WVTK Local & State News April 7, 2015

Vermont Gas Systems is looking to use eminent domain to obtain properties needed for their major pipeline project. The company says they have been unable to reach two landowners along the pipeline route to try and reach right of way agreements. Officials say they have made a good faith effort to reach the landowners, but they just cannot be reached. The 154-million-dollar pipeline will pass through more than 200 properties between Colchester and Middlebury.

Police in South Burlington are investigating an early morning burglary at the Jiffy Mart on Kennedy Drive. According to reports, someone broke into the store and stole several items. Police arrived on the scene around 4:15 this morning and front glass was broken. Anyone with information is asked to contact South Burlington Police at (802)-846-4111.

Two University of Vermont students remain critically injured following a crash that claimed the life of their friend. Driver Jacob Dahreddine and passenger Julia Rickner survived the crash Sunday on Interstate-89 in Colchester. Eighteen-year-old Christina Menke died in the crash, which occurred as the students were returning to school after a day of skiing at Jay Peak. Police say it's possible that Dahreddine fell asleep at the wheel and caused the crash.

The order not to release the results of a state trooper's alcohol breath test last month came from the state attorney general's office. Trooper Eric Rademacher is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol while on duty last month. Rademacher is due in Rutland Superior Court to answer the charge next week.

The Vermont Senate has given preliminary approval to pared-down economic development legislation, but its principal backer says he'll continue fighting to restore some of its initial provisions. The bill won preliminary approval earlier today without a hotly debated provision that would have lowered the wages companies could pay and still be eligible for state job-creation tax credits. It also removed provisions that would have rolled back changes to Vermont's Act 250 land-use law that were designed to limit strip development. The bill is up for final Senate action tomorrow.