WVTK Local & State News April 15, 2014

The entire listening area is under a Flood Watch and the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for a number of river basins. A Flood Warning means flooding is already taking place or is imminent. A number of rivers are near their banks and are likely to flood areas tonight thru tomorrow night. The public is encouraged to monitor rivers and streams and get to high ground if water approaches. If you do evacuate your home, turn off the circuit breaker and have a professional inspect your electrical system before you return.

The Green Mountain Club is urging hikers to stay off muddy and high-elevation trails unless they have extensive snow or ice cover. Hiking on muddy trails can damage them. A press release says high elevation soil takes until around Memorial Day to try out, especially on north slopes and evergreen shaded trails. To find a list of suggested Mud Season hikes, visit www.GreenMountainClub.org.

Residents in Brandon will vote on a new town budget for the next fiscal year on May 6th. The selectboard recently passed the over $3-million spending plan by a 4 to 1 vote. The new proposal has over $57,000 in cuts from the proposal presented on Town Meeting Day.

Governor Peter Shumlin unveiled two new proposals yesterday designed to keep and grow high-tech jobs in Vermont. The proposals depend on $5 million from a projected 2014 fiscal year budget surplus. The majority of the money would go toward a fund which would allow the state to offer incentives to attract or retain companies in Vermont. The rest of the money would be used to help Vermont entrepreneurs with loans to jump start their business. Shumlin said the state needs more resources to offer incentives to existing companies -- or attract new ones to Vermont.

Prices are once again on the rise at the grocery store. Federal Authorities say beef prices are at their highest level in two decades. The cost of ground beef has hit $3.55 a pound, that's up 56% since 2010. The cost of other staples, such as milk, butter, eggs, fruit and vegetables are also climbing. Experts say severe drought conditions across most of California are ravaging farms and that prices could continue to rise even more.