Sun 13-MAY-2012 6 P.M. News Script

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Good evening and thank you for joining us, I'm Adam Sullivan. The chairman of the military Joint Chiefs of Staff addressed the graduating class at Norwich University today. He charged the grads to deliver in whatever field they enter. ((nat pop - pomp and circumstance)) About 400 students, half of whom are cadets, received their diplomas today. General Martin Dempsey's remarks came as part of his commencement address. The country's highest ranking military officer says whether on the battlefield-- or in the boardroom-- three principles should guide their actions.

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((3:09:28 - 3:10:01 Gen. Martin Dempsey - Chairman Military Joint Chiefs of Staff: "I ask you - actually I urge you - to be leaders of character as so many of your Norwich grads before have become. Live a uncommon life, with consequence, build trust in every relationship and everything you do. Not for yourselves but for your country. Good luck to each of you. I admire you and I salute your accomplishments. Thanks in advance for what you're going to do because I trust you.")) More than one hundred of the graduating cadets are already commissioned into the armed services. The school's valedictorian-- on the other hand-- plans on teaching elementary school students in Swanton next year. Students at several other schools throughout the state also graduated this weekend.

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A Newport Center family is homeless after a devastating fire. Officials say the fire-- on Number 12 Road-- was reported just before midnight Saturday. Upwards of forty firefighters from surrounding towns responded, but were unable to save the recently constructed home.

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((Chief Kirk Flynn / Newport Center Fire Dept.: "When I approached the scene we had heavy fire showing, and unfortunetly most of the house was already fully involved when we got here. The sad part is this is a firefigther from Newport Center so it really hits home for us and the crews have done an excellent job.")) No official word on the cause, but the chief says there is a strong possibility it was caused to a bonfire that got out of control.

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A frustrating day for drivers in South Burlington. It was bumper to bumper traffic along the entire eastbound side of Interstate-189 -- in some cases stretching all the way back to the I-89. The gridlock was triggered by an accident last night. Police say a drunk driver went over the concrete curb at the intersection of Route 7 and smashed into a utility pole -- leaving a trail of wreckage in front of the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant. The lights at the intersection remained out of commission most of the day Sunday. The driver of the car -- Philip Henry of South Burlington -- was taken to the hospital -- and faces a DUI charge.

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A Proctorsville woman is dead after an accident on Interstate 89. It happened yesterday in North Royalton. Police say the driver -- 21 year old Elizabeth Wells -- and her passenger -- Steven Pierre -- were ejected from the vehicle. Wells was pronounced dead at the scene. Pierre was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center-- and was last listed in stable condition. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. However-- witnesses told police the vehicle was travelling at a high rate of speed prior to the accident. Police says neither occupant was wearing a seat belt.

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Time is running out for New Hampshire lawmakers to reach agreement on a constitutional amendment for public school funding. The legislature is seeking more control over school spending. But they only have until the end of the month to come up with a final measure that would go before voters later this year. Formal negotiations begin next week, but private talks are already under way. Republican leaders question if the voters are there to override a potential veto by Governor John Lynch.

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The in-patient rehab center at Rutland Regional Medical Center may be closing its doors. And that has some staffers worried about the quality of care their patients will receive elsewhere. Deanna LeBlanc reports.

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Rutland Regional Medical Center's in-patient rehab was slated for a 2 million dollar state funded renovation -- but now closing the facility is it's more likely fate. ((Marilyn Trapeni/Certified Rehabilitation RN: we have blueprints we have all the specs and we've been deciding where the offices would go, that kind of thing -- so we had absolutely no idea there was consideration of this.)) Marilyn Trapeni has worked as a Certified Rehabilitation Nurse since the program's founding in 1990 -- and she says the program is too vital to the community to be cut. ((in my mind, we will have this rehab unit. We need this rehab unit.)) But Rutland Regional CEO Tom Hubner says looming cuts to medicare reimbursement for seniors -- and a new state imposed salary cap are forcing him to make a tough choice. ((19:05 Tom Hubner/RRMC CEO: this is the piece that we're really looking at as the most -- I mean, as difficult a decision as it is, as the one that feels like the right choice for us. I hate to say that because it's such a good program.)) Over 70% of the rehab's patients are seniors -- if those medicare cuts make it thru congress -- hubner says the program could not sustain itself. Add to that, he says, the hospital is 7 million dollars over a state imposed salary cap -- and cutting this program would shave 3.5 million off the top. ((Hubner:19:40 we do think here in rehab that there aer alternative providers who can care for our patients. Lower cost providers actually. 19:51)) Trapeni says most of the people in the in-patient rehab are acute -- or need a high level of care due to underlying issues like diabetes or parkinsons. ((Trapeni: 1:12 a patient has an issue at 3 oclock in the morning, a doctor is there. They can have chest xrays they can have labs, they ca have anything they need. And that can't happen at the subacute, a person needs to be a lot more stable to go to a subacute.)) She fears the area facilities are only equipped to treat less complex, or sub acute patients, and acute patients would have to travel to as fletcher allen for care, which puts an added burden on the patient and the family. Deanna LeBlanc Ch. 3 News, Rutland.

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The final decision on cutting the program has not been made. A board meeting scheduled for May 30th should determine the fate of the facility.

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coming up on the channel 3 news... Shelburne Farms opens for the season ... plus... ...taking a closer look at the regions deer herd... First here's Dave with the weather...

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Mothers day marks the beginning of this year's season at Shelburne Farms. The 14- HUNDRED acre working farm on the shores of Lake Champlain was turned into a non profit 40 years ago. It's dedicated to sharing a message about stewardship of the land. Today it offers a range of activities, ranging from wagon and walking tours of the property-- to meals and lodging. It's a popular destination for field trips from area schools, as well as for visitors from around the world

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How to manage the region's deer population will be the focus of two public hearings this week. The topics will include the 2011 hunting results-- which was more than 12 thousand deer-- and recommendations for permitting and this year's youth season. The first hearing will be held on Monday at the St. Albans Town Educational Center. The other will take place on Tuesday in Springfield at the Riverside Junior High School cafeteria. The are hosted by the Fish and Wildlife Department.

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The deadline for Vermont's moose lottery just over a month away. Hunters have until early July to apply to enter the lottery to get a permit for the fall's moose hunting season. 385 permits will be issued for the six-day hunt. Fifty permits have been proposed for an eight-day archery season. Lottery winners are expected to be announced in August. Applications are available on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department's web site.

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Thousands showed up at Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in New Hampshire this weekend to bid on the hotel's historic items. ((NATS AUCTIONEER UP FULL 3 SECS)) More than 15 hundred people showed up for Saturday's auction in Dixville Notch. 24-hundred items were being sold. The Balsams-- which is nearly 150-years-old-- is known for hosting the earliest voting in the state's first-in-the-nation presidential primary. The auction is one part of the new owners' plan to restore the historic hotel.

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((Scott Tranchemontagne/Balsam s Grand Resort Hotel: 3:25"we understand that for some people particularly people who have an emotional attachment to the Balsams, people who have come here over the years with their families, a day like today is bitter sweet. We want people to understand that the ultimate goal is to return the Balsams to its splendor as a grand resort.")) The hotel closed last year. It was sold for $2.3 million dollars to two local businessmen who hope to re-open it next year.

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TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers, mainly south and late. Low: 42/50 Wind: Light MONDAY: Cloudy. Showers likely. High: 60/68 Wind: S 5-10 mph MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Scattered showers south. Low: 47/55 Wind: S 5-10 mph TUESDAY: Rain likely. High: 60/68 Low: 40/48 Wind: Light WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny. Chance for PM showers. High: 70s Low: 40s THURSDAY: Partly sunny. High: 65/75 Low: 40s FRIDAY: Partly sunny. High: 65/75 Low: 40s SATURDAY: Partly sunny. High: 65/75 Low: 40s SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. High: 65/75

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After a year away from the game, Andy Pettitte made his return to the Yankees today. Could Seattle prevent it from being a triumphant one. Pettitte retiring after the 2010 season. The fans showing the lefty plenty of love. --- Pettitte crusing through the first three innings. He gets Dustin Ackley to strikeout here in the third. It's a scoreless game after three. --- The Mariners get to Pettitte in the fourth for a couple of runs, then in the 6th Casper Wells takes him deep for the 2 run shot. 4 runs in 7 innings of work for Pettitte As the Yankees fall to Seattle, 6-2 the final.

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The Red Sox and Indians wrapping up a 4 game series at Fenway. --- How about Boston rookie third baseman Will Middlebrooks. 3rd inning he blasts his third homerun of the season and of his career. Since being called up 9 games ago, Middlebrooks has 11 hits, 8 of them for extra basses. He also has 11 Rbi. 5-1 Sox. --- Jarrod Saltalamcchia also with a big day at the plate, 3 for 4 with a homerun a 5 runs batted in. Daniel Bard goes 6 innings as the Sox roll 12-1 taking 3 of 4 from the Indians.

23} CELTICS_RECAP_VO


The Celtics and Sixers go back at it tomorrow night at the Garden. Boston grabbing a 1-0 series lead last night in a game where experience won out over youth. Philadelphia led most of the way and was up 10 points with 11 minutes to go, but Boston scores 23 of the next 30 points. The Green getting hot from the outside first Rajon Rondo, then Kevin Garnett for 2 of his game high 29. Paul Pierce was just 3 of 11 from the field, but made the big one when it counted giving the C's a 6 point lead with about a minute to go. Rondo with another triple double, 13 points, 12 rebounds and 17 assists in the 92-91 win.

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(((TOOK THE LEAD... :19)))

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The Middlebury women's lacrosse team is off to the NCAA Semifinal round. The Panthers beating Gettysburg today, 15-9 in the regional final. The team travels to Montclair State for the final four next weekend. 1st up is Salisbury on Saturday.

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The UVM national champion ski team was featured on WCAX earlier today. The cats were apart of the CBS special, Winter champions of the NCAA. We got a inside look at that unbelievable finish in the women's 15k classic where Amy Glen beat Dartmouth's Sophie Caldwell by fewer than 2 inches. The Cats piled up an 832-point performance that March week in Bozeman, the most ever by an NCAA champion.

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A future Catatmount showed off his skills yesterday in Fair Haven. Montpelier's Colby Cunningham won the long jump and the high jump at the Slater Invitational. Cunningham is listed as an independent, because Montpelier doesn't have a track team. Instead, Colby works out with U-32. In the fall, he'll have his own team and a new facility in which to train.

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(((RIGHT NOW...:09)))

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The rain held off for a Mother's Day special event at Devil's bowl speedway this afternoon. Former NASCAR National Champion Keith Rocco competing in the The late model feature. It was his first time in Vermont. Highlights and reaction at 11. Wayne Helliwell Junior won the Subway Fresh Fit 150 yesterday at Canaan Speedway in New Hampshire. He beat Williston's Brian Hoar for the victory. Of course last week at Devil's Bowl Helliwell in the 27 edged out Joey Pole's 97 car for his first ever ACT tour win. There's a pretty strong connection between those two New Hampshire Drivers, in Fact Helliwell used to work for Joe Pole senior.

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(((AGAINST EACHOTHER ...:24)))

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It's hard work being a mom, and they often go under-appreciated. But not today. Kyle Midura asked folks in downtown Burlington how they spent the day, and what makes mom so special.

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No closed captioning available ((outcue: Happy Mothers' Day Mom x3))


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Last Update: Sun 13-MAY-2012
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