Vermont - page 2

WATERBURY – A Blizzard Warning for the Champlain Valley of Vermont and Winter Storm Warning for the remainder of Vermont are still active and will be into tomorrow.

The National Weather Service predicts a minimum of 18-inches of snow in most areas of Vermont with two feet or more in some spots.

The Vermont State Police advise that driving conditions on Interstate 89 and 91 are extremely difficult. Drivers heading home from work are experiencing whiteout conditions with very low visibility.

On I-89 in Chittenden County, at least five vehicles have been involved in slide-offs. No injuries have been reported, however, multiple cars have been abandoned in place by their owners, as operators seek safety from the ongoing storm.

Authorities say if you do slide off the road, call for help and police will provide you with safe transportation. Ensure your tailpipe is clear of snow or turn off your car to avoid a buildup of carbon monoxide in the car if you are buried in snow.

Vermont State Police are advising the owners of cars involved in slide-offs that they will not be allowed to tow their vehicles for the time being due to road conditions. VSP will arrange for removal when it is safe to do so.

VSP is strongly recommending drivers remain off the roadways. If you must drive, please be prepared for blizzard conditions and drive appropriately for conditions.

VSP and the Agency of Transportation report that no major state roads have closed for any extended period. A handful have closed temporarily throughout the day to allow for the clearing of auto accidents.

If you encounter a road that is closed, please respect all detours.

The Vermont State Police are also asking that people not call emergency dispatch or 911 to determine road or traffic conditions. During major weather events, dispatchers are busy handling emergency calls and supporting first responders.

Please visit: http://vtstatepolice.blogspot.com/ or http://vtrans.vermont.gov/operations/winter for road information or call 2-1-1.

You can also get road, weather, and other alerts sent to you through Vermont Alert: http://vtalert.gov.

Carbon monoxide (CO) continues to be a concern as the snow gets deeper. CO is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause flu-like illness or death. Symptoms of CO poisoning are like the flu and include nausea, headache, and dizziness.

If you feel these symptoms, leave the home and call for help.

Ensure all heating vents are clear of snow as a blocked vent can create a buildup of CO in the home, never use a generator indoors, and always have working CO and Smoke detectors in your home and in all living areas.

Check on neighbors, especially those who are elderly or who may otherwise need special assistance. Be sure their heating vents are clear of snow, and during a prolonged weather event that they have heat, electricity and any needed medical supplies.

Take it easy while shoveling. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death during the winter.

MONTPELIER — The House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to the Dental Therapists bill (s.20) today with a vote of 109-32.

The bill would create a new mid-level position in the dental profession.

Like the nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants who handle routine medical care, dental therapists would be able to do routine dental care, including nonsurgical extractions and surface fillings.

While under the general supervision of a dentist, the supervising dentist would not need to be on-site.

Supporters of the bill argue this would allow for wider geographical and more affordable primary dental care to Vermonters.

“The Oral Health Care for All Coalition is pleased that Vermont is moving forward to increase access to dental care by allowing dentists to build out their dental health team,” Michelle Fay, Associate Director at Voices for Vermont’s Children said after the vote. “We thank the House Representatives for such strong support for this bill, and we look forward to final passage next week.”

The bill passed the Senate last year with a vote of 18-8.

Final passage in the House is expected on Tuesday, and then the bill will go back to the Senate.

NEWPORT — The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is imploring people to exercise extreme caution around frozen water bodies and not to go on the ice for any reason.

After recent tragic events involving ice anglers, Vermont game wardens are reporting that ice conditions have deteriorated to unsafe levels statewide.

Record warm temperatures, wind and rain have caused ice to become unsafe in many areas that would traditionally have held solid ice for several more weeks. Ice may appear thick, but is structurally weak and melting from underneath as well as at the surface.

“With the rain and unseasonably warm weather, some areas of the state are seeing thinner and more unpredictable ice than we would expect this time of year,” said Col. Jason Batchelder, chief game warden. “We would encourage everyone to stay off the ice.”

Wednesday, angler Kenneth Gaudette died after falling through the ice on Shelburne Pond despite a rescue attempt by Warden Dana Joyal.

Joyal was briefly hospitalized for hypothermia.

“We train for these situations, but each one is unique and calls for the judgment and discretion of the officer involved,” said Batchelder. “Dana showed extraordinary courage in this ultimately tragic circumstance. Our thoughts are with the Gaudette family.”

NEWPORT — Motorists in Vermont could encounter some treacherous travel tonight and into Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service in Burlington has issued a winter weather advisory for mainly freezing rain with some snow and sleet mixing in, which will be in effect from 10 p.m. Tuesday night, through 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Light snow is expected to start late Tuesday and then transition to a wintery mix Wednesday morning.

The period of light freezing rain should occur through Wednesday morning before ending early evening.

Hazardous driving conditions across Vermont is expected.

Motorists should be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities tomorrow morning, and use caution while driving.

NEWPORT — Public Safety officials are urging Vermonters to brace for what could be the coldest temperatures of the season this weekend.

The National Weather Service is forecasting sub-zero wind chills in areas of Vermont Friday through Sunday, with some areas possibly reaching a wind chill of 30 below zero or colder Saturday night.

Everyone is reminded to bundle up and be prepared for the cold.

The Vermont Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security offers the following information along with the notice:

Dress in layers, ensure you have a sufficient heating fuel (oil, wood, etc.) supply for your home, recognize health risks, and take other safety measures as needed.

Only heat your home with a heating source that is professionally designed for that purpose. Improper heating devices can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup in the home. Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause flulike illness or death. Symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu and include nausea, headache, and dizziness. Always have working CO and Smoke detectors in your home and in all living areas, ensure all heat sources are ventilating properly, and always operate a generator outdoors and away from the home.

Dress in warm layers with a hat and gloves to prevent frostbite or hypothermia. The Vermont Health Department says hypothermia most often affects older people who have inadequate food, clothing or heating, babies sleeping in cold rooms, people who are outside for long periods such as the homeless, hikers, and hunters, and those who drink alcohol or use drugs. Even healthy adults can become hypothermic if not dressed warmly enough for weather conditions.

In the car, keep a blanket, hat and gloves, first aid kit, flashlight and extra batteries. If you get stuck, don’t venture out on foot in extreme cold. Have a cell phone to call for help.

Other reminders:

Check in with neighbors and friends who may need assistance to ensure they’re staying warm.

Be mindful of pets and limit their time outdoors.

A proposed Rule Governing the Importation of Untreated Firewood into the State of Vermont has been filed with the Secretary of State. The proposed rule, as filed, is open for public comment until Friday, Jan. 15, 2016.

The purpose of the rule is to protect forest health by slowing the long-distance movement of wood-borne invasive forest pests, such as Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer, and preventing the spread of pests into Vermont.

The enabling legislation requires the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation to adopt regulations on importing untreated firewood. The proposed rule prohibits the importation of untreated firewood into Vermont.

The definition of firewood states that it is wood processed for burning and less than 48 inches in length, but does not include wood chips, pellets, pulpwood or wood for manufacturing purposes.

It allows treated firewood to enter the state if it is treated to the USDA standard of 160° F (71.1° C) for at least 75 minutes at a certified treatment facility and is accompanied by certification of treatment.

By written request, the Commissioner of Forests, Parks & Recreation may waive this prohibition under conditions that ensure that the firewood poses minimal threat to forest health. Violations may result in confiscation of firewood and/or a civil citation.

The rules are to take effect on May 1, 2016.

Questions or written comments can be addressed to Barbara Schultz, Forest Health Program manager, at barbara.schultz@vermont.gov.

NEWPORT — Normally, December 1 is the recommended start date for feeding birds in Vermont, but this year’s lack of snow is keeping some bears from going into their winter dens. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is now urging people to wait for colder weather and snow before putting up their bird feeders in order to avoid attracting bears.

“An abundance of beechnuts and apples coupled with our lack of snow cover this year have resulted in male bears staying active, rather than denning for the winter,” said Forrest Hammond, Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s bear biologist.

Fish & Wildlife suggests Vermonters wait for six or more inches of snow that lasts before putting out bird feeders, especially if you have been visited in the past by bears or if there are sightings of bears in your neighborhood.

Due to lack of snow and frozen ground, birds are able to forage in fields and forests for their natural foods anyway.

“Female bears normally go into their dens before males,” Hammond said. “Males tend to enter their dens in response to most of their foods being unavailable to them rather than to cold temperatures. Without snow covering the ground some males are still foraging for nuts and apples.”

A 2011 federal survey revealed that people spend more than $280 million annually to watch wildlife in the state. Feeding birds at home is considered the primary wildlife watching activity.

NEWPORT — A common plant found along roadsides and open areas may not appear harmful, but the Health Department is warning Vermonters that its sap contains a chemical that causes serious skin reactions when exposed to sunlight.

The sap, or juice, inside the stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of the wild parsnip, also called “poison parsnip,” contains chemicals called psoralens. Contact with the sap causes a chemical burn in the presence of sunlight, a condition known as phytophotodermatitis.

The sap is exposed when the plant is cut or knocked down. Skin reactions begin about 24 to 48 hours after contact with the sap and sunlight and include redness, burns similar to second-degree sunburns, painful rashes, and raised blisters.

Giant hogweed also contains the same chemicals.

Wild parsnip is an invasive species that can grow almost anywhere but prefers disturbed areas like roadsides and open areas. The plant is a member of the carrot family reaching heights of two to four feet with leaves that resemble celery leaves and yellow flowers that look similar to Queen Anne’s Lace.

The Vermont Department of Health advises people to avoid skin and eye contact with wild parsnip sap.

If you need to work with the plant:

Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
Wash clothes that come in contact with the sap.
Work with the plant on cloudy days, and always wash your skin immediately after coming in contact with the sap.
If you are using string trimmers or power mowers in areas where this plant grows, wear eye/face protection, in addition to long pants, long sleeves, and gloves.

If you get sap on your skin:

Wash the skin thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible.
Protect the exposed skin from sunlight for at least 48 hours.
If you experience a skin reaction, call your health care provider.

MONTPELIER — The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources recently added nine species to the list of state threatened and endangered species. The listing included four plants, three bumble bees, one amphibian, and one bird.

Three pollinators listed were the rusty-patched bumble bee, yellow-banded bumble bee, and Ashton cuckoo bumble bee. Pollinators such as bees, moths, and butterflies are critically important to Vermont’s agriculture, but many are in decline nationwide. According to a survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, beekeepers reported losing 42 percent of their honeybee colonies between April 2014 and April 2015.

Vermont’s bumble bee species appear to be in decline due to a parasite infestation. Another concern for pollinator conservation is the widespread use of a group of systemic insecticides referred to as ‘neonicotinoids.’ These pesticides are used on agricultural crops, and are also used in concentrated doses on home gardens, lawns, and ornamental trees. Several types of neonicotinoids are highly toxic to bees, in addition to making them more susceptible to parasites and pathogens.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency is currently considering legislation that would limit the use of these chemicals.

“Pollinators are essential to our farms and also to our meadows and wild orchards,” said Deb Markowitz, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. “Adding them to the endangered species list is only one of many steps we can take to help protect them. Additional techniques, such as integrated pest management and planting more native flowering plants, are others.”

The bumble bee listings do not come with restrictions against currently legal activities such as applying pesticides in accordance with state and federal regulations, although the Secretary may notify a landowner that a permit is required in cases where one of these bumble bee species is likely present.

More information on pollinators, including a list of pesticides for homeowners to avoid, is available on The Xerces Society’s website at www.xerces.org.

In addition to pollinators, the Fowler’s toad and rusty blackbird were listed as endangered in Vermont.

The Fowler’s toad is dependent on scoured sand banks along the Connecticut River, a limited habitat type in Vermont, and has always been extremely rare in Vermont. However, the toad had been detected in the state with infrequent regularity until 2007 when the toad was last heard.

Rusty blackbird populations have declined regionally by more than 90 percent during the past five decades, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Vermont is at the southern edge of the bird’s boreal forest breeding habitat.

Four plant species were also listed as endangered in Vermont. These include the dwarf birch, tulip tree, whorled milkweed, and green mountain quillwort. These plants were previously not thought to exist in the wild in Vermont, but single specimens or single populations of all four species were found recently in the state.

“While we are delighted to have located these rare species, their endangered status reminds us that many of these plants can only survive where there is habitat to support them,” said Markowitz. “We are fortunate in our state that Vermonters value the bees, birds, and plants that enrich our experience of nature and have worked to conserve lands so that future generations might enjoy them as well. It is critical that we continue to protect not only endangered species but the places where they thrive.”

Vermont currently has 51 state threatened and endangered animals, and 163 state threatened and endangered plants. Three well known birds were removed from the list in 2005, the peregrine falcon, osprey, and common loon, following the birds’ recovery as a result of conservation efforts.

DERBY — Shaw’s announced that Niagara Bottling is issuing a voluntary recall of certain bottled water products, including Natural Spring Water sold under the Shaw’s brand name, due to concerns that one of Niagara’s spring sources is contaminated with E. coli.

E. coli bacteria were found in the water supply on June 10, 2015. No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall affects multiple retailers in the region and was issued out of an abundance of caution. 

People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk if contaminated water is consumed. People with specific health concerns should consult their physician if they have questions.

Presence of E. coli bacteria indicate that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.

The following bottled water products sold at Shaw’s in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont have been recalled.

The recalled products have Best By dates of 08DEC2016 through 16DEC2016 (December 8, 2016 through December 16, 2016).

SHAW’S Natural Spring  Water (24) PACK
16.9oz Bottles
UPC Number on Case Packaging – 4567421415
UPC Number on Individual Bottles – 4567452952

SHAWS  Natural Spring Water (35) PACK
16.9oz Bottles
UPC Number on Case Packaging – 4567453026
UPC Number on Individual Bottles – 4567452952

SHAWS Natural Spring Water
(12) PACK
8.0oz Bottles
UPC Number on Case Packaging – 4567452217
UPC Number on Individual Bottles – 4567452217

Consumers who purchased these products should discard them or return them for a full refund. These products have been removed from sale.

For more information, please call Niagara Bottling, LLC Consumer Service, (877) 487-7873.