WVTK Local & State News January 19, 2012

Price Chopper Supermarkets is voluntarily recalling its 16 oz packages of Coyote Joe's Shredded Taco Cheese because the packages may contain small pieces of plastic. According to a press release sent out by the chain, the cheese was at its stores between the dates of January 4 and January 17. Prices Chopper has stores in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. People can return the cheese for a full refund. For more information, visit www.pricechopper.com.

The Addison County Chamber Of Commerce and the Ticonderoga Chamber will be hosting Mixers this evening. The first Addison County Chamber Mixer of 2012 will be held at Café Provence in Brandon from 5-7PM. For more information just visit www.addisoncounty.com. The Ti Chamber’s “After Business Mixer” will be held at Sugar Hill Manor Bed & Breakfast in Crown Point from 5:30 to 7PM. Get more info at www.ticonderogany.com.

A convicted embezzler from Addison County is back in trouble with the law. 65-year-old Susan Emilo spent nearly three years behind bars after admitting in 2003 that she stole $730,000 dollars from her employer, Lincoln Applied Geology. The Salisbury woman is now back in court because prosecutors say she hid a big asset: A vacation house in Florida. Emilo pleaded not guilty Wednesday to new charges. Authorities say she sold the home in 2009 but tried to cover up the sale.

Another driver was killed in a crash on a Vermont highway last night. It happened at about a quarter to five on northeast road in the town of Tinmouth. State police say 46-year-old Adam Delisle drove off the road and into a tree. The Danby man died shortly after being rushed to the hospital in Rutland. Police are still investigating exactly why Delisle drove off the road.

A Vermont-based business is crediting a foreign investor visa program for helping to make sure their jobs stay put in the Green Mountain State. Country Home Products based in Vergennes says the EB-5 investor visa program has allowed it to continue to be innovative and maintain 135 jobs in a tough economy. The program is designed to solicit investments of $500,000 or more from foreign partners to preserve or create jobs in the United States. At Country Home's DR Power Equipment plant in Winooski, the program has helped support its new log splitter assembly line. Country Home is the first manufacturer to benefit from EB-5 investors.

The former treasurer of the tiny Vermont town of Ira has been sentenced to more than two years in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $300,000. Sixty-year-old Donald Hewitt was sentenced to 27 months on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Brattleboro. The judge has ordered that Hewitt serve three years of supervised release when he gets out of prison.

The Rutland Board of Aldermen voted against buying police cars with Zamias money, but agreed to continue discussing how to fund the purchase. Money slated for the cars was diverted to purchase a truck for the Department of Public Works during the budget process. The Public Safety Committee voted 3-1 to recommend using $60,000 from the Zamias fund to pay for the cars, but the full board rejected that proposal 5-3 during its regular meeting Tuesday.

Town officials in Hinesburg are hoping to build a new fire, police and community park. Plans include a town green that could host musical performances, farmers' markets and other recreation. Voters will ultimately determine if the project will go through during a public bond vote on Town Meeting Day in March. The town estimates the project will cost around $2.9 million.

The A.E. Phelps Fire and Rescue in Crown Point held elections in December. In 2011 the Department responded to 270 calls for both fire and ambulance. It has a current membership of 45 people. The company is always looking for additional members for fire, EMS, fire police and auxiliary. To join contact any current member or come to the fire house on Main Street any Tuesday evening to get a membership application. All training will be provided when classes are available.

In coordination with Winter Fest 2012 the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce is promoting Ticonderoga area businesses that will offer at least a 10 percent discount the day of the event. The Ticonderoga Montcalm Street Partnership plans Winter Fest with support from the Ticonderoga Central School as well as area organizations and businesses. The free event will be held Saturday, February 11th from 11AM to 2PM at the Ticonderoga recreational fields, ice skating rink and surrounding areas. For more information on any of the businesses, the promotions, or Winter Fest contact the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce.

University of Vermont police are investigating the death of an unidentified man found frozen and wrapped in blankets in a wooded area. The UVM Police Chief says the death does not appear to be suspicious and that the man was not a university student. The Burlington Free Press reported that the body was found about 2:30PM Wednesday in an area known as Centennial Woods, which runs from Interstate 89 in south Burlington west to the main campus.

Vermont’s congressional delegation announced that Vermont will receive nearly $8.7 million for two flood relief programs integral to helping Vermont farmers and property owners recover from Tropical Storm Irene. Vermont will receive $6.3 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program and $2.3 million for the Emergency Conservation Program. Both programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Burlington police have made an arrest in a stabbing over the weekend. The incident happened near Big Daddy's Pizza on lower Church Street around 2:20AM Sunday. Detectives say the 28-year-old victim approached a patrol car for help shortly after the altercation took place. The victim suffered a stab wound. Late Tuesday night police arrested 22-year-old Glen Haskins of Hinesburg, on a charge of attempted murder. The victim is currently still in the hospital listed in serious but stable condition.

Here’s a reminder from police that with our wacky weather so far this winter, it's probably not safe to drive on the ice. Someone drove out on the frozen Waterbury Reservoir Tuesday night, and then fell through the ice. No one was hurt, but the pickup is underwater. The driver did not contact authorities until Wednesday. Vermont Fish and Wildlife tried to pull the truck out, but could not reach it. Police say that means the truck will likely be submerged until spring. Police say the truck's owner could face thousands in environmental fines for polluting the reservoir and possibly other environmental charges.

Bigger corporate income tax refunds, higher gas prices and a slow start to the winter tourism season are prompting small downgrades in state revenue projections for the rest of this fiscal year, as well as the next. Two economists who consult with Vermont told its Emergency Board yesterday that revenues for the first six months of the current fiscal year - July through December - were on target with the forecast they released in July. But economists Jeff Carr and Tom Kavet told state officials Wednesday they think revenues for the second half of the current fiscal year - meaning the next six months - will come in at about $1.8 million lower than had been projected last July.

AARP Vermont has launched a statewide campaign to recover $21 million owed to ratepayers of Rutland-based Central Vermont Public Service. The pro-liberal senior citizen advocacy group has formally intervened in the pending merger of Green Mountain Power and CVPS. AARP officials said they intervened in December and filed testimony with the Vermont Public Service Board. The board will consider the matter in the coming months. Officials have stressed that AARP does not oppose the merger itself, but only wants to ensure customers recover their funds from a decade ago.

Some state lawmakers and activists, including Ben & Jerry's cofounder Jerry Greenfield, have unveiled a resolution calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution overturning the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. That 5-4-ruling two years ago found that corporations have the same rights as individuals to make unlimited contributions to independent groups seeking to influence elections.

Vermont's lieutenant governor is sharing some good news he discovered in the ashes left from the fire that destroyed the construction business he co-owns. While cleaning up the debris at Dubois Construction in Middlesex, Phil Scott discovered a check for more than $12,000. The money was a donation from All Metals Recycling for the Vermont Community Foundation that supports Irene relief. The building and all the heavy equipment inside Scott's warehouse are gone. Scott and his employees tried to save critical files during the fire but conditions were too intense.

Beginning today through Sunday, the Dew Tour festival village opens at 9:30 a.m. at Bear Mountain in Killington. At 10:30AM today, top men compete in the free-ski super-pipe last chance qualifier and at 1:30PM, men hit the super-pipe for the snowboard last chance qualifier. On Friday at 11AM, women compete in the free-ski super-pipe semi-final and at 2PM, men compete in the snowboard super-pipe semi-final. For a complete listing of times and events, go to www.killington.com.

Ticonderoga Middle School technology students under the direction of teacher Jim Marshall have completed a community service project. Brittany Bruce and Rachel White have constructed additional equipment storage cubbies for the Ticonderoga Little League dugouts. Bruce’s father, Mike Bruce, provided the needed materials and dimensions for building the cubbies to match the existing storage currently in the dugouts.

The United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. will host its second annual “Dine United” event on Thursday, January 26th. The unique event invites restaurants throughout Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties to donate a percentage of one day’s gross sales to the United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. The event is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner at participating restaurants. For a complete list of restaurants and locations visit: www.unitedwayadk.org or contact the United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc.

Grants of up to $1,000 from the Honeybee Community Fund are available to assist small businesses, farmers, nonprofit organizations, environmental projects and the arts in Essex County. The organization now awards grants only once a year. You can request applications for the funding by emailing bzzwords@gmail.com. The deadline is April 10, with awards made in May.

Your Smart Phone may be causing you extra stress. We all know checking your smart phone is a great way to stay connected but a new study says that it also creates more stress in your life. A study published by The British Psychological Society says when you use the phone for work, the benefits of having work at your fingertips goes out the door with the pressure to stay on top of social media. The study also says if you have a smart phone, you are more likely to constantly check alerts and listen for beeps because you "just have to know" what the latest e-mail, text or status update says. According to the Mayo Clinic, long-term stress levels can put you at risk for things like heart disease, digestive problems and depression.