Thu 6 P.M. News Script

Thu 02-JUL-2009 6 P.M. News Script

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Good evening, I'm Beth Parent... And I'm Marselis Parsons, It's now official: more than 15-hundred Vermont Guard Soldiers will be deployed to Afghanistan starting next winter. The deployment order had been expected for more than a year and today it was confirmed by the Guard's Commanding General. Brian Joyce attended the press conference and he is in the newsroom with our report. This will be the largest deployment of Vermont guard troops since world war two. The guard commander say the troops and their families are fully prepared.

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((Feed Tape #2 Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie/ Vt Guard Commander:" "Last week the Secretary of Defense signed the order mobilizing the 86th infantry brigade combat team for service in Afghanistan "")) Adjutant General Michael Dubie confirmed that 15-hundred Vermont guard soldiers will train in this country first, then deploy to Afghanistan next February. They should be home by the end of 2010. ((tape 634 tc Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie/Vt Guard Commander:"I'm here to report that Vermont will do its full duty. ")) That was a line from a Vermont Governor when Abraham Lincoln called up troops for the civil war. This deployment was no surprise. For more than a year the guard has been training at the Jericho range for the Afghanistan deployment awaiting the order to go. The troops will be part of the 10-thousand troop task force Operation Phoenix headquartered in Kabul. They will be embedded as trainers with Afghan police and army units. General Dubie says the troops and their families know it will be dangerous -- but they are prepared. (tape #2 tc 27:11 Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie/Vt Guard Commander:" We'll get the job done. And make no mistake about it: we've got the finest men and women serving today in the Vt national guard that we've ever had. I'm certain of that. And they will go to afghanistan and they will make us proud and they will come home. ")) Vt Guard Colonel Will Roy will be the commander of the entire Phoenix operation. ((Feed Tape #2 Col. Will Roy/Vt Guard"This is a mission of great importance to us and something our soldiers can really sink their teeth into because it is so important. ")) That attitude was reflected by Specialist Jeffrey Deslauriers who has just been named Guardsman of the year. ((tape 634 tc 51:29 Spec. Jeffrey Deslauriers/Vt Guard: " I'm not comfortable knowing there are people on this planet that want to kill us. I haven't done anything to them.. and I'm not comfortable sitting and just taking that. of course im worried but I can't dwell on the worry cause I'll go crazy." ))

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Those sentiments were shared by a number of people at the General's press conference. Brian any concern that this depletes our guard forces in case of problems here at home.? no. General Dubie did address that and he says there will still be 21 hundred guard members here at home to help in cases of natural disasters like flooding and road repair.

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The death of a Woodstock woman has been ruled a homicide -- and police say a person of interest in the murder is now in custody. Darren Perron joins us with the latest, Darren... Marselis -- police are not yet calling the man arrested --- a murder suspect. But during their investigation last night -- evidence literally led police to him.

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Inside her home on curtis hollow rd in woodstock police found the body of 78 year old rayneeta woodward. Police say the elderly woman was killed. They won't comment on the weapon used but they say she died from blunt trauma. Tara thomas: 1:15The body was sent to to the medical examiner's office in Burlington this morning. An autopsy was conducted and it was determined that this was a homicide. It was ruled a homicide caused by blunt trauma. during the homicide investigation police learned about numerous burglaries in nearby bridgewater and that a transient man Charles Punky Haynes is a suspect in those break-ins. TT: 4:30 IS MR HAYNES A SUSPECT IN HER MURER? Mr Haynes is a person of interest in her murder. police also discovered that haynes phoned a friend from an UNoccupied home on curtis hollow rd not far from the murder scene shortly after woodward was killed. TT: 5:30 That information was relayed to state police. A K-9 team tracked to that residence on Curtis Hollow Road. While they were checking the perimeter, they heard noises... Within minutes, they located a male subject in a field and he was later identified as Haynes.

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And police say the K-9 team tracked Haynes directly from the victim's home -- to this other home on Curtis Hollow Road -- where Haynes was arrested. At this point, he has only been charged with unlawful trespass and two additional counts of burglary. Police won't say if THIS homicide is a burglary gone wrong -- or if the Haynes knew the victim. Haynes is being held for lack of 50 thousand dollars bail - Marselis. Darren - how long did it take for all of this to unfold for police?' Not long at all. All in one evening. They found the body -- and found their person of interest in a matter of hours. But police are still collecting evidence -- and want to hear from anyone who may have seen anything out of the ordinary on Curtis Hollow Road last night.

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A Windham County man charged with murder was convicted today of a lesser charge. 60-year old David Boglioli was charged with second-degree murder. But after three days of deliberations - a jury found him guilty of voluntary manslaughter. Boglioli shot 51-year-old George Riccitelli last summer during an argument outside their apartment complex in Wilmington. Boglioli claimed Riccitelli threatened him with an axe. He faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced.

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A fungus is causing big problems across our region with tomato and potato plants. Late Blight is in Vermont - New York and New Hampshire. Kristin Carlson has more....

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((tape 310B tc 17:15-17 Bonnie Gonyo/Gonyo's Sweet Corn & Vegetable Farm: Everything looks good so far so we're just crossing our fingers.)) At the Plattsburgh Farmers Market -- growers are scared.... worried about a fungus that could take a bite out of their bottom line. ((tc 16:30 - 16:40 Bonnie Gonyo/Gonyo's Sweet Corn & Vegetable Farm: They say it can wipe out your whole crop and for a lot of people that can take half of their money for their vegetables.)) It's called Late Blight -- a fungus that affects tomatoes -- and potatoes. It's particularly bad this year -- because it thrives in wet weather. The disease caused the Irish Potato famine in the 1840's -- and can kill a plant in a matter of weeks. ((tape 522 tc 9:33 Tim Schmalz/State Plant Pathologist: That's the fungus reproducing right there.)) Tim Schmalz is a Vermont plant pathologist -- tracking Late Blight. It turns leaves dark -- and dry. It's in New Hampshire - New York -- and now Vermont. This plant came from a big box store in Chittenden County.... to stop the spread -- the state ordered all infected plants destroyed. It won't cause another famine -- because we rely on more crops now -- but the impact could still be huge. ((tape 522 tc 2:26 Tim Schmalz/State Plant Pathologist: When it's actively moving it can move as much as 4-5 miles in a day.)) If you have late blight -- don't compost or burn the infected plant -- because the spores will travel. To kill it -- officials say put the plant in a plastic bag and throw it away. There are two commercial potato growers in Vermont -- and both plan to spray a fungicide to prevent infection. ((tape 522 tc 4:21 Tim Schmalz/State Plant Pathologist: It's hard to control it once it does get established.)) ((tape 522 tc 22:13 KC: While late blight can cause major crop loss -- health officials say it does not pose a direct threat to people if you were to eat a vegetable from an infected plant - but because it looks so unappealing - that's rarely a problem.)) ((tc 16:05 Bonnie Gonyo/Gonyo's Sweet Corn & Vegetable Farm: We live pretty far out in the country so I'm hoping some of it doesn't spread.)) A shared hope.... for farmers already dealing with wet weather and low milk prices. Kristin Carlson Channel 3 News Waterbury.

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The state wants to hear from anyone who thinks they have Late Blight. The number to call is listed on our InfoCenter. Later in the garden -- Sharon shows us how to tell Late Blight apart from other plant diseases.

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Burlington has started to Celebrate Champlain. The Burlington International Waterfront Festival is 12 days of concerts, demonstrations, exhibits, and more -- to honor the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain's voyage here. Jack Thurston is on the city's waterfront now -- where much of the activities are taking place. Jack? Marselis -- this is one of the largest events the city has ever put on in terms of the number of moving pieces it has a stage for a large concert series is going up this weekend here in Waterfront park... Other events include a major parade, lectures, and free performances throughout the next 12 days. Today city officials and their guests from as far away as France held a kickoff celebration in downtown Burlington. ((JACK AD LIBS)) ... The states tourism commissioner says this festival comes at a perfect time at for the city and the region because typically things are sort of slow in early july.

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((Bruce Hyde: 15 Well I think your goin gto be surprised to see how many people come to this region which I indlude the new york new england area buyt your also going to see people from canada and from europe there already been more people from france I've heard. )) Tickets are required for some of the big events and those sales are reportedly disappointing. The Tony Bennett concert is sold out but others aren't doing so well ... In some cases off by about half what was expected. That could be blamed on the weather -- people are waiting til the last minute to see how the weather looks... So the festival is hoping things will clear up, to turn around those sales.

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OK, ...Let's see where the showers and thunderstorms are this evening.... Another day. ...Same old weather pattern ...Let's take a look at whose under the gun this evening .... Lots of showers around. ...But much quieter tonight with a lack of thunderstorms in the area. Still, plenty of showers once again moving south to north, and that will continue through the evening. (**click**) And tomorrow, ... We are expecting mostly cloudy skies, ...As this slow moving storm system slides closer, ...And there are more showers and possibly a thunderstorm in the forecast once again as well. With temperatures still a little cooler than normal for early July. The holiday weekend, still looking unsettled. We will see some sunshine and there will be some showers. Keep your plans, just make sure you have an alternate plan in case it does rain in your particular spot, for your particular BBQ.

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It's been in the planning for years now -- a major celebration of Samuel de Champlain's discovery of Lake Champlain. As the first European to set foot in the valley that bears his name, Champlain touched off a series of events that shaped the region. Already, the states of Vermont and New York -- and the Province of Quebec -- are celebrating those four-hundred years of history. Andy Potter is live on the Burlington waterfront, where much of that history unfolded... Andy... Marselis, Beth... We've heard a lot about the Quadricentennial celebration. What many people might not know is that this kind of event has been done before.

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((Tape# 011)) Today's Lake Champlain provides a beautiful backdrop for Vermont's largest city. But historically, it has played an even more important part in just about everything that has happened in the region. It all started with Samuel de Champlain's short, but historically significant visit in 1609. ((Art Cohn/Lake Champlain Maritime Museum: "And that short three week visit was brief, profound and his only time here. He never came back.")) Art Cohn is an expert on the history of the lake. He spearheaded the building of the 19th century Canal Boat replica Lois McClure. ((file tape# 1575 tc 1:30:40 June 2001)) Cohn has studied the lake -- from top to bottom -- as a diver who coordinated several major shipwreck discoveries dating from the Revolutionary war. The Quadricentennial celebrates all of this ... ((end file tape)) ((dub from CD -- 300th anniversary)) ... as did the lake's Tercentennial celebration one hundred years ago, in 1909. ((end)) Another celebration was held fifty years ago, on Champlain's 350th anniversary in 1959. ((Anthony Otis/Vermont Historian: "I know, I went to several re-enactments of Samuel de Champlain with Indians at North Beach and at Swanton and Saint Albans, for example.")) Anthony Otis has saved valuable mementos from the 1959 Lake Champlain festival, as it was called. A committee of Vermonters and New Yorkers, including Otis's grandfather, Perry Merrill, went all-out. Gold Medallions and a commemorative edition of the Burlington Free Press were part of the event. Champlain left a diary -- and a drawing depicting himself in a battle -- holding the first firearm that the natives had ever encountered. ((Cohn: "And in that battle, Samuel de Champlain introduces native Americans to fire power technology, something they had not seen before.")) The military significance of the lake faded after the war of 1812, giving way to an era of commerce. The lake became a corridor of trade. The canal boats were the main carriers of goods and passengers. When that era ended, the lake took on the role of a destination for recreation -- the lake Champlain we know today.

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What's so interesting about this celebration is that it repeats what's happened here every fifty years for the last century. And no doubt there will be another one -- if you can wait until 2059... Marselis...

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Vermont's income tax revenues saw the fifth-biggest decline in the NATION for the first four months of this year. The study found revenues dropped 33 percent. State economist Jeff Carr says the statistic is not surprising and will likely continue. He attributes the drop to layoffs and corporate profits -- and declining investment portfolios.

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Ed Flanagan is running for lieutenant governor. The Chittenden County Democrat says his experience as a former state auditor -- and current state senator -- has prepared him for the job. Flanagan says as lieutenant governor he'd work to help improve the state's economy. Another Democrat, House Majority Leader Floyd Nease, is considering a run. It's unknown if Republican Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie will seek re-election.

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A company that once operated a 16-hundred acre asbestos mine in Vermont has agreed to pay up to $300 million to clean up that site and nine others where hazardous materials were disposed. The settlement with G-I Holdings was announced today by the U.S. Justice Department. The company will pay for past and future cleanup costs at the former Vermont Asbestos Group Mine Site at Belvidere Mountain, where asbestos was mined from the early 1900s to 1993.

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(("It's not unusual to see hikers in Smuggler's Notch, but it is unusual to see them tagging along with a llama. We'll take along on a llama trek in this week's destination recreation."))

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We actually saw some sunshine this afternoon in Burlington.... And that has been the case across the area. Some locations will have had a half an inch of rain, while others manage to escape for the day. Here's a look with our skywatch 3 camera. ...At.... Right now in Burlington....

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Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers, chance of a Tstorm. Lows: 55/62 Winds: Light Friday: Variable cloudiness. Chance of showers/tstorms. Highs: 65/72 Winds: SW 5-10 mph Friday Night: Variable cloudiness. Scattered showers. Lows: 53/60 Winds: Light Saturday: Variable cloudiness. Chance of showers. Highs: 65/72 Winds: W 5-10 mph Extended: Sunday through Tuesday. Sunday: Partly sunny, chance of a shower. Highs: 68/75 Lows 50/57 Monday: Partly sunny. Highs: 70/77 Lows: 50/57 Tuesday: Partly sunny. Chance of a shower. Highs 70/77

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Mike is in with our sports preview... Thunder Road quiet tonight... the likelihood of rain forcing the cancellation of the program tonight in Barre... tonight's scheduled fireworks have been moved to August 27th, but there were plenty of fireworks at Wimbledon...

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((Sports)) Serena Williams and Elena Dementieva played the longest women's semifinal in at least 40 years. Nearly three hours long. Williams survived a match point in the third set before outlasting the fourth seeded Russian 6-7, 7-5, 8-6... --- She'll meet sister Venus in the final after to five time champ blew past number one ranked Dinara Safina 6-1, 6-0 in just 51 minutes... -- ((Spotlight on Sports)) A new kind of lacrosse hits Vermont this summer. I'm Tony Gugliotta in Essex. That story coming up later in sports.

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Most Vermonters have visited Smuggler's Notch at one time or another --- usually in a car or on foot. But if you're looking for a new way to explore the area -- you need look no farther than the town of Waterville. That's where Keagan Harsha is tonight. Keagan.... If you haven't figured it out -- I'm surrounded by about 20 llamas at the moment. I'm still trying to remember everyone's names -- which is difficult since these guys don't do much talking. -- but one thing I have learned is that llamas make excellent companions out on the trail.

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Smuggler's Notch. It's rugged country for those with little legs.... ((16:57-59 NATS: "my legs are tired!")) But the perfect terrain for guys like Moe ((close-up shot of head)). Moe is a 14 year old llama.... ((NATS 32:09-11 "no moe, moe, moe, no moe!!")) A llama with an appetite for both food .... ((nats eating)) ((20:18-20 "moe kind of likes to eat a lot, yeah.")) ...And adventure. ((39:39-44 Lindsay Chandler: "they all like to hike and walk. The best thing to do with a llama is take it for a walk.")) Lindsay Chandler has been taking her llamas for walks the last 22 years. She owns Northern Vermont llama company -- one of a handful of businesses in the state that offer this fluffy alternative... ((9:23-25 "they feel like pillows!!!")) ... To traditional hiking. ((38:26-37 Chandler: "with the little kids, they're walking a big animal, so it's really something for them to be able to lead a large animal like that and the llama just follows them everywhere.')) ((49:09-19 Owen Ferguson: " Randy was kind of turney..... He was turning so much." "so was he hard to keep in a straight line?" 'yeah." "what'd you tell him?" "to stay put." "did he listen?" Nope." )) Llamas have long been used as pack animal in places like South America -- although they're still relatively new to Vermont. ((NATS 7:58-02 "come on Zeke! We're going to have a potty break.")) They started showing up on farms here in the early 80's, and while they're popularity has waned some, there are still close to 700 of them in the state of vermont. ((41:00-09 Chandler: "I like their peace of mind. They're just peaceful, quiet animals, not really demanding, but real companionable animals.")) ((47:14-21 Susan Ferguson/Shrewsbury, Massuchessets: "it's a great little trip for kids, just to get them out and enjoying nature and seeing these animals and seeing how nice and docile they are.")) These three hour treks include a brookside brunch of fruits, cookies, and ice cream ... ((40:43-48 Chandler: "The kids want chairs, but we figure it's a picnic so everyone can sit on the mossy rocks or on the logs.")) .... And some tasty leaves .... ((15:26-29 "nats of llamas eating)) .... If you're so inclined. ((NATS 16:36-38 "you ate a lot!")) ((NATS: 20:37-40 "it's cool that he sticks his teeth out when he chews.")) ((43:52-02 "and he's eating a tree down." "he likes to eat. He's the biggest llama out here and he just loves being out and able to nibble on everything.")) But the meal is well deserved. By the end of the trek these kids had forgotten all about their little legs.... ((nats)) ...distracted, instead by their long necked friends.... ((nats)) .... Friends they were all plotting to somehow fit in the car and bring home. ((23:07-11 " I would like a llama. That would be cool to have in my house.")) ((23:41-54 "oh yeah, no. They've been asking for dogs. Our neighbors have dogs, and that's good enough for us.")) ((22:58-01 "he barely lets me have a fish.")) ((23:51-54 "no, not even a fish.")) Animals perhaps better suited for the trail -- and the mountains of Vermont.

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And if you want to take one of these guys on a hike through smuggler's notch.... They're more than ready to go. Just check out the destination recreation page at our website at wcax.com. To get signed up Marselis. Thanks Keagan. Tune in next week as Keagan introduces to the sport of stand-up paddlesurfing on Lake Champlain.

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Still ahead - Vermont rocker Grace Potter comes to Burlington for a big show. A tribute to Vermont farmers goes on display in Montpelier. And in our HealthWatch - a new procedure to alleviate a potentially deadly aneurysm.

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About 200-thousand people in the United States are diagnosed every year with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Surgeons have developed a less invasive procedure to repair the aorta that is easier on the patient. Drew Levinson reports.

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Christopher Vonbayer's (Von-Bi-er) had emergery surgery last year for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. His aorta had ballooned to an alarming size. (SOT CHRISTOPHER VONBAYER ) "HAD IT NOT BEEN TENDED TO IT COULD HAVE DISASTROUS, CURTAINS." The aorta is the largest artery in the body. An aneurysm weakens the artery wall. (SOT-DOCTOR THOMAS MALDONADO) " THE ANEURYSM ESSENTIALLY IS PRESSURIZED AND WITH EVERY PULSATION CAN GROW AND EVENTUALLY RUPTURE." Vonbayer's aneurysm made the aorta five times its normal size. (SOT-DOCTOR THOMAS MALDONADO ) "HE WAS READY TO BLOW." (DREW LEVINSON/CBS NEWS) "THE TRADITIONAL PROCEDURE TO FIX A PROBLEM LIKE VONBAYER'S IS TO MAKE A LARGE INCISION TO GET TO THE AORTA...INSTEAD HE HAD A MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY THAT PUT LESS STRESS ON THE BODY. " It's called Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Surgery or "EVAR" Doctors make a one inch incision in the groin. Then, using x-ray guidance , they feed a sent graph up to the aorta reinforcing the artery wall. (SOT-DOCTOR THOMAS MALDONADO) "SO NOW THE BLOOD IS TRAVELING INSIDE THE STENT GRAPH. IT IS NO LONGER PRESSURIZING THIS VERY TENUOUS BALLOON AND PROTECTING AGAINST RUPTURE." With EVAR the patient is under a local ANESTHESIA and, instead of a week in the hospital, recovery is much faster. (SOT-VonBayer) "I WALKED OUT ON MY OWN TWO FEET/TWO DAYS LATER" And, as the procedure becomes more common... doctors believe - patients will soon be able to go home the same day. Drew Levinson, CBS News, New York

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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms can be diagnosed through a simple ultrasound test. For a link to more information - visit the HealthWatch InfoCenter on wcax dot com. go to That's HealthWatch, Marselis.

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The Vermont Guard's Deployment to Afghanistan is now official. Guard Commander Michael Dubie announced that more than 15-hundred Guard soldiers will be deployed to Afghanistan next February. Their mission will be to train Afghan police and military units. The death of a Woodstock woman has been ruled a homicide. 78 year old Rayneeta Woodward was found dead in her home last night. An autopsy concluded blunt trauma as the cause. Police arrested 51-year old Charles Haynes on unrelated charges and are calling him a person of interest in the case. After three days of deliberations - a jury found 60-year old David Boglioli guilty of voluntary manslaughter. Boglioli shot 51-year old George Riccitelli last summer during a fight outside their apartment complex in Wilmington. He faces up to 15 year in prison.

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Coming up tonight on the Channel 3 News at 10:00 We conclude our series of reports on tragic murder of Brooke Bennett. Bianca Slota sits down for an emotional interview with both of her parents -- and looks at how they are channeling their grief for good. That's tonight on Comcast digital channel 168 and over the air on digital 3-point-2.

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A head on crash in Rutland between a police cruiser and another car sent both drivers to the hospital. Police say 52-year old Rutland City Officer Gary Tobin hit another car head-on. That driver -- 78-year old Mary Smith of Proctor -- was taken to the hospital with chest pain. Tobin injured his knees and suffered a concussion. Officer Tobin says he blacked out prior to the crash. Witnesses say it appeared he was having a seizure.

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When the 86th Infantry Brigade returns from Afghanistan - they'll have a new training facility in Jericho. Officials broke ground on the 49-thousand square foot headquarters this afternoon at the Ethan Allen Firing Range. The current facility is just two-thousand square feet.

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((Col. Robert Gingras/Vt. Army National Guard "That building doesn't have an assembly hall. Traditionally with National Guard Armory is a great big assembly wall, and consequently makes it very difficult to form out your troops or do anything, everything has to happen outside with that specific building.")) When completed - this will be the guard's first geo-thermal guard facility in Vermont.

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A lawmaker from Berlin, New Hampshire is vowing to bring gambling to the North Country. Representative Paul Ingersoll says he will join forces with other supporters next year to reintroduce a bill allowing slot machines at race tracks and casinos. Ingersoll says further erosion of revenues will increase the bill's chance for passage.

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A big unveiling today in Montpelier - of a new sculpture.... It's a granite cow... commissioned by resident Dorothy Walka. She used to run a dairy farm -- and wanted to honor dairy farmers by putting the sculpture in her front yard. The cow is called Ilene - after one of her favorite cows -- who was a great milker. Ilene is made out of grey barre granite -- weighs 1000 pounds - and is inscribed "For Vermont Family Farms".

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((tape 522 tc :25 Dorothy Walka: The farmer has a tough row to hoe - and they were getting fewer and fewer and I thought well you know if we are going to have a cow we're going to have one cow left and she's going to be Barre granite so thats my basic reason. :43// tc 1:19 KC: What do you hope people will think about when they walk by and see Ilene? Well that agriculture is important to Vermont and the dairy industry is extremly important to the whole of Vermont and I just would like to think that she'll be an inspiration to keep agriculture going.)) That's News Around the Region, Beth.

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Sharon is here, ....With of course more showers to talk about... As we head into the 4th of July weekend. ...Everybody wants to know whether it is going to rain for the events ahead. And first up. ... is the fireworks display on the Burlington waterfront. They get a jump start on things by having their fireworks on the evening of July 3rd. And while there is the chance for some showers earlier in the evening, there is good reason to hope the showers will have quieted down before fireworks begin. (**click**) If you are planning to be on lake champlain during the day tomorrow, .... There will again be occasional showers and the possibility of a thunderstorm, so you will again have to keep your eyes open to that possibility. (**click**) And we'll see some sun, some clouds and a few more scattered showers over the weekend, ...Hopefully not raining on your parade.

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With all of this rain, it's no surprise that fungus diseases would start to be a problem in our gardens, but one disease has been making the news this week. Garden Expert Charlie Nardozzi show us how to identify Late Blight on our tomatoes, and potatoes. ...This evening in the garden.

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((Well these tomatoes look absolutely gorgeous, but there is a new fungus out that we are supposed to be on the look out for, this week that we've been hearing about? Yes, actually it's an old fungus, that's making a reoccurrence in this country. And it's a bad one. It's a fungus that goes back to the Irish Potato famine, and it's called Late Blight of tomatoes and potatoes. Because of all of the rainy weather we've had, it's really taking off, and we've found it in states around Vermont, that they're finding incidences of it in potato and tomato patches. So if you started your plants yourself, or you bought them locally grown, you're in better shape than perhaps if you didn't? Yes, that's what seems like started all of this. That some of the plants were brought in from out of state and out of the region, had this disease and because of the weather conditions, it's really starting to spread. So what you are going to need to do, is take a look at your tomatoes, and your potatoes especially if you didn't buy them locally, look for signs of this fungal disease. How can you tell the difference between this and a different kind of disease. Ah, that's a problem, because they all kind of look the same. There's early blight, there's Septoria leaf spot, there's late blight, they all have brown spots, sometimes they have yellow margins. Now the late blight, the one we're talking about, you want to look at the tops of the plant. The top leaves of the plants and look for brown lesions, or brown spots that may have some yellow around them, or they may not around them. It will spread quickly and destroy the plant. If you see these spots on the lower leaves, it's more likely some of these other fungal diseases which are a problem, but not as severe. Now if you find that you have the late blight on there, and your not sure, you can go up to the UVM plant pathology lab and they'll positively identify it for you. If you do find you have that on your plants, you need to rip those plants out, put them in a plastic bag and send them away to the landfall. You don't want to try to compost them because the disease can spread. Spread.... Right. ))

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Thursday night at the high banks has been rained out. The fireworks that had been scheduled for tonight at Thunder Road have been moved to the final Thursday of the season, August 27th. T-Road roars back to life this Sunday night. The gates open at 4pm, racing action starts at 6pm.

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Women's semis at Wimbledon...Serena Williams and fourth seed Elena Dementieva in an instant classic ... --- third set...Dementieva with match point on Serena's serve...but Williams charges the net and gets the winner to stay alive ... --- three games later, after breaking Dementieva...Williams with match point...the return from the Russian is wide and Serena wins an amazing match...6-7, 7-5, 8-6 ... --- she'll face sister Venus in Saturday's final. Williams embarrassing top seed Dinara Safina...a 51-minute, 6-1, 6-0 blowout. Venus looking for her third straight Wimbledon title and sixth overall...

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The Red Sox had the day off, but Jason Bay was busy. The Sox left fielder became an American citizen this afternoon. Boston hosts Seattle tomorrow night.

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the Mariners in the Bronx last night... bottom of the third... Johnny Damon deep to right...his 15th...1-0 ... --- it's tied at one in the fifth when Melky Cabrera wraps one around the pole in left...number eight on the year for Cabrera ...another solo shot ...2-1 New York... --- bottom six, now tied at two...Alex Rodriguez launches a two run blast to center... number thirteen for A-Rod...and that's the difference as the Yanks win 4-2.

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Jack Walker went 4-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored, leading the Lake Monsters to an 8-2 win at Hudson Valley last night. Vermont improving to 6-6 with the win. Tonight's game has been postponed. The Monsters and Renegades will play a doubleheader starting at 5pm.

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also last night... Mountaineers hosting Keene...that's 2008 Red Sox draft pick Jacob Rogers driving in a pair for Keene in the first...2-0... --- In the third...Chris Edmonson leaves Rec Field...a solo home run...3-0 Swamp Bats ... --- in the 5th...Kevin Vance lifts a sac-fly to right...deep enough to score Jake Williams from third... but it's Keene that wins 5-1. The Mountaineers game at New Bedford tonight has been rained out.

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The Boston Celtics have sent an entourage of players, including Kevin Garnett, to Michigan to try to recruit free agent Rasheed Wallace into signing with the C's .... The Green will have some competition however as Cleveland, San Antonio, and Orlando have also expressed interest in the veteran....

53} BRUINS_TAKE_VO

A veteran is staying in the Black and Gold for another season.... The Bruins have agreed to a one-year contract with center Mark Recchi.... Recchi scored 10 goals and added 6 assists in 18 regular season games after coming to Boston from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline, and he contributed 3 goals and 3 assists in 11 playoff games with the team....

54} BOX_LACROSSE_INTRO

There is a brand new game in town and it brings with it some high intensity.... Tony Gugliotta gives us a peek inside the sport of box lacrosse in tonight's Spotlight on Sports ....

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The Essex Skating facility looks the same as always on the outside.... ((NATS)) But when you go inside the hockey home of the Hornets this summer, you'll see something quite different... ((NATS - missed shot, MOSES - UnderVid - "It's hockey in the air.")) The rink is the new home of the Vermont Voyageurs box lacrosse team.... A semi-professional club with the hopes of keeping lacrosse on the region's sports landscape beyond the completion of the local college and prep seasons.... ((MCLAREN - "It's a great opportunity. I think all of us love the sport of lacrosse and to be able to play here and represent Vermont and Vemont lacrosse is really important to me.")) ((CULKIN - "The draw for indoor lacrosse is it's fast, it's physical.")) ((NATS - Whiteboard)) Jeff Culkin is widely credited in our area as starting the men's field lacrosse program at St. Michael's in the early 80s.... Now, he takes his lengthy lacrosse resume into the box to teach these converted field players the nuances of a glaringly smaller game.... ((CULKIN - "They have to be ready to play two ways - have to be able to get up and down the floor. There's a premium on conditioning, speed.")) ((MOSES - "It's a lot more fast-paced, it's a lot more intense, a lot more body checking, a lot more cross-checking and you come out with some bumps and bruises at the end.")) ((GUGLIOTTA - "The team is competing independently this season but hopes to join the Quebec Senior Lacrosse League next year. A move like that will allow them to compete in an already-established league and ensure box lacrosse stays in this region for some time to come.")) ((MCLAREN - "It's important to us because lacrosse in America and lacrosse in Vermont is really making steps forward.")) ((MOSES - "We're the first semi-professional box team in New England so that's one step for us so we're just looking to have fun - get out there and have a good time.")) And when they do, lacrosse fans will see that good things do, in fact, come in small packages.... In Essex, Tony Gugliotta, Channel 3 Spotlight on Sports.

56} LAX_TAG_WHITE

The Voyageurs will open their home schedule this Saturday night, July 4th at 7:00 and will turn around and play another game Sunday afternoon at 2:00.

57} SPORTS_OUT

58} POTTER_ENG

Burlington's 12 day celebration of Lake Champlain -- has just gotten a little bigger. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals have announced their concert at the festival will be taped as a high-definition concert film for TV and DVD later this year. And Jack Thurston has his own announcement about that show -- right Jack? Yeah Beth -- some lucky Channel 3 viewers can actually see that Grace Potter & the Nocturnals concert next Sunday the 12th free. Our website -- WCAX.com -- is giving away 5 VIP prize packs -- that include backstage passes to hang out with Vermont's own Grace Potter after her show.

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((Grace Potter/Musician: : 5:48: I don't care if it's thunderstorming, I wish I could be back in my Green Mountains! But I'll be there soon!)) Waitsfield's Grace Potter and the Nocturnals will perform their only Vermont concert on their current national tour Sunday July 12th -- as part of the Burlington International Waterfront Festival. ((Grace Potter/Musician: : 1:46: When we come back to Vermont, we always think very hard about how we want to present it, because in Vermont, the support we've had is so meaningful, and we don't want to treat it like just any other gig.)) Vermont fans will be some of the first in the nation to hear live previews of songs off the group's next CD. And 5 lucky visitors to Channel 3's web site can see the concert free. WCAX.com is giving away VIP passes -- each with two tickets and a backstage pass. You'll get to hang out with Grace Potter after the performance. ((Grace Potter/Musician: : 3:29: It will be fun. A lot of fun backstage!))

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It's easy to enter that contest. Just go to wcax.com and look for the logo right on the main page... We're going to be randomly drawing a winner a day each day of next week -- we'll announce the winners live on the air on our 6 pm news ... And they'll be going to see Grace Potter live here on the waterfront July 12th, Beth.

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