WVTK Local & State News March 24, 2011

Robinson Elementary School in Starksboro and Bristol Elementary school officials are trying to explain to young children about what happened to popular music teacher Will Parini. He was suspended from the schools following allegations he viewed indecent material on his personal computer. The Vermont Principals Association is responsible for educating districts on how to prepare and react to situations like this one. Now the schools and parents are faced with a difficult lesson for the young children, how to explain why Mr. Parini is no longer their music teacher.

The Fair Haven Police Department is starting a prescription drug disposal program. Residents can drop off their outdated and unused pharmaceuticals, including pet medications, for proper disposal. The aim is to keep the drugs out of the sewer and solid waste streams, and also to reduce home break-ins by thieves looking for drugs. The drugs can be dropped off at the Fair Haven Police Department Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 2 PM. Police ask that people deliver the items in their original packaging if possible.

The Vermont House has passed a bill raising taxes on health services and cigarettes by $24 million. Final House action Wednesday came a day after lawmakers rejected proposed increases in income taxes on higher-income earners. It also imposes higher taxes on hospitals and nursing homes, and a new tax on claims processed by health insurance companies. Now it moves to the Senate.

Vermont lawmakers are debating legislation that would move the state toward Gov. Peter Shumlin's goal of a single-payer health care system. The House took up the issue Wednesday afternoon. The measure is expected to pass easily in a House in which Shumlin's fellow Democrats hold a strong majority.

Vermont dairy farmers have not had a lot to cheer about in recent years while milk prices have struggled. Now Green Mountain dairy farmers are getting help from yogurt, or rather a new yogurt company that is preparing to start production in Brattleboro. It's called Commonwealth Dairy and it's not only creating jobs, it's also relying on milk from struggling Vermont dairy farms.

The Vermont National Guard says employers will get a chance to recruit highly qualified candidates at two job fairs for military veterans. The events will be held in Burlington and St. Albans next week.
Employers who wish to register should contact the Vermont Department of Labor's division of veterans' services.

Students from Lyndon State College and other Vermont State Colleges have taken their message to the Statehouse calling for more funding for the five-college system. About 50 students, mostly from Lyndon State, met with members of the Senate and House education committees on Wednesday afternoon. The move comes after some students at Lyndon State held a sit-in last week about possible faculty cuts at that institution.

University of Vermont President Dan Fogel says he'll step down after 10 years in the job because he thinks it's time. The 63-year-old Fogel, who's widely credited with boosting the University's standing during his tenure, announced Wednesday that he plans to resign the job effective July 1, 2012. He says he'll take a year off then assume a full-time faculty appointment as professor of English.

Approximately 80 parishioners from Catholic churches in the Essex Deanery gathered in Port Henry on March 20 to learn more about the Diocesan planning due to the pending shortage of priests. An overview was presented to bring parish members up to date on the current direction of the committee and to obtain input from those in attendance.

The Proctor Select Board accepted the resignation of member William Dritschilo on Monday and the remaining board members said they would appoint a new member at their meeting next week. He resigned his three-year position in a letter that stated he was “no longer able to maintain the type of civility that the townspeople required.”

Police say 28-year-old Michael Crandell from Lexington, Kentucky was the driver who led them on a high-speed chase Tuesday that started in Mooers, New York. Crandell committed suicide. His girlfriend 22-year-old, Erica Felix, is held at the Clinton County Jail and charged with possession of marijuana and hindering prosecution.

Nine members of the Westport Speech and Debate team will be heading to Long Island in a couple of weeks for the state public speaking tournament. The team will be holding a pair of events to help raise funds for the upcoming trip. On Friday, April 1, the members of the team will be sharing their works with the members of the community at a performance and dessert sale night at the school, starting at 6:30 PM. General admission for the show is $3. On April 2, the students will be hosting a car wash and bake sale at the Westport Volunteer Fire Company from 9 AM – 1 PM. The cost for a car wash is $5.

New York Senate Republicans are proposing a new prison-closing plan they say would better protect upstate communities from job losses. Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos says the plan will include closing beds or a minimum-security facility in New York City. The state's biggest maximum and minimum-security prisons are upstate in Republican districts.

State Police are investigating a break-in at Peru Central School. Superintendent of Schools A. Paul Scott reported that Buildings and Grounds staff and school administrators called police before the start of classes Wednesday after discovering evidence of burglary and vandalism.