This long stretch of cold weather is causing a number of issues with water pipes. Earlier today, Winooski, Alburgh, Jeffersonville and Ticonderoga all issued warnings about freezing pipes. There was also a main water line break in Rutland today on Lincoln and West Streets as well. In most cases, officials are recommending residents keep faucets open to prevent freeze-ups. When you are not using your water, just leave the faucet dripping. This will help in preventing pipes from freezing.
The Empire State is trying to entice more snowmobilers to visit the more that 10,000 miles of trails that the state has to offer. Governor Andrew Cuomo yesterday announced a free snowmobiling weekend on the weekend of March 7th & 8th for out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers. For the entire weekend, registration fees will be waived if you are already registered and insured elsewhere.
A former employee at the Brandon Inn has plead not guilty to embezzlement. 38-year-old Carmen Dozier of Middletown Springs is accused of stealing about $70,000 while she was in charge of payroll records. Dozier allegedly make personal purchases with credit cards issued to the inn's owners and deposited bad checks. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in jail and a fine of up to $1 million.
Fire officials are investigating a dairy farm fire that killed 20 calves. The South Burlington Fire Department took nearly four hours to put out the blaze that burned two structures on Ethan Allen Drive. Authorities say they don't believe foul play is involved and are calling it an accident, but they are still trying to find out what caused the fire.
Gov. Peter Shumlin and Attorney General William Sorrell are offering their support for tighter regulation of Vermont's rent-to-own stores. Christopher Curtis, an attorney with Vermont Legal Aid, says rent-to-own stores often target low-income Vermonters with deals that end up with them paying far more than the usual retail price of an item over the life of a rent-to-own contract. A bill in the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee would cap the effective interest rates in rent-to-own contracts and require better disclosures of the deals that consumers are getting.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
WVTK Local & State News February 19, 2015
FairPoint Communications has announced the company and workers have reached a tentative deal. FairPoint says deal includes new collective bargaining agreements and gives them a more competitive position in the marketplace. Union members will vote on ratification of the tentative agreement as soon as possible. If the agreement is signed, striking workers will return to work on Wednesday, February 25. FairPoint workers have been on strike since October 2014.
The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles declared an emergency exists pertaining to the delivery of home heating fuels (fuel oil, propane) within the state. The department says the declaration of emergency is required to ensure the continuation of essential services. The emergency designation suspends the work shift restrictions when transporting home heating fuels from terminal locations and local delivery operations. However, the declaration does not permit fatigued or ill drivers to operate a motor vehicle. The emergency declaration is effective immediately and will expire on March 7, 2015 at midnight.
Walmart announced Thursday they are giving approximately 500,000 employees a raise. Walmart says by April 1, hourly employees will earn $9 per hour. That wage will increase by at least another dollar by February 1, 2016. The company and the Walmart Foundation will also spend $100 million over five years to help increase economic mobility for entry level workers by advancing their careers. The wage increases are for both Walmart and Sam's Club employees.
Vermont Health Connect has announced that some Vermonters who missed this year's open enrollment still have an opportunity to apply for 2015 health coverage. Vermonters who don't have health insurance and learn about the new federal penalty for having no coverage when they file their 2014 taxes now have a chance to avoid paying the full federal fee next year. Vermonters affected by the federal fee should call Vermont Health Connect's Customer Support Center toll-free at 1-855-899-9600. They must apply for and select a plan within 60 days from the date they discovered they would be subject to the federal Shared Responsibility Payment, but no later than May 31.
Just a reminder … Ferrisburgh’s Town Meeting will take place on Saturday, February 28th, starting at 10 am. Last March, residents changed the meeting date by a voice vote from the first Tuesday of March to the previous Saturday. The annual Ferrisburgh Central School meeting will follow, starting at 1 pm. Australian balloting will be held as usual on Tuesday, March 3rd, from 7 am to 7 pm. On that ballot will be all school spending measures and races for town officers, including contested races for the selectboard and delinquent tax collector.
The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles declared an emergency exists pertaining to the delivery of home heating fuels (fuel oil, propane) within the state. The department says the declaration of emergency is required to ensure the continuation of essential services. The emergency designation suspends the work shift restrictions when transporting home heating fuels from terminal locations and local delivery operations. However, the declaration does not permit fatigued or ill drivers to operate a motor vehicle. The emergency declaration is effective immediately and will expire on March 7, 2015 at midnight.
Walmart announced Thursday they are giving approximately 500,000 employees a raise. Walmart says by April 1, hourly employees will earn $9 per hour. That wage will increase by at least another dollar by February 1, 2016. The company and the Walmart Foundation will also spend $100 million over five years to help increase economic mobility for entry level workers by advancing their careers. The wage increases are for both Walmart and Sam's Club employees.
Vermont Health Connect has announced that some Vermonters who missed this year's open enrollment still have an opportunity to apply for 2015 health coverage. Vermonters who don't have health insurance and learn about the new federal penalty for having no coverage when they file their 2014 taxes now have a chance to avoid paying the full federal fee next year. Vermonters affected by the federal fee should call Vermont Health Connect's Customer Support Center toll-free at 1-855-899-9600. They must apply for and select a plan within 60 days from the date they discovered they would be subject to the federal Shared Responsibility Payment, but no later than May 31.
Just a reminder … Ferrisburgh’s Town Meeting will take place on Saturday, February 28th, starting at 10 am. Last March, residents changed the meeting date by a voice vote from the first Tuesday of March to the previous Saturday. The annual Ferrisburgh Central School meeting will follow, starting at 1 pm. Australian balloting will be held as usual on Tuesday, March 3rd, from 7 am to 7 pm. On that ballot will be all school spending measures and races for town officers, including contested races for the selectboard and delinquent tax collector.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
WVTK Local & State News February 18, 2015
The Shumlin Administration says two new reports support increase in funding to Vermont's Blueprint for Health. A press release says the program is leading national efforts to slow the growth of health care costs. One report found that the state was saving up to $2,200 per person, per year. The Vermont Blueprint for Health (Blueprint) is a program for patients, improving the health of the overall population, and improving control over health care costs by promoting health maintenance, prevention, and care coordination and management. The two reports were from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services, which focused on the Support and Services and Home (SASH) program.
The most detailed bill yet to legalize and regulate marijuana in Vermont was submitted in the legislature yesterday. The 44 page bill was offered by Chittenden Senator David Zuckerman, and would allow residents to possess up to an ounce of marijuana. Zuckerman says the bill is a good starting point, but he does not expect it to gain any real traction this year. However, he feels the bill will lay the groundwork for a serious effort for passage next year.
The Vermont Lottery is launching a new program that will provide competitive technology grants to school districts. The program will provide successful bidders with 20 new iPads or Google Chromebooks, with the choice made by the winning school. Special consideration for the grants is being given to school districts in very rural areas, especially those in the free and reduced lunch program. The deadline for schools to apply for grants is March 27th.
Organizers have set the date for this year’s Middlebury Maple Run. The seventh annual Maple Run will take place on May 3. The half-marathon is expected to attract 800 to 1,000 runners and raises money for Addison County nonprofit groups. This year’s race includes a post-run pancake breakfast, finisher’s medals from Maple Landmark Woodcraft, personalized race bibs and a shot of UnTapped maple syrup, which organizers describe as “an all-natural athletic fuel.” The Addison County Chamber of Commerce estimates the race provides direct economic impact to the area of at least $100,000. For information, visit middleburymaplerun.com.
The most detailed bill yet to legalize and regulate marijuana in Vermont was submitted in the legislature yesterday. The 44 page bill was offered by Chittenden Senator David Zuckerman, and would allow residents to possess up to an ounce of marijuana. Zuckerman says the bill is a good starting point, but he does not expect it to gain any real traction this year. However, he feels the bill will lay the groundwork for a serious effort for passage next year.
The Vermont Lottery is launching a new program that will provide competitive technology grants to school districts. The program will provide successful bidders with 20 new iPads or Google Chromebooks, with the choice made by the winning school. Special consideration for the grants is being given to school districts in very rural areas, especially those in the free and reduced lunch program. The deadline for schools to apply for grants is March 27th.
Organizers have set the date for this year’s Middlebury Maple Run. The seventh annual Maple Run will take place on May 3. The half-marathon is expected to attract 800 to 1,000 runners and raises money for Addison County nonprofit groups. This year’s race includes a post-run pancake breakfast, finisher’s medals from Maple Landmark Woodcraft, personalized race bibs and a shot of UnTapped maple syrup, which organizers describe as “an all-natural athletic fuel.” The Addison County Chamber of Commerce estimates the race provides direct economic impact to the area of at least $100,000. For information, visit middleburymaplerun.com.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
WVTK Local & State News February 17, 2015
Lake Champlain is completely frozen over. The National Weather Service says high resolution satellite images confirm that the lake is frozen over for the second year in a row. Temperatures have been below freezing the entire month of February in Burlington, and the wind chills of 40 below zero this past weekend likely finished the freeze over. The last time the lake completely froze for two years in a row was a decade ago.
Voters in Vergennes, Waltham, and Panton will be asked to approve a $4.7-million Vergennes Union Elementary School budget on Town Meeting Day. The proposed budget represents a 7.7-percent increase over the current spending plan. Officials say the increase is due to a number of factors including adding a math specialist and accounting for mistakes made in previous budgets at the ANwSU level. Vergennes, Waltham, and Panton voters will also be deciding on a proposed $10.47 million Vergennes Union High School budget and a related $100,000 VUHS capital improvement spending article.
A new bill seeks to partner Vermont beer makers and agriculture. The bill would create a new Vermont farm brewer's license for people who want to brew beer with at least one product grown on their land. Farm beer would have to include 20-percent local hops and 30-percent of other local ingredients, which could not be water. The Bill from Bennington Representative Bill Botzow would also create similar designations for Vermont-made cheese and wine.
A bill to legalize marijuana in Vermont was unveiled in Montpelier today. State Senator David Zuckerman has been crafting the bill. He says the bill is modeled on laws in Colorado and Washington state, with the goal of having the state regulate cultivation and distribution, and place a heavy tax on retail sales.
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders is proposing free tuition at public colleges for the first two years. A press release says he is also calling for reforms in federal student loans. Sen. Sanders announced the proposals at Johnson State College today. Sen. Sanders welcomes President Obama's proposal to make community college free, but says we must go further.
Voters in Vergennes, Waltham, and Panton will be asked to approve a $4.7-million Vergennes Union Elementary School budget on Town Meeting Day. The proposed budget represents a 7.7-percent increase over the current spending plan. Officials say the increase is due to a number of factors including adding a math specialist and accounting for mistakes made in previous budgets at the ANwSU level. Vergennes, Waltham, and Panton voters will also be deciding on a proposed $10.47 million Vergennes Union High School budget and a related $100,000 VUHS capital improvement spending article.
A new bill seeks to partner Vermont beer makers and agriculture. The bill would create a new Vermont farm brewer's license for people who want to brew beer with at least one product grown on their land. Farm beer would have to include 20-percent local hops and 30-percent of other local ingredients, which could not be water. The Bill from Bennington Representative Bill Botzow would also create similar designations for Vermont-made cheese and wine.
A bill to legalize marijuana in Vermont was unveiled in Montpelier today. State Senator David Zuckerman has been crafting the bill. He says the bill is modeled on laws in Colorado and Washington state, with the goal of having the state regulate cultivation and distribution, and place a heavy tax on retail sales.
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders is proposing free tuition at public colleges for the first two years. A press release says he is also calling for reforms in federal student loans. Sen. Sanders announced the proposals at Johnson State College today. Sen. Sanders welcomes President Obama's proposal to make community college free, but says we must go further.
Friday, February 13, 2015
WVTK Local & State News February 13, 2015
Vermont State Police are warning skiers of the dangers of skiing or riding out of bounds. Areas of southern Vermont have received between three and four feet of snow in recent weeks, and this has led to a dozen lost or stranded skiers this season. Six of those cases have occurred since the beginning of the month, and all were eventually rescued without serious injury. People are urged to watch the weather, and to be especially careful when the temperatures are bitterly cold.
A day after pleading guilty, Patricia Prue was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of the St. Johnsbury teacher, Melissa Jenkins, in 2012. Yesterday, she plead guilty to 1st degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy. In the plea deal, she waived the right to an appeal. Prue addressed the court saying "actions speak louder than words." She says she is giving away her freedom to show how sorry she is. Prue's husband Allen was sentenced for the murder and kidnapping death of Melissa Jenkins back in December.
The Vermont House has approved a bill increasing fees for a number of items in the Green Mountain State. Among the biggest percentage jumps would be for a license to operate a small bed-and-breakfast, with a capacity of up to 10. That license would increase from $80 to $150 - a jump of about 88 percent. In total, the bill would raise about $2.8 million in new revenue for the state. The bill still needs to be approved by the state senate.
Police hope new surveillance pictures will help lead to the arrest of an armed robbery suspect in West Rutland. The Rutland County Sheriff's Department released the photos yesterday showing a man armed with a knife inside the Cash Market on Main Street on Tuesday just before 7 pm. Investigators say he was in the store for less than a minute and took off with an undisclosed amount of money. The clerk on duty chased after the suspect, who was running towards the Napa Auto Parts building. Police believe the alleged thief may have gotten into a vehicle near the Rite Aid Pharmacy and left the area. He is described as a middle aged man between 5 1/2 and 6 feet tall with a heavy build, wearing a brown or grey plaid, snowboard type hooded jacket and a ski mask.
A day after pleading guilty, Patricia Prue was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of the St. Johnsbury teacher, Melissa Jenkins, in 2012. Yesterday, she plead guilty to 1st degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy. In the plea deal, she waived the right to an appeal. Prue addressed the court saying "actions speak louder than words." She says she is giving away her freedom to show how sorry she is. Prue's husband Allen was sentenced for the murder and kidnapping death of Melissa Jenkins back in December.
The Vermont House has approved a bill increasing fees for a number of items in the Green Mountain State. Among the biggest percentage jumps would be for a license to operate a small bed-and-breakfast, with a capacity of up to 10. That license would increase from $80 to $150 - a jump of about 88 percent. In total, the bill would raise about $2.8 million in new revenue for the state. The bill still needs to be approved by the state senate.
Police hope new surveillance pictures will help lead to the arrest of an armed robbery suspect in West Rutland. The Rutland County Sheriff's Department released the photos yesterday showing a man armed with a knife inside the Cash Market on Main Street on Tuesday just before 7 pm. Investigators say he was in the store for less than a minute and took off with an undisclosed amount of money. The clerk on duty chased after the suspect, who was running towards the Napa Auto Parts building. Police believe the alleged thief may have gotten into a vehicle near the Rite Aid Pharmacy and left the area. He is described as a middle aged man between 5 1/2 and 6 feet tall with a heavy build, wearing a brown or grey plaid, snowboard type hooded jacket and a ski mask.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
WVTK Local & State News February 12, 2015
The Vermont Supreme Court has given permission to the Public Service Board to launch a second investigation into Phase I of the Addison Rutland Natural Gas Project. The Department of Public Service encouraged the PSB to evaluate whether the project still deserves a Certificate of Public Good, or if that Certificate of Public Good should be amended to reflect substantial changes to the project. The Supreme Court stated that there is no time limit on the remand, but the PSB must update the court on the case every 30 days, starting March 15. Construction on the project has been suspended while the ground is frozen. The company projects to complete Phase I by the spring of 2016.
The Vermont Department of Taxes has started issuing tax refunds checks. The Department halted sending out refunds last week after an influx of fraudulent returns being filed in the state. As of last Friday, 121 phony returns had been filed. The department has allocated additional staff to work on fraud full-time. Returns flagged by software as possible fraudulent are being manually reviewed by staff members. Tax Commissioner Mary Peterson urges Vermonters to get their tax returns in promptly in order to head off any criminals trying to file in your name. To check if that has already happened, go to the Tax Department's website.
The Vermont chapter of the National Education Association, the largest union in the state, is supporting legislation that would remove the philosophical exemption to vaccinations for parents who don't want their children immunized. Vermont-NEA President Martha Allen says the fact that almost a third of Vermont's public schools have vaccination rates lower than what's considered safe is alarming and unacceptable. She says now that the country is seeing the worst measles outbreak since it was eradicated nearly 15 years ago, it's time to make sure children who can be vaccinated gets the protection they and society deserve. Vermont is in the top three states for people taking the exemption. Lawmakers have announced plans to introduce a bill to eliminate the exemption. A similar effort failed three years ago.
A Vermont lawmaker says expanding the number of DNA samples taken into a state database will be put off for at least a year due to a backlog in the existing program. The Senate Judiciary Committee has been considering a plan to collect DNA samples from anyone convicted of a misdemeanor. Vermont currently collects samples just from those convicted of felonies. But Senator Richard Sears, the committee's chairman, says public safety officials have told the committee that the existing program has a backlog of about 2,500 DNA samples waiting to be processed.
The Vermont Department of Taxes has started issuing tax refunds checks. The Department halted sending out refunds last week after an influx of fraudulent returns being filed in the state. As of last Friday, 121 phony returns had been filed. The department has allocated additional staff to work on fraud full-time. Returns flagged by software as possible fraudulent are being manually reviewed by staff members. Tax Commissioner Mary Peterson urges Vermonters to get their tax returns in promptly in order to head off any criminals trying to file in your name. To check if that has already happened, go to the Tax Department's website.
The Vermont chapter of the National Education Association, the largest union in the state, is supporting legislation that would remove the philosophical exemption to vaccinations for parents who don't want their children immunized. Vermont-NEA President Martha Allen says the fact that almost a third of Vermont's public schools have vaccination rates lower than what's considered safe is alarming and unacceptable. She says now that the country is seeing the worst measles outbreak since it was eradicated nearly 15 years ago, it's time to make sure children who can be vaccinated gets the protection they and society deserve. Vermont is in the top three states for people taking the exemption. Lawmakers have announced plans to introduce a bill to eliminate the exemption. A similar effort failed three years ago.
A Vermont lawmaker says expanding the number of DNA samples taken into a state database will be put off for at least a year due to a backlog in the existing program. The Senate Judiciary Committee has been considering a plan to collect DNA samples from anyone convicted of a misdemeanor. Vermont currently collects samples just from those convicted of felonies. But Senator Richard Sears, the committee's chairman, says public safety officials have told the committee that the existing program has a backlog of about 2,500 DNA samples waiting to be processed.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
WVTK Local & State News February 11, 2015
Governor Peter Shumlin is sending up to 40 members of the Vermont National Guard to Massachusetts, a state dealing with record snowfall. The troops will also bring up to a dozen pieces of heavy equipment to the Bay State, including dump trucks and backhoes. The specific details of their mission will be decided by Massachusetts officials, but it will involve snow removal. The Vermont troops, from the 131st Engineer Company, will be based at Camp Curtis Guild, located northwest of Boston. They will be deployed for at least 15 days, and will depart from White River Junction tomorrow.
According to a report released today by the Washington, DC, based Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Vermont ranks in the top ten states for school breakfast participation. Vermont’s ranking fell slightly from 6th to 8th from the previous year, not because Vermont’s participation has dropped, but because other states had early access to the new Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) which allows schools in high poverty areas to serve free school meals to all children regardless of their families’ incomes. While some states piloted CEP as early as 2011, the new provision only became available to Vermont schools this school year.
A new bill being introduced would increase the smoking age in Vermont from 18 to 21. Representative George Till from Jericho pitched his bill to the Human Services Committee. Till says it will reduce smoking rates among 18- to 20-year-olds, preventing lifelong addiction and illness for many, and will keep younger teens from lighting up, too. Some lawmakers worry about push-back, including from military members. The committee will decide whether to advance the bill.
A Vermont school bus driver has been issued a traffic violation after police say a student caught him texting while driving. Police say the Colchester High School student captured video footage of 43-year-old William Blanchard, texting while driving the bus. The student’s parent called police to report the incident. Vermont banned texting while driving in 2010. A law also went into effect Oct. 1, 2014 that banned any use of handheld cellphones. Police say they have issued Blanchard a traffic violation for using a handheld phone while driving a commercial vehicle. He faces two points on his license and a fine of $479. Police say Blanchard is employed by Mountain Transit, Inc.
According to a report released today by the Washington, DC, based Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Vermont ranks in the top ten states for school breakfast participation. Vermont’s ranking fell slightly from 6th to 8th from the previous year, not because Vermont’s participation has dropped, but because other states had early access to the new Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) which allows schools in high poverty areas to serve free school meals to all children regardless of their families’ incomes. While some states piloted CEP as early as 2011, the new provision only became available to Vermont schools this school year.
A new bill being introduced would increase the smoking age in Vermont from 18 to 21. Representative George Till from Jericho pitched his bill to the Human Services Committee. Till says it will reduce smoking rates among 18- to 20-year-olds, preventing lifelong addiction and illness for many, and will keep younger teens from lighting up, too. Some lawmakers worry about push-back, including from military members. The committee will decide whether to advance the bill.
A Vermont school bus driver has been issued a traffic violation after police say a student caught him texting while driving. Police say the Colchester High School student captured video footage of 43-year-old William Blanchard, texting while driving the bus. The student’s parent called police to report the incident. Vermont banned texting while driving in 2010. A law also went into effect Oct. 1, 2014 that banned any use of handheld cellphones. Police say they have issued Blanchard a traffic violation for using a handheld phone while driving a commercial vehicle. He faces two points on his license and a fine of $479. Police say Blanchard is employed by Mountain Transit, Inc.
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