WVTK Local & State News October 31, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

Vermont officials are expected to update damage estimates from Tropical Storm Irene today. Governor Peter Shumlin and administration officials are holding a briefing this afternoon. Some estimates say Vermont suffered $1 billion in damage from Irene flooding to roads, bridges and homes.

The Rutland Halloween Parade will take place tonight. The annual event was scheduled for Saturday Night but was postponed due to the snowstorm. The parade includes floats, bands and marchers ... all in costume. This year’s parade will also include fireworks at the end of the event.

A lost hiker was found safe over the weekend in Pownal. A man known to his family as “Yeti,” who aspired to hike the Long Trail in the snow, was hiking a section of the trail in Pownal during the snowstorm on Saturday when he became lost. Family members called police Sunday morning after 21-year-old Steven Raymond failed to report in. About 8-inches of snow fell in that area. Police were able to contact Raymond on his cell phone and talk him out of the woods to safety.

The leader of a drug ring that sold more than 50 kilograms of cocaine and 2,000 pounds of marijuana and other drugs in the Rutland region over a three-year period was sentenced Thursday to almost 17 years in prison. 27-year-old Orlando Brooker was among 24 individuals from 3 states -- mostly from the Rutland region and Schenectady, N.Y. -- who were arrested by state and federal agents in 2009.

According to the U.S. State’s Attorney Office, the state of Vermont collected almost $6 million in criminal and civil fines last year. Almost $4 million came from civil judgements, most from health care fraud cases. Another $830,000 was collected from criminal fines, special assessments and restitutions. Assets forfeited to the federal government totaled nearly $1.5 million dollars.

The union representing striking teachers in southwest Vermont says it plans to meet with the school boards again to try to end the strike. The union says a meeting is planned for today to consider teachers' latest offer. The two sides did not meet on Friday, after negotiating throughout last week. School in the Southwest Supervisory Union has been canceled during the strike, which is in its 9th day.

Bruce and Hobbes would like to thank YOU for your support of the Addison County’s Humane Society’s “Homeward Bound” Campaign during “Ca$h For Paws” last week. With your generous support the Humane Society has an additional $11,250.00 to go towards the expansion of the Boardman Street Shelter. You can still help them out and learn more about this wonderful project by visiting AddisonHumane.org! By the way, HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY to Hobbes today!