WVTK Local & State News December 2, 2010

The clean up continues today after some wild wind-whipped weather packed a powerful punch yesterday. Fifty to 60 mile-per-hour wind gusts were reported in Addison County. Around the state, a fierce wind brought down trees on roads, cars and even power lines, knocking out power to thousands. On top of Mount Mansfield gusts measured over 100 miles-per-hour.

A rescheduled update on the construction of the new Lake Champlain Bridge will be held today. The public is invited to the Bridge construction site in Crown Point at 2PM. This construction briefing will take place next to the Lake Champlain Store and parking is available at the Historic Site. Project Representatives from the New York State Department of Transportation will provide the update.

A convicted child sex offender from Williston is about to be released from prison, and he's moving to Addison County. Mark Hulett was actually eligible for release in 2008, but the Vermont corrections department did not let him out because officials said he did not find housing that met state rules, including that he be far away from children. But the VT Corrections Commissioner now says Hulett has found housing in the small town of Waltham and he will be moving there soon.

The latest group of Vermont National Guard soldiers returning from Afghanistan will be home this morning. The group of soldiers is due to fly into Burlington on chartered flights this morning at 9:30. Another group of 90 soldiers arrived at Camp Atterbury in Indiana Tuesday, to be demobilized after their yearlong mission in Afghanistan.

The strong winds yesterday made fighting a house fire in Charlotte all the more complicated. The call came in around 1 PM on Lane's Lane. About 40 firefighters responded. Crews say it was fully involved when they got there. The house is destroyed, but no one was home at the time, and there were no injuries.

Hoping to keep Lake Champlain healthy and free of invasive species and pollution, government officials announced more than one-point-two million dollars in funding for the lake. Vermont Governor Jim Douglas and other officials signed the new Lake Management Commitment, which commits them to specific action to curb phosphorus and other pollutants.

Gov. Jim Douglas will still have a presence at the Statehouse even after he leaves office. An oil portrait of the outgoing governor was unveiled yesterday in the House chamber. Statehouse Curator David Schutz says the painting by Middlebury artist Kate Gridley is not only a portrait but also a work of art. The portrait of a standing and smiling Douglas will hang outside the governor's ceremonial office on the second floor of the Statehouse.

The town of Hinesburg is anticipating a $135,000 multi-year grant from the Vermont Public Transportation Administration to provide bus service to local residents. The grant proposal is part of on-going efforts by Hinesburg Rides, a model program that addresses area transportation issues. Community support has been a key factor in addressing the town's need for public transportation, which has been expressed by residents and employers for years.

Two men are facing charges after police say they tried to steal money from their ill father. Alfred Cary of Rutland, and Steven Cary Jr. of Shrewsbury, Connecticut, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to exploitation and larceny charges. Police say the two men wrote $5,700 worth of checks to themselves from their father's bank account while he was in the hospital for 18 months. The two also allegedly took more than $8,000 worth of items from Steven Cary Sr.'s home.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has denied a request from outgoing New Hampshire U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes to keep the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant offline until all remnants of radioactive water have been removed from the ground below the plant. He has made the request in May.

Pico Mountain opens its 74th season on December 17 with a charity benefit. The resort will contribute $20 to the United Way of Rutland County from each $39 Express Card sold on opening day and everyone who purchases one will ski for free that day.

Maiden Vermont brings the beauty and warmth of the holiday season to Town Hall Theater on December 11th and 12th. 2010 marks the Maiden's 4th annual Holiday concert with the last three held in Middlebury's Town Hall Theater. This year's concert, "Songs to Warm Your Heart," features special guest, and Vermont Folk celebrity, Jon Gailmor. For the finale, Maiden Vermont will be joining Jon on some special numbers.

A recent law will make sure the most popular present this holiday season doesn't lose its value. Because of a law that went into effect earlier this year, gift cards won't expire for five years and more importantly won't be hit with monthly fees that slowly eat away at the card's value.

An affordable housing agency here in Vermont is repeating it's annual holiday drive, but with a twist, thanks to social networking. The Vermont Housing Finance Agency's mitten stuffing drive is in its 15th year. But this time, for every new fan who joins the agency's Facebook page, it'll donate mittens or gloves stuffed with holiday candy to low-income kids. You have until December 15 and the mittens will go to kids served by the King Street Youth Center.

There will be something for everyone at the eighth annual Festival of Trees Saturday in Rutland. The annual fundraiser for the Paramount Theatre features 10 trees decorated by groups of individuals from the community along with silent and live auction items and refreshments. Doors open at 6 PM and it runs to the end of the live auction.