Current News

Vermont Business Magazine In its continued effort to revitalize correctional facilities and recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vermont Department of Corrections is announcing the reopening of in-person services and visitation at all six state correctional facilities. In addition, the practice of intake quarantine is set to end on April 18. This practice served as one of the Department’s strongest mitigation tools in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus to general population housing units.

Vermont Business Magazine Mariah Choiniere of Franklin is among a select group of student leaders nationwide to become 2022 Truman Scholars.

Choiniere is one of 58 Truman Scholars selected from 705 candidates nominated by 275 colleges and universities. Truman Scholars demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector, and academic excellence. Each Truman Scholar receives funding for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling, and special internship and fellowship opportunities within the federal government.

Mariah Choiniere photo by Bailey Beltramo

Vermont Business Magazine In an announcement made on March 31, 2022, the Rochester-based law firm of Relin, Goldstein & Crane, LLP was selected by The State of Vermont as statewide counsel to represent the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources in its debt collection efforts and judgment enforcement proceedings. In order for the department to maintain its mission to the state and its constituents, the organization must ensure that it has legal representation to handle collection matters when they arise.

Vermont Business Magazine This spring, great minds will gather for a week of free events as part of the 16th annual Vermont Organics Recycling Summit (VORS). VORS coincides with International Compost Awareness Week (May 2-6), the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. This year’s theme, “Recipe for Regeneration: COMPOST!”, celebrates the value of compost and organics recycling, and the many ways it supports regenerative agriculture, the health of the environment, communities, and the economy. The free online and in-person events include topics like on-farm composting, infrastructure, organics diversion, different technologies, inspiring the next generation, and more!

Vermont Business Magazine The 2022 Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) conference, Our Clean Energy Future in a Changing World: Resilient, Inclusive, Secure will take place October 27 & 28 in South Burlington, Vermont. The largest comprehensive renewable energy event in New England, REV's annual conference and expo convenes business, policy, and finance experts from across the region. This year, REV’s fall conference will be focused on moving forward, taking action, and addressing the steps needed to make Vermont a leader in the clean energy movement once again. Being the leading renewable energy event in the region, the REV Conference & Expo brings together and showcases the renewable energy industry.

Vermont Business Magazine One of the state’s premier wildlife watching opportunities is taking place in Vermont. The steelhead rainbow trout have started their upstream migration to leap up waterfalls in a spectacular display of determination on their way to their spawning grounds. Steelhead can be spotted moving up the falls during warmer days in mid-to-late April and sometimes into early May.

Vermont Business Magazine April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. Established in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, it’s a time to reach out to communities across the country and provide answers to end the stigma associated with alcohol abuse. Look for these signs your family member, friend, loved one or colleague may be battling a form of addiction: Changes in behavior; If they’re drinking a lot more or trying to hide their alcohol use; Taking higher risks like drinking and driving.

Vermont State Police On April 12, 2022, at 0821 hours the Underhill/Jericho Fire department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 23 Buchanan Lane in Westford. When fire crews arrived, they found the attached garage of the single-family home completed involved with fire and the fire was quickly spreading to other areas of the structure. With the assistance of several other area fire departments the fire was extinguished and only 1 minor injury was reported.

Vermont State Police Hartford Police, assisted by the Vermont State Police Bomb Squad and other agencies, are concluding operations in the village of Wilder. The VSP Bomb Squad successfully mitigated hazards arising from explosive devices found inside a house on Perkins Place. The neighborhood is returning to normal this evening as police activity ends. There were no injuries during the course of the police operation.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 297 cases of COVID-19 for Tuesday (157 Monday, 100 Sunday, 186 Saturday, 233 Friday, 243 Thursday, 216 Wednesday, 219 Tuesday, and 150 last Monday.) The VDH reported no additional deaths this week for 623 statewide. As cases have risen over the last couple weeks, Chittenden and Washington have reported both the most total and the highest rate per capita.

Vermont State Police An autopsy was conducted Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington on Fern Feather, 29, of Hinesburg, who was known to family as Zachary Barbeau. The autopsy determined the cause of death was a stab wound to the chest, and the manner of death was homicide.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced that his office has reached settlements with two different online sellers of electronic cigarettes for violations of Vermont’s Delivery Sales Ban and Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act. Under the settlements, the companies resolved claims that they sold electronic cigarettes, e-liquids, or other tobacco paraphernalia to individual consumers. As of July 1, 2019, it is illegal to sell electronic cigarettes and related “vaping” products over the internet to individual Vermont consumers. In total, the companies will pay $215,500 in civil penalties to the State of Vermont. Since December 2020, the Attorney General’s Office has reached settlements with 23 online sellers of electronic cigarettes, totaling $833,750 in civil penalties.