Archive - Mar 2013
March 27th
DERBY CENTER – The North Country Union Junior High School Board created a Community Relations Committee to oversee the creation, distribution and analysis of a community survey for residents of towns with students attending the school.
Board member Maggie Griffith initially raised concerns over the scope and nature of the survey and was joined by new member Scott Boskind, who asked, “Once completed, how are the results used? Certain responses cancel themselves out.... Is the survey necessarily beneficial?”
NEW YORK – The Investigation Discovery Network will be launching a new reality television series about the minds of murderers, tentatively called "Murder in Mind." Producers have been looking for murders where the motive is not always clear. One such case, at least in the eyes of program officials, is the death of Charles Billis at the hands of his wife Christine.
"The premise of the show is about the psychological workings behind murders," explained Melissa Peltier, co-owner of MPH Entertainment. "We're looking for cases that are different; where you ask the questions what, why."
NEWPORT – The Orleans County Sheriff's Department filed suit against Roger Pion and his parents for damage sustained when Roger destroyed the sheriff’s  department’s property.
Roger Pion, 34, is accused of using his parents red Case MX255 tractor to drive through town to the sheriff’s department parking area on the Derby Road and drove over the top of seven vehicles, crushing and destroying the cruisers, a van and equipment inside.
March 26th
Locke–– Richard Lee, 83, of Irasburg, VT passed away March 22, 2013 in Morrisville, VT.
For the full obituary see Tuesday's Express.
March 25th
NEWPORT – A consumer survey is circulating in Orleans County to find out what draws people to Newport, what shoppers would like to see, and shopping habits. The results will help local businesses evolve, if they choose, to meet demands, and to entice new businesses based on what residents and visitors want.
A similar survey was conducted in 2008, but it is helpful to conduct surveys every few years, explained Bill McMaster, community resource development specialist with UVM (University of Vermont).
Other groups are also doing their own surveys, including NEK99%.
LYNDON - Vermont director Jay Craven’s new film, “Northern Borders,” will launch a 100-town tour throughout New England with a premiere at five Vermont venues during April.
Judd–– Freda E., 69, of Orleans, VT passed away on March 20, 2013  in Barton, VT.
For the full obituary see Monday's Express.
Tabor–– L. Jane (Jacobs), 76, of Derby Line, VT died peacefully on March 22, 2013 at her home, with family members at her side.Â
For the full obituary see Monday's Express.
March 24th
DERBY - The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) rejected financing in the amount IROC needs to survive.
Thursday, VEDA agreed to finance up to $750,000 and required contingencies such as cash on hand solely for the use of paying the VEDA debt under the agreement. However, this amount is not enough to make it work, said Phil White, executive director of IROC (Indoor Recreation of Orleans County).
DERBY – Saturday night at the Elks' Lodge the lights were turned down low and music from the Bad Luck Band was pumping as a huge crowd shook the night away at the Cabin Fever Dance All Night.
The Mary Wright Halo Foundation sponsored the event. The family of Mary Wright founded the organization after her death in 2011 to help cancer patients as the community had helped Mary's family during her time of need.
For more of this story, see Monday's edition of The Newport Daily Express for March 25, 2013.
