Police need help finding wanted man

BARRE – State Police are searching for Harley Breer Jr., a 42-year-old Calais man who was convicted of kidnapping more than a decade ago.

An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for Breer for violation of probation, domestic assault, unlawful restraint and operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

State Police believe Breer may be in the Woodbury or Calais area, where he was last known to be living. He may also be in the Cabot area, according to a State Police press release.

On Tuesday at approximately 4 p.m. State Police were notified that Breer allegedly assaulted a female acquaintance several times and took her car without her consent. The incident took place near Cabot and Marshfield, according to State Police.

Police have been able to locate the vehicle and the woman received medical attention for injuries suffered in the incident.

State Police are unsure what kind of vehicle Breer may currently be driving.

Anyone with information regarding Breer Jr.’s whereabouts is asked to contact Vermont State Police Middlesex Barracks at 229-9191.

Moonlight Madness coming to Brandon

BRANDON — Unique and one-of-a-kind gifts will be featured at this year’s Brandon Moonlight Madness discount special event kicking off at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Downtown Brandon shops and eateries will offer bargains, sales, specials, drawings and more during the event that brigs friends and neighbors together bringing holiday spirit to the town. Many shops will be offering up to 20 percent off storewide.
A second Moonlight Madness day will be on Dec. 14. For more information call the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce at 802-247-6401.

Car fire closes I-89

Interstate 89 northbound in Northfield is closed due to a car on fire.

The fire department has shut down the roadway and have requested State Police assistance in controlling the traffic.

The car was off the side of the road and there was no one in the vehicle.

The Northfield Fire Department was called to the scene just before 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Times Argus Clarification

Due to a production error with the Barre Montpelier Times Argus, an entry of the Barre police log was cut off. The entry in its entirety reads:

Nov. 21

Merchant Street caller reported a male in an extended cab pickup was taking photos of his home. When the caller confronted the male he told the homeowner he was from the mortgage company. The caller told police he called the bank and they did not know who the photographer was.

Bennington College printmakers’ show opens tonight

NORTH BENNINGTON — The Vermont Arts Exchange (VAE) presents “I Will Try to Put Down on Paper,” an exhibition by seven advanced printmaking students from Bennington College, in the Mill Gallery, located in Vermont Art Exchange’s Sage Street Mill. The show opens with a reception today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The exhibition is on view through Feb. 25, 2012. In Bennington College’s advanced printmaking course, taught by faculty member Thorsten Dennerline, students Rebeca Baudille, Hannah Callahan, Elliot Cash, Farhad Mirza, Ellen Bogen, Amelia Vottero and Lauren Hamilton proposed and executed projects of their own design. Working in a basic structure of critiques and discussions, the students focused in on a variety of printing techniques and ways of handling materials to execute their ideas. The work featured includes photopolymer intaglio, wood cuts, screen-prints, artist books, handmade paper and copper plate etchings.
For other exhibits, events, classes and workshops at VAE, call (802) 442-5549, or visit vtartxchange.org. For information about Bennington College classes, visit bennington.edu.

Sculpture element found: "The Leash" shows up at Rutland Northeast School

vyto starinskas / staff photo

Downtown Rutland Partnership Executive Director Michael Coppinger accepts the meter part of "The Leash" sculpture from Rutland Police Department Cpl. Ray LaMoria this morning. The meter was found by a janitor this morning at Rutland's Northeast School. There are no suspects or explanation in the theft at this time.

‘White Christmas’ on stage in Hyde Park

HYDE PARK – One of the most popular holiday movies of all time is coming to life on stage at the historic Hyde Park Opera House, as the Lamoille County Players present Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.”  Performances are Dec. 1-4 and 8-11, at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Director Kat Bernhard and Music Director Carol Wilcox Schein explain that the musical is based, of course, on the film starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. The musical features 17 Berlin songs, including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” “How Deep is the Ocean” and the beloved title song, “White Christmas.” Set in our own beautiful home state, it tells the story of how two “show biz” couples meet while working on a holiday show at a lodge in Vermont, and (of course!) fall in love.
Tickets are $18, $12 for students or seniors (ages 60 and over); call (802) 888-4507, or go online to www.LCPlayers.com.

Amid worries over heating subsidies, lawmakers to talk solutions

From the Vermont Press Bureau:

MONTPELIER -- Worries over heating oil subsidies for low-income Vermonters haven't cooled off, and three House committees are planning a hearing Dec. 13 to tackle the issue, a lawmaker said Tuesday.

Reduced federal aid through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, rising oil costs, and greater need are combining to create the potential for a tough winter for low-income Vermonters, said Rep. Tony Klein, chairman of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee.

The hearing will be a way to make sure the state programs related to heating, such as home weatherization, are coordinated well so the state is getting the most bang for its limited bucks, said Klein.

Read the full posting by Thatcher Moats >>

AIDS memorial quilts on display at Castleton State College today

From the CSC Twitter feed: AIDS Memorial quilts from the Names Project Foundation are on display in the Great Hall of the Old Chapel today from 1-5 p.m. at Castleton State College

‘Normal Heart’ in Randolph for World AIDS Day

RANDOLPH – Actor and director Dan Butler, probably best known as the sportscaster Bulldog on NBC’s “Frasier,” is a Vermonter making a difference for World AIDS Day this year.  This Newbury resident has organized both Equity and non-Equity actors throughout the region for a benefit staged reading of Larry Kramer’s Tony Award-winning play “The Normal Heart” tomorrow - Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m., at Chandler Music Hall. In observance of World AIDS Day, Chandler Pride is presenting this performance as a chance for Vermonters to reflect on the lives of people with HIV/AIDS as well as to honor those we have lost to the disease.  Butler’s cast features Lisa Harrow of Woodstock, who starred in “Wit” at Northern Stage and Off-Broadway; and Alan Gelfant of Norwich, frequently seen in productions of the Parish Players, based in Thetford. 
Premiered in 1985, the play chronicles the early years of the spread of HIV, especially the complicated emotions and conversations about love, sex, and death in the face of a disease that at the time was little understood and had little prospect for cure or treatment.  About the play critic Rex Reed commented, “No one interested in the future of the human race can afford to miss The Normal Heart.”
Audience members will have the chance to greet the director and actors and comment about the production at a reception following the reading.
Admission is by donation. For reservations, call (802) 728-6464.