Returning Guard members face PTSD
As hundreds of members of the Vermont National Guard get ready for deployment overseas, Guard officials are preparing to help them when they return. It’s likely some Guard members will have a difficult time readjusting. (VPR)
Interview: 1970s – golden age of movies
The late film critic Pauline Kael once labeled the 1970’s as “Hollywood’s single authentic golden age.” The decade gave birth to many classic films that were based on books, including The Godfather, Apocalypse Now and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The era will get its due this weekend as part of a conference sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council called “Movies, Books and the 70’s: Hollywood’s Golden Age.” (VPR)
Leahy plans active role on Judiciary Committee
Senator Patrick Leahy says he plans to play an active role when President Bush has an opportunity to fill a vacancy on the United States Supreme Court. Leahy says it’s critical that the president not appoint a conservative partisan to the court. (VPR)
Douglas says he’ll work with Democrats on health care
Governor Jim Douglas says one of his top legislative priorities is to make health care more accessible and more affordable in Vermont. The governor says he’ll reach out to the new Democratic majority in the Vermont House to tackle this issue and others that face the next Legislature. (VPR)
Public hearing scheduled on Vermont State Hospital’s future
The public will get a chance to weigh in on the Douglas administration’s ideas about the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury. A public hearing will be held Friday on Vermont Interactive television at 11:30 in the morning. (AP)
Brennan retires from UVM basketball
The long-time coach of the University of Vermont men’s basketball team is retiring. Coach Tom Brennan and UVM officials announced on Thursday that he would retire at the end of this season. (AP)
Regional tech academy plan dropped
Leaders of the effort to build a new Chittenden County regional technical academy say they’re dropping out of plans to find alternatives for technical education in northwestern Vermont. That decision came two days after voters rejected their plan for a $44 million school. (AP)
UVM coach search
The University of Vermont will launch a nationwide search to replace Tom Brennan, the popular men’s basketball coach who announced on Thursday he’ll retire at the end of this season. (AP)
Lawsuit over trooper shooting settled
The state of Vermont has paid $100,000 to settle a lawsuit against a state trooper who shot and killed an unarmed man in Pownal four years ago. The settlement was signed in February but just recently came to the attention of the Bennington Probate Court. It ends all the legal claims against Sergeant Robert Vargo and three other officers. (AP)
Marijuana seized
There has been another big marijuana seizure along the border with Canada. Federal agents last week seized 450 pounds of marijuana that had been hidden inside a truck trying to enter the United States at Derby Line. (AP)
Psychiatric evaluation ordered after hostage standoff
Authorities say a 31-year-old Bradford man faces several charges after firing shots inside his home and holding his three young children hostage for several hours in Thursday morning. Police said a hostage negotiator was able to get Daniel Rich to release the children, who were eight, nine and ten years old. Rich was then forced to give up when tear gas was fired into the house. (AP)
Missing man’s remains found
Remains found last week in White River Junction have been identified as those of a Williamstown man missing since January. And Vermont State Police say the death of 39-year-old John McAllister appears to be suspicious. Authorities used dental records to identify McAllister. (AP)
Baird faces 20 years in prison
A 49-year-old Poultney woman is going to prison for at least 20 years for the December 2000 shooting death of her husband. Cynthia Baird continued to proclaim her innocence at her sentencing in Vermont District Court in Rutland. (AP)