Fri 6 P.M. News Script

Fri 06-NOV-2009 6 P.M. News Script

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Good evening, I'm Kristin Carlson -- in for Kristin Kelly. And I'm Darren Perron. Controversy continues over budget cuts in state government. Today a group rallied at the statehouse outraged over a decision to close the canteen at the Vermont State hospital. Keagan Harsha joins us from the newsroom with more. Keagan. That's right Kristin ..... On the surface the decision to close the small cafeteria doesn't seem like a big deal since it serve many people. But it highlights the growing tension in state government -- as services are eliminated to try and balance the budget.

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((NATS: "hey hey what do you say? Don't take our canteen away!)) This demonstration sums up the fear many have about state government. Another service cut -- as the state tries to avoid a deficit. ((13:38-47 Sarah Lunderville/Vt. Center for Independent Living: "the canteen is the last straw. By closing the canteen patients are restricted to confined areas and are not taught skills to help live outside a confined ward.")) ((26:27-37 Malcolm Sawyer /former Patient: "for me it was really the only place I could go to feel like I wasn't a patient. I didn't feel so much stigma. I was able to socialize and be with people and listen to music on the juke box.")) It's estimated the closure will save the state about 150-thousand dollars. And while critics are outraged -- vermont's mental health commissioner says it beats the alternative: cutting staff positions directly connected to patient care. ((3:59-05 Michael Hartman/Vt. Dept. Of Mental Health Commissioner: "if we had gone the other direction we would have had as many as 12 reductions.")) ((37:24-34 Rob Hofmann/Vt. Secretary of Human Services: "I understand it's a difficult position, but the state is facing massive budget shortfalls. We're not the federal government. We can't print money.")) The hospital is one of the few areas of state government that has been spared from significant budget cuts -- despite its poor track record. A series of problems were detected at the hospital five years ago and the hospital lost its federal certification. ((nats)) The state has been working to rectify those problems. Hoffman is hopeful the facility will be recertified this spring -- which will bring back federal funding. The hospital is currently funded solely with money from the state's general fund. ((9:39-47 Hofmann: "we have squeezed almost any kind of excess that doesn't impact people out of almost all our budgets across the departments.")) But back at the statehouse -- these demonstrators aren't satisfied. ((23:31-37 Jack McCullough/Mental Health Advocate: "this is a population that has virtually nothing. We shouldn't be in the business of cutting services from them.")) But few offered alternatives on where else to cut.

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And Commissioner Hartman predicts the department of mental health will be forced to come up with as much as 20 million dollars in cuts next year. The department has an operating budget of 160 million dollars. Kristin.... And Keagan -- exactly how many people use the cafeteria at the hospital? Well.... The department actually conducted a survey a few weeks ago to try and answer that question. Of the 52 patients in the hospital -- 28 weren't allowed to visit the canteen at all due to security issues. Only 3 were allowed to visit the canteen without supervision -- but staff members do use the canteen as well. Kristin.....

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Vermont's Treasurer wants to move some teacher retirement costs - from the state onto local school districts. Jeb Spaulding says the move take pressure off of state funds. He says it would also more accurately show the cost of education -- and better connect decisions about teacher salaries and long term decisions. It could mean a 2 cent increase in the property tax rate. A committee is looking at the proposal.

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To learn more about this idea -- we're joined by the Treasurer Jeb Spaulding - who is in our Montpelier bureau.

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New York's newest Congressman made the move from Plattsburgh to the nation's capitol today. ((NAT OF SWEARING IN)) Bill Owens took the oath of office from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as the rest of New York's Congressional delegation and fellow lawmakers looked on. Owens was elected Tuesday night to fill the final year of former Congressman John McHugh's term.

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((Rep. Bill Owens/D-New York "I most especially want to thank the people of New York's 23rd Congressional District whose work I begin today. Conscious of the challenges that face us, I am eager to join my colleagues in finding bipartisan solutions to health care, energy, our farm crisis and getting our economy back up and running.")) Owens is the first Democrat to represent the 23rd district in the House in 150 years.

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Ski season kicks off in Vermont tomorrow with the opening of the Killington ski resort. We haven't had a lot of natural snowfall yet -- but Killington claims to have the most extensive snowmaking system in the world. They've had the guns going full bore on every chilly night. So they expect to have at least four trails and two lifts open over the weekend.

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A little mountain snow to start the day today.. Tonight: Evening clouds. Becoming partly cloudy. Low 20/27. Wind light. Saturday: Partly sunny. High 43/50. Wind S 5-10 mph.

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A special commission is recommending eliminating the judical powers of county elected judges and reducing probate courts from 14 to 5. Brian Joyce has our report about the cost-cutting proposals that are certain to trigger a political battle in the legislature.

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After months of work and testimony the special committee mandated by lawmakers to find at least one-million dollars in court cost savings was asked to approve or reject its recommendations by Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Reiber. ((tape 699 tc 3:18 Chief Justice Paul Reiber/Vt Supreme Court:"All in favor of approving the final report please signify by saying 'aye'." "aye." Reiber:"Opposed?")) The committee unanimously okayed twelve specific recommendations that will reportedly cut court costs and county spending by nearly two-and-half million dollars. The major recommendations include merging district and superior court services and staff -- reducing probate courts from 14 to 5 -- eliminating a number of middle management positions -- reducing services in Essex and Grand Isle Court Houses -- and eliminating the judicial authority of the state's 28 elected side judges -- who are not lawyers -- but share the fact-finding duties with the appointed judges in civil matters and family court. In addition 22 of them preside in traffic appeals and small claims cases. . ((CUTTING COURT COSTS --Merge District & Superior Courts --Cut probate judges & staff --Cut middle managment --Reduce services in Essex & Grand Isle --Eliminate Side Judge authority)) The recommendation calls for the side judge to be replaced with licensed lawyers in the traffic court and small claims courts -- and complete elimination as fact-finders in civil and family courts -- cutting court costs more than 280-thousand dollars. ((tape 699 tc 9:15 Assoc. Justice Denise Johnson/Vt Supreme Court:"We can just no longer afford to pay more than one judge to sit on a case.")) Supreme Court Justice Denise Johnson says cost-cutting was only part of the reason to eliminate judicial functions for the side judges. ((tape 699 tc 10:31 Denise Johnson/Vt Supreme Court Justice:"The commission felt that the principle of having law-trained judges was more imnportant.")) ((tape 699 tc 21:03 Asst. Judge Jim Colvin/Bennington County:"We do undergo failry extensive law education with an adjunct professor from a law school.")) Side Judge Jim Colvin says the side judges are preparing to fight to retain their judicial duties. ((tape 699 tc 21:49 Asst. Judge Jim Colvin/Bennington County:"We are the people's representative in the judiiarywhile presideing judges trial judges are appointed supreme court justices are appointred by the legislature. We're elected by the people. We're the voice of the people.")) The judges versus the judges -- a political battle that is set to begin when lawmakers reconvene in January. Brian Joyce -- Channel 3 News -- in Montpelier

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The position of side judge was included in the Vermont Constitution at the insistance of Ethan Allen -- who did not trust judges. The duties of the side judge though have evolved over time because they were not defined by the founding fathers.

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Chittenden County's prosecutor is calling it one of the most unusual cases he's seen. South Burlington police say Stephen Lopinto turned himself in this morning -- saying he raped a woman. Court papers show Lopinto had been celebrating his 27th birthday with friends -- but detectives say last night ended with a vicious beating and sexual assault by Lopinto on a longtime female friend. The victim told investigators she wondered if Lapinto was having an Iraq war flashback -- he was stationed there in the military.

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((T.J. Donovan/Chittenden County Prosecutor: 15:00: In Mr. Lapinto's own words, he stopped after 5-10 minutes and didn't know what he was doing, went to the police station and said, 'Arrest me, I raped a woman.')) Stephen Lopinto pled innocent in court and is being held without bail. Judge Benjamin Katz feared he was a risk for suicide. Aggravated sexual assault carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

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A southern Vermont man admitted today he killed his former brother-in law. 42-year-old Michael Christmas shot 36-year old Ron Wilkins several times in front of a dozen kids - including Wilkins' three children. It happened two years ago in Shaftsbury. Christmas was reportedly upset Wilkins was telling people - he molested several of Wilkins' relatives. Christmas pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and three counts of sexual assault. The plea deal calls for a sentence of 30 years to life. A sentencing date has not been set.

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A former Bennington elementary school teacher admitted today she hosted an underage drinking party. 38-year-old Allyson Hoffman pleaded guilty today to enabling a minor to drink. She was placed on probation. Police say in August they found eight minors - none of them were her students - drinking and smoking pot - along with evidence of cocaine and prescription drug use at her home in Sunderland. An 18-year-old girl was hospitalized. Hoffman was an elementary school teacher and librarian in Arlington but was fired earlier this year.

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A co-founder of the environmental activist group Greenpeace -- argued IN FAVOR of nuclear power in Vermont today. To many environmentalists, Patrick Moore is a traitor. But Moore urged a classroom of students to think critically about environmental issues -- and not to dismiss nuclear power. Andy Potter reports.

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((NAT: Class applause)) Patrick Moore addressed a class at Champlain College called the Scientific Revolution. He was a co-founder of Greenpeace -- although according to many environmentalists, he's been committing heresy. That's because Moore challenges common assumptions of the environmental movement, including the linchpin assertion that most global warming is man-made. ((Patrick Moore/Environmental Consultant and Greenpeace Co-Founder: "There are snake oil salesmen and there are con-artists, and there are people trying to sell you a bill of goods and the Brooklyn Bridge all through society. They're going to come at you trying to tell you that they've got the answer. And you've got to be able to think critically.")) Greenpeace earned its high-profile reputation by launching campaigns against nuclear weapons testing -- and later, targeting big polluting industries such as this event in 1988 on the Saint Lawrence river in Massena. Moore says he quit Greenpeace in 1986. Today he tells anyone who will listen that nuclear power is safe and clean, compared with dirtier fossil fuels. ((Student asks: "I was just wondering, if nuclear power plants are so safe, why haven't they been built, or why hasn't the United States built one in like thirty years?")) ((Moore: "That's a very big question... One reason was because the environmental movement launched a major campaign against building any new nuclear plant, and for example on Long Island in New York they built a huge nuclear plant called Shoreham, and then they weren't allowed to turn it on, and so they lost six-billion dollars .... In addition, Three Mile Island happened in 1979, and sent a huge shock wave of scare through the nation.")) Moore said hardly anyone noticed that Three Mile Island's safety systems worked. No radiation escaped and no one was hurt. A current field organizer for Greenpeace, Mark Floegel, joined his former colleague after we invited him to comment. Later, he accused Moore of trading on the Greenpeace name while working with pro-nuclear power clients -- including a business-backed group called the Vermont Energy Partnership. ((Mark Floegel/Greenpeace Field Organizer: "We at Greenpeace today and in the past have worked very hard to give people accurate information about what we need to do to protect our environment. And now, Patrick is working for people who would harm our environment -- and he's doing it just for money.")) Moore meanwhile, says key questions of science have become "highly charged politically." He told the students to remember the importance of critical thinking. Andy Potter, Channel 3 news, Burlington.

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A warmer weekend ahead?

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Tonight: Evening clouds. Becoming partly cloudy. Low 20/27. Wind light. Saturday: Partly sunny. High 43/50. Wind S 5-10 mph. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 30/37. Wind light. Sunday: Mostly sunny and warmer. High 48/55. Wind S 5-10 mph. Monday: Mostly sunny. High 53/60. Tuesday: Cloudy skies. Chance of showers. High 50/57. Wednesday: Partly sunny. High 40/47.

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Mike is in with our sports preview...it's Friday and that means football... and even better, it means playoff football ...state semifinal action tonight... Seth Leavitt kicks off our coverage in St. Albans... Hey Mike BFA- St. Albans hosting Rutland ...the Bobwhites looking to make it to the D-1 Championship game for the first time since 1973... ..... Now here's Tony with the D-2 action .... Thanks Seth.... A great game down here in Burlington as Mt. Mansfield looks to advance to it's third-straight D-2 title game, but they gotta get by CVU first .... We'll have previews of both games later in sports.... Back to you Mike.

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Along with products like stone and dairy -- wood is one of Vermont's signature items. And now a new school hopes to strengthen that reputation. Jack Thurston tells us -- it teaches students the skills to produce furniture... ....that's Made in Vermont.

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An old dairy barn on Route 104 in Fairfax has a whole new use. ((Carina Driscoll/Vt. Woodworking School: 3:18:19: We're doing something definitely entirely different with the space. There have not been cows here since the 80s.)) Inside the dramatically renovated space, former Burlington state representative Carina Driscoll helped develop the Vermont Woodworking School. ((Carina Driscoll/Vt. Woodworking School: 3:00:12: Our students have shown up from all over the country and it's sort of blossomed and developed on its own.)) The idea came when Driscoll herself was learning furniture making at a community wood shop in Colchester. But it was about to close. So Driscoll partnered with her teacher -- Bob Fletcher -- to create a new, larger venue for learning. ((Bob Fletcher/Vt. Woodworking School: 2:52:54: Vermont, as we all know, is a special environment and it's also great for woodworking.)) Some students are novices -- hoping to find career direction. Others have experience they're looking to hone. ((Ryan Cocina/Student: 3:23:12: After I left college, I decided to pursue a hobby and see if I could turn it into a reality.)) Ryan Cocina started working under master craftsmen here a year ago. Many instructors are members of the Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers -- who in 5,000 square feet of workshop space, teach joining, inlay work, finishing and more... the full gamut of furniture making. ((Ryan Cocina/Student: 3:22:57: I was able to grow as an artist because of it.)) Cocina has already sold some of his projects to customers who have discovered the school on vacation or online. The Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association estimates the forest industry sells a billion dollars worth of product, employing at least 12-thousand people in the state. And while large manufacturers like Ethan Allen furniture have shed hundreds of jobs in the recession, the state's reputation for quality wood products remains strong. ((sound of woodworking)) ((Carina Driscoll/Vt. Woodworking School: 3:00:16: Where do I hope it goes? I hope it stays around for over 100 years.)) The Vermont Woodworking School has already seen strong enrollment in the first year in this center. 12 students are here for a full-time 12 week session, with more coming for 1 to 3 day classes tackling topics like carving. ((Carina Driscoll/Vt. Woodworking School: 3:00:21: I hope we continue our quality education to our students and that they continue to be satisfied with their progress. And I hope our graduates do amazing, wonderful things.)) A new school teaching a centuries-old craft -- ((sound of woodworking)) future masters of Made in Vermont furniture. Jack Thurston, Channel 3 News, in Fairfax.

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It costs 49-hundred dollars for a 12 week semester... Closer to 1-hundred for single-day seminars. Burlington College also has partnered with the woodworking school -- to offer a degree in furniture making. That school is run by Jane Sanders, the mother of the woodworking school founder.

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Still ahead ... On the Channel 3 News. Trash trouble in Central Vermont. We'll explain. Meet a woman who loves the news ...And has for more than a hundred years. And next -- in our health watch --a possible connection between H-1-N-1 and a deadly brain infection. Kristin has more on that.

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Children are among those hardest hit in the H1N1 outbreak -- and now doctors are keeping an eye on a potentially deadly complication. Karen Brown has more on the connection between swine flu and encephalitis.

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"OK bud!" ANTHONY TURACHAK'S PARENTS..ARE GLUED TO HIS SIDE. (Sot Angie Turachak/) "I haven't gone since we got here." (nats of him coughing02:51:47) "horrible coughing noises" THEY ALMOST LOST THEIR FOUR YEAR OLD....WHEN H1N1 LED TO ENCEPHILITIS...A CRITICAL BRAIN INFECTION. (Sot Jeff Turachak/ ) "It was the like the worst thing you could think of./ cut to ( Sot Jeff Turachak/ ) "Time comes like this, and you just don't know what to do. Here you are helpless." ( nats of tight shot of Mom...stroking anthony's head 02:51:44) "you did really good today" AFTER A FEW DAYS OF FEVER ANTHONY'S MOM BROUGHT HIM TO THE E.R. AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL of PITTSBURGH ...JUST TO BE SAFE... WITHIN THE HOUR..THEY WERE IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT. (Sot Jeff Turachak/ 3:00:45) "They did the cat scan and saw the inflammation on his brain. (Bridge 03:40:09 ) Doctors here say in the last six weeks they've seen five cases of H1N1 encephilitis./ (cut the second part) (Sot Dr. Ericka Fink/ ) It's certainly concerning, most of these are previously well children/ cut to (2:45:52) "This is part of the emerging disease of h1n1 that we need to better understand." ( nats of male nurse with Anthony 03:35:00 can cover this paragraph with that) "you want to lift up." AFTER A HANDFUL OF SIMILAR PEDIATRIC CASES IN TEXAS THIS PAST SPRING..THE CDC ISSUED A REPORT ABOUT A POTENTIAL CONNECTION BETWEEN H1N1 AND ENCIPHILITIS.. IT IS NOW MONITORING FOR CASES NATIONWIDE. THERE CAN BE LONG TERM NEUROLOGICAL DAMAGE ( nats with KB and Dr 03:17:24. ) He's a tough little guy? He's a tough little guy and he turned around quickly." BUT ANTHONY'S PROGNOSIS IS GOOD. (Sot Mom/ 03:12:55) "he is getting better and we are happy he's still here." (nats parents 03:37:10 mom hugging Anthony as he kinda cries) You OK? BUT THEY 'RE NOT LEAVING HIS SIDE.. UNTIL HE'S WELL ENOUGH TO PLAY WITH HIS TOYS. KAREN BROWN, CBS NEWS, PITTSBURGH.

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For a link to more on encephalitis - visit the InfoCenter at wcax dot com. That's HealthWatch, Darren.

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Protests over the planned closure of a canteen at the Vermont State Hospital... That's one tonight's top stories ... Mental Health advocates gathered at the statehouse to express their dismay over a decision to close the canteen next month. Officials say only a dozen people use the facility daily -- and that doesn't justify the cost of running it. A special commission is recommending major cutbacks to Vermont's court system. The budget cutting plan includes eliminating the judical powers of county elected judges -- and reducing probate courts from 14 down to 5. Lawmakers are expected to consider the controversial proposals this upcoming session... And -- Bill Owens is New York's newest Congressman. The Democrat was sworn in today. He also met with President Obama. He beat Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman in a special election on Tuesday.

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Tonight at ten. New Army Secretary John McHugh weighs in on the deadly shooting incident at Fort Hood ... The former New York Congressman praised first responders that came to the aid of the wounded. And says it was their skills that helped limit the number of casualties. That's coming up tonight at 10 -- on Comcast 168... Or over the air on 3.2.

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Four candidates from Sullivan County have entered the race for an open house seat. State representative Tony Maiola resigned last month for health reasons. Three Democrats are running for the seat - including John LaRock - Peter Franklin and Arthur Jillette. Steve Cunningham is the lone Republican. The district represents Newport - Croydon - Springfield - Goshen and Washington. The primary is scheduled for December 8th and the special election is set for January 12th.

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Berlin is banking on ATVs to boost its economy. A 4 and a half mile trail connects the Jericho Mountain State Park on the west side of town -- to a large trail network in Success on the east of the city. The connector trail opens tomorrow and allows 100 miles of ATV riding. Officials hope it will be a huge draw for ATV enthusiasts -- businesses that cater to them.

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Town planners have ok'd a major expansion of the Killington resort. The plan for a 400 acre ski village was approved by a vote of 8-to-1. Vermont's largest ski resort wants to develop six areas around the base of its ski operation over the next four years. The plan includes 35-hundred new housing units and 180-thousand square feet of commercial space. The project still needs Act 250 approval.

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Some analysts say Burlington Telecom needs to make major changes to get out of its financial mess.... Burlington Telecom is more than 50-million dollars in debt -- and continues to operate at a loss. B-T officials say they underestimated the costs of building the system -- and the company does not have enough customers to turn revenues around. To get more money -- B-T wants to expand into other communities. But a telecommunications expert says the company should concentrate on growing its customer base in Burlington.

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((3:25-41 It's a pure simple business problem. It's not about technology, it's not about who's got the best switching equipment or routing equipment or more internet access, or so on. It's really about what else do you have beyond what everybody else has got. And therefore it becomes a services game.")) Shepard says B-T may need to work with private sector partners who can develop better services.... and the company needs to improve its marketing to get more subscribers.

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Trash and recycling depots in Central Vermont could be forced to shut down this winter due to lack of money. The Central Vermont Solid Waste Management district is operating in the red -- despite raising fees on trash haulers nearly 50-percent. Now the distict is looking to reduce expenses -- including possibly closing some depots. Another possibility -- turn over operation to the towns or private haulers. And that's news around the region - Darren?

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Seems like a pretty typical November day today.. Cool and plenty of clouds.. Temperatures were a little below normal for this early in the month, but the clouds are actually pretty common for November. Sunshine is usually in short supply across the north country this time of year, although we're expecting a return to some blue sky by the weekend. When you look at the percent possible sunshine by month for Burlington, you can see that November comes in as the cloudiest month of the year. December is not too far behind at only 33%. Not much of a surprise for late autumn and early winter weather. Speaking of winter weather, they had some light snow in the mountains this morning. A third of an inch fell on top of Mt Mansfield today. Most of that will melt tomorrow though with partly sunny skies and highs warming up into the 40s. On Lake Champlain, we'll see south winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing in the afternoon. Waves will be building to 2 to 4 feet. Around the region on Saturday, its going to be a chilly start in the morning, but things should be warming up close to normal by the afternoon. Highs will be mainly in the mid to upper 40s. Skies will be partly sunny from the Northeast Kingdom down through southern Vermont. Temperatures will be even warmer through the start of the week. Highs will be in the low 50s on Sunday and mid to upper 50s by Monday. We'll see plenty of sunshine early on, but rain showers return on Tuesday, then turning cooler for the middle of the week on Wednesday. So its not unusual to see plenty of clouds this time of year, but heading into the weekend, I think we should end up with a good amount of sunshine..

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It's the opening night of the high school football playoffs. Four games tonight, both state semis in Division One and Two. The top seeds in both Divisions, undefeated Essex and Colchester are favored against Mount Anthony and Middlebury respectively. Although both games should be closer than their regular season meetings. We'll focus on the two-three matchups in both Divisions and start with Seth Leavitt in St. Albans. Hey Mike... Collins-Perley is the place to be tonight. The Bobwhites hosting a Division One playoff game for the first time in 17 years... they're looking to make the title game for the first time since 1973. On the other hand...their opponent...Rutland... they're used to being here. The Raiders making their 10th straight playoff appearance...they've won 5 times this decade. (AD-LIB OUT OF PKG) That's going to do it from St. Albans... Let's send it to Burlington...Tony Gugliotta at Buck Hard field to preview CVU and Mt. Mansfield...

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Thanks Seth, this is quite an interesting matchup featuring two of the state's newer programs.... First, 3rd-seeded CVU is making it's first-ever postseason appearance in it's 3-year history, and number 2 Mt. Mansfield's program has only been around for 6 years, but the Cougars find themselves in this game for the 5th season in a row....

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((WHITE - "It definitely gives you a lot of confidence but I'd say the most thing is the experience because it's definitely a bigger atmosphere because there's tons of fans and it gets in your head a little bit. Since we had to deal with that a bunch of times, we're really ready to come to play so we can break it down week by week and just go into it like a normal game.")) ((BLUM - "It's a lot of confidence, we've never played CVU before so it's a little questionable but we've been there, they haven't so that could help a little bit.")) ((NATS - Cheers)) One thing's for certain, both teams have been atop the D-2 standings all year. The one-loss Redhawks are playing in their first season in Division 2, and even though they have drawn an experienced Mt. Mansfield team in the semifinals, their confidence remains high. ((PROVOST - "We're here, we're looking at it as we're playing with house money. Nobody expected us to be here and we're gonna give it our best shot. We're gonna give them a game.")) ((LONG - "Moving up to D-2, I think it's a pretty big accomplishment but one playoff game, we're not done yet, I mean we need to keep going.")) ((FLEMING - "It's a great feeling. It's a great feeling knowing that of everyone out there, coming up first year in D-2 and going out and being part of the playoffs so I'm really looking forward to Friday night.")) And players from both teams, whether it be the new kids on the block from CVU, or the playoff-proven Cougars from Mt. Mansfield, are looking forward to the possibility of playing for a state title. ((DOLAN - "Oh, it would mean everything. As a senior too I'm just so excited to hopefully win one this time.")) ((FLEMING - "I'd love it, absolutely love it. It's what we've been going for all year, playing for it, hoping for it; had a meeting in March. The goal all year has been play eleven so we've been doing everything we can. We'll see if we can't get past MMU.")) ((SHAW - "It'd be nice and everything but we gotta take it one game at a time, don't want to look too far in advance and just gotta take on CVU just like we do any other regular-season game."))

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And of course, we will broadcast that Division 2 championship game on our digital channel .... WCAX-tra on next Saturday afternoon at 1:00.... As for tonight's game, we'll have full highlights and reaction tonight at 11.... That's it from Burlington for now.... Mike, back to you.

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Thanks, Tony. The Division One and Two semifinals tonight. Tomorrow the spotlight will be focused squarely on Division Three. Both D-3 semis taking place tomorrow at one. Top seed Windsor trying to reach the state final for the third year row. BFA-Fairfax standing in their way. Rivals Bellows Falls and Springfield meet in the other semifinal. It's a rematch of last week's classic, a 19-18 win for the Cosmos in Springfield. By the end of the night we'll know the two teams that will play in next Friday night's Division One championship game. That game to be played at Burlington and we will carry it live, in a partnership with the Northeast Sports Network, on our secondary channel WCAXtra. Go to WCAX.COM for more information on how to find WCAXtra in your area.

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The UVM men's hockey team hosting number eight UMass-Lowell tonight at Gutterson. Vermont looking to rebound from conference road losses at Merrimack and Maine. Some good news, on his athlete blog, junior forward Justin Milo says he has been cleared to play this weekend. Milo has missed the entire season with a foot injury.

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The UVM men's hoop team takes on St. Michael's in their annual exhibition showdown tomorrow at one at Patrick. It's the last time the Cats will be home before embarking on their season opening ten-game road trip. ((VIER/ "we hope St. Michael's can give us a good game and we want to test ourselves. Hopefully they'll pose a good threat and it will be a good game for us." FJELD/ "it'll be a little more crowded, a bit louder. St. Michael's will bring some fans over here. We play with those guys over the summer sometimes, so it will be nice to play against them.")) This is the exhibition opener for St. Mike's. The Knights beat Vermont in 2001 and know it can be done again after Northeast-10 rival Le Moyne's shocking upset of Syracuse earlier this week.

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((BIRR/ "coach said it right the next day, came into practice and asked if we saw LeMoyne. It puts it in the back of your mind that its possible, gives you a little extra motivation that you can do it." CIEPLICKI/ "I don't know if per say we're going in there looking for wins and losses, just going in there and improve on the stuff we've been working on this pre-season and playing against good competition is going to help us do that and help us get ready for league play."))

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The 6-0 Celtics look to remain perfect when they host Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns tonight at the Garden.

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It's a big day for a special lady in Berlin. Carmen Sorbanelli (sore-bah-nell-ee) turned 103 years old. Anson Tebbetts went to her birthday party.

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It's not every day you get to celebrate with someone who's reached the century mark. Carmen Sorbanelli has done it....plus three. She is a 103. (tape 866 50:04) ((Carmen Sorbanelli/103 years old "it too me so long to get here.")) so many things have happened in a hundred years... As a child Carmen remembers when the Titanic cruise liner sank-- recalling the newspaper accounts. (tape 866 8:22:19) ((Carmen Sorbanelli/103 years old "they said not even God could sink the Titanic but he did or she did. Whatever you want to say.")) With her sharp wit----Carmen has chronicled so many world events........ she is a news junkie tracking every political event. Maybe it was because she was born on election day in 1906. As a poll worker and young woman in New Jersey--- she was not going to stand by and watch anyone stuff the ballot box. (tape 866 2:20:17) ((Carmen Sorbanelli/103 year old "I sat on the ballot box.")) at 4 foot 9 she held her ground. (tape 866 2:49:05) ((Carmen Sorbanelli/103 year old "I stayed there until all the ballots were counted.and that was the one time in that area they were all honest")) and just last year---she was glued to her TV set as America made history--electing the first African American president. (tape 866 4:39:12) ((Carmen Sorbanelli/103 year old "I fell asleep at the wrong time. That is the worst part. I fell asleep at the wrong time.")) But a lot has gone right for this woman .....now living at the Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center---she is surrounded by many friends---her room looked like a floral shop with so many birthday bouquets. Faith is important to her...a faithful catholic she attends services here.....and she keeps smiling..... (tape 866 1:17:10) ((Carmen Sorbanelli/103 year old "every day right? Everyday. Every hour.")) A simple recipe for a special woman on her 103 birthday. Anson Tebbetts channel 3 news Berlin. -3-

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((anchors chat))

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