WVTK Local & State News December 22, 2010

A Brandon man charged with making a single heroin sale told police he has made or aided hundreds more in recent years. Ryan F. Munnett pleaded innocent in Rutland criminal court Monday to a felony charge of selling heroin. He is charged with selling 10 bags of heroin to a confidential police informant during an arranged buy at the Grand Union parking lot on January 28th.

Rutland City and the police department have agreed to a five-year contract that includes health care expense sharing. The agreement comes two weeks after the union voted down a proposed contract that had been approved by the city’s Board of Aldermen. Following the earlier draft’s defeat, Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras said the police department would see layoffs if its members didn’t start paying for more health care.

A crash on Route 7 Monday damaged a utility pole but the 22-year-old driver escaped injury. Molly Fraher of Goshen, CT was driving near Mt. View Drive when she was distracted by her dog and began veering off the road. She told police she tried to correct her course but the car left the road and struck a utility pole.

A 26-year-old Brandon woman continues to recover from serious injuries she received in an early morning crash in Rutland last week. Carie Voutour was listed in fair condition at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Monday afternoon. She was taken there soon after she collided with a parked tractor-trailer on Route 7 on Thursday.

Jim Hill has been named head football coach at Otter Valley after serving the program the last nine years as a defensive coach. He takes over for Dennis Perry who retired this fall after six seasons as the Otters’ head coach. For the past five years Hill has functioned as his defensive coordinator and virtual right-hand man.

About 27,000 of Vermont's needy are slated to receive more home heating assistance. Yesterday, the Senate cleared the way for an additional $10.8 million. Vermont faced the prospect of a 40 percent cut in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps senior citizens on fixed incomes, families with children and the disabled. So far this year, Vermont has received a total of $14.8 million for LIHEAP, compared to the $25.6 million in regular funding it received last year.

Vermont's next governor has put lawyers who deal with health care reform on notice they could be out of a job. There are nine lawyers in the Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration. Gov.-elect Peter Shumlin asked for their resignations since they are not in the state employees union.

After 37 summers, the Vermont Mozart Festival is calling it quits. Executive Director Timothy Riddle says the cash-strapped organization can't recover from a deficit of more than $325,000 stemming from recession-related downturns. With its under-the-stars performances at Shelburne Farms and the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, the Mozart Festival was a beloved fixture for many Vermonters and was named - by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce - 1 of the state's Top Ten Summer Events.

The U.S. Census Bureau says New England grew more slowly than the rest of the country in the last decade, with a 4% increase in population compared to the nation's 9.7% rate. Among New England states, New Hampshire grew at the fastest rate - 6.9% and Vermont grew by 2.8%. Nearly all the region's population gain was because there were more births than deaths, rather than migration.

A group of lawmakers say the country must do a better job stopping drug smuggling along the northern border. A measure passed Tuesday calls for the Office of National Drug Control Policy to come up with a plan to blunt the movement of drugs across the U.S.-Canadian border. The Senate already passed the bill. If President Barack Obama signs it, the ONDCP will have six months to draft recommendations.

The New York State Health Commissioner announced that, as of Tuesday, businesses providing indoor tanning services are subject to new requirements intended to reduce the potential hazards of indoor tanning. The requirements are being implemented in connection with New York State Public Health Law adopted by the State Legislature. Health risks associated with tanning are well documented in scientific literature and include skin cancer, burns, injury to the skin and eyes, premature aging of the skin, and allergic reactions.

Essex County Board of Supervisors Chairman Randy Douglas said that he doesn't foresee the county board freezing the contractually guaranteed pay increases for its unionized employees in the near future. But he also noted that the controversial move could be on the table in the coming months. Last week, the Sullivan County Legislature voted to freeze the pay of its union employees, even though they are under a contract that guarantees 4 percent raises.

New York State Police officials announced late last week that troopers would now be equipped with tasers. They announced on Friday that troopers would be supplied with new, less-lethal safety tools for confronting violent individuals.

Environmental officials in New York appear to be softening their stance on controversial new outdoor wood boiler regulations. The state Department of Environmental Conservation plans to set aside rules regarding existing boilers. The DEC will hold more meetings with wood boiler manufacturers, homeowners, green groups, and agricultural organizations. The meetings will focus on how to best regulate previously purchased furnaces.

The COTS homeless shelter in Burlington received a special delivery yesterday. Dee Physical Therapy sent more than 10,000 diapers to COTS. This is the fourth year in a row the employees of Dee have held a diaper drive, setting a record each year. Organizers say they get the word out by calling businesses and asking clients to donate. COTS says this one drive fulfills their diaper needs for an entire year.