Current News

by Cedulie Benoit-Smith, Community News Service When Jim Andrews began work on the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas in 1994, the goal was simple: collect information to help inform the decisions of the state committee deciding which species should be listed, and protected, as endangered. Thirty years later, the small project has amassed 123,000 entries as its collaborators celebrate three decades pulling together data on critters across the state. Andrews, one of the first environmental studies graduates at the University of Vermont, was working as a middle school science teacher back in the 1980s. He wanted to return to fieldwork and found his way to the Vermont Reptile Amphibian Scientific Advisory Group, which gives guidance on reptiles and amphibians to the Vermont Endangered Species Committee. What would informally be called the Vermont Herp Atlas (from herpetology, the study of those kinds of animals) took shape in his work for the group, starting in 1994.

Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission In March, Senator Bernie Sanders secured $42.5 million for Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding on behalf of Vermont. CDS is a congressional budgetary program that allocates federal funds to local projects that address crucial issues such as affordable housing, infrastructure, transportation, clean energy and water, agriculture, childcare, and rural development. The two projects located in our Region are Vershire and Strafford. For the Town of Vershire, $750,000 was awarded to the town to build a new town garage, and for the Town of Strafford, $325,000 was awarded to preserve the historic town office. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has announced the 41st annual Vermont Corporate Cup Challenge and State Agency Race, presented by Union Mutual Insurance Company. The community fitness event will take place in-person in Montpelier on May 16 and virtually May 16 through May 31. The Vermont Corporate Cup Challenge and State Agency Race is a popular 5k running and walking fun competition in which individuals and teams from worksites enjoy the benefits of a wellness activity with their co-workers.

Vermont Business Magazine Switchback Brewing Co. is thrilled to announce plans for a new Tap House & Beer Garden, set to open in summer 2024. The 3,700 square-foot establishment will be located in a 120-year-old historic brick building attached to their current production facility at 160 Flynn Avenue. The new space will boast ample bar and table seating complemented by an outdoor patio, providing an inviting and spacious environment for guests to enjoy Switchback's iconic brews and food. A bar with 20 taps will highlight the brewery’s diverse offerings including fan favorites, smoked beers and releases from their new side project, Askew Beer Co. In addition to the impressive beverage options, the new venue will offer a full kitchen, showcasing an expanded food menu, as well as event space on the adjoining lawn.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest four-season resort in Eastern North America, charges into summer with a loaded events lineup including golf tournaments, mountain bike competitions, food celebrations, free concerts and more. Summer attraction passes, including the year-round Beast 365 pass, are available so you don’t miss a minute of the fun. The action kicks off on Memorial Day weekend with the Total Archery Challenge at Pico Mountain and the Killington Stage Race culminating in Killington. Can’t miss events include the Fox US Open of Mountain Biking and the Killington Wine Festival, and the action continues all the way through October with the annual Harvest Faire during Indigenous People’s Weekend. 

Vermont Business Magazine Stowe Mountain Resort "greened up" the resort on Friday, May 3, before partnering with Green Up Vermont to clear a section of Route 100 from Gold Brook to Bear Run in lower Stowe Village, near the Moscow Road/Route 100 intersection. Each year, our resort teams and their family and friends gather to help clean up our local roads and waterways – on a mission to promote the stewardship of the state’s natural landscape and waterways, and the livability of its communities. Mount Snow and Okemo's Epic Promise teams also partnered with Green Up Vermont. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says deer fawns are being born this time of year and asks that people avoid disturbing or picking them up. Most deer fawns are born in late May and the first and second weeks of June, according to Vermont deer biologist Nick Fortin. Fortin says it is best to keep your distance because the fawn’s mother is almost always nearby.  When people see a small fawn alone, they often mistakenly assume it is helpless, lost or needing to be rescued. Fawns do not attempt to evade predators during their first few weeks, instead relying on camouflage and stillness to remain undetected.  During these times, fawns learn critical survival skills from their mothers.  Bringing a fawn into a human environment results in separation from its mother, and it usually results in a sad ending for the animal.

Vermont Business Magazine Comcast Business today increased Internet speeds for customers, nationwide, at no additional cost. Comcast Business announced the introduction of its fastest Internet plans yet – Ultimate Speed for Business – with up to triple the speeds. Additionally, Comcast Business announced the roll-out of next-generation multi-gigabit symmetrical business Internet speeds, powered by Full Duplex technology, in select markets.

Saint Michael's College Three students from Saint Michael’s were selected as Fulbright winners for the 2024-25 academic year and will all depart in January 2025 for their selected countries. All three will be working as English Teaching Assistants. Abdimalik Hashi M’24, who is graduating from Saint Michael’s MATESOL program, will be in Kenya; Carson O’Neil ’23 will be in Costa Rica; and Willow Schaefer ’24 will be in South Korea. Political Science Professor Patricia Siplon supports applicants to the Fulbright program at Saint Michael’s and said each of this year’s three winners has a unique story to tell. Siplon said she is “looking forward to continuing the work to propel our campus into having a thriving and full-scale Fulbright culture.”

Vermont Business Magazine In an effort to better serve the Stowe community, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Vermont Realty Group and the Trombley & Day Group are pleased to announce the opening of a new branch office in Stowe. The office is located in the old Springer Miller office building at 782 Mountain Road. The award-winning Trombley & Day group has been active in the Morrisville/Stowe area for the past 24 years, operating from their original office at 5 Park Street in Morrisville. They are thrilled to have the opportunity to now better serve the Stowe community with a convenient in-town space.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Senate today gave final approval to landmark legislation that holds the largest fossil fuel companies financially accountable for a portion of the costs of climate change: The Climate Superfund Act (S.259). Earlier this month, the House of Representatives voted in favor of the legislation on second and third readings. S.259, An act relating to climate change cost recovery, earned tripartisan support in both chambers. The bill now heads to Governor Phil Scott for action. He can either sign the legislation, veto it, or take no action for five days and the bill will become law without his signature. If Scott vetoes the legislation, the General Assembly could reconvene in mid-June to consider an override vote.

by Norah White, Community News Service Lawmakers appear to be putting the final touches on a bill that prohibits the possession of ghost guns — firearms without serial numbers built at home using separately purchased parts. Ghost guns are often built with ready-made kits or 3D-printed parts, and because the individual parts are not considered guns under federal law, they aren’t subject to the same regulations. Law enforcement has a harder time tracking these guns, say supporters of the bill, S.209. The bill would bar people from having guns, frames or receivers that lack serial numbers or transferring them to someone else. That would apply to unfinished parts, too. It would also require people who build a gun or a receiver to get it imprinted with a serial number. Legislators have been going back and forth on the punishments in the bill since it passed the Senate in February and the House late last month.