WVTK Local News December 1, 2009

A former Vermont National Guard soldier charged with shooting and killing his girlfriend in Winooski two years ago has agreed to spend at least 20 years in prison. A plea deal was reached yesterday in the case of Stephen Marsh, who was arraigned last week for second degree murder. Laura Jean Cousens was shot in the head in 2008.

A Vermont think thank advocating free markets and limited government says Vermont can cut education costs by offering public school choice, charter schools, virtual learning and other cost saving measures. The Ethan Allen Institute's report says Vermont is spending $250 million to $300 million more than it should on education.

Vermont's longtime U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy faces challengers from both the left and right.Dr. Daniel Freilich, a physician and naval officer based in Wilmington, is challenging Leahy for the Democratic nomination. Meanwhile, Woodstock area businessman Len Britton has announced he's seeking the Republican nomination.

The U.S. Border Patrol says an agent apprehended a Colorado man wanted on sexual assault charges after he had crossed into Vermont from Canada. The Border Patrol says Glen L. Vigil was spotted in Derby Line, Vermont after an agent saw fresh tracks coming from Quebec. The agent followed the tracks and found Vigil in the woods.

As a Vermont ski industry official puts it, it comes down to snow. Ski operators across the region say how much Mother Nature drops on northern New England will drive the coming ski season. Officials are viewing the season with some optimism, hoping to draw skiers from the Northeast who in better times would have flown to more distant resorts.