WVTK Local & State News December 28, 2010

While heavy snow inundated the East Coast Sunday and yesterday, Vermont had a taste of it as well. Southern Vermont got the bulk of it, with snowfall totals ranging from a foot in Woodstock to 20 inches in Springfield and Woodford. The northern and western regions had little accumulations, but plenty of wind and drifting snow.

Teen birth rates are down in Vermont. The birth rate has been going down a bit over the past few years. In 2007 there were 495 teen births, in 2008 there were 472 and last year the number dropped to 393.

A proposed settlement calling for a major national milk processor to change its milk buying practices in the Northeast - at least temporarily - has been submitted to a federal judge in Vermont for approval. It calls for Dallas-based Dean Foods to place $30 million into a fund to settle antitrust claims brought by northeastern dairy farmers.

The union representing Essex County employees says its members earned their 4 percent raises. Essex County Board of Supervisors made another plea yesterday for union officials to voluntarily freeze salaries to lessen a tax increase next year. Next year is the third year of a 4-year labor agreement.

Fort Ticonderoga has been awarded a $15-thousand-dollar grant for an expanded interpretive program called "These Worthy Fellows are Second to None in Courage." The new program will highlight the daily lives of the soldiers garrisoned at Fort Ticonderoga. The funding will pay for staff and the purchase of interpretive clothing, weapons, accoutrement and tools.

Police are looking for a man who robbed the Rite-Aid in Enosburg yesterday morning. According to reports, the suspect was armed and approached the pharmacist demanding drugs. The suspect then fled with an undetermined amount of drugs. Anyone with information is asked to call the Franklin County Sherriff’s Office.

Firefighters from multiple departments were called to a help battle a house fire in Jericho last night. The fire was reported at about 6:30 last night on Browns Trace Road. No one is currently living at the home as the homeowners are renovated the property. Chief Randy Clarks says temporary lighting in the home may have sparked the blaze.

The state is considering changes to regulations for deer and moose hunting, and wants the public input on this. One of the changes includes a 4-day muzzleloader season around Columbus Day. The public will get a chance to voice opinions January 3rd at the Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton, on the 4th at the Pavilion Auditorium in Montpelier, and on the 5th at Johnson State College in Johnson.