WVTK Local & State News December 7, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

A burst of snow during the overnight hours will bring heavy accumulations by tomorrow morning in our southernmost areas. 6-12 inches of snow, or more, is possible by Thursday morning for Bennington and western Windham counties. 3-6 inches of snow can be expected in our central and eastern counties, as well as much of NH. The northern Champlain Valley will be getting 1-3 inches, and northern NY just a dusting to 2 inches.

Republican Vermont State Sen. Randy Brock announced he is running for governor. Brock made the announcement this afternoon. Former Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas was at the press conference to show support for Brock. The 68-year-old Brock, of Swanton, represents Franklin County in the state Senate. He also served as Vermont state auditor.

Vermont Democrats announced the launch of a newly redesigned website, which uses the same web address as the previous site; www.vtdemocrats.org. The site features technological and aesthetic improvements, making it both easier and more appealing to use. The improvements include links to information on voter registration and obtaining an absentee ballot, platform pages detailing Vermont Democrats’ stance on the issues, the latest news from the party’s Twitter feed and more.

The Addison County Chamber Of Commerce After Hours Business Mixer and the Ticonderoga Chamber’s Mixer will both take place next Thursday, December 15th. Addison County’s will be held at the Waybury inn in East Middlebury from 5 – 7PM. The entry fee is a donation to the Addison County Humane Society. Meanwhile The Ticonderoga Historical Society and Ticonderoga Arts will co-host their event 5:30 to 7PM. Appetizers, soft drinks and beverages will be served upstairs in the library and desserts will be served downstairs in the gallery.

A Hinesburg man charged with second-degree murder in a fatal drunken driving crash in Burlington wants statements he made to police blocked from his trial. He says he wasn't read his rights. Timothy Dowd allegedly slammed into a car during a police chase. The crash last December killed Kaye Borneman.

There are safety concerns with the new Cheney Mountain Trail in Moriah. The new recreation trail opened last month. It starts by the town’s former landfill and follows an old logging road to the summit of Cheney Mountain. However the problem is hunting. Moriah allows hunting on town property. Adjacent landowners also allow hunting on their property. The supervisor said he would recommend to the town board that the Cheney Mountain Trail be closed during deer hunting season, from mid-October to the first week of December.

Three New England senators are pushing a bill to prevent deep spending cuts in the federal home heating assistance program that they say could hurt the poor and elderly this winter. Maine's Olympia Snowe, Vermont's Bernie Sanders and Rhode Island's Jack Reed said Wednesday said they want $4.7 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the same amount provided by the government to states last winter. President Barack Obama has proposed cutting the program to about $2.5 billion this winter. The House is considering $3.4 billion for fuel assistance while the Senate weighs a $3.6 billion proposal.

This winter, the U.S. Supreme Court will review the constitutionality of President Obama's health care plan. Vermont officials say Governor Peter Shumlin's efforts to implement a single payer system in the state could hinge on how the Court rules. According to Cheryl Hanna a constitutional law professor at Vermont Law School, if the Court were to strike down either part or all of the health care legislation it could really have significant consequences for the state of Vermont in its desire to move forward with single payer health care.

The Vermont Human Rights Commission has joined a lawsuit alleging a Lyndonville inn refused to host a lesbian couple's wedding reception. The Caledonian-Record reports a judge approved the commission entry into the case. The couple says the inn turned them away after being told their wedding would have two brides.

A Colchester man was taken into custody after police say he held a disabled woman hostage in his home and was armed with a rifle. Police evacuated a family next door and removed the woman through a window. Randy Myott was arrested about 90 minutes later.

Since its inception in 1984, the Middlebury Congregational Church's annual grand Christmas season “Messiah Sing” performance attracts hundreds of singers and players from throughout Addison County and the greater Champlain Valley region. The community music-making at the Middlebury Congregational Church will begin at 2PM on Sunday, December 18th. Singers, instrumentalists and all who enjoy music are welcome to sing and play. A $5 contribution ($10per family) is requested at the door.

The Vermont-based folk trio Bread And Bones 2008 album, I Know Stories, was a big hit in folk circles: It won accolades from reviewers and the honor of Vermont’s Best Traditional Album for that year by the Times Argus. The band is out with a new album, which is titled Could Have Been A Dream. You are invited to check out one of their upcoming shows: Thursday, December 15th at 8PM at 51 Main here in Middlebury and on Saturday, December 17th at 8PM at Bread and Butter Farm in Burlington. Check them out online, click HERE!