WVTK Local & State News December 21, 2011

According to VTRANS the anticipated re-opening of the Pulp Mill Bridge that connects Middlebury and Weybridge will be in November 2012. During repairs the footbridge will be open for the most part, except when necessary to close as part of the ongoing construction or for the purpose of public safety. The Bridge will close on Monday January 2, 2012.

Rutland gave the gift of life yesterday. Organizers of the 9th annual blood drive aimed to break a national record for most blood collected at one event. Manchester New Hampshire set the record earlier this year with 1,968 pints. Rutland's marathon had three donation locations this year to accommodate everyone. And in the end, they collected 18-hundred 48 pints of blood, just about 100 pints shy of the record.

Water and sewer rates are up slightly this year in Rutland. The water rate was set at $3.314 per 100 cubic feet, the sewer treatment rate at $3.871 and the sewer maintenance rate at $.935 for a combined total of $8.12, up about 1.5 percent, from last year. The board also raised the quarterly meter fee from $19.50 to $22.50. The department described an “average” family as using 2,400 cubic feet a quarter, giving them a quarterly water bill of $217.38

Vermont State Police are currently investigating the theft of approximately $1,800 U.K. Pounds (The equivalent of $2,814.00 U.S. Dollars) from a private residence in the Town of Bridport. The victim initially noted the money was missing on October 24th of this year but did not notify authorities until yesterday. The victim felt she might have misplaced the money, which had been hiding, in her residence. After having looked through her house thoroughly she realized she had not misplaced the money and it was most likely stolen. The case is active and Troopers are pursuing leads. Anyone with information is asked to contact VSP at the New Haven barracks. (1-802-388-4919)

Essex Vermont police are warning residents to look out for homemade bombs in their mailboxes. In two cases over the weekend household chemicals were placed in plastic bottles. The bottles were shaken to build up pressure. They eventually burst. No injuries were reported. But police say if there is something suspicious in your mailbox, don't touch it. Call them instead.

Vermont State police are warning about an Internet scam involving phony rental property. Police say the scammers take information about homes listed for sale on real estate websites and create their own phony listings, offering the properties for rent. Potential renters are asked to send first month rent and security payment via Western Union and are told the keys will be mailed to them.

The Good News Garage, the charity long known for turning donated cars into life-changing transportation for the needy is sending out thousands of notices this week that are going current and former donors notifying them they are now at some risk of identity theft. The news follows a burglary at the home of an employee on November 25th when a thief broke into a locked car stealing a backpack. The backpack contained a data tape encrypted with the names, addresses and -- in some cases -- social security numbers of Good News Garage donors dating back fifteen years. Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell called the case a concern, but no reason for panic.

Police will be conducting checkpoints and watching the roads for drunken drivers through the holiday season. Starting Friday and stretching through January 2nd, State Police and local police agencies said they planned to set up a number of checkpoints to look for impaired drivers and to conduct seat belt enforcement.

The Vermont Department of Labor says the state's unemployment rate dropped three-tenths of 1% last month to 5.3%. The rate is lower than the 5.8% rate in November 2010. It's dropped six-tenths of a percentage point over the past three months. Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan calls the number good news as one measure of Vermont's economic health. Noonan said that many Vermont businesses are hiring, particularly in manufacturing, computer and web design, engineering, retail, food services and hospitality.

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin has announced that two senior human services officials in his administration will be swapping jobs. Deputy Human Services Secretary Patrick Flood is being reassigned, as commissioner of mental health, while the person who had filled that job, Christine Oliver, will become the deputy secretary. Shumlin said that his recently announced long-term plan for replacement of the Vermont State Hospital and retooling the mental health system are projects for which Flood is ideally suited. Meanwhile, he says Oliver's extensive management and legal experience match well with the Agency of Human Services current needs.

IBM has given out more than $500,000 in grants to Vermont nonprofits organizations and schools. The grants have been awarded to more than 100 groups or schools around the state in recognition of employee volunteer work in 2011. IBM says 20 organizations including the Red Cross of Vermont & the New Hampshire Valley, Spectrum Youth and Family Services and the United Way of Chittenden County received $10,000 community impact grants.

Vermont will miss out on millions of dollars in federal money to support early education programs across the country. The federal government has denied the state's race to the top program application. That program awards money to states that make big education reforms. 35 states applied for $500 million in early education funding. Nine states will receive the grants ranging from $50 to $100 millions. Vermont may still be able to reapply for a second round of funding.

The Agency of Commerce and Community Development has named Dave Hakins as publisher of Vermont Life magazine. Hakins, who joined the magazine last spring as an advertising contractor, helped boost sales revenues in 2011 and oversaw several initiatives to increase the magazine’s visibility.

Vermont Law School has compiled its Top 10 Environmental Watch List, for the second year in a row. The list looks at significant decisions by courts, Congress and governmental agencies that will have a bearing on important environmental issues. The new list includes the disputed Keystone XL Pipeline, the Fukushima fallout and the EPA-White House clash over ozone standards.

Attorneys for the City of Burlington will be in federal court in February to try and stop key components of Burlington Telecom from being taken away. Burlington Telecom's lender, Citibank, filed a motion in federal court to force the city to immediately return leased equipment. In court documents, Citibank says the judge should agree because Citibank is likely to win at trial. Citibank claims the longer it has to wait the more money it will lose.

The town of Alburgh is losing its only bank. People's United Bank announced Tuesday it's closing the Alburgh branch after the New Year. For the bank, it's the third closure announced over the past two days. People's United says it's closing branches on Williston Road in South Burlington and also at the 5 Corners in Essex Junction. The bank won't say how many employees are affected, but those at closing branches can apply for other jobs within the company.

Victims of Tropical Storm Irene can now get some emotional support. The mental health association in Essex County, New York is offering counseling services for individuals, businesses and community groups hit by the storm. People in Essex and Clinton county can get help, free of charge. The program is funded by a grant from FEMA. If you have questions call the project coordinator at (518) 524-9616.

Schroon Lake will have a new holiday celebration this year. The Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce has dropped sponsorship of its annual Old Tyme Christmas celebration after 25 years. Instead, the chamber will hold First Night December 31st. The town has had a lot of requests for a First Night according to the chamber president. The family-oriented evening will include magic, music, dancing, children’s activities, food, a bonfire and fireworks. More information can be obtained by calling the Schroon Lake Chamber office. (532-7675)

Fort Ticonderoga honored Belva Blood at its staff Christmas party. More than 50 employees joined together in thanking Blood for her long-time service to Fort Ticonderoga. She began work at Fort Ticonderoga in 1975 working in the Log House Museum Store and admissions where she greeted visitors through the 2010 summer season. Belva was fondly recognized by her colleagues as holding the record of highest sales in the shortest time in Museum Store.