“Quantum Leap” keeps Bennington kids in school An innovative program in it’s fifth year in Bennington is being credited with returning truant students to school.
Interview: Middlebury College student on Jeopardy The answer in the form of a question is “who is Keith Williams?” The question being: This resident of Manchester Center, Vermont and freshman at Middlebury College appears tomorrow night in the semi-final round of this year’s “Jeopardy College Tournament.”
State police look for person who dropped hazmat materials on Interstates
Vermont state police were still looking yesterday for the person responsible for dropping at least five barrels of hazardous materials along two interstate highways. White barrels were dropped along Interstate 91 in Dummerston and Rockingham, and along Interstate 89 near the Hartford-Sharon line. They were discovered Saturday morning. (AP)
Expelled VTC student says he didn’t mean remarks
Rob Provost says he and his dorm-mates were just goofing around when they sprayed him with a water gun and he responded by writing some swears on a sign on their door. But Vermont Technical College officials found that Provost’s written comment could be interpreted as `gay-bashing,” and expelled him from the dorm for two weeks. His parents say they might sue the college. (AP)
Police investigate death of Berlin woman
Police in the central Vermont town of Berlin are investigating the death of a 23-year-old Montpelier woman. Police say the owners of a home on Paine Turnpike in Berlin found Mahri Jennings’ body in her car on Saturday morning and reported it to them. Police say there were no obvious signs of foul play. (AP)
Man found in Woodbury died of natural causes
Vermont state police have determined that a man whose body was found in Woodbury on Friday died of natural causes. Police have not released the identity of the 54-year-old Hardwick resident whose body was found near an abandoned vehicle near Greenwood Lake in Woodbury. (AP)
Mental health advocates say the state’s parity law successful so far
Vermont mental health advocates and others gather at the Statehouse today to discuss findings in a recent study on the state’s mental health parity law. The study commissioned by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services administration found that Vermont’s parity law has been largely successful. (AP)
Dean criticized – and praised – for off-the-cuff remarks
Democratic presidential front-runner Howard Dean is being both praised and criticized for his tendency to speak off the cuff. The former Vermont governor has had to apologize or express regret about his remarks several times in his current campaign. (AP)
Proposed Brandon substance abuse center out of the running
Rutland Regional Medical Center officials say their proposal for a new 80-bed substance abuse treatment center in Brandon is no longer in contention for approval by the state. But Health Commissioner Doctor Paul Jarris says he’s surprised they would say that. He says none of the four contenders to run the center have been knocked out of the running. (AP)
Cell phone 911 calls too much of a good thing?
Vermont public safety officials are trying to figure out what to do about too much of a good thing. Multiple drivers with cellular phones often call nine-one-one after an accident, tying up dispatchers or even prompting emergency personnel to respond repeatedly to the same incident. Officials are working on solutions to the problem. (AP)
Arsenic in N.England water to blame for high rates of bladder cancer?
A high incidence of bladder cancer in Vermont and other New England states has researchers studying whether arsenic is to blame. High levels of arsenic frequently are found in the well water many New England residents drink every day. And research has linked arsenic and bladder cancer. (AP)
Howard Dean is focusing on garnering support in Indiana.
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean’s campaign is getting cranked up in Indiana. Indiana isn’t usually a top priority for candidates this early in the campaign, since its primary isn’t until May. And it often gets largely ignored by Democrats because it tends to vote Republican. (AP)
School born from Act 60 celebrates five years by opening new facility
An independent school in Manchester born five years ago after Vermont passed the Act 60 school funding equalization law has new quarters. About 150 people gathered yesterday for an opening ceremony at the Maple Street School — which has moved to new and larger space from the converted house and portable classrooms it had occupied before. (AP)