August 13, 2003 – News at a glance

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Estes to be CEO of Fletcher Allen
Trustees of Fletcher Allen Health Care have picked a Florida physician and veteran health care administrator to lead the Burlington hospital. Doctor Melinda Estes will be the hospital’s new chief executive. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)

Vermont Episcopal Church
The leader of Vermont’s Episcopal Church says there’s no indication that last week’s controversial decisions at the church’s General Convention are creating serious divisions among Vermont Episcopalians. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)

Flash flood repairs
The state of Vermont will seek federal aid to repair roads and other public property damaged during last week’s flash floods. But it’s unlikely there will be any money to help private property owners. (AP)

Wildlife rabies vaccine
The Vermont Health Department is making its annual effort to prevent the spread of rabies into neighboring Quebec. The Health Department says fishmeal that’s been laced with a rabies vaccine will be dropped from the air over several northern Vermont counties. (AP)

Uprate decision postponed
Vermont Yankee wants an extra two weeks before the state decides whether it can boost the amount of power produced at the plant. Officials at the nuclear power plant say that’s because opponents of the project claim they haven’t had an adequate opportunity to review the plan. (AP)

Nurses’ union vote
Licensed practical nurses at Vermont’s largest hospital are due to vote today on whether to become unionized. A union organizer says roughly 150 nurses at Fletcher Allen Health Care are eligible to vote on the question. (AP)

Unemployment assistance
There’s help on the way for some Vermonters who’ve been laid off from their jobs. Governor Jim Douglas announced Tuesday that former workers from George F. Adams Company and Waterbury Companies have qualified for special federal assistance. (AP)

Dean campaign
Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean is presenting his ideas on how to strengthen the country’s rural economy. The Democratic presidential hopeful will deliver a speech on the topic Wednesday in Iowa. (AP)

Methadone clinic funding
There’s more help on the way for Vermont’s only methadone clinic to treat heroin addiction. Senator Patrick Leahy announced Tuesday that the Chittenden Center in Burlington will receive $250,000 in federal funds. (AP)

Section 8 discrimination
A Vermont woman says she hopes landlords will be more receptive to prospective tenants with federal housing subsidies. That’s following the settlement of a legal complaint with a Burlington rental agency accused of discriminating against those using Section 8 vouchers. (AP)

Vermont out-of-state prisoners
Vermont prisoners who currently are being held in Virginia are likely to be moved to one of three other states. The Vermont Corrections Department says it’s gotten lower bids for holding the inmates from companies in Kentucky, Texas and Louisiana. The state currently has about 550 inmates in a prison in Virginia to ease overcrowding at Vermont prisons. (AP)

Convict seeks community
A Vermont man convicted of second-degree murder and sexual assault says he hopes to be a good neighbor after being released from prison later this week. Forty-four-year-old Robert Onorato met with concerned residents last night in Groton, where he plans to live. (AP)

Teacher misconduct hearing
Milton teacher accused of sexual assault on a minor faces firing by the school board Thursday. The board is meeting to decide how to deal with 34-year-old Jamie Lee Rugg, who pleaded innocent to the charge on Monday. He’s accused of having a sexual relationship with a drama student since she was 15 years old. She’s now 18. (AP)

Bennington Battle Monument
The town planning commission has approved plans for lighting the Bennington Battle Monument. The state still needs approval from the town zoning board of adjustment before lights can be installed. (AP)

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