WVTK Local & State News May 4, 2011

A Flood Watch remains in effect through late tonight.

The Weather Channel Says: Rain Today – High in the 50’s.

Flooding on Lake Champlain is delaying construction on the new Lake Champlain Bridge. Work was under way to prepare a marina in Port Henry for the arrival of the steel that will be used to make the new bridge's arch. New York State Transportation Engineer John Grady said the marina is under a foot of water and work can't continue until the lake level drops. Grady says work is progressing at the bridge site. He says much of the work is being done from barges, which rise and fall with the lake. It's unclear if the high water will delay the planned October opening of the $70 million bridge.

Parts of the U.S. Route 2 causeway between the Vermont communities of Milton and South Hero have collapsed in the Lake Champlain flooding. The road, which is the main passageway to the Champlain Islands, has been reduced to one lane as crews work to stabilize it.

Officials in the Upper Valley continue to monitor the Connecticut River. As of Tuesday it was below flood stage, cresting at about 15 feet. Flood stage in that area is 18 feet. Officials say they will continue to keep an eye on the Connecticut, as well as other nearby rivers. But the threat of floods seems to have passed there.

The Essex County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution authorizing the use of up to $2.5 million from the un-appropriated fund balance to help pay for repairs to roadways and infrastructure due to flooding throughout the county during its regular monthly meeting. The funding was immediately put to use to start the reconstruction process of the Broad Street and Titus Road bridges in the town of Moriah.

Negotiators in Vermont's House and Senate have an agreement on a major health care bill, clearing the way for final passage of Gov. Peter Shumlin's top priority for this year. The agreement, announced yesterday by a conference committee, follows resolution of one stumbling block relating to coverage for illegal immigrants under the planned Green Mountain Care health insurance program. The bill now goes back to the full House and Senate for final ratification.

Vermont courts and courthouses will be closed for at least one day a month throughout the year to save money. State judiciary employees will not be paid for the 12 furlough days, which will start in June and run through the end of the 2012 fiscal year. The Vermont Supreme Court said that two courts would be available on furlough days on a limited basis to handle proceedings required for public health and safety.

Floodwaters from overflowing Lake Champlain have begun to recede along its Vermont shores, but with more rain in the forecast, homeowners and businesses aren't in the clear yet. The lake level could go as high as 103 feet. The National Weather Service says that lake levels were expected to recede but will rise again with the addition of 1-2 inches of rainfall in the forecast. Gov. Peter Shumlin says flooding this spring has caused more than $3 million in damage to state and local government properties in Vermont.

The Board of Aldermen meeting in Rutland on Monday became an impromptu forum on the proposed recreation center at Giorgetti Park. Rutland Regional Medical Center CEO Tom Huebner said recreational opportunity is one of three aspects of the community he is regularly asked about when trying to recruit doctors and other professionals to the hospital. Another resident argued that the city was broke and the costs of the project had been underestimated. A petition signed by 590 city residents forced a second vote that is scheduled for Tuesday.

Police said someone apparently spent more than five hours robbing Carey’s Auto Sales, one car at a time. Security footage shows someone breaking into the used car dealership in Rutland Town and returning repeatedly from about 11:30 PM Saturday to about 4 AM Sunday. Seven cars were taken. The incident remains under investigation.

Police are looking for a city pickup truck and whoever stole it from a Department of Public Works facility. The dark blue 2006 Ford F250 bearing a City of Rutland seal disappeared from a fenced-in area of the wastewater treatment complex at Green Hills Lane some time between Sunday night and Monday morning. The truck’s plate is Vermont municipal registration plate number AAK334.

Police said a Mendon woman stabbed her estranged husband during a brawl Monday. Beth Seck is facing a single felony charge of first-degree aggravated domestic assault with a weapon. A judge issued an arrest warrant yesterday afternoon when she failed to appear for arraignment. Police said Nicholas Seck was taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center where he received stitches for the knife wound.

The New York State Senate has passed legislation that would allow police to stop and ticket motorists for texting while driving. All police will have to do is see a driver holding a cell phone as grounds to pull them over. It's already a primary traffic offense to talk on a hand-held phone while driving in New York. Hands-free phones are permitted. However, using a portable electronic device while driving is currently a secondary offense, which means that a person can't be stopped solely for driving while texting. There must be some other offense like speeding. The legislation would upgrade it to a primary offense. The Senate voted 57-3 in favor Tuesday. A companion bill is in the Assembly.

A coalition that includes foresters and environmentalists is asking New York lawmakers to develop property tax assessments that would encourage long-term forest management. The Council of Forest Resource Organizations made the proposal, as part of four reforms they say will help protect the state's forestland.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, who last year helped persuade the federal government to close a little-used Vermont border station in Franklin now wants officials to explore options for keeping it open. Now citing overwhelming community support for the station he is asking U.S. Customs and Border Protection to consider land swaps by nearby property owners or a smaller renovation that would bring Morses Line up to 21st century security standards without seizing land.

Central Vermont Public Service honored retiring leader Bob Young at the annual meeting of shareholders yesterday and set out a bold new vision aimed at improving value for customers, shareholders and the state of Vermont. Young’s successor Larry Reilly announced a new CV vision, to be the best small utility in America. He said CV would work to improve the already-high customer satisfaction and reliability.

A potential investor in Burlington Telecom is due to visit soon to continue discussions with city officials. That's the word from the city attorney in a report to the state public service board. The city is required to update the PSB every two months about BT's financial situation.

Ticonderoga Central School teachers will flip burgers and wait on customers during the second annual McTeacher Night tonight at the Ticonderoga McDonald's. Teachers will work 4:30 PM to 7 PM. The owner of McDonald's has agreed to donate all proceeds from McTeacher Night to the Ticonderoga Elementary School playground project. Last year's McTeacher Night raised $5,000 for the playground fund. Nearly 100 volunteers erected a new playground at Ticonderoga Elementary School last fall. It's not complete, though. Money is needed to build a Fort Ticonderoga-style façade and complete landscaping. Our very own Amanda Leigh will be there as well, stop by and say “Hi”!

It's been a profitable second quarter of the fiscal year for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. In numbers released yesterday, the company reported net sales are up 101-percent over the second quarter last year. The company's president and CEO is crediting the Keurig Single-Cup brewing system for leading the company through a strong second quarter.

Some Vermont residents will soon be able receive free dental care. Several organizations are teaming up to offer a day of complimentary services on May 21. They'll spend the day treating uninsured Vermonters and people who have maxed out on Medicaid. Dental offices in Brattleboro, Bennington, Manchester, and Rutland are taking part in the event. The service is not available to kids. Eligible Vermonters should pre-register by May 13 to attend. Rutland County residents can register with The United Way of Rutland County.