WVTK Local & State News February 2, 2011

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning that remains in effect through 7AM tomorrow (Thursday, February 3rd) that includes Addison, Rutland and Essex County, NY. Expect Snow to be heavy at times today with anywhere from 6 – 10 Inches possible with a total storm accumulation around 14 inches. High today around 20.

The heavy snow that is predicted for the area today will sometimes fall at two to three inches per hour and will finally taper off tomorrow morning. Far northern areas of Vermont will gain eight to fourteen inches while the central and southern regions of the state could receive 12 to 18 inches of snow. Friday's weather is expected to be quiet, but another storm could be brewing just in time for the weekend.

In the meantime if you MUST travel today allow yourself a lot of extra time. At the Burlington Airport some flights have already been canceled, including some to and from some major hubs. Airport officials say it's unlikely the airport will shut down due to the storm, but more cancellations or delays are likely. You should check with your airline before arriving at the airport to see if your flight is canceled or delayed. Meanwhile, stay up today with the latest local weather information throughout the day right here on 92-1 WVTK.

Officials at the Vermont Agriculture Agency say it's time to clear off barn roofs so they don't collapse. Officials say farmers in the southern part of the state need to be especially vigilant because that region has already seen a lot of snow this season and could get the most from this storm. Experts say it is the older barns that may have been modified over the years that are in the most jeopardy.

Snow-slicked roads are being blamed for a crash yesterday afternoon, which killed the driver. Vermont State police say it happened on Route 4 just east of Rutland. Investigators say the driver of a van lost control as the vehicle was traveling down the mountain and veered into the center lane and into an oncoming vehicle. The other driver went to the hospital but reportedly has minor injuries. Names of the two drivers have not yet been released.

Vermont's largest school district dodged a dispute over teacher contacts on Tuesday night. Talks between the Chittenden South teachers' union and the school boards are back on. More than 200 teachers serving Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, Williston and St. George gathered at Champlain Valley Union High School to urge the school boards to return to the bargaining table. After the hour-long executive session, the school boards proposed a new offer to the teachers' union. The union is taking the offer under advisement and talks will continue.

Vergennes City Councilwoman Christine Collette announced she will not seek re-election next month. According to a public statement, she wants to spend more time with her family. Collette, who has served four years with city government as well as several years as a successful member of the board of the Vergennes-Panton Water District, works full-time as manager of Merchants Bank in Vergennes. Former council candidate Peter Garon has announced that he will seek Collett's vacant seat.

Flames destroyed a house on Lake Road in Benson, leaving a family of five without a home. Firefighters from four towns were called out early Tuesday afternoon after a neighbor saw flames emerging from the chimney. By the time firefighters reached the site, fire had engulfed much of the two-story house. There was nothing suspicious about the blaze, but according to fire officials it might have started from a chimney fire or a wood stove.

Vermont's anti-tobacco forces are pressing lawmakers to tack on another dollar-per-pack cigarette tax in hopes of staving off budget cuts proposed by Gov. Peter Shumlin. Representatives of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Vermont joined with officials of the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association and the Vermont Low Income Advocacy Council yesterday to propose the increase from $2.24 per pack to $3.24. They say it would raise $10.2 million in new revenue for state government, drive some smokers to quit and save millions in health care costs.

On Tuesday Governor Peter Shumlin told reporters and statehouse staff that he has been notified of more unexpected tritium showing up in Vermont Yankee wells. Now the governor says he wants to get to the bottom of this issue. Shumlin has instructed the Vermont Department of Public Service to appoint a Reliability Oversight Advisory Committee for Vermont Yankee.

Panera Bread wants to build a café in front of the old Hannaford building in Rutland. The Missouri-based chain has applied for a 1.1-acre subdivision to the parcel. According to the application filed with the city, they want to construct a 4,000-square-foot building at the front of the property, facing South Main Street. The restaurant would include a drive-through window. The Rutland City Development Review Board has scheduled a hearing on the application for 6 PM February 16.

Gov. Shumlin and members of his administration tried the new fruit and maple oatmeal after McDonalds and the state came to a maple agreement. The Vermont restaurants must carry packets of pure maple syrup or sugar, and offer them to customers that order the oatmeal. Shumlin visited the Berlin McDonalds yesterday. Shumlin says his administration will be in conversation with McDonalds about offering Vermont maple products across the entire northeast region.