WVTK Local & State News March 16, 2015

The Vermont Legislature will be looking at a new Gun Control bill this week. The original legislation included language calling for background checks on all private gun sales, except those between immediate family members. The new measure requires dangerous mentally ill people to be reported to the federal background check registry and also allows the state to prosecute felons in possession of a firearm. The Senate will be taking up the new bill this week.

Officials are asking fishermen to remove shanties from the ice. The warmer weather means ice fishing season is coming to a close. Vermont State Law says all ice shanties need to be off the ice by March 28th or if the ice becomes unstable, whichever comes first. Officials say pooling water on the ice means the ice is weakening and shanties still on the ice could fall through the thin ice.

Police in Vergennes are still looking for a man who robbed the People’s United Bank on Main Street. According to investigators, the unidentified white male walked into the bank at 2:15 Friday afternoon and showed a knife to the teller. He made off with an undisclosed amount of money. He was last seen on North Maple Street. The suspect is described as being in his late 20’s or early 30’s, 5'5” to 5'6” tall, approximately 180-200 lbs. He was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and a scarf over his face. Please call the Vergennes Police Department if you have any information.

Lawmakers this week will be taking about dispatcher consolidation again. Governor Peter Shumlin has proposed cutting the number of dispatch centers down from 4 to 2, closing the Rutland and Derby Centers. The Governor says it's a way to save about $2 million during a budget crunch. There is a public hearing set for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the statehouse.

The Department of Vermont Fish and Wildlife is looking for volunteers for the “Let’s Go Fish” Program. They are looking for people with a love of fishing to pass along those skills to kids. The volunteer instructors will organize and volunteer at fishing clinics in their communities to teach young people and their families about water ecology while instilling lifelong skills. Instructor training is available for volunteers on March 28 in Castleton and on April 11 at Fish and Wildlife's regional office in Essex Junction.