WVTK Local & State News April 14, 2015

One store will be holding a Grand Re-Opening while another is going out of business. The Sears Hometown and Outlet Center on Exchange Street will hold it’s Grand Re-Opening Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25th. The Grand Re-Opening will be celebrating a new owner and a new layout in the store. According to new owner, the store’s “refresh” will include a new product assortment, redesigned merchandising, new fixtures, signage, and comprehensive employee training, among other changes. While Creative Habitat on Shelburne Road is going out of business. The store in South Burlington is opening tomorrow first, to member shoppers then to the public, for its final closing sale. Creative Habitat emerged from what had been the former Ben Franklin store on Shelburne Road. One their website, the owners say that after 30 years, they are ready to move on to new challenges.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife officials are reminding you to be on the lookout for moose. The department says moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time of year, especially after dark. Moose are moving from wintering areas to spring feed locations. If you see a moose ahead, slow down or stop. Trying to speed past them "before they can move" can be a serious mistake. Last year, motorists hit 64 moose on Vermont Roadways.

Governor Peter Shumlin says he now supports a bill requiring employers to allow workers to take paid sick days. That's a change from his opposition to a similar measure, but Shumlin says the legislation has undergone enough changes to win his support. The governor's comments came during a news conference where he highlighted National Equal Pay Day and announced a new voluntary effort to get Vermont businesses to pledge to pay women equally to men.

A Vermont state trooper says he's not guilty of driving drunk while on duty. Trooper Eric Rademacher pleaded not guilty to DUI in a Rutland courtroom yesterday. Rademacher allegedly was under the influence when he responded to a crash call in Killington early in the morning of March 7th. He was suspended several hours into his shift after police say alcohol breath tests revealed that he was intoxicated.

Vermont had the snowiest winter in the continental U.S. this year. Jay Peak reports receiving 357 inches of snowfall this year, which trailed only a location in Alaska for the most in the country. Vermont ski resorts have seen an average of 240 inches of snow this year, with much of it still on the slopes. Killington has predicted that they may be able to stay open until June because of all the snow.