WVTK Local & State News November 22, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

Officials are reminding Vermonters hit hard by flooding from Irene that crisis counseling is available to help them cope with the stress. The program called Starting Over Strong-Vermont, or SOS, provides short-term support for people, groups and communities affected by the flooding. The free services are available by calling toll-free 855-SOS-VT00 or 855-767-8800.

Vermont farmers affected by Irene can apply for a new round of disaster aid grants. In its first three rounds, the Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund awarded 122 farmers affected by Irene grants in excess of $600,000. As of Nov. 21, over $2 million was received or pledged to the fund. Applications will be accepted for the current grant round until Dec. 2. Checks will be distributed to selected farmers by the end of the year. They can be found online at www.vtfloodresponse.org.

Rutland Police say an armed robber made off with an undisclosed amount of money from the Tenney Brook Market in Rutland Monday night. Employees told police a white man who was about 5'6" and wearing a black baseball cap and sweatshirt with a red bandana over his face, came into the store shortly after 9:15PM Monday, pointed a handgun in their faces, took the cash and walked away. Police say the investigation is ongoing.

This holiday season the Henry Sheldon Museum will present “A Child’s Delight,” an exhibit featuring antique toys and games, historic photographs and holiday decorations throughout the historic 1829 Judd-Harris House. The exhibit opens on December 3rd and runs through January 14th. A highlight of the exhibit is the Midd-Vermont Train Club’s elaborate electric train layout.

It’s a Very Merry Middlebury! Every year in December, it’s a special time in downtown Middlebury. This year is filled with seasonal family activities at a variety of locations including the Middlebury Community House, Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, Vermont Folklife Center, and Middlebury College's Mahaney Center for the Arts and Mead Chapel. On the three Saturdays before Christmas Day Santa will be in Middlebury from 10AM to Noon at a variety of locations. Beginning this weekend and continuing each weekend through Christmas WVTK will presents Very Merry Middlebury Weekends playing Continuous Christmas Favorites! The first one gets underway this Black Friday at 6AM!

The North Country Christmas is growing. Sponsored by the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce, the North Country Christmas will be a week of holiday-related events in the community. In its second year in 2011, the event has expanded. North Country Christmas will be held November 28 through December 4. The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway Holiday Train will again kick off the week. The decorated train is scheduled to stop at the Ticonderoga train station at 3:50 p.m. and at the Port Henry train station at 5:35PM on Monday the 28th. For more info just visit http://www.ticonderogany.com.

Hailey White is the winner of the 26th annual Crown Point Junior Miss program, now known as Distinguished Young Women. The theme for the program was “Sailing on the 2012 Distinguished Young Women of Crown Point Evening Cruise.” The program featured seven competitors. White was chosen 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Crown Point and received the scholastic award. With the generous support of individuals and local businesses the program is able to give away more than $3,000 in college scholarships.

Vermont State Police have arrested an 86-year-old man on a charge that he illegally drove his tractor on a public highway with a suspended license and ran into a police cruiser. Police said Jon Simon of West Danville was driving the tractor on Danville Peacham Road in Peacham, even though he was going against police orders. He ran into the cruiser that was parked on a nearby road at about 5:30PM Monday. Simon was arrested on a charge of negligent operation.

Prosecutors have decided to file a lesser charge against a Vermont man originally charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting. Raymond King has now been charged with aggravated assault and drug possession following a shooting in Burlington on Friday. Prosecutor T.J. Donovan told the Burlington Free Press he doesn't think at this stage the evidence supported intent to kill.

One Vermont utility will not be raising rates this winter. Vermont Electric Cooperative in Johnson says it has seen higher revenues due to increased electricity use. The utility also credits better power purchase deals, reduced costs due to improved automated meters and better financial stability from an upgraded credit rating. The state's two largest utilities have recently asked state regulators to approve rate hikes.

The Chittenden County Transportation Authority has been granted federal funds to buy bigger buses. The CCTA tells the Burlington Free Press they will use the $3.36 million to buy six new 45-foot-long buses for the LINK express commuter routes, allowing more Vermonters to take advantage of their services, and for improving passenger shelters, solar lights and bike parking. CCTA officials report the LINK express commuter routes have seen a 50 percent increase in ridership over the last 5 years.