WVTK Local & State News July 30, 2013

Vermont’s new Healthcare Exchange could also be the place to go to register to vote.  Secretary of State Jim Condos announced yesterday that the state’s health insurance marketplace, scheduled to be functional by October, will double as a “voter registration agency.”  Condos says, “A significant portion of those not registered are under 18 years of age.  However, there are still eligible potential voters to be registered.”  New York and California are the only two other states to take the same step. 

A physical education teacher from Ridgewood, New Jersey will be the principal of Shoreham Elementary School next year.  Shoreham school officials offered James Ross the job after interviewing him and another finalist.  His hiring became official last Thursday after Addison Central Supervisory Union Administrators confirmed that he has accepted the position.

Vermont State Police arrest a New Haven man on possession of crack cocaine.  During a traffic stop for a minor motor vehicle violation yesterday, 27-year Jose Rodriguez was found to be in possession of crack cocaine and heroin.  Rodriguez was taken into custody and is being held for lack of bail. 

The body of a Vermont man missing for three days has been recovered from Lake Champlain.  New York State Police divers located the body of 39-year-old Michael Mindell of Shelburne.  The remains were found last night just off shore near Westport.  Mindell was boating with friends on Saturday when they stopped at the cliffs to do some swimming, only Mindell decided to climb the cliffs and dive in.  He never resurfaced, and crews had been searching ever since.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is helping to crackdown on child abuse. He signed Jay-J's law, which will toughen penalties for anyone convicted of child abuse.  The law increases the look-back period for assault on children younger than 11 years from 3 to 10 years.  As of now, intentionally causing harm to a child under 11 is a misdemeanor that can result in a year in prison. Now that charge can be elevated to a felony if the abuser has a prior conviction for the same crime. That comes with a maximum four year sentence.

Residents in Brandon are looking at a tax increase.  Town officials recently approved tax rates for the fiscal year that started July 1.  The new residential tax rate, which includes the municipal and state homestead education rates is $2.22, which is an increase from $2.02 in fiscal year 2012-2013.  This translates to a tax bill of $2,110 per $100,000 of assessed property value.  The new non-residential tax rate is $2.19, which is an increase from $2.13.  Property tax payments are due August 15, November 15, February 15 and May 15.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife wants your help in finding out how many wild turkey broods are out there.  An online survey begins on Thursday, August first on the department’s website.  People can report the numbers of adult males, adult females and young turkeys, as well as the date, time and location where they saw the birds.  This is the seventh annual online Vermont Turkey Brood Survey, and it helps with setting turkey seasons and harvest limits used for managing the state’s turkey population.