The Vermont Senate passed a campaign finance bill today. The
bill passed by a 20-8 vote. The Vermont House passed the bill last week by a
124-15 vote. The compromised bill that came out of conference committee would
raise the donation limits for statewide candidates to $4,000. It would lower
the limits for local elections, $1,500 for Senate candidates and $1,000 for
House candidates. Vermont hasn’t
had a campaign finance law since 2006.
Some people in New York
got quite the shock this past week when they opened their electric bill. Some
National Grid customers say it doubled. The
company is blaming the increase on colder temperatures in November and December
and higher supply costs. The average wholesale market price for electricity
went up 53% over the past few months. A company like National Grid, which
purchases power and doesn't generate it, passes that increase directly on to
the customer.
Vermont State Police are looking for a white pickup truck
that may have hit a man found on a road in the village
of Rochester Rochester
was struck a little after 9 a.m. yesterday
on Route 100. Police confirmed he was struck by a white vehicle. He was taken
to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical
Center New
Hampshire , where he passed away. Police said a
witness saw a white pickup truck traveling north on Route 100 after hearing a
collision.
The Rutland
police department is restructuring after years of scandal. Special Agent David Covell, formerly of the
State Police, came in to serve as senior policy adviser. He will help develop best practices. The department will also work with a facilitator
to get more feedback on how the process is going.
A former Rutland
city attorney charged in a fatal hit-and-run was back in court this morning.
53-year-old Christopher Sullivan is preparing to stand trial on charges of DUI
with death resulting and leaving the scene of a fatal accident for the death of
71-year-old Mary Jane Outslay of Mendon, last April. The defense requested a change of venue due
to the publicity of the case. The court
gave lawyers until the end of the month to file related motions on whether the
case should be moved.
The American Red Cross released a new first aid app that
helps dog and cat owners provide emergency care until veterinary assistance is
available. A press release says the app, costing $0.99, provides information to
help maintain their pets health and what do in emergency situations. The Pet
First Aid App provides step-by-step instructions, videos and images for more
than 25 common first aid and emergency situations including how to treat
wounds, control bleeding, and care for breathing and cardiac emergencies. The
Pet First Aid App and other Red Cross apps can be found in the Apple App Store
and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross or by
going to redcross.org/mobileapps.
