WVTK Local & State News October 11, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

Even though there has been a lot and repairs done since Tropical Storm Irene rippe3d through the area, Governor Peter Shumlin is calling on all Vermonters to help clean-up. Shumlin has declared Saturday, October 22 as Irene Clean-Up Day in Vermont. He’s hoping that Vermonters will help clean-up just like Green-Up Day.

According to recently released 2010 U.S. Census data, 15 Addison County towns grew while the other eight saw a reduction in residents. Middlebury, Monkton, Leicester, Ferrisburgh and Bristol saw the greatest increase in numbers in terms of overall population. Meanwhile Goshen saw the biggest drop in population. The numbers also show that the population on the whole is getting older. Addison County’s median age rose overall by more than five years.

A man from Ticonderoga is facing charges after he allegedly stabbed another man. According to reports, 23-year-old Michael Sharpe was leaving Shooter's bar just before 4 AM Saturday when he allegedly got into a fight with 22-year-old Richard Ruger and stabbed him in the groin. Ruger was rushed to the hospital and had to undergo surgery. Sharpe is now facing charges of second degree assault.

Habitat For Humanity Addison County is starting a new project in Cornwall on a 13-acre rural lot on DeLong Road. They plan to build four new homes that will occupy a total of four acres of the parcel and the remainder will be a conserved rural area. Habitat said they are currently looking for four families who qualify for the program.

Vermonters are being given more time to comment on a new energy plan drafted by the Department of Public Service. Yesterday was the original deadline for residents to comment on a plan for the state to get 90% of its energy from renewable sources by 2050. DPS Commissioner Elizabeth Miller said she decided to extend the deadline for comments to November 4th.

Eliminating five jobs kept Ticonderoga's tentative budget within the state's 2-percent tax cap. The layoffs include a police officer and one worker each from the Highway Department, Wastewater Treatment Plant, solid-waste transfer station and building-and-grounds crew. The job cuts save more than $250,000, and along with $80,000 in reductions to the town's youth and summer programs and department budgets, enabled the town to hold its portion of the proposed 2011 budget to a 2-percent property-tax increase.