WVTK Local & State News August 13, 2013

Vermont State Police are investigating a possible murder-suicide in Fairlee.  When crews arrived to 14 Sunrise Drive, troopers found a 43-year-old woman and 45-year-old man dead inside the home.  Troopers have not released any other information at this time.  An investigation is ongoing.  A cause of death has not been determined.  The bodies will be taken to the Vermont Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.  The names of the man and woman are being withheld until family is notified.  Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Vermont State Police.

New York State Police are stepping up enforcement as part of a statewide initiative to crack down on speeders.  Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the week long campaign, called “Speed Week” will target speeders and aggressive drivers.  Police say speeding is the number one cause of death on New York roadways each year.

Vermont's rabies bait drop is starting next week to prevent the spread of the disease among wildlife.  An aerial bait drop will take place from planes starting next Monday.  The baits will be dropped into carefully plotted corridors of remote lowland areas and valleys along the Vermont border and northern Chittenden County.  They also will be placed by hand in urban areas.  The baits are described as a dark green, sweet-smelling, vanilla-coated blister pack.  Officials say the baits are not harmful to children or pets if touched or eaten, but say the pellets should not be handled or disturbed.  Vermonters are asked to avoid any animal that shows strange behavior. Do not try to trap or capture the animal, but instead call the state's Rabies Hotline at 1-800-472-2437 (1-800-4-RABIES).

Those opposed to basing the newer F-35 military jets at the Air National Guard base in South Burlington are appealing to the Burlington City Council to join them.  Dozens of opponents spoke out and waved signs during the public comment period Monday night at the council meeting.  The panel has not yet taken a formal position on the issue, although Mayor Miro Weinberger does support bringing the noisier and faster jets to the base.  The final decision on basing the jets there is up to the Air Force, and that ruling is expected this fall.

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin is heading off on vacation.  Shumlin says he’s heading to the home he owns in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  His schedule indicates he'll be gone two weeks.  Shumlin has owned the home in Cape Breton since before becoming governor.  He says he'll begin the trip when he gets there by celebrating his daughter Olivia’s birthday with her.  Her birthday was yesterday.

Average gasoline prices in Vermont fell 2.7 cents a gallon in the last week, averaging $3.72 a gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 626 gas outlets in Vermont.  The price compares with a national average that fell 5 cents a gallon to $3.58 a gallon.  The average price in Vermont was 3.1 cents a gallon higher than the same day a year ago and 8.7 cents a gallon higher than a month ago.  The national average fell 1.2 cents a gallon during the last month and is 9.1 cents a gallon lower than a year ago.