WVTK Local & State News September 26, 2013

A new type of flu vaccine will keep you better protected this year.  For years, the vaccine has targeted three different flu virus.  This new vaccine protects against four.  You can still get the standard shot, in fact, most of the vaccine offered this year will be the original.  You should talk to your doctor about the best options for you and your family.

A passenger riding in a cement truck is dead after a crash in the town of Hancock.  State Police say the truck, loaded with concrete was headed down Route 125 yesterday and went out of control on a curve, overturned and went off the road, knocking down several trees.  A passenger, 45-year-old Michael Thompson of Bristol died at the scene while the driver, Jason Barton who is 35 and from Winooski, was taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with serious injuries.  The highway was closed for more than seven hours during the investigation.

A 39-year-old Vermont woman has denied involvement in a mugging in Rutland.  Jennifer R. Griffin pleaded innocent to a felony charge of assault and robbery with injury in connection with the incident on the afternoon of September 11.  If convicted, she could face one to 20 years in prison.  The victim reported that a man jumped on her back, knocking her to the ground, while Griffin took her purse containing more than $100 in cash and other items.

The Vermont Education Agency said students across the state are showing progress in meeting science literacy goals, but work remains to be done.  The science tests using the New England Common Assessment Program Testing were conducted this spring on students in grades 4, 8, and 11.  The test is designed to check students’ skills and knowledge that combines factual information from biological, physical, and earth and space science with other thinking abilities.  The results found that 47 percent of Vermont fourth-graders scored as proficient or higher in science, down 6 percentage points from last year.  In Grade 8, 32 percent were proficient or higher, up 2 percentage points from 2012. In Grade 11, 31 percent were proficient or higher, down 2 percentage points.

An Addison man is now charged with stealing from 52 different people from throughout Addison County.  37-year-old Raymond Ritchie was arraigned on six new counts of burglary and possession of stolen property yesterday.  The charges were added to those already filed against him last month, including three counts of unlawful trespass and cultivation of marijuana.  Authorities say the items were stolen over the last three years.  Ritchie is being held without bail.