ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – A Vermont woman pleaded not guilty Monday to accusations she stole a truck, hit multiple police cruisers, and led police on a chase that crossed state borders.

Marisa Levesque, 42, of Groton, faces Vermont charges of operating without owner’s consent, grossly negligent operation, and eluding police.

The charges stem from Friday’s incident where police say she stole a man’s truck from a cafe in Gorham, New Hampshire, where the owner had left it running. She then led police on a chase through several towns and into Vermont, where she was eventually stopped with spike strips in Barnet.

Police also say she hit two cruisers in New Hampshire and caused minor injuries to three officers.

Court paperwork says Levesque will be extradited to New Hampshire to face several charges there, including assault, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, and disobeying an officer.

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MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont’s state flower was chosen on this day in history.

An act of the legislature on February 1st, 1895, made the red clover the official flower of the Green Mountain State.

The red clover was seen as hardy, durable, like Vermont’s population, and widespread across the state’s agricultural lands.

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MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont House lawmakers gave final approval this week to a mid-year adjustment of the state budget.

The spending plan passed unanimously and includes more money for state police overtime, an expansion of the Chittenden County Accountability Court and money for Meals on Wheels.

The budget also allocates $5 million to maintain Section 8 housing vouchers. That money comes from a $60 million fund set aside last year in the event of cuts from the federal government.

“We’re a quarter of the way through the game. We want to be careful to not spend everything now because given everything that’s happened in the last 12 months, who knows what’s going to happen in the next 12 or longer,” said Rep. Robin Scheu, D-Middlebury.

The budget adjustment bill now heads to the Vermont Senate.

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