Black bear running
Winter Heat
Rusty finds excitement on bike ride in the woods ... the bear, fawn and mountain.
Changes coming for Vermont Fuel Assistance Program.
newmarketpress@denpubs.com RUTLAND TOWN — A theft at Dick’s Sporting Goods Store in Rutland Town was erroneously linked to a Bridport man, according to the Myrick family of Bridport. The retail store theft, which occurred July 18, had been first reported by Vermont State Police as being linked to the registration number of a truck owned Wright Myrick of Bridport. It was later learned that both the truck and registration had no connection to Wright. The registration number and the truck linked to the July 18 theft was not Myrick’s; the police report was an error apparently made by an eyewitness and since corrected in official records.
Broadband extended in 53 Vt. towns SOUTH BURLINGTON — FairPoint Communications announced it is planning to expand broadband Internet in 53 towns across Vermont, in unserved neighborhoods from Troy to Halifax as well as dozens of other towns across the Green Mountain State. In all, multiple neighborhoods in 53 towns will see this new high-speed access. These towns include: Albany, Barnard, Barnet, Belvidere, Bethel, Bloomfield, Bradford, Braintree, Brookfield, Burke, Chelsea, Glastenbury, Granby, Groton, See BROADBAND, page 11
P.O. BOX 338 ELIZABETHTOWN, NY 12932 POSTAL PATRON
Serving Addison and Chittenden Counties
August 4, 2012
By Lou Varricchio
ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW MARKET PRESS/ DENTON PUBLICATIONS
See page 9
See page 4
Bridport man’s truck not linked to Dick’s theft
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Police arrest man after death in Ferrisburgh From News & Staff Reports
newmarketpress@denpubs.com FERRISBURGH — At approximately 11:56 p.m., Friday, July 27, the Vermont State Police received a 911 call concerning an assault on Sand Road in Ferrisburgh. The Vermont State Police New Haven and Vergennes Rescue were dispatched immediately. Emergency responders located a male, later identified as Conrad Bell, 40, of Vergennes, who was unresponsive and resuscitative efforts were initiated. Bell was transported to the Fletcher Allen Medical Center; where he later died as a result of his injuries. See ARREST, page 13
Sue Rand of Sojourn Bike Tours helps fit a Chinese student with a safety helmet in the parking lot of MUHS. See story and more photos on Page 5. Photo by Lou Varricchio
Welch supports employee privacy on social media sites By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com U.S. Rep. Peter Welch cosponsored legislation July 25 to curb the growing practice of employers requiring prospective or current employees, as a condition of employment, to provide access to password-protected social media accounts like
Facebook and Twitter. The Password Protection Act of 2012 (H.R. 5684) would prohibit compelling or coercing employees to provide access to data stored in private accounts. “Employees have a legitimate expectation of privacy when using Facebook or Twitter. This legislation will prevent fishing expeditions into employees’ private lives,” Welch said. “While an em-
ployer may have a valid concern about the business impact of an employee’s online activity, demanding passwords and unfettered access to private accounts is an over-the-top solution.” Recent news reports have highlighted a disturbing increase in the number of employers asking prospective employees to reveal usernames See PRIVACY, page 11
Middlebury perpares for Vt. Beer, Wine & Cheese Fest By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com
THE PAUSE THAT REFRESHES — Christy McNeal of Vergennes enjoys a sip of locally made ale at a tasting tent erected at last summer’s first Midd Summer Fest-Beer, Wine & Cheese Festival. Photo by E.J. Bartlett
MIDDLEBURY — Saturday, Aug. 4, will mark the second annual Middlebury Summer Festival and Vermont Beer, Wine, and Cheese Festival in Middlebury’s Marble Works business complex. If last year ’s festival is any judge—with over 4,000 attendees—next month’s event will beat 2011’s stunning, first-time record. The festival runs between 3–7 p.m. This year ’s festival will build on the overwhelming success of the inaugural year in 2011, according to Bryan Phelps, chairman of the festival committee. “The festival will feature over 30 of Vermont’s best breweries, vineyards and distilleries as well as 15 of the state’s top artisanal cheese makers,” according to Phelps. “This turn-out represents a 50 percent increase over the previous year ’s exhibitors. In addition, there will be food vendors, and food producers providing samples and showcasing their products.” Phelps also said that “at no time in the history of Vermont has such See MIDDLEBURY FESTIVAL, page 11