Tue 11 P.M. News Script

Tue 15-MAY-2012 11 P.M. News Script

1} BULLYSOLUTIONS11_INTRO

Good Evening I'm Kristin Kelly. And I'm Darren Perron. One in four kids will be bullied online or by cellphone. And experts say it can cause lasting emotional trauma. But who's responsible for stopping it? Jennifer Reading reports.

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With a few key strokes and a click of a mouse -- a teen's world can quickly be turned upside down. ((Jill Remick/Vt. Dept. of Education 00:37:05 "It's a real way that kids can really hurt each other.")) ((Allen Gilbert/ACLU 00:33:39 "school principals are not forensic investigators.")) ((Robert Appel/Human Rights Commission 00:18:25 "It's a very difficult problem.")) These officials are talking about cyberbullying. It's what happens when someone uses the Internet, cell phones, or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person. It is distinctly different from harrassment and hazing. ((Chanyiah Lawrence/13 years old 00:01:02 "they bully me online saying that I'm fat, I starve myself, I am whore.")) According to experts... HALF of all teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying. The majority do not tell their parents it's going on. ((Jill Remick/Vt. Dept. of Education 00:36:41 "kids can really go home and one day and have everything be fine and the next day have the whole school be aware of something someone said. So it's really become a very real problem for students.")) Last year the legislature -- as part of the education bill -- did give schools the authority to discipline students who bully others -- even if the conduct takes place outside of school. But the school MUST establish a connection between the online activity off campus -- and its interference with the victim's ability to learn and feel safe -- while at school. ((Jill Remick/Vt. Dept. of Education 00:38:23 "this is really adding a lot of work for the schools but it's also really important for the safety of their students. So schools are definitely taking this really seriously.")) Some parents are say they're frustrated that schools have the authority to intervene -- but they're not REQUIRED -- by law -- to take action. ((Tanya Lawrence/daughter bullied online 00:07:05 "so you sit here wondering what's going on and when you call them, they have no answers for you.")) But the ACLU says parents should be responsible for disciplining their kids for what happens at home -- not schools. ((Allen Gilbert/ACLU 00:31:41 "there really is a clash of rights that we have to find the balance among, as well as keeping kids safe. And that's a challenge there's no doubt about it.")) The other option is criminal prosecution. Vermont has a law against disturbing the peace through electronic means. But experts say charging kids criminally isn't the answer either. ((Robert Appel/Human Rights Commission 00:12:18 "the sanctions are either juvenile probation which are large case loads with not much supervision or taking the child from the home, which in my view is an overreaction.")) Experts agree that a zero tolerance for online bullying -- coupled with cooperation from parents -- is the only way to curb the cyberbullying crisis. ((Robert Appel/Human Rights Commission 00:15:10 "I remain optimistic that school communities can work through this without the heavy hand of the state getting involved."))

3} BUS11_INTRO

A bus ride to school turned into a dangerous adventure for dozens of kids. One of those students -- took matters into her own hands. And tonight -- was honored for her heroic efforts. Matt Henson explains.

4} BUS11_PKG

((11:08 Thank you so much)) Praise continues to pour in for 17 year old Jennifer Cowling. ((Jennifer Cowling/Steered Bus to Safety 11:32 "I walk in the hallway and I hear hero.")) That's because of the sophomore's quick-thinking on Friday. She was on a bus -- with about 25 other students -- on a routine trip from the Cadyville area to the Saranac Central School -- when something went horribly wrong. ((Austin Duquette/6th Grader on Bus 22:20 "She was just swerving and the cars were going off the road.")) The bus was almost to the school -- when the driver suffered a medical condition and passed out at the wheel near Picketts Corners. ((Ryan Trudeau/1st Grader on Bus 19:02 "Her head was down and the bus was going really slow.")) That's when Cowling jumped into action. ((Austin Duquette/6th Grader on Bus 22:50 "I saw Jennifer say someone has to stop the bus.")) The sophomore realized she had to bring the bus full of elementary and middle schools students to safety. The bus had already traveled several hundred yards out of control on busy Route 3. ((Jennifer Cowling/Steered Bus to Safety 13:35 She was headed into the left lane again, so I pulled it back that. 12:32 "I pushed on the brake pedal and just kids of took the keys out.")) ((Matt Henson/Saranac, N.Y. " What makes this story even more incredible - Cowling has never driven a car before. The 17 year old doesn't have her licenses or even a learner's permit. She has only taken a few courses online.")) ((Nats)) Tuesday night - the Saranac Central School Board honored Cowling for her heroic actions. They presented her with the district's KUDOS award. It's given to a student, faculty or community member who goes above and beyond. ((clapping)) Some of the passengers who were on the bus with Jennifer -- were there to say thank you. ((Kaitlyn Guynup/8th Grader on Bus 26:50 "If she wasn't on the bus, nobody would have done anything and we would have just sat there and watched it all happen and could have died.")) Kids -- and a community grateful for their hometown hero. ((Jennifer Cowling/Steered Bus to Safety 12:43 "I actually didn't think about it at the time, I just kind of reacted.")) Matt Henson - Channel 3 News - Saranac, New York.

5} BUS11_TAG

The bus driver - whose name is not being released - is ok. She actually visited Jennifer over the weekend to thank her for being her guardian angel.

6} POETRY11_SOTVO

A big night for the Vermont state poetry champion -- Claude Mumbere came in second -- in the national finals in Washington DC. ((0204054, Claude Mumbere/Poetry Out Loud Competitor: She walks in beauty like the night of cloudless climbs and starry skies..)) Claude Mumbere is a Burlington High School senior. He recited Lord Byron's "She Walks In Beauty" -- in the last of three rounds tonight. The National Poetry Out Loud contest draws state champions from across the country together for two days of competition. Mumbere was born in the Congo - but moved to the US 8 years ago. His second place finish gives him some big bragging rights -- and a cool 10-thousand-dollars in prize money. Congratulations Claude!

7} TROOPER11_WHITE

A Vermont state trooper resigned today -- amid controversy --and a possible criminal investigation. Senior Trooper Eric Howley has been on administrative leave since April. Officials won't say why. The case is being handled by the Attorney General's office. Howley has been a trooper since 2005. And has been in hot water before -- accused of excessive force the same year he was hired.

8} STABBING11_VO

A Plattsburgh man remains in intensive care after being stabbed numerous times. It happened in downtown Plattsburgh -- near the intersection of Margaret and Brinkerhoff Streets. 37 year old Michael Astwood was stabbed three times in the upper torso -- and is in intensive care. 26 year old Hakim Lee of Plattsburgh was cut on his wrist - and is out of the hospital. Police are looking for two suspects. Investigators believe the attacks followed an altercation at a bar the week before.

9} ROBBERY5_VO

Police hope you can help them catch a robber. The suspect hit the Champlain Farms store on Route 78 in Swaton just before 3 this morning. The masked man walked in carrying a crowbar -- and demanded cash from the register -- and a few packs of cigarettes. He then took off on foot. This store was also robbed on March 29th. That suspect was armed with a gun, wearing camouflage and had a red bandanna over his face.

10} CITIZEN5_VO

A Springfield man took the law into his own hands. Nic Gomez used his training in mixed martial arts to take down an armed robber Monday night at a gas station. He restrained Mckennie Gabert of Saxtons River. And he and a friend got her gun -- before police arrived on the scene. Gomez was not seriously hurt. But police say -- he could have been.

11} ARREST5_SOTVO

((Douglas Johnston/Springfield Police Chief: when these types of things occur to make sure you get a good description of the person, which way they were travelling if a vehicle was involved that sort of thing versus interacting with the offender or suspect at the time.)) Gabert was arraigned today. She's being held on 10-thousand dollars bail.

12} ELDERABUSE5_INTRO

Elder abuse is on the rise in Vermont -- but a new law aims to reverse the trend. Gina Bullard has more.

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(31:23:22) ((Glori Law & Susan Petrie/Father Abused "he was an old vermonter")) Glori Law and Susan Petrie's father was living in a nursing home just 10 days -- when they learned he was being attacked by another resident who was mentally unstable. (27:41:24) ((Glori Law & Susan Petrie/Father Abused "my dad had bruises on his face when he was in the funeral home")) They later discovered it wasn't a first time offense. (29:42:01) ((Glori Law & Susan Petrie/Father Abused "this person was quite violent and had been doing this there were a lot of people that had been attacked")) And unfortunately, a medical examiner ruled the attacks were the cause of their father -- Daniel Wright's -- death. But on Tuesday... Change. (26:10:18) ((Glori Law & Susan Petrie/Father Abused "today is closure -- i felt very guilty because i was the one who made the decision for him to go into the nursing home")) With the stroke of a pen -- H.413 became law. The measure creates civil action against those who are abused, neglected or exploited. (14:45:14) ((Governor Peter Shumlin "this bill will hold nursing homes, owners and operators accountable for allowing patterns of abuse and neglect to exist in their facilities")) (23:54:20) ((Linda Purdy/Assistant Attorney General "we're seeing more and more cases and more severe cases")) (24:49:04) ((Linda Purdy/Assistant Attorney General "now with h413 we can have the proper civil enforcement tools and it will be much easier and be quicker in our response to these types of situations ")) An overdue step for this family... (30:02:06) ((Glori Law & Susan Petrie/Father Abused "i think we would have had him longer if this hadn't happened.)) Gina Bullard Channel 3 News Shelburne

14} 2WAYA

He knows Vermont like the back of his hand. Still ahead -- our longtime state archivist -- announces his retirement. And the U-S wages war on Alzheimers. Next.

15} 2WAYB

It was another soggy Tuesday with most spots picking up between a quarter to two-thirds of an inch of rain. We'll get a break to start the day on Wednesday, but there is more wet weather ahead by the afternoon. Here's the wake up weather. Skies will be partly sunny. Temperatures will start the day in the mid 50s. Things are looking much drier for the end of the week. The full weather forecast is coming up.

16} NYBUDGETS11_VO

School budgets went before voters today in the Empire State. Governor Andrew Cuomo's new tax cap was put to the test for the first time. It restricts districts from increasing property taxes - by more than two percent - or the rate of inflation. Almost every budget passed in our region - but not in the Plattsburgh City School District. The district proposed a 5-point-8 percent increase to save programs. It required 60-percent approval since it exceeded the cap. But the vote wasn't close. It was shot down 1,365 to 729.

17} SHORT11_SOTVO

((Jake Short/Plattsburgh School District Superintendent tc 4:27 "There's a list of things, more programs we could consider taking away, but before we went to that extent they thought they would stop and ask the community.")) Short says the district has two options. Adopt a contingency budget that includes a million dollars in cuts and does not need voter approval. Or make more cuts and have a revote next month. Half a million dollars needs to be cut to meet the tax cap requirements.

18} ALZHEIMERS11_VO

A new national plan -- targets treatments for Alzheimers. The new National Alzheimers plan -- has a 2025 deadline -- to find effective treatments for the disease. The national strategy provides federal funding for major studies -- including whether a nasal spray with insulin is effective. And offers patients and their families a one-stop website for information on treatment and research. Caring for people with dementia cost the US 200 billion dollars this year. And The Alzheimers Association estimates that will grow to 1-trillion dollars by 2050.

19} SEBELIUS11_SOTVO

((SOT - Kathleen Sebelius/Health and Human Services Secretary: "We've made considerable progress, but what we know is a lot more needs to be done, and it needs to be done right now because people with Alzheimer's disease and their loved ones and caregivers need help right now.")) Its estimated that 5-and-a-half million Americans have Alzheimers or a related form of dementia -- and researchers say that could grow to 16 million by 2050. We have a link to the new national alzheimers website -- in the infocenter at wcax-dot-com.

20} HIVTEST11_VO

An FDA advisory panel voted to approve a take-home HIV test. It's the OraQuick HIV test. You simply swab your gums -- and get results in 20 minutes. A study shows the test is 93-percent accurate in identifying people who are HIV positive. The FDA's standard is 95-percent -- and government advisors say the test would miss about 38-hundred people with HIV each year. Still -- the panel says the benefits outweigh the risks.

21} SANFORD5_VO

He's been at it for 30 years -- but Vermont's state archivist is retiring. Gregory Sanford's life work lies in these stacks. He's helped the state find new ways to maintain care of century old documents like the Vermont constitution. Sanford hates the notion that archives are 'old things' -- instead he likes to think of archives as 'things that have continued value to the state', like 1927 flood maps that came in handy after Tropical Storm Irene.

22} ARCHIVIST5_SOTVO

((Gregory Sanford/Vermont State Archivist: 02:31:00 I think it's a place where people come to exercise their imagination to exercise their sense of wonder and I've been very fortunate to have Vermonters share their sense of wonder by coming to the archives 02:31:13)) ((Jim Condos/Vermont Secretary of State: Gregory is revered not only here in Vermont but he's also revered across the country as someone who really believes in the mission of the archives to protect state papers 01:58:34-01:58:47)) Sanford's deputy -- Tanya Marshall -- will take over the job when Sanford retires this August.

23} WX

24} FORECAST

Tonight: Cloudy skies. Periods of rain tapering to showers. Lows: 52/58 Winds: S 5-10 mph Wednesday: Partly sunny. Scattered afternoon tstorms. (some of which may be strong) Highs: 70/77 Winds: S 10-15 mph Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers/tstorms. (mainly before midnight) Lows: 43/50 Winds: W 5-15 mph Thursday: Mostly sunny. Highs: 60/67 Winds: NW 10-15 mph Extended: Friday through Tuesday. Thursday Night: lows 40/47 Friday: Sunny. Highs 60/67 Lows 43/50 Saturday: Mostly sunny. Highs 70/77 Lows 48/55 Sunday: Sunny. Highs 73/80 Lows 48/55 Monday: Partly sunny. Highs 73/80 Lows 50s Tuesday: Chance of showers. Highs 70s

25} WX_OUT

26} SPRINGFLOODING6_INTRO

It was a much different picture along Lake Champlain --- a year ago. Many homes and business were vacant... boarded up -- when the Lake reached a record high. Today Ian Oliver met with those still recovering from the flooding -- but looking forward to a new season along the Lake.

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((Charlie Auer/Auer Family Boat House 19:32 "Last year was the one. We never thought we were going to get anything fixed up.")) A combination of snowmelt and record rainfall caused historic flooding on Lake Champlain last Spring. The high water severely damaged many homes and businesses along the shore - including the Auer Family Boat House in Burlington. ((Charlie Auer/Auer Family Boat House 22;40 "We never thought we would ever open up again because it was so bad.")) Charlie Auer's father opened the boat house back in 1928 - he and his sister Christine were raised there - and never experienced flooding like they did last year. ((Charlie Auer/Auer Family Boat House 18;48 "We never had anything like this.")) We first met with Charlie last Spring as he spent day after day trying to save what he could at his family's business. ((NAT CHARLIE FILE :47 "my heart skips a beat when I see this")) ((Ian Oliver 13:55 "At this point last year, the lake had just crested at an all-time record high. The disaster was far from over - the lake level didn't fall back below flood stage until late June.")) Ed Cleary has lived along the waterfront in Colchester since the mid 90s-- ((Ed Cleary/Flood Victim 1:11 "All this land here got washed away.")) --he says what he went through last Spring was a prolonged nightmare. ((Ed Cleary/Flood Victim 4;44 "For one month or two months, getting up every 2 or 3 hours during the night and manning nine pumps, pumping out the water in my basement. Just not a good thing to happen.")) The flood completely destroyed his finished basement - which was NOT covered by insurance. ((Ed Cleary/Flood Victim 6:55 "We haven't done the wallpaper yet.")) A year later - Cleary is just now putting the finishing touches on his rebuilt basement. He says briefly considered moving away from the waterfront -- but decided against it. ((Ed Cleary/Flood Victim 3:16 "It's just amazing what water can do and I hope I never see that again. I hope it is a long time before this happens again.")) The Auer Family Boat House is open again this year - preparing for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Charlie had no flood insurance but says he has spent just fifteen hundred dollars on repairs. ((NAT CHARLIE 26:58 "The boards in here are new.")) He says hundreds of people donated time and money to get the business back on its feet - helping to clean up wood and flood debris and repairing the damaged building. ((Charlie Auer/Auer Family Boat House 23:03 "If it wasn't for the people coming down here to help us out, like I said, we would have never opened up.")) Both Charlie and his sister Christine are more excited to be open this season than ever. ((Charlie Auer/Auer Family Boat House 23;50 "This is where we were raised down here. This is something we look forward to every year - is to come down here and greet the people.")) --Anxiously awaiting another summer. Ian Oliver - Channel 3 News - Burlington

28} SEA_SOX_TUES_VO__L3RD_

While a former Sox pitcher was honored today at Fenway, Boston's current leader of the staff was looking to earn back some respect. Wake day at the ballpark as recently retired Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield was celebrated for his 17 seasons in Boston. Wakefield actually go to throw out the first pitch today to his longtime catcher Doug Mirabelli. --- Josh Beckett, booed off the mound last time out, maybe with something to prove. Top of the second he gets some help from the defense, great diving stop by Mike Aviles at short. To first in time for the out. --- Beckett doing the rest, scattering 4 hits over seven scoreless innings. He strikes out 9 along the way. --- bottom of the third, David Ortiz gets Boston on the board. His eighth homerun of the season is a solo shot into the bullpen. 1-0 Boston. --- 3-0 Sox in the 5th when Will Middlebrooks comes through with the RBI single. 12 games, 14 RBI for the Rookie third baseman. 4-0 Sox. --- The Sox go on to the 5-0 win. Boston has won 5 in a row. Beckett gets the victory on his Birthday. He approached this start the same as any other.

29} RED_SOX_POST_TAKE_SOT

(((like that...:15)))

30} YANKEES_ORIOLES_TUE_TAKE_VO__L3RD_

Yankees and Orioles in Baltimore. --- The O's chip away at CC Sabathia tonight. A run here, a run there. Adam Jones blasting a solo homerun in the second to give Baltimore a 1-0 lead. --- 2-0 O's in the bottom of the 5th when JJ Hardy continues to crush Yankee pitching. The line shot to left hits the base of the wall for an RBI double. It's 3-0 Baltimore. --- Meanwhile, Orioles starters wei-yin chen keeping the bombers bats silent. In the sixth he makes the nice snag on the nick Swisher liner. Baltimore takes it, 5-2 the final.

31} JEAN_CORTLAND_WHITE

The UVM men's soccer team will be looking for a new associate head coach. Wade Jean is leaving the program to become the new head guy at SUNY-Cortland. The St. Albans native has a long college coaching history in Vermont, spending the last four years with the Cats.

32} MID_WLAX_TUES_TAKE_VO

The Middlebury women's lacrosse team is hard at work preparing for this weekend's NCAA DIII final four. The Panthers face top seed Salisbury Saturday at 1 in the national semifinals at Montclair State. The winner will face either Trinity or Cortland State for all the marbles Sunday at 2pm. The Panthers made the final four fourteen straight years up until 2007, winning 5 national titles. Now, after a 4 year absence, a new bunch of Panthers look to create a new legacy.

33} PANTHER_BITES_TAKE_SOT

(((TRT: 18 OUT: OF PLAYING)))

34} CARDS_SOFT_TUES_TAKE_VO

the Plattsburgh softball team is making it's second ever appearance in the college world series and first since 2007. The Cardinals opening the eight-team, double elimination tournament Friday afternoon against Montclair State in Salem, Virginia. Rain may have prevented an outdoor practice today, but it didn't dampen the team's spirits.

35} CARDINALS_SPEAK_TAKE_SOT

(((TRT: 15 OUT: better to go out on. )))

36} CELTICS_TOMORROW_WHITE

The Celtics and Sixers play game three of their series tomorrow in Philly. The series is tied at a game apiece thanks to the 76ers one point win at the Garden last night.

37} MIAMI_INDY_2_TAKE_VO__L3RD_

The Celtics aren't the only ones with their hands full in this second round. --- The Heat and Pacers going down to the final seconds in Miami. Heat down three in the final seconds. You'd think Lebron James or Dwayne Wade would take the big three right? Nope. Mario Chalmers takes it and misses it. Pacers win 78-75, the series is tied 1-1.

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