A statewide emergency exercise will be conducted next week in Vermont. A press release says federal, state, and local responders will exercise emergency plans and procedures in a statewide catastrophic exercise from June 2-7. Activities will simulate multiple disasters affecting all corners of the state. About 1,600 participants will be participating in the exercises. Questions about the exercises should be directed to the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security at 1-800-347-0488.
New York State Police is warning the public about a text messaging scam. Police say they have received numerous reports of citizens receiving a text message from either Adirondack Regional Bank or Adirondack Federal Bank advising that there was a problem with their account. The text message instructs the individual to call a number and enter their social security and credit/debit card number. Police say the text message has also gone to non-customers.
The annual Vermont Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics are passing through Rutland and Addison counties today. The run is a series of four relay-style running events, beginning in the four corners of our state. Local law enforcement and public safety, along with local program athletes, coordinators, and coaches, run the “Flame of Hope” through their local towns and cities to raise awareness of Special Olympics and athletes with intellectual disabilities. Tonight, Torch Runners will assemble at the Windjammer in South Burlington to run the Final Leg of the Torch Run together. Final Leg runners will escort the Flame of Hope into Opening Ceremonies of Summer Games at the University of Vermont.
A Ferrisburgh man is charged with six counts of promoting child pornography. A press release says 41-year-old Scott Cota posted several advertisements on Craigslist looking for "taboo" materials. Through the advertisements, individuals traded files with Cota containing inappropriate images and movies. Cota pleaded not guilty. The court set bail at $100,000 cash and imposed conditions of release that would limit his access to children and the internet.
If you want to participate in the annual Lake Champlain International Fishing Derby, you'd better hurry up and register. The deadline to sign-up online is Saturday at midnight or in one of 40 different area stores. The L-C-I derby is slated for Father's Day weekend, June 14th through the 16th. Organizers say they've got a new give-away this year, a 23-foot star-craft pontoon boat with a 115-horsepower Yamaha outboard engine. And, it has a Lawrance fish finder!
Friday, May 30, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
WVTK Local & State News May 29, 2014
Water service on Weybridge Street in Middlebury was schedule to be shut off today has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, June 3. Officials say since construction at the intersections of Charles Avenue, Water Street and Duane Court on Thursday and Friday, they decided to postpone the water main shut off. Please call the Middlebury Water Department at 802-388-4045 with any questions or concerns.
Outgoing Superintendent of Burlington Schools Jeanne Collins has been offered a new job. At a meeting yesterday, the school board of the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union voted to offer Collins a one-year contract as superintendent. Collins and RNESU will now enter contract negotiations. The board would like her to start July 1st, soon after she's done in Burlington.
A Winooski mother is pleading not guilty to charges of second-degree murder in the death of her 15-month-old son. Nytosha Laforce was in court yesterday, answering to the charges connected with the death last month of her son, Peighton Geraw. Police documents say the woman's boyfriend saw Laforce banging the child's head against the floor just hours before he died. The injuries apparently also happened before a state case worker arrived at the home to check on the boy.
L.L.Bean announced today that they plan on opening a store in the Burlington Town Center. The store is slated to open in October 2014. L.L.Bean says the decision to expand its retail presence into Burlington due to the large number of catalog and web customers in the area, as well as the proximity to abundant natural resources and opportunities for many outdoor activities. The store will employ approximately 100 people. L.L.Bean will hold a 3-day celebration when it opens in October.
Authorities say the damage from Tuesday’s storm was not a Tornado. The National Weather Service inspected the damage in Addison and Rutland Counties, but determined it was not caused by a tornado. Instead, they say it was caused by intense, straight line winds gusting 75-85 mph. Large golf ball sized hail also did a large amount of damage.
Outgoing Superintendent of Burlington Schools Jeanne Collins has been offered a new job. At a meeting yesterday, the school board of the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union voted to offer Collins a one-year contract as superintendent. Collins and RNESU will now enter contract negotiations. The board would like her to start July 1st, soon after she's done in Burlington.
A Winooski mother is pleading not guilty to charges of second-degree murder in the death of her 15-month-old son. Nytosha Laforce was in court yesterday, answering to the charges connected with the death last month of her son, Peighton Geraw. Police documents say the woman's boyfriend saw Laforce banging the child's head against the floor just hours before he died. The injuries apparently also happened before a state case worker arrived at the home to check on the boy.
L.L.Bean announced today that they plan on opening a store in the Burlington Town Center. The store is slated to open in October 2014. L.L.Bean says the decision to expand its retail presence into Burlington due to the large number of catalog and web customers in the area, as well as the proximity to abundant natural resources and opportunities for many outdoor activities. The store will employ approximately 100 people. L.L.Bean will hold a 3-day celebration when it opens in October.
Authorities say the damage from Tuesday’s storm was not a Tornado. The National Weather Service inspected the damage in Addison and Rutland Counties, but determined it was not caused by a tornado. Instead, they say it was caused by intense, straight line winds gusting 75-85 mph. Large golf ball sized hail also did a large amount of damage.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
WVTK Local & State News May 28, 2014
Work is underway to find out how much damage a severe storm caused in Rutland and Addison Counties. It hit communities including Bridport, Cornwall, Shoreham, and Rutland yesterday afternoon. Numerous tree branches were knocked down, sometimes taking out power lines. Heavy rain caused storm water to rush down West Street in Rutland. The storm also included hail, some as large as two inches in diameter or the size of a golf ball.
3SquaresVT is holding an outreach and policy conference on Thursday. A press release says the conference will allow advocates to learn more about how the 3SquaresVT program works, hear from policy experts from the Department for Children and Families, and brainstorm new outreach ideas. More than 80 advocates from more than 40 organizations across Vermont are expected to attend the conference. 3SquaresVT provides benefits to over 92,000 Vermonters to buy more nutritious food at grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced discounts at state campgrounds. The discount includes $5 off regular rates through June 26. The deal covers New York State Parks and Department of Environmental Conservation operated campgrounds in nearly every region. The deal excludes Hither Hills State Park, mooring buoys, walk-ins and previous reservations. To get the discount visit http://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com and enter the promo code EARLYCAMP14 or call 800.456.CAMP.
Voters in Brandon will get a third chance to vote on a $3-million municipal budget next month along with the option to approve three separate funding line items. The Select Board last night set June 24 for the next vote on the budget. The budget approved last night is the same one that was soundly defeated by voters earlier this month. But unlike the last budget vote, voters will also be give the opportunity to approve additional funding for targeted purposes.
Gov. Peter Shumlin is signing into law a bill calling for every 3- and 4-year-old in Vermont to have access to at least 10 hours a week of publicly funded, pre-kindergarten education. Backers of the bill say it will add about $10 million a year in costs to the state's Education Fund by 2021. The bill also contains a provision allowing public money to follow a child from his or her home school district to another one, for example, where a parent works. Some critics of the measure say they oppose that provision.
3SquaresVT is holding an outreach and policy conference on Thursday. A press release says the conference will allow advocates to learn more about how the 3SquaresVT program works, hear from policy experts from the Department for Children and Families, and brainstorm new outreach ideas. More than 80 advocates from more than 40 organizations across Vermont are expected to attend the conference. 3SquaresVT provides benefits to over 92,000 Vermonters to buy more nutritious food at grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced discounts at state campgrounds. The discount includes $5 off regular rates through June 26. The deal covers New York State Parks and Department of Environmental Conservation operated campgrounds in nearly every region. The deal excludes Hither Hills State Park, mooring buoys, walk-ins and previous reservations. To get the discount visit http://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com and enter the promo code EARLYCAMP14 or call 800.456.CAMP.
Voters in Brandon will get a third chance to vote on a $3-million municipal budget next month along with the option to approve three separate funding line items. The Select Board last night set June 24 for the next vote on the budget. The budget approved last night is the same one that was soundly defeated by voters earlier this month. But unlike the last budget vote, voters will also be give the opportunity to approve additional funding for targeted purposes.
Gov. Peter Shumlin is signing into law a bill calling for every 3- and 4-year-old in Vermont to have access to at least 10 hours a week of publicly funded, pre-kindergarten education. Backers of the bill say it will add about $10 million a year in costs to the state's Education Fund by 2021. The bill also contains a provision allowing public money to follow a child from his or her home school district to another one, for example, where a parent works. Some critics of the measure say they oppose that provision.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
WVTK Local & State News May 27, 2014
The Middlebury Selectboard will be discussing “Phase II” of the Addison Rutland Natural Gas Project. “Phase II” calls for the construction of a pipeline through Middlebury, Cornwall, and Shoreham, under Lake Champlain, and to the International Paper Mill in Ticonderoga. Residents in both Cornwall and Shoreham passed resolutions back in March opposing the “Phase II” project. Tonight the selectboard will discuss the project and potentially take a pro or con position. Tonight’s meeting starts at 7 o’clock in the Large Conference Room of the Town Offices.
The Vermont Committee on Child Protection will hold nine public hearings across the state next month on the State’s current system of child protection. The public is being urged to attend and present their experiences and observations. Each hearing will last about 90 minutes. The two closes meetings will take place next Tuesday at 6 PM at the Rutland High School Theater and next Thursday at 5:30 PM at the Ilsley Public Library’s Community Room.
Police are reminding dog owners about the dangers of leaving pets in hot cars. Police say they responded to hundreds of complaints last year. In two cases, officers had to smash windows to save dogs. South Burlington Animal Control Officer JoAnn Nichols has scheduled a public awareness event tomorrow afternoon from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the University Mall. Volunteers from the Humane Society of Chittenden County will be at the event to help spread the word about the dangers of leaving your dog in the car, even when it doesn't feel hot outside.
The Bristol Town Clerk will become the next Town Administrator. The selectboard has been looking for a new administrator for some time and choose to 47-year-old Therese Kirby to fill the position. Kirby had been the Town Clerk since 2006 and will take over as the Town Administrator on July 1st. She will be the first female Town Administrator in Bristol’s history.
A 28-foot whaling boat built by Vermont teenagers will be docked at Basin Harbor for a month before moving to Mystic Seaport in Connecticut. The boat will serve as an interactive exhibit on the Charles W. Morgan, a restored whale ship. Six students at the Hannaford Career Center in Middlebury worked on the project four days a week at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum before celebrating its completion last week.
The Vermont Committee on Child Protection will hold nine public hearings across the state next month on the State’s current system of child protection. The public is being urged to attend and present their experiences and observations. Each hearing will last about 90 minutes. The two closes meetings will take place next Tuesday at 6 PM at the Rutland High School Theater and next Thursday at 5:30 PM at the Ilsley Public Library’s Community Room.
Police are reminding dog owners about the dangers of leaving pets in hot cars. Police say they responded to hundreds of complaints last year. In two cases, officers had to smash windows to save dogs. South Burlington Animal Control Officer JoAnn Nichols has scheduled a public awareness event tomorrow afternoon from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the University Mall. Volunteers from the Humane Society of Chittenden County will be at the event to help spread the word about the dangers of leaving your dog in the car, even when it doesn't feel hot outside.
The Bristol Town Clerk will become the next Town Administrator. The selectboard has been looking for a new administrator for some time and choose to 47-year-old Therese Kirby to fill the position. Kirby had been the Town Clerk since 2006 and will take over as the Town Administrator on July 1st. She will be the first female Town Administrator in Bristol’s history.
A 28-foot whaling boat built by Vermont teenagers will be docked at Basin Harbor for a month before moving to Mystic Seaport in Connecticut. The boat will serve as an interactive exhibit on the Charles W. Morgan, a restored whale ship. Six students at the Hannaford Career Center in Middlebury worked on the project four days a week at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum before celebrating its completion last week.
Friday, May 23, 2014
WVTK Local & State News May 23, 2014
While you’re traveling this weekend, be sure to have your seatbelt on. Law enforcement agencies across the area have kicked off the “Click It or Ticket” campaign. In order to enforce seat belt and other traffic laws, state, county and local law enforcement agencies began stepping up enforcement will continue the campaign through June 1 with high-visibility patrols and safety check points throughout Addison County highways.
The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) announced $4.6 million in farmland conservation grants. A press release says the grants will protect 3,093 acres of agricultural land on 18 farms. The grants will be used to purchase developmental rights from farm owners and protect the land from development and provide capital to farmers. The farms that will be protected under the grant include operating dairies, commercial crop farms, beef farms, and farmland providing additional land to existing farms. Funding for VHCB’s farmland protection program comes from both federal and state sources.
Matt Doheny may have an edge in New York's 21st Congressional Race. According to research firm Public Opinion Strategies, Doheny is leading opponent Aaron Woolf 43 to 21 percent. This comes from a survey of possible general election voters. Congressman Bill Owens decided he would not seek re-election this fall.
Now might be a good time to start looking for a house. Mortgage rates are at the lowest level since October. Freddie Mac says the average rate for a 30 year, fixed-rate loan fell to 4.14 percent. Lower mortgage rates however have not boosted the housing market.
A majority of Vermonters support the idea of making marijuana legal. This comes from a survey conducted by Castleton's Polling Institute. 57-percent said they're fine with taxing the drug and regulating it, similar to alcohol. The survey polled a little more than 600 Vermonters. The Vermont legislature approved a bill last month that would look at the potential impact of legalizing marijuana in the state.
The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) announced $4.6 million in farmland conservation grants. A press release says the grants will protect 3,093 acres of agricultural land on 18 farms. The grants will be used to purchase developmental rights from farm owners and protect the land from development and provide capital to farmers. The farms that will be protected under the grant include operating dairies, commercial crop farms, beef farms, and farmland providing additional land to existing farms. Funding for VHCB’s farmland protection program comes from both federal and state sources.
Matt Doheny may have an edge in New York's 21st Congressional Race. According to research firm Public Opinion Strategies, Doheny is leading opponent Aaron Woolf 43 to 21 percent. This comes from a survey of possible general election voters. Congressman Bill Owens decided he would not seek re-election this fall.
Now might be a good time to start looking for a house. Mortgage rates are at the lowest level since October. Freddie Mac says the average rate for a 30 year, fixed-rate loan fell to 4.14 percent. Lower mortgage rates however have not boosted the housing market.
A majority of Vermonters support the idea of making marijuana legal. This comes from a survey conducted by Castleton's Polling Institute. 57-percent said they're fine with taxing the drug and regulating it, similar to alcohol. The survey polled a little more than 600 Vermonters. The Vermont legislature approved a bill last month that would look at the potential impact of legalizing marijuana in the state.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
WVTK Local & State News May 20, 2014
The Randolph man accused of kidnapping and murdering his 12-year-old niece in 2008 was in court yesterday were he pled guilty to the charges. The last time Brook Bennett was seen alive was at a convenience store. After that police say Michael Jacques brought her back to his home, where he drugged, sexually assaulted her and killed her. He then buried her body and tried to throw investigators off his track. District Judge Williams Sessions asked Jacques if everything was true. His response was, "I'm afraid it is." Today Jacques was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 70 years. The judge ordered Jacques to never be released for any reason.
Law enforcement will hit the roads this week with a special emphasis on making sure you buckle up. The nationwide "click it or ticket" campaign kicked off last night for the summer. State police in both New York and Vermont are working together to drive home the issue. Nationwide, more than half of drivers and passengers killed in crashes are not wearing seat belts. For that reason, leaders will not only be targeting drivers.
Vermont's Secretary of Transportation has asked her staff to re-evaluate whether the state could impose interstate tolls. Under federal law, Vermont, which has used a lot of federal money to build its roads, isn't allowed to charge tolls. But a plan is being considered that would allow all states to charge an interstate toll if they want to. Officials say it's important to study the tolling options because gas-tax revenues are no longer keeping pace with financing needs.
TDI New England has formally asked the U.S. Department of Energy for approval to build a 1,000-megawatt, underwater and underground power line to bring Canadian power through Vermont to New England. Their plan is to run the line 154 miles from the Canadian border under Lake Champlain and then east to Ludlow. In Ludlow, developers plan to hook into the Vermont Electric Power Co. high-voltage transmission network, which will enable the power to be sent to southern New England. The project also needs approval from the Vermont Public Service Board and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
A New York Senator has introduced legislation banning powdered alcohol. Powdered alcohol is a concentrated alcoholic beverage also known as "Palcohol." A press release says the legislation would ban the product in New York should the FDA decide to allow the product to be manufactured again in the United States. Alaska outlawed powdered alcohol, and legislation to ban it is pending in Minnesota and Vermont.
Law enforcement will hit the roads this week with a special emphasis on making sure you buckle up. The nationwide "click it or ticket" campaign kicked off last night for the summer. State police in both New York and Vermont are working together to drive home the issue. Nationwide, more than half of drivers and passengers killed in crashes are not wearing seat belts. For that reason, leaders will not only be targeting drivers.
Vermont's Secretary of Transportation has asked her staff to re-evaluate whether the state could impose interstate tolls. Under federal law, Vermont, which has used a lot of federal money to build its roads, isn't allowed to charge tolls. But a plan is being considered that would allow all states to charge an interstate toll if they want to. Officials say it's important to study the tolling options because gas-tax revenues are no longer keeping pace with financing needs.
TDI New England has formally asked the U.S. Department of Energy for approval to build a 1,000-megawatt, underwater and underground power line to bring Canadian power through Vermont to New England. Their plan is to run the line 154 miles from the Canadian border under Lake Champlain and then east to Ludlow. In Ludlow, developers plan to hook into the Vermont Electric Power Co. high-voltage transmission network, which will enable the power to be sent to southern New England. The project also needs approval from the Vermont Public Service Board and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
A New York Senator has introduced legislation banning powdered alcohol. Powdered alcohol is a concentrated alcoholic beverage also known as "Palcohol." A press release says the legislation would ban the product in New York should the FDA decide to allow the product to be manufactured again in the United States. Alaska outlawed powdered alcohol, and legislation to ban it is pending in Minnesota and Vermont.
Monday, May 19, 2014
WVTK Local & State News May 19, 2014
The head of the organization that oversees Vermont's 911 emergency telephone system says the state is the first in the country where customers of the four major wireless carriers can send text messages to 911. David Tucker says that as of today T-Mobile customers in Vermont are now able to text 911. Verizon, AT&T and Sprint began the service earlier. Tucker says Verizon set up a test system in 2012 and kept using it after the test proved successful. Tucker emphasizes that wireless customers should only use the texting option only when calling 911 is not possible.
The Williston Police Department is looking to identify the man they say may have left the scene of an accident. Police say the accident happened on Connor Way in Maple Tree Place on Saturday at around 10:15 a.m. Police were able to capture the man in question on video surveillance. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Williston Police Department at (802)-878-6611.
The Middlebury Planning Commission will have there regular meeting tonight at 6 o’clock at the Ilsley Library. Tonight they will be discussing the town plan. There will also be a presentation of the Middlebury Zoning and Subdivision updates along with public comments and suggestions.
It's about to get a bit more expensive to study at the University of Vermont. On Saturday, the board for UVM approved a 3.4% increase for both in-state and out-of-state tuition. That brings it up to just over $14,000 for students who are also Vermont residents, and more than $35,800 for out-of-staters. The next fiscal year budget was also approved at just over $309 million.
That's it for another year as far as the winter skiing/snowboarding season is concerned. On Sunday, Killington Resort closed for the season, the last ski area in Vermont to call it a year. According to Killington, as of Sunday the season which started last year ran for 199 days. Jay Peak shut down for the season last weekend.
The Williston Police Department is looking to identify the man they say may have left the scene of an accident. Police say the accident happened on Connor Way in Maple Tree Place on Saturday at around 10:15 a.m. Police were able to capture the man in question on video surveillance. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Williston Police Department at (802)-878-6611.
The Middlebury Planning Commission will have there regular meeting tonight at 6 o’clock at the Ilsley Library. Tonight they will be discussing the town plan. There will also be a presentation of the Middlebury Zoning and Subdivision updates along with public comments and suggestions.
It's about to get a bit more expensive to study at the University of Vermont. On Saturday, the board for UVM approved a 3.4% increase for both in-state and out-of-state tuition. That brings it up to just over $14,000 for students who are also Vermont residents, and more than $35,800 for out-of-staters. The next fiscal year budget was also approved at just over $309 million.
That's it for another year as far as the winter skiing/snowboarding season is concerned. On Sunday, Killington Resort closed for the season, the last ski area in Vermont to call it a year. According to Killington, as of Sunday the season which started last year ran for 199 days. Jay Peak shut down for the season last weekend.
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