WVTK Local & State News August 9, 2013

A teenager was hurt last night after she was hit by a car while crossing a street in Rutland.  Police there say the girl and two others were walking across North Main Street shortly before 10 p.m.  Officers say the pedestrians had all been drinking, and the driver stopped and waited for police after the accident.  The victim, whose name has not been released, had non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

Vermont state officials say they are continuing to investigate the possible misuse of a pesticide in the Rutland area by a pest control company.  The Agency of Agriculture has suspended the license of AAA Accredited Pest Control company last month.  The company is suspected of using a chemical to treat bugs that has been prohibited for indoor use since 2001.  The state has sent letters to 150 residences that were sprayed with various pesticides seeking to collect samples for testing. That’s in addition to the 61 homes already tested.  The Health Department says symptoms of exposure to the chemical include runny nose, tearing, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Long-term symptoms can include memory or sleep problems.

Colchester police are looking for a missing woman.  They say 43-year-old Rachel Johnson was last seen leaving her house at about 10:30 last night after threatening to hurt herself.  She left her cellphone and wallet behind.  Multiple departments are now searching for Johnson because they believe she needs urgent medical attention.  Police hope someone has seen her car.  She's driving a silver 2012 Nissan Altima with Vermont license plate FLM 558.  If you have seen her or her car, please call Colchester police

A Second Amendment rally is being held Plattsburgh, N.Y. Friday night.  This is in the wake of New York recently passing the Safe Act.  Citizens for the Constitution are hosting this Second Amendment rally.  They say they'll focus on what this law means for residents of New York and for those against the new law, they'll be talking about what can be done to protect second amendment rights.  The rally is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m at the U.S. Oval.

Preliminary ticket totals are trickling in a little more than a month after marijuana decriminalization took effect.  Possession of up to 1 ounce of pot is now punishable by a civil penalty similar to a speeding ticket. The law took effect July 1, and the Vermont Judicial Bureau reports they've received paperwork for 29 citations thus far.  Officers have a month after issuing the ticket to file, so the true figure is likely higher.  Data for tickets issued to individuals under 21 are not available, as those cases are sent directly to diversion programs.

Fletcher Allen Health Care has been given permission by Vermont health care regulators to spend $3.7 million to begin planning a new inpatient bed facility that would replace some hospital rooms that are 70 years old.  If constructed, the new building with up to 128 beds would take the hospital's oldest patient rooms out of use for acute patient care.