WVTK Local & State News April 28, 2014

There is an informational meeting tomorrow night on the Addison/Rutland Natural Gas Project. The meeting will take place at 7 PM at the Middlebury Municipal Gym. The focus of this meeting is to provide Middlebury landowners along the proposed route of the pipeline, as well as Middlebury residents, an opportunity to hear updated information, ask questions, express concerns and share any input they may have about the project with the Middlebury Selectboard.

Schools in Vergennes have picked up a new source of funding to continue and enhance the after school programs. The Vermont Department of Education has awarded Vergennes Union Elementary and High Schools a five-year, $767,426 grant. The afterschool program should begin this fall, while the VUHS efforts should remain on track. By 2015, the VUES after school programs will be offering a number of activities along with mentoring from VUHS middle school students.

Although it should be over, Flu Season continues here in the Northeast. According to the CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Flu Season usually starts in December, peaks in January, and ends in the beginning of spring. Officials say it looks there is a second wave hitting our area right now. The flu strain responsible for the latest outbreak is influenza B. Health officials add that anyone who was vaccinated during the 2013-2014 season should be protected.

The Vermont Telecommunications Authority has announced plans to extend cellular phone service along hundreds of miles of Vermont roads. The plans include two projects. Both involve installing small units on utility poles to provide cell coverage along roadways. The projects are scheduled to be completed next year.

There's still two ski areas open for business in Vermont. Skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes on Jay Peak or Killington. However, Sunday marked the end of the 2013-2014 ski season at Sugarbush, and Whiteface is now closed as well.