A public meeting to present six designs for the new Lake Champlain Bridge and to receive public comment will be held Monday in Vergennes. Feedback on designs will be invited at the meeting and will be accepted until Jan. 11. An announcement on the final design is expected in mid-January. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. Monday at the Addison County Eagle building, 67 New Haven Road in Vergennes.
The Ticonderoga Ferry will remain open for at least a few more days. The ferry's contract with the state expires today, but the ferry will stay open through Sunday. The ferry's owner is checking on insurance and other paperwork to determine whether he can keep running longer than that.
The governors of 11 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States including Vermont and New York, have signed an agreement to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels. The goal is to lower the carbon content of fuels used by vehicles, which represent about 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
The union representing most Vermont state workers says its members have ratified a new 2-year labor contract that calls for temporary, 3 percent pay cuts. Vermont State Employees Association Director Jes Kraus says the contract temporarily cuts wages by 3 percent and leaves them frozen until 2012, then restores the 3 percent cuts.
Water service has been restored in downtown Montpelier and is expected back elsewhere in the city shortly. State offices were closed and first-shift workers sent home yesterday morning after two water main breaks in the city shut down water service to much of the nation's smallest state capital, which has about 8,000 residents.
A civic action group says it has gathered enough signatures to challenge the instant-runoff voting system used in mayoral elections in Burlington. The group called "One Person, One Vote," wants to place the issue before city voters. Last March, Mayor Bob Kiss was elected in three rounds using the instant runoff system.
State police say a 20-year-old woman is in custody in the hold-up of Lyndonville's Passumpsic Savings Bank yesterday. Paige Ely was arrested at a local inn after police used a dog and surveillance video to track her from the bank to the hotel.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
WVTK Local & State News December 30, 2009
The winter weather made for some dangerous road conditions yesterday. Heavy snowfall and quickly dropping temperatures meant ice was frozen to many road surfaces. Cars spun out or went off the roads in some places. It was too cold for rock salt to even melt ice. Crews say normal salt works best when temperatures are in the 20s. Vermont transportation officials are putting additives into a liquid brine hoping the experiment works better than salt to melt ice in the bitter cold. The transportation agency says hills on Route 7 were some of the most difficult roads to manage.
Crews started pulling chunks of the Champlain Bridge out of Lake Champlain Yesterday. It's a process that is expected to take at least 4 months. Six barges, 45 people, and about 30 pieces of machinery will be used to complete the work. Most all of the pieces will have to be cut up before they're removed, including the debris underwater. The biggest challenge will be removing parts of the bridge from the middle of the channel where the water is about 45 feet deep.
Vermont's major teachers' union is trying to get out in front of a report to be issued soon on public retirement systems, saying it fears it might propose changes that would harm pensions for teachers, state and municipal workers. The National Education Association's Vermont chapter launched its own report Tuesday ahead of next week's start to the Legislative session, saying it wants to help provide solutions to the state's short-term budget crisis without destroying a teacher pension system in place for six decades. NEA officials say they fear the special commission's report will call on teachers and other public employees to work longer, pay more into the system and receive less in pensions.
Amtrak will stop in Castleton, Vt., for the first time in more than 50 years starting this weekend. The Ethan Allen Express will make two stops a day at the recently renovated station starting Saturday. The Agency of Transportation decided to switch the train's daily stop between Rutland and Albany from Fair Haven to Castleton to meet growing and anticipated demand to Castleton State College and Lake Bomoseen areas.
An arrest warrant has been issued for a Lyndon man in the stabbing death of his estranged wife. State police say Anna Berwick had recently gotten a restraining order against Benjamin Berwick after the couple separated. She was found dead yesterday. He is hospitalized with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
A Virginia woman may have disappeared with a 7-year-old girl at the heart of a custody dispute involving a former lesbian couple. A Vermont judge has ordered the youngster to be turned over to Janet Jenkins of Fair Haven Friday, but the judge says Jenkins' former partner, Lisa Miller, has "disappeared."
While the U.S. Senate's version of health care reform didn't include a so-called public option, state lawmaker Paul Poirier would like to see it happen in Vermont. Poirier tells The Times Argus he plans to introduce a bill creating a public health insurance option for low-income residents.
The state plans to go to anglers next month, hoping to find out more about their fishing habits and opinions on how Vermont manages its fisheries. Surveys will be mailed to both in and out-of-state anglers.
A 77-year-old man has died in a car accident in Bloomfield.Police say Robert Postier was traveling on Route 102 on Tuesday when his Jeep Liberty went off the road, struck a sign post and ignited. Authorities say a passing motorist pulled Postier from the burning vehicle but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Crews started pulling chunks of the Champlain Bridge out of Lake Champlain Yesterday. It's a process that is expected to take at least 4 months. Six barges, 45 people, and about 30 pieces of machinery will be used to complete the work. Most all of the pieces will have to be cut up before they're removed, including the debris underwater. The biggest challenge will be removing parts of the bridge from the middle of the channel where the water is about 45 feet deep.
Vermont's major teachers' union is trying to get out in front of a report to be issued soon on public retirement systems, saying it fears it might propose changes that would harm pensions for teachers, state and municipal workers. The National Education Association's Vermont chapter launched its own report Tuesday ahead of next week's start to the Legislative session, saying it wants to help provide solutions to the state's short-term budget crisis without destroying a teacher pension system in place for six decades. NEA officials say they fear the special commission's report will call on teachers and other public employees to work longer, pay more into the system and receive less in pensions.
Amtrak will stop in Castleton, Vt., for the first time in more than 50 years starting this weekend. The Ethan Allen Express will make two stops a day at the recently renovated station starting Saturday. The Agency of Transportation decided to switch the train's daily stop between Rutland and Albany from Fair Haven to Castleton to meet growing and anticipated demand to Castleton State College and Lake Bomoseen areas.
An arrest warrant has been issued for a Lyndon man in the stabbing death of his estranged wife. State police say Anna Berwick had recently gotten a restraining order against Benjamin Berwick after the couple separated. She was found dead yesterday. He is hospitalized with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
A Virginia woman may have disappeared with a 7-year-old girl at the heart of a custody dispute involving a former lesbian couple. A Vermont judge has ordered the youngster to be turned over to Janet Jenkins of Fair Haven Friday, but the judge says Jenkins' former partner, Lisa Miller, has "disappeared."
While the U.S. Senate's version of health care reform didn't include a so-called public option, state lawmaker Paul Poirier would like to see it happen in Vermont. Poirier tells The Times Argus he plans to introduce a bill creating a public health insurance option for low-income residents.
The state plans to go to anglers next month, hoping to find out more about their fishing habits and opinions on how Vermont manages its fisheries. Surveys will be mailed to both in and out-of-state anglers.
A 77-year-old man has died in a car accident in Bloomfield.Police say Robert Postier was traveling on Route 102 on Tuesday when his Jeep Liberty went off the road, struck a sign post and ignited. Authorities say a passing motorist pulled Postier from the burning vehicle but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
WVTK Local & State News December 29, 2009
Controlled explosions brought down the Lake Champlain Bridge between New York and Vermont. The 2,184-foot-long span between Crown Point, N.Y., and Addison, Vt., was closed Oct. 16 when engineers deemed it wasn't safe because of severe erosion. There was a sharp concussion followed by billowing smoke as steel and concrete fell.
Now that the Champlain Bridge has been demolished, the massive cleanup effort will begin. The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all the debris be cleared from the navigational channel by April 15, but New York Department of Transportation officials expect to have that done well before the deadline. A company called Sessler Wrecking out of Waterloo, N.Y., will be pulling the pieces out of Lake Champlain and putting them on barges. State officials say much of the material will be salvaged or recycled. Some community members have asked for pieces of the old bridge as souvenirs. Whether that's a possibility is still under consideration.
The Brandon Medical Center plans to get much bigger in 2010. The clinic got the go-ahead last week from the District 1 Environmental Commission to expand its Grove Street facility, enlarging the waiting area and adding four new exam rooms and a pharmacy.
Vermont State Police say a woman has been killed in St. Johnsbury and her estranged husband is a suspect in her death. Police say Anna Berwick of St. Johnsbury was killed in the parking lot of the Green Mountain Mall. After that, police say Ben Berwick of Lyndon emerged from woods with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He is listed in stable condition at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
Agriculture help lines and farmer support groups say they have seen a big increase in requests for help this year. The calls are from dairy farmers who are struggling because they haven't been able sell their milk for what it costs to produce. NY FarmNet in Ithaca has taken about 6,000 requests for help this year.
Vermont transportation officials should learn within the next few months whether they will receive a $73 million federal grant that could help expand passenger rail service from Rutland to Burlington.The state of Vermont has applied for the federal stimulus funding to upgrade the railroad tracks along the western side of the state.
Now that the Champlain Bridge has been demolished, the massive cleanup effort will begin. The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all the debris be cleared from the navigational channel by April 15, but New York Department of Transportation officials expect to have that done well before the deadline. A company called Sessler Wrecking out of Waterloo, N.Y., will be pulling the pieces out of Lake Champlain and putting them on barges. State officials say much of the material will be salvaged or recycled. Some community members have asked for pieces of the old bridge as souvenirs. Whether that's a possibility is still under consideration.
The Brandon Medical Center plans to get much bigger in 2010. The clinic got the go-ahead last week from the District 1 Environmental Commission to expand its Grove Street facility, enlarging the waiting area and adding four new exam rooms and a pharmacy.
Vermont State Police say a woman has been killed in St. Johnsbury and her estranged husband is a suspect in her death. Police say Anna Berwick of St. Johnsbury was killed in the parking lot of the Green Mountain Mall. After that, police say Ben Berwick of Lyndon emerged from woods with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He is listed in stable condition at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
Agriculture help lines and farmer support groups say they have seen a big increase in requests for help this year. The calls are from dairy farmers who are struggling because they haven't been able sell their milk for what it costs to produce. NY FarmNet in Ithaca has taken about 6,000 requests for help this year.
Vermont transportation officials should learn within the next few months whether they will receive a $73 million federal grant that could help expand passenger rail service from Rutland to Burlington.The state of Vermont has applied for the federal stimulus funding to upgrade the railroad tracks along the western side of the state.
Monday, December 28, 2009
WVTK Local & State News December 28, 2009
The demolition of the Lake Champlain Bridge is on schedule for Monday, according to John Zicconi, spokesman at the Vermont Agency of Transportation. The local landmark connecting Crown Point and Addison, Vt., is scheduled to be blown-up at 10 a.m. Construction on a new bridge is scheduled to start this spring, with an opening date expected in the summer of 2011.
Good news for commuters between Vermont and New York … starting today, ferry service between Charlotte and Essex will run 24 hours a day. The new winter schedule has the ferry departing every 30 minutes from Vermont and New York to make it easier for commuters that used to travel over the Crown Point Bridge.
A Pew Research Center survey finds northern New Englanders are among the least religious people in the country. The survey ranked states based on what percentage of the population said religion was very important in their lives. New Hampshire and Vermont, which were lumped together for the survey, were at the bottom of the list.
Vermont is opening a firewood lottery on Jan. 4. Registration for the 200 "cut-your-own" lots across the state ends Jan. 15. Each lot costs $30 and yields about three cords of wood. People interested in the lottery can register online or call the state Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation.
Swine flu concerns have been a boon to one Vermont business. Triosyn Corp. recently started around-the-clock production of anti-microbial respirators, which can help health care workers and emergency responders who come in contact with the virus. The Williston-based company says it has hired 80 people since July, boosting total employment to 90.
A 36-year-old Readsboro man jailed on a first-degree aggravated domestic assault charge after Vermont State Police say he threw a person out of a moving vehicle during a fight. Troopers say Michael Chase's driver's license also was suspended in Vermont and had been suspended 43 previous times.
Police say a Good Samaritan who stopped at what he thought was a car accident ended up getting stabbed in the hand by a man who had just rammed into his wife's car. Twenty-2-year-old Alexey Mameav of Quechee was charged with drunken driving, domestic assault and five other charges after the incident late Wednesday night.
Vermont is on track to finish 2009 with the lowest number of homicides in 45 years. The Burlington Free Press reports there were four cases police classified as murder: three stabbings and one fatal beating.
In the town of Dorset, they're facing a pleasant dilemma - how to spend a $252,000 surplus discovered by the town's auditor. Town Manager Rob Gaiotti says the decision should be left to the Select Board, but believes putting the money into a reserve found - to be used over the next three years - makes sense.
Vermont State Police are investigating a robbery in which a man entered a pharmacy in Cambridge and demanded the narcotic oxycodone. Police say the man entered the store, demanded the drug from staff there and fled in an unknown direction. Oxycodone has been a favorite target in pharmacy holdups around the country.
Good news for commuters between Vermont and New York … starting today, ferry service between Charlotte and Essex will run 24 hours a day. The new winter schedule has the ferry departing every 30 minutes from Vermont and New York to make it easier for commuters that used to travel over the Crown Point Bridge.
A Pew Research Center survey finds northern New Englanders are among the least religious people in the country. The survey ranked states based on what percentage of the population said religion was very important in their lives. New Hampshire and Vermont, which were lumped together for the survey, were at the bottom of the list.
Vermont is opening a firewood lottery on Jan. 4. Registration for the 200 "cut-your-own" lots across the state ends Jan. 15. Each lot costs $30 and yields about three cords of wood. People interested in the lottery can register online or call the state Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation.
Swine flu concerns have been a boon to one Vermont business. Triosyn Corp. recently started around-the-clock production of anti-microbial respirators, which can help health care workers and emergency responders who come in contact with the virus. The Williston-based company says it has hired 80 people since July, boosting total employment to 90.
A 36-year-old Readsboro man jailed on a first-degree aggravated domestic assault charge after Vermont State Police say he threw a person out of a moving vehicle during a fight. Troopers say Michael Chase's driver's license also was suspended in Vermont and had been suspended 43 previous times.
Police say a Good Samaritan who stopped at what he thought was a car accident ended up getting stabbed in the hand by a man who had just rammed into his wife's car. Twenty-2-year-old Alexey Mameav of Quechee was charged with drunken driving, domestic assault and five other charges after the incident late Wednesday night.
Vermont is on track to finish 2009 with the lowest number of homicides in 45 years. The Burlington Free Press reports there were four cases police classified as murder: three stabbings and one fatal beating.
In the town of Dorset, they're facing a pleasant dilemma - how to spend a $252,000 surplus discovered by the town's auditor. Town Manager Rob Gaiotti says the decision should be left to the Select Board, but believes putting the money into a reserve found - to be used over the next three years - makes sense.
Vermont State Police are investigating a robbery in which a man entered a pharmacy in Cambridge and demanded the narcotic oxycodone. Police say the man entered the store, demanded the drug from staff there and fled in an unknown direction. Oxycodone has been a favorite target in pharmacy holdups around the country.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
WVTK Local & State News December 24, 2009
The state attorney general's office is warning Vermont consumers to beware of a telephone scheme they're calling the "grandparent" scam. In the scam, someone using an untraceable cell phone calls an elderly person and poses as their grandson, claiming to be in trouble and in need of money in Canada.
A Plattsburgh man who gave drugs to a teenager, who then overdosed last year, has been sentenced to 7 years in prison. 31-year-old Scott Miller pleaded guilty to drug charges in connection with the death of 17-year-old Julia Delsignore. but took off to Canada before he could be sentenced. This week, he returned to Clinton County Court, where he was sentenced to 7 years in prison and 3 years of post-release supervision.
Vermont State Police investigators say they've given up - for now - a search for the remains of a Westford grandmother believed buried in woods behind the elementary school. Authorities say they will resume the search for the remains of Mary Wilcox in the spring. Her daughter has been arrested in the 2006 death.
All Post Offices are open today, but many will shorten retail lobby hours. Regular mail delivery for today will be unaffected by the change. Post Offices will be closed tomorrow. Express Mail will be delivered tomorrow and regular mail delivery will resume on Saturday. Most locations across Vermont will be closing at noon except for the larger city branches.
A farm worker from Mexico is dead after what police say appears to have been an accident on a Fairfield farm late Tuesday. State police say the worker, who was under 21, got caught in a piece of equipment. Police say all indications are the death was an accident. Federal safety officials are investigating.
More than 300 Vermont National Guard Solders, who have been training in Indiana for an upcoming deployment, are back in Vermont to spend the Holiday with their loved ones. Their transportation was paid for by donations raised during Operation Holiday Homecoming. The solders will be here till New Years Day when they return to Indiana for more training.
None of the tickets sold for the Powerball game last night matched all six numbers drawn. The jackpot was estimated at $110-Million. Players matching all five numbers and the Powerball would have won or shared the $55.1 million jackpot. The prize goes to an estimated $122-Million for Saturday.
A Vermont woman whose wheelchair was stolen from her daughter's car at a Massachusetts mall is appealing to common decency during the holiday season for the thief to return her lifeline. Lucille Riccio of Wilmington says the $1,000 chair is the only way she can leave her home. Police have no suspects.
A Plattsburgh man who gave drugs to a teenager, who then overdosed last year, has been sentenced to 7 years in prison. 31-year-old Scott Miller pleaded guilty to drug charges in connection with the death of 17-year-old Julia Delsignore. but took off to Canada before he could be sentenced. This week, he returned to Clinton County Court, where he was sentenced to 7 years in prison and 3 years of post-release supervision.
Vermont State Police investigators say they've given up - for now - a search for the remains of a Westford grandmother believed buried in woods behind the elementary school. Authorities say they will resume the search for the remains of Mary Wilcox in the spring. Her daughter has been arrested in the 2006 death.
All Post Offices are open today, but many will shorten retail lobby hours. Regular mail delivery for today will be unaffected by the change. Post Offices will be closed tomorrow. Express Mail will be delivered tomorrow and regular mail delivery will resume on Saturday. Most locations across Vermont will be closing at noon except for the larger city branches.
A farm worker from Mexico is dead after what police say appears to have been an accident on a Fairfield farm late Tuesday. State police say the worker, who was under 21, got caught in a piece of equipment. Police say all indications are the death was an accident. Federal safety officials are investigating.
More than 300 Vermont National Guard Solders, who have been training in Indiana for an upcoming deployment, are back in Vermont to spend the Holiday with their loved ones. Their transportation was paid for by donations raised during Operation Holiday Homecoming. The solders will be here till New Years Day when they return to Indiana for more training.
None of the tickets sold for the Powerball game last night matched all six numbers drawn. The jackpot was estimated at $110-Million. Players matching all five numbers and the Powerball would have won or shared the $55.1 million jackpot. The prize goes to an estimated $122-Million for Saturday.
A Vermont woman whose wheelchair was stolen from her daughter's car at a Massachusetts mall is appealing to common decency during the holiday season for the thief to return her lifeline. Lucille Riccio of Wilmington says the $1,000 chair is the only way she can leave her home. Police have no suspects.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
WVTK Local & State News December 23, 2009
Officials say demolition of the closed Lake Champlain Bridge between New York and Vermont has been delayed until Monday because ice and severe cold have slowed preparations for the explosions. Two public viewing areas will be available on the New York shore in Port Henry and another will be set up on the Vermont shore on Route 125.
Some Vermont National Guard members are returning home today to spend Christmas with their loved ones. About 700 soldiers are training in Indiana right now. They've been gone for about two weeks. About half of the soldiers are taking advantage of free bus rides home, and will be arriving back in Vermont this morning.
A new report says the condition of Vermont's housing stock is hurting low-income people in more ways than one. The 2010 Vermont Housing Needs Assessment, which was released yesterday, says low-income households are being forcing to pay a higher percentage of their income in rent than other groups.
Vermont health officials are urging college students returning home for the holidays to get swine flu shots while they're home. The state Department of Health says H1N1 flu illnesses have dropped in recent weeks, but that cases are still being confirmed.
Democratic state lawmaker Ira Trombley has passed away. He was 57 years old and a fellow lawmaker says he had recently suffered from a foot infection. A state party leader tells The Burlington Free Press Trombley was a passionate public servant.
Ground beef from a farm in Shelburne is being recalled because of possible E. coli contamination. State health officials say most of the affected meat from Harrington and Sons Packing has already been retrieved. There have been no reports so far of any illnesses.
Gardener's Supply has been sold to its employees. Founder Will Raap will continue as chairman of the Burlington-based garden products retailer, but he will also work on other nonprofit and for-profit initiatives.
The state of Vermont wants to crack down on unlicensed salvage yards, and it's looking for your help. Only about 75 salvage yards have state licenses, but the state Agency of Natural Resources says up to 300 may actually exist around the state. State officials say they want to bring the yards' owners into compliance with state and local laws.
Vermont State Police say a 911 call from a passenger in a car traveling the wrong way on Interstate 91 led to a drunken driving charge against the operator. Bradford L. Sargent, of Brattleboro, was charged after 911 dispatchers fielded calls from people who had seen his car traveling north in the southbound lanes near Brattleboro.
Some indigenous Vermont turtles are getting a cozy home for the winter, thanks to ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington. For a fourth year, the aquarium on Lake Champlain is hosting a group of spiny soft-shell, northern map and painted turtles. The spiny soft-shell turtles, whose loss of habitat has made them a high priority for conservationists, are among the hatchlings who will also be used for weekend stewardship and awareness demonstrations at ECHO. They'll be released back into the wild next spring.
Some Vermont National Guard members are returning home today to spend Christmas with their loved ones. About 700 soldiers are training in Indiana right now. They've been gone for about two weeks. About half of the soldiers are taking advantage of free bus rides home, and will be arriving back in Vermont this morning.
A new report says the condition of Vermont's housing stock is hurting low-income people in more ways than one. The 2010 Vermont Housing Needs Assessment, which was released yesterday, says low-income households are being forcing to pay a higher percentage of their income in rent than other groups.
Vermont health officials are urging college students returning home for the holidays to get swine flu shots while they're home. The state Department of Health says H1N1 flu illnesses have dropped in recent weeks, but that cases are still being confirmed.
Democratic state lawmaker Ira Trombley has passed away. He was 57 years old and a fellow lawmaker says he had recently suffered from a foot infection. A state party leader tells The Burlington Free Press Trombley was a passionate public servant.
Ground beef from a farm in Shelburne is being recalled because of possible E. coli contamination. State health officials say most of the affected meat from Harrington and Sons Packing has already been retrieved. There have been no reports so far of any illnesses.
Gardener's Supply has been sold to its employees. Founder Will Raap will continue as chairman of the Burlington-based garden products retailer, but he will also work on other nonprofit and for-profit initiatives.
The state of Vermont wants to crack down on unlicensed salvage yards, and it's looking for your help. Only about 75 salvage yards have state licenses, but the state Agency of Natural Resources says up to 300 may actually exist around the state. State officials say they want to bring the yards' owners into compliance with state and local laws.
Vermont State Police say a 911 call from a passenger in a car traveling the wrong way on Interstate 91 led to a drunken driving charge against the operator. Bradford L. Sargent, of Brattleboro, was charged after 911 dispatchers fielded calls from people who had seen his car traveling north in the southbound lanes near Brattleboro.
Some indigenous Vermont turtles are getting a cozy home for the winter, thanks to ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington. For a fourth year, the aquarium on Lake Champlain is hosting a group of spiny soft-shell, northern map and painted turtles. The spiny soft-shell turtles, whose loss of habitat has made them a high priority for conservationists, are among the hatchlings who will also be used for weekend stewardship and awareness demonstrations at ECHO. They'll be released back into the wild next spring.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
WVTK Local & State News December 22, 2009
CROWN POINT, N.Y. (AP) - Public viewing areas will be set up in New York and Vermont for the demolition Wednesday of the Lake Champlain Bridge. In New York, two viewing areas will be available along the shore in Port Henry, about 2 miles west of the 80-year-old bridge. On the Vermont side, Route 125 in Addison, Vt., is the designated viewing area. A 1,000-foot buffer zone will bar the public from the area immediately surrounding the bridge, and the Federal Aviation Association has established a 2,000-foot no-fly zone around it. The span, on the lake's narrow southern end, was closed Oct. 16 when engineers deemed it wasn't safe because of severe erosion to its concrete piers. The demolition will be broadcast live on the Internet: https://www.nysdot.gov/lakechamplainbridge
With the Champlain Bridge about to come down, its replacement is taking theoretical shape. The public advisory committee voted unanimously last week to recommend a design resembling the existing bridge. That designed has also been favored heavily in an online poll. Vermont Agency of Transportation spokesman John Zicconi said the design is not the final choice, as New York and Vermont will take public comments until Jan. 11 and make their decision soon after.
University of Vermont officials say the school is getting a $5 million donation to help take a middle school technology program statewide. The goal is to have the program, providing schools with training and equipment, in place at ever middle school in Vermont within the next 10 years.
The Vermont Health Department says it has enough swine flu vaccine for anyone over aged 6 months who would like to be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu. Health Commissioner Dr. Wendy Davis says the focus continues to be on vaccinating high-risk populations, but other people can be vaccinated as well.
FairPoint Communications has named a former Vermont legislator and secretary of administration Michael Smith, to be the company's new Vermont state president. FairPoint bought Verizon Communications' landline and Internet operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. It's had lots of technology problems and filed for bankruptcy.
The deadline for bids to acquire 79 supermarkets in the Northeast operated by the bankrupt Penn Traffic Co. has been extended for six more weeks. After getting a request for extra time from Sen. Charles Schumer, the supermarket chain's largest lender, GE Capital, agreed to extend yesterday's deadline for potential buyout offers.
A Republican familiar with the plan says Rudy Giuliani is expected to endorse Republican Rick Lazio for New York governor. The decision is confirmed by a Republican who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official isn't authorized to speak about the endorsement. The endorsement by Giuliani, known as America's mayor for his leadership after the Sept. 11 attacks, is scheduled for Tuesday. Lazio is a former congressman from Long Island and announced his candidacy months ago. He's been campaigning since. Giuliani spokeswoman Maria Comella didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Democratic Gov. David Paterson is seeking a full term in 2010 and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is expected to be weighing what would be his second run at the job.
Two teenagers will be in a Burlington Courtroom today answering to the charges of mugging a woman on lower College Street yesterday afternoon. Police say 17-year-old Robert Bigelow and a 15 year old attacked the woman and stole her purse. Police will not say whether they believe this is connected to the mugging last week near the Macy's parking garage.
Police are seeking the public's help in identifying a suspect who they say attempted to rob Small Dog Electronics in South Burlington early yesterday morning. Investigators say nothing was taken from the business. Anyone with any information about this crime is asked to call the South Burlington Police Department.
If you’re going to explore the Adirondacks, the Department of Conservation reminds you that winter time can be a dangerous time for being in the wilderness. Officials say you should dress in layers, with hats, gloves, boots and wind/rain-resistant outerwear. Day packs should include an ice axe, food, water, clothing, maps, compass, first-aid kit and blankets.
Construction starts today on the docks for the new ferry that will cross Lake Champlain near the Crown Point Bridge. The 140-ton steel framework for the dock will go up on the south side of the bridge. The first load of steal is being delivered today. Officials hope to have the steal work done by early January so the entire dock can be completed by the end of January.
Vermont State Police arrested a man they say is responsible for at least 17 burglaries of camps in the Fairfield Pond area. 23-year-old Joseph Shepard of St. Albans Town was arrested in connection with the cases. Police say Shepard stole copper plumbing and other items from the camps in the first half of December.
With the Champlain Bridge about to come down, its replacement is taking theoretical shape. The public advisory committee voted unanimously last week to recommend a design resembling the existing bridge. That designed has also been favored heavily in an online poll. Vermont Agency of Transportation spokesman John Zicconi said the design is not the final choice, as New York and Vermont will take public comments until Jan. 11 and make their decision soon after.
University of Vermont officials say the school is getting a $5 million donation to help take a middle school technology program statewide. The goal is to have the program, providing schools with training and equipment, in place at ever middle school in Vermont within the next 10 years.
The Vermont Health Department says it has enough swine flu vaccine for anyone over aged 6 months who would like to be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu. Health Commissioner Dr. Wendy Davis says the focus continues to be on vaccinating high-risk populations, but other people can be vaccinated as well.
FairPoint Communications has named a former Vermont legislator and secretary of administration Michael Smith, to be the company's new Vermont state president. FairPoint bought Verizon Communications' landline and Internet operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. It's had lots of technology problems and filed for bankruptcy.
The deadline for bids to acquire 79 supermarkets in the Northeast operated by the bankrupt Penn Traffic Co. has been extended for six more weeks. After getting a request for extra time from Sen. Charles Schumer, the supermarket chain's largest lender, GE Capital, agreed to extend yesterday's deadline for potential buyout offers.
A Republican familiar with the plan says Rudy Giuliani is expected to endorse Republican Rick Lazio for New York governor. The decision is confirmed by a Republican who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official isn't authorized to speak about the endorsement. The endorsement by Giuliani, known as America's mayor for his leadership after the Sept. 11 attacks, is scheduled for Tuesday. Lazio is a former congressman from Long Island and announced his candidacy months ago. He's been campaigning since. Giuliani spokeswoman Maria Comella didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Democratic Gov. David Paterson is seeking a full term in 2010 and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is expected to be weighing what would be his second run at the job.
Two teenagers will be in a Burlington Courtroom today answering to the charges of mugging a woman on lower College Street yesterday afternoon. Police say 17-year-old Robert Bigelow and a 15 year old attacked the woman and stole her purse. Police will not say whether they believe this is connected to the mugging last week near the Macy's parking garage.
Police are seeking the public's help in identifying a suspect who they say attempted to rob Small Dog Electronics in South Burlington early yesterday morning. Investigators say nothing was taken from the business. Anyone with any information about this crime is asked to call the South Burlington Police Department.
If you’re going to explore the Adirondacks, the Department of Conservation reminds you that winter time can be a dangerous time for being in the wilderness. Officials say you should dress in layers, with hats, gloves, boots and wind/rain-resistant outerwear. Day packs should include an ice axe, food, water, clothing, maps, compass, first-aid kit and blankets.
Construction starts today on the docks for the new ferry that will cross Lake Champlain near the Crown Point Bridge. The 140-ton steel framework for the dock will go up on the south side of the bridge. The first load of steal is being delivered today. Officials hope to have the steal work done by early January so the entire dock can be completed by the end of January.
Vermont State Police arrested a man they say is responsible for at least 17 burglaries of camps in the Fairfield Pond area. 23-year-old Joseph Shepard of St. Albans Town was arrested in connection with the cases. Police say Shepard stole copper plumbing and other items from the camps in the first half of December.
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