WVTK Local & State News November 23, 2011

VTrans crews didn’t waste any time getting ready for today’s storm. Yesterday morning, workers hooked up plows and topped off tanks of salt brine. They also coated about 40 miles of Interstate 89 and parts of Route 2 with a pretreatment that keeps snow from sticking roads. The agency has been experimenting with the mixture but it's the first time its been rolled out on a larger scale.

People who are flying out of Burlington for Thanksgiving travel plans shouldn't expect delays. Richard Varney, Operations Director at Burlington Airport, says today’s snow storm should not affect travel plans through the air. He says crews were prepared to clear all the runways of snow during the overnight hours and only anticipates delays if the location people are flying to has poor weather.

As vehicles travel Vermont roadways this Thanksgiving they can expect to see local police and sheriffs’ departments working collaboratively with the Vermont State Police Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) reminding drivers to drive safely, which includes making sure all drivers and their passengers are buckled up. As National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research has shown that when lap and shoulder belts are used properly, the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent. Vermont has had “Zero Deaths” for the last three Thanksgiving holidays and they want to continue having a tragedy free holiday season.

Rutland police are looking for a man who reportedly used a handgun to rob a convenience store on North Main Street on Monday night. A clerk at the Tenney Brook Mobil gas station told police that at about 9:15PM Monday, a man with a red bandana over his face and a gun in his hand entered the store and demanded an undisclosed amount of cash from the register. No one was injured during the robbery. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call city police. (802-773-1816)

Vermont State Police are currently investigating the report of a Burglary at the Foote Farm Mansion on Route 125 in The Town of Cornwall. The Foote Farm Mansion is a historical home built in 1890. James Apgar has been remodeling the historic residence over the last 7 years. Sometime between November 2nd and November 22nd someone forced entry into the uninhabited home and stole copper from the basement. In the process of stealing the copper a water pump-pressure tank was damaged and the basement flooded. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Haven Barracks. (1-802-388-4919)

The state's congressional delegation says Vermont will get $15 million in federal emergency transportation funds to help rebuild roads and bridges damaged by Tropical Storm Irene. The Federal Highway Administration grant includes $14 million for post-Irene road repairs, and $1 million for fixes to roads damaged by spring flooding. Last week President Obama signed legislation that included emergency funding for Vermont and other states recovering from natural disasters.

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.

A Vermont woman is facing charges she let a 14-year-old child drive a car on the interstate because she had a migraine headache. Kati Billings of Essex was cited yesterday after a state trooper stopped a car on Interstate 89 in South Burlington.

As towns struggle to pay mounting repair bills caused by Tropical Storm Irene, state lawmakers are stepping in to help. The state treasurer, Beth Pearce, says cities, which would normally not get state highway monies until January, are getting advances this week on six-point-four-million dollars. Local schools will also be getting funding two weeks ahead of schedule. The state treasurer calls it a "very unique situation."

Church Street Marketplace hopes the idea of valet parking will help alleviate parking problems and businesses on Church Street hope it will be a success. Valet parking will be offered on Fridays and Saturdays from noon till ten PM ending on Christmas Eve. Cars will be parked in spaces normally reserved for downtown businesses. Space downtown is tight but local property owners have given up spots to be used for the valet test project. It will cost $8.00. Church Street Marketplace is hoping that when the test period ends on Christmas Eve, a private company will continue to provide the valet service.

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.

Vermont police say an armed man held up People's United Bank on Dorset Street in South Burlington yesterday afternoon. No one was hurt. Police say the man, who was photographed by a bank security camera, held a revolver while he demanded cash from a teller. He then fled with an undisclosed amount of money. Police say a grey Saturn was seen leaving the bank headed north on Dorset Street a short time later. The suspect was wearing a two-tone blue jacket, black derby hat, sunglasses and carrying a blue bag during the robbery. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call South Burlington police.

Employees of Essex County who live elsewhere without permission could soon be without jobs. In light of possible upcoming layoffs the County Board of Supervisors Personnel and Administration Committee directed County Personnel Officer Monica Feeley to investigate reports of non-residents working for the County. Feeley said some may have waivers, but others are required by law to live in Essex County and don't.

The Crown Point Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to spring. The group will meet Tuesday, December 6th at 6:30PM at the Knapp Senior Center to make plans for the spring and discuss other business. “The focus of the meeting will be coming up with a community project for the spring. The meeting will include a potluck dinner. Frenchman’s Restaurant will provide a ham for the meal. Door prizes will be given away. Those attending are also asked to consider bringing canned goods or unwrapped toys that will be donated to area needy families.

The Town of Schroon brought its 2012 budget in under the state's 2 percent tax cap. Schroon Supervisor Cathy Moses said the budget initially came in $60,000 over the cap, so they had to start making cuts. The increases were in areas such as the town's State Retirement Fund share and worker health insurance.

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 www.ticonderogany.com.

The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce is challenging residents and businesses in this year’s Holiday Lighting Contest. Santa’s sleds, reindeers, wreaths and more are welcome and don’t forget the lights. Judging will take place after December 2nd. In order to be judged, residential displays must be registered with the chamber. To register call 802-247-6401 or email info@brandon.org with Holiday Decorations in the subject line.