Suicide Awareness in Deerfield Valley
Governor Jim Douglas has named September as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. Teenagers are especially at risk for suicide. It’s also a leading cause of death for teens and for young adults aged 24 to 35. A group in southern Vermont is working on the issue. Members say Vermont needs a statewide suicide prevention and education plan. (VPR)
Interview: Political Cartoonist Jeff Danziger
Political cartoonist Jeff Danziger has released a new book of cartoons called “Wreckage Begins With ‘W.'” Danziger was twice a Pulitzer finalist who got his start at the Times Argus and these days contributes a weekly cartoon to the Rutland Herald. Mitch Wertlieb talks with Danziger about the news book of cartoons. (VPR)
Congressional Delegation on Bush Agenda
As Republicans meet in New York for their national convention, Vermont’s congressional delegation is turning the spotlight on Bush administration policies that they say have harmed the state. The three-person delegation said Wednesday that President Bush has used moderate campaign rhetoric to conceal a radical conservative agenda. (VPR)
Dubie Supports RNC Strategy, Platform
Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie is defending a decision to highlight the terrorist attacks of September 11 during the Republican National Convention. Dubie also says he generally supports a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage that’s included the Party’s platform. (VPR)
Interview: RNC Delegate Suzanne Butterfield
All this week VPR is providing reports from some of the Vermont delegates at the Republican National Convention in New York City. One of those delegates is Suzanne Butterfield of Gaysville. Butterfield is an Environmental Commissioner in Windsor County and serves as the Secretary for the state Republican Party. VPR’s Bob Kinzel spoke with her about how her experience at the convention will affect her work for the Party in Vermont. (VPR)
‘Cruisers’ – Book Interview with Craig Nova
The new novel “Cruisers,” by Putney author Craig Nova examines the hidden line between good and evil. The book tells two stories: one of a Vermont State Trooper whose gentle nature is at odds with the potential violence inherent in his daily life; the other story arc follows a lonely, dangerous drifter haunted by the murder of his mother. Neal Charnoff talks with the author about his book. (VPR)
Vermont Yankee Hearing Requested
A nuclear watchdog group has joined the state of Vermont in asking for a formal hearing before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Vermont Yankee’s plans to boost its power output. The New England Coalition is concerned about the nuclear plant’s steam valves. (AP)
Online Sex Offender Registry
The Douglas administration says it’s prepared to establish emergency rules so that an online registry of sex offenders can be up and running as soon as possible. It’s expected that the Public Service Department – the agency tasked with running the registry – will not have completed its work until after the October 1 deadline. (AP)
Soldier Injured in Afghanistan
A retired state police officer from Danville working in Afghanistan is recovering from injuries sustained in a car bomb blast. Gerard DeLisle suffered a concussion and minor injuries Sunday when a car bomb hit the Kabul, Afghanistan, building in which he’s living. (AP)
Old Roads Discussion
A forum organized to discuss the issue of so-called ancient roads was held Wednesday night in Chester. Some local officials are trying to map and protect old rights of way that may date back centuries. But these efforts have led to surprises for some landowners whose deeds show no indication of a byway running through their property. (AP)
Coffee Roaster Expands
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters’ new warehouse is expect to allow the Waterbury company to more than triple the amount of coffee it roasts, stores and ships. The company yesterday celebrated the opening of a new, $9 million distribution center. (AP)
Anti-Bullying Law
New anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies are in place to mark the start of the new school year. The laws are meant to clarify what harassment is and how officials can better handle it. The anti-bullying law requires schools to update their discipline policies to include language on bullying. (AP)
Teacher’s Resignation Sought
More than 500 people have signed a petition seeking the resignation of a Hyde Park teacher disciplined for having sex in his classroom with a teacher’s assistant. Critics of teacher Wayne Nadeau presented the petition to Lamoille Union High School officials this week. (AP)
Marijuana Smuggling Arrest
Two Canadian truckers are facing up to five years in prison if they’re convicted of trying to smuggle about 190 pounds of marijuana into the United States. Prosecutors say Danny LeClerc and Pierre Boily hid marijuana in a compartment in their truck. (AP)
Cheryl Peters Homicide Investigation
Police are reinvigorating their investigation into the 1993 murder of Cheryl Peters in Morrisville. Thursday is the eleventh anniversary of Peters’ death. She was found shot to death in her home. Police say ten investigators are working the case. (AP)