CALEDONIAN Black Cyan Magenta Yellow TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 CALEDONIANRECORD.COM ESTABLISHED 1837 SPORTS Miracle Shot Downs LI 75 CENTS CABOT ST. JOHNSBURY Felon Denies Hitting Girlfriend With Car Santa Fund In Full Swing PAGE B1 PAGE A3 PAGE A3 ST. JOHNSBURY PATRICIA PRUE WANTS TO PLEAD GUILTY Will Take Life Sentence Deal In Exchange For Communication With Allen PHOTO By TOdd WellingTOn Patrice Lumumba is led into Caledonia Superior Court Monday. BY ToDD WEllinGTon Staff Writer ST. JOHNSBURY Patricia Prue wants to plead guilty to murdering Melissa Jenkins in exchange for a life prison sentence but a judge wants her to undergo a competency evaluation first. Prue, who is scheduled to go to trial in LSC GRADUATE CHARGED WITH DRUG DEALING “That she would accept, at her relatively young age, a sentence of life in prison ... raises serious questions about the current scope and intensity of her disorders and symptomology.” — Defense Attorney Brian Marsicovetere March for the kidnapping and murder of Jenkins, is demanding that she be allowed to accept a plea agreement offered by prosecutors last month for the sole purpose of being allowed to communicate with her husband – convicted murderer Allen Prue – as they both serve lengthy prison sentences. The development came to light through a request for a competency evaluation filed in Caledonia Superior Court Monday by Patricia Prue’s defense attorney, Brian Marsicovetere of White River Junction. The motion details an offer on Nov. 12 by the Caledonia County State’s Attorney’s Office that Patricia Prue reSee Prue, Page A6 Patricia Prue File PHOTO NORTHEAST KINGDOM INTERSTATE ROLLOVER SNOWMOBILE SEASON BEGINS Former Soccer Star Accused Of Selling Cocaine, Heroin BY SAllY Cook news Correspondent BY ToDD WEllinGTon Staff Writer A former star soccer player at Lyndon State College has been accused of dealing cocaine and heroin from his Hill Street home. Patrice Lumumba, 24, pleaded not guilty to seven felonies in Caledonia Superior Court Monday including three counts of selling cocaine, one count of possessing cocaine, two counts of selling heroin and one count of possessing heroin. Caledonia Superior Court Judge Robert Bent set conditions of release including an order that he only be released into the custody of a responsible party if approved by the court. Lumumba would also be subject to a 24 hour curfew if released and prohibited from possessing a cell phone or using any Internet accounts. PHOTO By dAnA gRAy Capt. Brad Reed of the St. Johnsbury Fire Department maintains control of the legs of Donn Lathrop, 76, Lyndon Center, after Reed fell backward while carrying Lathrop to a waiting stretcher on Interstate 91, near Exit 20 in St. Johnsbury Monday morning. Assisting Reed is Tom Reed of CALEX. Lathrop was driving a 2009 Hyundai Accent when he lost control of the car, which left the road and rolled near some ledges in the median. Trooper David Upson investigated and reported that it appears Lathrop suffered a medical condition before losing control of the car. Lathrop was taken by ambulance to NVRH as a precaution. See Dealer, Page A6 Snowmobile clubs across Vermont are ready for the fun to begin today, the first official day Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) 4,700 miles of trails open. Frozen ground and 4 inches of groomed snow are prerequisites. So, watch for trail groomers during the day or night right up until the end of the season April 15. The latest bulletin from VAST trail manager Matt Tetrault indicated in some areas trail openings could be delayed by a week, because of downed or drooped trees due to the last soggy storm that brought down many power lines across the state. But many trails out in the open should be good to go. “Everything is marked, signed and ready to go. All we need is a little cooperation from Mother Nature,” said Ross Page, trail master of the Bayley Hazen Snowmobile Club based in Peacham. His club’s volunteers, including four new members of the team, have been busy rerouting some trails plus de-brushing the many miles of trails See Snowmobile, Page A6 VERMONT Widespread FairPoint Phone Outages Continue Across State INSIDE VOL. 177, NO. 111 TODAY: Mostly cloudy, snow and/or rain evening © T HE C ALEDONIAN -R ECORD Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . B6 Entertainment. . . . . . . B4 For the Record . . . . . . A2 Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 Television . . . . . . . . . . B5 HIGH: 35 LOW: 31 NATION MIDDLESEX, Vt. — December is normally a busy time of year at Vermont Musical Instrument Repair, with people clamoring to get their clarinets and trombones fixed up for holiday concerts. But owner Jeff Vovakes’ phone has been silent for a week. He’s one of an unknown number of Vermonters without phone service as winter storms cause system troubles and FairPoint Communications’ striking workers don’t show up to fix them. FairPoint, which offers landline phone AP PHOTO A Green Mountain Power crew cuts limbs overhanging power- and Internet service in Vermont and other lines in Waterbury Thursday. While electric crews have restored states, does not post updates several times a power following last week’s storm, FairPoint outages have day on outages, as Vermont’s electric utilities do. gone unfixed because of the ongoing strike. “I can tell you that on Friday, we were aware of 40 instances where there are individuals or businesses who have had no telephone service for a minimum of three weeks, many much longer than that,” said Jim Porter, telecommunications chief with the state Department of Public Service. Porter said about 600 consumer complaints were made to his department about FairPoint — about five times the normal amount — since locals affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Communication Workers of America went on strike in October. FairPoint did not immediately reply Monday to requests for comment. As a winter storm swept through Vermont a week ago, Vovakes’ power went out along with his phone. “The power came back on right away. I’ve never even seen a FairPoint truck,” he said. Why Oil Is Down By Half, And What It Means For You ––––– Police Storm Cafe To End Sydney Hostage Siege; 3 Dead, Including Gunman REGION BY DAVE GRAM Associated Press Page A7,8 Details on Page A2 $ 18,005,752,062,514 “The budget should be balanced; the treasury should be refilled; public debt should be reduced; and the arrogance of public officials should be controlled.” –Cicero, 106-43 B.C. See Phones, Page A6 Vermont Storm Cleanup Nearly Complete ––––– Gas Prices Fall Another 6.5 Cents In New Hampshire Page A5 NATIONAL DEBT CLOCK Population: 319,613,000 Your share: $56,336.28 He said he was working on switching at least one of two phone lines to FairPoint competitor Comcast, so that he can get his business back up to its normal eight to 20 phone calls a day and resume taking payments by credit card. “I’ve got to have credit card transactions … A majority of my customers pay by credit card,” Vovakes said. Mike Spillane, business manager with IBEW Local 2326, said he was sorry to hear of the consumer troubles with FairPoint. “At the end of the day, it’s us providing a service to our fellow brothers and sisters in Vermont,” he said. “That’s what’s important to us. We’re absolutely ticked off (and) truly sorry for what everybody’s going through.” Spillane said the company has made demands for $700 million in labor concessions WINTER CONCERT Wednesday, December 17, 7:00 p.m. Fuller Hall Hilltones, Chorus, Band, Jazz Band, String Ensemble and Bell’s Angels Free and open to the public DUE TO THE CHANCE OF BAD WEATHER ON WED., DEC. 17, WE ARE CANCELLING CHHC HOSPICE BINGO. WE ARE RESCHEUDILING IT FOR WED., JAN. 21, 2015. Black Cyan Magenta Yellow Customer Appreciation Day TUESDAY, DEC. 16 • 8-6:30 20% OFF*STOREWIDE *Cannot combine discounts. Standard exclusions apply. Natural Provisions 537 Railroad St., St. Johnsbury, VT Online? Check us out: www.caledonianrecord.com CALEDONIAN Black Cyan Magenta Yellow A2 THe ReCORd • TueSdAy, deCemBeR 16, 2014 FOR THE RECORD OBITUARIES JAMES EDWARD JACKSON BURKE 1932-2014 James Edward Jackson Burke, 82, of Baldwinsville, N.Y., passed away at home on Saturday with his family by his side. Born on Dec. 12, 1932, in Burlington, Vt., he was the son of the late Walter John and Marguerite Charland Burke. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. Jack married Rutheda Whitney on April 3, 1954 … they recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in American History. He was named to the national honor society Alpha Sigma Lambda, and received the Newcomen Award in recognition of Contributions to the Cause of Material History. After 32 years as Plant Engineer, he retired from Crouse Hinds in 1988. Following retirement, he founded CNY Genealogy Research, specializing in Irish and French Canadian Genealogy. He wrote and published two books on his own families’ genealogies. He was a member of the American Legion Post 1276, the Baldwinsville Rod and Gun Club, and a former member of the Syracuse Pistol Club. He was the Assistant Scout Master for Troops 189 and 389 of the Boy Scouts, and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. Over the years, Jack was very dedicated and involved with St. Augustine’s Parish, and was recently awarded the Immaculata Award from Bishop Cunningham. Jack’s proudest accomplishment was his family, and he loved spending summers at their family home in the Adirondacks. Survived by his loving wife Ruth Whitney Burke; his children: Michael (Kay) Burke, Kelly (Edward Sharp) Burke of Greensboro, N.C., Patricia (Bill) Karl and Brian (Robin) Burke; brother Walter (Joanne) Burke of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; grandchildren: Jamie (Bruce) DeVore, Benjamin Sharp, Jackson Sharp, Whitney Karl, Sarah Karl, Logan Karl, Natalie Karl, Lauren Burke, Kathryne Burke and Erin Burke. Services will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 17, 2014, at St. Augustine’s Church, 7333 O’Brien Road, Baldwinsville. Burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Baldwinsville. The family will recieve friends 10 a.m.-11 a.m. before the mass. Contributions: In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Augustine’s Church or the Wounded Warrior Project, 1120 G Street NW Suite 700, Washington DC 20005. MARIE ELAINE COURCHESNE REID 1921-2014 Marie Elaine Courchesne Reid, 93, of Newport, Vt. passed away peacefully on Dec. 9, 2014 in Barton, Vt. She was born on Nov. 14, 1921 in Derby, Vt. to Edmond and Marie (Moeykens) Lippens. She married Leo Courchesne on Oct. 4, 1943 who predeceased her in 1961. On Dec. 21, 1974 she married Jesse Reid who predeceased her in 1983. In 1940 she received her teacher’s certificate from Lyndon State College and in 1968 she completed her bachelor’s degree in education from Lyndon State College. She was an elementary teacher whose first year was a one room school house on Buck’s Flat in East Charleston, Vt. In 1980 she retired from Newport Elementary Schools. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and St. Mary’s Church of Newport and the Daughters of Isabella. She is survived by her children: Susan Green of St. Petersburg, Fla., James Courchesne and his wife Penelope of St. Johnsbury, Vt. and Sara Williams and her husband Jerry of St. Johnsbury, Vt. Her grandchildren: Travis and Trace Green; Ian, Payson and Sean Courchesne and Thomas and Jeremy Williams. Her great grandchildren: Robert, Madison and Sydney Green; Téa, Seth, Maya, Josh, Sean, Caitlyn and Connor Courchesne. She is also survived by her siblings: Lucille Meunier of Newport, Vt; Harold Lippens and his wife Patricia of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; Annette Trombly of Derby Line, Vt; Jeannine Martin of Bryan, Texas and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by the following siblings; Paul and Pauline in infancy, Leonard Lippens, Rosalie Guyette, Madeline Nault, by her brother-in-laws Arthur Guyette and Hazel Nault and her sister-in-laws Ruth and Freda Lippens. Funeral services were held on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 at the Curtis-BritchConverse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport. There will be a spring interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Newport on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 11 a.m. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, Vermont Division, Inc., 55 Day Lane, Williston, Vt. 05495. On-line condolences at curtis-britch.com. RICHARD MOREHOUSE JR. 1939-2014 Richard Morehouse Jr. of Concord passed away at home on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 at the age of 75. He was born in Concord, Vt. on Oct. 19, 1939, the son of Richard and Lucille (Robillard) Morehouse. Sometimes referred to as ‘Gordie, he graduated from Concord High School in 1957. Richard served in the Army until 1961 as a heavy equipment operator in Germany. When Richard returned from the service, he worked for Austin Constructions as a heavy equipment operator. Over the years Richard was a typical farmer; he could make anything work, whether as a logger, farmer, plow truck operator plowing snow at the radar base in East Haven or for the Town of Concord. Richard operated his own trucking business and his own sawmill. He enjoyed sugaring, raising and racing his own horses, hunting, fishing, anything outdoors, and especially John Deere tractors. He taught many children how to ride through 4-H program. He loved spending time with all his grandchildren and step-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Phyllis: his son Ceylon Morehouse and wife Vickie of Concord; two grandchildren Travis Morehouse and Mindy Windrows (husband James) both of Concord; great-grandchildren Evan and Marissa; his mother Lucille Morehouse of Concord; a very close aunt Dottie Morton; brother John Morehouse and Jackie Crawford of Concord; sister-in-law Marilea of Concord; three step-children and their families: Samuel Pylypczuk and Doreen Gage of Moultonborough, N.H., Richard Avery and wife Elizabeth of Madison, S.D., David Avery and wife Cindy of Alton, N.H. He was predeceased by his daughter, Wanda Cote, his father Richard, Sr., and his brother Harry. Visiting hours will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home this Friday evening from 6 to 7:45 p.m. and will conclude with a prayer service led by the Rev. Anne Hockridge. Burial will be in May at the Grove Cemetery in East St. Johnsbury. Memorial contributions could be directed to Concord F.A.S.T. Squad, PO Box 113, Concord VT 05824. Memories and condolences may be shared privately at www.saylesfh.com. The Sayles Funeral Home is located at 525 Summer St. in St. Johnsbury. LORI GERVAIS 1962-2014 Lori Gervais, 52, of Lyndonville passed away Dec. 12, 2014 after a lengthy illness. She was born on Feb. 21, 1962 in St. Albans, Vt. She was the daughter of Robert and Lucille (Badger) Gervais. She is survived by her husband Arthur Magoon of Lyndonville, one son, Scott Gervais of St. Johnsbury, one stepson, James Gray of East Haven, two stepdaughters, Katlyn and Christina Magoon of Fla., two brothers, Raymond Gervais of St. Johnsbury and Paul Gervais and his wife April of East Burke, one sister, Tina Hamel and her husband Jeremy of St. Johnsbury, and by one grandchild, Colby Gervais. A memorial Gathering will be held at the American legion located on Maple Street in St. Johnsbury on Saturday Dec. 20, 2014 from 1 to 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be marked in Arthur Magoon’s name to help with the funeral expenses for Lori. Donations may be sent to Pearson’s Funeral Home, P.O Box 336, Lyndonville, VT, 05851. Pearsons Funeral Home located at 70 Church St. in Lyndonville is in care of the arrangements. ARLENE GRACE MADORE 1936-2014 Arlene Madore, 78, of St Johnsbury died Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 at The Pines Rehabilitation and Health Center in Lyndonville, Vt. She was born in Sherburne, Vt. on Feb. 1, 1936. Daughter of Herbert and Ruth (Royce) Howe. Arlene married Edward Madore who is now deceased. Survivors include her three sons, Joseph Madore of Barre, James Madore of Northfield and Timothy Madore of Daytona Beach, Fla. and one daughter Lorraine Jensen and son in law Earl Jensen, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was predeceased by three brothers, Maurice Howe, Albert Howe and Henry Howe and two sisters, Luna Johnson and Juanita Bailey. Arlene was laid to rest in Bridgewater, Vt. at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. PREMIUM CHRISTMAS TREES Trees $15 to $28 DENNIS LEONARD OLSZOWY 1941-2014 Dennis L. Olszowy, 73, of Waterford, Vt. and formerly of East Haven, Vt. passed away on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 in the presence of his loving family. Dennis was born on March 15, 1941 in New Britain, Conn. to Walter and Constance Olszowy. He graduated from New Britain High School in 1959, and attended colleges and technical schools for engineering. Dennis served six years in the Air Force Reserve as a flight line aircraft mechanic. He was employed at Hamilton Standard for seven years, where he worked on and helped design air inlet and fuel controls for the SR71 Spy Plane, B70, F111 and fuel control for the 747. Dennis also worked on the air conditioning system for the Lunar Lander and the Apollo backpack for the space suit. During his 14 years at Raymond Engineering, he worked on several different Safing and Arming devices such as the MAU 116 for a bomb, and fusing control devices for missiles including the Tomahawk and Harpoon missiles. During Dennis’ six years as a self-employed consultant, he worked under the company name of Leonard Patrick Associates. His expertise was used in ink jet print head design, advanced copier concept design, and emergency lighting systems for military helicopter evacuation. In later years he put together computers for resale. In 1981, Dennis moved to Vermont and built his home on a peaceful mountain in East Haven, which he later shared with his mother Constance, his wife Laurie of 16 years, and his stepdaughter Megan who he has loved as his own. Dennis enjoyed tinkering, snowshoeing, going to the Weathervane Theatre, playing cribbage, and watching Boston Red Sox games. Dennis is survived by his loving wife Laurie C. Olszowy; his mother Constance L. Olszowy; his stepdaughter Megan Durocher; his brother Damon Olszowy, his sister-in-law Eydie and her husband Kevin Aremburg, as well as his nephews Adam and Ryan Aremburg; and other extended family members and close friends. Dennis was predeceased by his father, Walter C. Olszowy in 1985. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John’s Catholic Church in St. Johnsbury, Vt. on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. There will be no calling hours. Burial will take place at Maple Cemetery in Berlin, Conn. Monday, Dec. 22 at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Norris Cotton Cancer Center North, 1080 Hospital Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819; or to Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice, 161 Sherman Dr., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. Condolences and cards may be sent to P.O Box 4393, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. Arrangements are under the care of Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. Memories and condolences may be shared privately at www.saylesfh.com. Dennis requested that his sincerest thanks be extended to: the doctors and nurses of NVRH, especially those of the second floor and intensive care unit; Dr. Gregory Ripple; Father Bernard Gaudreau; Norris Cotton Cancer Center North; the Rite Aid Pharmacy staff in Lyndonville, Vt.; and his Hospice Care nurses and aides. Laurie and Megan also appreciate your compassion and care for Dennis. “I am blessed.” – Dennis L. Olszowy RUSSELL (RUSS) THERRIEN Russell (Russ) Therrien, 92, of Cabot, Vt., passed peacefully Dec. 2 at Calvin Coolidge Nursing Home, Northampton, Mass. Beloved husband for 67 years of Doris (Cheney) Therrien. Loving father of Gwenn Therrien of Wakefield, Mass., Alan Therrien and his wife Sue of Boxford, Mass., Dale Therrien and his wife Donna of St Johnsbury, Vt. and Janet Decker and her husband Al of Florence, Mass. Cherished grandfather of Heather McGinnis and husband Gary, Timothy Therrien and wife Ginger, Michele Voner and husband Jeff and Jonathan Decker. Doting great-grandfather of Gavin and Cale McGinnis, Lillie and Zachary Therrien and Daniel and Andrew Voner. He is survived by his two sisters Ruth Merryfield of Groton, Vt. and Eula Foster of Bristol, Conn., sister-in-law Mildred Therrien of Westford, Vt., plus many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brothers Wendell, David, Ralph and Everett , step-brothers Chester, Maurice and Leon Morey, brothers-in-law Ralph Merryfield and Cecil Foster, grand-daughter Gretchen Therrien and sonin-law Michael Blake. A life-long dairy farmer, he and wife Doris retired in 1984 but he continued fishing, vegetable gardening and Christmas tree farming and sales. They travelled throughout the US , eastern Canada and Puerto Rico. His favorite trip was their cruise to Alaska. But most important to him was time spent with family and friends. A memorial service and interment will be scheduled in the spring, announcement to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Russ to the Cabot United Church, PO Box 127, Cabot VT 05647, or to the Cabot Volunteer Ambulance Service, PO Box 32, Cabot VT 05647. The Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton, Mass. has been entrusted with arrangements. Come or Call Anytime 802-626-8075 PINEBERRY FARM 1514 Vertical Mile Road, Wheelock, VT www.pineberryfarm.com Periodicals postage paid at St. Johnsbury, VT, Post Office, 05819. Published daily except Sunday, New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas by The Caledonian-Record Pub. Co., Inc., P.O. Box 8, 190 Federal St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819, Tel. 802-748-8121. Publication (USPS-083020). Postmaster send address changes to: The Caledonian-Record Pub. Co., Inc., 190 Federal St., P.O. Box 8, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 Newstands and Stores: Daily...........$0.75 Home Delivery (by carrier): 4 Weeks $19.00 Mail Subscription Rates in our delivery area where no HD service is available (Postal regulations require payment in advance) 4 wks. $19.00, 13 wks. $57.00, 26 wks. $110.00, 52 wks. $212.00 All Other: 4 wks. $22.00, 13 wks. $65.00, 26 wks. $120.00, 52 wks. $235.00 Back Issues: $1.00 each, Mailed $5.00 RIGHTS TO ADVERTISING COPY Rights to layouts of advertising placed with The CaledonianRecord which are the creative effort of its staff and printing material supplied by The Caledonian-Record rest with The CaledonianRecord and may not be reproduced by photographic or similar methods without specific authorization of The Caledonian-Record. The Caledonian-Record assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertising but will reprint that part of any advertisement in which the typographical error occurs. Advertisers will please notify the management immediately of any error which may occur. Black Cyan Magenta Yellow PUBLIC MEETINGS BRIGHTON principal’s report, superintendent’s Elementary school board, Fri- report, old, new, other business, day, Dec. 19, 4 p.m. executive session if needed. CONCORd wATERfORd Planning/zoning board, ThursSchool board, Wednesday, Dec. day, Dec. 18 HAS BEEN CAN- 17, 6:30 p.m. Citizens to be heard, CELEd. principal’s report, FY fiscal report, FY16 draft expenditures budget, LOwELL announced tuition for 2015-16, upSchool board, Wednesday, Dec. date on building projects, execu17, 6 p.m. Public comments, finan- tive session if necessary. cial report, committee reports, Teak’s Lock Service (Formerly Wescott’s Lock Service) Providing you service in vehicle/home entry, lock repair, deadbolt, mortise lock & door handle installation, re-keying, master keying, carpentry work, etc. We look forward to serving you and your security needs! 802-535-8916 or 802-535-8905 (we accept all major credit cards) CALEDONIAN Black Cyan Magenta Yellow THe ReCORd • TueSdAy, deCemBeR 16, 2014 A3 LOCAL JEAN L. CLARK 1930-2014 Jean L. Clark, 84, a long-time Manchester, N.H. resident, died peacefully Monday morning, Dec. 15, 2014. Jean was born in Lyndon, Vt. on Sept. 12, 1930, the daughter of the late Harold Learmouth and Arlene (Mathews) Learmouth Jean graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont in 1949, and spent many years as a Dental Assistant in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Her greatest love and passion was for her family to whom she was fiercely loyal. She proudly celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with her loving husband William Clark on April 3, 2014. Jean is survived by her husband, Bill Clark; her two daughters Cheryl Cornish and husband Craig, and Deborah Covatis and husband Bill; 3 grandchildren, Jennifer Donovan, Nicholas Covatis and wife Kathleen, and Scott Covatis; three great-grandchildren Kylie Donovan, and Lily and Emma Covatis; her sister Carolyn Holland and husband Donald; and many nieces; nephews; and dear friends, including her best friend and confidant Jeannine Bernier of Manchester. She was predeceased by her sisters Ann Langmaid, and Phyllis Locke. Calling hours will be held from 4-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, with a memorial celebration beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Goodwin Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 607 Chestnut St., Manchester. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, 25 Walker Street, Concord, NH, 03301. Please visit www.goodwinfh.com to sign the online guestbook. Jean will be dearly missed and always remembered with a smile. CABOT SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS FELON DENIES HITTING GIRLFRIEND WITH CAR BY JEnnifER HERSEY ClEVElAnD Staff Writer PHOTO By dAnA gRAy St. Johnsbury School students Hailey Parrish, 14, and Hunter Verge, 14, carry toys into the fire department Monday to donate to the Santa Fund. The students are part of a Community Service Learning Group at the school. Group members, said advisor Eric Matte, chose the Santa Fund to support through a penny war fundraiser. Verge and Parrish joined students Alexander Gates, 13, and Callahan Beck, 13, on a shopping spree Monday, purchasing the toys for Santa Fund. Pictured in back is firefighter Conrad Lavarnway. GIVING BACK Local Forecast Today: Thickening clouds by midday. Highs in the low to mid 30s. South to southeast winds less than 10 mph. Tonight: Cloudy with snow showers or sleet likely, mixing with or changing to freezing rain or rain late. Lows from the upper 20s to the lower 30s. Light winds, variable to southeast. Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy with rain or freezing rain early, then all rain by around noon. Highs in the mid 30s. Winds remaining light, variable to southeast. Extended Forecast: Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a mix of rain and snow showers early, then snow showers likely. Lows in the mid to upper 20s. Thursday: Mostly cloudy with snow showers likely. Highs in the lower 30s. Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, snow showers likely. Lows in the low to mid 20s. Friday: Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers or flurries, mainly over high terrain. Highs in the lower 30s. Friday Night: Chance of a mountain snow shower in the evening, otherwise mostly cloudy with lows in the middle teens. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid to upper 20s. Daily Weather Highlights Clouds will be thickening by midday, ahead of surface low pressure moving eastward across the Great Lakes, and resulting in a slight chance for a rain shower toward sundown. Areas of mixed precipitation or rain will then develop across the region tonight, leading to slick travel conditions tonight and tomorrow morning. It all then appears likely to change over the rain showers by around noon. As low pressure moves into the Maritimes and the winds become northwesterly later in the week, snow showers will linger on Thursday, mainly in the north, before becoming more restricted to the mountains by Friday. High temperatures will trend slightly above average – and for the most part at least slightly above freezing – from tomorrow though Thursday, before the trending cooler for the weekend. There’s the slight chance that a coastal storm will impact the region on Sunday. However, the recent trend among the various computer models has been to push this system offshore, says Chris Bouchard of the Fairbanks Museum weather station. CONDITIONS AT 4 P.M. YESTERDAY Cloudy TEMPERATURE Temp. at 4 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Maximum past 24 hours . . . . . . . . .34 Minimum past 24 hours . . . . . . . . .25 Yesterday’s average . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Normal average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Maximum this month . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Minimum this month . . . . . . . . . . . .-6 Maximum this date (2008) . . . . . . .50 Minimum this date (1917) . . . . . . .-29 HUMIDITY 79% DEWPOINT 22 WINDS 1 mph, 4 max . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NNE BAROMETER 30.04 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steady PRECIPITATION New . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trace Total for Month . . . . . . . . . . . .2.30 in. Normal Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.49 in. SNOWFALL Past 24 Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trace Monthly Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13.1 in. Season Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29.8 in. Season Norm To Date . . . . . . .16.7 in. Snowpack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.5 in. ALMANAC Sunrise today . . . . . . . . . . . .7:17 a.m. Sunset today . . . . . . . . . . . .4:09 p.m. Length of day . . . . . . . .8 hrs. 51 min. DEGREE DAYS Average temp. difference below 65° Yesterday* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 To date since July 1 . . . . . . . . . .2248 To date last year . . . . . . . . . . . . .2459 * calculated for the day before yesterday PHOTO ByTOdd WellingTOn St. Johnsbury Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Will Rivers, left, accepts donations of toys and $100 cash from Wes and Paula Ward - owners of Wes Ward Auto on Portland Street Friday. The donations were raised by customers of the shop. The Numbers GIMME 5 (Monday) 3-12-30-31-38 DAILY PICKS (Monday) day draw — Pick 3: 6-3-6; Pick 4: 6-2-3-6 evening draw — Pick 3: 2-0-2; Pick 4: 6-1-6-4 MEADOW LEASING Littleton, N.H. Ground Level Containers 20’ - 40’ Office Trailers Storage Trailers 28’ - 48’ 1-800-762-7026 • 603-444-7026 Let Us Help You With All Your Storage Needs. 47 Years Black Cyan Magenta Yellow NEWPORT CITY — A Cabot man allegedly punched his girlfriend repeatedly, ran over her legs with his van, and then hit her with the van’s tire as she tried to escape him at a friend’s house in Greensboro Bend last Monday. On Tuesday in Essex Superior Court-Criminal Division, defendant Thomas Lussier Jr., 34, pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of aggravated domestic assault, two misdemeanor counts of domestic assault, and a misdemeanor count of driving after suspension. No bail was imposed, and Lussier was released on conditions forbidding him from contacting, abusing, harassing, or being within 300 feet of his girlfriend, Amber Cote. Lussier faces a potential maximum sentence of 35 years if convicted of all charges. Hardwick Police Department Senior Patrolman Daniel Locke responded to a 911 call from Cote at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Cote said they’ve been a couple for about a year and that Lussier had driven her north from Williamstown for a child custody hearing. They stopped at a friend’s house on Wendell Drive in Greensboro Bend to get ready because they had no electricity at their house. Cote said she and Lussier got into an argument in the driveway and Lussier punched her in the back of the head, causing her to lose the ability to hear in one ear, Locke wrote. Cote tried to walk away, but Lussier followed her and punched her in the back of the head two more times, Locke wrote. Lussier grabbed Cote’s purse and dumped its contents on the ground. As she was on her hands and knees collecting her belongings, Lussier backed his van over her legs, leaving her body partially under the vehicle, Locke wrote. Despite her injuries, Cote was able to stand, and as she attempted to walk away, Lussier drove the van’s tire into her leg, Locke wrote. Cote tried to get back into their friend’s home, and Lussier caught her on the porch, punching her in the head, records say. When Cote called 911, Lussier punched her again while she was on the phone with the police dispatcher. Cote said Lussier told her that she was “causing a scene and that this was the last time I was going to cause a scene,” Locke wrote. Lussier is a former resident of Plainfield, East Calais, Barre, Barton and Greensboro Bend. Lussier, who had tattoos that say “USDA Grade A Meat,” “Mack Daddy,” “White,” and “Pride,” has convictions on his record for two prior felonies and 17 prior misdemeanors. CALEDONIAN Black Cyan Magenta Yellow A4 THe ReCORd • TueSdAy, deCemBeR 16, 2014 Todd M. Smith, Publisher OPINION Dana Gray, Executive Editor Editorial Comment … DCF Data Breach Last month an employee for the Vermont Department of Children and Families mistakenly sent an email, to undisclosed recipients, with the social security numbers of 66 local foster parents. According to Jennifer Hersey Cleveland’s reporting, DCF knew of the security breach immediately and sent a follow-up email, explaining the mistake and asking recipients to delete the information. But the DCF didn’t notify any of the people, whose confidentiality it betrayed, for more than a month. During that time, there have reportedly been multiple attempts to steal the identities of some of those affected. It won’t disclose the names of the email recipients, to those whose identities are being hijacked, because… try to hold your laughter now… it’s confidential. Oops, sorry, DCF Commissioner Ken Schatz says. But tough luck about those falling credit scores. The department, still reeling from its systematic failures to protect tortured and murdered babies, apparently revoked the license from one foster parent who dared to complain about the breach, the failure to notify her, and the refusal of the DCF to co-operate in damage control. We wouldn’t expect anything more from the poster child for failing bureaucracies. But the DCF’s “Ghengis Khan” approach to customer relations is short-sighted and sad, as the good people it relies on to provide critical foster care are rightly going to tell the department to pound sand. We think an investigation might be in order. Rick Jensen Cigarette taxes killed Eric Garner Would police have harassed Eric Garner or his wife if the government had no financial interest in the selling of taxed cigarettes? Eric Garner posed no direct threat to police, and if Staten Island police were engaged in actual community policing instead of Officer Pantaleo’s style of aggression-policing, Garner might be alive today. Here are some painful facts about Eric Garner’s death. Some are facts that liberals viscerally reject and others are those denied by some conservatives. Eric Garner’s death was brought on by Officer Pantaleo choking him and the subsequent crush of half a dozen police officers holding his head and body to the ground. Watch the video. Read the coroner’s report. Eric Garner could just as well have had a heart attack and died had police never touched his neck. Eric Garner would likely be alive today if he were healthy. The coroner confirmed the death is a “homicide.” “Homicide” is not murder. “Homicide” simply means a person died at the hands of another. Not all homicides are crimes. Personally, I’m surprised the grand jury did not find the case worthy of at least negligent homicide. There was a report of a fight, but when police approached Garner in front of the beauty supply store on Bay Street, the cell phone video shows they were more interested in whether he had been selling “loosies,” single cigarettes from untaxed packages. That brings us to the core issue. Garner’s widow tells us that the killing of her husband had nothing to do with race. She and Eric were often harassed by police, calling them “Cigarette Man” and “Cigarette Man Wife.” Why would the police be so obsessed? Is it simply because they are immersed in quality-oflife policing? Unlikely. Is it because Mr. Garner had accumulated a resume of more than 30 arrests dating back to 1980 on charges such as assault, resisting arrest, grand larceny and multiple charges for illegally selling cigarettes? More likely. But why such anger directed toward Garner? Why did so many police officers directly supervised by a black female police sergeant at the scene need to take him down on the street unprovoked? The police are told what to enforce and this was enforcement of New York taxes. Senator Rand Paul was the first conservative to bring this up nationally. Consider this: New York City cigarettes are taxed at nearly six dollars per pack New York brings in over one and a half billion dollars in cigarette tax revenue each year. DailyFinance.com reported earlier this year that nearly 61 percent of New York smokers light up butts illegally smuggled into the state. That’s another billion dollars Democratic Mayor Bill DiBlasio can spend on whatever social needs he sees fit, like another marketing campaign against charter schools. Eric Garner and low level criminals like him are interrupting the flow of tax revenue to the liberal Democrats who use the police to quell the broken flow of tax revenue. In order for big government to “solve all of our problems,” the government needs unlimited resources: more taxes. In order for big government to collect all of these taxes, it needs enforcement: police. This is something liberal elites either deny or fear you realizing. Thus Eric Garner and his wife became enemies of the state, invoking the wrath of police who were instructed by their superiors to get such “dangerous” men and women off the street. Liberals who claimed this is all about quality-of-life policing are wrong. Arresting turnstile jumpers, for example, has resulted in recovering dozens of illegal guns over the past couple of years. Quality of life policing has shown impressive results. Abusive enforcement of these laws results in riots. Be aware that expanding government and its costs expands the number of incidents in which the” Sheriff of Nottingham’s” enforcers might justifiably kill citizens during the course of preventing the loss of tax collections … including some rogue officers doing so unjustifiably. © 2014 RiCk JenSen In My Opinion… UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE IS THE ANSWER TO PROPERTY TAX CRISIS BY RoB RoPER Here’s the puzzle the Vermont Legislature must solve regarding education finance reform: How do you lower the cost of educating our kids so we can cut taxes, while maintaining or improving high student outcomes? How do you stay within the lines of the Brigham Supreme Court decision that guarantees all students equal access to a tax base while respecting local control, yet also dealing with the reality that Vermont’s K-12 system has lost 25,000 students since passage of Act 60? The answer has been under Vermonters’ noses for nearly a century and a half. It’s parent-driven school choice. Currently, 93 Vermont towns (about 5 percent of the K-12 population) take part in a program called “town tuitioning” that allows them to send their kids to any public or approved, non-religious independent school with the publicly financed tuition dollars following the child. This system has been tested. We know it works. It is rooted in Vermont history and Vermont values. And, it is wildly popular in the communities that have it. Here’s one example of why. In the Northeast Kingdom, where a predominant number of towns are “tuitioning,” parents of high school-aged students can choose between the independent town kids than last year, two less staff members, better programs, and an overall savings of right around $200,000.” Better Outcomes. The communities that enjoy tuitioning have given rise to some of Vermont’s most dynamic education opportunities. Before the public school in Winhall “went independent” in 1998 and became a tuitioning town, the school had some of the lowest test scores in Vermont (as well as the state’s highest per pupil cost). But after a decade and a half of steady improvement (FY13), the independent Mountain School at Winhall 8th graders scored 13 points above the state average in reading, 16 points above state average in math, and 19 points above the state average in writing. And, the school is achieving these results are for significantly less than the public school average per-pupil cost. Compatible with Brigham. Almost any other funding mechanism imaginable will run into problems with the Brigham court decision that spawned Act 60. However, a statewide education tax that funds tuition scholarships to every individual child would comply with Brigham. In fact, it would go beyond the fairness of Brigham’s requirement that every kid have equal access to the tax base, and ensure every kid gets equal funding for their education (with allowances made for children with special needs). Greater Local Control. After Act 60, the idea of “local control” of education has become more of an illusion than a reality. Moving to a choice-based system should return power to the most local of levels – families and schools. Principals and local school boards need to be granted the freedom to innovate. Raising the money to fund tuitions will be a state responsibility, but how to spending it will be entirely local. Consolidation. It is a sad fact that Vermont’s k-12 system has lost roughly 25,000 students (over 20% of the population) since the passage of Act 60. As a result, some level of consolidation is necessary. By empowering parents to vote with their feet in the best interests of their kids, we will better ensure that A) consolidation is an organic, people driven process and B) the best schools will be rewarded and supported. Any major change in how we pay for and deliver education will be complicated, and moving to a school choice system will certainly be so as well. Many details will need to be worked out. But it is the simplest, most transparent, fairest option available, and the one most likely to provide the most satisfying rewards. Rob Roper is president of the Ethan Allen Institute (www.ethanallen.org) He lives in Stowe. man. Pigs look us straight in the eye and see an equal.” Think about it.a pig unlocks his cage, flies out the back of a moving truck on the interstate, runs off into the woods where he successfully evades coyotes, werewolves (I mean humans), and braves the elements. After two lonely weeks in the woods, he allows himself to be caught by friendly hunters and makes the WCAX news—not once but twice. Hello! This pig leads a more illustrious life than most of us ever will. He’s a trailblazer, adventurer, and giver of hope when we need it most. Extraordinary animals deserve a different fate. As I watched the story last week, I hoped Farmer B. wouldn’t see it. I wanted Bethany (aka Howdy) to live. But when the 2nd report aired, I was surprised the owner didn’t find Howdy’s shenanigans at all inspiring or amusing. What Burmeister from Burelli Farm in Berlin said was brutally truthful. “What happens to pigs on a farm is eventually they end up being roast pork and bacon and ham.” Well that’s hogwash! I reckon I’ll rewrite the script for a Disney fairytale version where Howdy lives out his life happier To the Editor: Winston Churchill said “Dogs than a pig in $#&!, takes flying leslook up to man. Cats look down to sons and doesn’t end up beside my pancakes. Does every animal have to share this dystopic future? If you answer yes, you need to take a long, hard look into your cold, dark soul. We share the world with many creatures and they’re simply not all meant to be fodder for our culinary desires and bottom lines. Animals teach us wonderful things. We need to spare the great ones, even if they’re tasty on a spit. Howdy’s name says it all. Hey Ya’ll, he’s trying to communicate with us. He’s clearly a social Ham who deserves a stage, not the frying pan. If Obama can pardon a turkey, surely Mr. Burmeister can find a heart (perhaps clogged by too much bacon fat) to pardon this little porky. I’m also sure there are Vermonters who would adopt this ancient symbol of wealth, good luck, happiness and honesty. I just had a birthday; I was born in the year of the pig—1971. When I blew out the candle, I wished the Governor would pardon Howdy from the smokehouse. Sure, I get it. Farmers raise animals for a living. I eat meat too, having recently enjoyed a venison supper at my brother in law’s. But there should always be exceptions to the rule. Howdy is more valu- academies, St. Johnsbury Academy and Lyndon Institute, smaller independent schools such as the East Burke School, Burke Mountain Academy (specializing in educating and training winter athletes), the Cornerstone School (focusing on kids with special needs), or from roughly eight public schools in Vermont and New Hampshire, all within reasonable driving distance. Similar choices exist for middle and elementary students. Of course, these parents can choose any approved independent or public school regardless of geography, and some have used their tuition dollars to educate children out of state or even internationally. This kind of competition spurs diversity and excellence, and every Vermont child should be able to benefit from these kinds of options. So, how does this apply to our current education financing puzzle? Lowering the Cost. Vermont’s independent schools operate using more efficient, creative business models than their public school counterparts. As such, they are successfully educating-students for roughly 15% to 30% less than the public schools. Just one year after the public elementary school in North Bennington “went independent” and adopted tuitioning based choice for the district, principal Tom Martin commented, “We have two more Letters to the Editor… Take back our schools To the Editor: In the Caledonian-Record on December 2nd front page was a picture of a care with a sign posted in the back window, Town of Sutton, Take Back Our School. The sign was the reason CNSU superintendent Victoria Scheutler told the owner of the care she had to leave school on Monday. This is all on the front page of the Caledonian-Record. If it is not correct I am sorry but that is what I read. On Wednesday, December 3, I attended a Sutton School board meeting and heard the chairperson Celeste Girrell state, the board can’t do anything until the investigation is completed. She also stated it will only get worse if we combine more schools to each district. The governor has asked for a 2 cent increase in school taxes for next year. Now I ask why shouldn’t each and every tax payer be putting out signs to take back our schools. We need local control! Our elected school board members have no say in whether our principal be suspended while an active investiga- tion is being completed only the superintendent can do that! The question was raised, who supervises the superintendent? Seems no one had an answer. It was suggested you call Secretary Rebecca Halcomb, at the Agency of Education: 802-479-1030 or email at [email protected]. When signs were put out Take Back Vermont in yards and on cars, I didn’t read or hear anyone was told to leave the state because of the signs. Why on earth in America where we are or I thought we were allowed to express our opinions and have freedom of speech would a Superintendent have the right to tell a person they have to leave school for a Take Back Our School sign? Please let’s all take a look at who is running our schools and take back our schools we need and want local control. Not one person who isn’t even a taxpayer in our town. Support our school boards and give them the control they need to run our schools! Linda Britt Sutton, Vt. When pigs fly Black Cyan Magenta Yellow See letters, Page A5 CALEDONIAN Black Cyan Magenta Yellow THe ReCORd • TueSdAy, deCemBeR 16, 2014 A5 NEW ENGLAND VERMONT REGION Storm Cleanup Nearly Complete MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The number of power outages from last week’s storms continued to dwindle Monday while the state began totaling the costs and worked to determine if the damage was severe enough to qualify for federal disaster assistance. By late afternoon Monday, the number of statewide outages dropped to 837. Green Mountain Power, the state’s largest electric utility, said a tree that fell on a line in Barnard forced the utility to cut power to about 1,500 customers in Windsor and Orange counties Monday afternoon, but once the tree had been cleared and the power turned back on their outage number dropped to 196. “This storm has caused intense damage statewide,” said GMP spokeswoman Dorothy Schnure. The Vermont Electric Cooperative said Monday its outages had dropped to about 260. The utility expects its storm costs to reach between $3 million and $4 million. Over the course of the storm that hit a week ago and continued for several days, more than 130,000 customers were without power for a time and it’s possible some customers lost power more than once, she said. Gov. Peter Shumlin and the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday to do a preliminary damage assessment, needed to determine if federal aid is warranted. “This storm was hard on tens of thousands of Vermonters, some of whom were in the dark for several days or more,” Shumlin said. “Private and municipal utilities spent millions of dollars replacing poles, paying crews, and hiring contractors from out of state in restoring power to Vermonters as quickly as they could.” Meanwhile, the Vermont Transportation Agency said keeping roads clear after last week’s storms cost the state about $2.2 million. The agency said that after the storms began, crews plowed or treated roads continuously, covering 185,000 lane miles. NEW HAMPSHIRE Overall Homeless Count Down In N.H., But Up For Veterans MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — A report on homelessness says New Hampshire’s overall homeless population has decreased by 3 percent, but says there’s been an increase among veterans and chronic cases. In a report out Monday, the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness says the overall decrease started in 2011 thanks to the collective work of agencies, policymakers and others. It says more resources are needed, including continued investment in affordable housing. The homeless count in New Hampshire was estimated at 1,685 in 2013; it’s estimated at 1,635 in 2014. Veterans make up about 11 percent of the total. “While significant federal investments have helped to house many veterans over the course of the past three years, adequately serving the flow of veterans returning from recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan remains a challenge for many communities,” the report said. “Chronic homelessness” is defined as an individual or family with at least one disabled adult who has been continuously homeless for over one year, or has experienced four episodes of homelessness in the past Letters Continued from Page A4 able alive than dead. My cousin uses farm animals in her therapy practice and I think Howdy would make a smokin’ therapist. We could all learn to be more assertive, brave, independent and self-determined. Send him to the Big Apple instead of stuffing his snout with one. He’d have a client list 10 blocks long. They say that pigs are smarter than dogs, but I would wager that this pig is smarter than most of us. If I were in his hooves, I would hope somebody would take a stand and save my curly pink tail. I am sad this story of inspiration is destined to become sausage links for muffin-topped Americans obsessed with stuffing their pie holes. If you don’t think pigs are cool, then you didn’t grow up watching the Muppets. Nor did you read Charlotte’s Web. But that’s okay, ONLINE? Check us out: ► www.caledonianrecord.com ► www.orleansrecord.com ► www.littletonrecord.com three years. The report shows that there’s been a 35 percent increase in the number of chronically homeless people in state from 2012 to 2014. The total population rose from 253 in 2012 to 341 in 2014. The biggest increases were reported in Hillsborough and Rockingham counties. The report said family homelessness had increased sharply following the most recent economic recession, but that there have been gradual decreases with the number of families living in shelters or on the streets. The state’s population of homeless people in families decreased by 10 percent from 779 people in 2012 to 704 people in 2014. There was a decrease of over 4 percent in homelessness among school-age children, the first time in several years. The coalition said next year, there will be a chance in the way that the homeless gain access to key services in New Hampshire. Known as Coordinated Access, this new system will direct people who become homeless to one regional location where they can be quickly assessed and then referred to the intervention that will best meet their unique needs. take a moment now to learn about this intelligent, loving creature in The Whole Hog by Lyall Watson. Check out the story of Esther the wonder pig, or Pru the amazing pig who saved her owner. It just might change your mind. Kristin Calkins Hartland, Vt. BRIEFS Penalties range from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the amount of money diverted. The law also requires anyone convicted to make restituMONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont’s National Life Group is going to tion. be inaugurating its new solar power installation. Over the last couple months National Life installed more than 2,000 panels University hosts social innovation challenge on about four acres of the company’s property, just south of its headquarters building in Montpelier. DURHAM, N.H. (AP) — A competition that challenges participants to The panels will produce 500 kilowatts of electricity and they will help the develop solutions to some of society’s most pressing social and environmencompany produce more than 15 percent of its own power needs. tal problems is wrapping up at the University of New Hampshire. National Life is working toward the goal set by the city of Montpelier of Finalists in the New Hampshire Social Venture Innovation Challenge will becoming the first “net zero” state capital in the country, meaning that all of present their projects at the Durham campus on Monday. They’ll also hear the energy consumed in town would be produced or offset within the city. from Eric Schwarz, founder of Citizen Schools, which provides hands-on apprenticeships to students in low-income communities. He is being honored as the “innovator of the year” by the university’s Carsey School of Public $814K offered for projects after plant closes Policy. The competition features a student track and a community track. The BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (AP) — Five Windham County projects have been top student-led project will win $5,000 cash, while the top community project selected to receive $814,000 in grants after the Vermont Yankee nuclear will get $10,000. power plant shuts down. Last year after the plant’s owner, Entergy Nuclear, announced it was closGas prices fall 6.5 cents in New Hampshire ing the plant, it agreed to contribute $10 million over five years for economic development in the county. But Gov. Peter Shumlin said when he reviewed CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Gas prices in New Hampshire have fallen 6.5 the 24 proposals, he found most didn’t offer the “transformational new jobs cents per gallon in the past week to an average of $2.69. and economic opportunity we were hoping for.” Gasbuddy.com, which surveyed 875 gas stations in New Hampshire, says He said he’s asked Commerce Secretary Paul Moulton to revamp the ap- that’s 12 cents more than the national average, which fell 8.3 cents last week plication process to encourage creative partnerships and attract new capital to $2.57 a gallon. Gas prices in New Hampshire are 69 cents per gallon lower and ideas. Grants are going to the Bellows Falls Area Development Corp.; than they were a year ago, and 24.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. the Brattleboro Development Credit Corp.; the Sustainable Timber InvestThe national average decreased 33.2 cents per gallon in the last month and ment Exchange; the Strolling of the Heifers; and United Way Windham is 67 cents a gallon less compared to a year ago. County. National Life to inaugurate new solar project Vt. girl recovering from brain surgery in Boston BOSTON (AP) — A 9-year-old girl whose friends from a Vermont music school traveled to Boston Children’s Hospital so she could finish a holiday concert she’d been unable to complete after falling ill is recovering from surgery. Sophie Fellows underwent surgery Friday to remove a brain tumor, the day after an emotional concert at the hospital. Sophie had been stricken with severe headaches during a performance earlier this month and was unable to finish. About two dozen of her fellow students and her teacher, Carolyn Bever, joined her in Boston on Thursday to finish the Christmas show. Sophie said it lifted her spirits. Her family said in a statement that Sophie was smiling and talking after surgery, and even requested chocolate pudding. Doctors say the week ahead will be critical in determine her recovery. Man walks out of store with $1K worth of toys ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Police are looking for a man suspected of stealing $1,000 worth of toys from a store in Rochester, New Hampshire. Police say surveillance photos show the man pushing a cart full of toys out of the store on Dec. 9. WOKQ-FM reports the store was a Wal-Mart. Police said when an employee confronted the man, he jumped into a nearby SUV being driven by a woman. Dartmouth accepts 483 early decision students HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — The first 483 members of Dartmouth College’s Class of 2019 have received their admission offer. The college notified early decision applicants of their acceptance on Friday. By applying through the early decision program, the applicants made Dartmouth their first choice and agreed to attend if admitted. The students were from a pool of nearly 1,900 early decision applicants, a total that was 10 percent higher than last year. Officials estimate that when they enroll in September, early decision students will comprise about 40 perGovernor to discuss financial exploitation law cent of the incoming class. Among the accepted students who attend schools CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Gov. Maggie Hassan is going to be discussing that rank students, nearly 90 percent are in the top 10 of their high school a measure she signed into law that strengthens the penalties for financially class. exploiting the elderly and other vulnerable New Hampshire citizens. The bill establishes clearer definitions of the crime of financial exploitation, which includes intentionally abusing the trust of an elderly or impaired adult to gain access to their money and assets. The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2015, makes it a crime to use the person’s money or assets for personal gain rather than to provide them with food, clothing, shelter and other care. WALL-TO-WALL Fenton Chester Ice Arena 145 College Hill Rd., Lyndonville, VT 802-626-9361 FREE CHRISTMAS PUBLIC SKATE December 25 • 6:00-7:30 SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FOOD SHELF December 20 • 4:00-6:00, bring non-perishable food or money donation and skate free. All L.I. Alumni Come Support Alumni Hockey Game – December 27 at 6:30 Special Christmas Vacation Public Skate and Stick & Puck listed on our website. Fenton Chester Skating School CLEAN Let the beauty of your carpets show this holiday season. Have them professionally cleaned by us! 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I know of no erty values already depressed by other town in Vermont that has a wind turbines. cell tower placed in such a highly T-Mobile wants to install a cell visible location. tower on property near the Lowell “It would be best for all the Fire Department, but two neighproperty owners if another location bors are fighting that choice. could be found for the T-Mobile has aptower,” Rooney conplied for an Act 250 “The impact of the cell tower on cluded. permit from the DisWhile the Act 250 your properties would be huge.” trict 7 Environmental commission does not Commission. At a re— Nancy Rooney, of New England have the authority to cent hearing, neighconsider the impact of Landmark Realty bors Edward a project on property Wesolow and Gary values, the impact on Warner Sr. questioned “Property values in Lowell took aesthetics is an Act 250 criteria. the location of the 140-foot tower a hit when the wind towers were And aesthetics affect property valin the middle of the town and installed on the mountain there ues. asked why the tower did not go Wesolow said in a letter to the and, in my professional opinion, somewhere else. haven’t recovered from that,” commission that he has other proWarner even offered another lofessionals willing to discuss the Rooney wrote. cation, with a promise to provide “The impact of the cell tower on impacts on aesthetics. the rent check from T-Mobile to Wesolow said his family is your properties would be huge. Inthe fire department. stead of views of Jay Peak from working to return the historic charThe commission held a hearing the back windows, you would be acter to one of the homes he owns, and then sought information from staring at a 140-foot-tall ugly and lamented the potential loss of T-Mobile and the neighbors. metal tower. No buyer is going to all the time and money into the Parts of Lowell are in the viewwant to purchase that,” she wrote. project if the cell tower is apshed of the 21 ridgeline wind turThe property’s sale price would proved. bines erected by Green Mountain Power on Lowell Mountain. In his response to the commission, Wesolow included a letter from his Realtor, Nancy Rooney of New England Landmark Realty of Stowe. He has two properties near the cell tower site, both listed for sale. In the letter, Rooney questioned the location of a cell tower in the center of any village – saying it would be unprecedented in Vermont. BY RoBin SMiTH Staff Writer Prue Continued from Page A1 solve the murder charges against her by pleading guilty to 1st degree murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder in exchange for a sentence of life in prison without parole. All other pending charges against Patricia Prue – including aggravated murder, improper disposal of a dead body and multiple counts of possession of child pornography – would be dismissed under the terms of the proposed deal. “The offer was promptly rejected through counsel, who was aware of Mrs. Prue’s position at the time and, to be certain, followed up with Mrs. Prue shortly thereafter to reconfirm her position,” wrote Marsicovetere in his competency motion. “On or about Dec. 8, 2014, Mrs. Prue contacted counsel and ad- vised that she wanted to accept the state’s offer. There were no interests in further negotiations that were realistic, except that Mrs. Prue wanted counsel to negotiate a sentence that permitted her and her husband to communicate in writing during their time spent in jail. This represented a stark and sudden deviation from Mrs. Prue’s prior position in this matter,” wrote Marsicovetere. Marsicovetere has been planning an insanity defense for Patricia Prue claiming she suffers from multiple personality disorder and that he was concerned that her recent attempts to accept the state’s deal were an indication of her worsening condition. “That she would accept, at her relatively young age, a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, with the only conceivable benefit being that she may write letters to her husband, and when nothing requires him to respond in kind, raises serious ques- tions about the current scope and intensity of her disorders and symptomology,” wrote Marsicovetere. “Subsequent conversations with Mrs. Prue have only reinforced the concerns.” On Monday Judge Robert Bent ordered the evaluation saying the court would be “reluctant” to accept a guilty plea from a mentally incompetent person. The hearing – to determine if Patricia Prue is mentally competent to stand trial – is now scheduled to be conducted by Dr. Jonathan Weker of Montpelier on Dec. 24, at 2 p.m. at Chittenden Correctional Facility in South Burlington. Allen Prue, was convicted by a jury in October on all charges related to the kidnapping and murder of Jenkins. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday. Prosecutors say they will ask the court to impose a sentence of life in prison without parole. Phones negotiate further. Spillane said one union offer remaining on the table would be Continued from Page A1 for workers to switch to health and that the unions have offered coverage offered by the national more than $200 million in sav- IBEW, a savings of $7 million ings to the company but that the for the company. company has not been willing to for Subscription File PHOTO Highly-tuned machines blast off in clouds of snow and smoke during snowmobile drag races in Newport last winter. Snowmobiles Continued from Page A1 through not only his town but part of neighboring Barnet as well. Those jobs took about $12,000 worth of materials and work, plus volunteers spent countless hours meeting and greeting what he called “very gracious” landowners. But, the cost of maintaining trails just got higher, as the club’s groomer suffered a major breakdown and is now in the shop to be fixed, he said. This year, volunteers also put up a billboard to generate more funds and help businesses advertise their services. “A lot of businesses benefit from snowmobiling,” Page said. “It does a lot for the economy. A lot of other clubs are doing that too.” In a report to the Vermont subcommittee on public lands in June 2013, then VAST Executive Director Alexis Nelson said the economic impact to the state from snowmobiling had been adjusted to $350 million. In 2003, a study by Johnson State College reported it was $550 million. Page said Saturday, it appears that not as many people are buying early memberships this year. Last year “early bird” sales before trails open were 99 percent of what his club expected to sell plus a few more later. Page doesn’t think lagging trail pass sales is about snow. “The biggest trouble is the economy,” Page said. “People just can’t afford to buy the equipment and pay the dues.” Fees for state residents were up $20 to $120 for a trail pass, another $200-$300 for insurance and $25 for state registration. For out-of-state residents, the trail fee is $25 more. Paige Robinson, secretary of the Caledonia County Snowmobile Trails Club, couldn’t agree more. “It gets very expensive,” she said, estimating the cost of a new snowmobile ranges between $5,000 and $15,000 depending upon the machine. “And gas, oil, TMAs (Trail Maintenance Assessments) and insurance have all gone up. Liability insurance is required, and full coverage is more depending upon the sled.” “It’s still early, but so far we’ve sold about 175 TMAs. Most years we sell about 800,” she said Saturday, three days before the early bird deadline. Robinson works a non-related full-time job and volunteers as club secretary and selling tickets. Sales of trail passes to out-of-state residents are running about five to one resident, she said. Out-ofstate residents are coming into All Around Power in St. Johnsbury and buying five, six or seven at a time. But, slow early trail pass sales aren’t telling the whole story behind snowmobiling scenes, according to All Around Power owner Spencer Hudson. “Sales are very good. I haven’t seen interest like this in 10 years,” Hudson said Monday morning. “I have more pre-sold (snowmobiles) this year than I have had in the last seven or eight years. It seems that people from down country are very excited about the coming season. That early snow we had really helped,” Hudson said enthusiastically. He said earlier that morning the Polaris representative in Vermont reported that sales are up across the state and company goals were being exceeded. Polaris, he noted was a popular brand, but that he carries several brands of machines. Waterford resident Dexter Willson, who is a member of the St. Johnsbury Sno-Blazers and active in snowmobiling since 1970, said he believes that interest in the sport might be declining at least in this part of the state. “This past year there were 24,000 trail passes sold,” he said, referring to information in a recent VAST newsletter. In 2000, there were 40,000 snowmobilers in Vermont.” dealer for Two Subscriptions! Add the eEdition for just $2.00 more! *$18 offer valid for subscribers who have not received home/mail delivery in the past 30 days Not valid with any other special offer. Every 4 weeks your credit, debit card or checking account (please send in a VOIDED check)will be charged $18 or $20 if you also chose the eEdition; after 24 weeks your account will continue to be charged and your subscription will continue at the regular EZ-Pay published rate unless you notify us otherwise. This offer is only for automatic deducible payments from a credit, debit card or checking account. Charges are posted every 4 weeks. Any outstanding account balance needs to be paid. Orleans County Record is delivered or mailed only in Orleans County. The White Mountain Record is delivered or mailed only in NH. This offer expires on 12.31.2014 Continued from Page A1 As of Monday evening Lumumba remained jailed at Northeast Regional Correctional Facility in St. Johnsbury. Caledonia County States attorney Lisa Warren had asked the judge to set bail for Lumumba at $150,000. Lumumba was a top scorer with the LSC Men’s Soccer team until graduating with a degree in human services this year. The Northern Vermont Drug Task Force targeted Lumumba this fall and allege they watched as Lumumba repeatedly drove his silver 2011 Mercedes Benz C 300 sedan from his home at 728 Hill Street in Lyndonville on multiple occasions in November to sell drugs Black Cyan Magenta Yellow In Caledonia County there were 16 clubs, now there are 13, he said. Statewide there are 128 community-based clubs, and there are 120 groomers caring for the trails. The sport though, is still evolving, he said. Willson said when he started snowmobiling in 1970, riders did not need permission to cross private land. Then when they found so many landowners were going to close trails, VAST was developed, rules of riding and liability were set out, and a board of directors was formed. And they realized they needed permission from landowners. Willson served as Caledonia County’s director from 1979-84 and then as vice president, president and treasurer of VAST. He also taught snowmobile safety for many years and still does. On Dec. 7 he taught a class of 16 in Waterford, but remembers back when he taught a class of 58 at All Around Power. The rules have changed. Now a club needs to have 25 members to be formed, but existing clubs with 10 members are grandfathered in. And riders have to be at least 12, although Willson said he’s taught much younger children in the safety class over the years. “Like schools, I hate to see small pushed into big,” said Willson, a retired teacher and school bus driver. He remembers David Greenwood took his class at 5 years old. He couldn’t read all the questions so his dad helped with that, and he knew enough correct answers to get a 96, Willson said. “The future is anybody’s guess…We have terrific snowmobiling here in Vermont. But some winters aren’t so great, so people wait to see what weather we get (before buying trail passes),” he said. “I wish I had a crystal ball and could see improvement.” Fairbanks meteorologist Steve Maleski obligingly went looking for his “crystal ball,” when asked to predict what this winter will be like. “If I was a betting man, I think odds favor near normal and maybe slightly lower temperatures for the core of winter,” Maleski said, “and, near to slightly above average snow.” So far there has been more precipitation coming down in the form of snow than rain, which is a good sign. A lot of the long term forecast would depend upon whether the fairly active south branch of the polar front goes to the south like it has been doing or moves more to the north, he noted. “It’s always tricky to predict long term forecasts,” Maleski said, explaining that even a slight variation to the north in the course of the polar front would bring more snow. As for the complaint that “back in the day” winters were always colder and there was more snow than now, Maleski said there is some truth to that. “I think we are gradually losing exceptionally cold nights. About 40 years ago, the number of 30-40 below zero mornings numbered about five per winter, but that is no longer the case,” he said. “Now there are about two mornings that are 30 below or more in five years and the frequency is dropping. The trend is 25-35 below zero (for the coldest nights), and wetter winters with more mixed precipitation,” he said. Extra work on the trails in derby Last week’s heavy snow made a great base to start the snowmobiling season, but while welcome, the snow and ice was too much of a good thing. The Drift Dusters Snowmobile Club officials said volunteers not only had to prepare the trails over the weekend but they had to clear downed trees and limbs to do it. Groomers were out in force Monday, with the trails open today. Season passes to use the network of Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) trails are available at www.driftdusters.com/TMA or at a local vendor. Staff writer Robin Smith contributed to this report. to a cooperating individual working with police. Police also tracked Lumumba’s movements using a GPS device placed on his car. On Saturday night, Dec. 13, at 11 p.m. drug task force members and members of the Vermont State Police executed a search warrant at Lumumba’s home and said they found drugs and guns including a .40 Caliber handgun in Lumumba’s closet and a .20 gauge shotgun in Lumumba’s kitchen. According to a drug task force affidavit, police said they also seized 4.3 grams of cocaine and a gram of heroin and “other bags containing heroin and cocaine in other bedrooms of the home.” The other bedrooms, according to the report, belonged to “Lumumba’s roommates.” Police said Lumumba confessed to importing and selling $700-$1,000 a week of cocaine “to college students.” But the affidavit also states that Lumumba denied selling heroin because “heroin could kill someone.” “Lumumba said that he worked for a subject that was bringing the cocaine he sold from New York,” reads the task force report. “Lumumba further said he does not deal with the main boss he only deals with someone who works for the main boss.” According to court documents, Lumumba has been employed for two years at “Frat Life Entertainment” in Burlington and Lyndonville. If convicted on all the charges Lumumba faces a possible sentence of 55 years in prison. CALEDONIAN Black Cyan Magenta Yellow THe ReCORd • TueSdAy, deCemBeR 16, 2014 A7 NATION & WORLD Police storm cafe to end Sydney hostage siege; 3 people dead, including gunman SYDNEY (AP) — The deadly siege began in the most incongruous of ways, on a sunny Monday morning inside a cheerful cafe in the heart of Australia’s largest city. An Iranian-born gunman burst in, took 17 workers and customers hostage, and forced some to hold a flag with an Islamic declaration of faith above the shop window’s festive inscription of “Merry Christmas.” It ended after midnight with a barrage of gunfire that left two hostages and the gunman dead, four others wounded, and a nation that has long prided itself on its peace rocked to its core. After waiting 16 hours, police decided to storm the Lindt Chocolat Cafe early Tuesday when they heard a number of gunshots from inside, said New South Wales state police Commissioner Andrew Scipione. A loud bang rang out, several hostages ran from the building and police swooped in amid heavy gunfire, shouts and flashes. A police bomb disposal robot also was sent into the building, but no explosives were found. “They made the call because they believed that at that time, if they didn’t enter, there would have been many more lives lost,” Scipione said. Amid Sydney siege, Aussies use IllRideWithYou hashtag to show solidarity with Muslims Some Australian social media users sent a message of solidarity to Muslims as the Sydney cafe siege went on for almost a day, offering to accompany anyone who felt intimidated on public transit. The Twitter hashtag (hash)IllRideWithYou had been used more than 90,000 times by early Tuesday, as tweeters tried to allay fears of anti-Islamic attacks on Australia’s streets. Hostages were held for more than 16 hours inside Sydney’s Lindt Chocolat Cafe by a gunman who had a flag bearing an Islamic declaration of faith that has been used in jihadi imagery. That prompted speculation that the siege could ignite retaliatory violence against Muslims. Sydney resident Rachael Jacobs wrote on Facebook that she had seen a woman on the train remove her headscarf and offered to walk with her. That spurred a Twitter campaign in which users offered to travel on public transit with those in Islamic dress who felt insecure. Users were encouraged to supply details of their travel routes to ensure their online gestures were practical. Republicans say Cruz enabled Democrats to seek confirmation of 23 nominees WASHINGTON (AP) — Unhappy Republicans say Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has given President Barack Obama a present this holiday season — a gift certificate good for confirmation of 12 judicial appointments, not long after the voters had delivered the Democrats a lump of coal in midterm elections. Cruz, a tea party favorite and potential 2016 presidential contender, disputed the claim through his spokesman on Monday. But there was no dissent that Democrats, who must turn over power to Republicans in January, were in position to confirm not only the judges, but 11 other appointees before the Senate wraps up work for the year. Among them are nominees that Republicans have sought to block for two relatively high-profile posts. They are Vivek Murthy to become surgeon general and Sarah Saldana to head Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency that will oversee the new administration policy on immigration that Cruz wants to defund. At the root of the dispute lay a combination of the Senate’s all-but-indecipherable rules, Cruz’s attempt to use their murky corners to his advantage, and a bipartisan desire of many lawmakers to finish work for the year and return home for the holidays. WORLD BRIEFS Settlement growth also was strong beyond Israel’s separation barrier, seen by many as the basis for a border between Israel and a future Palestinian state. The figures reflect Netanyahu’s continued support for settlement construction, even while repeatedly stating his commitment to the eventual establishment of an independent Palestinian state as part of a future peace agreement. They also could be a topic of discussion as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Netanyahu and European officials this week over a promised U.N. Security Council proposal dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Israeli leaders and prime ministers of all political affiliations have allowed and sometimes encouraged settlements, the U.S. and Western allies have dwindling patience for their construction. From the beginning of 2009 until the beginning of 2014 — Netanyahu returned to office in March 2009 — the Jewish settler population in the West Bank grew 23 percent, to 355,993 people. In comparison, the overall population has grown 9.6 percent to just over 8 million in that time. Figures for 2014 are not expected before late next year. US Marine charged with murder in October slaying of Filipino transgender MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine government prosecutors charged a U.S. Marine with murder Monday in the killing of a Filipino, saying the suspect acknowledged attacking the victim after he found out she was a transgender woman. Prosecutor Emilie de los Santos said there was “probable cause” that Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton, who has been detained since shortly after the October incident, killed Jennifer Laude, whose former name was Jeffrey, in the motel room where the victim’s body was found in Olongapo city, northwest of Manila. She had apparently been strangled and drowned in a toilet bowl. “It’s murder,” de los Santos told reporters after filing the charge against the 19-year-old Pemberton before a regional court. “It was aggravated by treachery, abuse of superior strength and cruelty.” Among the evidence submitted by de los Santos and other prosecutors were statements by Pemberton’s three Marine colleagues who went bar-hopping with him on Oct. 11 in Olongapo, a former liberty town when the U.S. Navy was at the vast Subic Naval base, now a bustling commercial Freeport and recreation hub. Pemberton and some of his colleagues later picked up women at a disco bar and separately checked in at nearby motels, then returned to their ship after midnight. Witnesses saw Pemberton check in with Laude at a motel room, where he was seen leaving shortly before the discovery of the killing, prosecutors said in their statement to the court. Police altering policies and procedures after heated nationwide reaction to recent killings COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — With tensions running high over the killings of blacks by police, departments around the country are changing policies and procedures to curb the use of deadly force, ease public distrust and protect officers from retaliation. New York City plans to issue stun guns to hundreds more officers. The Milwaukee department is making crisis-intervention training mandatory. And in Akron, Ohio, police have begun working in pairs on all shifts for their own safety. Police departments are constantly updating training. But some of the more recent measures have been prompted by rising anger toward police. And in some cases, departments are making sure to let the public know about these See Briefs, Page A8 SERVICE CENTER I-91 EXIT 22 ROUTE 5 • ST. JOHNSBURY, VT Nick Pilotte, Service Advisor Pat Wheelock, Service Manager • Josh Bagley, Service Authorities look for mental health clues in fight to stop ‘lone wolf’ attackers LONDON (AP) — A radical Muslim killed a soldier outside Canada’s Parliament. A right-wing extremist opened fire on buildings in Texas’ capital and tried to burn down the Mexican Consulate. An Al-Qaida-inspired assailant hacked an off-duty soldier to death in London. Police said all three were terrorists and motivated by ideology. Authorities and family members said they may have been mentally ill. A growing body of research suggests they might well have been both. New studies have challenged several decades of thinking that psychological problems are only a minor factor in the making of terrorists. The research has instead found a significant link between mental problems and “lone wolf” terrorism. Israeli settlement construction in West Bank Now academics and law enforcement officials are working to turn that recontinues surge under PM Benjamin Netanyahu search into tools to prevent deadly attacks. “It’s never an either-or in terms of ideology versus mental illness,” said JERUSALEM (AP) — The population of Jewish settlers in the occupied Ramon Spaaij, a sociologist at Australia’s Victoria University who conducted West Bank has continued to surge during Prime Minister Benjamin Ne- a major study, funded by the U.S. Justice Department, of lone wolf extremists. tanyahu’s years in office, growing at more than twice the pace of Israel’s “It’s a dangerous cocktail.” overall population, according to newly obtained official figures. RS TIRE SPECIAL! FREE WITH PURCHASE OF FOUR TIRES MOUNT & BALANCE MOST SIZES & BRANDS AVAILABLE Lube, Oil & Filter Service 18 $ 95 Includes FREE 27-Pt. Inspection • • • • Includes FREE battery check Most cars and light trucks Up to 5 qts. oil With this ad and scheduled appointment 59 Synthetic Oil Change $ • Up to 5 qts. oil & PLUS TAX 95 Purchase 4 Oil Changes Get The 5th One FREE! 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIAL $6495 (Most Cars & Light Trucks • Parts Extra) Save time –Get your alignment done while you put your winter tires on. FREE IN-TOWN PICKUP & DELIVERY Limit one offer per customer per scheduled visit. OFFERS GOOD WITH THIS AD UNTIL 12/31/14. May not be combined with other offers. SERVICE HOURS: MON.-FRI.,7:30-4:30 Black Cyan Magenta Yellow CALEDONIAN Black Cyan Magenta Yellow NATION & WORLD A8 Briefs land, which President Barack Obama has publicly backed, but it doesn’t include key Israeli — and U.S. — conditions such as Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. Continued from Page A7 An American veto would upset Palestinians and perhaps some Arab allies changes. frustrated by years of diplomatic gridlock. Several are fighting alongside the “It’s not a mistake or a coincidence that a lot of these departments are pub- U.S. right now against the Islamic State group. licizing their training or are perhaps revamping their training guidelines and Bemoaned at both ends of the spectrum, things like that in the wake of these really high-profile incidents,” said Kami Chavis Simmons, director of the criminal justice program at the Wake Forest spending bill a triumph of divided government University School of Law in North Carolina and a former federal prosecutor WASHINGTON (AP) — After drawing opposition from both ends of the in Washington. political spectrum, the $1.1 trillion spending bill cleared for President Barack Protests, largely peaceful, have flared across the country after grand juries Obama’s signature stands as a triumph of divided government. in recent weeks declined to indict white officers in the fatal shooting of 18It’s the first of its kind for a while, and may also be the last. year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and the chokehold death of “Remember this bill was put together in a bicameral, bipartisan way,” Eric Garner in New York City. Both men were black and unarmed. House Speaker John Boehner said. Large numbers of lawmakers on both Kerry, Netanyahu meet in Rome as talk of UN making Mideast peace push causes headaches ROME (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry met Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the U.S. and Israel developed their responses to a draft U.N. resolution that would set a two-year timetable for an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord. Before departing for the talks in Rome, Netanyahu took a hard line and said he would not allow others to dictate conditions for negotiations that might compromise Israel’s security. For the U.S., however, the issue is trickier. The Obama administration is reluctant to do anything right now that can be perceived as interference in Israel’s upcoming election in March, but it is being pressed by close allies to endorse a negotiating framework that largely adheres to U.S. policy. The resolution proposed by France still hasn’t been formally introduced. The draft speaks of the 1967 Mideast borders as the basis for dividing the Holiday OPEN HOUSE Thursday 3pm - 7pm Drop by the Co-op for amazing samples! Special guests – Eden Ice Cider will be pouring tastes of their perfect additions to your house table. Sample Delicious Belgian beer, our newest sparkling wine, local cheeses and more! Buy raffle tickets for beer or wine, gift baskets, get a massage, nice member sales on produce, the best beer available in St. Johnsbury, stocking stuffers galore and everything you’ll need to make this season delicious. sides of the political divide would rather forget parts of the bill, as evidenced by relatively close votes, 219-206 in the House and 56-40 in the Senate. The legislation quietly locks in billions of dollars in spending cuts that the tea party-strengthened Republicans extracted from Democrats in recent years in a tumultuous string of battles. Equally without much fuss, it reduces staffing at the agency the GOP dislikes the most, the Environmental Protection Agency, to levels last seen in 1989. Yet it maintains funding for President Barack Obama’s health care program that Republicans loathe so heartily that they shut down the government last year rather than spend any money on it. And it provides additional money for health research that Democrats favor, and most of what the administration sought to combat Ebola. Chicago thieves adopt ‘crash-and-grab’ tactics for brazen, tightly choreographed burglaries CHICAGO (AP) — All the burglars use the same audacious tactics: A vehicle crashes through a storefront in the wee hours and up to six people in dark clothing and ski masks pour out, grabbing whatever they can with the speed of a NASCAR pit crew. Then the thieves dash out over the broken glass to a waiting getaway car. Since September, at least a dozen “crash-andgrab” burglaries have been reported at retail businesses in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Some targeted high-end businesses, including a Neiman Marcus store on the famed Magnificent Mile. Others struck less affluent locations such as a pawn shop on the South Side and clothing stores on the far West Side. The thefts have made shop owners nervous, and police are still pursuing their first arrest. “Everybody’s on edge. Everybody’s worried it’s going to happen to them,” said Randy Cohen, who has been in the pawn-shop business for some 40 years and never seen this kind of fear among fellow business owners. JUNK CARS & JUNK METAL Batteries, Copper, Brass, Aluminum, Catalytic Converters Dumpster Containers Available C&M Car Crushing, Lyndonville, VT See You Thursday! 802-626-9777 802-535-9478 • 802-535-7279 490 PORTLAND ST | ST. JOHNSBURY | 748-9498 K&R Financial Services, LLC • Bookkeeping • Accounting • Tax Preparation Individuals & Small Businesses Free 1 Hour Consult! Call 802-748-4311 [email protected] The tires you need. The prices you want. GET UP TO IN MAIL-IN REBATES on four select tires when you use the Quick Lane Credit Card TUESDAy, DECEMBER 16, 2014 Why Oil Is Down By Half, And What It Means For You BY JonATHAn fAHEY AP energy Writer NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil has fallen by nearly half in just six months, a surprising and steep plunge that has consumers cheering, producers howling and economists wringing their hands over whether this is a good or bad thing. The price of a barrel of oil is just under $56, down from a summer high of $107, and lower than at any time since the U.S. was still in recession in the spring of 2009. So what’s going on? A global imbalance of supply and demand that is rippling across the world economy, for better and worse. SUPPLIES GO BOOM Years of high oil prices, interrupted briefly by the recession, inspired drillers around the world to scour the earth’s crust for more oil. They found it. Since 2008 oil companies in the U.S., for example, have increased production by 70 percent, or 3.5 million barrels of oil per day. To put that in perspective, that increase alone is more than the production of any OPEC member other than Saudi Arabia. As U.S. production was ramping up, turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa reduced supplies from Libya, Iran and elsewhere. A balance was struck: Increasing supplies from outside of OPEC and from Iraq’s recovering oil industry helped meet rising demand around the world as other OPEC supplies waivered. But now those OPEC supplies look more certain despite continuing turmoil, and those non-OPEC supplies have swamped the market. OPEC estimated last week that the world would need 28.9 million barrels of its oil per day next year, the lowest in more than a decade. At the same time, OPEC countries plan to produce 30 million barrels of oil per day next year. That supply surplus is sending global prices lower. dEMANd GOES BUST Global demand is still expected to grow next year, but by far less than many thought earlier this year. The economies of China, Japan and Western Europe – the top oil consumers after the United States – all appear to be weakening. Oil demand falls when economic growth stalls. The U.S. is still the world’s largest consumer, but more fuel-efficient cars and changing demographics mean de- mand for oil and gasoline is not increasing. The Energy Department predicts a slight decrease in gasoline demand next year even though the price is expected to be sharply lower and the economy is expected to grow. THE HAPPY CONSUMERS For drivers, shippers, airlines and other consumers of fuel, there’s nothing not to like about the drop in oil prices. The national average gasoline price has fallen for 81 straight days to $2.55 a gallon, its lowest level since October of 2009, according to AAA. It’s $1.15 a gallon cheaper than its high for the year, saving U.S. households $100 a month as they shop for holiday presents. “Any time gas prices go down that is a good thing,” said Randy Daniels, 30, who was shopping recently at the Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta. “An extra 20 or 30 bucks in my pocket goes far.” Diesel and jet fuel prices have also plunged, helping boost the profits and share prices of airlines and shippers. Heating oil is the cheapest it has been in four years, reducing home heating prices just in time for winter for many in the chilly Northeast. THE wORRIEd ECONOMISTS Falling fuel prices act like a tax cut and help boost consumer spending, which in turn accounts for 70 percent of the U.S. economy. But economists are growing concerned that there are other, more troublesome forces at play. The depth of oil’s plunge could be a signal that the global economy is struggling even more than economists think. A weak global economy could hurt the U.S. economy by reducing exports, employment and spending, which together could outweigh the economic benefits of cheaper fuel. THE PROdUCERS’ PAIN For oil companies, oil-producing states, and oil-exporting countries, the oil price collapse is painful. Oil companies generally keep producing oil from wells they’ve already drilled, but lower prices sharply reduce revenue and force them to cut back spending on new exploration projects. BP announced last week it would try to trim $1 billion in spending next year in a move that analysts say could result in thousands of job cuts. States that rely on taxes from energy production such as Alaska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas will see lower revenues and some have already had to trim budgets. VERMONT PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD NOTICE 2015 Energy Efficiency Charge Since 2000, Vermont electric bills have included an Energy Efficiency Charge (EEC). Funds collected by the charge pay for energy efficiency services designed to save money by reducing Vermont's electricity needs. This notice contains the new EEC rates that take effect starting with bills sent out February 1, 2015. Redeem your rebates at quicklane.com The EEC pays for an organization called Efficiency Vermont to provide energy efficiency services to most of the state. For more information, including technical advice, education, rebates and other financial incentives for homes, farms and businesses, contact Efficiency Vermont toll free at 1-888-921-5990 or at www.efficiencyvermont.com. Quick Lane®-installed retail purchases only. Limit one redemption per customer. $70 Michelin, Goodyear, Dunlop, Continental, Pirelli, Hankook, Yokohama, and Bridgestone tire rebate by prepaid debit card or apply to an active Owner Advantage Rewards® account. Owner Advantage Rewards payment by mail-in form only. $70 credit card rebate by prepaid debit card only. Subject to credit approval. Complete purchase must be made on the Quick Lane Credit Card. Offer valid between 10/1/14 and 12/31/14. Submit rebate by 1/31/15. Cannot be combined with any other tire manufacturer-sponsored or Quick Lane Credit Card rebate/offer. See participating Quick Lane for vehicle applications, rebate and account details. Purchase 4 Tires Get An Alignment FOR ONLY $ 69 95 MOST CARS & LIGHT TRUCKS Check camber and toe. Additional parts and labor may be required on some vehicles. Extra charges if adjustments are needed. Taxes extra. See Quick Lane Manager for details. Expires 11/30/14. VT STATE INSPECTION 34 $ ONLY 95 PROTECT YOUR TIRE INVESTMENT Promotes even handling and helps reduce tire wear. YOUR BLUE #12 IS DUE! Energy efficiency benefits Vermont in two ways: first, using less electricity lowers the bills of individuals who take steps to reduce their power use; second, and more importantly, when statewide use goes down, it reduces electric utilities' total system costs, which would otherwise be paid by all electric customers through rates. Customers of most Vermont electric utilities. Effective on February 2015 bills, the EEC rates for all customers except those of the City of Burlington Electric Department (BED) will be: Residential: Commercial: Non-demand customers Demand customers 12 ONLY PREMIUM $ 48 WIPER INCLUDES BLADES INSTALLATION 12 + TAX /EACH 39 $ • Synthetic Blend Oil Change • Tire Rotation & Pressure Check • Brake Inspection 95 or less • Vehicle Check-Up • Fluid Top-Off • Battery Test • Filter Check • Belts & Hoses Check *Retail purchases only. Up to five quarts of Motorcraft® oil and oil filter. Taxes, diesel vehicles and disposal fees extra. Hybrid battery test excluded. Offer valid by 11/30/14. Industrial: Non-demand customers Demand customers Street and Area Lights: Current EEC rates 2015 EEC rates $0.01091/kilowatt hour (kWh) $0.01173/kWh $0.00928/kWh $0.00605/kWh plus $0.9290/kilowatt (kW)/ month $0.01008/kWh $0.00648/kWh plus $1.0543/kW/month $0.00657/kWh $0.00444/kWh plus $1.0514/kW/month $0.00719/kWh $0.00484/kWh plus $1.1344/kW/month $0.0093/kWh, determined by multiplying the light wattage by 360 hours/ month $0.0101/kWh, determined by multiplying the light wattage by 360 hours/month BED customers. Effective on February 2015 bills, the EEC rates for BED customers will be: Residential: Commercial: Non-demand customers Demand customers Industrial: Non-demand customers Demand customers Street and Area Lights: Current EEC rates 2013 EEC rates $0.00798/kWh $0.00899/kWh $0.00709/kWh $0.00429/kWh plus $1.1286/kW/month $0.00809/kWh $0.00497/kWh plus $1.2370/kW/month $0.00571/kWh $0.00379/kWh plus $1.4752/kW/month $0.00650/kWh $0.00429/kWh plus $1.6896/kW/month $0.0071/kWh, determined by multiplying the light wattage by 354 hours per month $0.0081/per kWh, determined by multiplying the light wattage by 354 hours per month BED rates differ from the rest of the state because BED provides energy efficiency services to its own customers. BED customers with questions about their EEC rates or about energy efficiency services can contact BED at 802-658-0300. EEC rates are calculated separately for each customer group using each group's electric use and payments. Changes in usage within each group result in different percentage changes in EEC rates for different groups. For more information about the charge, please contact your local utility or the Vermont Department of Public Service Consumer Hotline at 1-800-622-4496. Black Cyan Magenta Yellow
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