Here's a bit of good news.  Tom and Camilla Dente sent this to us this morning - I was very glad to learn the kitty that was taken from its home up in Troy has been returned ok.  Here's the story:

Vt. State Police - 5:10 pm Tue Feb 2nd, 2016 

On 1/30/15 at 5:34 P.M the Vermont State Police were advised
of a subject who entered into a residence on VT RTE 105 in North Troy and
returned later taking a cat. At this time no one knew who this subject was.

By the time the police were called the subject had already left. 2/1/16 at 4:38 a.m the Vermont State Police were called again for the same subject who had entered their locked residence while everyone was asleep. Chris Nelson advised she woke up to a male named Mark sitting in her basement at 4:00 A.M who was talking to himself while eating a lollipop, drinking coffee and smoking marijuana.The subject in both incidents advised his name was Mark. The complainant advised this was a Mark Frady who used to live down the street from her. The vehicle he was operating yesterday morning was a 1999 blue Toyota Camry, bearing VT PC GRE 724 that Nelson's son tried to stop at which time Mark showed him a hand gun. At this time the whereabouts of this subject are unknown. Mark Frady made a statement he would be returning to the residence to return a cat. As of Tuesday 2/2 the cat has not been located..
The State Police are asking for the publics assistance in locating Mark Frady. Please call the Derby Barracks at 802-334-8881 if you have any information about his whereabouts. This investigation is ongoing and an arrest is expected.
UPDATE: Mark Frady was located in North Troy and arrested without incident. He was lodged at Northern State Correctional Facility for lack of $25,000. He will be arraigned in Orleans Court on 2/3/16 at 1PM. The cat taken on Saturday was returned to the owner unharmed.
Senior Trooper Callie R. Field
Vermont State Police-Derby Barracks
M.A.P. Member
35 Crawford Road, Derby, VT. 05829
802-334-8881
E-Mail:Callie.Field@Vermont.gov
Vermont Department of Public Safety | Vermont State Polic e

He was also charged with burglary and illegal trespass.  After reading the report, it makes more sense now we know he was drinking coffee, licking a lollipop and smoking pot.  I expect it's occurrences like this, which is relatively mild except for the fact he had a weapon, that causes law enforcement to protest legalization of marijuana.   Anyway, he's behind bars now.  

Local weather is nasty this morning.  Rain and freezing rain began at about the time lots of folks were heading for work.  I'm seeing a temperature of about 26 degrees, but whether we will get rain or snow is up in the air. I have the scanner on, but there haven't been many reports of accidents - the road crews are no doubt way ahead of things and keeping roads safe; hopefully drivers are being cautious and slowing down.