WVTK Local & State News February 18, 2014

Middlebury has issued a parking ban on Wednesday and Thursday nights for snow removal. A press release says snow clearing operations will begin at approximately 10 p.m. Parking isn't allowed on public streets or parking lots from midnight until 6 a.m., except in designated lots. Cars parked on public streets or parking lots during the parking ban will be towed.

Drivers in New York can now get text and email alerts to remind them when their vehicle registration or inspection is due to expire. A press release says motorists can sign up for this new service online, by mail, or at a DMV office. The DMV will automatically enroll any customer who completed an online transaction in the past two years. The reminders will be sent approximately 90, 60, and 30 days prior to expiration for registration. Inspection reminders will be sent on the first of the month, 15th of the month, and when the inspection expires. A press release says later this year, drivers will be able to receive alerts when their driver licenses and non-driver IDs are due for renewal.

The Vermont Foodbank was awarded $20,000 from the National Life Group Foundation to help feed more than 100 children throughout the school year through the BackPack program. A press release says students involved in the BackPack program will be able to take home backpacks filled with healthy and easy-to-prepare food items for the weekends. The food will last students and family members for two days.

The Vermont Legislature will begin exploring legalizing pot. Sen. Jeanette White first proposed the formation of a study last year. The bill is set to be taken up in committee tomorrow and would look at potential legalization, regulation and taxation of marijuana in Vermont. White says the study is a necessary first step before debating whether the drug should be legal. A number of bills to legalize marijuana have been floated at the Statehouse but none are expected to gain traction this year. Just last year, the Legislature passed a law decriminalizing possession of small amounts of pot.

The union representing the drivers for CCTA will be holding a press conference tomorrow at noon at the Cherry Street Bus Station in Burlington. Management at Chittenden County Transportation Agency and the drivers have been negotiating a new contract for the past 8 months. Drivers say they just want a fair contract. CCTA Management proposed a deal on January 29th that was voted down by the membership 53 to 4. During tomorrows news conference the union will announce what their plans are going forward.