WVTK Local & State News November 13, 2013

A missing teen from Ferrisburgh has been found safe and sound in Burlington.  17-year-old Hailey Rheaume-Fox was at first considered a runaway who had remained in contact with her mother through text messages.  But police became concerned for her safety last week when they received information that someone else had Hailey's phone and was sending those messages.  Yesterday afternoon, police say Hailey called her mother and told her she was in Burlington.  Police took Hailey into custody and turned her over to state social workers.

Police are investigating an armed robbery that took place this morning at the Days Inn located on Shelburne Road.   Police say a woman entered the Days Inn around 5:30, approached the desk, and removed an disclosed amount of cash from the register.  The woman was wearing a half-style ski mask and was armed with a clever shaped knife. The suspect told the clerk she also had a firearm in her pocket.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the Shelburne Police Department (802)-985-8051.

More Vermont state employees are under investigation for timecard fraud.  Attorneys for the state's Human Resources Department say they've identified 21 potential cases of padding time cards. Four have been sent to law enforcement agencies for criminal investigation.  Earlier this year, former State Trooper Jim Deeghan admitted stealing more than $200,000 from taxpayers over six years by logging fake hours and tickets.

The latest numbers from the state show 3,138 people have signed up for insurance through Vermont Health Connect.  The state-run health insurance group says more than 13,000 people have created accounts on the website, and 130,000 people have viewed it.  The website has had glitches since its October launch. This caused Governor Peter Shumlin to push back the insurance deadline from January to March.

A man accused of trying to kidnap a 14-month-old baby in Burlington says he didn’t do it.  Andrew Barrows was in court yesterday and pleaded not guilty, but a judge still ordered him held without bail because he has a pending sexual assault charge from earlier this year.  Guilty verdicts in either case could earn Barrows, who is 24, a life sentence.  Police say they believe Barrow was drunk when he tried to snatch a stroller with the baby in it away from the child’s parents at the corner of North and North Prospect Streets.

A young man is pleading not guilty to driving drunk and causing the death of his friend.  Police say 21-year-old Justin Pierce was drunk and speeding when he lost control of his car which crashed in Woodstock.  22-year-old John Ferrero was a passenger in the car and died.  Pierce appeared in court yesterday to enter his not guilty plea, and is now free on conditions but due back in court next month.