WVTK Local & State News July 8, 2011

The Vermont State Police in New Haven are investigating several incidents of windows being shot out of vehicles in the Salisbury area. All of the vehicles were parked at the time and were unoccupied. The windows appeared to have been shot with a pellet type rifle or pistol. Witnesses advised hearing a loud exhaust, possibly a truck, in the area when the vandalism's took place at approximately 2AM on yesterday. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the State Police in New Haven. (802-388-4919)

Addison County’s senatorial district would swap Brandon for Charlotte in a proposed redistricting plan recently endorsed by the Vermont Apportionment Board. The Senate reapportionment map is purely a recommendation, as is the House proposal, and could be tossed out by the Legislature in favor of another plan. The proposed plan would see a two-seat Addison County district that includes Charlotte and a three-seat Rutland County district that includes Brandon.

Porter Hospital’s budget is calling for a 10% rate hike. State officials are reviewing a proposed fiscal year 2012 operating budget of $65.9 million that would require less than a 2% increase in net revenues, but necessitate a 10.3% rate increase for procedures. If BISHCA approves the Porter budget as presented, it would mean a 10% rise in charges for services and likely an increase in insurance premiums for those not covered under subsidy programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

In New York pending legislation aimed at improving medical reimbursements for small, rural hospitals may help those facilities stay open. Both the New York State Senate and Assembly have passed legislation that will allow small community hospitals, such as Elizabethtown Community Hospital and Moses Ludington in Ticonderoga, to receive a substantial increase in reimbursements for services provided to Medicaid patients. The legislation awaits final approval from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

During the month of May, eight more dairy farms in Vermont shut down, dropping the number from 1,001 to 993. This is the first time Vermont has had less than 1,000 dairy farms in the state. The numbers, reported by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, continue a downward trend in Vermont’s dairy industry. According to an agricultural economist with the University of Vermont Extension, the number of dairy herds in the state has decreased by a steady 2 to 4 percent since the 1960s. Morrison Brothers in Leicester was among the eight farms to close in May.

Green continues to be popular in Addison County. About 25 people gathered recently at 51 Main to celebrate all things “green,” especially biking. The June 21 event was the first local installment of Green Drinks. The program is a network of environmental social meetings that take place around the world. Local organizers said the events are designed to be informal social opportunities for people who work or aim to be involved in green efforts or jobs in business, academia, government and nonprofits.

A Salisbury couple is seeking permission to transform the former Dundon Plumbing & Heating headquarters on Route 7 south into a small brewery and trade school for aspiring beer producers. Steve Parkes and Christine McKeever-Parkes are heading the project, which would provide a base of operations for the American Brewers Guild Brewing School. Steve Parkes has been leading the ABG’s school since the late 1990s.

A big crowd turned out to offer opinions on a proposal to dissolve the Crown Point Board of Assessors. Should the town do so, an appointed assessor would do the job instead. There are estimates Crown Point could save about $20,000 by contracting with a professional assessor, and the almost 30 people who spoke at Wednesday's hearing were divided on the issue. The Crown Point Town Council plans to vote on the change at a meeting yet to be set.

The Crown Point town board is mulling options to deal with complaints of trash and dilapidated buildings in the community. Crown Point has no law to deal with the issue. There is a local law dealing with junk cars, but it does not address garbage of run-down buildings. One solution would be the adoption of a local law. Town trustees have been in contact with neighboring communities and the New York State Codes Division seeking advice.

A specialized technical rescue team has brought to safety two people trapped in the Huntington Gorge, a dangerous swimming hole in Richmond. A technical rescue team from Colchester was called upon to rappel down a cliff to two young men trapped on rocks. The popular swimming hole with sheer cliffs can be dangerous, with more than 20 deaths there during the past 60 years. The names of the two people who were rescued were not immediately available.

Sen. Bernie Sanders is planning to meet with some of the 700 Vermont immigration workers who won a $2.9 million back pay settlement from a government contractor. Carl Smith, the deputy regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor wage and hour division, will accompany Sanders at the Saturday meeting. The two will describe how settlement amounts were reached and answer questions from contract employees. The meeting is scheduled for 10:30AM Saturday at the St. Albans Historical Museum in St. Albans.

Gov. Peter Shumlin is urging President Barack Obama to make California clean car standards already adopted by Vermont and 13 other states’ the standard for the whole country. Vermont and other northeastern states already use the California standards, which are tougher than those imposed by the federal government. Vermont won a key federal court battle on the issue three years ago.

America's getting fatter, and so is Vermont. According to figures from a new study of obesity by the Trust for America's Health, Vermont ranks 45th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. New Hampshire was listed as 33rd fattest and Maine ranked 27th, the plumpest state in New England. Vermont ranks 48th in the growth of its obesity rate while New Hampshire ranks 22nd and Maine 28th.

Officials in the town of St. Johnsbury say they're anxiously awaiting word on whether their area will be classified as a federal disaster area. Town Manager Ralph Nelson says that if Caledonia County isn't added to the presidential disaster declaration from the May flooding, the town would have to pay the $1.7 million cost of road repairs, which would force the town to cut other projects, although which ones is unclear.

Attorneys for the state have asked a U.S. District Judge to disregard new evidence submitted by Entergy Corp. regarding a negative report about the company from a credit rating agency. In a filing Wednesday, the state moved to strike the Standard & Poor’s report, which Entergy had submitted into the record late last week. Entergy argues that the report proves the company could suffer irreparable harm if the Judge doesn’t grant an injunction to keep Vermont Yankee operating while its lawsuit over the plant’s future plays out.

A Vermont man convicted of starting a fire that killed four people says he's innocent. Eric Williams says his lawyer didn't adequately represent him during plea negotiations. Williams was back in court yesterday, 11 years after the deadly fire in Milton.

From the shores of South Hero to the golf courses and ski slopes in Stowe, Vermont is filled with more than 50,000 second homes. New census numbers show second homes make up 15.6 percent of the overall housing supply in the state. That is up 1% from 2000. This year second homeowners in Stowe paid $2.8 million in municipal taxes and a large portion of the $22 million the town sent to the state's education fund.

The New York State Attorney General has proposed legislation to monitor the prescription and dispensing of certain controlled substances. The Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing Act would create an online database to provide doctors and pharmacists with the information they need to help avoid over-prescribing, shut down prescription drug trafficking and identify and treat people who abuse prescription drugs. Recent studies have documented a significant increase in opiate use in the North Country.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo rolled out his list of prison closures yesterday afternoon. A total of seven correctional facilities will shut down in 60 days. Prisons in northern New York were noticeably absent from Cuomo's list. Correctional officers and prison employees from across the North Country had been waiting for the list of closures. Randy Douglas, who chairs the Essex County Board of Supervisors, says he's grateful that facilities like the Moriah Shock camp and Adirondack Correctional were spared.

The Port Henry Volunteer Fire Department held its 137th annual banquet recently at the King's Inn in Port Henry. Approximately 50 people attended the traditional event that recognized several members for many years of service to the department and community. Mark L. McLaughlin was presented with the Firefighter of the Year Award for 2010.

Ground has been broken for the construction of the new Ticonderoga Emergency Squad building. After months of legal delays, a ceremony marked the start of the project June 26th. The squad is building a new 4,100 square foot home at the site of the former Ticonderoga Civic Center between The Portage and Lake Champlain Avenue.

Holmes Jacobs who is the co-owner of Two Brothers Tavern Restaurant and Bar in downtown Middlebury received this year's Outstanding Community Member of the Year by the Better Middlebury Partnership. He was also recognized for his soulful vision in "giving back" to the community. On every first Monday of the month, Two Brothers' venues act as fundraising opportunities for local non-profits and charities.

The Battle of Hubbardton living History weekend takes place Saturday & Sunday at the Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site. This event honors the July 7, 1777, Revolutionary War battle, the only one fought in Vermont. The weekend offers activities for all ages and interests, including visiting the museum. The site opens at 9:30AM on Saturday. Sunday's events start about 7:30AM Admission each day is $5 for adults and free for children under 15.

Following an extensive family selection process, Habitat for Humanity's board of directors has selected Michelle and Randy Lewis of Rutland to live in the first home it will build on Jennifer Lane. Michelle and Randy will contribute 500 hours of sweat equity, working side by side with volunteers, family and friends, to build their home. Upon completion, they will assume an interest-free mortgage. Mortgage payments will enable Habitat to help more families.