Current News

Vermont Business Magazine With the unfortunate discovery of a deceased bald eagle in North Hero and one ill bald eagle in Shelburne on March 29, Vermont joined 33 other states across the country in detecting highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the environment. The bald eagles were found near Lake Champlain in both towns. Sampling was conducted by USDA Wildlife Services and tests were conducted for presence of HPAI at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. The discovery reinforces the important public message of awareness and vigilance for poultry owners, farmers, and hunters and outdoors recreationists to not only report sick and dead birds, but to recognize the dangers of HPAI to our small backyard poultry owners and commercial operators.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine As the Legislature enters the long stretch drive to the end of the biennium, likely in mid-May, Governor Scott and his administration are ramping up pressure on the Legislature to pass his big initiatives. This includes Scott's $100 million economic package. The House has passed its version of the $8.1 billion budget and it's now in the hands of the Senate. However, the House did not include any of the governor's economic package in its version, leaving it up to the Senate. The governor not only took issue with that this week, he noted that even if the Senate were to add in some or all of his package, it would mean some other programs would have to be cut (or taxes increased) to balance the budget.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 243 cases of COVID-19 for Thursday (216 Wednesday, 219 Tuesday, 150 Monday, 43 Sunday, 141 Saturday, 168 Friday, 158 Thursday, 171 last Wednesday.) The VDH reported no additional deaths again today for 620 statewide. COVID-related fatalities in March (16) were the fewest since last July (2). The official report attributes no April deaths so far. Hospitalizations today were 30 (up 4). The record was 122 on January 19. Health officials have focused on this as a key indicator. They had been running over 100 in early February.

Vermont Business Magazine This Saturday, April 9 at the Doubletree (former Sheraton by Exit 14), Saint Michael’s Fire & Rescue simultaneously will be celebrating its 50th, 51st and 52nd annual banquets starting at 6 p.m. SMFR Fire Chief John Keating '17 explains that because of the pandemic, both the planned major 50th anniversary banquet scheduled for two years ago, and the following years had to be canceled, so organizers are rolling them all into one this year.

Vermont Business Magazine The City of Burlington provided the statement below indicating that the city is going forward with its own Saturday market, called BTV Market, as the Burlington Farmers Market is not returning to City Hall Park this year. The Farmers Market moved down to Pine Street ahead of the renovation of the park, which is now complete. Though the expectation was that the Burlington Farmers Market would move back downtown once the renovations were complete, its board has decided to keep it where it is in the South End at least for now.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on April 6, 2022, Jerry Banks, 34, of Fort Garland, Colorado, was arrested following the filing of a criminal complaint that charges Banks with kidnapping Gregory Davis, a resident of Danville, Vermont, on January 6, 2018. Banks was taken into custody in Yellowstone National Park, where he was working. Banks appeared in United States District Court in Landers, Wyoming, for a hearing yesterday. Banks will appear again in federal court in Wyoming next week before being ordered to appear in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Middlebury College has acquired a 35-acre parcel on Seminary Street Extension in Middlebury that Summit Properties of South Burlington will develop into 100 units of affordable and workforce housing. The housing will be available to members of the public who qualify regardless of where they work. The College bought the property, which had been for sale for several years, from Marjorie Mooney for $1.5 million and will sell it to Summit in increments as the company develops the property. The estimated cost of the development is $40 million.

​Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Climate Council is holding public forums on April 12 and April 13 to share information about its ongoing work and to hear from Vermonters across the state. Vermont’s Initial Climate Action Plan (CAP) was adopted on December 1, 2021. These events are focused on making the CAP more accessible, as well as involving the public in shaping the direction of the ongoing work. This work is centered on the need to engage all communities in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine ​A local child from Burlington has been chosen to represent the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Champions program in 2022. Mariella Desjardin, 10, has been a patient at the UVM Children’s Hospital for most of her life. When she was 6 months old, it was determined that Mariella only had 40 percent kidney function. She is now awaiting a kidney transplant. Through her journey with UVM Children’s Hospital she has had many hospital stays, countless blood draws and scans, multiple feeding tubes and surgeries. Mariella and her family lovingly refer to her scars as her “roadmap.”

Vermont Business Magazine In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month (May), White River Junction Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System and the New England Ram Club are raising awareness of the mental health resources available for Veterans and civilians by hosting an auto show on May 14.

Vermont Business Magazine The owners of Blake Hill Preserves in Windsor are the 2022 Vermont Small Business Persons of the Year. Vicky Allard and Joe Hanglin are being recognized by the US Small Business Administration for Blake Hill Preserves’ employment growth, success in the marketplace, company expansion and community involvement. "We feel so honored for Blake Hill Preserves to be recognized by the SBA with this special award. We started our business in our home kitchen in 2009 with the simple desire to make the most delicious jams from the season's finest produce and have been so appreciative of our customers love for our unique creations and our team's amazing commitment to help ensure we continue to exemplify the very best artisan products and service in an environment of continuous rapid growth."

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 216 cases of COVID-19 for Wednesday, down 3 from Tuesday. In Vermont, cases have increased 16 percent in the last week. The United Kingdom is reporting another new Omicron variant called XE that is a recombinant form (one or more people contracted two different variants to form a new subvariant). There have been fewer than 1,000 cases confirmed so far and its transmissibility is not known yet.