WVTK Local & State News January 20, 2014

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for tonight starting at 9 PM and remaining in effect till 11 am tomorrow.  With temperatures dropping this evening to between 14 below zero and 3 above zero, along with gusting winds, wind chill reading could be as low as 20 to 30 below zero. 

It looks like Vergennes might be getting a new grocery store soon.  Last week, Denecker Chevrolet co-owner Tom Denecker said his pending purchase of land owned by Ferrisburgh at the intersection of Routes 7 and 22A is going well.  He also confirmed he has a prospective purchaser or tenant for the 14 North Main Street, Vergennes, branch of his existing dealership.  Also, back in December, the Vergennes Development Review Board approved an application for a proposed new business, Neil’s Family Market, a grocery store, at the current location of Denecker Chevrolet on Main Street in Vergennes. 

Middlebury College has signed a 10-year lease to occupy the office building located at 700 Exchange Street in Middlebury, between the Post Office Annex and Vermont Sun.  College officials say the building will provide them with much needed space for staff and allow for better use of space on campus. 

At there annual meeting this past Saturday, the Bristol Fire Department elected new officers and installed Brett LaRose as the new chief.  LaRose has been with the department since 1995.  He replaces outgoing chief John “Peeker” Heffernan, who served as chief for six years.  Heffernan said, “I think he’ll do a great job … he’s been doing hard work, and he deserves credit.”

Colchester police are looking for a man who robbed a woman at gunpoint.  Investigators say the man approached the woman in a car in a parking lot near the intersection of Route 2A and Route 7 Saturday night.  That’s when the suspect, pointed a gun at her and demanded money.  He then left with her mobile phone.  He's described as about five-eight, 150 pounds, wearing all black.  Anyone with information is asked to call police.

An environmental group has started a database of public sightings of cougars in the Adirondacks in an effort to determine whether there's any truth to rumors that have circulated over the years about the big cats.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says cougars are extinct in the eastern United States, although they're plentiful out West.  But there have been numerous reports in the Adirondacks of people spotting the cats, also known as mountain lions.  The group, Protect the Adirondacks will work with wildlife experts to investigate credible reports.