Thu Noon News Script

Thu 11-MAR-2010 Noon News Script

1} HYDRO_VO

Good afternoon, I'm Roger Garrity. A new deal with Hydro-Quebec is set to be announced within the hour. Governor Douglas and Vermont utility officials are in Quebec City trying to reach a long term power price contract with the provincial utility. Vermont gets a third of its power from Hydro-Quebec's huge dams on James Bay. The existing contracts were signed in the early 90s and are set to expire over the next few years. Details of a new deal will be annouced in Quebec City very soon. Sources tell Channel 3 News it will again be a new long term contract -- at what they're calling a favorable price. Kristin Carlson is covering the story for us. She'll have a live report from Quebec City tonight on the Channel 3 News at 6:00.

2} DONORS_VO

A controversial bill that would protect the identity of college donors -- won't be brought to a vote. The bill would ensure privacy to anyone who gives money to the University of Vermont or the state's public colleges. UVM officials say they NEED the bill to attract donors who may not want to be publicly identified. But critics say the bill opens the door for donors to influence how the schools are run. It recently passed the House on a voice vote -- but Senate President Peter Shumlin says he'll kill the bill on Friday.

3} NHPOT_WHITE

New Hampshire's House has voted to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. The House voted 214 to 137 yesterday to send a bill to the Senate to allow adults to possess up to one-quarter ounce of the substance without penalty. Anyone under age 18 caught with that amount would be subject to a 200-dollar fine. Wednesday's vote comes seven months after Gov. John Lynch vetoed a bill legalizing medical use of the drug. Lynch also opposes the new bill.

4} SMOKING_VO

Plattsburgh officials want residents to enjoy HEALTHY public places. So they're looking to make them smoke-free. The City Council will vote tonight on a policy that bans smoking at ALL city parks -- rec trails -- paths and the City Beach. The city will then look to establish designated smoking areas AWAY from the public portions of the beach and parks.

5} KILFOYLE_VO

A Plattsburgh man accused of a burglary spree has been acquitted on all charges. The jury found 26-year-old Taylor Kilfoyle not guilty on the 12 count indictment against him. He has been in jail since his arrest 10 months ago. The charges stemmed from a burglary spree in the Plattsburgh area last Spring where more than a dozen homes were broken into. A second person pleaded guilty in the case -- and charges are pending against a third suspect.

6} NOTIFICATION_VO

The Vermont corrections department wants crime victims -- to register with its new database. The Vermont Automated Notification Service -- or VANS -- keeps victims, their relatives, and others up-to-date on offenders... providing recorded messages on when the offenders are due in court or released from prison. VANS launched last August -- and since then, more than 17-hundred Vermonters have signed up. The automated system replaces paper mailings and phone calls.

7} PALLITO_SOTVO

((ANDY PALLITO/Vt. Corrections Commissioner: 6:34: It was really not an efficient system. This automated system is something that's gone online across the country in the last, I want to say, less than a decade. And now states are starting to use it more.)) Many Vermont police agencies and court victims' advocates will help sign people up for VANS. You can find more information by going to the InfoCenter at wcax-dot-com.

8} VTPRICES_FONT

The price of gasoline continues to creep higher -- now almost 50-percent higher than a year ago. The state average for regular is 2-83 a gallon according to Vermont gas prices dot com. That's up 5 cents in the past week -- and up 90 cents over this time last year. The most expensive gas is close to three dollars in Lowell -- while the cheapest is 2-71 in Brattleboro.

9} FEDAID_WHITE

More evidence of the importance of filling out your census forms. A new study says the state of Vermont gets more federal aid per capita than other states -- and more than double the national average. The Brookings Institution data shows Vermont received about one-point eight billion dollars in 2008 based on census-related statistics.

10} HEARING2_VO

Loss of local control looms at the biggest obstacle to plans for school district consolidation. The public got a chance last night to speak out about three bills currently making their way through the legislature, They all calling for some form of consolidation or redistricting -- drastically reducing the number of governing bodies overseeing our schools. The major concern voiced by parents -- losing control of their schools. And people in districts without a high school worried they'll lose the school choice options they now have.

11} RICHTER_SOTVO

(( tc 2:15 - :23 Nelson Richter, Compass School: "Allowing young people to choose where they will attend school is vital in the success of many students because the concept of one size fits all education does not work for all.")) Two of the bills would mandate consolidation -- the third bill offers incentives to districts that consolidate voluntarily.

12} SNOWGEESE_VO

We should start to see the birds heading north soon -- and hunters will be taking aim at flocks of snow geese. A special season on the migrating birds opened today. The Vermont Agency of Natural resources says the hunt was recommended by both Federal and State wildlife specialists because the population has grown so big that the geese are damaging their arctic habitat -- and their own health. The season runs through April 23rd. A permit is required, but its free.

13} LONGTRAIL_VO

And today marks the 100th anniversary of the Long Trail -- and the Green Mountain Club -- the group that built and maintains the trail. The Long Trail runs along the spine of the Green Mountains -- covering 273 miles from Massachusetts to Canada. It is the nation's oldest long-distance hiking trail.

14} FORECAST

Today: Partly sunny Chance for a shower, S & W Highs: 45 to 52 Wind: S 5 to 15 mph Tonight: Mostly cloudy Lows: 28 to 35 Wind: SE 5 to 10 mph Friday: Mostly cloudy Chance for showers, south Highs: 45 to 52 Wind: S 10 to 15 mph Extended: Saturday: Mostly cloudy Chance for showers, mainly south Lows: 30s Highs: 45 to 52 Sunday: Mostly cloudy Chance for rain, mainly south Lows: 30s Highs: 45 to 52 Monday: Mostly sunny Lows: 25 to 35 Highs: 45 to 52 Hyper-Extended: Tuesday: Partly cloudy Lows: 25 to 35 Highs: 40s Wednesday: Partly cloudy Lows: 20s Highs: 40s

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