News 2008-04-24 Andanh.com

Resigning Williston planner faces stalking charges Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:28:00 EST
Former Williston Zoning Administrator D.K. Johnston, who resigned last month from most of his official duties, faces a criminal stalking charge in Vermont District Court.

Soldiers stranded in Iraq Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Vermont soldiers who have completed their tours of duty in Iraq cannot get home because of flight delays caused in part by the recent bankruptcy of ATA Airlines, the Vermont congressional delegation said Wednesday.

Column: This is insane! Gasoline at 48 cents per gallon? What a ripoff Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:42:00 EST
Gasoline prices change, but people remain the same.

Trucks take out power poles Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Wednesday was truck-vs.-utility-pole day in greater Burlington, with two freak accidents that interrupted power and snarled traffic.

South Burlington devises plan to expand fire staff Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The city's fire department hasn't grown along with South Burlington's needs, officials say, and a new plan could help pay for six additional firefighters with minimal impact on property taxes.

Seniors picket for road safety Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Residents of Grand Way Commons on Farrell Street in South Burlington are picketing from the sidewalk outside their home this week, with signs reading "Please don't speed!" and "SLOW DOWN!"

Colchester students devour Canfield book list Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Fourteen students at Colchester Middle School have read all 30 of the books on the Dorothy Canfield Fisher reading list.

Fire claims barn, cows in Fairfax Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:50:00 EST
Half of Peter and Madonne Rainville's dairy herd perished in a fire as they and neighbors struggled to save them.

Suspect accused of threatening prosecutor Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:51:00 EST
The allegations against James Burke prompted the Chittenden County State's Attorney's Office to withdraw from handling his sexual-assault case.

House approves bill to require more decommissioning money from Vermont Yankee owner Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:52:00 EST
Opponents say it will cost ratepayers more. See bottom of story for links to the bill and the roll call vote.

State police fatally shoot gun-toting man Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Police say Darren Tufts of Bradford pointed an assault rifle at two troopers, who then shot and killed him.

Governor briefs lawmakers on stimulus plan Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
With a red marker in hand and a flip chart at his side, Gov. Jim Douglas walked a special legislative committee through his economic stimulus proposals.

Prison changes become political football Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The future configuration of Vermont's prisons became a bone of contention Wednesday between the House and the Senate.

Senate panel passes revised housing bill Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The Senate version has several major differences from the House bill.

Amendment would let 17-year-olds vote in primaries Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The amendment to the state Constitution would allow 17-year-olds to vote if they're going to turn 18 by the general election.

Key House panel approves groundwater bill Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The bill would create a new permit system and legal requirements governing the taking of large amounts of groundwater.

Senate overrides campaign finance veto Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Last year the House failed by a single vote to override Douglas' veto of another campaign finance bill.

Tammy Shannon named advertising director at Free Press Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Will begin new post May 12

Burlington residents team up on global warming Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:43:00 EST
Eco-teams try to lower 'carbon'diet' in their neighborhoods

Today's recipe Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:20:00 EST
Chile Lime Steak with Black Bean & Mango Salsa

Book dishes up recipes Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:04:00 EST
Three years later, Medeiros is the proud author of the attractively presented "Dishing Up Vermont" (Storey Publishing, $19.95) for which she performed the significant task of collecting, sorting, and testing 145 recipes from Vermont farmers, chefs, and other food producers, along with sharing anecdotes and stories about many of them.

Review: 'Seeking' excellent acting? Find it in new play Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:43:00 EST
"Seeking...," written by Chris Caswell, Marianne DiMascio and Geeda Searfoorce of Burlington-based Heat & Hot Water Productions, premiered Wednesday night at the Waterfront Theatre.

Ben Stein to speak at UVM on Friday Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:32:00 EST
Comes a week after his controversial film on intelligent design opened in Burlington

Horoscope Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Today's predictions

First with Kids: Earwax Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:59:00 EST
Not attractive, but not without a purpose

April Family Calendar Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:48:00 EST
Click here to download and print; Web resources, too

Reality check: Helping local refugees Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:48:00 EST
Celebrating Lyric and 'Beauty & the Beast'

Editorial: Get past politics and back to business Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:25:00 EST
Maybe our elected leaders need to release the venom that builds up during the long, dark, winter days in the Statehouse. Now they can focus on passing a budget for tough economic times.

My Turn: Can we afford truss bridge plan? Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
What if anything can be done to get the Historic Bridge Agreement re-evaluated and revised? Is this agreement really a good thing for the state of Vermont?

Whatever it takes Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Hillary Clinton will do whatever it takes to win. ...

A new reality Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The atmosphere surrounding the issue of gay marriage has changed substantially since the furor that gripped the state eight years ago. That was when the Vermont Legislature became the first in the nation to institute civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. ...

Will Feds take over Ramos drug shooting case? Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:09:00 EST
Even as the case was being dismissed against Ramel Ramos last week, the prosecutor in the case told the judge that the investigation into the drug-related fatal shooting on Grove Street would continue -- just not in his office per se. ... - By BRENT CURTIS Herald Staff

Toyota flaw a lucky break for many Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:13:00 EST
As public works crews sweep up the sand and salt deposited on roads this past winter, some vehicle owners have recently learned that the rust on their vehicles is a blessing in disguise. ... - By JOSH O'GORMAN Herald Staff

College to host benefit relay Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
More than 100 college students and Castleton-area residents have joined teams to participate in this weekend's Relay For Life at Castleton State College to raise money to fight cancer. ... - By DAWSON RASPUZZI Herald Staff

RAP offers view of drug culture Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Rutland residents got a picture Wednesday of the drug culture present in the city and the kind of community response it will take to lower illegal drug use. ... - By BRENT CURTIS Herald Staff

Survey shows high incidence of drunken driving Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Approximately one out in six Vermonters have driven under the influence of alcohol during the past year. ... - By SARA-MEGAN WALSH Herald Staff

Weather blamed for fires Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Warm, dry temperatures played a role in several fires in Rutland County and the rest of the state Wednesday, including a pair of morning fires in Clarendon and an afternoon fire in Wallingford. ... - By DAWSON RASPUZZI Herald Staff

CSJ set to celebrate annual gala dinner Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Friends and supporters of the College of St. Joseph are invited to participate in a celebration at the Holiday Inn in Rutland on Friday. ...

Evidence reviewed in Westside shooting Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Rutland County prosecutors reviewed the evidence collected to date in a fatal West Rutland shooting. No charges or arrests were made on Wednesday. ...

Downtown power KO'd for two hours Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
A failed lightning arrester at the entrance to the Marble Valley Transportation Center in downtown Rutland caused about a two-hour power outage to 18 structures including the state offices in the Asa Bloomer Building on Thursday. ...

Power knocked out downtown for 2 hours Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
A failed lightning arrester at the entrance to the Marble Valley Transportation Center in downtown Rutland caused about a two-hour power outage to 18 structures including the state offices in the Asa Bloomer Building on Thursday. ...

Residents weigh in on Brandon plan Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
BRANDON -- People in Brandon want to encourage single-family housing, bike paths and more parking downtown, but aren't too keen on mobile homes, according to a survey by the Planning Commission. ... - By GORDON DRITSCHILO Herald Staff

Teenager arraigned in vehicle break-ins Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
A Rutland teenager charged with stealing several items from vehicles in West Rutland before sunrise on Saturday was arraigned in Rutland District Court on Monday. ... - By DAWSON RASPUZZI Herald Staff

College files land use application Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Castleton State College continues to move forward with the planned renovation project, filing an application for an Act 250 land use permit last week. ... - By DAWSON RASPUZZI Herald Staff

State's 'Smooth Ride' hits pothole Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
MONTPELIER -- "Operation Smooth Ride" is anything but at the Statehouse, where competing proposals have sparked new controversy surrounding the $3 million pothole repair plan. ... - By PETER HIRSCHFELD Vermont Press Bureau

RRMC, nurses OK contract Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Rutland Regional Health Services has reached a new three-year contract with 366 registered nurses that provides for incremental wage increases through 2010. ... - By SARA-MEGAN WALSH Herald Staff

Writer finds Toyota offer is the real deal Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:14:00 EST
So, in the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I am the proud owner of a Toyota Tacoma that I am about to sell for nearly three times what I paid for it. Shortly after returning to the United Sates from Japan in 2006, I bought a 1997 Tacoma 4x4 pickup for $4,100 cash. I bought a truck because during my seven years in California I always drove pickups. Much the way that Subarus are ubiquitous in New England, there are many Californians who retrofit their pickups with caps and carpet kits and turn the bed of the truck into a mobile bedroom. It's not sleazy, it's economical. When gas was a dollar a gallon, I could drive 2,000 miles round trip to Seattle and back for a few hundred dollars in gas and have free accommodation wherever I parked. Unlike here on the East Coast, drivers are encouraged to sleep at rest stops. However, now that I've made the transition from whitewater raft guide to newspaper reporter and traded my paddle for a laptop, a 4x4 pickup just doesn't make sense, and last month I decided to put my truck up for sale. Word spread quickly among my friends and I learned about the extended warranty program. I am inherently skeptical of anything that sounds too good to be true, but I made an appointment with Alderman's Toyota in Rutland, and on April 9 brought my truck in for inspection. My truck failed inspection, which was no surprise since it has 221,000 miles and gaping holes in the frame. The service representative quickly arranged for a free loaner car, but when I got there my request for a fuel-efficient car was answered with a minivan. I have since twice swapped vehicles -- once for a Chevrolet cargo van that was the largest vehicle I've ever driven, and most recently a Chevrolet Aveo that in some strange M.C. Escher-way genuinely seems bigger inside than it is outside. On Wednesday, I received an offer from Toyota that indicated that some things that seem too good to be true are actually true. Toyota has offered me $11,332 for a truck I bought for $4,100. According to the letter, Toyota will have a check for me within 7-10 days. I also received a call from Alderman's asking me to come and meet with a sales representative. On Saturday morning, I will be offered all sorts of incentives to buy another Tacoma or a Tundra, and in truth I have no idea what I want or what I will do. With $11,000 in your pocket, you have a lot of options. Maybe a Subaru is the way to go. Contact Josh O'Gorman at josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com. ... - By JOSH O'GORMAN Herald Staff

Sunderland School chief resigns Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
SUNDERLAND -- The School Board accepted Sunderland Elementary School Principal Paul Schreiber's resignation on Wednesday, leaving the school looking for a leader again for the fourth time in six years. Schreiber, who took the job after serving as assistant principal at Chester-Andover Elementary School, said he was leaving for personal and not professional reasons. "I'm moving back to Florida. That's my home. ... It's just family. My fiancé and I have been talking about it. We started talking about it last year, but I didn't want to leave after one year. I certainly wanted to stay longer," he said after Wednesday's School Board meeting. Schreiber began his term at the small elementary school in the fall of 2006, following Susan Hackett, who stayed one school year, and Nancy Trancho, who served three years before Hackett. The Sunderland Elementary School has been the center of some controversy, with two votes within 12 months on closing the school. The first vote in June 2005 was defeated 234 to 123 and in March 2006, the school was kept open by a vote of 215 to 163. The $2.4 million budget for the 2008-09 school year passed in March by only about 40 votes, with many residents complaining at the school's floor meeting because the budget was about 15 percent higher than the current budget. Schreiber's tenure at the kindergarten through sixth-grade school had a number of successes, some improvements in standardized test scores and the construction of a community-built playground on the school grounds. "I think moving forward he really set the tone for two years of outstanding growth and not just academically," said Sunderland School Board Chairman Gordon Woodrow. Schreiber was praised by Woodrow for turning around a lot of negative perception of the school and his contributions to Sunderland's arts programs. Schreiber agreed that his most important contribution may have been to "affect the school in a positive manner." "I think I helped lift the school's morale, academics, brought a variety of new experiences to the kids and helped turn it into a solid educational institution," he said. If he had stayed, Schreiber said he would have liked to have worked on improving the school's enrollment, which is expected to drop to about 40 students in the fall from about 50 students this year. Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union Superintendent Daniel French said he expected to be able to come back to the school board in about two weeks with some initial candidates for Schreiber's replacement. Contact Patrick McArdle at patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com. ... - By PATRICK McARDLE Herald Staff

Teenager facing felony charges Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
BENNINGTON -- A teenager who lives in White Birches Mobile Home Park is facing three felony charges after police accused him of burglarizing Main Street businesses Panache, AllDays & Onions and the Bennington Butcher Shop earlier this month. Brandon Ely, 17, pleaded not guilty to three charges of burglary in Bennington County District Court on Friday. Bennington County Deputy State's Attorney Robert Plunkett asked the court to impose a 24-hour curfew on Ely to "protect the public from Mr. Ely's further escapades." Ely has pending charges including unlawful trespass and retail theft. The state's request was granted, although Judge Katherine Hayes allowed certain exceptions for Ely to look for a job or to pursue educational opportunities. Bennington police said they interviewed a 13-year-old boy who described the three burglaries which took place on April 1 and 14. The boy said he was the "lookout" for the burglary on April 1 which took place at Tallie's Tavern at the Bennington Station, which houses the Bennington Butcher Shop. The boy told police that Ely threw a brick through a window at the business, reached through the broken window and pulled a cash register to him by using a crowbar. Police said about $64 was taken from the shop. On April 14, according to the affidavit, the 13-year-old, a 14-year-old boy and Ely began by standing on a Pleasant Street roof and watching for police. Seeing none, they came off the roof and went to Main Street. The 13-year-old boy said he and Ely entered Panache, a clothing store, and took some change from the cash register and some candy bars. The three teenagers went back to the roof to see if police would arrive, but after 20 to 30 minutes passed with no sign of police, they decided to burglarize AllDays & Onions, the affidavit said. According to the 13-year-old boy, he threw a rock through a window at the restaurant and Ely threw a second rock to clear away the rest of the glass. The boy told police he and Ely entered the restaurant twice and planned to take money, but instead took bottles of liquor. Police said an AllDays & Onions employee told them 20 bottles of liquor worth about $430 were taken. Police interviewed the 14-year-old boy on Tuesday and said he also told them he had seen Ely enter AllDays & Onions and Panache. The 14-year-old said he hadn't been part of the burglary at the Bennington Butcher Shop, but said the 13-year-old told him about it. Ely, who was interviewed in the presence of his mother on Thursday, according to police, denied any involvement in the burglaries. Police said Ely told them the 13-year-old boy had given him a bottle of liquor that he told police was in his bedroom closet. According to the affidavit, police noticed "some discrepancies" with Ely's story which led them to believe he was involved in the burglaries. Police noticed the 13-year-old and 14-year-old on Main Street while responding to an alarm at another Main Street business, Madison's Brewery on Monday around 12:20 p.m. According to the affidavit, the boys were walking along Main Street and seemed to try to avoid police, which resulted in police questioning them. According to the affidavit, the boys had a large amount of change, disposable lighters and a pour top for an alcohol bottle when they were stopped on Monday. Ely is facing up to 15 years in prison on each burglary charge if convicted. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 22. Contact Patrick McArdle at patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com. ... - By PATRICK McARDLE Herald Staff

Man agrees to deal in kid sex case Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
BENNINGTON -- A local man pleaded guilty to two felony counts of sexual assault on a child as part of a plea agreement that included a sentence of 15 years to life. Steven A. Matteson Sr., 51, of Bennington, was convicted on Wednesday of two counts of aggravated sexual assault on a victim less than 10 years old in Bennington District Court while the state dismissed a charge of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. Matteson was sentenced to serve 15 years to life for both charges, but the sentences will run at the same time. In June, Matteson pleaded guilty to a separate charge, filed in March 2007, of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. His sentencing for that charge was delayed pending the outcome of the more recent case. Bennington County Chief Deputy State's Attorney Christina Rainville said she believed it was the effect of Matteson's actions on the now-9-year-old girl that affected Judge Katherine Hayes so strongly. Rainville said the girl had actually lost the ability to speak when the subject of the molestation is raised, something that became apparent in the videotaped interview conducted by Bennington Police Detective Lawrence Cole. On Wednesday, Cole said he had never encountered a similar situation before his interview with the girl and had to improvise a way she could communicate with hand gestures and other signals. Since February, the state has been seeking permission from the court to allow the girl to testify by videotape. While the procedure is not new in Vermont, the state must meet strict conditions to allow videotaped testimony to be admitted in a criminal trial and provide the witness, by closed-circuit television or other means, for cross-examining by the defense attorney. According to Rainville, Hayes ruled earlier on Wednesday to allow the girl to testify by videotape. "I'm sure that played a significant role in (Matteson's) decision to change his plea," Rainville said. At a hearing in February, the court reviewed a videotape of an interview that Cole and an investigator from the Vermont Department of Children and Families conducted with the girl in August 2006 at the Bennington County Child Advocacy Center. After the interview, police filed charges in November 2006. A police affidavit filed in the case said Matteson Sr. had performed sexual acts on the girl and forced her to perform acts on him. Cole, who also investigated the separate charge of lewd and lascivious conduct, said in an affidavit that a second victim had come forward after the charges from November 2006 were made public. In March 2007, he spoke with a woman whose 9-year-old daughter said Matteson had gotten on top of her in a bed when she was 3 or 4 years old. The girl said Matteson threatened that if she told anyone about what had happened, he would call the police and said her mother would go to jail. Rainville said she was satisfied with the plea agreement because it would spare the girl from having to testify again about the molestation. Cole hesitated before answering a question about whether Matteson's agreed-upon sentence was satisfactory. "Life (imprisonment) would have been satisfactory. That's what (the victim) got," he said. The second charge of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child could add another five years to Matteson's sentence, according to Rainville. Contact Patrick McArdle at patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com. ... - By PATRICK McARDLE Herald Staff

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