News Items

We are saddened to learn that John Hall's mother, Margaret Hall, passed away yesterday at NVRH in St. Johnsbury. Mrs. Hall would have been 91 in March. You may send condolences to John and JoAnna at P. O. Box 7, West Danville, VT 05873. Contributions in her memory may be sent to Meals on Wheels, Area Agency on Aging, 481 Summer St., St. Johnsbury VT 05819.

There was a recent notice in the Caledonian Record regarding radon testing in Vermont. the Vermont Department of Health reports radon may be present in 15% of Vermont homes. Radon levels can change daily or seasonally, so long-term testing should be done for three to 12 months to give the most accurate measure. You can get a free long-term radon testing kit by sending an e-mail request to: radon@vdh.state.vt.us. Put "Radon Test Kit" in the subject line and be sure to include your name and Vermont mailing address, or you can call 1-800-439-8550.

According to today's Business Watch column, Marty Beattie at Marty's 1st Stop in Danville has received final approval for adding space and a loading dock to accommodate his recent new product line of animal feeds and grains.

We've all been wondering if the Route 2 Project through Danville would ever be completed, and the latest news is that the state is asking that $3 million be lopped off the now $10 million that the project has grown to since 2005. Then, $7 million was earmarked for its completion. As an example of how the cost of the project has gone, in 2004 the project would have cost $2 million. The state wants to build it before costs go up any more. The cost of individual segments of the project have been broken down so the community can go ahead with what they consider the most important aspects of the project. Reconstruction of the highway through the village was put at $6,352,785; undergrounding utilities, $2,320,00; street lighting $710,000; $600,00 for full reconstruction of roads around the village green vs. rehabilitation; $363,000 for landscaping; $128,000 for sidewalks; and $110,000 for artistic enhancement. I guess they'll have to hurry up and decide what's of most importance.

Just a reminder that the Ice-Out Contest is drawing ever closer to closing date - only seven weeks left. We're seeing ticket sales pick up. I'm sending some out every week in response to e-mail requests, so if you know of someone who wants to get into the game, have them just send an e-mail from the web site. Be sure to tell them the full name: joespondvermont.com