Rutland Daily Herald from Rutland, Vermont • A6

Local State Rutland City Rutland County Middlebury Rutland Daily Herald A6 Thursday, January 10, 2013 In Brief I TOBY TALBOT AP PHOTO Sen. William Carris, D-Rutland, gets a hug from Sen. Claire Ayer, D-Addison, on Wednesday in Montpelier as he says goodbye to the Vermont Senate. Carris says goodbye as session opens A number of prominent Rutland County Democrats have voiced support for French, who lost his bid for re-election last year after redistricting pitted him against a fellow incumbent. Gubernatorial spokeswoman Susan Allen said Shumlin had yet to meet with the three Rutland County nominees.

She also said Shumlin was waiting on a list of recommended replacements for Rep. Greg Clark, R-Vergennes, who was killed in a car accident in late November. Carris, Sen. Kevin Mullin, R-Rutland, and Sen. Margaret Flory, R-Rutland, all ran unopposed for re-election last year.

gordon.dritschilo rutlandherald.com "I've got a preference, but it's not one I would put out." Sen. William Carris, on his replacement resentative Eldred French, former House and Senate member Cheryl Hooker and one-time Senate candidate Bob Baird. "I've got a preference, but it's not one I would put out," said Carris, whose son, Poultney lawyer Tracy Carris, also put himself forward but came in fourth in the caucus vote last week. "I'm keeping it not to the press, let's say." By GORDON DRITSCHILO STAFF WRITER As the Legislature convened Wednesday, the Rudand County delegation was short a member. Gov.

Peter Shumlin has yet to name someone to fill out the term of Sen. William Carris, D-Rutland, but is expected to appoint a replacement next week. Carris announced his resignation last month, citing health reasons, though he was on hand Wednesday in Montpelier. "I had to get sworn in and then I resigned," Carris said. "Procedure." The Rutland County Senate District held a caucus last week and sent three names to the governor's office former Shrewsbury rep- Man allegedly fled officer in reverse A Castleton man has pleaded innocent to leading police on a short pursuit while driving backward.

Castleton Police Officer Jeffrey Warfle said he was called to East Crystal Haven Road Nov. 7 for a reported citizen dispute. At the scene, Warfle found a white Dodge Ram truck which sped away in reverse as he approached. Warfle said he pursued the truck, which traveled down the narrow lane at what he described as a high rate of speed for a vehicle traveling in reverse at night. The truck eventually crashed into some bushes and driver Michael A.

Wilkins was ordered out of the vehicle at gunpoint, Warfle said. Wilkins, 39, pleaded innocent Monday in Rutland criminal court to misdemeanor charges of attempting to elude police and careless or negligent operation of a motor vehicle. He was released without bail. Man denies thefts from sugar houses A Poultney man charged with stealing thousands of dollars worth of maple sugar-making equipment from around Rudand County was arraigned in Rudand criminal court this week. Bryan W.

Parker, 29, pleaded innocent Monday to six burglary charges for break-ins at sugar houses last fall. He was released on conditions including that he stay away from the properties and sugar makers. If convicted, Parker could face a maximum of 75 years. Vermont State Police arrested Parker last month after local maple syrup producers contacted a syrup-making supply store in New Hampshire where Parker allegedly took some of the stolen items. State hosts event at Camp Kehoe CASTLETON The Vermont Fish Wildlife Department is hosting a winter survival demonstration at 10 a.m.

Saturday at the Green Mountain Conservation Camp Kehoe. The event will include a brief indoor talk followed by a hands-on portion outdoors with Warden Rob Sterling and his canine assistant, Labrador retriever Rufus, demonstrating winter searching skills. Weather permitting, the participants will build a Quincy, a snow house similar to an igloo. The event is free and open to the public. Participants are asked to wear layers as there will periods of standing but also rigorous work.

Camp Kehoe is at 636 Point of Pines Road in Cas-deton. Staff reports Officer is injured subduing alleged escapee in the nearby Rutland criminal court Monday. He was arrested earlier that day by Vermont State Police on 10 outstanding warrants for charges ranging from arson in the third degree to possession of stolen items. Benard said Staples is addicted to opiate drugs such as heroin and prescription painkillers. After a Rutland judge set bail for him at $10,000, Staples was being returned to the Rutland jail.

See Officer, Page A8 the Sheriff's Department. But Wilk suffered badly bruised ribs while trying to take the Danby man into custody Monday, and will be out of work for three to four weeks, according to Rutland County Sheriff Stephen Be-nard. Wilk was treated at Rutland Regional Medical Center after Staples was returned to custody. "He's OK but he's pretty bruised up," Benard said. Staples was one of four prisoners returning to the Rutland jail after hearings By BRENT CURTIS STAFF WRITER Lt.

Frank Wilk, a veteran with the Rutland County Sheriff's Department, had just arrived at the Rutland jail with a detail of prisoners when one of the people in the back of his transport van kicked out a window and tried to run for it. In the moments that followed, Wilk was able to catch and subdue the alleged escapee, 21-year-old Kelley E. Staples according to an affidavit written by Sgt. Richard Putnam with WTO STARINSKAS STAFF PHOTO Kelley Staples is led into Rutland criminal court Tuesday by Rutland County Sheriff Stephen Benard to face charges related to an alleged escape attempt that left a sheriff's lieutenant with bruised ribs. Rutland 'Fox' radio station bought by WDEV group changes are planned.

"Obviously, new owners, there will be some changes along the way," he said. "But as far as the format is concerned, our plan is to keep the classic rock format." Radio Vermont owns talk-news station WDEV-AM and FM, WCVT-FM, Stowe, the state's only commercial classical music station, and country music station WLVB-FM in Morrisville. Beardsley said as a Vermont-based company, adding the Rutland station was a natural fit with potential. "Our whole business is being here in Vermont," said Beardsley, who at one time worked for WFfWB in Rutland. "In other words, we wouldn't be buying a station in Manchester, New Hampshire, for example, or Portland, Maine." Radio Vermont Group is owned by Ken Squirer; Eric Michaels, a former program director at WSYB in Rutland, is the radio group's general manager.

See Station, Page A8 spokesman Tom Beard-sley said Wednesday the company is operating the Rutland station on a lease arrangement until the Federal Communications Commission approves the sale, which should be in early March. Beardsley, vice president of group sales for Radio Vermont, said no major By BRUCE EDWARDS STAFF WRITER Radio station WEXP-FM, "The Fox," is changing hands once again. The Rutland station is being sold to the Radio Vermont Group, the company that owns WDEV, its 82-year-old flagship station in Waterbury. Radio Vermont Group BfJk J. ICE FISHING DERBY Got gold? Or Silver, Diamonds or Platinum? Estate or Antique Jewelry? We Buy It ALL! Hi YOUTH AND ADULT CATEGORIES Registration forms and raffle tickets available at local bait shops or derby headquarters on day of derby.

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