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CHITTENDEN — On July 30, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Vermont State Police-Rutland Barracks received information of an underage drinking party involving approximately 20 juveniles occurring in a wooded area located behind the Chittenden Reservoir in Chittenden. Troopers, assisted by the Chittenden Constabulary Service, responded to the wooded area where the party was underway. Troopers observed approximately 20 juveniles partaking in the consumption of alcohol. Troopers screened 15 juveniles for underage alcohol consumption. Of the 15 juveniles screened, 13 were found to have consumed alcohol and subsequently issued notices of violation. Three juveniles who received notices were under the age of 18; they were released to the custody of their respective parents or guardians.
Interim police chief tapped in Rutland By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com RUTLAND — An interim chief of police has been named in Rutland. Interim Chief James Baker, a former Vermont State Police colonel, was selected by a committee July 31. Larry Jensen, chairman of the search committee, said committee members have confidence in the selection. A final committee ratification vote will be held as a formality Aug. 1. Baker threw his hat in the ring for consideration only after personal requests were made by Jensen and Rutland City Mayor Christopher Louras. According to Jensen, Baker came highly recommended by references; he joined the four finalists near the end of the interviewing and selection process.
Sal’s Restaurant of Rutland served up tasty Italian samples on the tailgate of its vintage Chevrolet pickup truck. See more photos of Rutland’s open-air bazaar on page 5.
GMP seeks rate decrease after CVPS merger By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com RUTLAND — Green Mountain Power officials asked the Vermont Public Service Board to lower customer rates (by 0.4 percent) beginning Oct. 1, the first such reduction in decades. Green Mountain Power last filed for a rate decrease in 1988. The new rate plan was filed Aug. 1.
Green Mountain Power officials touted merger benefits including lower power supply costs and smart-grid savings. "Green Mountain Power is driven to operate efficiently to reduce costs for our customers," GMP President Mary Powell said. "We have been successful in keeping our operations and maintenance costs flat for several years, and we expect the newly merged Green Mountain Power will find many more ways to keep costs low to
reduce pressure on future rates." The requested decrease, if approved by the Public Service Board, will apply to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Green Mountain Power officals have promised $144 million in savings as a result of the merger. A savings of at least $15.5 million was promised by GMP during the first three years following the merger with the former CVPS, Central Vermont Public Service.
Teens attend nature academy
Chefs have fun at downtown “Food Fight” RUTLAND — The July 27 Friday Night Food Fight was a collaboration between the Downtown Rutland Partnership and the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link; three amateur cooks had an hour to create the best dish possible using a mystery basket of seasonal produce sourced from local farms, as well as basic pantry items supplied by the Rutland Area Coop. The contestants competed for the charity of their choice, and although Herald reporter See FOOD FIGHT, page 8
P.O. BOX 338 ELIZABETHTOWN, NY 12932 POSTAL CUSTOMER
Vol. 4 No. 31 • August 8, 2012
Community News, Sports, Arts, Entertainment and Food for Rutland and Southern Vermont
Police break up underage drinking party
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS
By Lauren Traister
newmarketpress@denpubs.com
Caitlin Cusack, University of Vermont Community Forestry Outreach Coordinator, instructs a Forest Health workshop at the fifth annual Natural Resources Management Academy, July 20-22. The academy was sponsored by University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. Photo courtesy of UVM Extension 4-H.
RUTLAND — For 23 teens, a recent weekend in the woods meant a chance to learn about loons, the night sky, invasive insects, soil science and the forest ecosystem. It was also an opportunity to explore natural resources career options, make new friends and have fun canoeing, swimming and trying their hand at shooting sports. As participants in last month’s fifth annual Natural Resources Management Academy, they spent three days discovering the outdoors at the Green Mountain Conservation Camp. University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife sponsored the academy, which was open to any high school student with an interest in the environment and a desire to take a closer look at Vermont's natural resources through field work and interactive workshops led by experts in forestry, fisheries and other fields. The weekend enabled the teens, who hailed from three different states, to improve social skills, learn to communicate more effectively and hone their life skills to become better leaders, team players, problem solvers and critical thinkers. For many it was an opportunity to gain a greater See ACADEMY, page 8
THIS WEEK Pets of the Week ..........2 Late-blight disease ........3 Rusty DeWees ..............4 Local Flavor ..................5 36013
Crossword Puzzle ..........9 Classifieds....................10-11
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