Vermont Gas announced that it will not proceed with plans to extend natural gas service to the International Paper Plant in Ticonderoga. Vermont Gas says they had numerous discussions with International Paper and were unable to find a mutually acceptable path forward. The company will ask the Public Service Board to dismiss the pending petition for approval of Phase 2. Vermont Gas says due to the cost increase, International Paper decided to withdraw. Officials at Vermont Gas say today’s announcement does not affect Phase 1. Vermont Gas will now focus on completing Phase 1 to serve Addison County.
The Vermont Health Department says eight more kids have test positive for tuberculosis (TB) at the Charlotte Central School. Skin tests were conducted on 223 students on Friday and were evaluated by nurses yesterday. To date, a total of 15 children and one adult have tested positive out of 380 students and staff who have been tested and evaluated. The Health Department says there are no active cases of TB at the school and there is no ongoing risk. A positive skin test result does not mean a person is sick with TB, or that they can pass bacteria to anyone else. Health officials say a positive skin test means that a person has been exposed to TB, and has the bacteria in his or her body. Additional skin tests were conducted yesterday for school staff. Those tests are expected to evaluated tomorrow.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is boycotting next month's address to Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sanders says the main reason he will skip the speech is because Netanyahu did not consult with President Obama in scheduling the event. Sanders says the fact that Obama heads the nation's foreign policy and was not even consulted is wrong and bad for the country. Vice President Joe Biden is also boycotting the speech, scheduled for March 3rd.
A newborn baby is in critical condition after police say the infant was shaken by his teen mother. Police arrested 17-year-old Desiree George of South Burlington. She's charged with aggravated domestic assault and child cruelty. Police say the 3-week-old boy suffered life-threatening injuries after being shaken and remains hospitalized. His mother pleaded not guilty to the charges this morning.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Monday, February 9, 2015
WVTK Local & State News February 9, 2015
Officials at VTrans say you can expect messy driving conditions to continue. Earlier today, there was some freezing drizzle along with snow which caused slick roads, and they say they're re-freezing, which isn't helping. Crews are out in force as this slow moving weather system continues to move out of the area tonight. Roads will improve going into tomorrow.
A group of public and private officials from Vermont is in Colorado to learn about that state's legalized marijuana program. The delegation is being led by Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn and Chittenden State's Attorney TJ Donovan. The group will tour a marijuana cultivation facility, along with a retail marijuana store. The group will also sit down with Denver's U.S. Attorney and a representative of the Colorado governor's office.
There is a public hearing tomorrow night on expanding background checks for all gun purchases, including individual, private sales. The Senate Committees on Health & Welfare and Judiciary will hold the public hearing starting at 5:30 pm in the House Chamber at the State House. Members of the public interested in testifying regarding bill S.31 may sign up 30 minutes prior to the hearing outside the House Chamber. Each person will have 2 minutes to testify and the hearing will adjourn at 8:00 pm.
The University of Vermont says it has received an all-time high number of applications for enrollment this fall, 25,146. UVM Officials say they have received applications from all 50 states and from 85 countries. They added that they also set application records both in its traditional markets of New England, New York and New Jersey and in states like Florida and North Carolina, which are typically beyond their historic recruiting area.
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is calling on the CDC to make the measles vaccine and booster shots free.
This is in light of recent outbreaks in the U.S. So far this year at least 102 people have become infected with measles in 15 different states, including New York. Schumer said the vaccine should be more readily available and free like the flu vaccine, so health coverage is not an issue. Health experts said measles is highly contagious in both children and adults.
A group of public and private officials from Vermont is in Colorado to learn about that state's legalized marijuana program. The delegation is being led by Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn and Chittenden State's Attorney TJ Donovan. The group will tour a marijuana cultivation facility, along with a retail marijuana store. The group will also sit down with Denver's U.S. Attorney and a representative of the Colorado governor's office.
There is a public hearing tomorrow night on expanding background checks for all gun purchases, including individual, private sales. The Senate Committees on Health & Welfare and Judiciary will hold the public hearing starting at 5:30 pm in the House Chamber at the State House. Members of the public interested in testifying regarding bill S.31 may sign up 30 minutes prior to the hearing outside the House Chamber. Each person will have 2 minutes to testify and the hearing will adjourn at 8:00 pm.
The University of Vermont says it has received an all-time high number of applications for enrollment this fall, 25,146. UVM Officials say they have received applications from all 50 states and from 85 countries. They added that they also set application records both in its traditional markets of New England, New York and New Jersey and in states like Florida and North Carolina, which are typically beyond their historic recruiting area.
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is calling on the CDC to make the measles vaccine and booster shots free.
This is in light of recent outbreaks in the U.S. So far this year at least 102 people have become infected with measles in 15 different states, including New York. Schumer said the vaccine should be more readily available and free like the flu vaccine, so health coverage is not an issue. Health experts said measles is highly contagious in both children and adults.
Friday, February 6, 2015
WVTK Local & State News February 6, 2015
The Vermont Tax Department says it has temporarily stopped issuing personal income tax refunds while it makes sure that tax refund fraud isn't occurring in the state. TurboTax, the country's most popular do-it-yourself tax preparation software, said today that it has temporarily stopped processing state tax returns because of an increase in fraudulent filings. So far, Vermont has suspended refunds after 150 returns after they were flagged as fraudulent. Vermont officials say there were no Vermont systems were hacked or breached.
Police have arrested and charged a para-educator at Champlain Valley Union High School with sexual assault. According to investigators, 25-year-old Julianne Graham of Burlington, has a relationship with a 17-year-old boy during the spring of 2014 who attended CVU. Police say the Vermont Department of Children and Families reported the relationship to the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations Wednesday. Graham was arrested and arraigned in Chittenden Superior Court today. Vermont state law stipulates that no person shall engage in a sexual act with a child under the age of 18.
The Vermont Legislature is considering a bill that would require people to opt out of an organ donation system. Burlington Representative Barbara Rachelson says many people want to be donors but fail to register for the donation registry. Rachelson says this creates confusion for families, who are forced to make the decision under the most painful of circumstances. The nonprofit group Donate Life Vermont says 90-percent of people nationally want to donate their organs, but only 45-percent are registered donors.
Vermont is receiving more than two-million dollars from the federal government for transportation projects in several towns. The largest grants of 300-thousand-dollars are going to Colchester, Rutland, St. Albans and Williston. Essex and Killington are receiving large grants as well. Governor Peter Shumlin says every little bit helps, and these investments will make a difference for communities across Vermont.
Despite recent downgrades, Vermont revenues have come up short of expectations again. The Shumlin Administration released figures yesterday showing that the income for the General Fund, Transportation, and Education are all below projections. The governor and the legislature are now working on implementing tens of millions in cuts to balance the budget.
Police have arrested and charged a para-educator at Champlain Valley Union High School with sexual assault. According to investigators, 25-year-old Julianne Graham of Burlington, has a relationship with a 17-year-old boy during the spring of 2014 who attended CVU. Police say the Vermont Department of Children and Families reported the relationship to the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations Wednesday. Graham was arrested and arraigned in Chittenden Superior Court today. Vermont state law stipulates that no person shall engage in a sexual act with a child under the age of 18.
The Vermont Legislature is considering a bill that would require people to opt out of an organ donation system. Burlington Representative Barbara Rachelson says many people want to be donors but fail to register for the donation registry. Rachelson says this creates confusion for families, who are forced to make the decision under the most painful of circumstances. The nonprofit group Donate Life Vermont says 90-percent of people nationally want to donate their organs, but only 45-percent are registered donors.
Vermont is receiving more than two-million dollars from the federal government for transportation projects in several towns. The largest grants of 300-thousand-dollars are going to Colchester, Rutland, St. Albans and Williston. Essex and Killington are receiving large grants as well. Governor Peter Shumlin says every little bit helps, and these investments will make a difference for communities across Vermont.
Despite recent downgrades, Vermont revenues have come up short of expectations again. The Shumlin Administration released figures yesterday showing that the income for the General Fund, Transportation, and Education are all below projections. The governor and the legislature are now working on implementing tens of millions in cuts to balance the budget.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
WVTK Local & State News February 5, 2015
Lawmakers in Montpelier today are looking at a bill that would consolidate a number of school districts in the state. The legislation calls for school districts within a supervisory union to merge into a single supervisory district, a move that would see multiple schools governed by a single school board. Also under the proposal, principals would have more authority. The bill would also mandate language on ballots to give voters a better understanding of how a school budget will impact them financially.
A key Vermont lawmaker is looking to stimulate more renewable energy projects in the state. Representative Tony Klein of East Montpelier says incentives could be used to encourage clean energy projects on developed lands. Klein is chairman of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee. He told the panel yesterday that expedited permitting and generous rates on clean energy will encourage developers to invest.
Castleton State College says a four foot Rainbow Boa was stolen from a science lab on campus. The snake was a personal pet of a professor and was on campus for observation in a class. The college says it is unlikely that the snake would try to get out of its habitat or try to leave the room on its own. The snake cannot survive outside the lab for more than a couple hours in the building and minutes if not placed in a heat protected environment. The college says the snake is not poisonous and doesn't have any teeth. The Boa is orange in color and has a Brazilian origin. The college is investigating the incident.
A citizen’s group has two proposals to the ID-4 school district regarding the school budget for Mary Hogan Elementary School. At their next meeting, on Monday Night, the ID-4 School Board will review the proposals. Currently the budget is voted-on during the ID-4 annual meeting, which is held on the second Wednesday in April. The citizen’s group would like to see the school spending plan approved by Australian Ballot on Town Meeting Day instead of at the annual meeting by a voice vote.
Governor Peter Shumlin says the biggest challenge facing Vermont's economy is finding enough skilled workers. Shumlin attended the Vermont Manufacturers Summit yesterday in Burlington. He says the state needs to make targeted investments in workforce development to continue job creation progress made last year. Shumlin says the state created around four-thousand jobs in 2014, with most coming in the private sector.
A key Vermont lawmaker is looking to stimulate more renewable energy projects in the state. Representative Tony Klein of East Montpelier says incentives could be used to encourage clean energy projects on developed lands. Klein is chairman of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee. He told the panel yesterday that expedited permitting and generous rates on clean energy will encourage developers to invest.
Castleton State College says a four foot Rainbow Boa was stolen from a science lab on campus. The snake was a personal pet of a professor and was on campus for observation in a class. The college says it is unlikely that the snake would try to get out of its habitat or try to leave the room on its own. The snake cannot survive outside the lab for more than a couple hours in the building and minutes if not placed in a heat protected environment. The college says the snake is not poisonous and doesn't have any teeth. The Boa is orange in color and has a Brazilian origin. The college is investigating the incident.
A citizen’s group has two proposals to the ID-4 school district regarding the school budget for Mary Hogan Elementary School. At their next meeting, on Monday Night, the ID-4 School Board will review the proposals. Currently the budget is voted-on during the ID-4 annual meeting, which is held on the second Wednesday in April. The citizen’s group would like to see the school spending plan approved by Australian Ballot on Town Meeting Day instead of at the annual meeting by a voice vote.
Governor Peter Shumlin says the biggest challenge facing Vermont's economy is finding enough skilled workers. Shumlin attended the Vermont Manufacturers Summit yesterday in Burlington. He says the state needs to make targeted investments in workforce development to continue job creation progress made last year. Shumlin says the state created around four-thousand jobs in 2014, with most coming in the private sector.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
WVTK Local & State News February 4, 2015
More than 7,000 Northeast dairy farmers stand to get an average of $4,000 in a proposed settlement with the cooperative Dairy Farmers of America to resolve antitrust allegations. A final court hearing was held last week in Vermont on the $50 million settlement. The 2009 class-action lawsuit charged the cooperative, its marketing arm Dairy Marketing Services and Dallas-based Dean Foods with working together to monopolize the market for raw milk in the Northeast, driving down prices paid to dairy farmers. A judge is expected to decide soon whether to approve the DFA settlement, and farmers now have until May to submit a claim.
The Public Service Department issued its first request for proposals under the new Connectivity Initiative. A press release says Internet Service Providers are invited to submit proposals to serve locations identified by the Department as needing improved access to broadband Internet service. The Department will award grants up to $964,350 to organizations willing to serve these areas. The Department says they have identified 1,700 locations eligible for support through the first round of funding. The lowest acceptable speed for funding is 10 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload. However, the Department is encouraging higher levels of service.
Vermont lawmakers are considering a bill that targets so-called revenge porn. Bill supporters say they have heard from victims who have had sexually explicit pictures of themselves distributed against their will on the Internet. The measure would make it a felony to share intimate photos or video if the person depicted does not grant permission. The measure also would make it illegal to edit photos falsely showing someone engaging in sexual conduct.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Vermont to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by the severe winter storm back in December. The President's action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm
The Public Service Department issued its first request for proposals under the new Connectivity Initiative. A press release says Internet Service Providers are invited to submit proposals to serve locations identified by the Department as needing improved access to broadband Internet service. The Department will award grants up to $964,350 to organizations willing to serve these areas. The Department says they have identified 1,700 locations eligible for support through the first round of funding. The lowest acceptable speed for funding is 10 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload. However, the Department is encouraging higher levels of service.
Vermont lawmakers are considering a bill that targets so-called revenge porn. Bill supporters say they have heard from victims who have had sexually explicit pictures of themselves distributed against their will on the Internet. The measure would make it a felony to share intimate photos or video if the person depicted does not grant permission. The measure also would make it illegal to edit photos falsely showing someone engaging in sexual conduct.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Vermont to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by the severe winter storm back in December. The President's action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
WVTK Local & State News February 3, 2015
The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles wants motorists to replace faded license plates. The state says plates that have faded to the point they are hard to read must be replaced. The department says a problem with the manufacturing process of plates produced between 2003 and 2005 may cause fading. State law allows those plates to be replaced at no cost to the owner. Owners of vehicles with faded plates should fill out a form available on the department's website.
Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy is continuing to position himself for another run for reelection next year. Leahy has made no secret that he plans to seek an eighth term in the Senate, and is now in the process of raising money for the race. The 74-year-old Leahy is currently the most senior member of the Senate, having first been elected in 1974. He earned 64-percent of the vote in his last re-election race in 2010, easily defeating six opponents.
A fire last night destroyed a building in Hinesburg and left 6 residents displaced. The building that was on fire was on Route 116 in the village. The building was the home of the Grateful Dog Grooming business and several apartments. The building was not a complete loss as crews were able to extinguish the fire quickly. Two people were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. The cause of the fire in still under investigation.
A Connecticut man involved in major drug distribution rings in Vermont and Maine is going to prison for more than 17 years. Prosecutors say that 34-year-old James Nastri of Deep River, Connecticut, was sentenced last week to 210 months in prison following his conviction on a federal drug conspiracy charge. At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge William Sessions said Nastri financed and managed a sophisticated, multi state drug operation. Court records show Nastri's group distributed an especially strong form of heroin in the Burlington area that caused several overdoses.
Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy is continuing to position himself for another run for reelection next year. Leahy has made no secret that he plans to seek an eighth term in the Senate, and is now in the process of raising money for the race. The 74-year-old Leahy is currently the most senior member of the Senate, having first been elected in 1974. He earned 64-percent of the vote in his last re-election race in 2010, easily defeating six opponents.
A fire last night destroyed a building in Hinesburg and left 6 residents displaced. The building that was on fire was on Route 116 in the village. The building was the home of the Grateful Dog Grooming business and several apartments. The building was not a complete loss as crews were able to extinguish the fire quickly. Two people were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. The cause of the fire in still under investigation.
A Connecticut man involved in major drug distribution rings in Vermont and Maine is going to prison for more than 17 years. Prosecutors say that 34-year-old James Nastri of Deep River, Connecticut, was sentenced last week to 210 months in prison following his conviction on a federal drug conspiracy charge. At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge William Sessions said Nastri financed and managed a sophisticated, multi state drug operation. Court records show Nastri's group distributed an especially strong form of heroin in the Burlington area that caused several overdoses.
Monday, February 2, 2015
WVTK Local & State News February 2, 2015
VTrans has added a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Route 7 and Exchange Street to it’s list of priority projects. Since 2004, officials in Middlebury have pushing for the roundabout saying trucks entering Route 7 from Exchange Street have a tough time because of the traffic moving at 50 mph and limited visibility. So far, there is no timetable on the project and as for funding, officials say it will cost over six figures due to land acquisition in the area. New businesses on Exchange Street might also be asked to participate in the local share of the roundabout.
A new study indicates that the dairy industry has an impact of more than two-billion-dollars a year on Vermont's economy. The study from the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council says that dairy brings three-million-dollars in circulating cash to the state each day. It also shows that dairy accounts for 70-percent of Vermont's agricultural sales, and its farms produce 63-percent of New England's milk.
The Brandon selectboard last week warned what they are calling a “no-frills” budget for Town Meeting Day. The proposed spending plan call for a 2 percent, or $47,000, increase in the amount to be raised by taxes. Also on Town Meeting Day, residents will be deciding on a number of improvement projects with separate votes. The budget also restores the public works director to a full-time position.
The Vermont Senate Committees on Health & Welfare and Judiciary are holding a public hearing next week on a bill regarding firearm background checks. The public hearing will be held in the House Chamber at the Statehouse starting at 5:30 p.m. on February 10. A press release says the public is invited to comment on bill S.31 and will have two minutes to testify. Anyone interested in testifying may sign up 30 minutes before the hearing outside the House Chamber.
Due to a shortage of rock salt, the Rutland City Department of Public Works says they are now restricting the use of salt on the roads. Salting will now be limited to hills and major intersections. The Department of Public Works are urging drivers to slow down and use extra caution as many streets will remain snow covered after plowing. The Department of Public Works says some roads may remain slippery for several days until back-ordered salt is delivered.
A new study indicates that the dairy industry has an impact of more than two-billion-dollars a year on Vermont's economy. The study from the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council says that dairy brings three-million-dollars in circulating cash to the state each day. It also shows that dairy accounts for 70-percent of Vermont's agricultural sales, and its farms produce 63-percent of New England's milk.
The Brandon selectboard last week warned what they are calling a “no-frills” budget for Town Meeting Day. The proposed spending plan call for a 2 percent, or $47,000, increase in the amount to be raised by taxes. Also on Town Meeting Day, residents will be deciding on a number of improvement projects with separate votes. The budget also restores the public works director to a full-time position.
The Vermont Senate Committees on Health & Welfare and Judiciary are holding a public hearing next week on a bill regarding firearm background checks. The public hearing will be held in the House Chamber at the Statehouse starting at 5:30 p.m. on February 10. A press release says the public is invited to comment on bill S.31 and will have two minutes to testify. Anyone interested in testifying may sign up 30 minutes before the hearing outside the House Chamber.
Due to a shortage of rock salt, the Rutland City Department of Public Works says they are now restricting the use of salt on the roads. Salting will now be limited to hills and major intersections. The Department of Public Works are urging drivers to slow down and use extra caution as many streets will remain snow covered after plowing. The Department of Public Works says some roads may remain slippery for several days until back-ordered salt is delivered.
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