WVTK Local & State News February 13, 2015

Vermont State Police are warning skiers of the dangers of skiing or riding out of bounds. Areas of southern Vermont have received between three and four feet of snow in recent weeks, and this has led to a dozen lost or stranded skiers this season. Six of those cases have occurred since the beginning of the month, and all were eventually rescued without serious injury. People are urged to watch the weather, and to be especially careful when the temperatures are bitterly cold.

A day after pleading guilty, Patricia Prue was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of the St. Johnsbury teacher, Melissa Jenkins, in 2012. Yesterday, she plead guilty to 1st degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy. In the plea deal, she waived the right to an appeal. Prue addressed the court saying "actions speak louder than words." She says she is giving away her freedom to show how sorry she is. Prue's husband Allen was sentenced for the murder and kidnapping death of Melissa Jenkins back in December.

The Vermont House has approved a bill increasing fees for a number of items in the Green Mountain State. Among the biggest percentage jumps would be for a license to operate a small bed-and-breakfast, with a capacity of up to 10. That license would increase from $80 to $150 - a jump of about 88 percent. In total, the bill would raise about $2.8 million in new revenue for the state. The bill still needs to be approved by the state senate.

Police hope new surveillance pictures will help lead to the arrest of an armed robbery suspect in West Rutland. The Rutland County Sheriff's Department released the photos yesterday showing a man armed with a knife inside the Cash Market on Main Street on Tuesday just before 7 pm. Investigators say he was in the store for less than a minute and took off with an undisclosed amount of money. The clerk on duty chased after the suspect, who was running towards the Napa Auto Parts building. Police believe the alleged thief may have gotten into a vehicle near the Rite Aid Pharmacy and left the area. He is described as a middle aged man between 5 1/2 and 6 feet tall with a heavy build, wearing a brown or grey plaid, snowboard type hooded jacket and a ski mask.