Bennington Banner: State/Region

Danby company lays off two-thirds of workersWednesday, November 19 DANBY, Vt. (AP)  The economic downturn is hitting a Danby business that makes fixtures for retail and grocery store chains. The founder of the Vermont Store Fixture Corp. says 57 workers were laid off this month, leaving 30 workers at the company's Route 7 facility.The Associated PressWed, 19 Nov 2008 03:03:11 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_11020387?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_11020387?source=rss

Vermont BriefsTuesday, November 18 Vt. gets $19 million in federal housing money MONTPELIER (AP)  The state has announced a plan to spend $19 million in federal money to buy, fix and resell foreclosed homes. Jim Saudade, deputy secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, says the money will be distributed through a combination of nonprofit groups, municipalities and developers.The Associated PressTue, 18 Nov 2008 03:03:00 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_11011646?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_11011646?source=rss

Vermont BriefsTuesday, November 18 Man charged in sex assault on 5-year-old RUTLAND (AP)  A Rutland man says he's innocent of charges he sexually assaulted a girl for years, beginning when she was 5. Thirty-nine-year-old Joseph J. Maranville is charged with felony sex assault against a person younger than 16.The Associated PressTue, 18 Nov 2008 03:03:00 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_11011645?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_11011645?source=rss

Brattleboro faith community works together to shelter the homelessTuesday, November 18 BRATTLEBORO  The interfaith community of Brattleboro is coming together to provide a warm, safe place for the homeless this winter. Starting in late November, the homeless will find shelter and a hot meal at the First Baptist Church in Brattleboro. "The emergency overflow shelter will be open this winter every night," said Rev.JAIME CONE, Brattleboro ReformerTue, 18 Nov 2008 03:02:59 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_11011644?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_11011644?source=rss

Sanders wants to block bailoutTuesday, November 18 MONTPELIER (AP)  U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders says he'll introduce legislation to block payment of the second half of the Wall Street rescue package passed in October. The Vermont independent opposed the $700 billion financial industry bailout when it passed, and now is hoping to limit it to half that amount.The Associated PressTue, 18 Nov 2008 03:02:58 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_11011643?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_11011643?source=rss

Lawmakers:Rewrite Yankee radiation ruleSaturday, November 15 BRATTLEBORO  Vermont lawmakers want the state Department of Health to rewrite a rule about how radiation from Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant is measured Lawmakers say changes made to the rule never went through a formal rule-making process. On Wednesday a special legislative panel voted unanimously to declare part of the rule was unclear.BOB AUDETTE, Brattleboro ReformerSat, 15 Nov 2008 03:03:08 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10991775?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10991775?source=rss

Electric Co-op wants rate increaseSaturday, November 15 JOHNSON (AP)  The Vermont Electric Cooperative wants to raise its rates by 9.24 percent. If approved by the Public Service Board, the rate increase would go into effect on Jan. 1. Vermont Electric CEO Dave Dallquist says the cooperative recognizes these are challenging times, but the increase is needed to maintain and improve safe and reliable service.The Associated PressSat, 15 Nov 2008 03:03:08 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10991774?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10991774?source=rss

Film, discussion about living with LymeSaturday, November 15 BRATTLEBORO  For the past eight years, Linda Marcille has been looking for answers. In the summer of 2000, Marcille developed a rash on her stomach and came down with severe flu-like symptoms. She was given a number of tests which came back negative and, because her rash was not the typical bull's-eye pattern that doctors look for when treating Lyme disease,HOWARD WEISS-TISMAN, Brattleboro ReformerSat, 15 Nov 2008 03:03:07 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10991773?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10991773?source=rss

Pledge of Allegiance divides Vt. townSaturday, November 15 WOODBURY No one's sure when daily recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance fell by the wayside at Woodbury Elementary School. But efforts to restore them have erupted into a bitter dispute in this tiny (pop. 810) Vermont town, with school officials blocking the exercise from classrooms amid concerns that it holds nonparticipating children up to scorn.JOHN CURRAN, Associated Press WriterSat, 15 Nov 2008 03:03:06 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10991772?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10991772?source=rss

Vermont News in BriefSaturday, November 15 4 cited in hazing inquiry BURLINGTON (AP)  Police at the University of Vermont say they've cited four people over an apparent hazing incident involving the college's sailing club. The club was suspended two weeks ago amid allegations that underage members were required to consume alcohol, but the citations were announced Thursday.The Associated PressSat, 15 Nov 2008 03:03:01 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10991766?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10991766?source=rss

Teenager sentenced in racial caseFriday, November 14 BRATTLEBORO (AP)  A Brattleboro-area teenager accused of shouting racial epithets and showing a gun during a confrontation must serve five to six days on a prison work crew, speak publicly about his actions and participate in a diversity education program. Eighteen-year-old Larry Pratt, Jr.The Associated PressFri, 14 Nov 2008 03:05:45 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10982204?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10982204?source=rss

Four state legislative races subject of recount requestsFriday, November 14 MONTPELIER (AP)  For some candidates, it ain't over 'til it's over. Even then, it's worth looking into. Five people who ran for seats in the Vermont Legislature have filed for recounts of the Nov. 4 election, and more may follow suit as Election Day losers hope against hope that they might actually be winners.The Associated PressFri, 14 Nov 2008 03:05:44 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10982203?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10982203?source=rss

Hunting mishap added chargesFriday, November 14 GUILDHALL (AP)  A Pennsylvania man is facing additional charges from a hunting mishap last month that cost a Granby man part of his leg. Forty-six-year-old John Boppel of Ashland, Pa., was initially charged with reckless endangerment in the Oct. 22 shooting of Calvin Noble during moose season.The Associated PressFri, 14 Nov 2008 03:05:43 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10982202?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10982202?source=rss

Vt. legislators ask for radiation rule rewriteFriday, November 14 MONTPELIER (AP)  Vermont lawmakers want the state Department of Health to rewrite a rule about how radiation from Vermont Yankee is measured. And the special legislative panel wants the public to get a chance to weigh in on it. "It has very significant consequences how this rule is interpreted and whether Vermont Yankee has violated emission limits," said Rep.The Associated PressFri, 14 Nov 2008 03:05:43 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10982201?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10982201?source=rss

State plans to send inmates to AlabamaFriday, November 14 MONTPELIER (AP)  Vermont Department of Corrections officials are working on a deal to send up to 80 Vermont inmates to an Alabama prison. Corrections Commissioner Robert Hofmann told legislators Wednesday that the option will be for offenders who are "unacceptable to be placed with a majority of other prisoners.The Associated PressFri, 14 Nov 2008 03:05:43 ESThttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10982200?source=rsshttp://www.benningtonbanner.com/state/ci_10982200?source=rss