Thu 11 P.M. News Script

Thu 10-MAY-2012 11 P.M. News Script

1} FRAT11_TECH

Good evening. I'm Darren Perron. And I'm Kristin Kelly. A scandalous survey question about rape rocked the UVM campus -- and closed a fraternity. Five months later -- we still still don't know how it happened. Or who may be responsible. Some students say the university has dropped the ball on the investigation. Education reporter Keith McGilvery has more. Keith. The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity made national headlines in December when its survey question about rape went public. Administrators promised a thorough investigation-- but few thought it would last this long. Exams end tomorrow at UVM. So, the investigation continues into summer. And some are wondering -- just what's taking so long.

2} FRAT11_PKG

December 2011. A Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity survey at the University of Vermont asking students who they would rape if they could went public-- and so to did cries for action. ((protest rally nats)) The story made national headlines and within days Sig Ep's national offices sent frat brothers packing and shut down their chapter. UVM's Associate Vice President Annie Stevens supported the move and promised an investigation of her own. ((Annie Stevens, UVM Associate Vice President for Student Life Dec. 2011 "We believe we still have more information to find out for our own processes and holding the appropriate organization or individuals accountable.")) But five months after the incident and this interview with Channel 3 there are more questions than answers. Like who was behind the hate-filled survey, how will they be held accountable, and what's taking the University so long to figure it out. Juliet Critsimilios was outraged by the survey and organized this year's Take Back the Night Rally to highlight the problem of sexual violence on campus. ((Juliet Critsimilios, UVM Take Back the Night Organizer 0628 "It's hard to feel like you're fighting a battle you know you're screaming and no one's really listening.)) The senior says University officials have failed in their responsibility to handle the investigation in a timely manor and to use the opportunity to educate everyone on campus. ((Juliet Critsimilios, UVM Take Back the Night Organizer 0141 "I was really disappointed that they just disbanded the frat entirely and they were just like okay this problem is gone now were just kind of going to wash our hands of it and have not really talked to the community about it and talk about how these ideas affect students.")) In a statement to WCAX Associate Vice President Stevens says ((Annie Stevens, UVM Associate Vice President for Student Life While the investigation may not have happened as quickly as some would like, our goal from the beginning has been to be as fair and painstakingly thorough as possible.)) Stevens goes on to say that the University has steps it can take to hold graduating seniors accountable .... ((Annie Stevens, UVM Associate Vice President for Student Life "...from keeping a student conduct record on file, which would impact law, medical, and graduate school applications and, potentially, employment, to revoking a graduate's degree.)) ((nats: campus)) UVM says four university departments are involved in the investigation and that they will work together on it over the summer but would not comment on what they've learned or what's left to do.

3} FRAT11_TAG

I spoke with a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity off camera this afternoon. He tells me he too is waiting for some kind of resolution-- pointing out that his brothers have done a lot of good in the community and that a number of them have suffered from actions they were not a part of. Darren.

4} MOLEST6_VO

Police say a swimming teacher at the Burlington Y -- molested a young student in the shower. 28-year-old Jonathan Hendricksen is also a paraeducator in Williston. Police say a 7 year-old-boy told them Hendricksen fondled him in the Y shower after a swim lesson. Hendrickson denied a charge of lewd an lascivious conduct with a child. He is no longer employed by the YMCA. Police say they took immediate action to ensure he couldn't get into the facility.

5} FIREFIGHTERS5_FONT

They say it was a practical joke. But police don't think it's funny. Three volunteer firefighters from Hyde Park are accused of luring a juvenile to the fire department -- under the pretense of helping to set up for training. Instead police say the trio shot him with air-soft guns -- and attempted to tackle and handcuff him. The boy escaped and ran away. 25-year-old Sydney Mclean-Lipinski -- and 21-year-old Nate Jobe of Hyde Park -- along with 24-year-old Joshua Kapusta of Morrisville who is not pictured -- are all charged with simple assault and attempted unlawful restraint.

6} PARKINGLOT11_VO

A good day in court for the City of Burlington. A jury awarded the city 695-thousand dollars. Burlington sued a parking lot operator -- for cheating the city. Curt Heniger of Florida had a contract to run the park and ride lot at the Burlington airport. But airport officials say for about 9 months at the end of that contract - Heniger collected fees from people who parked in the lot - but never paid the city its share. A judge still needs to ok the jury award - and Heniger could still appeal.

7} NORTHCOM11_INTRO

A major promotion for our Major General. The leader of the Vermont National Guard -- is expected to leave the state --after President Obama picked him for a top military job. Gina Bullard reports.

8} NORTHCOM11_PKG

He's well know to Vermonters, especially military families, the leader of nearly four thousand Green Mountain Boys. ((nat)) Major General Michael Dubie has been Vermont's senior guard leader for the past 5 years. Now he's getting a major national promotion. He's set to become deputy commander of Northern Command in Colorado -- which was established after the 9-11 terror attacks to help protect the United States. It's known as NORTHCOM. (57:53:27) ((Col. Stephen Pomeroy Ret./Norwich University "they're primarily responsible for 3 main areas, homeland defense civil support and disaster relief")) The news was celebrated at his alma mater -- Norwich University where he got his masters degree in international relations. (1:05:23:29) ((Col. Stephen Pomeroy Ret./Norwich University "its good news for vt")) General Dubie has overseen massive deployments of Vermont soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan -- the largest call up since World War II. And the transformation of the army guard's mission. Under Dubie's watch the Vermont Air Guard is being considered for the next generation F-35 fighter jet. Now his focus will be on national security elsewhere -- in a top U-S post. There are only nine Deputy Commanders in the country. (56:58:29) ((Col. Stephen Pomeroy Ret./Norwich University "their area of responsibility is north america. continental us, hawaii, alaska and the costal waters")) The elite position at NORTHCOM has only ever been filled by a national guard leader once before. (1:03:16:29) ((Col. Stephen Pomeroy Ret./Norwich University "a lot of the forces that are going to respond to a national emergency or disaster will be local guard forces and having a guardsman dealwith local forces really makes sense"))

9} DONTASKDONTTELL11_VO

The repeal of Don't Ask -- Don't Tell -- has not affected military morale or readiness. That's according to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. He says a new Pentagon report shows there's been no negative effects --- from lifting the ban on gays serving openly. Some military leaders were concerned it could undermine unit cohesion. The 18-year-old ban was repealed last September.

10} SYRIA5_VO

Suicide bombers killed at least 55 people in the Syrian capital of Demascus. And hundreds were injured in the twin car bomb blasts near a military intelligence building -- during the morning commute. It was the deadliest attack since the uprising began more than a year ago. The U-N negotiated a cease fire between the government -- and opposition forces a month ago - but the violence did not stop.

11} BOMBARDIER11_VO

A mega contract for Bombardier in Plattsburgh. The Bay Area Rapid Transit Authority in San Francisco-- announced on its website today -- it's spending nearly 900 MILLION dollars -- for hundreds of new rail cars being made by Bombardier. The new contract is the second major one for Bombardier recently. In March -- the Plattsburgh facility landed a 600-million contract to build cars for New York City.

12} AUCTION11_INTRO

There are some sweet deals available this weekend -- if you're in the market for some heavy construction equipment -- with a history of good work making Irene repairs. Jennifer Reading got a preview of the state auction.

13} AUCTION11_PKG

The water rose faster than anyone imagined. Vermont was caught in Irene's fury. NATS The historic storm unearthed roads, swallowed homes and wiped out bridges. Nine months ago -- the damage was overwhelming. The clean-up...daunting. Road crews worked 'round the clock to bring Vermont back to life. Now their tools are up for auction. ((Ed von Turkovich/Vt. Gov't Business Services Director 00:01:16 "A number of the dump trucks that are in the fleet that we're auctioning off on Saturday were used somewhat heroically to help communities to recover from that terrible, terrible event.")) It's a state auction -- open to everyone -- put on by the Department of Buildings and General Services. Rain or shine -- these dump trucks, pick-ups, plows, busses, boats, golf carts and cruisers -- slated for retirement -- will ALL be sold to the highest bidders. The state won't guarantee the gear -- but it will disclose any known defects. ((Ed von Turkovich/Vt. Gov't Business Services Director 00:02:58 "a lot of the equipment coming in to this auction is in great shape. It's got a lot of years and a lot of miles left.")) Saturday's sale is an absolute auction -- which means everything must go and there's no bid too low. State officials say they hope to make more than a half million dollars. Money that will go back into state coffers -- and help the Transportation Agency replenish its fleet. ((Jennifer Reading/Berlin 00:19:09 "this excavator made its way to Vermont through the federal surplus program. It's one of three former Department of Defense excavators that came from Korea. These are not up for auction but they are available to towns at a deep discount.")) ((Ed von Turkovich/Vt. Gov't Business Services Director 00:06:32 "these excavators are priced at 28,000 dollars which is roughly the cost of getting them back here from Korea.")) Officials say that's less than HALF of fair market value. The catch is...these excavators MUST to go to a municipality -- not a private buyer. But after 18 months the towns can resell them -- and re-coop their costs. ((Ed von Turkovich/Vt. Gov't Business Services Director 00:06:10 "We're hoping to find homes for them in Vermont and particularly in any of those communities that were impacted by Irene.")) A good deal on heavy equipment -- to help lighten the load of rebuilding a community. Jennifer Reading, Channel 3 News, Berlin.

14} BALSAMS11_VOFONT

You can own a piece of hotel history. Just about everything at the Balsams Resort in Dixville Notch is up for auction this Saturday. The new owners are selling the contents of the resort -- from 300-bedroom sets -- to baking equipment -- to antiques and a ski lift. The Balsams may be best know for hosting the presidential primary voting -- starting at midnight. An auction preview was held today. Another will be held tomorrow. Sharon Meyer and I will be there -- with live reports -- and a history lesson -- on the Channel 3 News at six.

15} 2WAYA

He wants to be Vermont's next Attorney General. TJ Donovan kicks off his campaign -- next. Plus -- the FDA approves the 1st drug to prevent HIV. Details next.

16} 2WAYB

A trough of low pressure is kicking up more showers throughout the region tonight. The unsettled weather will finally clear out during the second part of the day tomorrow -- heading into what will be a warmer and more sunny Mother's Day weekend. Here's a look at your wakeup weather forecast. ((CLICK)) Temperatures overnight will fall back into the lower 40s with some scattered morning showers. I'll be back with the complete forecast coming up in a few minutes.

17} TJ11_VO

Its official. Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell has a Democratic primary challenger. Chittenden County Prosecutor TJ Donovan has been holding campaign events for weeks -- but officially kicked off his run for AG tonight in Burlington. Dozens of supporters turned out. He told the crowd it's time for new blood in the A-G's office.

18} KICKOFF11_SOTVO

((TJ Donovan/Democrat for Attorney General: 6:09:25 this race is worth running, this debate is worth running. Cause it's time for a change in the Attorney General's office. After 15 years it's time for new ideas, new energy, and new engagements )) Both Donovan and Sorrell have deep family ties to the Democratic party in Burlington. This primary race will put those ties to the test. Bill Sorrell has not officially kicked off his re-election campaign.

19} TREASURER11_VO

and the race for Vermont Treasurer is heating up. Rutland City Treasurer Wendy Wilton announced her bid for STATE Treasurer this morning -- on radio station W-S-Y-B. She's been CITY treasurer for five years. She hopes to bring her success to the state level. Wilton is running against Democrat Beth Pearce. Pearce was appointed to the treasurer's job by Governor Shumlin when Jeb Spaulding gave up the office to become Shumlin's administration Secretary.

20} SAFETYAPP11_VO

Want to know if your college is safe? There's an app for that. Former UVM Police Chief Gary Margolis and his team have created the "campus sentinel" app. The free application for your smart phone and i-pad gathers security statistics for more than 4-thousand colleges and universities. Users can look at the numbers of weapons, alcohol and drug violations -- as well as property and violent crimes at schools across the country.

21} CAMPUS11_SOTVO

((Gary Margolis, Campus Sentinel App Team 0215 "The app became a way to use the technology of today and take this information this enormous amount of information and do something useful with it and make it much more understandable than it currently is.")) ((Lauren Starkey, Campus Sentinel App Team 0157 "I don't know how many parents would just sit down and do the research on their own I mean I have two kids in college and I was really shocked when I started doing research on this project about how much I didn't know.")) Users can also compare one school to another-- and even find other safety information related to studying abroad, spring break, mental health and sexual and gender violence.

22} HIV11_INTRO

An FDA Panel is recommending the agency approve the first drug to prevent HIV in health people. Bigad Shaban reports.

23} HIV11_PKG

(PKG) (TRACK) Research shows the drug Truvada can prevent the spread of HIV in high risk people. A recent three year study found the pill cut the risk of infection over 90 percent in gay men who took it daily. (SOT Dr. Robert Grant/ University of California, San Francisco) *** i think we are in an era now for the first time where we can see the end of the AIDS epidemic. (TRACK) Truvada is already approved to treat people infected with HIV . it's a combination of two older hiv drugs. HIV patients on truvada are far less likely to develop AIDS and their symptoms are reduced. ( Bigad Shaban / LA/ ONCAM BRIDGE) Every year, 50,000 people in the US get infected with HIV. That's been the trend for the past 2 decades. track some groups are concerned using travada for prevention would cause more hiv cases. Michael Weinstein,President of the Aids Healthcare Foundation fears it could lead to riskier behavior . (-----SOT: Michael Weinstein, President, AIDS Healthcare Foundation----) "If people are told to pop a pill and that's the solution , it's going to be very difficult to get people to use condoms." Studies show truvada needs to be taken daily to be effective .. many worry young , healthy people would not take the pill as recommended. (SOT Dr. Robert Grant/ University of California, San Francisco) we need to get to the point where everyone is using at least one, idealy 2 ways of preventing the spread of hiv. and health care providers also raise concerns about truvada's price tag. . it costs about $900 dollars a month. bigad shaban, cbs news , los angeles.

24} WX

25} FORECAST

Tonight: Cloudy skies. Chance of showers. Lows: 40/47 Winds: NW 10-15 mph Friday: Chance of a morning shower. Becoming partly sunny. Highs: 58/65 Winds: NW 10-15 mph Friday Night: Clearing skies. Lows: 35/42 Winds: W 10-15 mph Saturday: Sunny and warmer. Highs: 68/75 Winds: SW 5-10 mph Extended: Sunday through Thursday. Saturday Night: A few clouds, chance of showers. Lows 45/52 Sunday: Partly sunny. Highs 65/72 Lows 40/47 Monday: Partly sunny. Highs 68/75 Lows 43/50 Tuesday: Partly sunny, chance of showers. Highs 65/72 Lows 43/50 Wednesday: Partly sunny. Highs 65/72 Lows 40s Thursday: Partly sunny. Chance of showers. Highs 65/75

26} WX_OUT

27} STROKE6_INTRO

A new warning tonight about salt. Researchers say people consuming more than the recommended daily allowance -- are nearly three times more likely to suffer a stroke. Bridget Barry Caswell reports

28} STROKE6_PKG

Bill Rasmussen's life has changed dramatically since suffering his first stroke more than seven years ago. Besides his need for a wheelchair, doctors suggested some major changes to his diet. (91:03) ((Bill Rasmussen/Stroke Survivor: They wanted me to have a more balanced diet, stay away from salty food, prepared food, hot dogs)) That's because salt can increase your blood pressure -- one of the risk factors for stroke. But now, a new study suggests salt plays a more direct role in stroke risk. Researchers in Florida looked at nearly 27-hundred people. (3:02) ((Dr. Chris Commichau/FAHC Neurologist: About 90-percent of all the people in the study were over the recommended amount of sodium intake, which is about 15-hundred milligrams, which equals less than a third of a teaspoon of salt.)) That's not a lot of salt, yet those who consumed more than that Heart Association guideline of 15-hundred milligrams per day -- faced a significantly higher risk. (4:11) ((Dr. Chris Commichau/FAHC Neurologist: The association with stroke in this study was even stronger than with cardiovascular disease, heart attack -- so for neurologists this is a very important study looking specifically at the risk of stroke -- which for patients in this study resulted in almost two and a half times greater risk over a 10 year period -- that is a tremendous public health burden.)) And that greater risk goes for everyone -- the general public -- not just those who already have risk factors -- and other health issues such as diabetes. But the remedy isn't simple. You can't just put away the salt shaker at home because 80-percent of the salt we consume each day is already in our food -- in packaged foods and restaurant food. Commichau calls it a major public policy issue. (3:45) ((Commichau: I think it's really important for the public to know that they should really pay attention to the labeling and really to keep track of how much salt they're taking in.)) That's exactly what Bill Rasmussen did. (2:10) ((Reporter: You used to eat out a lot before? Yes, at least five times a week. And now? Once a week - tops.)) Big changes as researchers learn more about the food we eat and its role in America's number three killer -- strokes. BBC, Ch. 3 News, Btn

29} CELTS_HAWKS_GM6_VO__L3RD_

Game Six of the first round NBA playoff series between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks tonight at the Garden. Boston with a second straight chance to close the Hawks out and advance to the conference semifinals. The Celtics revealing earlier that Paul Pierce is dealing with a sprained knee and Avery Bradley a sprained rotator cuff ...but both played in this one... --- second quarter...C's down four when they go on a run...Pierce a part of it...gets the feed from Rajon Rondo ...two and the hard foul...a three point play... --- later, Kevin Garnett with a big block... Rondo sprinting up court...he'll hit the breaks and score...a 16-0 Boston runs puts them up ten...they'd lead by six at the half... --- closing seconds of the third...that lead down to two...Rondo... with a step back jumper right on the three point line... beats the buzzer... Celtics take a four point lead into the fourth... --- in the final stanza ...the C's look to be pulling away...Garnett leading the way...the turnaround jumper puts Boston up nine with under nine minutes left... --- but Atlanta responds with a 14-2 run...and when Al Horford's runner falls it's the Hawks that have a three point lead with two and a half minutes to left... --- once again, the Celtics look to Garnett...KG turning back the clock... another jumper with thirty seconds to go puts Boston back up one...a Ray Allen free throw makes it a two point lead... --- nine to go...Hawks with the ball...Joe Johnson drives... Pierce with the block ...Atlanta keeps the ball...Horford would be fouled on the inbounds...but miss his first free throw ... Pierce makes two to seal it...Boston wins 83-80...clinching the series in six games and moving on to the second round of the NBA playoffs. A monster game for Kevin Garnett...28 points... 14 rebounds...five blocks and three steals.

30} BULLS_SIXERS_GM6_TAKE_VO__L3RD_

so who will Boston face...Bulls-Sixers, Game Six in Philly... under thirty seconds to go..Omer Asik with the jam on the pick and roll...that puts the Bulls up three... --- Philly would answer ...then Asik would get fouled...and he would miss both free throws with seven seconds to go... --- Andre Igoudala grabs the board...pushing it right to the hoop...he draws the whistle with 2.2 seconds to go... and Igoudala sinks both foul shots...the Bulls inbound the ball but their half court heave is off the mark ... Philadelphia wins 79-78 and takes the series in six games. The Sixers become the fifth number eight seed to beat a top seed in the playoffs. It's Boston and Philly in the second round. Game One Saturday night at the Garden.

31} SOX_CLE_THURS_VO__L3RD_

Josh Beckett on the hill tonight as the Red Sox open a four game series with Cleveland at Fenway Park. Beckett, one of the central figures in last year's 'beer and fried chicken in the clubhouse' debacle, is back in the spotlight after a report surfaced that Beckett played golf one day after he was scratched from a start because of a sore back muscle. Before the game, the team honoring Carl Beane...the Sox public address announcer since 2003, Beane died of a heart attack yesterday...he was 59 ... --- to the game...and Beckett just did not have anything...1-0 in the second...Beckett serves up a two run homer to Jack Hannahan ...3-0 Indians... --- it's 5-1 in the third when Michael Brantley finds the gap in left center...two runs score...that's it for Beckett...seven runs in two and a third innings...for maybe the first time this year, Sox fans cheering Bobby Valentine when he comes out to pull Beckett...who heard the boos as he left the field... a little salt to the would...Derek Lowe gave up two runs in six...he's 5-1 this season with a 2.47 ERA as the Indians win 8-3.

32} YANKS_RAYS_THURS_TAKE_VO__L3RD_

In the Bronx, the Yankees closing out a three game series with the A-L East leading Tampa Bay Rays... bottom of the fifth, Robinson Cano breaks up a 2-2 tie with a two run home run off David Price... --- and that's plenty for C-C Sabathia...who pitches like an ace should, Josh Beckett, eight innings, two runs, ten strikeouts ... Rafael Soriano earns his first save of the season. Yanks win 5-3.

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