WVTK Local & State News July 23, 2014

Strong to locally severe weather will move through the area this afternoon and the biggest threats will be damaging wind gusts, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Showers and thunderstorms will pop up this afternoon and evening. Storms will move west to east so keep your eye on the western horizon. Storms should move out of the area around 9 o’clock tonight. The rest of this week's weather will be quiet!

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation strengthening penalties for theft and mistreatment of pets. A press release says the law increases the maximum fine from $200 to $1,000 for those who attempt to steal, harm, or transport a dog, cat, or other pet that isn't their own. The American Kennel Club reports that there were more than 590 thefts of pets in 2013.

A Vermont police department says it has issued its first ticket to a driver who was smoking with a child in his car. St. Johnsbury Police say a civil ticket that included a $162 fine was issued last week to 32-year-old male after his car was stopped July 19 for having a defective muffler. Officer Steve Hartwell found the man smoking a cigarette in the drivers' seat with a toddler in a car-seat in the back. Hartwell said he told him he knew of the new law, but didn't know if it was in force yet. On July 1, Vermont enacted a law that prohibits smoking in cars carrying children under age 8.

Gun laws in Colchester may be changing soon. A new proposal would not ban hunting in town but it would change where and how sportsmen could do it. The plan would introduce new limits on where certain types of guns can be fired, based on a number of factors including the size of the property and where it's located. The Colchester select board must now approve the proposed changes.

One man was struck by lightning as a line of storms moved through Northern New York Wednesday morning. The man was camping at Coles Creek State Park when he was struck, according to park workers. He was reportedly heading out to cover up some of his belongings when he was hit around 6:30 a.m. The man's wife told park officials that he is expected to be fine, but will remain in the hospital overnight.