Vermont U.S. Sen. Leahy Heading to Cuba, Colombia

Montpelier — U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is headed to Cuba and Colombia during the President’s Day congressional recess.

Leahy, a Democrat, and Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran, a Republican, will lead a five member delegation to the two countries between Sunday and Friday.

Leahy says the trip to Cuba will discuss U.S.-Cuban cooperation on a wide range of topics, including foreign trade, migration, human rights and property claims.

In Colombia, the delegation expects to gain information on the peace agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and its significance for U.S.-Colombian relations.

More Fresh Vegetables at New Hampshire Food Bank in 2016

Concord — The New Hampshire Food Bank had a good year for growing fresh produce in 2016.

The program, which is part of the Catholic Charities NH, produced more than 11,200 pounds of fresh vegetables. That’s a record breaking haul of about 3,000 pounds more than in 2015.

The broccoli, carrots and other vegetables are part of the 13 million pounds of food the food bank provided last year to needy families — a 61 percent increase from five years ago.

The garden got a boost from the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, which provided a $30,000 grant to the food bank. The grant allowed the food bank to help increase the capacity at its one-acre production and extend the growing season into winter with the creation of tunnels.

Plan Aimed at Preventing Lobster Bait Shortage Up for Debate

Wiscasset, Maine — Fishing regulators say public hearings will take place on a plan to make the Atlantic herring fishery run more smoothly.

Herring are a key fish on the East Coast because they are important bait for lucrative species, especially lobster. Last year’s lobster season was hindered for several weeks by a herring shortage.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is working on a plan to more evenly distribute the herring quota during the fishing year. Public hearings are planned in several states that are home to herring fisheries.

The hearings will take place in Cape May, N.J, on March 27; Wiscasset, Maine, on April 3; Portsmouth, N.H., on April 4; and Gloucester, Mass. on April 5.

Nearly 7,000 Vermont Wild Turkeys Killed in 2016 Hunt

Rutland — A mild winter and healthy turkey reproduction led to the second highest kill for Vermont turkey hunters in 2016.

The Rutland Herald reported hunters tagged nearly 6,800 turkeys in the spring, youth and fall turkey hunting seasons last year. Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department officials say the final tally is the second highest total since 2013, when nearly 7,000 turkeys were killed. Officials say last year’s mild winter made it easier for turkeys to feed. The most turkeys were tagged in the May season, with hunters killed 4,975 bids.

More than 1,200 were killed in the fall hunt, and youth hunters took 662 birds on youth turkey weekend last spring.

The state estimates there are between 45,000 and 60,000 wild turkeys in Vermont.

White Mountain Forest to Waive Some Fees for President’s Day

Campton, n.h. — In celebration of President’s Day, the White Mountain National Forest is joining with other national forests to waive fees at all day-use areas today.

Fees will remain in effect for overnight camping, cabin rentals, permits, reservations and activities offered by concessionaires.

Forest officials are reminding visitors to plan ahead and be prepared for the winter weather. It can be harsh and changeable, and colder and more severe in the mountains than in the valleys.

U.S. Forest Service Snow Rangers from the Mount Washington Avalanche Center strongly advise visitors to plan ahead and be prepared for severe weather on Mount Washington, which has had some avalanche warnings.

— Wire reports