WVTK Local & State News July 20, 2011

Starting today, a stretch of extreme heat is expected to hit Vermont. The temperatures could reach the 90s and feel like close to 100 degrees with the humidity. Experts say the best way to protect yourself from these dangerous temperatures is to stay inside. Make sure you drink plenty of water, even if you are not thirsty. The chronically ill and elderly should be especially careful and try to stay in the air conditioning as much as possible. Also, Hobbes is reminding you never to leave your companions in a hot-parked car or outside in the direct sun. Make sure your pets have access to plenty of water as well.

Vermont State Police from the Rutland and New Haven Barracks are currently investigating the report of two stolen vehicles. The first vehicle, a 2001 Blue Chevrolet Silverado was stolen from Benson and driven to Davis Garage in the Town of Shoreham on July 18th. Davis Garage also reported that an unknown individual forced entry through the rear roof area of their business, accessing the garage area, and took the key to a 2001 Gold Ford Taurus. The individual subsequently stole the Ford Taurus, which had been parked behind the garage. Nothing else was stolen from the garage and there was no other damage. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police New Haven Barracks. (1-802-388-4919)

A Charlotte man was arrested Friday after police said they discovered he tried to steal metal pipes from a maintenance shed behind the Holiday Inn in Rutland Town. Levi Davis was arrested and charged with petty larceny after a hotel guest saw him try to take metal pipes away from the shed. Police said Davis tried to drive away when the guest saw him but his truck was stuck in a ditch. Police dogs tracked him to the railroad tracks behind the hotel where he was found.

Starting this Friday, hundreds of Firefighters from around Vermont will be arriving on the campus of Middlebury College. The Firefighters will be in town for the 122nd annual Vermont State Firefighter Association Convention. On Friday you invited to enjoy Fireworks at 9PM at the Middlebury Union High School lower football field. On Saturday at Noon the opening Ceremonies and Parade will be held at the Middlebury College Sports Complex. And on Sunday at 9AM Fire trucks and apparatus from around the state will be on display.

The Essex Select-Board has approved spending up to $15,000 to conduct DNA testing in the case of Bill and Lorraine Currier. The couple vanished on June 8th and police suspect foul play. Police made the request but aren't saying what it is that they want tested. Essex acting Police Chief Brad LaRose tells the Burlington Free Press that the needed types of DNA tests are not available in Vermont which is why the town must pay for the work to be done out of state.

A federal judge in Vermont is considering whether to approve a settlement that would require dairy processor Dean Foods to pay Northeast farmers and their attorneys $30 million to settle antitrust allegations in a class-action lawsuit. A hearing was held on Monday in Rutland to determine whether the settlement is "fair, reasonable and adequate." U.S. District Court will take what the attorneys and a farmer said Monday under advisement.

A new program has been launched to reduce the phosphorous that feeds the algae when it washes into lake Champlain in storm-water runoff. The group Lake Champlain International has introduced a certification program that will help homeowners and others clean up the storm-water that runs off their property. It's fairly easy for you to become certified, by taking some simple steps to improve the quality of the water that washes away like redirecting downspouts, and dealing with pet waste and use of pesticides and fertilizers. You may also need to make some small fixes-such as replacing gutters or adding rain barrels in order to make their homes "watershed friendly."

Having helped remake the Rutland Redevelopment Authority, Mark Foley Jr. has said he will step down as chairman of the organization's board. Foley confirmed yesterday he was moving to Rutland Town and would have to vacate his position as a result. Foley said he and his wife found a house they liked that happened to be on the other side of the town line. He said he would remain on the board until it hires a new executive director.

The president of the University of Vermont is reportedly leaving his post at the end of the month, rather than his earlier announced plan to do so at the end of the next academic year. Daniel Fogel will be meeting in executive session with the UVM Board of Trustees today. The only item on the board's agenda is a discussion of contracts.

Sen. Patrick Leahy is hailing President Barack Obama's support for legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and have the federal government grant legal recognition to married same-sex couples. The White House announced support for the Respect for Marriage Act on the eve of a Senate hearing to be chaired by Leahy today on repealing the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and replacing it with the new legislation.

Governor Peter Shumlin has chosen a lawmaker who led the effort to enact a new health care law to head the state agency that runs public health insurance programs. Shumlin says he's chosen state Rep. Mark Larson to be commissioner of the Department of Vermont Health Access, which manages Medicaid and other government-subsidized health insurance programs.

Brian Dubie is raising money to help pay legal expenses following his run for governor last year. The Friends of Brian Dubie Legal Defense Fund sent a letter to Dubie supporters earlier this month. The letter, signed by former Gov. Jim Douglas among others, makes a plea for money to fight what it calls a First Amendment issue. That issue is a poll conducted by the Republican Governors Association. Democrats allege the RGA shared the results with the Dubie campaign, violating the state's campaign finance laws. The state hopes to wrap up its investigation by the end of the summer.

Burlington police have found a dead body off Riverside Avenue. Officers were called to a railroad bridge off Riverside Avenue near the Gardener's Supply store around 7:30PM Tuesday. Winooski police actually received the call. Burlington police have not identified the body at this time. They say at this time, they are treating the incident as suspicious, until they determine otherwise.

Many people who live closest to Vermont Yankee are standing by the nuclear power plant after a judge ruled not to keep it open while the lawsuit about the power plant's future plays out. The plant is Vernon's largest employer. Just about everyone in town either works there or has a friend or relative who does, so it's tough to find anyone who wants it to shut down. Several in town described a growing frustration in the fight to save what they see as the key to Vernon's economic survival. Many worry about future electric bills and the value of their homes. An Entergy spokesman released a statement saying that the plant would be evaluating its near-term options in the coming days.

A Manchester man charged with bilking aspiring authors on the promise of publishing their books says he's not guilty. 62-year-old Peter Campbell-Copp is charged with false pretenses and attempted false pretenses for allegedly defrauding writers and printing companies of thousands of dollars.

The Vermont e-waste recycling program went into effect earlier this month, allowing people to properly and safely dispose of unwanted electronics for free. The program, called e-Cycles has been fairly successful in its first few weeks, but there has not been as much volume as many people expected. Solid waste districts are just one of the many places Vermonters can bring their old computers, televisions, monitors, printers and keyboards. There are a total of 66 free drop-off locations statewide, including retail stores and nonprofits as well as solid waste facilities. The majority of the e-waste goes to Middlebury recycling facility Good Point Recycling.

Vermont State Parks announced a new contest starting this week. The contest is called "Where is Whipple?" Craig Whipple, Director of State Parks, will be making an appearance at one of Vermont's 52 state parks. The challenge is to find him and take a photo with him while he is at the park. 

The first person to post the photo on the park's Facebook page wins a prize package for their park. To get clues on where Whipple will be next visit the park's Facebook page.

Flight simulations and air shows are in the works as more than 20 pilots from all over Vermont are gearing up for the sixth annual Rutland County Remote Control Air Show at the Fair Haven airport Saturday. The gates will open at 9AM. A choreographed air show is scheduled for noon. More than 60 planes ranging from gliders with no engines to small planes with electric engines and large gasoline-powered planes will be on display at the Fair Haven airport.