WVTK Local & State News August 17, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

The Vermont State Police in New Haven are investigating a theft from a motor vehicle that occurred at the Red Gate fishing access located on Fort Cassin Rd. in Ferrisburgh. The theft occurred on August 13th between the hours of 12:30 and 5:00PM. Taken from the vehicle was a green LL Bean backpack and a duffel bag. Anyone with information is urged to contact the State Police at the New Haven Barracks. (388-4919)

The Vermont State Police in New Haven are investigating a theft from a motor vehicle that occurred at the Bristol Waterworks located on Plank Rd. in New Haven. The theft occurred on August 14th between the hours of 10:30AM and 1:10PM. Taken from the vehicle was a purse. Anyone with information is urged to contact the State Police at the New Haven Barracks. (388-4919)

The Vermont State Police in New Haven are investigating a theft from a motor vehicle that occurred at the Snake Mountain Parking area located on Mountain Road in Addison. The theft occurred on August 14th between the hours of 11:30AM and 2:50PM. Taken from the vehicle was a screen print fabric purse, which was dark blue with pineapples on it and a yellow Northface daypack. Anyone with information is urged to contact the State Police at the New Haven Barracks. (388-4919)

The Rutland Town Select Board voted Tuesday to have the Planning Commission indefinitely table a proposed zoning ordinance. Rutland Town has no zoning, and the commission had been working on an ordinance following a vote in which the majority of voters said they favored some level of zoning.

Barre City Police are still trying to identify the body of a male found today behind the Dollar General on South Main Street. Barre City Police Chief Timothy Bombardier said that no information would be released publicly until the police have concluded their initial investigation.

Bennington is getting more than 500 new streetlights in a program aimed at saving energy - and money. Central Vermont Public Service will replace the lights over the next two years, switching out sodium-based lamps with LED bulbs. Town officials expect to save 30% on the lighting budget.

The American Red Cross is planning a blood drive on September 11th and is asking eligible donors to give in honor of the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks. The drive will be held from 10AM to 4PM at the University of Vermont's Patrick Gym.

Two weeks after searchers found the body of 11-year-old Celina Cass in the Connecticut River near her house, the lack of an arrest or answers to questions about how she died has cast a pall over her New Hampshire hometown. People in Stewartstown are waiting - for answers about the girl, justice for her family, peace of mind for themselves. The police's inability to identify or charge a suspect, an autopsy that couldn't pinpoint the cause of death and lingering fears that a killer is at large are hanging over folks.

Even the name "Fair Haven" conjures up a peaceful place, but some living in the town say it's far from that. A debate is going on over noise, and an ordinance to control it during the day. During a public hearing over the proposed ordinance last night, one resident says even with using earplugs she still cannot sit in her yard. However, the majority of her neighbors strongly oppose the noise ordinance, saying the noise is just the sound of kids playing in an area pool, and that should be expected in the summer. Town officials say while they've had several complaints, there's not much they can do, and the idea of getting a daytime noise ordinance passed isn't going over very easily.

Making good on a campaign promise, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin married a lesbian couple in a small ceremony in his office. Shumlin, who led the push to legalize same-sex weddings in Vermont in 2009, presided over the marriage today of 55-year-old Michele "Mitch" Beck and 56-year-old Ann Beck, of Royalton. Shumlin met them at a campaign event when he was running for governor last summer and told them he'd be happy to perform their wedding ceremony if he were elected.