Work on Castleton-West Rutland Route 4A Area Improvement Project Continues this week. Milling will be done on Route 4A from Castleton heading west to West Rutland. Drainage structures will be added on Route 30 as well as Route 4A and excavation of ditches will take place on 4A From Castleton to West Rutland. Work will also begin at the railroad crossing on Castleton State Highway as well. For your safety and the safety of the construction workers please abide by the signs, watch for flaggers and drive at appropriate construction zone speeds.
You are invited to join the Addison County Chamber of Commerce this Wednesday for a presentation on "Federal and State Health Care Reform: Major Changes and Impacts Coming Soon for Employers and Employees” The event runs from 8 – 9:30AM in the Community Room at the Ilsley Public Library. Cost is only $5 for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Coffee and pastries will be provided. Get more information and RSVP to Sue Hoxie by clicking HERE.
Ilsley Library looking for book sale Volunteers. The monthly used book sale sponsored by Friends of Ilsley Library is their major fundraising effort to support the library’s programs and outreach. The Friends invite persons who would like to help run these sales to an organizational meeting Wednesday, May 16th from 4-5 PM at the library. If you would like to help but can’t make it that day, contact Ray Hudson at rhudson@together.net
On Friday, Vermont State Police responded to a suspicious complaint located on 84 Galvin Road in Whiting. Further investigation revealed the barn was broken into. Entry was gained through the side door of the barn. A container of fuel and several power tools were taken. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police New in New Haven. (802-388-4919)
The next Town Of Middlebury Select Board Meeting will take place tomorrow evening at 7 in the Town Offices Conference Room.
Items on this week’s agenda include Nominations & Appointments to Town Boards and Commissions that include the Development Review Board and River Task Force. Reports will be heard from meetings of the Business Development Review Board and the River Task Force. There will also be an update on the Fire Facilities Project and year to date results as of April 30th from the FY2012 Budget. Additional information about most Agenda items is available on the Town's website on the Select Board page.
A civilian dispatcher for the Vermont State Police is facing charges after being arrested for marijuana possession while attending classes at the Vermont Police Academy. Police say 26-year-old Michelle Bachand of Lyndonville was arrested Friday while she was attending dispatcher training courses at the academy in Pittsford. Police say they found a small amount of marijuana in her car. Bachand was hired as a temporary dispatcher in February, but was let go following her arrest.
Last Thursday marked an annual event, known as Middlebury Bike Safety Fair, which has been held for over a decade at Mary Hogan Elementary School. Geared toward all ages this year’s fair had something for everyone including free bike tune-ups worth $35, fancy new safety helmets, homemade baked goods and exciting raffle prizes. Mary Hogan students, as well as a few students from other nearby elementary schools such as St. Mary’s, were able to increase their bicycling and safety knowledge.
The start of the Route 7 road reconstruction project through downtown Brandon is still at least two years away, but the local business community is letting people know that Brandon will be open for business despite future disruptions. Officials say the details of the marketing campaign are still in the beginning stages, but emphasized the importance of communication among all parties to make sure people know that although there will be disruptions because of construction in the downtown, the town’s businesses will still be open.
A Schroon bridge will be repaired as part of a new state program. The Rogers Brook Bridge on Route 9 in Schroon will get $319,500 for rehabilitation. The Grove Brook Bridge in Port Henry will receive $191,700 for deck replacement. Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced a $45 Million investment for 49 projects that will repair 345 miles of roads and 11 bridges in the North Country. The money is part of the state’s NY Works program.
The Ticonderoga Chamber of Commerce 10th Annual Fundraiser Dinner and Auction will be held on Friday, June 15th at Silver Bay YMCA. The event will take place in Silver Bay’s Gullen Lounge located within the main Inn starting at 6:00 PM with appetizers followed by dinner at 7:00. Early reservations are suggested, as seating is limited. Contact the TACC office at 518-585-6619 or chamberinfo@ticonderogany.com today! Tickets are $42.00 per person and include appetizers, buffet, beer, wine, dessert, and gratuity.
Nearly 50 tickets were issued in the tri-county area during the State Police's second Operation Hang Up campaign. From April 23 to 29, State Police and other local law-enforcement officials across New York blanketed the roads to target drivers using their cellphones and other handheld electronic devices while behind the wheel. It was an attempt to prevent crashes by changing driver behavior. Twenty people in Clinton County were issued tickets during the campaign, 11 were given tickets in Essex County, and 16 were ticketed in Franklin County. Statewide, 3,172 tickets were issued.
Fort Ticonderoga has received national recognition as it prepares to open for its 103rd season May 18. The historic site was named as the top destination in the Adirondacks by USA News Travel, which said Fort Ticonderoga connects visitors to a place and time that defined a continent, a nation and a continuing legacy. This season will feature new programs, living history weekends, events, exhibits, botanical gardens and a six-acre corn maze in the shape of the fort. Learn more right now by visiting www.fortticonderoga.org.
The lawyer for a woman charged in the killing of a prep school teacher is considering whether to seek a separate trial. Allen and Patricia Prue of Waterford are charged with second-degree murder in the March 28 death of Melissa Jenkins of St. Johnsbury. Patricia Prue's attorney told a judge that he'd discussed with the state's attorney the possibility of splitting the proceedings into two cases. Patricia Prue has denied being involved.
The Legislative session is finally over, adjourning at last on Saturday night. It was one members say was marked by chaos, creativity and compromised, and that's what ended up saving the 2012 session, they say. House Speaker Shap Smith tells the "Burlington Free Press" civil discourse prevailed, and much was accomplished despite some old-fashioned brawls. Governor Peter Shumlin, in his adjournment speech told the Senate "Mission accomplished."
A Vermont couple managed to walk away from a plane crash over the weekend. It happened in Cambridge, New York, as Bruce Faller of Pownal was taking off from the Chapin Field Airport. Instead of lifting off, the plane flipped over, landing on its roof. The pilot and his wife somehow managed to walk away without any injuries, while a passenger from New Jersey suffered a shoulder injury.
The town of Waterbury's historic train station will be hosting Vermont's celebration of National Train Day. The event takes place this Saturday. Passengers in Essex Junction will board historic passenger cars provided by the Vermont Rail System and pulled by locomotives from the New England Central Railroad. The train is expected to arrive in Waterbury 35 minutes later for the celebration, which will be attended by Governor Peter Shumlin, Amtrak and Vermont Rail System officials as well as members of the governor's administration and the state legislature. Several speakers will give brief remarks followed by a slideshow of repairs to Vermont railroads damaged by Tropical Storm Irene.
Across Vermont, many communities that were hit by flooding from Tropical Storm Irene are working to get their athletic fields back in shape. For many schools, their fields are on flat land next to rivers, just the areas that were hit the hardest by the flooding in August. In Bethel, parts of the fields that are used by the Whitcomb High School and the community were under 18 inches of silt and littered with other debris such as hot water and propane tanks. Parts of the fields are ready for use. But some won't be ready until next year. Athletic director Willy Walker says the $80,000 repair was paid for with a combination of insurance, federal and state assistance and local fundraising.
Around one hundred protesters from both sides of the border, Canada and Vermont, rallied at the border in defense of their towns. People from Derby Line, Holland, Derby, and Quebec want the proposed project of 430-foot wind turbines built a top a hill within a mile of neighborhoods to be disregarded. The plan is to build two towers to start with, then build more. All towns involved voted against the project, but the Vermont public service board has the final say in the matter.
There are now more than 100,000 pages of old newspapers available digitally, online and for free. Thanks to a nearly $400,000 grant by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the University of Vermont, with its partner iArchive and with assistance by the Library of Congress, is scanning the microfilm of Vermont newspapers from 1836 to 1922. It’s called the Vermont Digital Newspaper Project. So far the project’s librarian at UVM Tom McMurdo, said that approximately 104,000 pages have been digitally archived. And when this round of funding runs out in September, he said, they expect to have more than 131,000 pages digitized. To view the newspapers, visit the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America website at chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Vermonters can fish for free one day next month. On Saturday, June 9th residents and nonresidents can go fishing without a fishing license in the state. Fish and Wildlife officials say Vermont has 284 lakes and more than 7,000 miles of streams in which to fish. The department will host a special event in Grand Isle for kids on Free Fishing Day. Organizers say the free kids' event will offer basic fishing instruction and the chance for kids to hook a big trout in a pond next to the hatchery. The event will be held from 9 to 3 at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station.
Hundreds of people gathered for the 12th annual weekend of hope in Stowe. It’s a retreat for those who've ever been touched by cancer in their lives. ABC 22's Jenny Day attended the closing ceremony. A room full of people who share a common thread..."I was stage two in 94", "I’m in the one percentile for still being here", "we've lost a number of people in our family.", "and because far too many people have a story and everyone needs some support, many people started this weekend as strangers and are leaving with lifelong friends.", "I want them to leave with a connection that they can keep, and they can know that they're not alone." In addition to making friends, the weekend enabled brain cancer survivor Jane Merchant to cross horseback riding off of her bucket list. There were also workshops and discussions about recent advances in treatments and a closing ceremony filled with dancing, motivational speeches, singing and a moment of silence for those who lost their battle. But many say it was still truly a weekend filled with hope. "We had 450 cancer survivors this year, that's a record year."
Vermont likely looks greener after Saturday. An estimated 15-thousand volunteers spent the day picking up garbage, painting and planting flowers. ABC 22's Jenny Day explains. "We’re happy to have some sunshine." Sunshine, a far different forecast from last august-- so in many ways, this green up day symbolizes a fresh start for survivors of the storm. "Kinda hard starting over at our age- but we're, we're gonna make it." "Donna and glen French had been living in this mobile home for three years up until Irene hit- then they were forced to move out because the inside was filled with four and a half feet of water and although today does mark new beginnings, it also brings back emotions from that dreadful day." "It’s a little bit traumatic for them, so we wanted to take the opportunity to brighten it up and make it more home for them." Governor Shumlin even got down- and dirty this green up day. Mulch was spread- and flowers were planted to make the Weston’s mobile home park in Berlin - once a tropical storm target- a little brighter. "I’m grateful to be the governor of a state where Vermonters pull together and help out." UVM junior Katherine Reynolds is a student in a class called "rebuilding Vermont." with her hometown being Waterbury- she's been involved with Irene clean up since day one-- and so far, hasn't stopped. "If any state can come back- and come back stronger, it's definitely Vermont." In the statewide effort to improve the look of Vermont- these recovery efforts are proof that it did - and ultimately it's getting people back in their homes. Jenny Day ABC 22 news.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
WVTK Local & State News May 4, 2012
Police and search crews found the body of the missing Monkton man early Friday morning. Police say, after searching through the night, a New England K9 Search and Rescue unit located the body of 65-Year-Old Ralph Meader in the water around 4:30. His body was found approximately 50 feet from the shoreline in a swamp off the east side of the Bristol Road. Police do not believe Meader's death is suspicious and his body is being sent for an autopsy. Meader was reported missing after he didn't return home Thursday night from a walk. He was an avid hiker and nature enthusiast.
The Middlebury Maple Run “The Sweetest Half” is coming up this Sunday morning here in Middlebury! Online registration is now closed. You may register in person tomorrow from 4 to 7 PM at the Middlebury Inn or race morning, from 7:30 to 8:45 AM. Payment must be made by cash or check only, as they will not accept credit cards. Now in its fourth year, the Middlebury Maple Run - The Sweetest Half has earned a reputation as being well organized and friendly. Please be aware there will be some traffic delays this Sunday morning around the racecourse, for the safety of our runners, volunteers and guests your patience is much appreciated! Get the inside scoop about the Half Marathon and Two Person Relay by clicking HERE!
Businesses in the town of Brandon will be open later hours the first Friday of every month throughout the summer. Starting today, the First Friday initiative by the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce, will keep the lights on and doors open until 9 this evening. Chamber president and downtown merchant Beth Carr said they recognize that many people who work out of town all week do not have the chance to shop locally. They hope with the longer hours it will attract more customers to the downtown to shop and get something to eat. For more information, contact the Brandon Area of Chamber of Commerce at 247-6401 or email info@brandon.org.
You are invited to join the Addison County Chamber of Commerce next Wednesday for a presentation on "Federal and State Health Care Reform: Major Changes and Impacts Coming Soon for Employers and Employees” The event runs from 8 – 9:30AM in the Community Room at the Ilsley Public Library. Cost is only $5 for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Coffee and pastries will be provided. Get more information and RSVP to Sue Hoxie by visiting Addison County Dot Com.
The Chittenden County Transportation Authority and Addison County Transit Resources will be hosting a ribbon-cutting event for the 116 Commuter bus route at the Hinesburg Town Hall Park and Ride on Monday, May 14th from 7:30 – 8:30AM. At 7:30, coffee and donuts will be served. There will be a drawing for a free 10-ride commuter pass at 7:59. Then at 8AM, the official ribbon cutting ceremony will begin with Secretary of Transportation Brian Searles cutting the ribbon followed by several transportation officials sharing a few words about the unique collaboration that brought this route to life and public transit in Vermont. The event will also officially kick off the Way to Go! Commuter Challenge week and include a proclamation from the Governor.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce May “After Business Mixer” will be held on Thursday, May 24th at Fort Ticonderoga from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Sponsors providing door prizes will be Christopher Chevrolet, George Sperry Marine Survey and the Wagon Wheel Restaurant. The Chambers “After Business Mixers” provide a networking forum for area business people in addition to showcasing the site of the host as well as promoting the door prize sponsors. All area chamber members, business people and their employees are invited to attend. Get all of the details at www.ticonderogany.com.
The head of the Essex County Prevention Team voiced his concern over the return of a beer tent to the Essex County Fair in Westport. Director Doug Terbeek said that while his organization was not about doing away with alcohol, they felt the fairgrounds was not an appropriate place to operate a beer tent. He started his comments by commending the board for their approach to the subject. The Ways and Means Committee passed a resolution to allow the return of a beer tent on a one-year trial basis at the fair, which will be voted on by the full board at its May 7 meeting.
Ticonderoga residents are being reminded that Section 8 of the animal control law requires any owner or custodian of an animal, to dispose of any waste in a safe and sanitary manner. The law provides for a fine of $25 to $50 for a first offense and fines of $50 to $100 for repeat offenses. The Ti dog control officer and the Ti Police Department have been directed to enforce the law. The Ticonderoga law bans pets from Bicentennial Park, Veterans Park and the Black Point beach. Pets are allowed on other public properties but must be leashed at all times. Meanwhile Ticonderoga will host a rabies clinic for local pets 6 to 7 PM on Tuesday, May 15th at the Armory. Pets attending must be either leashed or caged. Tonya Thompson, Ticonderoga town clerk, has also announced plans for a dog enumeration this summer. She noted all dogs, 3 months and older, must be licensed. Licenses cost $5 for neutered or spayed dogs and $15 for others. Licenses will be on sale during the May 15th rabies clinic.
Green Up Day is the name and greening up Vermont is the goal. More people than ever plan to participate in the annual event. An estimated 15,000 people will fill thousands of green garbage bags with trash that's found on the side of the road this Saturday. The main reason for the additional volunteers is because of damage still seen from Tropical Storm Irene. Green Up Vermont is partnering with the Governor's Irene recovery team for the annual clean up event. Find out how you can get involved by clicking HERE!
High school teams from around Vermont will be tested on their financial literacy and knowledge of economics. The Vermont Treasurer's office, along with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, is holding the quiz-show style contest today in Montpelier, to pick a champion to compete this fall in the Reserve Cup Challenge in Boston.
Parents in Vermont can continue using a philosophical exemption to avoid having their kids get the vaccine shots normally required to attend school or child care. The Vermont House yesterday overwhelmingly approved a conference committee recommendation that rejects what had been attempts to boost vaccination rates by ending the philosophical exemption.
Vermont House and Senate negotiators have agreed on a budget for fiscal 2013, likely clearing the way to wrap up their business for the year by Saturday. The House Majority Leader told her House colleagues on Thursday evening that they would have 24 hours to review the conference committee agreement before taking final action on the budget late today. Agreement was reached after the Senate agreed to drop two policy issues it added to the $5 billion spending plan, a measure allowing child care workers to unionize and another directing the Public Service Board on how to handle ratepayer repayments connected with a merger of Vermont's two largest power companies. Lawmakers still need to agree on a tax bill.
Vermont lawmakers appear to be at an impasse over Gov. Peter Shumlin's proposal to let police get information from the Health Department's prescription drug database without first getting a search warrant. A House-Senate conference committee has met repeatedly over the past two days, with the House side insisting on search warrants and senators saying they'll make the process too cumbersome for police.
There were some scary moments for about 7-hundred workers in Saint Albans Yesterday after a suspicious package was found inside the US immigration office. The bomb squad was called in to investigate and turns out a musical card was to blame. Fox 44's Nick Natario has more. What may have looked like a training session at the u-s immigration building in Saint Albans, Vermont Thursday.... was not. Alarms alerted about 7 hundred employees to get out of the building...while police and other agencies guarded the entrances. All because one of the mailroom workers noticed something wasn't right with a package. "There was an x-ray of the package and the x-ray lead it to be a suspect package." Suspect because of the electronic pieces inside. "I don't know, it's a package that's supposed to be documents. We got wires, we got a circuit board, we have a battery. "Another reason police say they acted so quickly is because this building was on heightened alert just days after the 1 year anniversary of the killing of Osama bin laden.” The employees were sent home before the state bomb squad and HAZMAT crews arrived. Dressed in protective gear...they used this robot inside to examine the package. After more than three hours of waiting...we finally found out what caused all the chaos. A musical greeting card. "You have to be safe 100% of the time so I don't apologize that we aired on the side of caution.” The building re-opened later in the day. US immigration officials say the card was attached to a visa application.
They're tiny, but they carry a potentially devastating disease. We're talking Lyme Disease. Experts say you need to be aware that ticks are a lot more prevalent this year...thanks to the early warm up last month. Symptoms to look for include a rash, flu-like illnesses, and swollen joints. About 600 cases of Lyme Disease are reported each year in Vermont. Using repellent, tucking your pants into your socks - and doing daily head to toe tick checks can prevent bites. But if you do find one, it should be removed quickly. Just use a fine-point tweezers and grasp the tick as close as possible to your body and then gently and steadily pull up. State epidemiologist Erica Berl also suggests showering and washing and drying clothes on high heat immediately to kill off any hitchhikers.
A Vermont teacher is facing grand larceny charges that he sold 125 pounds of copper wire that he had taken from the science department at Bellows Free Academy high school in St. Albans. City police say 39-year-old Ian Smith has been a teacher at the school for the last nine years. Police say that in mid-February Smith sold the copper to a Moretown recycling company.
Shares of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters plunged Thursday following a second quarter earnings report that failed to meet the company's estimates. Late Thursday morning, shares in the Waterbury Company had fallen nearly 46 percent to $26.89 a share on volume of 30 million shares.
Governor Cuomo announced FreshConnect grants to help provide low-income and underserved communities with New York farm products. FreshConnects grants to 34 projects around the state and increases access to NY farm products for residents in low-income and underserved areas.
The Official Event Program marking the Grand Celebration of the new Lake Champlain Bridge is coming! Available at the event and for sale in advance at selected businesses the official event program includes a full schedule of events and performers, site maps, and listings of all the food and craft vendors. The cost is $3 and a portion of the proceeds goes to help fund the celebration. The program is loaded with photos and feature articles about the new bridge. Learn more about this incredible weekend of celebration coming up May 19th & 20th by clicking HERE!
Brandon Music will present the Jonathan Lorentz Trio, this Sunday at 7PM. The concert is a part of the year-round weekly "Sunday Jazz" series and is a benefit for the new Compass Music and Arts Center. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Lorentz will perform at Brandon Music with bassist Anthony Santor and drummer Gabe Jarrett. Get more information on CMAC and reserve tickets today by visiting www.brandon-music.net!
Rutland's 43rd annual Loyalty Day Parade will be held downtown at 2PM this Sunday. The annual event is Vermont's largest parade and is sponsored by the Rutland Veterans of Foreign Wars. Rutland's parade began in 1959 although the first Loyalty Day was celebrated in 1921 as a response to the communist's International Workers Day. It is officially observed on May 1st. It was made a legal holiday by the U.S. Congress on July 18, 1958. Vermont National Guard Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie will be the Marshall of this year's downtown parade.
The Marble Valley Players will present the Agatha Christie whodunit, “The Mousetrap,” Today through the 12th at the West Rutland Town Hall Theater. This year marks the 60th anniversary of “The Mousetrap,” which opened in London’s West End in 1952. For details and tickets just visit www.paramounttickets.org.
The Middlebury Maple Run “The Sweetest Half” is coming up this Sunday morning here in Middlebury! Online registration is now closed. You may register in person tomorrow from 4 to 7 PM at the Middlebury Inn or race morning, from 7:30 to 8:45 AM. Payment must be made by cash or check only, as they will not accept credit cards. Now in its fourth year, the Middlebury Maple Run - The Sweetest Half has earned a reputation as being well organized and friendly. Please be aware there will be some traffic delays this Sunday morning around the racecourse, for the safety of our runners, volunteers and guests your patience is much appreciated! Get the inside scoop about the Half Marathon and Two Person Relay by clicking HERE!
Businesses in the town of Brandon will be open later hours the first Friday of every month throughout the summer. Starting today, the First Friday initiative by the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce, will keep the lights on and doors open until 9 this evening. Chamber president and downtown merchant Beth Carr said they recognize that many people who work out of town all week do not have the chance to shop locally. They hope with the longer hours it will attract more customers to the downtown to shop and get something to eat. For more information, contact the Brandon Area of Chamber of Commerce at 247-6401 or email info@brandon.org.
You are invited to join the Addison County Chamber of Commerce next Wednesday for a presentation on "Federal and State Health Care Reform: Major Changes and Impacts Coming Soon for Employers and Employees” The event runs from 8 – 9:30AM in the Community Room at the Ilsley Public Library. Cost is only $5 for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Coffee and pastries will be provided. Get more information and RSVP to Sue Hoxie by visiting Addison County Dot Com.
The Chittenden County Transportation Authority and Addison County Transit Resources will be hosting a ribbon-cutting event for the 116 Commuter bus route at the Hinesburg Town Hall Park and Ride on Monday, May 14th from 7:30 – 8:30AM. At 7:30, coffee and donuts will be served. There will be a drawing for a free 10-ride commuter pass at 7:59. Then at 8AM, the official ribbon cutting ceremony will begin with Secretary of Transportation Brian Searles cutting the ribbon followed by several transportation officials sharing a few words about the unique collaboration that brought this route to life and public transit in Vermont. The event will also officially kick off the Way to Go! Commuter Challenge week and include a proclamation from the Governor.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce May “After Business Mixer” will be held on Thursday, May 24th at Fort Ticonderoga from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Sponsors providing door prizes will be Christopher Chevrolet, George Sperry Marine Survey and the Wagon Wheel Restaurant. The Chambers “After Business Mixers” provide a networking forum for area business people in addition to showcasing the site of the host as well as promoting the door prize sponsors. All area chamber members, business people and their employees are invited to attend. Get all of the details at www.ticonderogany.com.
The head of the Essex County Prevention Team voiced his concern over the return of a beer tent to the Essex County Fair in Westport. Director Doug Terbeek said that while his organization was not about doing away with alcohol, they felt the fairgrounds was not an appropriate place to operate a beer tent. He started his comments by commending the board for their approach to the subject. The Ways and Means Committee passed a resolution to allow the return of a beer tent on a one-year trial basis at the fair, which will be voted on by the full board at its May 7 meeting.
Ticonderoga residents are being reminded that Section 8 of the animal control law requires any owner or custodian of an animal, to dispose of any waste in a safe and sanitary manner. The law provides for a fine of $25 to $50 for a first offense and fines of $50 to $100 for repeat offenses. The Ti dog control officer and the Ti Police Department have been directed to enforce the law. The Ticonderoga law bans pets from Bicentennial Park, Veterans Park and the Black Point beach. Pets are allowed on other public properties but must be leashed at all times. Meanwhile Ticonderoga will host a rabies clinic for local pets 6 to 7 PM on Tuesday, May 15th at the Armory. Pets attending must be either leashed or caged. Tonya Thompson, Ticonderoga town clerk, has also announced plans for a dog enumeration this summer. She noted all dogs, 3 months and older, must be licensed. Licenses cost $5 for neutered or spayed dogs and $15 for others. Licenses will be on sale during the May 15th rabies clinic.
Green Up Day is the name and greening up Vermont is the goal. More people than ever plan to participate in the annual event. An estimated 15,000 people will fill thousands of green garbage bags with trash that's found on the side of the road this Saturday. The main reason for the additional volunteers is because of damage still seen from Tropical Storm Irene. Green Up Vermont is partnering with the Governor's Irene recovery team for the annual clean up event. Find out how you can get involved by clicking HERE!
High school teams from around Vermont will be tested on their financial literacy and knowledge of economics. The Vermont Treasurer's office, along with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, is holding the quiz-show style contest today in Montpelier, to pick a champion to compete this fall in the Reserve Cup Challenge in Boston.
Parents in Vermont can continue using a philosophical exemption to avoid having their kids get the vaccine shots normally required to attend school or child care. The Vermont House yesterday overwhelmingly approved a conference committee recommendation that rejects what had been attempts to boost vaccination rates by ending the philosophical exemption.
Vermont House and Senate negotiators have agreed on a budget for fiscal 2013, likely clearing the way to wrap up their business for the year by Saturday. The House Majority Leader told her House colleagues on Thursday evening that they would have 24 hours to review the conference committee agreement before taking final action on the budget late today. Agreement was reached after the Senate agreed to drop two policy issues it added to the $5 billion spending plan, a measure allowing child care workers to unionize and another directing the Public Service Board on how to handle ratepayer repayments connected with a merger of Vermont's two largest power companies. Lawmakers still need to agree on a tax bill.
Vermont lawmakers appear to be at an impasse over Gov. Peter Shumlin's proposal to let police get information from the Health Department's prescription drug database without first getting a search warrant. A House-Senate conference committee has met repeatedly over the past two days, with the House side insisting on search warrants and senators saying they'll make the process too cumbersome for police.
There were some scary moments for about 7-hundred workers in Saint Albans Yesterday after a suspicious package was found inside the US immigration office. The bomb squad was called in to investigate and turns out a musical card was to blame. Fox 44's Nick Natario has more. What may have looked like a training session at the u-s immigration building in Saint Albans, Vermont Thursday.... was not. Alarms alerted about 7 hundred employees to get out of the building...while police and other agencies guarded the entrances. All because one of the mailroom workers noticed something wasn't right with a package. "There was an x-ray of the package and the x-ray lead it to be a suspect package." Suspect because of the electronic pieces inside. "I don't know, it's a package that's supposed to be documents. We got wires, we got a circuit board, we have a battery. "Another reason police say they acted so quickly is because this building was on heightened alert just days after the 1 year anniversary of the killing of Osama bin laden.” The employees were sent home before the state bomb squad and HAZMAT crews arrived. Dressed in protective gear...they used this robot inside to examine the package. After more than three hours of waiting...we finally found out what caused all the chaos. A musical greeting card. "You have to be safe 100% of the time so I don't apologize that we aired on the side of caution.” The building re-opened later in the day. US immigration officials say the card was attached to a visa application.
They're tiny, but they carry a potentially devastating disease. We're talking Lyme Disease. Experts say you need to be aware that ticks are a lot more prevalent this year...thanks to the early warm up last month. Symptoms to look for include a rash, flu-like illnesses, and swollen joints. About 600 cases of Lyme Disease are reported each year in Vermont. Using repellent, tucking your pants into your socks - and doing daily head to toe tick checks can prevent bites. But if you do find one, it should be removed quickly. Just use a fine-point tweezers and grasp the tick as close as possible to your body and then gently and steadily pull up. State epidemiologist Erica Berl also suggests showering and washing and drying clothes on high heat immediately to kill off any hitchhikers.
A Vermont teacher is facing grand larceny charges that he sold 125 pounds of copper wire that he had taken from the science department at Bellows Free Academy high school in St. Albans. City police say 39-year-old Ian Smith has been a teacher at the school for the last nine years. Police say that in mid-February Smith sold the copper to a Moretown recycling company.
Shares of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters plunged Thursday following a second quarter earnings report that failed to meet the company's estimates. Late Thursday morning, shares in the Waterbury Company had fallen nearly 46 percent to $26.89 a share on volume of 30 million shares.
Governor Cuomo announced FreshConnect grants to help provide low-income and underserved communities with New York farm products. FreshConnects grants to 34 projects around the state and increases access to NY farm products for residents in low-income and underserved areas.
The Official Event Program marking the Grand Celebration of the new Lake Champlain Bridge is coming! Available at the event and for sale in advance at selected businesses the official event program includes a full schedule of events and performers, site maps, and listings of all the food and craft vendors. The cost is $3 and a portion of the proceeds goes to help fund the celebration. The program is loaded with photos and feature articles about the new bridge. Learn more about this incredible weekend of celebration coming up May 19th & 20th by clicking HERE!
Brandon Music will present the Jonathan Lorentz Trio, this Sunday at 7PM. The concert is a part of the year-round weekly "Sunday Jazz" series and is a benefit for the new Compass Music and Arts Center. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Lorentz will perform at Brandon Music with bassist Anthony Santor and drummer Gabe Jarrett. Get more information on CMAC and reserve tickets today by visiting www.brandon-music.net!
Rutland's 43rd annual Loyalty Day Parade will be held downtown at 2PM this Sunday. The annual event is Vermont's largest parade and is sponsored by the Rutland Veterans of Foreign Wars. Rutland's parade began in 1959 although the first Loyalty Day was celebrated in 1921 as a response to the communist's International Workers Day. It is officially observed on May 1st. It was made a legal holiday by the U.S. Congress on July 18, 1958. Vermont National Guard Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie will be the Marshall of this year's downtown parade.
The Marble Valley Players will present the Agatha Christie whodunit, “The Mousetrap,” Today through the 12th at the West Rutland Town Hall Theater. This year marks the 60th anniversary of “The Mousetrap,” which opened in London’s West End in 1952. For details and tickets just visit www.paramounttickets.org.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
WVTK Local & State News May 3, 2012
Mary Hogan School will be hosting a Bike Fair this afternoon from 3:15 – 5. Stop by to test your bike skills and knowledge of current rules of the road through their obstacle course. Give away your old bike gear including locks, reflectors, racks and more! There are also some free helmets and others at reduced cost available. Get the details now by visiting www.maryhoganschool.org.
Westport Central School Board will hold a budget hearing and regular meeting starting at 5:50PM today in the cafeteria. The agenda will also include Committee on Special Education recommendations and tenure appointments. Board meetings are open to the public.
Vermont State Police are currently investigating another Shoreham Burglary. This one took place on Shacksboro Road yesterday. Suspects entered the unoccupied residence and only stole jewelry and it appears they were in the home for a very brief time. If you have information regarding this incident or any of the recent Addison County break-ins please call the Vermont State Police – New Haven Barraks. (802-388-4919)
The Official Event Program marking the Grand Celebration of the new Lake Champlain Bridge is coming! Available at the event and for sale in advance at selected businesses the official event program includes a full schedule of events and performers, site maps, and listings of all the food and craft vendors. The cost is $3 and a portion of the proceeds goes to help fund the celebration. The program is loaded with photos and feature articles about the new bridge. Learn more about this incredible weekend of celebration coming up May 19th & 20th by clicking HERE!
If you love show tunes, you’ll love “Scenes and Songs: A Sampling of Musical Theatre from Opera to Broadway” at Middlebury College. The student-produced showboat of hits will be held Saturday, May 12th at 8PM in the Mahaney Center for the Arts Concert Hall. Talented music students will present a lively evening of musical theater from opera to Broadway. The event is free to the public and sponsored by the Department of Music.
Speaking during Monday’s Ways and Means Committee meeting, Westport Supervisor Daniel Connell said that he did not expect a request from the Agricultural Society to bring back a beer tent at the Essex County Fair for a one-year trial would be “so controversial.” Supervisors voted 11-5 to move the request for a beer tent to the full board meeting May 7, where it will be brought to a weighted vote. He said that the tent and the liquor license had already been purchased for the beer tent, adding that the county had previously adopted a policy for alcohol use, which the fair would fall under.
Protesters gathered on Strongs Ave. near downtown Rutland on Tuesday to advocate against a wind farm project proposed for Rutland County. About 28 people wearing T-shirts that read, “Don’t flat line our Green Mountains,” gathered at the Howe Center. They were referring to Manchester-based wind developer Reunion Power that has proposed a 20-turbine wind farm on the Grandpa Knob ridgeline. The project, which is expected to cost more than $100 million, would be able to produce up to 50 megawatts and touches West Rutland, Castleton, Hubbardton and Pittsford.
A woman at the forefront of efforts to restore endangered peregrine falcons in Vermont was honored Wednesday with an award named for one of the state’s most famous bird lovers. Margaret Fowle was presented with the 2012 CVPS-Zetterstrom Environmental Award for years of work to repatriate peregrine falcons, which grace Vermont’s conservation license plates and represent one of the state’s most successful conservation efforts. The award was accompanied by a $2,500 donation to Audubon Vermont to help continue its avian programs. The award is named for Meeri Zetterstrom, a CVPS customer known as Grandma Osprey, who instigated a recovery effort to restore ospreys in Vermont.
Vermont Senate and House conferees are continuing to disagree on whether police should be able to search a Health Department database on Vermonters' drug prescriptions without a warrant. House conferees on Wednesday stuck to their position that a search warrant should be required for drug investigators to search the database for signs of doctor shopping or other abuses. Senators are pushing for four specially trained drug investigators to have access to the information. Conferees met Wednesday afternoon, agreeing on parts of the bill but not the warrant issue. A Health Department official meanwhile says Vermont is facing an epidemic of prescription drug abuse. Reports on the department's website show prescription drug abuse steady or declining in the state in recent years, with drug related deaths down since 2006.
A legislative conference committee has agreed to make Vermont the first state to ban a hotly debated method for drilling natural gas. Geologists say there appears to be little if any natural gas under Vermont, but lawmakers have been pushing to get a handle on a technique called hydraulic fracturing anyway. The Senate passed a ban on the practice, in which water and chemicals are injected into the ground at high pressure to split layers of rock apart and release gas. The House voted for a 3-year moratorium. But now conferees from the two bodies on Wednesday agreed to an outright prohibition on hydraulic fracturing, and a study by the state's environmental agency. The measure still needs final votes in the House and Senate before going to Gov. Peter Shumlin.
Vermont's governor has allowed a ban on the use of tanning beds by young people to become law without his signature. Governor Peter Shumlin said Wednesday that he did not approve of the legislation because of concerns about how it would be enforced. Owners of establishments with tanning beds who are caught allowing people younger than 18 to use them would face fines.
Federal authorities say a New York City man who recruited people to come to Vermont and sell crack-cocaine and heroin has been sentenced to over 18 years in prison as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney's office says 40-year-old Todd Jarvis of the Bronx, NY pleaded guilty last fall to conspiring to distribute crack-cocaine. Court records say he ran a large-scale crack and heroin distribution ring in central Vermont from 2006 through 2009.
A project to help heat Vermont state offices and a number of private buildings in downtown Montpelier with a new biomass system is getting a $1.75 million boost with a federal grant and loan. The nearly $20 million project is being funded with a variety of funding from the state, city and federal governments.
The New York State Senate's Republican majority provided almost $10 million more in school aid Tuesday night, but only to school districts represented by Republican senators this election year. In one of the most heated floor fights in recent years in the sharply partisan chamber, Senate Democrats called the unexpected extra school aid nothing more than pork-barrel spending, which was supposed to be eliminated in the budget adopted in March. The debate also ignited an upstate versus downstate fight in the chamber where Republicans have a 32-30 majority.
Brandon Music will present the Jonathan Lorentz Trio, this Sunday at 7PM. The concert is a part of the year-round weekly "Sunday Jazz" series and is a benefit for the new Compass Music and Arts Center. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Lorentz will perform at Brandon Music with bassist Anthony Santor and drummer Gabe Jarrett. Get more information on CMAC and reserve tickets today by visiting www.brandon-music.net!
Rutland's 43rd annual Loyalty Day Parade will be held downtown at 2PM this Sunday. The annual event is Vermont's largest parade and is sponsored by the Rutland Veterans of Foreign Wars. Rutland's parade began in 1959 although the first Loyalty Day was celebrated in 1921 as a response to the communist's International Workers Day. It is officially observed on May 1st. It was made a legal holiday by the U.S. Congress on July 18, 1958. Vermont National Guard Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie will be the Marshall of this year's downtown parade.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Parks & Trails New York are teaming up for I Love My Park Day, a statewide event to improve parks and historic sites. Online registration is now available for volunteers to sign up for improvement projects taking place at more than 30 parks and historic sites Saturday. To find an event or sign up to volunteer, visit www.ptny.org/ilovemypark.
A few clicks could help land a Vermont student's artwork on the front page of Google. Milton 4th grader Kaziah Vaughn will represent Vermont in the "Doodle 4 Google" competition. "I was proud and shocked at the same time," says Kaziah. As hundreds of students shuffled into the Milton Elementary School gym Wednesday, only one was headed to a national competition. Google says about 114,000 students across the United States entered this competition. Students across the country designed a new logo for Google's homepage. Kaziah says she spent about two-weeks on the watercolor. The competition's theme was “where would you like to travel to.” Kaziah picked a trip to the 14th century. "I have always wanted to see knights, jousters, see castles towering in the sky," says Kaziah. Cricket Cobler is Kaziah's art teacher and has watched her develop since kindergarten. "She's always coloring. She's always doodling," says Cobler. "If you give her something, she always takes it two or three steps further." Kaziah's design is up against the artwork of students from every state. Later this month Kaziah will find out if her medieval watercolor won a spot on Google's homepage. "I'd be busting in air like a rocket," says Kaziah. Now Kaziah still has to get to the final round. To do that, she needs you to vote for her design. CLICK HERE TO VOTE! Google will then pick the winner from the top five.
Westport Central School Board will hold a budget hearing and regular meeting starting at 5:50PM today in the cafeteria. The agenda will also include Committee on Special Education recommendations and tenure appointments. Board meetings are open to the public.
Vermont State Police are currently investigating another Shoreham Burglary. This one took place on Shacksboro Road yesterday. Suspects entered the unoccupied residence and only stole jewelry and it appears they were in the home for a very brief time. If you have information regarding this incident or any of the recent Addison County break-ins please call the Vermont State Police – New Haven Barraks. (802-388-4919)
The Official Event Program marking the Grand Celebration of the new Lake Champlain Bridge is coming! Available at the event and for sale in advance at selected businesses the official event program includes a full schedule of events and performers, site maps, and listings of all the food and craft vendors. The cost is $3 and a portion of the proceeds goes to help fund the celebration. The program is loaded with photos and feature articles about the new bridge. Learn more about this incredible weekend of celebration coming up May 19th & 20th by clicking HERE!
If you love show tunes, you’ll love “Scenes and Songs: A Sampling of Musical Theatre from Opera to Broadway” at Middlebury College. The student-produced showboat of hits will be held Saturday, May 12th at 8PM in the Mahaney Center for the Arts Concert Hall. Talented music students will present a lively evening of musical theater from opera to Broadway. The event is free to the public and sponsored by the Department of Music.
Speaking during Monday’s Ways and Means Committee meeting, Westport Supervisor Daniel Connell said that he did not expect a request from the Agricultural Society to bring back a beer tent at the Essex County Fair for a one-year trial would be “so controversial.” Supervisors voted 11-5 to move the request for a beer tent to the full board meeting May 7, where it will be brought to a weighted vote. He said that the tent and the liquor license had already been purchased for the beer tent, adding that the county had previously adopted a policy for alcohol use, which the fair would fall under.
Protesters gathered on Strongs Ave. near downtown Rutland on Tuesday to advocate against a wind farm project proposed for Rutland County. About 28 people wearing T-shirts that read, “Don’t flat line our Green Mountains,” gathered at the Howe Center. They were referring to Manchester-based wind developer Reunion Power that has proposed a 20-turbine wind farm on the Grandpa Knob ridgeline. The project, which is expected to cost more than $100 million, would be able to produce up to 50 megawatts and touches West Rutland, Castleton, Hubbardton and Pittsford.
A woman at the forefront of efforts to restore endangered peregrine falcons in Vermont was honored Wednesday with an award named for one of the state’s most famous bird lovers. Margaret Fowle was presented with the 2012 CVPS-Zetterstrom Environmental Award for years of work to repatriate peregrine falcons, which grace Vermont’s conservation license plates and represent one of the state’s most successful conservation efforts. The award was accompanied by a $2,500 donation to Audubon Vermont to help continue its avian programs. The award is named for Meeri Zetterstrom, a CVPS customer known as Grandma Osprey, who instigated a recovery effort to restore ospreys in Vermont.
Vermont Senate and House conferees are continuing to disagree on whether police should be able to search a Health Department database on Vermonters' drug prescriptions without a warrant. House conferees on Wednesday stuck to their position that a search warrant should be required for drug investigators to search the database for signs of doctor shopping or other abuses. Senators are pushing for four specially trained drug investigators to have access to the information. Conferees met Wednesday afternoon, agreeing on parts of the bill but not the warrant issue. A Health Department official meanwhile says Vermont is facing an epidemic of prescription drug abuse. Reports on the department's website show prescription drug abuse steady or declining in the state in recent years, with drug related deaths down since 2006.
A legislative conference committee has agreed to make Vermont the first state to ban a hotly debated method for drilling natural gas. Geologists say there appears to be little if any natural gas under Vermont, but lawmakers have been pushing to get a handle on a technique called hydraulic fracturing anyway. The Senate passed a ban on the practice, in which water and chemicals are injected into the ground at high pressure to split layers of rock apart and release gas. The House voted for a 3-year moratorium. But now conferees from the two bodies on Wednesday agreed to an outright prohibition on hydraulic fracturing, and a study by the state's environmental agency. The measure still needs final votes in the House and Senate before going to Gov. Peter Shumlin.
Vermont's governor has allowed a ban on the use of tanning beds by young people to become law without his signature. Governor Peter Shumlin said Wednesday that he did not approve of the legislation because of concerns about how it would be enforced. Owners of establishments with tanning beds who are caught allowing people younger than 18 to use them would face fines.
Federal authorities say a New York City man who recruited people to come to Vermont and sell crack-cocaine and heroin has been sentenced to over 18 years in prison as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney's office says 40-year-old Todd Jarvis of the Bronx, NY pleaded guilty last fall to conspiring to distribute crack-cocaine. Court records say he ran a large-scale crack and heroin distribution ring in central Vermont from 2006 through 2009.
A project to help heat Vermont state offices and a number of private buildings in downtown Montpelier with a new biomass system is getting a $1.75 million boost with a federal grant and loan. The nearly $20 million project is being funded with a variety of funding from the state, city and federal governments.
The New York State Senate's Republican majority provided almost $10 million more in school aid Tuesday night, but only to school districts represented by Republican senators this election year. In one of the most heated floor fights in recent years in the sharply partisan chamber, Senate Democrats called the unexpected extra school aid nothing more than pork-barrel spending, which was supposed to be eliminated in the budget adopted in March. The debate also ignited an upstate versus downstate fight in the chamber where Republicans have a 32-30 majority.
Brandon Music will present the Jonathan Lorentz Trio, this Sunday at 7PM. The concert is a part of the year-round weekly "Sunday Jazz" series and is a benefit for the new Compass Music and Arts Center. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Lorentz will perform at Brandon Music with bassist Anthony Santor and drummer Gabe Jarrett. Get more information on CMAC and reserve tickets today by visiting www.brandon-music.net!
Rutland's 43rd annual Loyalty Day Parade will be held downtown at 2PM this Sunday. The annual event is Vermont's largest parade and is sponsored by the Rutland Veterans of Foreign Wars. Rutland's parade began in 1959 although the first Loyalty Day was celebrated in 1921 as a response to the communist's International Workers Day. It is officially observed on May 1st. It was made a legal holiday by the U.S. Congress on July 18, 1958. Vermont National Guard Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie will be the Marshall of this year's downtown parade.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Parks & Trails New York are teaming up for I Love My Park Day, a statewide event to improve parks and historic sites. Online registration is now available for volunteers to sign up for improvement projects taking place at more than 30 parks and historic sites Saturday. To find an event or sign up to volunteer, visit www.ptny.org/ilovemypark.
A few clicks could help land a Vermont student's artwork on the front page of Google. Milton 4th grader Kaziah Vaughn will represent Vermont in the "Doodle 4 Google" competition. "I was proud and shocked at the same time," says Kaziah. As hundreds of students shuffled into the Milton Elementary School gym Wednesday, only one was headed to a national competition. Google says about 114,000 students across the United States entered this competition. Students across the country designed a new logo for Google's homepage. Kaziah says she spent about two-weeks on the watercolor. The competition's theme was “where would you like to travel to.” Kaziah picked a trip to the 14th century. "I have always wanted to see knights, jousters, see castles towering in the sky," says Kaziah. Cricket Cobler is Kaziah's art teacher and has watched her develop since kindergarten. "She's always coloring. She's always doodling," says Cobler. "If you give her something, she always takes it two or three steps further." Kaziah's design is up against the artwork of students from every state. Later this month Kaziah will find out if her medieval watercolor won a spot on Google's homepage. "I'd be busting in air like a rocket," says Kaziah. Now Kaziah still has to get to the final round. To do that, she needs you to vote for her design. CLICK HERE TO VOTE! Google will then pick the winner from the top five.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
WVTK Local & Sate News May 2, 2012
Vermont’s first community health center facility in Addison County will be built while an Essex County site will be refurbished with $2.2 million in new Affordable Care Act grants that the Vermont congressional delegation announced on Tuesday. The Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region was awarded $1.3 million to construct an office in Shoreham. The new Addison County facility is to be built on a site where a 2010 fire destroyed the 200-year-old building that housed the office of the community’s only physician. The satellite office will be the first Federally Qualified Health Center site in the rural county of 37,000 residents. Open to everyone, the centers care for patients covered by Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance, as well as those who have no insurance. Payments are on a sliding scale, so people with low or moderate incomes can afford the services.
Mary Hogan School will be hosting a Bike Fair tomorrow afternoon from 3:15 – 5. Stop by to test your bike skills and knowledge of current rules of the road through their obstacle course. Give away your old bike gear including locks, reflectors, racks and more! There are also some free helmets and others at reduced cost available. Get the details now by visiting www.maryhoganschool.org.
Westport Central School Board will hold a budget hearing and regular meeting starting at 5:50PM on Thursday in the cafeteria. The agenda will also include Committee on Special Education recommendations and tenure appointments. Board meetings are open to the public.
On Saturday, May 12th from 6:30-10PM, you can help celebrate the centennial of the Bixby Memorial Library at their annual gala to be held at Basin Harbor Club on Lake Champlain in Ferrisburgh. Fine food, music, dancing demonstrations, a silent auction, and raffle items will be part of the evening festivities. According to the library, this year’s gala theme will be “Happy Birthday, Bixby Library”. The event kicks off a yearlong centennial. Bixby Gala tickets are available in Vergennes at the library as well as at Linda’s Apparel and at People’s United Bank in both Vergennes and Middlebury.
Four Winds Nature Institute is a non-profit organization that has been around since 2006 and is designed to advance the understanding, appreciation and protection of the environment through community-based natural science education. However the Bristol program is in danger of closing. Approximately 34 volunteers are needed in order for every class at Bristol Elementary School to have the program. But even if every class couldn’t have the program they still need at least 24 volunteers to even be able to continue. Currently they have eight regulars. There’s still hope for the program but in-class volunteers are needed to sustain it. If you are interested please contact program coordinator Carolyn Knight. (802-453-7166)
The Holiday Inn in Rutland is being put up for auction by its owner C-III Capital Partners of Irving, Texas. The property is being sold at auction this month, 18 months after the Wolfe and McLaughlin families turned the keys over to their major creditor. According to the listing on Auction.com, online bidding for the property begins May 15 and ends May 17. Bidding starts at $900,000 with a bid deposit of $10,000.
Two Rutland police officers who had been on paid administrative leave pending an investigation are now apparently out altogether. Sergeant John Johnson had worked for the Rutland City police department for nearly 30 years but is now retired, while Officer Earl Post, who was close to his ten-year anniversary, has resigned. The investigation into their actions took four months, and although no criminal misconduct was found, the chief cannot talk about the results. The department is now eight officers short and a city hiring freeze is in effect.
After 28 years with the same leader, College of St. Joseph in Rutland has a new president. Richard Lloyd comes to the college from Nebraska, but has experience working at a private, religion-affiliated college. Lloyd was chosen after a nine-month search for a successor to Frank Miglorie. Lloyd will become the college’s fifth president, assuming his post on July 1st.
Businesses in the town of Brandon will be opened later hours the first Friday of every month throughout the summer. Starting this Friday, the First Friday initiative by the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce, will keep businesses open until 9PM the first Friday each month. Chamber president and downtown merchant Beth Carr said they recognize that many people who work out of town all week do not have the chance to shop locally. They hope with the longer hours it will attract more customers to the downtown to shop and get something to eat. For more information, contact the Brandon Area of Chamber of Commerce at 247-6401 or email info@brandon.org.
Brandon Music will present the Jonathan Lorentz Trio, this Sunday at 7PM. The concert is a part of the year-round weekly "Sunday Jazz" series and is a benefit for the new Compass Music and Arts Center. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Lorentz will perform at Brandon Music with bassist Anthony Santor and drummer Gabe Jarrett. Get more information on CMAC and reserve tickets today by visiting www.brandon-music.net!
On Monday, Vermont State Police New Haven responded to a report of a burglary at home on Route 30 in Cornwall. Entry was gained through the front door of the residence. Several pieces of jewelry were taken from the property. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police – New Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)
Vermont State Police are searching for a man believed to have been behind the wheel of a stolen truck that crashed into two cars parked alongside Route 30. Police were called to 39-82 Route 30 in Sudbury at about 5:20 Monday morning after residents at the home were awakened by the sound of a crash outside. The truck the man was driving, a 2004 Ford F-550, was reported stolen earlier that night from the Garden Time Shop on Route 7 in Rutland Town. Anyone with information about the crash or the theft of the truck is asked to call Vermont State Police in Rutland. (802-773-9101)
Parents of Clarendon Elementary School students are meeting Thursday to discuss their concerns over certain teachers not being replaced and the possibility of increased class sizes. According to Superintendent Dana Cole-Levesque, the Clarendon Elementary School Board is studying a draft plan to not replace at least two teachers, one in sixth-grade and a second in fifth-grade, and move toward a more co-teaching model, where special educators, paraeducators and teachers work with one another in the same classroom.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce will be having their spring Five Hundred Dollar Friday raffle. Tickets will be available throughout the month of May. For a $20.00 donation you can receive a ticket for a chance to win $500.00, which will be given away every Friday in June. For more information contact the Chamber office. Meanwhile they are set to host their Spring Open House next Wednesday, May 9th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. The open house is open to all Chamber members who what to learn more about their benefits and any businesses or organization interested in becoming a TACC member. Get all of the details right now at www.ticonderogany.com.
Vermont state police say the man who was shot and killed by a trooper in Cambridge yesterday...wanted to die. Police say 40-year-old Jonathan Martel broke into a home and fled from police. After they tracked him down... They say Martel threatened a trooper...and the trooper opened fire. A bullet hit Martel... And he died on the way to the hospital. Fox 44's Nick Natario explains. Less than 24 hours after Vermont state police told us a trooper had shot and killed a man...they finally released more information surrounding what happened. Abc 22 learned several new pieces of information Tuesday...during a news conference. First...the suspect's name...it's 40-year old Jonathan Martel. Police say around noon Monday, he was the one who broke into this Johnson, Vermont home. After police arrived they say Martel took off. They tracked him down to Cambridge. Police say Martel ran into the woods...where trooper Dustin Robinson followed him. They say Robinson asked Martel to stop. He didn't. Police say instead...Martel held up a metal object and acted like he was going to shoot. That's when trooper Robinson fired seven shots...all of them missing Martel. But they say he turned toward Robinson again...and Robinson fired one more shot. It hit Martel in the back. During the near half hour news conference...many of us questioned how he was shot in the back...if he was facing the trooper. "They turn that presents a smaller target frame if you will for the shooter and there are many times where the bullet will lodge, would enter in an extremity or another portion. Not straight on." what's more...that metal object Martel was holding...was *not* a weapon. "Trooper Robinson noticed Martel was holding a cell phone and ask Martel why he pointed that at him. Martel responded, I wanted to die. Nick Natario Fox 44 news. The trooper has been placed on leave while state police and the attorney general determine whether the shooting was justified.
Vermont House and Senate members are set to decide whether to accept a conference committee's compromise on childhood immunizations. The House wanted to maintain a philosophical exemption for parents who don't want to have their kids get the roughly 20 shots required before entering kindergarten. The Senate wanted to get rid of that exemption, saying doing so would boost immunization rates, which are a key public health measure. Now a conference committee has proposed allowing the philosophical exemption unless the immunization rate falls below 90 percent for a given vaccine, in which case no further philosophical exemptions would be approved. For that measure to become law, both the House and Senate need to approve the compromise, and prospects for that are uncertain.
Vermont lawmakers have completed the arduous process of redrawing legislative district maps for the next 10 years. The Burlington Free Press reports Burlington is gaining a House seat, while Rutland County is losing one. Other changes are being made as well. The object of the process is equal representation, meaning each House and Senate member is supposed to represent about the same number of Vermont residents.
The Vermont Senate has voted against taking any more action to pass a campaign finance reform law, meaning the issue is dead for this year. The Senate voted 19-9 on Tuesday afternoon to send a bill that would have set limits on donations to people running for state offices to the Judiciary Committee. Sen. Richard Sears, the Bennington Democrat who chairs the committee, says there isn't time to act on the measure before lawmakers adjourn this weekend. The bill was approved by another Senate committee more than a year ago and had been awaiting action since then. The bill's demise means Vermont faces another election cycle relying on an old campaign finance law deemed back in effect after a U.S. Supreme Court decision struck down a more recent law.
Yesterday Vermont’s house of representatives sent a clear message that the federal government should consider allowing gay men to donate blood. Right now gay men are banned for life from donating blood. That's because of concerns about HIV. But Vermont lawmakers say with new HIV testing those men should be able to donate after a waiting period. Yesterday the Vermont house almost unanimously passed a resolution to support changing the rule. Rep. Matthew Trieber: "No one has been able to point to an instance where a legislative body at a state level has decided to actually take a stance on this particular issue. So i think we could be the forefront of this." The American Red Cross also supports eliminating the lifetime ban. Later this month, the FDA will hold a hearing about the policy.
With the fiscal 2013 Vermont budget in a legislative conference committee and other bills falling into place, Vermont lawmakers say they're optimistic they'll be able to wrap up their business for the year by this weekend. Last-minute snags still could push the 2012 session into next week, including Senate add-ons to the budget bill that House conferees have labeled non-starters. Among them: a measure that effectively would tell the Public Service Board to require two utilities that want to merge to make $21 million in payments to ratepayers as a condition for getting the board's approval. But another possible sticking point has been resolved, with House and Senate approval and Gov. Peter Shumlin's signature on a plan for reapportionment of legislative districts in keeping with the 2010 census.
Hundreds of demonstrators paraded through Vermont's capital city on May Day calling for health care for all, environmental justice and an end to corporate greed. In a "put people first" rally on the Statehouse lawn, activists chanted "We are the 99%." Participants included members of the Occupy movements in Vermont, the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Care Professionals, the Vermont Workers' Center, Rural Vermont and others. May Day protests across the world Tuesday drew tens of thousands of demonstrators into the streets from the Philippines and Pakistan to Greece and Spain.
Mary Hogan School will be hosting a Bike Fair tomorrow afternoon from 3:15 – 5. Stop by to test your bike skills and knowledge of current rules of the road through their obstacle course. Give away your old bike gear including locks, reflectors, racks and more! There are also some free helmets and others at reduced cost available. Get the details now by visiting www.maryhoganschool.org.
Westport Central School Board will hold a budget hearing and regular meeting starting at 5:50PM on Thursday in the cafeteria. The agenda will also include Committee on Special Education recommendations and tenure appointments. Board meetings are open to the public.
On Saturday, May 12th from 6:30-10PM, you can help celebrate the centennial of the Bixby Memorial Library at their annual gala to be held at Basin Harbor Club on Lake Champlain in Ferrisburgh. Fine food, music, dancing demonstrations, a silent auction, and raffle items will be part of the evening festivities. According to the library, this year’s gala theme will be “Happy Birthday, Bixby Library”. The event kicks off a yearlong centennial. Bixby Gala tickets are available in Vergennes at the library as well as at Linda’s Apparel and at People’s United Bank in both Vergennes and Middlebury.
Four Winds Nature Institute is a non-profit organization that has been around since 2006 and is designed to advance the understanding, appreciation and protection of the environment through community-based natural science education. However the Bristol program is in danger of closing. Approximately 34 volunteers are needed in order for every class at Bristol Elementary School to have the program. But even if every class couldn’t have the program they still need at least 24 volunteers to even be able to continue. Currently they have eight regulars. There’s still hope for the program but in-class volunteers are needed to sustain it. If you are interested please contact program coordinator Carolyn Knight. (802-453-7166)
The Holiday Inn in Rutland is being put up for auction by its owner C-III Capital Partners of Irving, Texas. The property is being sold at auction this month, 18 months after the Wolfe and McLaughlin families turned the keys over to their major creditor. According to the listing on Auction.com, online bidding for the property begins May 15 and ends May 17. Bidding starts at $900,000 with a bid deposit of $10,000.
Two Rutland police officers who had been on paid administrative leave pending an investigation are now apparently out altogether. Sergeant John Johnson had worked for the Rutland City police department for nearly 30 years but is now retired, while Officer Earl Post, who was close to his ten-year anniversary, has resigned. The investigation into their actions took four months, and although no criminal misconduct was found, the chief cannot talk about the results. The department is now eight officers short and a city hiring freeze is in effect.
After 28 years with the same leader, College of St. Joseph in Rutland has a new president. Richard Lloyd comes to the college from Nebraska, but has experience working at a private, religion-affiliated college. Lloyd was chosen after a nine-month search for a successor to Frank Miglorie. Lloyd will become the college’s fifth president, assuming his post on July 1st.
Businesses in the town of Brandon will be opened later hours the first Friday of every month throughout the summer. Starting this Friday, the First Friday initiative by the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce, will keep businesses open until 9PM the first Friday each month. Chamber president and downtown merchant Beth Carr said they recognize that many people who work out of town all week do not have the chance to shop locally. They hope with the longer hours it will attract more customers to the downtown to shop and get something to eat. For more information, contact the Brandon Area of Chamber of Commerce at 247-6401 or email info@brandon.org.
Brandon Music will present the Jonathan Lorentz Trio, this Sunday at 7PM. The concert is a part of the year-round weekly "Sunday Jazz" series and is a benefit for the new Compass Music and Arts Center. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Lorentz will perform at Brandon Music with bassist Anthony Santor and drummer Gabe Jarrett. Get more information on CMAC and reserve tickets today by visiting www.brandon-music.net!
On Monday, Vermont State Police New Haven responded to a report of a burglary at home on Route 30 in Cornwall. Entry was gained through the front door of the residence. Several pieces of jewelry were taken from the property. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police – New Haven Barracks. (802-388-4919)
Vermont State Police are searching for a man believed to have been behind the wheel of a stolen truck that crashed into two cars parked alongside Route 30. Police were called to 39-82 Route 30 in Sudbury at about 5:20 Monday morning after residents at the home were awakened by the sound of a crash outside. The truck the man was driving, a 2004 Ford F-550, was reported stolen earlier that night from the Garden Time Shop on Route 7 in Rutland Town. Anyone with information about the crash or the theft of the truck is asked to call Vermont State Police in Rutland. (802-773-9101)
Parents of Clarendon Elementary School students are meeting Thursday to discuss their concerns over certain teachers not being replaced and the possibility of increased class sizes. According to Superintendent Dana Cole-Levesque, the Clarendon Elementary School Board is studying a draft plan to not replace at least two teachers, one in sixth-grade and a second in fifth-grade, and move toward a more co-teaching model, where special educators, paraeducators and teachers work with one another in the same classroom.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce will be having their spring Five Hundred Dollar Friday raffle. Tickets will be available throughout the month of May. For a $20.00 donation you can receive a ticket for a chance to win $500.00, which will be given away every Friday in June. For more information contact the Chamber office. Meanwhile they are set to host their Spring Open House next Wednesday, May 9th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. The open house is open to all Chamber members who what to learn more about their benefits and any businesses or organization interested in becoming a TACC member. Get all of the details right now at www.ticonderogany.com.
Vermont state police say the man who was shot and killed by a trooper in Cambridge yesterday...wanted to die. Police say 40-year-old Jonathan Martel broke into a home and fled from police. After they tracked him down... They say Martel threatened a trooper...and the trooper opened fire. A bullet hit Martel... And he died on the way to the hospital. Fox 44's Nick Natario explains. Less than 24 hours after Vermont state police told us a trooper had shot and killed a man...they finally released more information surrounding what happened. Abc 22 learned several new pieces of information Tuesday...during a news conference. First...the suspect's name...it's 40-year old Jonathan Martel. Police say around noon Monday, he was the one who broke into this Johnson, Vermont home. After police arrived they say Martel took off. They tracked him down to Cambridge. Police say Martel ran into the woods...where trooper Dustin Robinson followed him. They say Robinson asked Martel to stop. He didn't. Police say instead...Martel held up a metal object and acted like he was going to shoot. That's when trooper Robinson fired seven shots...all of them missing Martel. But they say he turned toward Robinson again...and Robinson fired one more shot. It hit Martel in the back. During the near half hour news conference...many of us questioned how he was shot in the back...if he was facing the trooper. "They turn that presents a smaller target frame if you will for the shooter and there are many times where the bullet will lodge, would enter in an extremity or another portion. Not straight on." what's more...that metal object Martel was holding...was *not* a weapon. "Trooper Robinson noticed Martel was holding a cell phone and ask Martel why he pointed that at him. Martel responded, I wanted to die. Nick Natario Fox 44 news. The trooper has been placed on leave while state police and the attorney general determine whether the shooting was justified.
Vermont House and Senate members are set to decide whether to accept a conference committee's compromise on childhood immunizations. The House wanted to maintain a philosophical exemption for parents who don't want to have their kids get the roughly 20 shots required before entering kindergarten. The Senate wanted to get rid of that exemption, saying doing so would boost immunization rates, which are a key public health measure. Now a conference committee has proposed allowing the philosophical exemption unless the immunization rate falls below 90 percent for a given vaccine, in which case no further philosophical exemptions would be approved. For that measure to become law, both the House and Senate need to approve the compromise, and prospects for that are uncertain.
Vermont lawmakers have completed the arduous process of redrawing legislative district maps for the next 10 years. The Burlington Free Press reports Burlington is gaining a House seat, while Rutland County is losing one. Other changes are being made as well. The object of the process is equal representation, meaning each House and Senate member is supposed to represent about the same number of Vermont residents.
The Vermont Senate has voted against taking any more action to pass a campaign finance reform law, meaning the issue is dead for this year. The Senate voted 19-9 on Tuesday afternoon to send a bill that would have set limits on donations to people running for state offices to the Judiciary Committee. Sen. Richard Sears, the Bennington Democrat who chairs the committee, says there isn't time to act on the measure before lawmakers adjourn this weekend. The bill was approved by another Senate committee more than a year ago and had been awaiting action since then. The bill's demise means Vermont faces another election cycle relying on an old campaign finance law deemed back in effect after a U.S. Supreme Court decision struck down a more recent law.
Yesterday Vermont’s house of representatives sent a clear message that the federal government should consider allowing gay men to donate blood. Right now gay men are banned for life from donating blood. That's because of concerns about HIV. But Vermont lawmakers say with new HIV testing those men should be able to donate after a waiting period. Yesterday the Vermont house almost unanimously passed a resolution to support changing the rule. Rep. Matthew Trieber: "No one has been able to point to an instance where a legislative body at a state level has decided to actually take a stance on this particular issue. So i think we could be the forefront of this." The American Red Cross also supports eliminating the lifetime ban. Later this month, the FDA will hold a hearing about the policy.
With the fiscal 2013 Vermont budget in a legislative conference committee and other bills falling into place, Vermont lawmakers say they're optimistic they'll be able to wrap up their business for the year by this weekend. Last-minute snags still could push the 2012 session into next week, including Senate add-ons to the budget bill that House conferees have labeled non-starters. Among them: a measure that effectively would tell the Public Service Board to require two utilities that want to merge to make $21 million in payments to ratepayers as a condition for getting the board's approval. But another possible sticking point has been resolved, with House and Senate approval and Gov. Peter Shumlin's signature on a plan for reapportionment of legislative districts in keeping with the 2010 census.
Hundreds of demonstrators paraded through Vermont's capital city on May Day calling for health care for all, environmental justice and an end to corporate greed. In a "put people first" rally on the Statehouse lawn, activists chanted "We are the 99%." Participants included members of the Occupy movements in Vermont, the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Care Professionals, the Vermont Workers' Center, Rural Vermont and others. May Day protests across the world Tuesday drew tens of thousands of demonstrators into the streets from the Philippines and Pakistan to Greece and Spain.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
WVTK Local & State News May 1, 2012
Seymour Street here in Middlebury will be closed to through traffic today from 7AM until 5PM. It will be closed at Main Street and at Elm Street for water main work at the Fire Station. Access to businesses and residences north of the Fire Station will be via the Elm Street End.
Addison County Sheriff James B. Coons’ life was celebrated during a memorial service yesterday at Middlebury College. Family and friends gathered in Mead Memorial Chapel, joined by former colleagues and local and state officials to remember and honor Coons’ dedication to his family, community and state throughout his life. He passed away on April 16th at his home following a brief battle with cancer at 59. The Middlebury native began is career with the Middlebury Police Department in 1972, serving for 10 years including as acting chief. He was elected sheriff in 1982 to become the longest-term sheriff currently serving in the state when he died.
Two families must decide if and how to continue their businesses after a devastating fire. That fire heavily damaged a Ferrisburgh building, which housed a boat store and a farm repair shop. Both families have run their businesses for decades. While both say they have insurance, they say it's unclear what will be covered as they try to rebuild. At this point, the fire chief says he believes the fire started in the back of the building and thinks it might be accidental. He says it does not appear to be suspicious.
On Monday Vermont State Police responded to a report of a burglary on Shacksboro Road in Shoreham. Entry was made to the residence by forcing a window open in the rear of the house. Nothing was taken from the residence. Meanwhile a suspect entered a residence on Richville Road in Shoreham through an unlocked door while the owner was at the local post office. The suspect rummaged through the residence and stole several pieces of jewelry and left through another door prior to the homeowner returning. Anyone with information on either of these two Shoreham break-ins is encouraged to contact Vermont State Police at the New Haven Barracks.
Sometime Sunday evening a suspect entered an unlocked vehicle on Horton Road in Orwell and discovered that the keys were in the vehicle. The suspect then stole the vehicle. The owner did not discover it stolen until approximately 8AM the following day. The vehicle was stolen with approximately three quarters of a tank of fuel. If you have information regarding this theft, please call the New Haven State Police Barracks. (802-388-4919)
Green Up day occurs in several communities around Addison County this Saturday. The annual tradition began in Vermont during the 1970s. In Middlebury, bags are available at the Municipal Building and at Otter Creek Brewery. You can drop off your filled bags Saturday and Sunday at the brewery. Also municipal trucks will be parked at the Middlebury Recreation Park, Municipal Gym and at the East Middlebury Fire Station. A cook out will be held at Otter Creek Brewery Saturday from 11:30AM - 1:30PM. For Green Up schedules in other Addison County towns contact your local town clerk’s office for litter pick-up times.
The Owner and President of Paw Print & Mail and Catamount Marketing, Tom Brassard, has joined the Champlain Valley Association for the Aging Board of Directors. He is a native of Burlington. He serves on the board as vice chairman for the Burlington Business Association and is a longtime supporter of CVAA. He was a major supporter of CVAA's Driving Force Event previously held each February in Quebec featuring go-kart racers that raced to end senior hunger.
The price of trash disposal in Ticonderoga is going up. The town board has approved a rate increase from the present 10 cents a pound to 15 cents a pound. The increase will be effective as soon as new trash tickets are received from a printer. All previously sold trash tickets will be honored at the town trash transfer station. New trash tickets will be sold in $6, $15 and $30 increments. It’s the first increase in the price of garbage disposal since the town opened its transfer station more than 20 years ago.
Runners will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as part of the grand opening celebration for the new Lake Champlain Bridge. “The New York/Vermont 5K Champlain Bridge Run,” a 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) road race, will be held at 3PM Sunday, May 20th. The course, which will start at the Crown Point State Historic Site, will traverse the bridge into Vermont, return across the bridge and run through the New York State campsite on Lake Champlain before finishing back at the historic site. The LaChute Road Runners Club of Ticonderoga is sponsoring the race and you can register online at active.com.
The New York Assembly is cracking down on a legal drug that has been linked to seizures, heart attacks, even death. On Monday, the New York Senate passed a bill that would make it illegal to sell or possess synthetic marijuana. Synthetic marijuana is a mix of herbs and synthetic chemicals. New York and the Federal government already banned some of those chemicals but producers of the drug found new ones. This bill would criminalize all synthetic marijuana. High school student, Sarah Sandberg, who experienced negative health effects from the drug, says this bill is much needed. "All I remember is taking the first hit and I woke up in the hospital with heart monitors and everything strapped to me,” Sandberg and a group of other outspoken teens from Essex County New York held a rally Monday in support of the Senate. They hope that the Federal government will soon criminalize all synthetic marijuana as well.
An informational meeting on a public vote that will decide to keep the existing form of town government or change it is being held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the town offices. The public vote is May 7 by paper ballot from 7AM to 7PM. Killington town officials met Monday morning to finalize a letter that will be sent to the voting public, informing them of the implications of not having a town manager.
The Downtown Rutland Partnership wants motorists on Route 7 know just what the city has to offer. New way-finding signs are scheduled to go up June 1, replacing the marble ones that sit at the corners of Main Street and Center, West and Washington streets, with a fourth sign going up on Madison Street. The signs double as street signs and offer a generalized list of attractions. All four let travelers know “shopping” and “dining” can be found downtown.
Passenger service at the Vermont state airport that serves the Rutland area is being suspended this week so crews can install a long-awaited instrument landing system. The 88 travelers who had been booked on the Cape Air flights out of the Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport in North Clarendon this week have been offered refunds or seats on flights out of Lebanon, New Hampshire.
A House and Senate panel now have a compromise on the controversial immunization issue. Currently parents can "opt out" of having their children vaccinated for religious, health, or philosophical reasons. The philosophical objection was in danger of being eliminated. The compromise reached Monday afternoon acknowledges there is a public health risk if rates of certain vaccines fall below 90-percent, and if that happens, then the Health Department could automatically rescind the philosophical exemption.
Using MRIs to map out brain activity, looking for patterns of certain behavior, is considered "cutting edge" research in the field of neuro-psychology. Two researchers from the University of Vermont are part of an international study using MRIs to look at teenagers prone to use drugs or alcohol. What's new about this latest study out of Europe is it reveals distinct networks in a 14-year-old's brain linked to risky behavior. Robert Whelan and Hugh Garavan at UVM are involved in the study as well as the follow up now underway, looking at the same group of kids who are now 16.
The 2012 CVPS-Zetterstrom Environmental Award will be presented tomorrow morning at 11 in the Cedar Creek Room of the Vermont Statehouse. The third annual award is named for famed osprey advocate Meeri Zetterstrom, and is designed to honor her legacy while recognizing Vermonters and Vermont organizations that continue to work on behalf of Vermont’s environment. The winner’s story is a great example of dedication and perseverance on behalf of Vermont.
Vermont State Police say a trooper shot a suspect in a home burglary after a police pursuit. The suspect died on the way to the hospital. Police say they were on the lookout for a suspect and the suspect's vehicle that had been involved in a burglary at a residence in Johnson on Monday when the vehicle was spotted in Cambridge. Troopers found the vehicle, a black Volkswagen Jetta, with Florida plates but it was unoccupied. Police say they were setting up a perimeter and deployed a search dogs when a trooper found the suspect. Vermont State Police say the trooper discharged his weapon, injuring the suspect. The suspect died on the way to the hospital.
Vermont lawmakers say they hope to wrap up the 2012 legislative session this week. House Speaker Shap Smith says it really depends on passing a state budget. Legislators worked Saturday and expect to again this weekend. Although Smith wants the session to end by Saturday, he's not 100% certain it will happen. Smith says the state is covered if lawmakers have to stay in Montpelier beyond the weekend because the session is budgeted for another two weeks.
Vermont is working to protect the state's ash trees from an invasive and destructive pest. The state's Agency of Agriculture and the USDA Department of Animal and Plant Inspection Service are hanging purple box traps from trees to detect the emerald ash borer. The traps do not catch the beetle but detect whether they are present. The metallic green beetle has destroyed ash trees in 15 states, but to date hasn't been found in Vermont. But this month researchers in New York announced that the insect has been found east of the Hudson River for the first time, marking its closest known threat to New England.
Congressman Peter Welch is compiling stories about student debt. Welch was at the University of Vermont yesterday where he met with students, some of whom are working multiple jobs and studying full time as they accumulate student loan debt. In Vermont, almost 70% of college graduates have an average of $30,000 in debt.
Police say a missing 12-year-old boy has been found about 1.5 miles from his home in the southern Vermont town of Winhall after a five-hour search. Members of the Winhall police department, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Forest Service and Vermont game wardens searched for about five hours before a search dog found Conor Marcellus in the woods on Sunday. His parents reported him missing Sunday afternoon. Police say he had walked away from his home.
A Vermont produce company is working to install solar panels with the goal of cutting its utility bill in half. Black River Produce of Springfield sells fruit, vegetables and seafood, and is expanding its meat processing and shipping. The Eagle Times reports a Windsor-based company has won a $1.3 million bid to handle the project. It's called Prudent Living. The 3-year-old company has completed multiple solar projects, including one near Black River Produce. Company Vice President Tim Biebel believes the Black River system would be the largest privately owned solar network in Vermont.
It's opening day of Vermont's spring turkey hunting. Hunters are allowed to get two bearded turkeys during the season, which runs through May 31. Shooting hours are one half an hour before sunrise until 12 noon daily. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says last year hunters took more than 4,700 turkeys in both the youth and regular seasons.
Addison County Sheriff James B. Coons’ life was celebrated during a memorial service yesterday at Middlebury College. Family and friends gathered in Mead Memorial Chapel, joined by former colleagues and local and state officials to remember and honor Coons’ dedication to his family, community and state throughout his life. He passed away on April 16th at his home following a brief battle with cancer at 59. The Middlebury native began is career with the Middlebury Police Department in 1972, serving for 10 years including as acting chief. He was elected sheriff in 1982 to become the longest-term sheriff currently serving in the state when he died.
Two families must decide if and how to continue their businesses after a devastating fire. That fire heavily damaged a Ferrisburgh building, which housed a boat store and a farm repair shop. Both families have run their businesses for decades. While both say they have insurance, they say it's unclear what will be covered as they try to rebuild. At this point, the fire chief says he believes the fire started in the back of the building and thinks it might be accidental. He says it does not appear to be suspicious.
On Monday Vermont State Police responded to a report of a burglary on Shacksboro Road in Shoreham. Entry was made to the residence by forcing a window open in the rear of the house. Nothing was taken from the residence. Meanwhile a suspect entered a residence on Richville Road in Shoreham through an unlocked door while the owner was at the local post office. The suspect rummaged through the residence and stole several pieces of jewelry and left through another door prior to the homeowner returning. Anyone with information on either of these two Shoreham break-ins is encouraged to contact Vermont State Police at the New Haven Barracks.
Sometime Sunday evening a suspect entered an unlocked vehicle on Horton Road in Orwell and discovered that the keys were in the vehicle. The suspect then stole the vehicle. The owner did not discover it stolen until approximately 8AM the following day. The vehicle was stolen with approximately three quarters of a tank of fuel. If you have information regarding this theft, please call the New Haven State Police Barracks. (802-388-4919)
Green Up day occurs in several communities around Addison County this Saturday. The annual tradition began in Vermont during the 1970s. In Middlebury, bags are available at the Municipal Building and at Otter Creek Brewery. You can drop off your filled bags Saturday and Sunday at the brewery. Also municipal trucks will be parked at the Middlebury Recreation Park, Municipal Gym and at the East Middlebury Fire Station. A cook out will be held at Otter Creek Brewery Saturday from 11:30AM - 1:30PM. For Green Up schedules in other Addison County towns contact your local town clerk’s office for litter pick-up times.
The Owner and President of Paw Print & Mail and Catamount Marketing, Tom Brassard, has joined the Champlain Valley Association for the Aging Board of Directors. He is a native of Burlington. He serves on the board as vice chairman for the Burlington Business Association and is a longtime supporter of CVAA. He was a major supporter of CVAA's Driving Force Event previously held each February in Quebec featuring go-kart racers that raced to end senior hunger.
The price of trash disposal in Ticonderoga is going up. The town board has approved a rate increase from the present 10 cents a pound to 15 cents a pound. The increase will be effective as soon as new trash tickets are received from a printer. All previously sold trash tickets will be honored at the town trash transfer station. New trash tickets will be sold in $6, $15 and $30 increments. It’s the first increase in the price of garbage disposal since the town opened its transfer station more than 20 years ago.
Runners will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as part of the grand opening celebration for the new Lake Champlain Bridge. “The New York/Vermont 5K Champlain Bridge Run,” a 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) road race, will be held at 3PM Sunday, May 20th. The course, which will start at the Crown Point State Historic Site, will traverse the bridge into Vermont, return across the bridge and run through the New York State campsite on Lake Champlain before finishing back at the historic site. The LaChute Road Runners Club of Ticonderoga is sponsoring the race and you can register online at active.com.
The New York Assembly is cracking down on a legal drug that has been linked to seizures, heart attacks, even death. On Monday, the New York Senate passed a bill that would make it illegal to sell or possess synthetic marijuana. Synthetic marijuana is a mix of herbs and synthetic chemicals. New York and the Federal government already banned some of those chemicals but producers of the drug found new ones. This bill would criminalize all synthetic marijuana. High school student, Sarah Sandberg, who experienced negative health effects from the drug, says this bill is much needed. "All I remember is taking the first hit and I woke up in the hospital with heart monitors and everything strapped to me,” Sandberg and a group of other outspoken teens from Essex County New York held a rally Monday in support of the Senate. They hope that the Federal government will soon criminalize all synthetic marijuana as well.
An informational meeting on a public vote that will decide to keep the existing form of town government or change it is being held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the town offices. The public vote is May 7 by paper ballot from 7AM to 7PM. Killington town officials met Monday morning to finalize a letter that will be sent to the voting public, informing them of the implications of not having a town manager.
The Downtown Rutland Partnership wants motorists on Route 7 know just what the city has to offer. New way-finding signs are scheduled to go up June 1, replacing the marble ones that sit at the corners of Main Street and Center, West and Washington streets, with a fourth sign going up on Madison Street. The signs double as street signs and offer a generalized list of attractions. All four let travelers know “shopping” and “dining” can be found downtown.
Passenger service at the Vermont state airport that serves the Rutland area is being suspended this week so crews can install a long-awaited instrument landing system. The 88 travelers who had been booked on the Cape Air flights out of the Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport in North Clarendon this week have been offered refunds or seats on flights out of Lebanon, New Hampshire.
A House and Senate panel now have a compromise on the controversial immunization issue. Currently parents can "opt out" of having their children vaccinated for religious, health, or philosophical reasons. The philosophical objection was in danger of being eliminated. The compromise reached Monday afternoon acknowledges there is a public health risk if rates of certain vaccines fall below 90-percent, and if that happens, then the Health Department could automatically rescind the philosophical exemption.
Using MRIs to map out brain activity, looking for patterns of certain behavior, is considered "cutting edge" research in the field of neuro-psychology. Two researchers from the University of Vermont are part of an international study using MRIs to look at teenagers prone to use drugs or alcohol. What's new about this latest study out of Europe is it reveals distinct networks in a 14-year-old's brain linked to risky behavior. Robert Whelan and Hugh Garavan at UVM are involved in the study as well as the follow up now underway, looking at the same group of kids who are now 16.
The 2012 CVPS-Zetterstrom Environmental Award will be presented tomorrow morning at 11 in the Cedar Creek Room of the Vermont Statehouse. The third annual award is named for famed osprey advocate Meeri Zetterstrom, and is designed to honor her legacy while recognizing Vermonters and Vermont organizations that continue to work on behalf of Vermont’s environment. The winner’s story is a great example of dedication and perseverance on behalf of Vermont.
Vermont State Police say a trooper shot a suspect in a home burglary after a police pursuit. The suspect died on the way to the hospital. Police say they were on the lookout for a suspect and the suspect's vehicle that had been involved in a burglary at a residence in Johnson on Monday when the vehicle was spotted in Cambridge. Troopers found the vehicle, a black Volkswagen Jetta, with Florida plates but it was unoccupied. Police say they were setting up a perimeter and deployed a search dogs when a trooper found the suspect. Vermont State Police say the trooper discharged his weapon, injuring the suspect. The suspect died on the way to the hospital.
Vermont lawmakers say they hope to wrap up the 2012 legislative session this week. House Speaker Shap Smith says it really depends on passing a state budget. Legislators worked Saturday and expect to again this weekend. Although Smith wants the session to end by Saturday, he's not 100% certain it will happen. Smith says the state is covered if lawmakers have to stay in Montpelier beyond the weekend because the session is budgeted for another two weeks.
Vermont is working to protect the state's ash trees from an invasive and destructive pest. The state's Agency of Agriculture and the USDA Department of Animal and Plant Inspection Service are hanging purple box traps from trees to detect the emerald ash borer. The traps do not catch the beetle but detect whether they are present. The metallic green beetle has destroyed ash trees in 15 states, but to date hasn't been found in Vermont. But this month researchers in New York announced that the insect has been found east of the Hudson River for the first time, marking its closest known threat to New England.
Congressman Peter Welch is compiling stories about student debt. Welch was at the University of Vermont yesterday where he met with students, some of whom are working multiple jobs and studying full time as they accumulate student loan debt. In Vermont, almost 70% of college graduates have an average of $30,000 in debt.
Police say a missing 12-year-old boy has been found about 1.5 miles from his home in the southern Vermont town of Winhall after a five-hour search. Members of the Winhall police department, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Forest Service and Vermont game wardens searched for about five hours before a search dog found Conor Marcellus in the woods on Sunday. His parents reported him missing Sunday afternoon. Police say he had walked away from his home.
A Vermont produce company is working to install solar panels with the goal of cutting its utility bill in half. Black River Produce of Springfield sells fruit, vegetables and seafood, and is expanding its meat processing and shipping. The Eagle Times reports a Windsor-based company has won a $1.3 million bid to handle the project. It's called Prudent Living. The 3-year-old company has completed multiple solar projects, including one near Black River Produce. Company Vice President Tim Biebel believes the Black River system would be the largest privately owned solar network in Vermont.
It's opening day of Vermont's spring turkey hunting. Hunters are allowed to get two bearded turkeys during the season, which runs through May 31. Shooting hours are one half an hour before sunrise until 12 noon daily. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says last year hunters took more than 4,700 turkeys in both the youth and regular seasons.
Monday, April 30, 2012
WVTK Local & State News April 30, 2012
Seymour Street here in Middlebury will be closed to through traffic tomorrow (Tuesday) from 7AM until 5PM. It will be closed at Main Street and at Elm Street for water main work at the Fire Station. Access to businesses and residences north of the Fire Station will be via the Elm Street End.
The memorial service for Sheriff Jim Coons will be held 11:00 this morning at Mead Chapel at Middlebury College with the reception immediately following at the American Legion Post on Wilson Road behind G. Stone Motors. There is NO PARKING area at the chapel. Public parking is provided at the Center For Fine Arts and at the Nelson Arena on Route 30 and at the American Legion Post. Shuttle van and busses have been arranged to bring people from the parking areas to the Chapel. The Legion shuttle will run between 9:30 and 10 only. Please do not use Route 125 Hillside or Adirondack View for parking.
Fire crews in Ferrisburgh were still on scene this morning cleaning up after a massive overnight fire. The building housed two businesses, Erikson’s marine and a farm equipment repair shop on route 7. At least ten departments were called in to help but it looks as though the building is destroyed. Fire officials still don't know the cause of the fire but say it started in the repair shop. Crews blocked off route 7, just north of Ferrisburgh, but it is now back open. They say a water line in Vergennes broke which also gave them problems getting water to the fire. It will take most of the day to fix it.
Brandon’s waterline project would reroute the village’s waterline to run through the Brandon Inn, behind the buildings and reconnect to the Neshobe River near West Seminary Street. Town Manager Keith Arlund said recently their goal is to complete the rerouting of the waterline before the reconstruction of Route 7. A public forum to further discuss the project and update the Brandon community will be at 7 this evening at the Brandon Congregational Church.
According to police a reported drive-by shooting in Rutland’s northwest neighborhood actually was an accidental shooting that took place inside a home on Cleveland Avenue. Officers were called to Cleveland Avenue shortly after 3:30 on Friday afternoon where they found 22-year-old Brendan Barber lying near the road with a gunshot wound. Barber initially told police someone shot him from a passing car near the intersection of Baxter Street and Library Avenue but eventually told police he was shot by a friend who was showing him a gun. The investigation continues.
Plans to open a methadone clinic on Park Street in Rutland fell apart last week when the property’s owner announced the building was no longer available to rent, according to state and local health officials working to open the clinic. For months, officials with the state Department of Health, Rutland Mental Health and Rutland Regional Medical Center had been eyeing a vacant industrial site owned by Rutland Plywood as the preferred location for a drug treatment center that would serve upward of 75 people a day to start with. Officials met at the end of last week to talk about options moving forward.
Last Thursday afternoon vehicles parked at the Mount Philo State Park were broken into and property was stolen. The unknown suspects broke into the locked vehicles by breaking door windows. Property stolen from one of the vehicles included a black and brown hand bag, a grey leather pocketbook, a red wallet, approximately $300 hundred dollars cash, personal checks, and credit cards. Information was obtained from witnesses in the area indicating the suspects were white males, possibly in their 20s, and they fled the parking lot in a vehicle described as a grey Subaru Impreza with a rear spoiler. If you have any information pertaining to this case, please contact the Vermont State Police in Williston. (802) 878-7111
On behalf of Woodchuck’s Earth Week Campaign, 12,672 trees will be planted in the United States to help purify the air we breathe. According to Woodchuck’s Facebook page, 6,336 fans were added in just one week–an enviable social network achievement by any terms. The nation’s number one hard cider maker marks its third year of a unique partnership with American Forests and the Global ReLeaf program. In those three years Woodchuck has donated a total of 34,722 trees.
The new Ticonderoga Central School District budget raises taxes 3.5 percent but stays under the state tax cap. The basic tax cap is 2 percent, but districts are allowed exclusions for spending on certain items, so Ticonderoga's cap would have been 9 percent. If voters approved the spending plan, the amount to be raised by taxes for 2012-13 would be $10.31 million, up $344,770, a 3.5-percent increase from $9.96 million this year. The budget hearing is at 7PM Tuesday, May 8th at the Elementary-Middle School cafeteria. The budget vote is Noon to 8PM Tuesday, May 15th at Ticonderoga High School and Hague Community Center.
Ticonderoga Montcalm Street Partnership, PRIDE, Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce and Ticonderoga Kiwanis will join forces for a clean-up day on Saturday, May 12th. The community clean up will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers can contact Joyce Cooper at 585-2640 or email gcooper1@nycap.rr.com. Volunteers can also sign-up on the day of the event next to Rathbun Jewelers. Volunteers will be organized into groups and lunch will be provided. As part of the clean-up effort, Good Point Recycling from Middlebury is expected to have a truck at the public parking lot on the corner of Montcalm Street and Champlain Avenue for people to recycle old electronic equipment.
The Elizabethtown Planning Board has scheduled four monthly comprehensive planning workshops at the Town Hall. All at 3:30PM on Wednesdays, the first is this coming Wednesday, and then June 6th, July 11th and August 1st. The public is welcome.
Former Vermont Governor Philip Hoff was honored in Castleton yesterday. Hoff was the first Democratic elected Governor in the state since 1854. He was the guest of honor at a luncheon at Castleton State College and at the end of the event Castleton President David Wolk presented Hoff with a distinct honor, a new campus building in his name. Construction on Hoff Hall is set to be finished this June. It will be a completely solar-powered, 162 bed dormitory.
Former Governor Madeleine Kunin returned to the Statehouse to defend women's rights. Kunin told a crowd of about 200 people on Saturday to stand up for hard-won women’s rights, which she said is suddenly under assault around the country. She spoke at 1 of more than 50 marches and demonstrations staged across the country by members of UniteWomen.org. The aim was to counter legislative and political initiatives, such as ultrasound mandates, "personhood" bills and pay-equity repeals, that women's-rights advocate’s regard as regressive. Senator Bernie Sanders also spoke at the rally.
The National Endowment for the Arts is going to be helping the Vermont Symphony Orchestra conduct its 2012 Made in Vermont Music Festival tour. The tour will include a commissioned work by Vermont composer David Feurzeig. The Vermont Symphony Orchestra is 1 of 788 organizations across the country that will receive a total of $24.8 million in NEA “Art Works” grants. The Vermont Symphony is recommended for a $12,500 grant. The Made in Vermont Tour will take place between September 27th and October 7th. Vermont Symphony Executive Director Alan Jordan says the tour brings music to the state's villages and towns.
Vermont State Police are investigating separate cases in which cars were stolen and then driven into rivers about 75 miles apart. A car stolen from a home in the village of Saxtons River on Saturday was later located in Saxtons River. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-875-2112. In Plainfield, a vehicle reported stolen Saturday morning was driven over an embankment and down 15 feet into a river. Troopers said the occupants got out of the car and were seen fleeing the scene. The vehicle, which was on its roof submerged in the water, was recovered by a wrecker. Police did not have the name of the river. Anyone with information is asked to call State Police barracks in Middlesex at 802-229-9191.
A nonprofit research group says New Hampshire had the highest average student debt load, followed by Maine at number two and Vermont at number 6. The Project on Student Debt's sixth annual report found that students who graduated from 4-year colleges in Vermont had an average loan debt of $28,391. The study, released in December, found high-debt states concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest.
It was an especially bad weekend for house fires across Vermont, with several reported leaving their owners homeless. There were two fires in southern Vermont, one in Woodstock and one in Chester, with the Red Cross responding to help those families. Another home went up flames in West Berlin, as well as one in Colchester. The head of the American Red Cross in Vermont says the non-profit gets maybe 110 to 155 calls, mostly to house fires in an average year. With two more months to go in the current fiscal year, the Red Cross says it's already gone past that number.
Lawmakers thought they were going to wrap up the current session by last Friday, but it looks like they have at least another week, possibly two to go. They still have items such as passing a budget and redistricting left to deal with, but something they're stuck on is the merger of Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service. A state board is reviewing the deal but some lawmakers are not happy with the utility putting money owed to customers into programs instead of giving it back. The governor is a strong supporter of the merger, and thinks it's a mistake for lawmakers to get involved.
A man from the town of Pomfret is pleading no contest to theft and is going to jail for thirty days. Scott Simpson is accused of stealing a Civil War cannon. Police say he took the antique from his grandparents' rental property in Woodstock and unloaded it at a pawnshop for cash.
One man is recovering while another faces criminal charges after a car in Brattleboro hit a pedestrian. Police there say Sunday night there was some sort of fight between the two men, and when one walked away on Chickering Drive, the other man followed in a pickup truck and struck him. The Brattleboro Reformer reports Shawn Therieau also knocked out a fire hydrant in the process before speeding away. He was arrested after a short chase and is now facing aggravated assault and drunken driving charges. The victim was treated and released.
Castleton state college now holds the record for the world's longest dodge ball tournament. Students played 41 consecutive hours, wrapping up play Sunday morning at 8AM. The tournament started on Friday afternoon at 3. That shatters the previous record of 31 hours and 10 minutes set by some athletes in Albany, New York.
The Middlebury Maple Run is coming up on Sunday, May 6th. We’re expecting 800-900 runners at this year’s event and could use a few additional volunteers! This is a great opportunity for young and old. We have a variety of jobs that take just a couple of hours. This is one of Middlebury’s premier events that brings more than a thousand people to town including runners, family and guests. More than 40% of them are from out of state. It’s a perfect time to show off what a great community we are by welcoming the runners and making sure they have a great event. Learn more about how you can help right now at www.middleburymaplerun.com.
Butson Hotel Management and the Courtyard by Marriott in Middlebury have announced that they rank in the top 2 percent overall of all Courtyards by Marriott in Guest Satisfaction. The Courtyard by Marriott Middlebury has attained many awards from silver through platinum with Marriott International and many of their staff has been with the company since the first year of business in 2004. With room renovations completed this past January the lobby and café renovations are scheduled to be completed in early 2013.
The Vermont House has passed a resolution thanking 1 of its members for the peanut M&M’s. Representative Ken Atkins, a Winooski Democrat, has carried on a tradition since 1999 in which every time there's a pause in legislative action for a House roll call, he dumps a bunch of M&Ms into a glass jar on his desk and other House members gather around for a snack. The retired teacher says he likes a snack during House action, and he used to tell his students not to bring a snack to class without enough to share. Atkins says he tried putting out plain M&Ms with the peanut ones once, but no one took the plain ones.
The memorial service for Sheriff Jim Coons will be held 11:00 this morning at Mead Chapel at Middlebury College with the reception immediately following at the American Legion Post on Wilson Road behind G. Stone Motors. There is NO PARKING area at the chapel. Public parking is provided at the Center For Fine Arts and at the Nelson Arena on Route 30 and at the American Legion Post. Shuttle van and busses have been arranged to bring people from the parking areas to the Chapel. The Legion shuttle will run between 9:30 and 10 only. Please do not use Route 125 Hillside or Adirondack View for parking.
Fire crews in Ferrisburgh were still on scene this morning cleaning up after a massive overnight fire. The building housed two businesses, Erikson’s marine and a farm equipment repair shop on route 7. At least ten departments were called in to help but it looks as though the building is destroyed. Fire officials still don't know the cause of the fire but say it started in the repair shop. Crews blocked off route 7, just north of Ferrisburgh, but it is now back open. They say a water line in Vergennes broke which also gave them problems getting water to the fire. It will take most of the day to fix it.
Brandon’s waterline project would reroute the village’s waterline to run through the Brandon Inn, behind the buildings and reconnect to the Neshobe River near West Seminary Street. Town Manager Keith Arlund said recently their goal is to complete the rerouting of the waterline before the reconstruction of Route 7. A public forum to further discuss the project and update the Brandon community will be at 7 this evening at the Brandon Congregational Church.
According to police a reported drive-by shooting in Rutland’s northwest neighborhood actually was an accidental shooting that took place inside a home on Cleveland Avenue. Officers were called to Cleveland Avenue shortly after 3:30 on Friday afternoon where they found 22-year-old Brendan Barber lying near the road with a gunshot wound. Barber initially told police someone shot him from a passing car near the intersection of Baxter Street and Library Avenue but eventually told police he was shot by a friend who was showing him a gun. The investigation continues.
Plans to open a methadone clinic on Park Street in Rutland fell apart last week when the property’s owner announced the building was no longer available to rent, according to state and local health officials working to open the clinic. For months, officials with the state Department of Health, Rutland Mental Health and Rutland Regional Medical Center had been eyeing a vacant industrial site owned by Rutland Plywood as the preferred location for a drug treatment center that would serve upward of 75 people a day to start with. Officials met at the end of last week to talk about options moving forward.
Last Thursday afternoon vehicles parked at the Mount Philo State Park were broken into and property was stolen. The unknown suspects broke into the locked vehicles by breaking door windows. Property stolen from one of the vehicles included a black and brown hand bag, a grey leather pocketbook, a red wallet, approximately $300 hundred dollars cash, personal checks, and credit cards. Information was obtained from witnesses in the area indicating the suspects were white males, possibly in their 20s, and they fled the parking lot in a vehicle described as a grey Subaru Impreza with a rear spoiler. If you have any information pertaining to this case, please contact the Vermont State Police in Williston. (802) 878-7111
On behalf of Woodchuck’s Earth Week Campaign, 12,672 trees will be planted in the United States to help purify the air we breathe. According to Woodchuck’s Facebook page, 6,336 fans were added in just one week–an enviable social network achievement by any terms. The nation’s number one hard cider maker marks its third year of a unique partnership with American Forests and the Global ReLeaf program. In those three years Woodchuck has donated a total of 34,722 trees.
The new Ticonderoga Central School District budget raises taxes 3.5 percent but stays under the state tax cap. The basic tax cap is 2 percent, but districts are allowed exclusions for spending on certain items, so Ticonderoga's cap would have been 9 percent. If voters approved the spending plan, the amount to be raised by taxes for 2012-13 would be $10.31 million, up $344,770, a 3.5-percent increase from $9.96 million this year. The budget hearing is at 7PM Tuesday, May 8th at the Elementary-Middle School cafeteria. The budget vote is Noon to 8PM Tuesday, May 15th at Ticonderoga High School and Hague Community Center.
Ticonderoga Montcalm Street Partnership, PRIDE, Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce and Ticonderoga Kiwanis will join forces for a clean-up day on Saturday, May 12th. The community clean up will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers can contact Joyce Cooper at 585-2640 or email gcooper1@nycap.rr.com. Volunteers can also sign-up on the day of the event next to Rathbun Jewelers. Volunteers will be organized into groups and lunch will be provided. As part of the clean-up effort, Good Point Recycling from Middlebury is expected to have a truck at the public parking lot on the corner of Montcalm Street and Champlain Avenue for people to recycle old electronic equipment.
The Elizabethtown Planning Board has scheduled four monthly comprehensive planning workshops at the Town Hall. All at 3:30PM on Wednesdays, the first is this coming Wednesday, and then June 6th, July 11th and August 1st. The public is welcome.
Former Vermont Governor Philip Hoff was honored in Castleton yesterday. Hoff was the first Democratic elected Governor in the state since 1854. He was the guest of honor at a luncheon at Castleton State College and at the end of the event Castleton President David Wolk presented Hoff with a distinct honor, a new campus building in his name. Construction on Hoff Hall is set to be finished this June. It will be a completely solar-powered, 162 bed dormitory.
Former Governor Madeleine Kunin returned to the Statehouse to defend women's rights. Kunin told a crowd of about 200 people on Saturday to stand up for hard-won women’s rights, which she said is suddenly under assault around the country. She spoke at 1 of more than 50 marches and demonstrations staged across the country by members of UniteWomen.org. The aim was to counter legislative and political initiatives, such as ultrasound mandates, "personhood" bills and pay-equity repeals, that women's-rights advocate’s regard as regressive. Senator Bernie Sanders also spoke at the rally.
The National Endowment for the Arts is going to be helping the Vermont Symphony Orchestra conduct its 2012 Made in Vermont Music Festival tour. The tour will include a commissioned work by Vermont composer David Feurzeig. The Vermont Symphony Orchestra is 1 of 788 organizations across the country that will receive a total of $24.8 million in NEA “Art Works” grants. The Vermont Symphony is recommended for a $12,500 grant. The Made in Vermont Tour will take place between September 27th and October 7th. Vermont Symphony Executive Director Alan Jordan says the tour brings music to the state's villages and towns.
Vermont State Police are investigating separate cases in which cars were stolen and then driven into rivers about 75 miles apart. A car stolen from a home in the village of Saxtons River on Saturday was later located in Saxtons River. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-875-2112. In Plainfield, a vehicle reported stolen Saturday morning was driven over an embankment and down 15 feet into a river. Troopers said the occupants got out of the car and were seen fleeing the scene. The vehicle, which was on its roof submerged in the water, was recovered by a wrecker. Police did not have the name of the river. Anyone with information is asked to call State Police barracks in Middlesex at 802-229-9191.
A nonprofit research group says New Hampshire had the highest average student debt load, followed by Maine at number two and Vermont at number 6. The Project on Student Debt's sixth annual report found that students who graduated from 4-year colleges in Vermont had an average loan debt of $28,391. The study, released in December, found high-debt states concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest.
It was an especially bad weekend for house fires across Vermont, with several reported leaving their owners homeless. There were two fires in southern Vermont, one in Woodstock and one in Chester, with the Red Cross responding to help those families. Another home went up flames in West Berlin, as well as one in Colchester. The head of the American Red Cross in Vermont says the non-profit gets maybe 110 to 155 calls, mostly to house fires in an average year. With two more months to go in the current fiscal year, the Red Cross says it's already gone past that number.
Lawmakers thought they were going to wrap up the current session by last Friday, but it looks like they have at least another week, possibly two to go. They still have items such as passing a budget and redistricting left to deal with, but something they're stuck on is the merger of Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service. A state board is reviewing the deal but some lawmakers are not happy with the utility putting money owed to customers into programs instead of giving it back. The governor is a strong supporter of the merger, and thinks it's a mistake for lawmakers to get involved.
A man from the town of Pomfret is pleading no contest to theft and is going to jail for thirty days. Scott Simpson is accused of stealing a Civil War cannon. Police say he took the antique from his grandparents' rental property in Woodstock and unloaded it at a pawnshop for cash.
One man is recovering while another faces criminal charges after a car in Brattleboro hit a pedestrian. Police there say Sunday night there was some sort of fight between the two men, and when one walked away on Chickering Drive, the other man followed in a pickup truck and struck him. The Brattleboro Reformer reports Shawn Therieau also knocked out a fire hydrant in the process before speeding away. He was arrested after a short chase and is now facing aggravated assault and drunken driving charges. The victim was treated and released.
Castleton state college now holds the record for the world's longest dodge ball tournament. Students played 41 consecutive hours, wrapping up play Sunday morning at 8AM. The tournament started on Friday afternoon at 3. That shatters the previous record of 31 hours and 10 minutes set by some athletes in Albany, New York.
The Middlebury Maple Run is coming up on Sunday, May 6th. We’re expecting 800-900 runners at this year’s event and could use a few additional volunteers! This is a great opportunity for young and old. We have a variety of jobs that take just a couple of hours. This is one of Middlebury’s premier events that brings more than a thousand people to town including runners, family and guests. More than 40% of them are from out of state. It’s a perfect time to show off what a great community we are by welcoming the runners and making sure they have a great event. Learn more about how you can help right now at www.middleburymaplerun.com.
Butson Hotel Management and the Courtyard by Marriott in Middlebury have announced that they rank in the top 2 percent overall of all Courtyards by Marriott in Guest Satisfaction. The Courtyard by Marriott Middlebury has attained many awards from silver through platinum with Marriott International and many of their staff has been with the company since the first year of business in 2004. With room renovations completed this past January the lobby and café renovations are scheduled to be completed in early 2013.
The Vermont House has passed a resolution thanking 1 of its members for the peanut M&M’s. Representative Ken Atkins, a Winooski Democrat, has carried on a tradition since 1999 in which every time there's a pause in legislative action for a House roll call, he dumps a bunch of M&Ms into a glass jar on his desk and other House members gather around for a snack. The retired teacher says he likes a snack during House action, and he used to tell his students not to bring a snack to class without enough to share. Atkins says he tried putting out plain M&Ms with the peanut ones once, but no one took the plain ones.
Friday, April 27, 2012
WVTK Local & State News April 27, 2012
Seymour Street here in Middlebury will be closed to through traffic on Monday, April 30th starting at 7AM until 5PM. It will be closed at Main Street and at Elm Street for water main work at the Fire Station. Access to businesses and residences north of the Fire Station will be via the Elm Street End.
Vermont State Police are currently investigating the theft of a ring from the residence of Lisa Bowdish in Salisbury. The estimated value of the ring is $500.00. Anyone with information concerning the theft of the ring is encouraged to contact The Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. (1-802-388-4919)
The memorial service for Sheriff Jim Coons will be held 11:00 AM on Monday, April 30th at Mead Chapel at Middlebury College with the reception immediately following at the American Legion Post on Wilson Road behind G. Stone Motors. There is NO PARKING area at the chapel. Public parking is provided at the Center For Fine Arts and at the Nelson Arena on Route 30 and at the American Legion Post. Shuttle van and busses have been arranged to bring people from the parking areas to the Chapel. The Legion shuttle will run between 9:30 and 10 only. Please do not use Route 125 Hillside or Adirondack View for parking.
At Tuesday’s Middlebury Select Board Meeting the Board appointed candidates to a number of boards and commissions and nominated Pete Diminico to the River Task Force. There are still several openings on the Recreation Advisory Board, the Sports Commission and the Board of Listers, and an opening as the Town's alternate representative to the Addison County Regional Planning Commission. Interested individuals should contact the Town Manager's Office.
The Business Development Fund Advisory Board held its first meeting on Monday. The initial four members of the Board, two representing the Town and two representing the College, recommended Ken Perine as the fifth member of the Board, representing the business community. On the Advisory Board's recommendation, the Select Board appointed him as the fifth member on Tuesday.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fire Facilities will be held at 6:30PM on Tuesday, May 8th at the Seymour Street Fire Station. This week the Select Board approved the lease of property from the East Middlebury Fire District, pending negotiation of provisions acceptable to the Fire District for disposition of the building if the Town terminates the lease before the end of its 99-year term. The closing on the Community Cottage was last week. Meanwhile the Board approved hiring Judy & Steve Harris as Clerk of the Works for the fire facilities project.
The Middlebury Downtown Improvement District Commission will solicit proposals for a downtown public parking study. The study will measure the utilization of downtown parking spaces, which would enable more efficient management of existing parking. Responses to the Request for Proposals will be due on May 30th and considered at the next DIDC meeting on Thursday, June 7th.
Brandon’s waterline project would reroute the village’s waterline to run through the Brandon Inn, behind the buildings and reconnect to the Neshobe River near West Seminary Street. Town Manager Keith Arlund said recently their goal is to complete the rerouting of the waterline before the reconstruction of Route 7. A public forum to further discuss the project and update the Brandon community will be at 7PM on Monday at the Brandon Congregational Church.
The Addison County Chamber of Commerce congratulates Vermont Coffee Company and its employee, Lily H., for winning the Pot of Gold at the Chamber’s monthly after hours business mixer held at Art on Main, Bristol last week. Each Chamber member’s name is placed into a pot and one business’s name is drawn at each month’s mixer. If an employee is present from the business whose name was drawn, that business-employee wins the pot. The pot starts at $500 and increases $50 each month that it goes unclaimed. The next after hours business mixer will be held on Thursday, May 17th at Bristol Financial Services in Bristol.
Mitt Romney was the top vote getter in the North Country in Tuesday's Republican presidential primary. Romney tallied 403 votes in Clinton County; 257 in Franklin and 469 in Essex County, easily outdistancing Ron Paul, who came in second in all three counties. Turnout was extremely light, as only 618 voters went to the polls in Clinton County out of a possible 14,800. In Essex County, 753 people voted out of a potential 11,855, and in Franklin County, 417 cast ballots out of 9,749 registered Republicans.
Village leaders in Port Henry are hoping the community and potential campers will turn out for an event designed to show off the rebuilt Port Henry Village Campground. The camping facility on Lake Champlain was virtually destroyed by last year's tropical storms, and a $950,000 project to rebuild it is wrapping up just in time for the summer season. An open house from 1 to 3PM on Sunday May 6th will introduce residents and potential campers to the facility, which has showers, washrooms, a convenience store, a concession stand, playground, basketball court and public beach to accommodate its 99 sites. The village will give away a free weekend of camping. In addition, George's Italian Restaurant of Port Henry will be set up at the open house with free coffee and cookies and will be selling hot dogs, sno-cones and soda.
The Fort Ticonderoga Association named Anne McDonald to its board of trustees. McDonald is a retired teacher and a Ticonderoga resident. McDonald holds an undergraduate degree from Russell Sage College, Troy, and completed master level work at SUNY-Plattsburgh. McDonald is active in regional professional, political, civic organizations and has served as the chairwoman for the Essex County Republican Committee and president of the Heritage Museum Board of Directors in Ticonderoga. She is currently a member of the North Country Community College Foundation Board.
The Vermont Senate has voted to intervene in a case before the Public Service Board - the proposed merger of the state's two largest utilities. At issue was whether lawmakers should tell the board to direct the companies to make refunds to ratepayers of $21 million for extra payments they made a decade ago to get Central Vermont Public Service out of financial trouble. That money was to be paid back if CVPS was ever sold. The companies want the money to go to weatherization and efficiency measures, but the Senate yesterday voted to have that money returned directly to ratepayers. The House is to vote on the bill today.
Governor Peter Shumlin is not happy with lawmakers on their actions considering a proposed merger of the state's two largest electric companies. Central Vermont Public Service and Green Mountain Power Corporation plan on merging, and politicians aren't happy with the way ratepayers, who paid extra to help a financially-strapped utility, are not getting paid back. Governor Shumlin feels lawmakers are overstepping their boundaries by even getting involved, as the ultimate decision rests with the Public Service Board.
As chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Patrick Leahy is using his authority to hold hearings into the misconduct of Secret Service agents on a recent presidential trip to Colombia. Vermont's senior senator is also leading the effort to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, backing an amendment that would focus on domestic violence and rates of violence against teens.
A group of immigrant students from two Chittenden County high schools are telling lawmakers they have to deal with racism in school most every day. Some of the same students staged a protest at Burlington High School earlier this month where they said they should not be judged on standardized test scores, which show performance gaps between immigrant students and others.
There's a lot of "green" lights going in and around East Montpelier, but this has nothing to do with the stop-and-go kind of green lights. Instead, it's the environmental type, as L-E-D lights are going up to replace all the outdated street lamps. The town administrator says the intent is to do something positive for the environment, and it's not costing the town anything. Green Mountain Power is picking up the tab, and is partnering with Efficiency Vermont to work together with towns to assess and convert lights over to L-E-D.
A key state lawmaker says a bill calling for labeling of genetically modified food won't pass this year. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says he generally supports the idea, but there's no time to act on the bill before lawmakers adjourn for the year.
Vermont hunters will have an opportunity to weigh in on deer management. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is set to hold two public hearings next month on the management of white-tail deer. Last year, hunters took 12,132 deer during the archery, youth, rifle, and muzzleloader seasons.
A 30-year-old man is in custody on charges he was peering into windows in South Burlington. South Burlington police say Benjamin Alley was arrested just before noon on Thursday and charged with stalking. On April 15, South Burlington police reported they were investigating reports of a "Peeping Tom" on Hadley Road. Police say they found Alley in a wooded area near Hadley Road after receiving a report that a man was staring into homes. Investigators determined that it was not the first time Alley had been looking into homes on Hadley Road.
Brandon Music on Country Club Road in Brandon will present Trio Balkan Strings this Sunday at 7pm. The concert is a part of the year-round weekly “Sunday Jazz” series hosted in the intimate Brandon Music Café. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $18 at the door. The trio is world-renowned for high-energy virtuosic performances that flow seamlessly from solo features to ensemble pieces, and include their own technique for playing with six hands on one guitar. For more information just click HERE.
The Middlebury Maple Run is coming up on Sunday, May 6th. We’re expecting 800-900 runners at this year’s event and could use a few additional volunteers! This is a great opportunity for young and old. We have a variety of jobs that take just a couple of hours. This is one of Middlebury’s premier events that brings more than a thousand people to town including runners, family and guests. More than 40% of them are from out of state. It’s a perfect time to show off what a great community we are by welcoming the runners and making sure they have a great event. Learn more about how you can help right now by clicking HERE.
Mary Powell, president and chief executive officer of Green Mountain Power, is slated to give this year’s Castleton State College Commencement Address. Powell has served as president and CEO of the company since August 2008. She joined GMP in March 1998 and previously served as the company’s chief operating officer. Since becoming GMP’s president, she has led the company in building cost-effective renewable wind power for its customers and in merging with Central Vermont Public Service.
Vermont State Police are currently investigating the theft of a ring from the residence of Lisa Bowdish in Salisbury. The estimated value of the ring is $500.00. Anyone with information concerning the theft of the ring is encouraged to contact The Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks. (1-802-388-4919)
The memorial service for Sheriff Jim Coons will be held 11:00 AM on Monday, April 30th at Mead Chapel at Middlebury College with the reception immediately following at the American Legion Post on Wilson Road behind G. Stone Motors. There is NO PARKING area at the chapel. Public parking is provided at the Center For Fine Arts and at the Nelson Arena on Route 30 and at the American Legion Post. Shuttle van and busses have been arranged to bring people from the parking areas to the Chapel. The Legion shuttle will run between 9:30 and 10 only. Please do not use Route 125 Hillside or Adirondack View for parking.
At Tuesday’s Middlebury Select Board Meeting the Board appointed candidates to a number of boards and commissions and nominated Pete Diminico to the River Task Force. There are still several openings on the Recreation Advisory Board, the Sports Commission and the Board of Listers, and an opening as the Town's alternate representative to the Addison County Regional Planning Commission. Interested individuals should contact the Town Manager's Office.
The Business Development Fund Advisory Board held its first meeting on Monday. The initial four members of the Board, two representing the Town and two representing the College, recommended Ken Perine as the fifth member of the Board, representing the business community. On the Advisory Board's recommendation, the Select Board appointed him as the fifth member on Tuesday.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fire Facilities will be held at 6:30PM on Tuesday, May 8th at the Seymour Street Fire Station. This week the Select Board approved the lease of property from the East Middlebury Fire District, pending negotiation of provisions acceptable to the Fire District for disposition of the building if the Town terminates the lease before the end of its 99-year term. The closing on the Community Cottage was last week. Meanwhile the Board approved hiring Judy & Steve Harris as Clerk of the Works for the fire facilities project.
The Middlebury Downtown Improvement District Commission will solicit proposals for a downtown public parking study. The study will measure the utilization of downtown parking spaces, which would enable more efficient management of existing parking. Responses to the Request for Proposals will be due on May 30th and considered at the next DIDC meeting on Thursday, June 7th.
Brandon’s waterline project would reroute the village’s waterline to run through the Brandon Inn, behind the buildings and reconnect to the Neshobe River near West Seminary Street. Town Manager Keith Arlund said recently their goal is to complete the rerouting of the waterline before the reconstruction of Route 7. A public forum to further discuss the project and update the Brandon community will be at 7PM on Monday at the Brandon Congregational Church.
The Addison County Chamber of Commerce congratulates Vermont Coffee Company and its employee, Lily H., for winning the Pot of Gold at the Chamber’s monthly after hours business mixer held at Art on Main, Bristol last week. Each Chamber member’s name is placed into a pot and one business’s name is drawn at each month’s mixer. If an employee is present from the business whose name was drawn, that business-employee wins the pot. The pot starts at $500 and increases $50 each month that it goes unclaimed. The next after hours business mixer will be held on Thursday, May 17th at Bristol Financial Services in Bristol.
Mitt Romney was the top vote getter in the North Country in Tuesday's Republican presidential primary. Romney tallied 403 votes in Clinton County; 257 in Franklin and 469 in Essex County, easily outdistancing Ron Paul, who came in second in all three counties. Turnout was extremely light, as only 618 voters went to the polls in Clinton County out of a possible 14,800. In Essex County, 753 people voted out of a potential 11,855, and in Franklin County, 417 cast ballots out of 9,749 registered Republicans.
Village leaders in Port Henry are hoping the community and potential campers will turn out for an event designed to show off the rebuilt Port Henry Village Campground. The camping facility on Lake Champlain was virtually destroyed by last year's tropical storms, and a $950,000 project to rebuild it is wrapping up just in time for the summer season. An open house from 1 to 3PM on Sunday May 6th will introduce residents and potential campers to the facility, which has showers, washrooms, a convenience store, a concession stand, playground, basketball court and public beach to accommodate its 99 sites. The village will give away a free weekend of camping. In addition, George's Italian Restaurant of Port Henry will be set up at the open house with free coffee and cookies and will be selling hot dogs, sno-cones and soda.
The Fort Ticonderoga Association named Anne McDonald to its board of trustees. McDonald is a retired teacher and a Ticonderoga resident. McDonald holds an undergraduate degree from Russell Sage College, Troy, and completed master level work at SUNY-Plattsburgh. McDonald is active in regional professional, political, civic organizations and has served as the chairwoman for the Essex County Republican Committee and president of the Heritage Museum Board of Directors in Ticonderoga. She is currently a member of the North Country Community College Foundation Board.
The Vermont Senate has voted to intervene in a case before the Public Service Board - the proposed merger of the state's two largest utilities. At issue was whether lawmakers should tell the board to direct the companies to make refunds to ratepayers of $21 million for extra payments they made a decade ago to get Central Vermont Public Service out of financial trouble. That money was to be paid back if CVPS was ever sold. The companies want the money to go to weatherization and efficiency measures, but the Senate yesterday voted to have that money returned directly to ratepayers. The House is to vote on the bill today.
Governor Peter Shumlin is not happy with lawmakers on their actions considering a proposed merger of the state's two largest electric companies. Central Vermont Public Service and Green Mountain Power Corporation plan on merging, and politicians aren't happy with the way ratepayers, who paid extra to help a financially-strapped utility, are not getting paid back. Governor Shumlin feels lawmakers are overstepping their boundaries by even getting involved, as the ultimate decision rests with the Public Service Board.
As chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Patrick Leahy is using his authority to hold hearings into the misconduct of Secret Service agents on a recent presidential trip to Colombia. Vermont's senior senator is also leading the effort to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, backing an amendment that would focus on domestic violence and rates of violence against teens.
A group of immigrant students from two Chittenden County high schools are telling lawmakers they have to deal with racism in school most every day. Some of the same students staged a protest at Burlington High School earlier this month where they said they should not be judged on standardized test scores, which show performance gaps between immigrant students and others.
There's a lot of "green" lights going in and around East Montpelier, but this has nothing to do with the stop-and-go kind of green lights. Instead, it's the environmental type, as L-E-D lights are going up to replace all the outdated street lamps. The town administrator says the intent is to do something positive for the environment, and it's not costing the town anything. Green Mountain Power is picking up the tab, and is partnering with Efficiency Vermont to work together with towns to assess and convert lights over to L-E-D.
A key state lawmaker says a bill calling for labeling of genetically modified food won't pass this year. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says he generally supports the idea, but there's no time to act on the bill before lawmakers adjourn for the year.
Vermont hunters will have an opportunity to weigh in on deer management. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is set to hold two public hearings next month on the management of white-tail deer. Last year, hunters took 12,132 deer during the archery, youth, rifle, and muzzleloader seasons.
A 30-year-old man is in custody on charges he was peering into windows in South Burlington. South Burlington police say Benjamin Alley was arrested just before noon on Thursday and charged with stalking. On April 15, South Burlington police reported they were investigating reports of a "Peeping Tom" on Hadley Road. Police say they found Alley in a wooded area near Hadley Road after receiving a report that a man was staring into homes. Investigators determined that it was not the first time Alley had been looking into homes on Hadley Road.
Brandon Music on Country Club Road in Brandon will present Trio Balkan Strings this Sunday at 7pm. The concert is a part of the year-round weekly “Sunday Jazz” series hosted in the intimate Brandon Music Café. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $18 at the door. The trio is world-renowned for high-energy virtuosic performances that flow seamlessly from solo features to ensemble pieces, and include their own technique for playing with six hands on one guitar. For more information just click HERE.
The Middlebury Maple Run is coming up on Sunday, May 6th. We’re expecting 800-900 runners at this year’s event and could use a few additional volunteers! This is a great opportunity for young and old. We have a variety of jobs that take just a couple of hours. This is one of Middlebury’s premier events that brings more than a thousand people to town including runners, family and guests. More than 40% of them are from out of state. It’s a perfect time to show off what a great community we are by welcoming the runners and making sure they have a great event. Learn more about how you can help right now by clicking HERE.
Mary Powell, president and chief executive officer of Green Mountain Power, is slated to give this year’s Castleton State College Commencement Address. Powell has served as president and CEO of the company since August 2008. She joined GMP in March 1998 and previously served as the company’s chief operating officer. Since becoming GMP’s president, she has led the company in building cost-effective renewable wind power for its customers and in merging with Central Vermont Public Service.
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