Monday, December 15, 2014

WVTK Local & State News December 15, 2014

Most of the lights are back on after utility crews from across the region spent the weekend working to reconnect power to Vermont customers. Governor Peter Shumlin toured the state's hardest hit areas in a utility company helicopter on Saturday. At the height of last week's storm, more than 100-thousand homes and businesses were left in the dark. State officials say the power situation was worse from this storm than Irene and the ice storm of 1998.

The State of New York has passed a new law making it illegal to pierce or tattoo your pet. The new law signed signed this morning by Gov. Andrew Cuomo takes effect in 120 days. There's an exception in the law for is marking done under a veterinarian's supervision for a medical reason or identification. The exceptions, for example, would be for pets like a cat which was spayed by a vet and given a little green mark to show it. Cuomo says penalties for violations range up to 15 days in jail and fines up to $250.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders says he will introduce legislation to break up large Wall Street banks. Sanders says his proposal will come in response to the weekend vote on a spending bill that he says weakened the 2010 Wall Street reform law. Sanders says it's now time to break up the too-big-to-fail banks so they can never again destroy jobs, homes and the life savings of the American people.

Vermont's snowmobile trails open for the season tomorrow. State Police are advising people to familiarize themselves with the rules and state laws that apply to snowmobiling before heading out this season. Anyone over the age of 12 must pass a snowmobile safety course, and their machine must have a working head and tail light. Operators are required to wear a helmet and protective eye wear, and police say snowmobiling while intoxicated will be strictly enforced.

There will be an early dismissal for students in the Ticonderoga Central School District and St. Mary’s School this Friday, December 19. The dismissal times for the Elementary School are 1:05 p.m. Middle School 1:10 p.m. St. Mary’s School 1:15 p.m. and the High School at 1:20 p.m. Students will return from the holiday break on Monday, January 5.