WVTK Local & State News June 24, 2011

Due to drainage rehab work, Weybridge St. will be closed today for a Cross St. culvert replacement and will re-open once the replacement work is completed which is expected to be done by 5 this afternoon.

The Town of Moriah has mini-grant applications available for those hit hard by recent flooding. The applications can be picked up at the Moriah Town Hall but must be returned by Monday, June 27th. Individuals and businesses can use the mini-grants. The funds can be used for food, cleaning supplies, mold eradication, car repairs, appliance repairs or replacements and other flood-related expenses. The grants would generally be for small amounts, under $1,000 and are being provided through United Way and the Civil Service Employees Association.

There was a major announcement yesterday concerning Vermont's two largest utilities. The parent company of Green Mountain Power has offered to buy Central Vermont Public Service for $702 million. If the two utilities combined, the new company would cover two thirds of the state. A month after the Canadian utility, Fortis, offered to buy CVPS, Green Mountain has come forward with its own bid. The offer, presented by GMP's parent company Gaz Metro, is $2 million more than the one Fortis made in May. CVPS has released a statement saying "This offer requires us to convene our board of directors to evaluate the proposal in depth as soon as possible."

Vermont State Police New Haven are currently investigating the report of a vandalism to a wood and steel cross at The Church of The Nazarene in Leicester. Also vandalized in the incident were two lights strands and an extension cord. The estimated value of the damaged property is approximately $120. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)

On June 20th Vermont State Police were notified of a Burglary that occurred at the Hinesburg General Store. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 6' 02" wearing a hooded sweatshirt, gloves and a black backpack. The suspect stole an excess of $7000 dollars in cash, checks and coins along with cigarettes from the store. The State Police in Williston are looking for any leads regarding this incident. Contact Trooper Paul Badger with any information at the Williston State Police Barracks. (802) 878-7111

You may have recently noticed a blue Toyota Prius with the license plate “PLUG IN.” That’s the new plug-in hybrid vehicle that the Addison County Regional Planning Commission is using to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and cut costs. With Department of Energy funding that stems from President Obama’s goal to put 1 million plug-in vehicles on American roads by 2015, the planning commission recently converted a 2008 Prius into a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Officials at the commission also plan to install two charging stations this summer on the east side of their Seminary Street headquarters in Middlebury.

Earlier this week Vergennes aldermen made final a 2011-2012 budget and adopted a municipal tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year that will remain level for the fourth year in a row. The budget features few spending increases other than a modest pay raise for some city employees.

This fall voters here in Middlebury will see the first of two votes on a major fix-up of the fire department’s two firehouses. Last month the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department unveiled a $5.2 million plan to replace their East Middlebury fire station and expand and renovate their Seymour Street headquarters.

The owners of Naylor and Breen Builders in Brandon recently purchased the administration building of the former Brandon Training School. They are looking to resell it to the Housing Trust of Rutland County. The Housing Trust is looking to construct an affordable housing complex at the old administration building.

Four people arrested in a drug bust at a local hotel pleaded innocent Thursday in court to charges against them. They were arrested during a Vermont Drug Task Force investigation into the sale of crack cocaine in the Rutland area. According to police, two were involved in a series of controlled buys over a period of days in Rutland. The cases are being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office with the assistance of the Rutland County State’s Attorney’s office.

Attorneys and witnesses wrapped up the first day of a two-day hearing before a federal judge in Vermont over whether the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant can continue to operate while a legal fight plays out over its future. Entergy witnesses told lawyers that if the plant were forced to shut temporarily, it would lose about $20 million a month in revenue and may shut down permanently rather than wait for the legal fight to be resolved.

New York state may get new and improved power plants and homeowners will have an easier way to pay for energy-saving home improvements under the "Power NY Act" passed by the Legislature. The legislation includes a new provision in the state's Green Jobs program allowing homeowners to finance energy upgrades through the savings on their utility bill.

Attorney General William Sorrell says the state of Vermont will get $530,000 under a settlement with drug maker GlaxoSmithkline LLC and SM Pharmco Puerto Rico. Sorrell says that the companies engaged in unfair and deceptive practices when they made and sold certain drugs whose manufacturing process was flawed, resulting in adulterated products. He said that there's no threat to consumers now because the adulterated batches have already been recalled or their expiration dates have past.

Gov. Peter Shumlin says 41 Vermont businesses hurt by spring flooding are seeking help from a new low-interest loan program. Since the program was announced on Monday, loans ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 have been given out to businesses from Barre to St. Albans.

Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell says he's disappointed by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a state law designed to protect patient privacy and reduce health care costs. Sorrell says the challenge now will be to continue to work to protect medical privacy and reduce health care costs without violating the Supreme Court's ruling.

Vermont Congressman Peter Welch and Senator Bernie Sanders are praising the Obama administration's decision to release 30 million barrels of oil from the country's emergency reserve. Welch says that the move will provide much needed short-term relief at the gas pump to Americans who are struggling to make ends meet.

Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel honored several members of the city police department this week and he and City Manager Mel Hawley swore in the newest member of the Vergennes force. Merkel praised all of the department’s officers for their willingness to work any hours and accept any duties he asked of them, and for their ability to create “peaceful resolutions” when faced with difficult situations.

Vergennes Union High School graduate Peter McDurfee was honored by the Vermont Land Trust for his exceptional commitment to land stewardship in agriculture. The award was presented to Peter on June 10 at his home. He is one of ten outstanding students from around the state to be recognized by the land trust. He received a $250 cash award that is not restricted and may be used towards education, equipment or materials.

The PEGTV Scholarship Committee announced that Timothy Engler of Rutland is the 13th recipient of the $1,000 PEGTV Courcelle Scholarship. He is a senior at Rutland High School and a member of the Stafford Technical Center Video/Media Technology Program. He has been accepted at Valley Forge Christian College and plans to major in digital media production.

Crown Point may seek federal designation as a historic district in order to make repairs to the Knapp Senior Center. The building, located at the edge of Veterans Park, is in disrepair and needs substantial work. If the area surrounding the park becomes a historic district, it becomes eligible for grant funding. At this point the town has applied for a grant to hire Adirondack Architectural Heritage to prepare a "national register" nomination for the district.

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 15-13 Crown Point recently conducted a boating safely class at the Ticonderoga Middle School. Commander Eugene Frost said that 14 seventh and eighth grade students completed the eight-hour course. This is a federally approved course recognized in all 50 states as a course that meets, and in many cases exceeds any given states boating safety course requirements.

The Middlebury Lions Club held its annual awards night banquet Monday and honored four club members and one community member with one of its highest tributes. They presented its Lion of the Year award to member Cleon Bigelow. In a celebration of another year of service to the local and worldwide community, Tom Broughton presented the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowships to Lions Cathy Anderson, Dave Nourse, Donald “Doc” Hunt and Cory Newton, as well as to Mark Perrin, owner of Green Peppers Restaurant.

The Moriah Central School women's choir is going to Disney World. The choir has been selected to perform at Disney in Orlando next year as part of the Disney Performing Arts Program. The performance at Disney will require a lot of rehearsals and money. The Moriah choir must raise about $28,000 to cover the costs of the trip. Fund raising for the trip will begin this Sunday, June 26th, with a bottle drive. Other fund raising events are being planned. The choir will also accept donations.

What started out as a reunion to celebrate the classes of the 1970s has turned into an all-classes event in Westport. The Westport Central School Class Reunion for graduates from any year will take place on Friday, July 22nd and Saturday, July 23rd. Events will include a beach mixer at Lee Park on Friday the 22nd starting at 6PM. The main reunion will be held on Saturday the 23rd with a buffet dinner and live music at the Westport Country Club, starting at 6PM. For more info you can visit Westport 70’s Reunion Dot Com.