WVTK Local & State News March 21, 2011

Officials at Middlebury College say the men's and women's swim teams were suspended after several hazing incidents this winter. A Middlebury spokesperson says the college decided that a police investigation wasn't needed. The College's policy says the decision to report hazing is based on whether the incident presents a risk of serious harm to students or other people or involves a serious violation of the law. Both teams were banned from participating at the Middlebury Invitational Meet on February 5th. And only freshmen on the women's team were permitted to compete for the rest of the season.

Vermont State Police in New Haven are asking anyone with information regarding a recent burglary to please step forward. A home on North Street was broken into on Friday March 11 between 8 AM and 3:28 PM. Police report that cash was the only thing taken from the residence. Anyone with possible information about the incident is asked to call the New Haven State Police Barracks at (802) 388-4919.

An elementary school music teacher in Vermont is facing child pornography charges. According to a federal affidavit, Will Parini is alleged to have had images on his computer involving underage children. He has been suspended from his teaching job at Starksboro and Bristol elementary schools. A letter from the principal sent home to parents said there was no evidence that any local children were involved.

The town of Pittsford will be conducting a dog census during the upcoming week. Denise Mahoney will call all Pittsford residents asking for information on any dogs in town. The census will include name, age, breed and rabies vaccination for all dogs at each residence. Annual dog registration is due to the Pittsford Town Clerk by April 1.

Vermont State Police in the Rutland barracks announced they will be conducting drunken driving checkpoints through Rutland County from March 25-27.

An education conference being planned at Vermont Technical College in Randolph will focus on the value of collaboration among parents, teachers and principals. The Vermont Family Network is sponsoring the March 30 event, along with the Vermont Student Assistance Corp., the Vermont Principals Association and the Vermont National Education Association. The fee for the daylong event is $50 per person.

More than 600 people in Vermont showed their support for people in Japan with a vigil outside the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. The New England Coalition on Nuclear Pollution, the Safe and Green Campaign, and the Citizens Awareness Network organized Sunday afternoon’s event in Vernon. The peaceful vigil was a showing of support for people endangered by the potential dangers of radiation in Japan where a nuclear plant was damaged by last week's earthquake and tsunami.

Military writers will discuss the country's involvement in Afghanistan at a writers' symposium held by Norwich University. The 16th annual Colby Military Writers' Symposium will take place March 30-April 1 in Northfield. The event will feature presentations by five authors and a panel discussion entitled, "An uncertain future in Afghanistan: Assessing the conflict ten years on." A schedule, author biographies and more information can be found on the Norwich University website.

Vermont Lt. Gov. Phil Scott travels to Washington this coming week for a meeting of his peers that's expected to focus on promoting investments within their states and on relations with Canada. Scott will be at a meeting Wednesday through Friday of the National Association of Lieutenant Governors at which cuts in federal aid to the states also is expected to be a hot topic.

A Vermont Marine killed in Afghanistan is being remembered for his humor, athletic skills and generosity. More than 400 people, including Gov. Peter Shumlin, turned out Saturday to say farewell to Cpl. Ian Muller, who was killed March 11.

A state audit follow-up says Moriah Central School District didn't always issue requests for proposals for professional services it needed. Also, the district sometimes did not have written agreements with those who provide the professional services. Moriah Superintendent William Larrow said the district has already tightened its internal controls over professional services and claims auditing.

The Pfizer facility in Chazy is not slated for demolition anytime soon. Clinton County Legislator Harry McManus asked the question at the most recent meeting of the Pfizer Transition Coordinating Council, saying rumors were circulating that Pfizer officials were about to decide whether to tear down the plant. According to North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas, that wasn’t the case. Pfizer's plans for the foreseeable future remain focused on marketing the facility.

State police say a motorist going over one hundred miles an hour caused a three car crash on Interstate 89 Saturday afternoon. Police say 27-year-old Brian Phelps, Randolph, admitted to them he was going 120 miles an hour when he collided with two other vehicles on the highway in Randolph. Phelps is charged with negligent operation.

Church Street's biggest box store got a new home Saturday. Old Navy relocated from Burlington, to Williston, next to Dick's Sporting Goods. The clothing retailer said the store on Church Street was just too big. Its space on the Marketplace will be filled by two businesses, Panera Bread and an expanding local business that has not been revealed yet.

After nine hours' debate over two days last week, the Vermont House has passed a bill requiring employers to give workers 30 minutes of breaks during each six-hour work period. If the Senate agrees and Gov. Peter Shumlin signs the bill, it would be a change from current law, which says only that employers must give reasonable breaks to workers.

Vermont Congressman Peter Welch is asking seven supermarket chains to shelve real Vermont maple syrup apart from a brand that's not the real thing. Welch said that Log Cabin syrup is still packed in brown plastic jugs nearly identical to jugs used by Vermont maple syrup producers, despite repeated correspondence between the company, his office and state officials. He says real Vermont maple syrup is a product of dedicated farmers.