WVTK Local & State News December 1, 2011 (Afternoon Update)

People in Vergennes say they're ready to wage a new war against an old and growing problem: drugs. Yesterday hundreds of people showed up for a meeting organized by the police chief. The chief wants to make it clear he doesn't think the Vergennes drug problem is worse than anywhere else. He says he is just taking a stand and hopes the community joins him.

A spokeswoman for Governor Peter Shumlin says the governor supports and will sign on to an effort to allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana and pharmacists to fill the prescriptions. Shumlin is joining an effort by Rhode Island’s Governor and Washington’s Governor.

A 27-year-old Vermont man has pleaded guilty to trying to trap a black bear. Game wardens say Jake Duprey of Chittenden was seen on September 20th checking a baited steel cable foot snare. Game wardens say Duprey admitted he had baited the snare with grain and doughnuts in an attempt to catch a bear. He was fined $371 and won't be able to have licenses to hunt, fish and trap for three years and until he completes a remedial hunting course.

Senator Bernie Sanders is working to build a bi-partisan group to support additional funds for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program. Last year, Vermont received roughly $23 million in LIHEAP funds. But the Obama Administration has proposed cutting the appropriation in half. Sanders’ doesn't think this is a partisan issue. The state has received more than $40,000 applications for LIHEAP funds so far. That's already more than last year.

A longtime Vermont lawmaker has died. Rene Blanchard passed away Tuesday at the age of 78. The Democrat served three terms in the legislature in the 1990's. Blanchard was also a basketball coach and social studies teacher at Winooski High School. In 2009, he was inducted into the Vermont basketball coaches Hall of Fame.

A two-month bottle drive has raised more than $8,000 for Vermont farms damaged by the remnants of Hurricane Irene. Vermont Public Interest Research Group says over 130,000 bottles and cans were redeemed to raise the money. The Redeem to Rebuild drive also received donations from non-profit organizations, businesses and individuals.