WVTK Local & State News October 12, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

What’s the price tag for fixing all of Vermont’s Roads and Bridges after Tropical Storm Irene ... well lawmakers in Montpelier are discussing that today. The House and Senate transportation committees are gathering at the Statehouse for a progress report. Lawmakers will also learn whether or not there is federal funding to help pay for the repairs.

The 1820 Pulp Mill Covered Bridge will get a major facelift next summer. Middlebury and Weybridge town officials say the wooden bridge will be completely repaired, including fixing 19th-century design errors. The construction project will cost $2.6 million. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Vermont State Police are currently investigating the report of a Burglary at a residence off of Route 116 in Starksboro. According to reports, someone entered the residence and stole various items. Anyone with information is asked to contact Vermont State Police at the New Haven Barracks.

Talks between Governor Andrew Cuomo and a state workers' union to avoid 3,500 layoffs are continuing. Both sides say they're trying to make a tentative contract deal. The goal is to provide Cuomo the savings he's budgeted and avoid statewide layoffs in the Public Employees Federation union. Time is dwindling. The layoff notices have already been sent.

27 Police Agencies across Vermont will be getting more Bulletproof Vests thanks to a $66,000 grant from the Department of Justice's Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program. The grants pay at least 50 percent of the costs of the vests which means the grants will help buy over 320 vests.

Police in Burlington are looking for the person responsible for a series of gunshots last night in the Old North End ... in fact, they are offering a reward for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction. According to reports, the shots look near the intersection of Peru and Johnson streets just before 10:30 last night. No injuries have been reported.

This Friday is the last date for the 2011 season of the Middlebury Arts Walk. For the last 6 months Arts Walk has enlivened downtown Middlebury on the second Friday of the month from 5 to 7PM by bringing new artists to town, as well as old favorites. For more information and a walking map just visit MiddleburyArtsWalk.com.