Vermont police say 33 people were taken into custody in the Springfield and Ludlow area as part of the latest in a continuing series of counter drug operations in the state.

Most of the people arrested Wednesday were charged with heroin and cocaine crimes.

Police at a Springfield news conference said the arrests were a first step in the process of ridding the community of illegal drugs.

State agencies are investigating whether a pesticide sprayed for mosquito control caused a fish kill in an Addison County lake earlier this month.

The fish die-off was seen in Fern Lake a few days after trucks applied a chemical in the area to kill adult mosquitoes.

Leicester resident Zachary Saxe has lived near Fern Lake for a decade. He often fishes and swims there, and the first weekend in June his swim was interrupted by the sight and smell of dozens of dead fish. Saxe, who once worked as a wildlife technician, went out to collect samples in plastic bags.

Montreal Mayor Michael Applebaum resigned his office Tuesday amid allegations of corruption, saying he would focus on defending himself. Applebaum had been arrested early Monday morning at his home and was charged with 14 counts of corruption, which he says are unfounded.

Thurs 6/20/13 Noon & 7PM  If you only had 50 objects to tell the story of Vermont, which would you choose? Maple syrup, an “Eat More Kale” bumper sticker, and the Ethan Allen homestead? Or how about the Morgan horse, Camel’s Hump, and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream?

We’d like to create that list on our show today- with your help! Send your nominations and stories to vermontedition@vpr.net or leave your comments below.

Development of a trail near Dummerston, has come to a halt as its ownership is being questioned.

The goal is have the trail follow a 36-mile former West River Railroad route from Brattleboro to Londonderry. It's attracted hikers since the railway's demise in the late 1930s.

Representatives of the nonprofit Friends of the West River Trail say they want to work with property owners and possibly re-route future trail sections.

Vermont State Police are investigating a suspicious incident in Peacham.

Wednesday morning a woman called police to say that an unknown white van came to her house on Slack Street and her husband went outside to speak with the occupant. She then heard shots fired, and went to a neighbor to call police. The husband has not been found.

The Vermont Army National Guard has sent a Black Hawk helicopter to assist in the search. They say they’re looking for an elderly man.

Wed 6/19/13 Noon & 7PM A new law makes it illegal to feed bears, a practice that had led to increase in nuisance bears getting too comfortable in populated areas. But state wildlife officials say it is not the bears' fault, but rather it is people who are the problem. We learn more from Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Berry and state bear biologist Forrest Hammond.

Post your questions and comments below or on Vermont Edition's Facebook page.

The owner of a spa in Williston has pleaded not guilty to a charge of allowing prostitution at the business.

Sixty-eight-year-old Thomas Booska was arraigned on Tuesday.

His defense attorney Kurt Hughes told the Burlington Free Press that Booska would like to work with Chittenden County State's Attorney T.J. Donovan to make sure that no illegal activity takes place at the Harmony Health Spa.

Two Vermont community action agencies have won federal grants to help advise people on meeting their housing needs and avoiding foreclosures.

The Central Vermont Community Action Council and Bennington-Rutland Opportunity Council will help people find housing, make more informed choices, or keep their current homes.

The money is part of $40 million in funding announced nationwide to 334 national, regional and local organizations.