WVTK Local & State News March 30, 2015

State environmental officials are warning people to be careful on Vermont's frozen lakes, as the ice is becoming unsafe. This was highlighted by an incident yesterday on Lake Champlain near Benson Landing. Six fishermen on all terrain vehicles fell through the ice, and all were able to get out of the water before rescuers arrived. Four people were taken to the hospital for treatment, but none of their injuries are considered serious.

Police in Vergennes arrested a man they say robbed two banks in the area. On Saturday, police arrested 44-year-old Ricky D. Putnam. Investigators believe he robbed the Peoples United Bank on March 13th and the Vermont Federal Credit Union this past Friday. Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel did not say how authorities got a break in the case, but he credited Vermont State Police and Addison County Sheriff’s Department officers with help in the investigation.

A 37-year-old woman is facing numerous charges after trying to flee a traffic stop in New Haven. Police say Leah Jamieson was driving a black Audi erratically on Route-17 last night when she was pulled over. However, Jamieson allegedly fled the scene in her car, then resisted arrest when she was finally stopped at the intersection of Route-Seven. Jamieson is charged with DUI, resisting arrest and other offenses, with her bail set at 50-thousand-dollars.

Green Mountain Power has partnered with a family farm to set up its 3rd wind turbine to save money on electricity. The 250-cow Nea-Tocht farm in Ferrisburg is owned by the VanderWey family. The family says the turbine will save them $2,200 a year on electricity. The turbine can produce about 155,000 kilowatts a year, equal to the amount of electricity used by 25 homes. The utility's first community-scale turbine was installed at the Northlands Job Corps in Vergennes in 2011. The second was at the Blue Spruce Farm in Bridport in 2013, which also the first Vermont farm to put power from cow manure on the grid.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife officials are warning you about black bears. Experts say, they're coming out of their dens and it's time to take bird feeders down. They recommend doing so between now all the way through November. Vermont law requires you to take reasonable measures before you can use lethal force against nuisance bears.