WVTK Local News November 27, 2009

The official holiday shopping season kicks off today, but for you head out, Burlington Police are offering the following advice:

Shop with a friend
Shop during daylight hours
Have your car keys in hand when approaching your vehicle
Don't carry more than you can handle
Be aware of your surroundings
Disconnect from technology ( cell phones, head phones) when walking
Don't leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicles.
Lock purchases in the trunk.

Also, when it comes to the Internet police say be careful where you shop. Police say to keep your virus software up-to-date and only shop from trusted web sites.

Weather forecasters say a strong nor'easter storm is heading through New England on Friday, with the possibility of leaving behind some high-elevation snow for Vermont's ski slopes. Meteorologists said several inches of snow could accumulate in higher elevations by Saturday night, but lower elevations will likely get little or no accumulation.

A Vermont judge says she wants to explore the idea of conducting a joint trial for 15 of 27 clerical sexual-abuse cases against the state's Roman Catholic diocese. The Burlington Free Press reports the cases Judge Helen Toor might group involve claims by former altar boys at Christ the King Church. They say were molested by the same priest, the Rev. Edward Paquette, during a 2-year period in the late 1970s.

A 27-year-old St. Johnsbury man is facing lewd and lascivious conduct charges involving a 15-year-old boy. St. Johnsbury police say James Goodhue was awaiting trial on two counts of sexual assault on a minor when he was cited on the new charges. As a condition of release, Goodhue was required not to have intentional contact with anyone younger than 16. But Detective Jennifer McGarvin says police learned he had inappropriately touched a 15-year-old boy on three occasions in the past four months.

Police will boost patrols this Thanksgiving holiday weekend to make sure drivers slow down, buckle up and stay sober. Police say large numbers of drivers will be out during the holiday often traveling long distances so they may be in a hurry. Authorities say the holiday also puts drivers in a festive mood, which can lead to drinking and driving. Not only will police be stopping speeders and drunk drivers, but state police Lt. David Notte tells the Rutland Herald there's a big focus on seatbelt use.

The state Attorney General's Office has paid $40,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a Fairlee man who claims he was Tasered in 2006 by state police as he was having a seizure that was mistaken as an attempt to resist arrest. Lawrence Fairbrother sued in 2007, alleging excessive force.

A New Hampshire judge has dismissed a Barre, Vermont man's Right-to-Know lawsuit against the city of Keene. Wallace Nolen wanted names, titles and salary information for all city employees in an electronic format for a database he's creating for a lawsuit. The judge ruled paper records were sufficient.

Police in Newport say they are looking for a man and woman in a gunpoint robbery at a convenience store. Police said the couple entered the East Main General Store on Wednesday evening. Both wore masks, and the man demanded money from a clerk.