BENNINGTON — Plans are in the works for the annual Winter Festival in North Bennington at the end of the month.

The Jan. 26 event starts with participants taking a plunge into Lake Paran to raise money for the Special Olympics. An After-Plunge Party takes place at the Vermont Arts Exchange, with live music and an opportunity to sample 20 different varieties of chili.

An ice carving competition at the North Bennington Station starts on Jan. 25 and continues through the following day.

Wagon rides will be offered throughout the day, which concludes with an annual pet fashion show at Whitman's Feed Store.



Weston home burglarized

WESTON — State Police are investigating a rural burglary that occurred on Route 100 in Weston.

According to State Trooper Tim Gould, burglars broke into Teri Hirss's home and stole several items including expensive jewelry. The burglary occurred between Friday and Saturday, he said.

Anyone with information or who saw suspicious activity in the area should call State Police at 875-2112.



Sanders pushing

climate change bill

Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., said the warmest year on record in the United States and in Vermont has persuaded him it's time to get serious about climate change.

Sanders said he will introduce legislation that includes a tax on greenhouse gas emissions from the biggest polluters, more money for energy efficiency, and clean energy research and development.

He said the measure also would end tax breaks and subsidies for fossil fuels.

Sanders' announcement followed word from the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C., that the mean U.S. temperature last year was 55.32 degrees, a full degree warmer than the old record set in 1998.

The mean 2012 temperature in Burlington was 50 degrees, also beating a record set in 1998.