News 2008-04-25 Andanh.com

House OKs bill in response to Swanton teen's death Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The House gave preliminary approval to a bill Thursday that's designed to make it harder for repeat drunken drivers to take the wheel.

Women work to bring food shelf back to Westford Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:50:00 EST
Westford residents are working with the United Church of Westford to restart a food shelf. The church has agreed to house the new venture.

Woman pleads not guilty in husband's shooting death Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
A woman who allegedly shot her husband to death last weekend was charged Thursday with second-degree murder after she and her children acknowledged lying about the circumstances.

Rooney attorney asks to leave case Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Murder suspect Brian Rooney's defense lawyer wants to leave the case less than three weeks before trial.

Essex senior housing construction begins Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Development in Essex Center continues this spring with the building of affordable housing units for seniors.

State orders weekly tests on Bolton water Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
It's been a week since Bolton Valley residents were last told they had to boil their drinking water -- but the community's reservoir remains under state scrutiny.

Burn weekends controversial in Colchester Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Some residents of Colchester, along witih environmentalists, want to stop or limit burn weekends in Colchester.

Burlington Telecom still running below goal Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:01:00 EST
New business plan may help utility reach growth and income targets

Paper protest: UVM students call for roll reversal Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:43:00 EST
Forest Crimes Unit protests corporation's logging practices

Plots thicken: Small gardens, seedling sales on the rise Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:12:00 EST
Spring forecast calls for high food prices that will nudge more Vermonters to eat out of their gardens this year.

Burlington Telecom: A model for others Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Minnesota institute uses BT as a model for cities considering starting their own telecom systems.

Local Motion launches new trail service Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:56:00 EST
Trail Finder helps users find trails without ever leaving their computers

Bird Brains: A welcome song from the pines Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The pine warbler is far more often heard than seen in Vermont

Horoscope Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Today's predictions

REVIEW: Grody plays Lear large Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Vermont Stage blows out tiny FlynnSpace

Editorial: Who's keeping track of spending at UVM? Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:42:00 EST
When cost is such a critical factor in higher education, the university needs to have a firm grasp on how it handles big money.

My Turn: Pollina plan will help Vermonters Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:22:00 EST
What is required now is leadership and political courage, not status quo politicians.

Letters to the Editor Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The Free Press publishes thousands of letters to the editor every year. Here are today's letters:

Column: Democrats face a daunting task Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
In pointing to those vulnerabilities in her rival, Clinton has heightened the most obvious liability she would carry into a fight against McCain.

MMU's Kusiak is a throwing star Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Unique training helps athlete shine in baseball, track

Hinesburg's Ford focuses on defense at Conn College Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
CVU grad at heart of Camels' tough backline

SPORTS: Friday's Vermont scores and Saturday's schedules Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:42:00 EST
Scores as reported to the Free Press

Scores and Schedules Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Thursday's scores and Friday's schedule

H.S. baseball roundup Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Dusablon drives 'Horses

H.S. softball roundup Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Missisquoi's Grennon stops Enosburg, 1-0

H.S. lacrosse roundup Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Hornets deal BFA first loss

H.S. notebook Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Hamlin and Jordan are named state's top athletes for March

College roundup Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
St. Michael's rolls to victory

Local sports notebook Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Wyckoff places 2nd in international competiton

Real reform Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
An alliance of education and business groups gathered this week to issue a report that was the fruit of 16 months of thoughtful work. But with Montpelier engulfed by a host of economic and budget issues, the report from the Business-Education Alliance got little notice. ...

Gramma's hugs Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
In the past 18 years, Virginia Griswold has had hundreds of grandchildren in Rutland, and she gets approximately 20 more every year. ... - By DAWSON RASPUZZI Herald Staff

Foreign tourists heading for U.S. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. -- When Steve Meissner of Berlin bought a 1956 butter yellow Cadillac online, he could have simply had it shipped from Arizona to Germany. ... - By AMANDA LEE MYERS The Associated Press

Jenn's new tattoo: Talking Pictures video Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:52:00 EST
Jenn Pattillo of West Rutland took a trip up the road to Burlington last week and got a new tattoo from Liz Dye at Body Art Tattoo. ... - By RICH ALCOTT Herald Staff

City man denies pizzeria charges Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
A Rutland man is accused of smashing up a local pizza place, threatening its employees and assaulting one of them before leading police on a foot chase. ... - By GORDON DRITSCHILO Herald Staff

Garza family expands search Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
MIDDLEBURY -- Natalie Garza is asking for people to come help her look for her son on Saturday. ... - By GORDON DRITSCHILO Herald Staff

Recreation district proposes membership fees Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Rutland City and Mendon residents are being asked to choose whether they want to build a new recreational center or have that bag of chips. ... - By SARA-MEGAN WALSH Herald Staff

CSC hosts human rights drama Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
"In a world where there is a common lament that there are no more heroes, too often cynicism and despair are perceived as evidence of the death of moral courage. That perception is wrong. People of great valor and heart, committed to noble purpose, with long records of personal sacrifice, walk among us in every country of the world." ... - by KATIE SOBALSKY Herald Correspondent

Middlebury to vote on option tax Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
MIDDLEBURY -- The local option tax goes up for a final vote next month. ... - By GORDON DRITSCHILO Herald Staff

New hire approved for Rutland schools Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
A new director of instructional technology for Rutland public schools was unanimously approved at Tuesday's School Board meeting. ...

CSJ Gala RSVP deadline passed Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The deadline to make reservations for tonight's "CSJ Annual Gala: Celebrating Excellence" passed earlier this month. ...

Applicants sought for Philippines trip Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The Rotary Clubs of Vermont and southern New Hampshire are seeking candidates for a one-month, expense-paid Group Study Exchange to the Philippines next Feb. 16 to March 16. ...

Firearms charge nets prison term Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
A Burlington man was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Rutland to prison on a firearms offense. ...

Murder charge in shooting : Woman pleads innocent in her husband's death Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:37:00 EST
Wendy Pelkey-Grant's claim that she shot and killed her husband to protect her children didn't ring true with police and prosecutors, who charged the West Rutland woman with second-degree murder Thursday. ... - By BRENT CURTIS Herald Staff

Town moves to fix police dispute Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
SPRINGFIELD -- A resolution to the ongoing labor dispute between Springfield Police Chief Douglas Johnston and the unionized police officers might be in the offing. The union announced Wednesday that the town and the union had a tentative agreement to return to the formal grievance process as a way of resolving the festering conflict. And the town has apparently hired J. Cronan Associates, a private investigation firm based in Essex Junction, to assess the situation at the department. The firm is headed by James Cronan, a retired Vermont State Police officer, and was recently involved in running the Bellows Falls village police department. Town Manager Robert Forguites wouldn't comment about the hiring of Cronan Associates. But Forguites said that the town and the union had been in discussions with the Vermont Labor Board to try and settle the dispute. "We haven't signed an agreement," Forguites said. Local 218 of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, which represents the police officers, filed an unfair labor practice with the state board this winter, citing Johnston's leadership and the lack of progress in grievance talks with the towns. The union membership had held a second vote of no confidence with regard to Johnston's leadership in February. Union spokesman Walter Morancy said Thursday Cronan had been working at the Springfield department off and on for the past couple of weeks, having private meetings with employees. "Somebody's paying him and I know it isn't me," Morancy joked. Johnston, who couldn't be reached Thursday, has maintained that there isn't a hostile work environment at the department, which recently moved into new, roomier headquarters on Clinton Street. Morancy said he and other officers still had reservations about the grievance process, although he said he hoped there would a resolution to the police department's complaints about the management style of the police chief. Morancy said the union didn't necessarily want Johnston fired, noting his long years of service in Springfield, but something had to change in the department. "Asking someone to be fired? That's a huge deal," said the eight-year veteran of the local force. "But we would like things to really change. We would like people breaking down our door to work here," he said. While police officers are upset with what Morancy calls Johnston's verbal abuse, a bigger problem is overtime in the department. "One of the problems is overtime. We come to work and we're so tired," said Morancy, who recently returned from a two-week vacation. His last paycheck, he said, showed that he worked 18 hours of overtime the last week he worked. Officers can't refuse to work overtime, he said. Most officers volunteer for the overtime to avoid being called in for emergency overtime, he said, so they can schedule their private lives. Morancy said he coaches youth hockey in Springfield, and he needed to have a definite schedule and not be called in for emergency coverage. "Those little kids depend on me to be there," he said. .Morancy said the union wanted residents who are concerned about the police department to ask the Select Board to help resolve the issue. Contact Susan Smallheer at susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com. ... - By SUSAN SMALLHEER Herald Staff

Seeing the light : Town targets streetlights for savings Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:11:00 EST
MANCHESTER -- The town's energy committee has identified 64 streetlights it hopes to remove, saving the town about $11,000 annually. Lee Krohn, a member of the committee and Manchester's planning director and zoning administrator, said the streetlights were identified during a night tour of the town on April 14. "We looked at the streetlights with an eye toward identifying where streetlights could be removed, where we might want to add some, and where we may recommend they be modified in some fashion," Krohn said. Town Manager John O'Keefe said the streetlights identified for removal represented about 40 percent of the bill paid by the town for streetlights every year. This year, the town budgeted $30,000 for streetlights, reduced to $25,000 at town meeting in March. O'Keefe said he reduced the budget in anticipation of savings identified by the energy committee and expects the town will probably pay less than $19,000 next year for streetlights. Like many Vermont towns, Manchester doesn't own its streetlights but rents them from Central Vermont Public Service. The rental fee is fixed and does not reflect whether the lights are on or off. The Select Board would have to ask CVPS to make the changes. CVPS spokesman Steve Costello said the utility would be willing to work with the committee. "It's becoming more and more common for municipalities to request different options for their streetlights, either for energy efficiency or to go with a more historic look. ... We're always willing to work with towns to find suitable options," he said. O'Keefe said the energy committee's list is neither final nor definitive and he doesn't expect every streetlight the committee identified will be removed. "We took an assertive stance. The idea was to take any possibilities and put it on the list or it would otherwise never be considered," he said. For example, O'Keefe pointed to Barnumville Road where seven of 10 streetlights are targeted for removal, or the Hillvale neighborhood off of Main Street which has six streetlights, all of which are on the list. The next step will be to identify those streetlights to the public by marking them with bright pink tape. O'Keefe said energy committee members were eager to hear from residents who may want to keep a streetlight or want to see it removed, so the committee can refine its recommendations. The energy committee will meet again on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the town offices to discuss the issue, according to O'Keefe, and Krohn will discuss the list with the Manchester Planning Committee. O'Keefe said the recommendations may be made to the Select Board at the May 20 meeting. The committee is also recommending adding seven lights, mostly in the downtown retail area, including sites near the McDonalds, Candeleros Southwestern Grill, the Bose and Gap stores, BankNorth and one near R.K. Miles' lumberyard, which O'Keefe said would light up the "entrance" to downtown for drivers coming off of Route 7. Krohn said the tour also found about 10 to 12 lights that needed new bulbs and six to 10 others that remained on continually. O'Keefe said requests would probably be made to move the beams of some streetlights -- including one in the area of Dufresne Pond Road and Depot Street where the light is shining on the woods and not the road or sidewalk -- and replace other light fixtures with newer equipment that directs more of the light down toward the street. Contact Patrick McArdle at patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com. ... - By PATRICK McARDLE Herald Staff

Woman hospitalized in Woodford crash Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
WOODFORD -- A second tractor-trailer operated by an out-of-state driver overturned on a curvy section of Route 9 on Wednesday, just one week after a similar accident in the same location left two local men dead, according to police. Deborah Brown, 43, of Haworth, Okla., was trapped in the truck and appeared injured seriously enough to be taken by helicopter to Albany Medical Center, according to Vermont State Police Trooper Todd Wilkins. Emergency responders had to extricate Brown from the truck. On Thursday, however, Wilkins said, he had gotten word that Brown had been released from the hospital after being treated for what were mostly bumps and bruises. According to Wilkins, police learned of the accident around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday. While the Vermont State Police handled the investigation, Wilkins said, the Bennington Police Department arrived first and provided valuable information. Wilkins said when he reached the scene of the accident, he saw the tractor-trailer had fallen over onto its side and run up against a stone embankment. There were no other vehicles involved in the accident, but the road remained close until about 12:30 a.m. on Thursday. Wilkins said Brown's husband, 54, and son, 22, both named Thomas Brown, were in the truck as well. Neither was seriously injured, but both were treated for bumps and bruises at the scene of the accident. The most likely causes of the accident after a day's investigation were defective brakes and excessive speed for the road conditions. Wilkins said police would probably issue civil citations for defective equipment and speeding. Brown was driving from Boston to Albany with a load of cardboard that was to be recycled. Wilkins said he believed Brown had not driven on that section of Route 9 before Wednesday. The accident on April 16 killed two men, Jeffrey Lamore, 29, of Stamford, and Thomas Peterson, 31, of Readsboro, when the pickup in which they were driving was crushed between a tractor-trailer driven by a New Jersey man and a guard rail. Kenneth A. Middlebusher, 42, of Deptford, N.J., was charged in Bennington County District Court on April 17 with a felony charge of grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle resulting in a fatality. According to an affidavit filed in the case, Middlebrusher told police he had not driven on that section of Route 9 before that day. Another man in a different car was also seriously injured in the April 16 accident. Brown owned the truck she was driving, but was subcontracting with Meadowlark Transportation of Billings, Montana, according to Wilkins. Wilkins, who said he had been stationed at the Vermont State Police barracks in Shaftsbury for a little more than a year, said this was the third accident in that section of Route 9 that he recalls and expected that police will "beef up patrols" in the area. Police were assisted at the scene of the accident by the Bennington Rural Fire Department, the Bennington Rescue Squad, the Wilmington Fire Department and Burgess Brothers Inc., which removed the truck. Contact Patrick McArdle at patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com. ... - By PATRICK McARDLE Herald Staff

White River film fest returns Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION -- Cinemaphiles will once again have reason to rejoice when the fifth annual White River Indie Film Festival returns to the Tip Top Café to blend the work of local filmmakers with movies dealing with contemporary international issues. "The mission statement, if we have one, is to show under-the-radar films that don't get shown around here," said John Griesemer, acting director for White River Indie Films. "There's a lot of stuff that's off the screen and that's where we pick up." The festival kicks off 6 p.m. Friday with a benefit gala with "Reverend Billy," the subject and star of the documentary "What Would Jesus Buy?" The documentary tells the story of New York City performance artist "Reverend" Billy Talen, who assumed the role of an evangelical preacher to deliver sermons on anti-consumerism to try to save America from the "shopacalypse." Film fans will have the chance to see nearly 20 films and shorts over the course of the three-day event, many of which deal with contentious political issues, such as the Untied States' occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. At 11:30 a.m. Sunday, the festival will screen the 2007 documentary "No End in Sight," which details the first year of the occupation of Iraq. The film was nominated for an Oscar in 2008 for best documentary. "View From a Grain of Sand" will be shown at 10 a.m. Saturday. It is the story of three Afghan women and their lives during three wars over the past 30 years. While many of the films deal with serious political topics, festival organizers tried to balance those with lighter fare. "Some films have a political bent and some are just fun," Griesemer said. Among the fun films is "Romance & Cigarettes," playing at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, a musical that will allow people to appreciate the vocal talents of James Gandolfini, who played Tony Soprano in the HBO drama "The Sopranos." The festival will also offer the regional debut of the John Sayles film "Honeydripper." Starring Danny Glover, the film is set in the deep South and tells the mythical story of the night rhythm and blues music went electric. Music will also be the subject of "Girls Rock," a documentary about three girls who attend a rock'n'roll camp in Oregon. The film plays at 4 p.m. Sunday. Griesemer said that most independent filmmakers will start out making documentaries. "When working with a low budget, documentaries are easier than features," Griesemer said, noting that documentary filmmakers don't have to deal with screenplays or pay actors' salaries. While many of the festival's films deal with international issues, the festival will also showcase the work of some of Vermont's talent. Arthur Berendt of Stafford is the executive producer of "In Prison My Whole Life," which tells the story of political activist and former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal and his years in prison following his 1982 conviction for killing a Philadelphia police officer. Norwich resident and film producer Vicky Bippart will be on hand to discuss her film "21 Up America," which traces the lives of 13 people from Atlanta, Ga., from childhood to the age of 21. Bippart will join the cast of the film for a question-and-answer session following the film, which will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Actor and Newbury resident Dan Butler, who played Bulldog on the NBC sitcom "Frasier," will bring his film "Karl Rove, I Love You" to the festival at 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Griesemer said the film is a "mockumentary" about an out-of-work actor named Dan Butler who decides to stage a one-man show about President George W. Bush's political adviser Karl Rove. "It's a political film, but it's also about an actor immersing himself in a role and the madness and humor that ensues," Griesemer said. "It says a lot about acting and art." Tickets for the films are $7, $5 for students, with a 10-film pass for $50. To order tickets or for more information on the films as well as the full festival schedule, visit www.wrif.org. Contact Josh O'Gorman at josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com. ... - By JOSH O'GORMAN Herald Staff

Motorist denies fourth DUI charge Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION -- A Perkinsville man pleaded innocent to his fourth charge of drunken driving. On Tuesday, Travis J. Barton, 26, pleaded innocent to one count of drunken driving and one count of driving with a suspended license. According to court records, Barton was previously convicted of drunken driving in 2001, 2003 and 2004. Given his previous convictions, Barton is facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted of both pending charges. According to an affidavit filed with the court, shortly before midnight on Friday, a Vermont State Police trooper clocked Barton driving 70 mph in a 40-mph zone as he was traveling north on Route 106 in Springfield. Police said that when stopped, Barton was quite forthcoming and admitted he had been drinking, his license was suspended and the car he was driving was not registered. A breath test confirmed Barton had been drinking, police said, with Barton registering a 0.132, higher than the legal limit in Vermont of 0.08. According to court records, Barton's license has been suspended 16 times between 2001 and 2008. -- Staff reports ...

Involved driver flees from accident scene Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
PUTNEY -- Police are searching for a man who fled the scene of a two-car accident on Monday. At 2:50 p.m., state police were dispatched to the intersection of Route 5 and Barre Hill Road to investigate a report of a two-car accident. Police said Stephanie Scholl, 22, of Putney, was driving north on Route 5 in a 1996 Honda Accord when she slowed down to turn left onto Barre Hill Road. Police said as Scholl prepared to turn left, a driver who had been traveling behind her attempted to pass her on the left and struck her vehicle. Police said the driver of the second vehicle got out of his car to see if Scholl was all right and then drove off without providing Scholl any information. The motorist was last seen driving south on Route 5, police said. Scholl described the driver as a white male in his mid-20s, with short hair, wearing a Boston Red Sox jersey and an unidentified baseball cap. Scholl described the driver's car as a dark sedan with Vermont plates and damage to the passenger-side mirror and body panels. Putney Fire Department and Rescue Inc. also responded to the scene. Scholl refused medical treatment, police said. Her car sustained moderate damage to the driver's side and was towed from the scene. Anyone who witnessed or has any knowledge of the accident is asked to call Sgt. Michael Sorensen at 254-2382. ...

Raiders get it together Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The Rutland Raiders picked the perfect game to play their best baseball of the young season -- against crosstown rival Mount St. Joseph. ... - By CHUCK CLARINO Herald Staff

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