WVTK Local & State News July 6, 2011

Vermont State Police are currently investigating the report of a numerous vandalism complaints to cars parked off of West Shore Road in the Town of Salisbury. Unknown individuals broke out windows of multiple vehicles using a pellet gun. Anyone with information is asked to contact Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)

Vermont State Police are currently investigating the report of an attempted burglary at the Panton General Store. The owner reported that sometime between the evening hours on July 1st and the morning of July 2nd someone attempted to force entry through the front door of the store using a pry bar. The victim reported approximately $500 in damages. The case is currently being investigated. Anyone with information concerning the incident is asked to contact Vermont State Police in New Haven. (802-388-4919)

Vermont State Police are currently investigating an attempted Simple Assault and Vandalism incident, which took place in the Kampersville Laundry Mat parking lot area off of Route 53 in the Town of Salisbury. Approximately 4-5 unknown individuals in a black Chevrolet pick up truck threatened to beat up the victim and then smashed in the front windshield as well as a right rear window of his 2003 Subaru Legacy. Vermont State Police Troopers were called to the area approximately one hour before this incident took place for 12 disorderly individuals causing problems and out of control. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information concerning those that were involved with the attempted assault and vandalism are asked to contact Vermont State Police and the New Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)

Residents of the tiny central Vermont town of Granville are planning to celebrate the opening of a new municipal office building in a former one-room schoolhouse. The town used a $90,700 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Community Facilities Program, as well as a $164,700 low-interest loan from the same program, to pay for the project. Representatives of the three members of Vermont's congressional delegation will be on hand for the celebration at 1PM today as the former school begins its new life as a town hall. Tomorrow Granville will be featured in WVTK’s Spotlight on Addison County!

A 16-year-old from Charlotte pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a charge of possessing marijuana. Tyler Barnes was originally cited into court for allegedly selling marijuana to students at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg. But prosecutors have withdrawn that felony charge for now pending further review of the exact location of the alleged sale.

While law enforcement around the state was out in force during the holiday weekend, there were no serious accidents reported in southern Vermont and only a handful of drunken driving arrests. The Fourth of July holiday has proven dangerous in the past with 64 crashes recorded statewide each of the past two years. But in Rutland, Bennington, Addison, Windham and Windsor counties, drunken driving arrests were few, the number of accidents was low and no serious injuries were reported.

Although residents in Fair Haven reduced the amount of water used during the last fiscal year, they will still be paying slightly more in water and sewer taxes due to rate increases. During a special meeting last week, the Fair Haven Select Board approved the new water and sewer rates that are up around 2.3 percent for the fiscal year 2012.

A Rutland man is in trouble with the law for allegedly causing some car-related chaos in northwestern Vermont. Police say Robert Benedict crashed into another car Monday afternoon on Route 104 in St. Albans. The 47-year-old left the scene in the bronze Ford Taurus, which police say he stole. They later found Benedict at the car owner's house. They say Benedict was drunk and admitted to stealing and crashing the car. Police believe the car may have been involved in other crashes. Benedict faces multiple charges.

Senator Patrick Leahy wants President Obama to insist that any deal to raise the nation's debt ceiling includes new tax revenue. Leahy says if Democrats are going to agree to significant budget cuts as part of that package, then Republicans need to support a plan to close tax loopholes for oil and gas companies.

Military retirees can get up-to-date information about their benefits later this month at Camp Johnson in Colchester. The guard base will host military retirees from all over northern New England on July 23rd for Military Retiree Activity Day. Guests can learn about legal assistance, health care information, survival benefits, and meet with representatives from veteran's organizations and companies providing services to veterans.

A new E-recycling program for the state of Vermont has gone into effect. Under a new consumer protection law, Vermonters are now able to recycle their so-called E-waste for free at locations in every county of the state. Paul Burns the executive director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group says the new initiative will make it easier for people to be sure their old electronic items don't end up where they could harm the environment. Find the nearest drop off location HERE.

With summer well under way, farmers hit by flooding this spring are keeping their fingers crossed that the remainder of the season will be a long and hot one. Because of spring flooding on the Winooski River and other parts of our region, field corn and sweet corn were either planted late or had to be replanted. In some areas, corn that would normally be two to three-feet high by now stands just a few inches tall. Dairy farmers say an early frost could ruin crops once again and force them to buy expensive grain. Vermont Agency of Agriculture officials say corn in southern parts of Vermont appears to be faring better.

Authorities say a Burlington police officer was treated for a shoulder injury after being struck by a motorist who didn't want to wait for a tow truck operator to finish loading a disabled vehicle. Edward Purcell was being held on $5,000 bail yesterday. He's accused of hitting Officer Jason Bellavance who had stopped traffic at North and North Champlain streets yesterday evening.

Some Danville residents are telling officials from the Vermont Agency of Transportation they're unhappy with delays caused by a Route 2 construction project. The Caledonian-Record reports some residents who attended a meeting with state officials last week say construction is causing delays of up to 20 and 30 minutes.

A blind Vermont Law School student says in a lawsuit that she's not getting the accommodations she needs to take a critical licensing test. Deanna Jones says she's not being allowed to use special computer software that allows her to read. There's no immediate comment from the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Vermont's attorney general will announce the results of his criminal investigation into whether officials from the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant lied about the release of radioactive tritium from the plant's piping system. William Sorrell is planning to make the announcement today in Montpelier.

Vermont police are still trying to find an Essex couple that disappeared nearly a month ago. Flowers, signs and a balloon were left on the front steps of the home of Bill and Lorraine Currier on Monday to mark Lorraine's 56th birthday.

Vermont gas prices are continuing to drop. Statistics compiled by the website Vermontgasprices.com found the average price for regular gas Tuesday was $3.68 cents a gallon, down 3 cents from a week ago and 18 cents from a month ago. But the average price is still 91 cents higher than it was a year ago.

In the Great Adirondack Young People's Poetry Contest sponsored each year by the Lake Placid Institute, Westport Central School won an unprecedented nine out of twelve awards given to high school participants. Over six hundred poems were submitted for consideration throughout the Adirondack Park. The award winners were selected for publication in a specially produced book of poems entitled Words from the Woods. Two of Westport's poets were additionally awarded writing scholarships. Christina Sherman and Justin Floyd were selected to attend tuition free the Champlain College Young Writers' Conference in May.

Here’s a story that Hobbes wanted me to share with you this morning! The Circle of Hope Rescue Squad in Castleton rescues hundreds of cute and cuddly puppies from Tennessee. Each week those with the nonprofit bring up a transport of dogs from the Volunteer State. They said being in the Green Mountain State gives the dogs a better chance of survival. If you would like to give one of these dogs a loving home or learn more, click HERE.