The U.S. Department of Labor and Vergennes officials confirmed last week that the current firm now operating Northlands Job Corps has been granted an additional three months to run the federally funded job-training center for disadvantaged youth. The Department Of Labor, which oversees the nation’s roughly 120 Job Corps centers, had announced back in March that it would terminate Northlands contract, effective December 31st.
The Rutland Town Selectboard has passed an ordinance restricting the activities of panhandlers. Unless someone files a petition for a public vote, the new ordinance will go into effect on February 2. The ordinance prohibits soliciting anyone waiting in line, in a parking lot or within 15 feet of a building entrance, public toilet, ATM, bus stop, handicapped parking space, pay phone, public information booth, financial institution or check cashing business.
Police in Burlington are investigating an attempted robbery last night. Investigators say a short, stocky white man wearing a mask told the clerk at Dot's on Archibald Street that he had a weapon and demanded cash; although a weapon was never shown. The clerk hit the panic button and the suspect took off. Police think this may be the same person who held up the Willard Street Market on Christmas Eve.
A woman charged with second-degree murder was tearful throughout her arraignment yesterday as she entered a plea of not guilty. Anne-Marie Whiteway of Bradford is accused of shooting her estranged boyfriend, Dale Rock. Prosecutors say she was angry he had recently broken up with her in order to be with her sister-in-law. The shooting happened Christmas night at Rock's apartment in Newbury.
City Councilors in Burlington are considering a ban within city limits of semi-automatic weapons. Vermont law prevents cities from passing any gun limiting ordinances, but Burlington Councilor Norm Blais says the city could ban semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines through a charter change. However, the city council, residents and state lawmakers would have to sign off on it. In order to put it on the March ballot, the city needs to act on the proposal by its January seventh meeting.
The Vermont Foodbank plans to expand. The organization is in the process of finalizing a deal to partner with the Vermont Farmers Food Center Rutland . The plan calls for a new, 4,000-square-foot distribution center. It would be built next to the Winter Farmers Market. The Foodbank hopes to have a lease signed by early next month. The goal is to then begin construction and have a new space open by the summer.
