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Vt. to launch national search for ed. chief
MONTPELIER (AP) -- Gov. Peter Shumlin and the chairman of the state Board of Education say they plan to launch a national search for an Education secretary after a Vermont law was passed that gives the governor the authority to make that appointment.
Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca plans to apply for the post.
Vermont lawmakers passed legislation that elevates the state’s chief education official from a commissioner to a Cabinet-level secretary.
In the past, the education commissioner has been appointed by a state board of education. The new law calls for an education secretary who would be appointed by and report to the governor.
The change takes effect on Jan. 1, 2013. The board will conduct the job search, and chose at least three names to send to the governor for consideration.
Feds move forward with Maine offshore wind
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- The federal government is moving forward to determine if there are competing interests following a Norwegian company’s proposal for a deep-water wind turbine pilot project off the coast of Maine. If not, then the government will proceed with an environmental impact study.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management wants to know if other parties have an interest in the site 12 miles off Boothbay Harbor that’s sought by Statoil North America.
Statoil’s unsolicited
Sen. Olympia Snowe says she’s encouraged by the development. She says offshore wind projects have "the potential to bring jobs, and ultimately clean energy, to Mainers."
Ex-N.H. officer accused of attempted sex assault
KEENE, N.H. (AP) -- A former police officer in Rindge, N.H., and high school employee has been accused of trying to sexually assault a girl under the age of 16.
Keene police arrested 35-year-old John Vargas-Cifrino of Harrisville on Thursday. He was charged with attempted felonious sexual assault.
Keene police said they were contacted Monday by Rindge police about an internal investigation of one of their officers for possible criminal acts committed in Keene. After an investigation, Vargas-Cifrino was arrested.
Keene police said Vargas-Cifrino has resigned his police officer position. He also had worked as a paraprofessional at Conval High School in Peterborough.
It was not immediately known if he had a lawyer.
