor David Paterson is planning to layoff thousands of state workers next year to help balance the state budget. State agencies are now being directed to begin picking positions that could be eliminated starting January 1. That date coincides with the expiration of a "no-layoffs pledge" Paterson made last year.
A program that helps Vermont National Guard families during times of deployment and helps solders adapt to life after war will receive more federal funding. The Vermont National Guard Outreach Program has been such a success in Vermont that it is now being looked at as a model for other states.
Thanks to a change in the wind patterns, cooler temperatures, and rain showers, the smoke from the Canadian Wildfires has moved out of the area. And there is more good news; crews are making progress on battling the flames. But so far, officials say the fires have already burned an area of forest twice the size of the island of Montreal.
A fire that destroyed a historic building in Barre on Monday has been deemed arson. Crews were called to the old Key Bank Building around 2:30 Monday Afternoon. It took more than 100 fire fighters from around the area to get the fire under control. The damage is estimated to be more than $200,000. Anyone with information should call the Arson tip line at (800) 32-ARSON.
Vermont lawmakers will not return next week to deal with a bill that was vetoed by the governor. Last week Governor Jim Douglas vetoed a bill that would change the current-use program. Douglas said the bill would have increased taxes for owners of farms and forestlands. Lawmakers will instead, address the current-use issue next session, which begins in about 6 months.
The town of Moriah water department will shut the water off on the Moriah Road today from 8 a.m. to noon to install a fire hydrant. Water may be cloudy when it comes back on; residents can run their outside hose until water clears.
Teachers in Rutland Town will be on the picket line again this morning. They say they are hoping to send a message to the school board by picketing each day this week before school starts. Teachers say they're currently working under imposed conditions that include a 0-percent salary increase. Both sides are hoping to negotiate a multi-year deal.
Rutland City Police Chief Anthony Bossi will take a prolonged leave of absence soon for a medical condition requiring surgery. While Bossi is on leave, Capt. Scott Tucker will serve as acting chief. The 12-year chief is expected to make a full recovery and could return to work in a matter of weeks.
The Rutland Board of Aldermen will have up to $5,000 in city funds to hire outside legal counsel to help them review and possibly rewrite charter language concerning the city's Police Commission. At a meeting last week between the mayor, city attorney and two representatives of the board, Mayor Christopher Louras agreed to dedicate the funds from the city attorney's budget to get more specific about the scope of work they're seeking.
New York School Districts are finally getting their state-aid payments, but only partial payments. They usually get their state funding payments in March but this year Governor Patterson decided to hold on till the June 1 deadline. School Districts across the state will have to wait for the rest of the funding till there is a state budget in place, which is already 2 months late.
The Schroon Lake Central School District will again ask residents to approve a 2010-11 budget. A revised budget proposal will go to voters June 15 noon to 8 p.m. in the school lobby. Anticipating no increase in state aid, the proposed budget called for a 5.5 percent increase in taxes. Much of that increase is attributed to an on-going building project at the school.
Ticonderoga teachers will take night jobs at the local McDonald's next Tuesday June 8. That's when the Ticonderoga Elementary-Middle School will host "McTeacher Night" at the Ti McDonald's on Wicker Street. The event will feature teachers serving food 4:30-7 p.m. to raise money for a new playground at the school. The goal is to raise $4,000.
New York Governor David Paterson is planning to layoff thousands of state workers next year to help balance the state budget. State agencies are now being directed to begin picking positions that could be eliminated starting January 1. That date coincides with the expiration of a "no-layoffs pledge" Paterson made last year.
A program that helps Vermont National Guard families during times of deployment and helps solders adapt to life after war will receive more federal funding. The Vermont National Guard Outreach Program has been such a success in Vermont that it is now being looked at as a model for other states.
Thanks to a change in the wind patterns, cooler temperatures, and rain showers, the smoke from the Canadian Wildfires has moved out of the area. And there is more good news; crews are making progress on battling the flames. But so far, officials say the fires have already burned an area of forest twice the size of the island of Montreal.
A fire that destroyed a historic building in Barre on Monday has been deemed arson. Crews were called to the old Key Bank Building around 2:30 Monday Afternoon. It took more than 100 fire fighters from around the area to get the fire under control. The damage is estimated to be more than $200,000. Anyone with information should call the Arson tip line at (800) 32-ARSON.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
WVTK Local & State News June 1, 2010
The 3-day weekend wrapped up with a smoky hazy across the region. There are more than 50 forest fires burning about a hundred miles north of Montreal and that smoke has worked its way to our area. Officials are urging people who are sensitive to smoke should stay inside. Rain showers today should help clear the air.
A construction contract for the new Crown Point Bridge has been awarded. The New York State Department of Transportation and Vermont Agency of Transportation jointly announced Friday that the contract has been formally awarded to Flatiron Constructors of Boulder, Colorado. Construction is expected to start right away and should be done by September of next year.
Bristol residents began talking last week about where and how gravel extraction should happen in the town. The conversation was the second in a series of three round-table forums designed to change the process of town planning in Bristol for the time being. The three town forums will play a large role in directing the planning commission’s next move. The third and final forum will take place on Saturday, June 5, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Mount Abe cafeteria.
Vergennes aldermen have taken a look at the first draft of a proposed $1.6 million 2010-2011 city budget that if adopted would not require an increase in the portion of the city tax rate that supports municipal spending. There will be several budget workshops to go over the draft. The first meeting will be held on June 8; residents are welcome to the 6 p.m. meeting at the fire station.
Middlebury voters will be asked this summer to endorse a $3 million, 20-year bond to chip away at a mounting backlog of needed repairs to the town’s water system infrastructure.
For the second time in recent months, a longtime member of both the Vergennes Planning Commission and the Development Review Board has decided to step down. Mark Hattler submitted his resignation to aldermen via email. He has been a member of both boards since January 2001. Hattler’s decision follows the departure earlier this spring of longtime planning chairman Neil Curtis, who resigned after a move out of Vergennes. Hattler’s primary reason for resigning is to spend more time with his children.
Bristol residents in the village police district voted down the proposed police department spending plan for fiscal year 2011 in a narrow 15-14 paper ballot vote. The proposed 2010-2011 budget would have meant a 12.5 percent hike in the amount to be raised by taxes if residents had approved the budget.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that Fair Haven had been approved for a $67,500 grant and $157,500 loan toward the purchase of a new fire truck estimated at around $450,000. The remainder of the money is expected to come from a reserve fund. Bids on the new truck are due in later this week.
The year's final tax deadline in Rutland has come and gone and despite the hit the region's economy took in the past year, tax delinquencies remained low and on par with last year. Taxpayers have until June 30 to pay taxes due this year and the city expects the overdue figure to whittle down as the date gets closer.
For more than 60 years, thousands of people have flocked to Vergennes on for Vermont's largest Memorial Day parade. And while it's the largest, with all the high school marching bands, color guards and veterans groups, it still has the small town feel, despite so many people coming from other communities to watch it. This year’s theme was "Never to be Forgotten".
An investigation into the death of a woman in a Vermont prison says there were problems with communication and health care staffing. The Rutland Herald says a report released last week by the nonprofit group Disability Rights Vermont found the death of 23-year-old Ashley Ellis of Rutland could have been prevented if the Department of Corrections and the health care contractor Prison Health Services had done a better job.
Vermont lawmakers will decide this week whether to return for a special veto session on June 9. Governor Jim Douglas vetoed a bill changing the current use program. Douglas says the bill would have increased taxes for owners of farms and forestland. Lawmakers have the option of letting the veto stand and waiting until next year to address changes.
A fire yesterday afternoon completely destroyed a vacant historic building in Barre. The blaze at the old Key Bank took more than 100 firefighters to control. Renovations on the building were scheduled to start next month. Officials say this may change the timetable, but they will rebuild the building. Firefighters are not sure what caused the blaze, or if it is suspicious.
Two Burlington Schools will be closing their doors this month. A couple of months ago, officials announced this would be the last year for St. Joseph's School on Allen Street in Burlington. Now another catholic school will be closing as well. The North Avenue Christian School will also be closing this month. School officials blame the economy for the low enrollment.
The 22nd Annual Key Bank Vermont City Marathon over the weekend was a huge success with more than 8,000 competitors. The winner in the men's division was 25-year-old John Crews of Raleigh, North Carolina. He also won last year. As for the ladies' division, Heidi Westerline of Walpole, New Hampshire, claimed her 4th women's title in 5 years.
Some of our solders stationed in Afghanistan also ran the Vermont City Marathon. About 200 soldiers at Camp Phoenix held their own race, which included a full marathon and a relay. Another 40 ran a complete marathon at Bagram Airfield. Due to the time difference, they were actually done before the runners in Burlington lined-up. The results were official.
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine has ranked Burlington one of the Top 10 Cities for the next decade. The magazine looked at economic and other indicators while using a formula to identify places with growth in high-quality jobs and income. Austin, Texas was at the top of the list. Burlington was ranked number 8. The list comes out in Kiplinger's July issue.
Another leak of radioactive material has been found and fixed at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Crews found the leak Friday while the plant was powering back up after a month long shutdown for refueling. Plant and federal regulatory officials said it poses no threat to public health or safety. The plant should be back to full power in the next couple days.
The Foundation of CVPH will be hosting two fitness fundraisers this year. The first is a 5k Run/Walk this Saturday. Then, on July 11, its the CVPH Mayor's Cup Mountain to Lake Bike Ride. The proceeds from the 2 fundraisers will help the Foundation at CVPH provide and support community health education and as well as a number of patient care enhancement initiatives.
A construction contract for the new Crown Point Bridge has been awarded. The New York State Department of Transportation and Vermont Agency of Transportation jointly announced Friday that the contract has been formally awarded to Flatiron Constructors of Boulder, Colorado. Construction is expected to start right away and should be done by September of next year.
Bristol residents began talking last week about where and how gravel extraction should happen in the town. The conversation was the second in a series of three round-table forums designed to change the process of town planning in Bristol for the time being. The three town forums will play a large role in directing the planning commission’s next move. The third and final forum will take place on Saturday, June 5, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Mount Abe cafeteria.
Vergennes aldermen have taken a look at the first draft of a proposed $1.6 million 2010-2011 city budget that if adopted would not require an increase in the portion of the city tax rate that supports municipal spending. There will be several budget workshops to go over the draft. The first meeting will be held on June 8; residents are welcome to the 6 p.m. meeting at the fire station.
Middlebury voters will be asked this summer to endorse a $3 million, 20-year bond to chip away at a mounting backlog of needed repairs to the town’s water system infrastructure.
For the second time in recent months, a longtime member of both the Vergennes Planning Commission and the Development Review Board has decided to step down. Mark Hattler submitted his resignation to aldermen via email. He has been a member of both boards since January 2001. Hattler’s decision follows the departure earlier this spring of longtime planning chairman Neil Curtis, who resigned after a move out of Vergennes. Hattler’s primary reason for resigning is to spend more time with his children.
Bristol residents in the village police district voted down the proposed police department spending plan for fiscal year 2011 in a narrow 15-14 paper ballot vote. The proposed 2010-2011 budget would have meant a 12.5 percent hike in the amount to be raised by taxes if residents had approved the budget.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that Fair Haven had been approved for a $67,500 grant and $157,500 loan toward the purchase of a new fire truck estimated at around $450,000. The remainder of the money is expected to come from a reserve fund. Bids on the new truck are due in later this week.
The year's final tax deadline in Rutland has come and gone and despite the hit the region's economy took in the past year, tax delinquencies remained low and on par with last year. Taxpayers have until June 30 to pay taxes due this year and the city expects the overdue figure to whittle down as the date gets closer.
For more than 60 years, thousands of people have flocked to Vergennes on for Vermont's largest Memorial Day parade. And while it's the largest, with all the high school marching bands, color guards and veterans groups, it still has the small town feel, despite so many people coming from other communities to watch it. This year’s theme was "Never to be Forgotten".
An investigation into the death of a woman in a Vermont prison says there were problems with communication and health care staffing. The Rutland Herald says a report released last week by the nonprofit group Disability Rights Vermont found the death of 23-year-old Ashley Ellis of Rutland could have been prevented if the Department of Corrections and the health care contractor Prison Health Services had done a better job.
Vermont lawmakers will decide this week whether to return for a special veto session on June 9. Governor Jim Douglas vetoed a bill changing the current use program. Douglas says the bill would have increased taxes for owners of farms and forestland. Lawmakers have the option of letting the veto stand and waiting until next year to address changes.
A fire yesterday afternoon completely destroyed a vacant historic building in Barre. The blaze at the old Key Bank took more than 100 firefighters to control. Renovations on the building were scheduled to start next month. Officials say this may change the timetable, but they will rebuild the building. Firefighters are not sure what caused the blaze, or if it is suspicious.
Two Burlington Schools will be closing their doors this month. A couple of months ago, officials announced this would be the last year for St. Joseph's School on Allen Street in Burlington. Now another catholic school will be closing as well. The North Avenue Christian School will also be closing this month. School officials blame the economy for the low enrollment.
The 22nd Annual Key Bank Vermont City Marathon over the weekend was a huge success with more than 8,000 competitors. The winner in the men's division was 25-year-old John Crews of Raleigh, North Carolina. He also won last year. As for the ladies' division, Heidi Westerline of Walpole, New Hampshire, claimed her 4th women's title in 5 years.
Some of our solders stationed in Afghanistan also ran the Vermont City Marathon. About 200 soldiers at Camp Phoenix held their own race, which included a full marathon and a relay. Another 40 ran a complete marathon at Bagram Airfield. Due to the time difference, they were actually done before the runners in Burlington lined-up. The results were official.
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine has ranked Burlington one of the Top 10 Cities for the next decade. The magazine looked at economic and other indicators while using a formula to identify places with growth in high-quality jobs and income. Austin, Texas was at the top of the list. Burlington was ranked number 8. The list comes out in Kiplinger's July issue.
Another leak of radioactive material has been found and fixed at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Crews found the leak Friday while the plant was powering back up after a month long shutdown for refueling. Plant and federal regulatory officials said it poses no threat to public health or safety. The plant should be back to full power in the next couple days.
The Foundation of CVPH will be hosting two fitness fundraisers this year. The first is a 5k Run/Walk this Saturday. Then, on July 11, its the CVPH Mayor's Cup Mountain to Lake Bike Ride. The proceeds from the 2 fundraisers will help the Foundation at CVPH provide and support community health education and as well as a number of patient care enhancement initiatives.
Friday, May 28, 2010
WVTK Local & State News May 28, 2010
The commander of a Vermont National Guard brigade serving in Afghanistan says 5 of his soldiers were wounded in an attack on the Bagram Air Force Base. Colonel Will Roy says one soldier, with non life-threatening injuries, was wounded serious enough to be sent back to the United States for treatment. None of the names have been released.
Weybridge Democrat and member of the Addison County Democratic Committee Spencer Putnam confirmed this week he would make his second bid for the Vermont House. He is hoping to replace current Rep. Christopher Bray of New Haven in the Addison-5 House district that includes Weybridge, New Haven and Bridport.
Two area nonprofits, a local art gallery and the former “first family” of Middlebury College are teaming up to establish a new charity that will help Addison County better react to future human services crises. It’s called the “Addison County Funders’ Collaborative for Emerging Needs” and will be managed by the United Way of Addison County and the Vermont Community Foundation.
This Memorial Day weekend, the Granville board of directors of the Corner School Resource Center will hold its second annual town-wide yard sale and barbecue at the Town Hall, in order to raise funds for the renovation of one of the town’s older one-room schoolhouses. If all goes according to plan, Granville will have a center that serves as a meeting space and a haven for historical research and computer access within five years.
Ferrisburgh selectmen met this week with other officials and members of the town’s historical society to begin talking about the future of the town-owned Union Meeting Hall. The building is showing its age, and selectmen are wrestling with the cost of maintaining it, which is not covered by the rent paid by a church that uses it for weekly worship and other meetings.
Plans to build a new Community College of Vermont campus at the corner of West and Wales streets in Rutland could be ready to move forward in a matter of days. The college, now located on Merchants Row, has been looking for a new home for the last several years. The 15-member Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees is meeting June 3 and a decision on a specific property may be made then.
Rutland Town teachers are not ruling out the possibility of a strike, after contract negotiations ended abruptly Tuesday with the School Board imposing an agreement that includes no salary increases on the base for one year. Teachers will meet June 8 to discuss all legal options, including a strike, which is not likely to begin until next year as the last day of school this year is June 16.
Poultney and West Rutland will get new computers and other services as part of a pilot program run by the Vermont Council on Rural Development. The Council announced earlier this month that the towns were two of the 12 chosen to participate in the "e-Vermont Community Broadband Project," a pilot program aimed at helping Vermont towns make better use of the Internet. The two-year program, which will bring in 12 more towns next year, has $3.7 million in funding. Bristol was also chosen to be part of the program.
Rutland Firefighters and AmeriGas technicians conducted a second propane burn at the Asa Bloomer Building yesterday while repairing a faulty release valve on a 2,000 gallon fuel tank. The valve and overfilling of the tank were blamed for a leak earlier this week that forced the evacuation of hundreds of employees from the state and federal offices housed in the building.
Governor Jim Douglas has vetoed the Current Use bill. The Current Use Bill gives tax breaks to people who conserve land. About one-third of all land in Vermont is in the program and it costs the state about $50 million. The bill would have made changes to the program forcing landowners to pay more in taxes.
Governor David Paterson says an agreement has been reached to have all 178 New York State Parks and Historic Sites open for the Memorial Day Weekend. Details on the exact funding are still being worked out. But $11-Million will be set aside for parks and historic sites this year. Legislatures are expected to vote on the agreement today.
A federal judge is expected to make a decision today about New York Governor David Paterson's plan to have 100,000 state workers take one furlough day each week. Earlier this month the court blocked Paterson from enacting the furloughs, which he proposed to help slash the budget. Now the judge will decide whether this approach is "reasonable and necessary."
Vermont officials say damage from late-spring frost is widespread across the state. The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation have been conducting an aerial survey to determine the extent of the damage. The most notable damage is to sugar maples, but many other tree species are affected, including some balsam fir Christmas trees. State Forest Health Coordinator Barbara Burns says frost damage looks alarming, but she expects trees to recover quickly.
Two Burlington men have been arrested in connection with 2 cow art sculptures being vandalized downtown. Police say 23-year-old Christopher Healy and 21-year-old Christopher Newton tipped over the cow sculptures in front of Leunigs Bistro and Eddie Bauer. Each are estimated to be worth $3,500. Both Healy and Newton will appear in court on June 1.
St. Albans police say they have 3 people of interest in connection with an attempted attack on an elderly woman early Wednesday Morning. According to reports, the 82-year-old woman woke around 2 AM Wednesday to find a strange man in her house demanding money and medications. Police say they've received numerous tips. So far, no arrests have been made.
The Vermont National Guard has a new recruiting office. A special ribbon cutting ceremony was held yesterday in South Burlington at the new location on Williston Road. The guard says recruiting is steady right now. The South Burlington storefront replaces the previous one, at Maple Tree Place.
The Clinton County treasurer has postponed the public tax-foreclosure auction that had been scheduled for Wednesday, June 2. It will instead be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, July 21, at the Westside Ballroom in Plattsburgh. For more information about the auction or buyer's seminar, go to NYSAuctions.com.
A Rutland man is going to federal prison for 15 years for shooting a teenage girl. 44-year-old James Aitchison fired 6 shots at a minivan parked on School Street in Rutland 2 years ago, wounding a 17-year-old girl. Aitchison was reportedly there to collect a debt from the girl's brother and says he never saw the girl in the car. She survived.
A new proposed ordinance in Burlington would ban people from sitting on the sidewalks along five streets near the marketplace. Accord to police, its a safety hazard for pedestrians having to walk around those sitting on Pearl, Cherry, College, Bank, and parts of Main Street closest to the marketplace. The proposed ordinance is now under review by a city committee.
This Sunday it’s the 22-annual Key Bank Vermont City Marathon. Travel around the city will be tricky on Sunday Morning. During the marathon a number of streets will be closed and parking will be prohibited. You can find a list of all the street closures and traffic advisories at VermontCityMarathon.org. The marathon starts Sunday Morning at 8:03 sharp.
Weybridge Democrat and member of the Addison County Democratic Committee Spencer Putnam confirmed this week he would make his second bid for the Vermont House. He is hoping to replace current Rep. Christopher Bray of New Haven in the Addison-5 House district that includes Weybridge, New Haven and Bridport.
Two area nonprofits, a local art gallery and the former “first family” of Middlebury College are teaming up to establish a new charity that will help Addison County better react to future human services crises. It’s called the “Addison County Funders’ Collaborative for Emerging Needs” and will be managed by the United Way of Addison County and the Vermont Community Foundation.
This Memorial Day weekend, the Granville board of directors of the Corner School Resource Center will hold its second annual town-wide yard sale and barbecue at the Town Hall, in order to raise funds for the renovation of one of the town’s older one-room schoolhouses. If all goes according to plan, Granville will have a center that serves as a meeting space and a haven for historical research and computer access within five years.
Ferrisburgh selectmen met this week with other officials and members of the town’s historical society to begin talking about the future of the town-owned Union Meeting Hall. The building is showing its age, and selectmen are wrestling with the cost of maintaining it, which is not covered by the rent paid by a church that uses it for weekly worship and other meetings.
Plans to build a new Community College of Vermont campus at the corner of West and Wales streets in Rutland could be ready to move forward in a matter of days. The college, now located on Merchants Row, has been looking for a new home for the last several years. The 15-member Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees is meeting June 3 and a decision on a specific property may be made then.
Rutland Town teachers are not ruling out the possibility of a strike, after contract negotiations ended abruptly Tuesday with the School Board imposing an agreement that includes no salary increases on the base for one year. Teachers will meet June 8 to discuss all legal options, including a strike, which is not likely to begin until next year as the last day of school this year is June 16.
Poultney and West Rutland will get new computers and other services as part of a pilot program run by the Vermont Council on Rural Development. The Council announced earlier this month that the towns were two of the 12 chosen to participate in the "e-Vermont Community Broadband Project," a pilot program aimed at helping Vermont towns make better use of the Internet. The two-year program, which will bring in 12 more towns next year, has $3.7 million in funding. Bristol was also chosen to be part of the program.
Rutland Firefighters and AmeriGas technicians conducted a second propane burn at the Asa Bloomer Building yesterday while repairing a faulty release valve on a 2,000 gallon fuel tank. The valve and overfilling of the tank were blamed for a leak earlier this week that forced the evacuation of hundreds of employees from the state and federal offices housed in the building.
Governor Jim Douglas has vetoed the Current Use bill. The Current Use Bill gives tax breaks to people who conserve land. About one-third of all land in Vermont is in the program and it costs the state about $50 million. The bill would have made changes to the program forcing landowners to pay more in taxes.
Governor David Paterson says an agreement has been reached to have all 178 New York State Parks and Historic Sites open for the Memorial Day Weekend. Details on the exact funding are still being worked out. But $11-Million will be set aside for parks and historic sites this year. Legislatures are expected to vote on the agreement today.
A federal judge is expected to make a decision today about New York Governor David Paterson's plan to have 100,000 state workers take one furlough day each week. Earlier this month the court blocked Paterson from enacting the furloughs, which he proposed to help slash the budget. Now the judge will decide whether this approach is "reasonable and necessary."
Vermont officials say damage from late-spring frost is widespread across the state. The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation have been conducting an aerial survey to determine the extent of the damage. The most notable damage is to sugar maples, but many other tree species are affected, including some balsam fir Christmas trees. State Forest Health Coordinator Barbara Burns says frost damage looks alarming, but she expects trees to recover quickly.
Two Burlington men have been arrested in connection with 2 cow art sculptures being vandalized downtown. Police say 23-year-old Christopher Healy and 21-year-old Christopher Newton tipped over the cow sculptures in front of Leunigs Bistro and Eddie Bauer. Each are estimated to be worth $3,500. Both Healy and Newton will appear in court on June 1.
St. Albans police say they have 3 people of interest in connection with an attempted attack on an elderly woman early Wednesday Morning. According to reports, the 82-year-old woman woke around 2 AM Wednesday to find a strange man in her house demanding money and medications. Police say they've received numerous tips. So far, no arrests have been made.
The Vermont National Guard has a new recruiting office. A special ribbon cutting ceremony was held yesterday in South Burlington at the new location on Williston Road. The guard says recruiting is steady right now. The South Burlington storefront replaces the previous one, at Maple Tree Place.
The Clinton County treasurer has postponed the public tax-foreclosure auction that had been scheduled for Wednesday, June 2. It will instead be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, July 21, at the Westside Ballroom in Plattsburgh. For more information about the auction or buyer's seminar, go to NYSAuctions.com.
A Rutland man is going to federal prison for 15 years for shooting a teenage girl. 44-year-old James Aitchison fired 6 shots at a minivan parked on School Street in Rutland 2 years ago, wounding a 17-year-old girl. Aitchison was reportedly there to collect a debt from the girl's brother and says he never saw the girl in the car. She survived.
A new proposed ordinance in Burlington would ban people from sitting on the sidewalks along five streets near the marketplace. Accord to police, its a safety hazard for pedestrians having to walk around those sitting on Pearl, Cherry, College, Bank, and parts of Main Street closest to the marketplace. The proposed ordinance is now under review by a city committee.
This Sunday it’s the 22-annual Key Bank Vermont City Marathon. Travel around the city will be tricky on Sunday Morning. During the marathon a number of streets will be closed and parking will be prohibited. You can find a list of all the street closures and traffic advisories at VermontCityMarathon.org. The marathon starts Sunday Morning at 8:03 sharp.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
WVTK Local & State News May 27, 2010
Violent storms with damaging winds, hail and lightning rolled across northern Vermont last night, leaving more than 13-thousand homes in the dark. Hardest hit was Colchester, with a lightning bolt striking the Colchester Rescue station. One member of the department was hit, and rushed to a hospital. Trees were down across the city, while a transformer was reported on fire and power lines were seen arcing. In Burlington, more power lines were down and arcing, as well as in Shelburne, with Richmond, Ferrisburgh and Vergennes reporting trees and power lines down.
Construction of the new Champlain Bridge will keep a United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla busy this summer. There will be patrols on Lake Champlain every weekend throughout the summer. The intent is to lend assistance and promote safe passage through the congested area and answer any questions regarding traffic. Boaters should expect delays in the area because of the construction and the operation of two vehicle ferries. The Crown Point-based flotilla will also present a safe boating class June 19 at the Ticonderoga Elks.
Nearly 300 teachers and professional staff in Rutland will get a 3 percent raise each year until 2012 and will be able to choose another perk to make up for the pension money they lost as a result of the city Pension Board's latest action. The Rutland School Board solidified a new three-year contract with the Rutland Education Association Tuesday night.
The town of Moriah water department will shut the water off on the Moriah Road on Wednesday, June 2, 8 a.m. to noon to install a fire hydrant. Water may be cloudy when it comes back on; residents can run their outside hose until water clears.
Governor Jim Douglas has signed the biggest transportation in Vermont history. The bill includes about $182 million in state funding, $275 million in regular federal funding and $80 million in federal stimulus funds. Among other things, it calls for $113 million worth of major rehabilitation and maintenance work on Vermont bridges.
Vermont state employees in Rutland were back at work yesterday, one day after a propane leak prompted the evacuation of a state office building. The Bloomer office building and nearby businesses were evacuated Tuesday afternoon. Officials said the underground leak was temporarily repaired around 2 a.m. Wednesday and more permanent repairs will be made soon.
A Boy Scout camp in Eden Mills will reopen this summer after officials say asbestos contamination was removed from the property. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says crews have been working since samplings taken in 2009 showed the potential for asbestos in the buildings and property of the Mt. Norris Boy Scout Reservation.
The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant automatically shut down yesterday afternoon following some problems. At that time, the plant was at 70 percent of its normal output, coming on line earlier in the week after a refueling and maintenance outage, which started in mid-April. Spokesman Laurence Smith says no radiation has been released, and as soon as the problem is identified and repairs made, the plant will re-start.
Police in St. Albans are looking for the man who broke into an elderly woman's early yesterday morning. She was in bed around 2 AM when the man broke in and demanded money and medication. The 82-year-old faked a heart attack and was able to escape to a neighbor’s house. Police say the man is a large, heavy, older man with some facial hair, possibly a beard.
City of Plattsburgh Officials has opened the beach gates. The beach does not officially open until June 23, but with the recent heat wave, hundreds of people have been flocked to the beach to cool down. Officials say they are treating it like a park right now, the picnic area and the sand is open but the water is not.
It looks like lawmakers and Governor David Paterson are close to having a deal in place to open all the state parks and historic sites. Paterson said yesterday afternoon that no deal has been sealed, but he's optimistic. They are hoping to have all 178 state parks open in time for Memorial Day Weekend.
Vermont is 1 of 8 states in talks to launch a pilot program that will allow high school students to graduate after their sophomore or junior year. The program would start in the 2011-12 school year. Students would volunteer to take a series of board exams. If they pass, they're eligible to enroll in community college or start on a career.
Due to a nationwide paint shortage, Vermont crews may wait until mid summer to re-paint faded road markings like crosswalks and turn only arrows. The state is discussing a backup plan if the paint shortage continues through the summer. Meanwhile, VTRANS crews will continue to work on state highway striping because it requires a different paint.
The Downtown Rutland Partnership will sponsor a free public reception tonight from 6 – 8 PM for the Vermont Arts Council exhibit "Art of Action: Shaping Vermont's Future through Art." The art is being exhibited through May 31 at 116 West St. in the Gryphon Building. All the art in the show is on sale. Prints of the artwork can be purchased at tonight's reception. For more information, call the Downtown Rutland Partnership (at 773-9380).
The Crown Point Memorial Day committee has decided to scale back the observance in 2010. The weekend-long carnival has been dropped. The traditional parade, fireworks and cemetery tour remain. The theme of this year's observance will be "Scouting USA," which observes the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts in the United States. Crown Point Boy Scouts will be in Veterans Park on Sunday, May 30, demonstrating their skills during a public "Fun Day" 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Crown Point's annual Memorial Day parade will begin Monday at 2 p.m. at Ferry Road and proceed north on Main Street, ending at Veteran's Park.
Construction of the new Champlain Bridge will keep a United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla busy this summer. There will be patrols on Lake Champlain every weekend throughout the summer. The intent is to lend assistance and promote safe passage through the congested area and answer any questions regarding traffic. Boaters should expect delays in the area because of the construction and the operation of two vehicle ferries. The Crown Point-based flotilla will also present a safe boating class June 19 at the Ticonderoga Elks.
Nearly 300 teachers and professional staff in Rutland will get a 3 percent raise each year until 2012 and will be able to choose another perk to make up for the pension money they lost as a result of the city Pension Board's latest action. The Rutland School Board solidified a new three-year contract with the Rutland Education Association Tuesday night.
The town of Moriah water department will shut the water off on the Moriah Road on Wednesday, June 2, 8 a.m. to noon to install a fire hydrant. Water may be cloudy when it comes back on; residents can run their outside hose until water clears.
Governor Jim Douglas has signed the biggest transportation in Vermont history. The bill includes about $182 million in state funding, $275 million in regular federal funding and $80 million in federal stimulus funds. Among other things, it calls for $113 million worth of major rehabilitation and maintenance work on Vermont bridges.
Vermont state employees in Rutland were back at work yesterday, one day after a propane leak prompted the evacuation of a state office building. The Bloomer office building and nearby businesses were evacuated Tuesday afternoon. Officials said the underground leak was temporarily repaired around 2 a.m. Wednesday and more permanent repairs will be made soon.
A Boy Scout camp in Eden Mills will reopen this summer after officials say asbestos contamination was removed from the property. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says crews have been working since samplings taken in 2009 showed the potential for asbestos in the buildings and property of the Mt. Norris Boy Scout Reservation.
The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant automatically shut down yesterday afternoon following some problems. At that time, the plant was at 70 percent of its normal output, coming on line earlier in the week after a refueling and maintenance outage, which started in mid-April. Spokesman Laurence Smith says no radiation has been released, and as soon as the problem is identified and repairs made, the plant will re-start.
Police in St. Albans are looking for the man who broke into an elderly woman's early yesterday morning. She was in bed around 2 AM when the man broke in and demanded money and medication. The 82-year-old faked a heart attack and was able to escape to a neighbor’s house. Police say the man is a large, heavy, older man with some facial hair, possibly a beard.
City of Plattsburgh Officials has opened the beach gates. The beach does not officially open until June 23, but with the recent heat wave, hundreds of people have been flocked to the beach to cool down. Officials say they are treating it like a park right now, the picnic area and the sand is open but the water is not.
It looks like lawmakers and Governor David Paterson are close to having a deal in place to open all the state parks and historic sites. Paterson said yesterday afternoon that no deal has been sealed, but he's optimistic. They are hoping to have all 178 state parks open in time for Memorial Day Weekend.
Vermont is 1 of 8 states in talks to launch a pilot program that will allow high school students to graduate after their sophomore or junior year. The program would start in the 2011-12 school year. Students would volunteer to take a series of board exams. If they pass, they're eligible to enroll in community college or start on a career.
Due to a nationwide paint shortage, Vermont crews may wait until mid summer to re-paint faded road markings like crosswalks and turn only arrows. The state is discussing a backup plan if the paint shortage continues through the summer. Meanwhile, VTRANS crews will continue to work on state highway striping because it requires a different paint.
The Downtown Rutland Partnership will sponsor a free public reception tonight from 6 – 8 PM for the Vermont Arts Council exhibit "Art of Action: Shaping Vermont's Future through Art." The art is being exhibited through May 31 at 116 West St. in the Gryphon Building. All the art in the show is on sale. Prints of the artwork can be purchased at tonight's reception. For more information, call the Downtown Rutland Partnership (at 773-9380).
The Crown Point Memorial Day committee has decided to scale back the observance in 2010. The weekend-long carnival has been dropped. The traditional parade, fireworks and cemetery tour remain. The theme of this year's observance will be "Scouting USA," which observes the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts in the United States. Crown Point Boy Scouts will be in Veterans Park on Sunday, May 30, demonstrating their skills during a public "Fun Day" 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Crown Point's annual Memorial Day parade will begin Monday at 2 p.m. at Ferry Road and proceed north on Main Street, ending at Veteran's Park.
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