Governors Douglas and Paterson agree on new Crown Point Bridge design.
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Winter driving accidents fuel concern among law enforcement agencies.
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Serving Addison and Chittenden Counties
January 23, 2010
Investigation ongoing in Police Academy death Victim was David McMullen, age 44 The Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council (VCJTC) initiated a personnel investigation at the Police Academy on Jan. 7 which resulted in the seizure of four computers. The personnel investigation focused on electronic communication between staff members to include Director R.J. Elrick and Training Coordinator Dave McMullen of Cornwall. Personnel matters are confidential by law and policy and we are unable to comment in any more detail. During the week of Jan. 11, the Vermont State Police initiated a criminal investigation after a preliminary analysis of McMullen’s computer revealed it may have contained information of a criminal nature. The contents of the computer were then further analyzed, during which time information indicating that potential child pornography was accessed from an outside source by this assigned computer. The analysis also indicated that similar material may have been linked to external sources, to include a home computer. On Jan. 15, Vermont State Police investigators applied for and were granted a search warrant for McMullen’s residence in Cornwall. The search warrant was executed on the evening of Jan. 15 and items from the home were seized. These items are in the process of being submitted for forensic computer analysis. On Jan. 16, at approximately 10:20 a.m., McMullen was found dead behind a maintenance shed located on the property of the Vermont Police Academy. McMullen’s death appears to be a suicide. His body has been sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington where an autopsy will be performed. McMullen’s death is currently being investigated by State Police detectives from “D” Troop. McMullen will be transported to the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner ’s Office for autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.
Farmers to receive emergency dairy payments The U.S. Department of Agriculture detailed plans to distribute $290 million to struggling dairy farmers. The measure that provides $290 million for direct support to dairy farmers will result in a payment of about $8,000 to the typical Vermont farmer. Another $60 million was set aside nationwide to purchase cheese for food banks and nutrition programs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it has begun processing payments under the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment program. Farmers can expect to begin receiving payments over the next few weeks. U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said, "Secretary Tom Vilsack has listened to our struggling dairy farmers, and I know the Farm Service Agency has been working tirelessly to quickly get these funds into farmers' hands. In many farming households times will be hard as we celebrate this holiday season, and the new year brings with it many unanswered questions. But this infusion will help stabilize operations hard hit by declining prices, bringing hope and some
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BRIDGE CLEAN UP — U.S. Coast Guard auxiliarist Ken Hoag took this photograph from an aircraft high above the site of the demolished Lake Champlain Bridge. The view looks from Crown Point to the east, with the Green Mountains of Vermont on the horizon. Debris will be removed from the frozen lake channel this spring before construction starts on a new modified-arch bridge that will replace the 1920s span.
Solar energy gets a big boost in Vermont By Lou Varricchio
nated as a U.S. Department of Energy taxpayer funded grant. In the case of Salmon Run in Burlington, 80 apartments will use the power of BURLINGTON — Reliable solar powthe Sun to heat water that is used for er in Vermont just got a big shot in the bathing and washing purposes. arm. Thanks to $500,000 in taxpayer “At a time when we are spending funds and additional public and pri$350 billion a year importing oil vate dollars, the Champlain Housfrom Saudi Arabia and other couning Trust will install the latest solar At a time when we are tries, it is important that the Unithot-water technology in four, afed States move away from foreign spending $350 billion a year fordable-housing developments in oil to energy independence,” the region. The effort will signifiimporting oil from Saudi Arabia Sanders said. “Programs like this cantly reduce the use of heating oil and other countries, it is are a major step forward.” and help shrink the "carbon footSanders said he helped secure important that the United States print" of these developments. the funds to install the housing The $500,000 grant will be "bestmove away from foreign oil to project solar systems at a news coned" by $700,000 in additional public ference held at Salmon Run, Jan. energy independence. and private funds. When complet13. — Sen. Bernie Sanders ed, the solar project will be the When installed at the four Verlargest government- and private-asmont housing sites, solar hot-wasisted effort of its kind in Vermont. erage Vermont household’s annual ener- ter heaters will be used in 402 apartments The energy efficient and money saving gy usage is devoted to simply heating (with approximately 1,000 apartment solar water systems will be installed at water. The DOE data does not include the dwellers). the Salmon Run Apartments in Burlingamount of hot-water energy usage by the The solar hot-water systems that will ton, the Highgate Apartments in Barre, state's business and agriculture sectors. be used in the Vermont housing developWestgate Apartments in Brattleboro, and Some of the money that will be used to ments are expected to pay for themselves Applegate Apartments in Bennington, according to the office of U.S. Sen. Bernie install the solar-powered heaters origi- in five or more years.
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Sanders (I-Vt.). Future, similar solar-energy projects may include public and private housing Addison and Rutland counties. According to U.S. Department of Energy data, more than 25 percent of the av-
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