Tue 11 P.M. News Script

Tue 31-JAN-2012 11 P.M. News Script

1} PRIMARY11_INTRO

Good evening. I'm Darren Perron. And I'm Kristin Kelly. Mitt Romney rebounded from his defeat in South Carolina -- and WON Florida's GOP Presidential Primary tonight. It was a bitter -- and expensive battle -- in Florida between Romney and Newt Gingrich. And it looks like the fight will go on. Danielle Nottingham has more.

2} PRIMARY11_PKG

PKG TRT: 1:31 ? A triumphant Mitt Romney thanked his supporters as he claimed victory in Florida's Republican Primary. SOT - Romney "A DIVIDED PRIMARY DOES NOT DIVIDE US, IT PREPARES US... AND WE ARE GOING TO WIN. Florida is Romney's second primary victory, and contains its biggest haul of delegates in the 2012 campaign. But it was an EXPENSIVE campaign - Romney and his supporters spent more than 14 million dollars on TV ads to secure Florida. It was a tough loss for Newt Gingrich, who led in the polls here just last week. He says he's not giving up. SOT - Gingrich "WE ARE GOING TO CONTEST EVERYWHERE IN IN EVERY STATE AND WE WILL BE HERE IN TAMPA AS THE NOMINEE IN AUGUST" STANDUP BRIDGE: VOTERS SAID THE ECONOMY WAS BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THIS RACE... ACCORDING TO EXIT POLLS, HALF OF THOSE WHO RESPONDED SAID FORECLOSURES WERE A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THEIR AREA. GFX Recent debates were also a factor in their decisions... Two thirds said they helped to make up their minds. But the bitterly fought campaign left a bad taste in some voters' mouths... about a third of voters faulted each Romney and Gingrich for running the most unfair campaign. Rick Santorum is already campaigning in Nevada. He urged his opponents to stop attacking each other. SOT Santorum "WHAT WE SAW IN STATE OF FL IS NOT WHAT WE NEED IN THIS ELECTION" SOT - Paul IF ENTHUSIASM WINS ELECTIONS, WE WON HANDS DOWN!" Ron Paul also bypassed Florida to concentrate on Nevada and other caucus states. Danielle Nottingham, CBS News, Tampa, Florida.

3} WALLSTREET11_VO

Wall Street liked the way this year is starting. This last month was the best January for stocks -- in 15 years. The Dow rose 3-point-4 percent and the S and P gained 4-point-4 percent in January. And -- January was the best month stocks have seen -- since October.

4} POSTAL11_VO

Senator Bernie Sanders says the US Postal Service needs a new business model. Sanders is pushing Congress to help ease financial pressure on the US Postal service - hoping that will help avoid 200-thousand layoffs -- and the closure of thousands of mail facilities across the country - including the mail center in White River Junction. The USPS says the Internet has cut demand -- and that first class mail is down 20 percent.

5} SANDERS11_SOT

((at 0152, Sen. Bernie Sanders/I-Vermont: Get them involved in the digital age - not run away from it. Get them involved - expand what they can do both with state and local government as well as what they can do with the private sector.)) Sanders' postal service bill would allow workers to make copies - notarize documents - and sell hunting licenses. He also wants retirement funding regulations on the postal service to be reduced - so they would be more in line with other businesses.

6} SUPERBOWL11_TECH

Super Sunday -- means super sales. One of the biggest bar nights of the year is expected to bring in even more cash this year -- as the Patriots and Giants square off in the Super Bowl. Kyle Midura joins us with the story, Kyle. Darren, restaurants are stocking up, preparing for the year's second biggest food day behind only Thanksgiving. This year the teams in the big game may be more of a draw than the specials.

7} SUPERBOWL11_PKG

(nats) Bowling is the main attraction at Spare Time and City Sports Grille in Colchester Tuesday night. (kitchen nat pop) The grill's empty but when Sunday arrives, staff say they expect to cook 400 pounds of wings and empty 15 kegs. ((20:44:37 - :41 "we order extra everything to make sure we have enough on hand")) Manager Jake West says they'll offer food and drink specials, but he expects the major draw will be what's on T.V., not the menu. ((20:45:11-14 - West "Last SB was a little slow, but I think it was who was playing")) ((20:43:42 - :48 - West all year long, the biggest games we've seen on Sundays have been when the Pats are playing, and when the Giants were playing)) Along the lanes, fans aren't waiting for kick-off to start the smack-talk. (nat pop bowl) ((21:10:05 - 08 Larry Smith - Giants Fan about as excited as I was 4 years ago)) ((21:13:07 -:12 - Pats Fan "giants fans think they've got the upper hand, but we're going to cement the legacy of Brady and Belichik)) Most of those at the alley though say they won't be back Sunday. They plan to watch the game in front of their own t.v., but the food will be the same. ((21:13:46 - :52 Daryl Cronin - Pats Fan There'll probably be a lot of pizza and wings involved, I'm sure the local economy I think will be helped out, lot of pats and giants fans in the area)) ((21:11:04 - :11 - Smith probably wings, along with the other 700 million wings that are going to be out there)) The actual figure: 90 million pounds or 450 million wings are expected to be consumed nationwide. Pizza and sandwiches are equally popular. Tack-on 14-and-a-half tons of chips, and antacids, just may sell out as well.

8} SUPERBOWL11_TAG

Insurance figure also indicate that only St. Patrick's day has more alcohol related accidents than Super Bowl Sunday. If you drink please find a safe ride home. Darren.

9} BOTTLES5_VO

A bottled water ban at UVM -- next year. Each year students and staff buy 200-thousand bottles of water on campus. The school announced a change in its beverage policy that will ban the sale of bottled water in vending machines and retail outlets beginning in January 2013. Drinking fountains will be converted to bottle filling stations -- to encourage students to fill their own re-usable bottles.

10} BANNED5_SOTVO

((Richard Cate/UVM 00:15:40 "UVM cares about the environment. We want to do our part. We believe that we can provide good cold fresh water here in Vermont without having to purchase it from some other place in a container.")) The new policy also calls for one-third of drinks in vending machines to be healthy options.

11} EDUCATION6_INTRO

Spending cuts at Vermont schools -- have meant job cuts for hundreds of teachers. And at the same time -- other members of the education system have been giving themselves pay raises. As Susie Steimle found out.

12} EDUCATION6_PKG

The state received its 285 page review of Vermont's education finance system Tuesday. It's intention? To evaluate whether or not the current system works. ((Bill Talbott/Education Department Deputy Secretary: We're pleased with the findings that the funding system developed in acts 60 and 68 is doing what it was intended to do 53:06-53:14)) Act 60 and 68 were put in place to provide equal opportunities for towns to raise funds for local schools. But Representative Adam Greshin says the study doesn't address whether Vermont's high per pupil spending is paying off. ((Adam Greshin/I-Warren: I think the Picus report tells us everything we already knew and nothing we need to know 44:59-45:05)) Vermont's education system, like that of most states, is funded largely by property taxes. Which are expected to go up unless schools can level fund again, most say they can't. ((Bill Talbott/Education Department Deputy Secretary: 55 percent have responded that the increase is 2.6 percent this year so if that holds true it won't be level funded but it won't be up by a great deal 54:32-54:42)) Schools cut 300 teachers last year, the state encourages these cuts as enrollment numbers have dropped consistently over the past twelve years. But there's one place where spending has gone up -- in supervisory unions. So while teachers are losing their jobs, the department of education says superintendent's salaries are going up. ((Adam Greshin/I-Warren: There was nothing economic or judicious about their spending. In fact much of the spending relative to what school boards are doing with their budgets was outlandish 51:13-51:22)) Greshin sites his own district as an example. The superintendent of Washington West supervisory union took an 8 percent raise last year, central office employees received a three percent raise. ((Adam Greshin/I-Warren: The magnitude of the salary increases over the years has been excessive 51:47-51:54)) ((Bill Talbott/Education Department Deputy Secretary: I think salaries are going up everywhere so that's the question should they or should they not 57:39-57:47)) That question is up to the legislature, Greshin hopes they'll give voters the power to decide themselves, especially because the increased salaries come out of public tax dollars. Susie Steimle Channel three news, Montpelier.

13} LSC11_FONTVO

Lyndon State College has narrowed its list of presidential finalists -- down to two. Joe Bertolino and Mike Sonntag have accepted invitations to return to campus on February 15th -- for final interviews with the Board of Trustees. The next college president replaces Carol Moore -- who retired last summer -- after 13 years at the school. Steve Gold has been acting as interim president since she left.

14} 2WAYA

What's worse? Living next to an abandoned asbestos mine -- or a Superfund Site? Controversy in the Kingdom -- coming up. Plus -- slick roads lead to fender benders. And a car in a house. That's next.

15} 2WAYB

It will be a warm start to February on Wednesday as temperatures rise into the 40s, almost 20 degrees above normal for this time of year. Here's the wake up weather. A cloudy start to the day with the chance of rain showers, and some pockets of freezing drizzle east of the Green Mountains. How long will the warm weather stick around? The full weather forecast is coming up ..

16} DRUGS_WHITE

A bizarre drug bust in Colchester tonight where police say the dealer they caught -- had a list showing the price of each drug she was selling. Police say 34 year old raven peres was busted at the Days Inn with close to 10 grams of heroin, 10 grams of crack cocaine, and 15 grams of powder cocaine. The connecticut woman told police she was given the drugs to sell. She heads to court -- tomorrow.

17} CRASHES5_VO

Light snow made roads slick today -- causing some trouble for drivers. A car went off Route 36 in St. Albans Town and hit a tree. The driver was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries. A short-time later in Georgia, a pickup truck hit a tree and then a house. Witnesses say the driver was attempting to pass another vehicle when he lost control. No one was hurt in that crash.

18} CRACKS5_VO

The new Lake Champlain bridge already has cracks in its support pillars -- but transportation officials say -- don't worry. The span connecting West Addison and Crown Point, New York opened last November. It replaced an 80-year-old bridge that had to be demolished after inspectors found cracks in the concrete pillars. Now the new bridge has some cracks of its own. But transportation officials say the small cracks are normal for newly poured concrete -- and the 76-million dollar bridge is structurally sound.

19} FRACKING5_VO

The Vermont House today approved a bill to ban the controversial drilling process known as fracking. It's a method of extracting natural gas from shale deposits -- being pursued in states like New York, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. No one has proposed fracking in Vermont, but lawmakers today approved a three year moratorium on the practice. Fracking opponents say the process involves the use of chemicals that are a threat to the environment and public health.

20} TUITION6_INTRO

Fire departments in New York may not be able to pay volunteer firefighters -- but they can help them get an education. Matt Henson explains.

21} TUITION6_PKG

Sebastian Barie is one of the newest volunteers with the Rouses Point Fire Department. ((Sebastian Barie/Rouses Point Fire Dept. 11:08 "It's a good way to give back to my community.")) Right now - the 18 year old spends most of his time working towards earning a college degree. Barrie is studying criminal justice at Clinton Community College. ((Sebastian Barie/Rouses Point Fire Dept. 17:48 It's motivation to get my career going, get started on the right track, and without debt when I leave college.")) He doesn't have to pay tuition for college thanks to the Firemen's Association of the State of New York - Higher Education Learning Plan - known as FASNY HELP. ((Chuck Kostyk/Clinton Cty. Firefighters Assn. 9:10 "It's a reimbursement program that can offset up to 100 percent of tuition at a local community college that is within 50 miles of their homes.")) ((Matt Henson/Rouses Point, New York tc 23:18 "The FASNY HELP tuition reimbursement program is funded through a four million dollar grant from Homeland Security to help volunteer fire departments retain and recruit members.")) ((Chuck Kostyk/Clinton Cty. Firefighters Assn. 11:15 "It requires commitment on the part of the student, they have to remain active in the fire department while in school, there's also a commitment form that they have to sign and maintain and maintain that commitment up to four years after they obtain their degree.")) The volunteer's grades in the classroom determine how much money they receive towards their education. ((Chuck Kostyk/Clinton Cty. Firefighters Assn. 10:49 "The reimbursement is based on grade point average, there is a decreasing scale from 100 percent to 75 percent reimbursement.")) Barie says the program has covered almost all of his tuition - which is 18-hundred dollars a semester. And it has helped him choose a career path in life - since volunteer firefighting is only part-time. ((Sebastian Barie/Rouses Point Fire Dept. Tc 10:31 "It's made me feel like, a lot more goals I can succeed now.")) So far -- Barie is just one of four volunteers taking advantage of the program in Clinton and Essex Counties. Fire Departments hope it keeps growing. Matt Henson - Channel 3 News - Rouses Point, New York.

22} WX

23} FORECAST

Tonight: Cloudy skies. Light rain/freezing drizzle/snow, mainly north. Trace-3" northern Vt (2-4" NEK) Lows: 28/35 Winds: S 10-15 mph Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers, mixing with sleet/freezing rain early. Highs: 40/47 Winds: S 10-15 mph Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow showers. Lows: 15/22 Winds: NW 5-10 mph Thursday: Partly sunny. Highs: 23/30 Winds: N 5-10 mph Extended: Friday through Tuesday. Friday: Partly sunny. Highs 23/30 lows 8/15 Saturday; Partly sunny. Highs 23/30 Lows 5/12 Sunday: mostly sunny. Highs 25/32 Lows 15/22 Monday; Chance of snow showers. 25/32 Lows 15/22 Tuesday: chance of snow showers. Highs 30s

24} WX_OUT

25} SUPERFUND11_INTRO

Town meeting day is more than a month away -- but one ballot item is already creating a buzz in two Vermont towns. Up for debate -- whether to have a former ASBESTOS mine in Lowell and Eden declared a federal Superfund site. Alexei Rubenstein reports.

26} SUPERFUND11_PKG

Shrouded in a coat of snow -- the Belvidere Mountain Asbestos mine -- sits dormant. But controversy over what to do with the long contaminated site is heating up. The state for years has been exploring getting the mine included on the Federal Superfund cleanup list. That would require local approval from the towns of Eden and Lowell that lie at the mountains foot. The Lamoille County Economic Development Corporation recently added an incentive. It is working with a developer on plans to use the site for a state-of-the art biomass electric generation plant. And the only way that can be accomplished is to clean up the area. At the urging of the development corporation -- Eden and Lowell plan to put the Superfund question to voters on town meeting day. ((01:47 David Halquist/LEDO "The EPA requires it to be a superfund site before they spend the significant amount of money that needs to be spent there. I mean this this is is a site were looking at 200 million for cleanup -- that a large number. not a number the local communities could carry , not a number the state could carry -- its really something the federal government would have to carry.)) But many area residents and town leaders -- who have lived next to the mine for decades -- question the need for federal intervention. Former Selectboard member Leslie White has spent the past several years researching the issue and says the lengthy disruption caused by a such a massive cleanup is just not worth it. ((17:03 Leslie White "I Just want people to know if they say yes to superfund that its a very long process and that there is going to be no immediate cleanup and the promise of jobs from a biomass plant are unrealisitc.)) Critics also question the real health risks of the status quo and say the stigma of a superfund designation could hurt property values. ((02:51 David Halquist/LEDO "I would argue the damage has been done to the real estate values at this point its really looking at your long term real estate values and saying hey if thing gets cleaned up I would argue your real estate value will go up,")) Opinion in both towns appears to be split -- with residents and town leaders coming down on either side of the issue. If approved by voters in March, the Governor would likely make a formal request to the EPA to begin the superfund process. AR --CH 3 news -- Eden

27} ESX_CVU_GBB_VO__L3RD_

Tonight in Hinesburg ...a matchup that we just might see again in a little over a month from now at Patrick Gym. The CVU girls basketball team putting it's 9-0 mark on the line against 9-1 Essex. The Hornets actually trying to avoid a two game losing streak. The Redhawks are trying to remain the only unbeaten team in D-1. --- Essex opens the game on a 9-2 run. Lauren Mills buries three. Hornets take a 7 point lead. --- But CVU answers with a 9-0 run of its own. Lazrin Schenck nails the three, then Emily Kinneston knocks down the baseline jumper. It's 11-9 CVU after one. --- second quarter, Essex goes back in front. Kara Sheftic follows her own shot for 2. Hornets back up 4. --- However, nothing stopping the Redhawks tonight. Schenck knocks down the three just as the clock expires to end the first half. CVU improves to 10-0 after the 46-34 win.

28} BHS_RICE_GBB_TAKE_VO__L3RD_

6-3 Rice hosting a struggling Burlington squad... --- The two teams playing lock down defense, Third quarter, Ajla Medic makes the steal, she goes coast to coast for the easy 2. Burlington down 6. --- But the Green Knights answer, the feed goes inside to Cassidy Derda...two of her 12 ...Hailee Barron leads the way with 16... Rice goes on to take it, 41-26 the final.

29} UVM_MEN_BU_TUES_SOT

It will be two for the price of one tomorrow night in Boston as the UVM men's and women's basketball teams head to the Hub to take on Boston University in a doubleheader at Agganis Arena. It's a huge gam for the men, who currently sit tied with B-U for second place in America East at 7-2, one game back of league leader Stony Brook. (( TRT: 23 OC: FOR THE TOURNAMENT. ))

30} VT_WOMEN_TUES_TAKE_VO

The Vermont women open the twinbill with a 5pm tipoff versus the Terriers. Coming off their win Saturday at Stony Brook, the Cats will look for payback on B-U for a one point loss at Patrick Gym early this month. Both the men's and women's games tomorrow can be seen live on ESPN3.com... the online network of the sports giant, and the women are excited to be able to share the stage with their fellow Cats.

31} CAT_BITES_TAKE_SOT

(( TRT: 20 ... OC: "THE SAME ARENA."))

32} VAZZANO_TAKE_VO

The UVM men's hockey team is preparing for a pair of games at ninth ranked UMass-Lowell this Friday and Saturday night. Today, coach Kevin Sneddon announced that sophomore goalie Alex Vazzano will get the start in net Friday. Vazzano also started this past Saturday's home game against Northeastern, making 24 saves in a 4-2 Vermont loss.

33} ICECATS_TUES_TAKE_SOT

(( TRT: 32 ... OC: JUST ANOTHER GAME.))

34} SMC_MHOC_TAKE_VO__L3RD_

college pucks tonight at Cairns...the St. Mike's men hosting Franklin Pierce... --- Knights down 2-0 midway thru the second ...Rich Rodeschini wins the face off... chases down the puck and jams in the wraparound...it's 2-1 .... --- minutes later, Franklin Pierce's Tim Sullivan gets behind the St. Mike's defense ...breaking in alone but Mike Dizgun makes the save...one of his 24... --- and with three minutes left in the period... Mark Higgins' shot along the boards is tipped in front by Alex Davidson...that ties the game at two ... and the Knights erupt for three more goals in the third to win 5-2.

35} COLLEGE_SCORES_CG

The Purple Knights men's and women's hoop teams split a doubleheader at Lowell. The women winning 60-56...the men falling 55-74... and a stunner in Keene...the top ranked Middlebury men's basketball team suffers it's first loss of the season, falling by one at Keene State 77-76.

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