WVTK Local & State News November 3, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

Police have arrested 2 people that they believe are part of a number of robberies including the Citizen’s Bank in Poultney yesterday afternoon. Just after 3 PM yesterday afternoon, a woman walked into the Citizen’s Bank with a note saying she had a weapon and wanted money. Police caught her and a male accomplice a short time later in Castleton. Authorities believe the 2 have robbed 4 other banks recently including one in West Rutland and another in Rutland Town.

Gov. Peter Shumlin says he's open to having a conversation about banning teacher strikes in Vermont, but is stopping short of endorsing a proposal to do so. Shumlin told a news conference yesterday that he is very willing to consider a proposal by the Education Commissioner to ban teacher strikes, as well as contracts being imposed by school boards. The comments from the commissioner and the governor follow the conclusion of a 9-day strike by teachers serving the Bennington area, who were opposing a contract imposed by the region's school boards.

The cost of road repair after Irene is less than half the original estimate. New estimates put the price tag between 175 and 250 million dollars for state roads. Work crews say closing the roads and easing the permitting process helped cut the work time in half. Officials are now studying the efficiency of road repairs and say Vermonters may see more road closures in the future to save money and time.

After nearly two decades on the road, Moriah’s town board meetings will return home in 2012. The meetings will be held at the newly expanded and renovated court building, adjacent to the town hall at Park Place in Port Henry . Champlain Valley Tech students recently finished construction of an 864-square-foot addition to the Moriah court, helping the town meet a state mandate and giving the community an updated structure.

Addison County Transit Resources will build a new center on a vacant lot on Creek Road, across from the MUHS playing fields and adjacent to the VTrans highway shed. Officials say the plan is to break ground in spring of 2012 and move in just in time to celebrate their 20th anniversary in November. Vermont architect Black River Design of Montpelier is responsible for the center’s concept.

The Port Henry Fire Department Auxiliary is now taking applications for its fourth-annual Toy Drive. To apply for assistance this year for children up to 18 years old, call one of the auxiliary members for an application. The deadline for the program is December 1st.