WVTK Local & State News November 14, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

Police say a beer tank at Otter Creek Brewing exploded around 10 AM this morning. No one was hurt in the explosion. Authorities say a large fermenting tank blew, damaging piping and knocked over two or three other tanks. There was no fire and the beer that spilled was mostly contained within the building. The building was deemed safe before employees were allowed to return to work. The incident remains under investigation.

Three people are dead after a fiery crash on Route 4 in Fair Haven early this morning. Police say a car heading east went off the road, overturned, and burst into flames after midnight. The driver and another passenger died at the scene. Their names have not been released. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Town residents in Brandon are brainstorming ways to move forward following the August storm that took out a portion of Route 7 and devastated several roads and homes in Brandon. At a public forum sponsored by the Brandon Downtown Alliance at the Brandon Congregational Church this week, more than 40 town residents listened to a panel of local officials and concerned residents on ways the town can move forward to revitalize Brandon’s downtown community after the storm.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is reminding Vermonters hurt by Tropical Storm Irene that the deadline for applying for federal assistance is looming. Homeowners, renters and business owners have until tomorrow to apply for aid. According to FEMA so far nearly 7,000 individuals and businesses have applied for aid and about $43 million in disaster assistance has been distributed in grants and low-interest loans.

Students studying forensic science at Champlain College are about as close to the real world as possible. The college dedicated its new Patrick Leahy Center for Digital Investigation this morning, known as the LCDI. The state-of-the-art lab is a fully equipped, secure facility that gives students, professionals and law enforcement professionals the latest tools to unlock computer crime.

You may not be able to see it, but two weeks ago, workers completed installation of a high-tech, fiber-optic cable on the new Lake Champlain Bridge. This new line will eventually provide broadband access to schools, homes and business; it will also increase data capacity for local telephone companies and wireless carriers.

Vermont transportation officials want to hear from residents about the future of public transit systems ranging from buses and trains to ride-share programs. The first meeting is set for tonight in Winooski. A second will be held on Wednesday at Vermont Interactive Television sites around the state. The third meeting is scheduled for Thursday in Rutland.