Bennington Banner from Bennington, Vermont • 7

REGION 7A BENNINGTON BANNER SATURDAY-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17-18, 2005 1U1 rflTtrnrnninrni) nmm tyrannn? Guilty verdict should put damper on dirty 1 Rutland 36119 tricks, observers say CONCORD, N.H. (AP) For nearly two hours on Elec Springfield 35116 Manchester 32116 Bf-nninpton Data High Yesterday 44 Low Yesterday .33 Precipitation ......0.33" Re pionnl Data Normal High .36 Normal Low .20 Record High .55 in 1971 Record Low in 1917 Precip for Month .0.92" Normal for Month .1.48" Precip for Year .45.69" Normal for Year .37.32" All data reported as of 4 p.m. yesterday. Sdlem hll6 Cambridge 3 iM TODAY Tir Partly Cloudy CiyyA High: 33 Low: 17 aaMBSSSSaSM MMHMMMBHM iWy- SUNDAY Partly Cloudy Ci'lfVfS High: 28 Low: 19 MONDAY Partly Cloudy CiytjS High: 28 Low: 14 VU' TUESDAY CjZ Mostly Sunny High: 29 Low: 15 WEDNESDAY fgrlr Partly Cloudy CiyiS High: 26 Low: 11 Bennington Brattleboio 33117 Moosick falls if 351 rJ Hoosick 1 31117 Pownal 3211 a accemmweather. com S.

toth LmiHiib it fm. The guilty verdict in a Republican plot to jam Democratic phone lines on Election Day 2002 in New Hampshire should serve as a cautionary tale for political operatives, but the long-term implications are unclear, according to political scientists. "What's important is that it was a verdict that dirty tricks are not acceptable, even in politics, which most people think of as dirty," said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist who has written about dirty tricks in politics. Phone lamming Amy Fried, who teaches political science at the University of Maine, said the phone jamming would have been less scandalous in some parts of the country. "But I think in Maine it does count as a scandal," she said, "because Main-ers are used to very clean politics." James Tobin, 45, of Bangor, Maine, shook his head Thursday as he was convicted on telephone harassment charges.

The jury acquitted him of the most serious charge, conspiring to violate voters' rights, but he still faces up to seven years in prison. tion Day 2002, hundreds of hangup calls overwhelmed Democratic get-out-the-vote phone banks in New Hampshire. Federal prosecutors said the plot couldn't have happened without Tobin's knowledge. Tbbin denied the charges. Spinning begins The two political parties put their own spin on the outcome.

"This trial cast a stark light on the Republican culture of corruption that has infected our state," read a statement from Kathy Sullivan, chairwoman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. Warren Henderson, chairman of the New Hampshire State Republican Committee, said he was happy to see an end to the case and was "satisfied that justice was done." "The New Hampshire Republican Party deplores and condemns this and every act of election abuse and voter fraud," Henderson said. Dante Scala, a political science professor at Saint Anselm College, said Democrats will have a tough time persuading voters Republicans running for office in 2006 are connected to the phone jamming that happened in 2001 All forecasts, data and graphics art provided by Accesswtather.com, Inc. 2005. All rights reserved.

Sunrise .7:18 a.m. Sunset ...4:20 p.m. Moonrise Moonset .9:21 a.m. fvV aj Last New First Full 12723 12730 16 114 The Northeast will see partly cloudy skies and isolated snow, with the highest temperature of ,49 in Salisbury, Md. The Southeast will see partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies and a few showers, with the highest temperature of 84 in Miami, Fla.

The central United States will see partly cloudy to cloudy skies and scattered rain and snow, with the highest temperature of 68 in Brownsville, Texas. The Northwest will experience partly cloudy skies, with the highest temperature of 59 in Brookings, Ore. The Southwest will see partly 35 Springfield teachers, city 30 25 officials argue over pay 20h Constance Sweeney ruled in favor of their union. But she won't This map shows hijth temperatures, type of precipitation expected and locution of frontal system at noon. 15 10 5 0 Jrtmt Low Closure High Picture Cold front Stationary Front Today Sunday cloudy skies, with the highest temperature of 70, found in Yuma, Ariz The chart above ihows the avenge wind dull temperature forecast for today and tumorrow.

The Mack bar indicates the forecast temperature. The grey bar indicates the average wind chill temperature projected. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) A month after a judge said Springfield broke the law by withholding pay raises from its teachers, the two sides returned to court Friday to argue how much the educators are owed. With the city facing a budget shortfall in early 2003, then-Mayor Michael Albano enacted a wage freeze for city workers, saying it was the only way to avoid mass layoffs.

The freeze was extended for another two years by the state-appointed board that later took control of the city's finances. The teachers sued, and in November Superior Court Judge decide how much the teachers are owed until the city gives her a list next month of all teachers who lost out on their raises in fiscal 2004. Teachers in the state's third-biggest city say they're owed about $16 million, a figure that would cover their losses in the three fiscal years of the wage freeze. But the city, which won't be able to appeal Sweeney's ruling until she makes a monetary judgment, says it should not have to pay more than the $2.3 million that was withheld in fiscal 2004, the first year of the freeze. Keep up with the Jones'; get the Banner delivered right to your door CALL 447- 7567 Today! Tfce HuwwqUm Bonne 'fry-M Regional News in Brief tors found but did not want to share it, preferring to wait until police present their evidence.

"Windhurst has a right to his day in court," Paquette said. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Tuesday. Baron, a graphics designer and mayor of Sewalls Point, said he and Victor pursued information for years, hoping to find an answer. In 1992, Baron, Victor and his sisters appeared on a television talk show in Manchester in an effort to keep attention focused on Danny's death. Immediately after it aired, Baron said he received an anonymous call and then two unsigned letters that suggested it was well-known in Hopkinton that Windhurst, now 37, was the alleged shooter.

But the brief notes provided no evidence to back up the claim, he said. Baron said he and Paquette interviewed people in Hopkinton and Windhurst's name kept coming up. 4fM niTTtnmi 1 x-x ri Belmont track asks for new license BELMONT, N.H. (AP) The new owners of Lakes Region Greyhound Park have filed an application for a gaming license. Belmont Racing, submitted the application to the state Pari-Mutuel Commission this week.

The Attorney General has 90 days to review the application before providing a report to the commission. Track spokesman Rick Newman said they don't anticipate it will take that long. The track closed last spring after two former managers were indicted in New York on money laundering and illegal gambling charges. Murder suspect's name emerged years ago CONCORD, N.H. (AP) The arrest this week of local building contractor Eric Windhurst in a 20-year-old murder case came as no surprise to friends and family of the victim.

Windhurst was identified as a suspect more than 10 years ago, Richard Baron said. Baron grew up with Danny Paquette, who was shot to death outside his Hooksett home on Nov. 9, 1985. No one was charged until Wednesday, when Windhurst was arrested. A Merrimack County grand jury indicted Windhurst Friday on a charge of first-degree murder in Paquette's death.

Neither Baron nor Danny's older brother, Victor Paquette, know what investigators found that led them to make an arrest. "This is one of the things I'm anxious to find out I mean we never left a stone unturned and Eric Windhurst was always the guy we were after. We just could never, never make it stick," Baron said Friday. Victor Paquette said Friday he has a theory about what investiga Certificates of Deposit Term Annual Percentage Yield 4.15 13-month ovtirAti Kenai uiaiysis center WITH HEARTFELT WHANKS Thanks to the following individuals and businesses who supported our 4 Annual Patient and Family Picnic. Apple Bam Bennington Bookshop Bennington Car Wash Bennington Recreation Center Big Boys' Toys Cider Mill Cutler Family Don's Auto Detailing Dougherty's Restaurant Dunkin' Donuts Energizer Battery Inc.

Fletcher Allen Health Cafe Friendly's Gift Garden Greenberg's Hardware Hannaford Hawkins House Haynes Ford Home Depot Irene Goyette Photography Jay's Hallmark Shop JC Penney Kevin Mike's Place III Kmart and Balloons Marty's Sporting Goods McNeilly's Greenhouse Florist Shop Carol Morin Morrison's Sales Service Oasis Day Spa Panache Patire's Chevrolet Pea Pod Potter Hill Bam Price Chopper RPI Carol Salazar Subway SVMC Upsy Daisy Vermont Magazine Walmart a special thank you to the SVHC For more information, stop in to your local branch office or call 1-800-670-3110. WTRUSTOO Your Home Tbwn Bank BENNINGTON 215 North Street (802) 447-4952 HOOSICK FALLS 47 Man Street (518)686-5352 Certtfcssj of Deposit ram are in sfoct of 127Q6 nd are cubjod to Changs wttioui nctios. Annual Pwcantag riak) assume tut prinapal and interest remain on depost tor one tul year. The mtmnum deposit to opan and itinnun bafancf to arttfeve APT Interest ia compounded arid credhsd monvfy Substantial panaRir tor e1y whdrw( Fees may reoVjoe earnings Pteass note Ws reserve tit right to aflsr or Mindraw ffieaa products or certain feokirss thereof without prior notification. Member FDIC Trade Uinds ar 1 802-442-8830 800 Gage St, Bennington, VT 1 Mon-Prl gjffl-gpm Sat Sun 9n-lpm! STTTntTaaTTTHMTT TTfaM Give the gift of paradise 818 East Main Street cmm Ht-nnington, i Hiotsru ctsff fnr nnro arfatn cprvtnd nn a fpmnr mpal am 1 OA5I5 i www arrrnmrmntamoastB.cora.