WVTK Local & State News October 8, 2014

Vermont lawmakers say they have identified constants in the ongoing Department of Children and Families investigation. What all the cases have in common, they say, is substance abuse and domestic violence. Hundreds of witnesses testified that they understand that they lost parental custody owing to domestic violence issues or their own addictions. Vermont is only one of three states that does not take into account the risks to children if one of the parents is addicted to opiates.

Vermont state police are looking for a missing gun believed to have fallen off a Ferrisburgh man's truck. Authorities say Jason Gebo left his firearm in the case on the back of the vehicle on or near Shellhouse Mountain Road Sunday. A witness reported seeing the case on the side of the road, but police couldn't find the gun. Anyone with information should call the New Haven Barracks.

Trial is underway for one of two people accused in the 2012 killing of a St. Johnsbury teacher. The state must prove Allen Prue killed 33-year-old Melissa Jenkins and that his actions were willful, deliberate and premeditated. During opening statements this morning, prosecutor Lisa Warren took the through the timeline of the couple's alleged murder plot and says when pressed by police, Allen Prue confessed to the murder. But the defense claims the murder was the work of a jealous, mentally ill wife. The trial is slated to take a month.

Vermont State Police say they are investigating calls from a man to elderly people saying they owe the government back taxes as the result of an IRS audit. Police say they took a report Tuesday from a 78-year-old woman in Shaftsbury. The caller identified himself as Alex Cooper and said he worked for the Internal Revenue Service. Police say Cooper does not work for the IRS. They said the call was an attempt to commit fraud. They say anyone with any further information is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police.

Just a reminder, Town officials in New Haven have closed part of Plank Road for 30 days in order to replace a culvert. The road is used by some drivers to get from Route 7 to Bristol. The road is closed between South Middlebrook Road and Leduc Road, which is also called Pea Ridge Road to the north of Plank Road. There are detour signs around the construction.