News 2008-04-04 Andanh.com

Intervale Compost to stop accepting waste Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Vermont's only major composting operation announced Thursday that it will stop accepting deliveries of food scraps, yard waste and manure May 1.

Reborn grange building nearly finished Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The historic 1868 Ferrisburgh Grange building burned in a 2005 arson fire. A restored Grange building is nearing completion.

Sources for emergency road funds identified Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Transportation Secretary Neale Lunderville told lawmakers Thursday that he had found ways to free up $3 million to cover the cost of an emergency road repair program called Operation Smooth Ride that will begin in a month.

Eggheads unite! Scholarly competitions abound this weekend Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Vermont students will strut their stuff in geography, history, math, science, drama championships around the state.

Vermont healthy, despite alcohol abuse Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Vermont remains the healthiest state in the nation, despite high rates of binge drinking among young people and all ages using marijuana at higher than national rates.

Grads step up to law enforcement Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Nine Vermont women will buck generations of stereotyping -- and graduate tonight from a program designed to bring them closer to careers in law enforcement or corrections.

Gustafson, Tyler elected to village Trustees Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Peter Gustafson and George Tyler won three-year seats on the Essex Junction Board of Trustees on Tuesday.

Vt. Commons students compile S. Burlington history Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Students at Vermont Commons School are creating a video documentary and online resource of South Burlington history to share with the public.

40th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s death observed Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:33:00 EST
Civil rights leader's life resonates with Vermonters

Bank trims 71 workers in Vermont Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:21:00 EST
Chittenden to close five branches

Brattleboro Reformer publisher leaving after two years Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:38:00 EST
Martin Langeveld will leave the newspaper today. He has worked for the paper's owner and predecessor for 30 years.

Vermont business in brief Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
News notes from around the state.

Bird Brains: Sightings needed: Report rusty blackbirds Fri, 04 Apr 2008 08:32:00 EST
Rusty blackbirds are literally disappearing before our eyes. Now, birdwatchers get excited when they see 15 of these birds together

Horoscope Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Today's predictions

My Turn: Be a mentor; save the world Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:18:00 EST
Many young Vermonters need an adult who is an anchor to morality, to a sense of decency, to doing what is right in life.

Editorial: Ensuring protection from aerial peeping Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
We are right to assume we have a right to privacy.

My Turn: Tough decisions this budget season Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Legislators face difficult choices, but they rely on the people for input.

Letters to the Editor Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The Free Press publishes thousands of letters to the editor every year. Here are today's letters:

UVM lacrosse: Central Cat Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Millar at the heart of Vermont program's growth

College roundup Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Unbeaten Johnson collects 10-6 win

Teams set for All-Star games Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Vermont's basketball standouts will take on Western Mass. on June 28

Notebook Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Teams get chance to take on Monsters name

Time for action Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
There's a great deal of earnest discussion and not a little hand-wringing over how to solve the city's drug problem. ...

Tourism on hold in post-riot Tibet : Journalists barred from Tibetan areas Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:02:00 EST
BEIJING -- Tour groups were barred from Tibet and foreign journalists blocked from outlying areas as the region remained under virtual lockdown Tuesday following the Chinese government's crackdown on rioters last month. ... - By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN The Associated Press

At the Farmers' Market: Talking Pictures videos Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:15:00 EST
Gayle Griffith shows her felt handbags at the Winter Farmers' Market in Rutland recently. ... - By RICH ALCOTT Herald Staff

Cortina Inn closed after tests show Legionnaires' disease Fri, 04 Apr 2008 08:40:00 EST
MENDON -- The 96-room Cortina Inn on Route 4 has been shut down by state health officials who said a confirmed case of Legionnaires' disease was traced back to the hotel. ... - By BRENT CURTIS Herald Staff

Chittenden bank to cut jobs, branches Fri, 04 Apr 2008 08:40:00 EST
Three months after closing on its $2 billion purchase of Chittenden Corp., People's United Financial Inc. announced Thursday that it will cut up to 37 jobs in Vermont and close five branches. ... - By BRUCE EDWARDS Herald Staff

Ritter says White House preparing for war in Iran Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:40:00 EST
MIDDLEBURY -- Scott Ritter, former head of weapons inspection in Iraq who protested there were no weapons of mass destruction to justify an invasion, believes the same is true for Iran. ... - By ED BARNA Herald Correspondent

Lawyer swapping concerns Douglas Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
MONTPELIER -- The suspects in two high-profile murder cases have asked for new lawyers, again raising fears by some officials that a recent Vermont Supreme Court decision could lead to more defendants intentionally delaying their trials. ... - By LOUIS PORTER Vermont Press Bureau

Postman calls in Mendon blaze Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Two dogs were rescued Thursday after a postal worker noticed smoke coming from a Mendon home. ... - By DAWSON RASPUZZI Herald Staff

Danby crash victim awarded more than $200K Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
A Danby woman has won a $205,400 verdict against two insurance companies in a lawsuit stemming from a 2002 bus crash. ... - By GORDON DRITSCHILO Herald Staff

Lawmen testify in scandal's wake Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
MONTPELIER -- Windham County Sheriff Keith Clark had a simple assessment of the state of his department's affairs after a former sheriff resigned in an embezzlement scandal two years ago. ... - By DANIEL BARLOW Vermont Press Bureau

Group scores honors for creative thinking Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The Hayes Foundation Odyssey of the Mind team earned first place and a Renatra Fusca Award for creativity at the Vermont Odyssey of the Mind Tournament in Hinesburg on March 8. ...

Kiwanis to host day of service Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The Rutland Kiwanis Club in Rutland will be hosting a day of service on Saturday with community service projects taking place throughout Rutland County. ...

Yankee set to return to full power Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
BRATTLEBORO -- Entergy Nuclear has given up trying to find the leak in its condenser at the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, and is returning the reactor to full power. Entergy said Thursday that it would closely monitor the leak or leaks in the condenser, and it said it would hold open the option of reducing power once again to try and find the leak. The plant reduced power Monday night because of the problem. Robert Williams, spokesman for Entergy Nuclear, said that in any case, the leak will be fixed next fall, during the plant's next regularly scheduled refueling and maintenance outage. "We are returning to full power. We were not able to pinpoint the location of the leak," he said, noting the leak was "very small," since it was only leaking a quarter a minute, or 16 gallons an hour, of Connecticut River water into the reactor's coolant system. He said the leak was small when compared to the total amount of water circulating in the condenser, 360,000 gallons per minute. The condenser is not directly related to the nuclear side of the power plant, but it is important because it cools the water that cools the reactor. Despite the leak, the condenser is designed so that the radioactive water in the reactor will not leak out into the Connecticut River water. "We're going to continue to monitor it closely," he said. "We may try again with other methods, but it's prudent to come back to a steady state." According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Web site, the plant was at 41 percent power on Wednesday. Williams would not say what the power level was Thursday afternoon. Williams said the leak was traced to one of the quarter sections of the condenser, called "water boxes," comprised of 5,500 tubes. There are 22,000 tubes in all in the condenser, which acts much like a car radiator. He said not all of the 5,500 tubes were checked in recent days for the leaks. "We didn't check all of them. Some are inaccessible. It may be that the leak sealed itself because the temperature change," he said. According to Neil Sheehan, spokesman for the regional NRC headquarters, Vermont Yankee has had condenser leaks before, the last being five years ago. "They decided there was a point of diminishing returns," Sheehan said. "There are thousands of tubes, and it really is hunt and peck." He said the leak, which amounts to 16 gallons an hour, "doesn't challenge the plant's water chemistry." He said the biggest problem is chlorides that exist in the Connecticut River would interact with the nuclear fuel, but he said the chloride level is in the 2 to 3 parts per billion state, while if it gets in the parts per million, Entergy Nuclear staff will have to act. Sheehan said that while condenser leaks are not unheard of in the nuclear industry, there were no other plants in this northeast region with leaks in its condenser besides Vermont Yankee. Contact Susan Smallheer at susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com. ... - By SUSAN SMALLHEER Herald Staff

Hospital Web site an aid to recruitment Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:03:00 EST
BENNINGTON - By emphasizing the Southern Vermont lifestyle to doctors on their new recruitment Web site, local hospital officials have increased the number of potential recruits by about tenfold. Southwestern Vermont Medical Center's physician recruiting Web site, on the Internet at www.greenmtnsgreatdocs.org, includes such features as a video with testimony from doctors who already work at the Bennington hospital, doctor profiles, links to available housing and a list of open positions. Kevin Robinson, communications director for the hospital's parent organization, Southwestern Vermont Health Care, pointed out that the site also appeals to a potential recruit's private life. "We tried to balance the clinical information with personal information so we included things like a (SVMC-employed) physician's favorite restaurant in the area or their favorite weekend hiking experience or their favorite place to go sailing," he said. The site, which has been active since October, has been successful. Before the Web site was up, Robinson said, the hospital's recruiters were working with 10 active candidates. Now that number is more than 100, according to Robinson. The hospital has also signed 10 new physicians since October, more than were hired in all of 2006, Robinson said. The Web site was created in response to a doctor shortage that has affected not just SVMC but hospitals all over the country. Last year, one of three pediatricians who had hospital hours resigned abruptly, which led to a series of public meetings during which parents expressed deep concerns over nights and weekends when there would be no pediatrician on call. The hospital managed to cover those hours with the assistance of family practice doctors, temporary doctors and the remaining pediatricians but the crisis, which also resulted in a short period when the hospital considered closing its birthing center on the weekends, drew attention to the problems rural hospitals have in attracting doctors. Robinson said the addition of the Web site as a recruiting tool, which may be unique to SVMC, was an idea he and the health care system's physician recruiter Nicole Goswami had when considering a recruiting video. In the Google age, Robinson said, people don't necessarily request a video by mail when they want information, especially when they can get it instantly via the Internet. "Our recruiting Web site didn't have much to offer. We weren't speaking to physicians in their own language," he said. Robinson said the idea of a Web site targeted to recruiting doctors allowed SVMC to present a wealth of information in ways that wouldn't be possible through any other media. The site, created by Web design company MedTouch, includes a video and dynamic links to information about the hospital and even a type of application which can start a doctor on the path to Bennington County. Robinson said the key to the success was involving doctors who were at the hospital already who not only had credibility but familiarity with a physician's needs in looking for a place to practice. Goswami said younger doctors, who had come of age using the Internet, were responding especially well to the site. "They can get a good feel for the lifestyle in Bennington County, a good feel for SVMC. A physician doesn't necessarily want to come knocking on your door until she has as much information as possible," she said. Robinson said the site was also intended to be a fun place to visit and it includes a rap-style video created by the staff at the hospital's emergency department. The site has also attracted accolades. The Interactive Media Council, a nonprofit organization of Web site designers, developers, programmers, advertisers and other Web-related professionals, awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award to SVMC, the first hospital Web site to win the award. While the hospital is using the Web site to supplement more traditional recruitment methods like direct mailings and attendance at medical conferences, Robinson said there had already been some interest shown by other marketing companies in duplicating SVMC's efforts. "We're very pleased we've found an effective way to tell people how great it is to work and live in southern Vermont," Robinson said. Contact Patrick McArdle at patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com. ... - By PATRICK McARDLE Herald Staff

4 sentenced in cocaine traffic case Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:05:00 EST
BRATTLEBORO - Four men were sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Brattleboro for distributing as much as two kilograms of cocaine between 2000 and 2004. Alex Barrows, 29, of Brattleboro, was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Upon his release, Barrows will have to complete 300 hours of community service. John Houle, 34, of Brattleboro, was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by a three-year term of supervised release. John Parker, 33, of Guilford, was sentenced to four months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. As a condition of his release, Parker will have three months of home confinement and will have to complete 200 hours of community service. Jason Houle, 29, of Brattleboro, was sentenced to three months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Houle's conditions of release are identical to Parker's. According to court records, between 2000 and 2004 Barrows led a group of six drug traffickers who sold between 500 grams and two kilograms of cocaine. They brought the cocaine into Brattleboro from Holyoke and Springfield, Mass., according to court records. The investigation was a mutual effort between the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Brattleboro Police. During the course of their investigation, police made several controlled buys using confidential informants, court records showed. In February 2006, police arrested Barrows, Parker and the Houles, according to court records. Following the arrests, police executed a search warrant for Barrows's apartment, which revealed substances used to cut cocaine, as well as a .32 caliber Beretta under his mattress and brass knuckles, nunchucks and other weapons under his bed, court records showed. Robert Phelps, a co-defendant, was sentenced in February to three years' probation. Greg LaRose, a sixth co-defendant, will be sentenced on April 8. Contact Josh O'Gorman at josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com. ... - By JOSH O'GORMAN Herald Staff

CVPS wins state approval for Southern Loop project Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
WINHALL -- The Vermont Public Service Board approved construction on Friday of a new substation and voltage support equipment by Central Vermont Public Service Corp. to improve electric system reliability in what is called the Southern Loop. The Southern Loop was coined by CVPS to refer to about 70 miles of CVPS lines from Bennington to Brattleboro. The $11.2 project will involve building a substation and installing two synchronous condensers. Synchronous condensers are devices that control voltage on an electrical transmission or distribution system. In this case, they will provide voltage support to CVPS's southern Vermont sub-transmission system. "Synchronous condensers alleviate problems associated with low system voltage including equipment failures, by maintaining system voltage within acceptable limits," the Public Service Board wrote. According to the board, the need for the condensers was discovered during a study conducted with the input of the Vermont Electric Power Company which found "root problems" the board said "must be resolved." "The most pressing problem is that the Southern Vermont system will soon be unable to supply peak demand within the area due to demand growth in the area," the board wrote. In January 2006, CVPS began to host a series of public meetings with officials, business leaders and residents to solicit input on ways to improve the reliability of electrical transmission along its Southern Loop. CVPS President Robert Young said in a statement the electric company listened to more than 100 individuals or concerned parties before putting together a plan. "Thanks to the public, we developed a multi-part solution to the transmission issues that was vastly superior to what we might have proposed otherwise. ... The (Public Service) board's approval of this part of the solution validates the process, which has become our blueprint for future transmission projects," Young said. In the board's order, which approved construction of the substation and installation of two synchronous condensers, at a cost of $11.2 million, the PSB praised all parties involved. The public service board received evidence that the new equipment should vastly improve the reliability of electricity transmission. "The installation of synchronous condensers at an appropriate location in the middle of the transmission system relieves the capacity constraints on the system during normal operating conditions ... and reduces the exposure to single-contingency failures from approximately 66 percent to approximately 11 percent of the hours in the year," the board wrote. The utility substation, designed to look like a barn, will be built off of Kendall Farm Road in Winhall. While a group of neighbors had objected to the placement of, but not the need for, the substation, an agreement was reached in July which CVPS and neighbors agreed met both sides' needs. CVPS is planning other measures to improve reliability including a VELCO substation in Newfane and geographically targeted efficiency programs designed to reduce winter peak electrical demand. ... - Staff report

Manchester woman appointed to Vt. Commission on Women Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
MANCHESTER -- Laine Dunham Akiyama, deputy director and creative director of the historic Lincoln family home Hildene, was appointed in March to serve on the Vermont Commission on Women by Gov. James Douglas. Akiyama, 53, of Manchester, is a 2007 graduate of the Snelling Center for Government's Vermont Leadership Institute. On Thursday, Akiyama said she wanted to put that training to good use and began looking for opportunities in Vermont. "I became really interested in this program. It's not just one thing, it's really across the board and across the state," she said. Akiyama graduated with a degree in illustration from Art Center College of Design in California and went on to work for 25 years as a producer and designer in the themed entertainment industry with stints at Walt Disney Imagineering, Sony Development and MCA Universal. She also serves on the board of the Shires regional marketing program, and is a charter member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Launched in 1964 by a call to action from President Kennedy, the commission is a nonpartisan state agency dedicated to legislative, economic, social, and political fairness, reducing discrimination and encouraging opportunities for women. While Akiyama's term is scheduled to expire next year, because she was appointed to fill an unexpired term, she expects to stay on for a standard four-year term beginning in 2009. Contact Patrick McArdle at patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com. ... - By PATRICK McARDLE Herald Staff

Beer prices rising: Tight supply of hops has Vermont brewers scrambling Fri, 04 Apr 2008 08:39:00 EST
In the face of a global hops shortage, Vermont's beer-makers are raising prices, refiguring recipes and discontinuing certain hops-intensive products. ... - By GORDON DRITSCHILO Herald Staff

Authorities seeking furlough escapee Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
PUTNEY -- The Department of Corrections is looking for a man who walked away from furlough on Monday. DOC put James P. Rounds, 25, on escape status after he failed to check in at the Morningside Shelter where he had been staying. Rick Bates, district manager for the Brattleboro Probation Office, said Rounds was last seen by shelter staff at 8 a.m. on Monday. Rounds is a white male, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. Rounds is considered dangerous, Bates said. Anyone with information about Rounds' whereabouts should call the police or the DOC at 254-6377. -- Staff and wire reports ...

Brattleboro publisher set to leave Reformer Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
BRATTLEBORO -- The publisher of the Brattleboro Reformer newspaper is stepping down after two years on the job. Martin Langeveld will leave the paper on Friday. Langeveld has worked for the Reformer's owner, New England Newspapers and its predecessor Eagle Publishing Co., for 30 years. He says he's leaving to do other things and it could take him some time to figure out what that is. New England Newspapers President Andy Mick says the company will be hiring a new publisher for the Reformer from within the organization or elsewhere in the industry. Mick says a high priority for the new publisher will be someone who understands New England. ...

Journalist chosen as graduation speaker Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
BENNINGTON -- Personal finance journalist Christine Dugas, whose work appears in USA Today, will deliver the commencement address at the 81st Southern Vermont College graduation ceremonies on May 18. Dugas, the author of "Fiscal Fitness," has covered personal finance issues for USA Today since 1995 after writing for New York Newsday and Business Week magazine. "Christine Dugas is a wonderful role model for our graduates and their families. In addition to remarkable professional achievements in the competitive world of journalism, she is a person who has navigated life's exigencies and has emerged with wisdom, good humor and grace," said College President Karen Gross. A graduate of Bowling Green University, Dugas received a master's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin. Among her journalism honors are the New York State Press Association Award for business writing, the Lincoln University United and the Newspaper Guild of New York Page One Award. ...

Spartans roll over Cadets Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
FORT ANN, N.Y. -- The Castleton State men's lacrosse team's offense had been anemic the last two games, scoring two goals in a loss at Mount Ida and five in a loss at Kean. But Thursday it exploded. The Spartans outgunned Norwich University 20-4 in a game played here at Golden Goal Tournament Park. ... - By TOM HALEY Herald Staff

Celtics aiming to keep pieces in place heading into NBA playoffs Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
BOSTON -- The turnaround has been tremendous. ... - By HOWARD ULMAN The Associated Press

Fenway to the max Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox have maxed out Fenway Park in their seventh year of offseason renovations, bringing the capacity of the oldest and smallest ballpark in the majors to 39,928 with no plans to add more. ... - By JIMMY GOLEN The Associated Press

Scott, Wagner humble layout in Masters tuneup Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
HUMBLE, Texas -- Adam Scott went straight to the clubhouse for medical treatment after his first round at the Houston Open. ... - The Associated Press

CSC laxers roll over Ramapo Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
In Mahwah, N.J., sophomore Stephanie Pearce scored five goals and added an assist to lead the Castleton State College lacrosse team to a 17-6 victory over Ramapo College. The Spartans improved to 3-2 while keeping the Roadrunners winless at 0-4. ...

We're No. 66! OSU wins NIT Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
NEW YORK -- A year removed from a loss in the national title game, Ohio State has a championship trophy to carry home. ... - The Associated Press

Abreu lifts Yankees, 3-2 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
NEW YORK -- Bobby Abreu's bloop single snapped an eighth-inning tie, and the New York Yankees got a solid outing from Phil Hughes in a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night. ... - The Associated Press

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