WVTK Local & State News August 19, 2011

State Police are investigating multiple car break-ins the Addison and Bristol area. Vehicles are being broken into during daylight hours at popular hiking and swimming locations in the county, resulting in damage to vehicles and items being stolen. State Police urge people to lock their vehicles with their windows up, and leave all valuables at home when planning to be at these locations for any period of time. State Police ask that anyone with any information contact the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. (802.338.4919)

The Vermont Apportionment Board voted 4-2 on a final recommendation for redrawing boundaries for the Vermont House of Representatives that leaves most Addison County districts the way they are now. Lawmakers will discuss VAB proposals for the House and Vermont Senate during the 2012 legislative session before voting on a final reapportionment plan.

The Vergennes Planning Commission has finished much of the complex task of rewriting city zoning to conform to the 2009 city plan. Job planners intend to complete it in time to hold formal public hearings in November or December.

Select-boards in Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and Starksboro have set 2011-2012 property tax rates that range from a 0.17-cent decrease in Starksboro to a 10.18-cent increase in New Haven. These property tax rates stem from spending levels previously agreed on by residents at Town Meeting Day for municipal and school services for the current fiscal year.

Leicester town planners are hoping that the end is in sight for the adoption of a new Leicester Town Plan. The planning commission is inviting all year-round and summer residents of the town to an open house at the Leicester Town Office next Wednesday from 7 to 8:30PM, where the current draft of the plan will be on display.

The founder of The McKernon Group Inc., Jack McKernon has retired from his long time position as owner and CEO of the Brandon-based business. Kevin Birchmore, president of the company and McKernon’s business partner for the last 25 years, has acquired the ownership position of the company and has taken on a partner, Justus Cameron, who is the newly appointed vice president.

Town supervisors in Essex County have opted to get prices for a new timecard system using fingerprints. The nearly 700 full-time, part-time and per-diem county employees would have to press their fingers to a panel to clock in and out. The system, at $100,000, would not save the county money. But it would make the county-payroll process less complex, reducing the need for duplicated paperwork.

A contractor for the state Agency of Transportation dug up documents that went as far back to a year after Vermont joined the union in 1791 to determine the historic right of way for the Route 7 corridor. The Department of Transportation announced Wednesday it will use the 1792 right of ways for Segment 3 of the Pittsford-Brandon road project. The Agency of Transportation will be recording the historic right of ways on September 12th and will be available at the Pittsford municipal offices. Residents will then have 120 days to appeal the right of way in civil court in Rutland.

A Rutland man who police say was found with items stolen from seven different homes and vehicles was ordered held on $50,000 bail Wednesday. Shane T. Goodrich, pleaded innocent to four felonies and six misdemeanor charges in Rutland criminal court. Goodrich was arrested late last week after he was found in a car that police said was filled with 50 items stolen during break-ins in Rutland, Rutland Town and Clarendon between July 31st and August 5th.

The Vermont attorney general's office says a Williston contractor has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating Vermont's workers' compensation laws. Donald Bevins, who operated "Twin City Roofing" and "Around the Clock Property Maintenance," pleaded guilty in June to failing to maintain workers' compensation insurance. Bevins was sentenced on Thursday to one to two years all suspended except for 30 days. He also was placed on probation and prohibited from working or operating a home a repair business. A hearing is planned in September to determine the amount Bevins will be required to pay related to the victims' injuries.

A Burlington man has pleaded not guilty to charges he killed a neighbor whose body was found under a railroad bridge. But Daniel Whalon has not yet undergone an evaluation to determine if he is mentally competent to understand court proceedings. Whalon was arraigned Thursday on a second-degree murder charge in the killing of Ralph Bell. Defense attorney Sandra Lee told The Burlington Free Press that Whalon entered his plea before the evaluation so that he gets credit for time served in prison. An evaluation is planned for August 29th.

Vermont's rabies bait drop will start next week to prevent the spread of the disease among wildlife. The fish-bait vaccine will be hand-placed in rural areas of 8 Vermont counties. An aerial bait drop will take place from planes sometime during the first week of September. Federal officials are trying to stop the spread of raccoon rabies into Canada. Officials say the baits are not harmful to children or pets if touched or eaten, but say the pellets should not be handled or disturbed. If one is found on a lawn or driveway, they say to remove it wearing a glove and to throw it away.

A new report says home sales in Maine were flat last month, while the other five New England states saw a decline from the previous month. The RE/MAX New England report says all six states have seen gains this year but saw declines in July. RE/MAX says that despite the one-month blip overall trends are up for the year. He says hot weather kept many buyers out of the market in July.

A new web site has been set up to provide Vermont tenants and landlords information about their rights and responsibilities. The site, at www.rentalcodes.org, provides guidance on the health and safety standards that existing residential rental housing in Vermont must meet.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is asking for the public's help in finding bats in Rutland County. Biologists want to know about bats living in attics, barns, churches, garages, bat houses, or other buildings as it gages the number of bat colonies remaining in Rutland County. They are particularly interested in learning about little brown bats, which have been devastated by white nose syndrome. The bat is now listed as endangered in Vermont. Biologists hope to monitor the population over time or move them to prevent them from being harmed. The department is asking the public to report bats by filling out a report on its web site or calling 802-782-0098.

New Hampshire public health officials say they'll conduct additional testing of Connecticut River water in the wake of the discovery of radioactive tritium in the river. Starting today, the state Division of Public Health Services will step up testing. The bureau chief for the public health agency, says that the Vermont Department of Health's tritium results finding doesn't necessarily create a risk of harm to the public, but that it's still concerning. She says New Hampshire has been testing for months and gotten no results above minimum detectable levels.

New Hampshire prosecutors have set up a reward fund for information in the suspicious death of an 11-year-old girl. The Attorney General's Office said Thursday $5,000 offered last month by an anonymous donor in northern New Hampshire has started up the fund. The reward will be offered for any information leading to the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in the death of Celina Cass of Stewartstown. The public has been calling in to donate money. It supplements a $25,000 reward offered by the FBI.

A member of the Ticonderoga Elks has been elected to head the national organization. David Carr of Crown Point was elected national president of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at its national convention in Phoenix. Carr took the oath of the highest office in the order on July 21st.

Lobster and chicken are the order of the weekend, as the 45th annual Lobsterfest is set to take place Labor Day weekend at the Westport Marina and Galley Restaurant. The Lobsterfest starts on Friday, September 2nd, and continues through Sunday, September 4th. There will be music on each night of the event, with the Blues Trio playing on Friday, Natalie Ward on Saturday and Damaged Goods on Sunday. For more information visit www.Westportmarina.com.

Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union has started its second annual school supplies drive for area children in need. The campaign asks the public to drop-off new school supplies at any TFCU branch or ATM site throughout August. Standard supplies such as notebooks, pencils and crayons are needed. Larger items such as backpacks, pencil boxes, binders and calculators are also in high demand. Visit TFCU's website, www.tfcunow.com or contact any branch for more information.

More than four decades after Woodstock became the most famous Music festival ever, the town of Moriah will host its own concert event. Moriahstock, billed as "a summer day of peace and Music," will be held at the Port Henry bandstand Saturday, August 27th, beginning at 1PM. Moriahstock is the first collaboration between the Moriah Community and Economic Development group, pH7 and the Moriah Chamber of Commerce.

With record demand for local food assistance, Central Vermont Public Service has announced a 22,000-item goal for the 2011 CVPS Fill the Cupboard Challenge. That is the highest goal ever for the annual food drive, which benefits the Rutland Community Cupboard. Businesses, clubs, schools, sports teams, churches and other organizations are encouraged to register for the challenge, then collect food donations between Sept. 6 and 23 and deliver them to the Rutland Community Cupboard. CVPS will donate 25 cents to the Community Cupboard for every item collected, up to a total of $5,000. The company will also donate $500 in the name of the group that collects the most food. Participants should pre-register for the challenge by calling Chris Adams at 747-5424.