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A new study shows that more than half the people in some developing countries could become newly at risk for malnutrition if crop-pollinating animals — like bees — continue to decline. Despite popular reports that pollinators are crucial for human nutritional health, no scientific studies have actually tested this claim — until now. The new research by scientists at the University of Vermont and Harvard University has, for the first time, connected what people actually eat in four developing countries to the pollination requirements of the crops that provide their food and nutrients.

Brandon Cigana, age 33, of Whitehall, New York, was convicted on January 15, 2015, in the Vermont Superior Court, Rutland Criminal Division, on two misdemeanor charges of unlawful possession of narcotic drugs. The convictions stem from Cigana’s employment as a pharmacist at the Walgreens Pharmacy in Rutland, Vermont. Cigana admitted to unlawfully possessing the narcotic drug Hydrocodone.

Cigana was sentenced to 1-2 years in jail, all suspended, and placed on two years of probation. In addition to the standard conditions of probation, the Court imposed special conditions ordering Cigana to perform 80 hours of community service, to complete substance abuse counseling as directed by his probation officer, and to abide by licensing conditions imposed by the Vermont Board of Pharmacy.

The case was investigated and prosecuted by the Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit within the Vermont Attorney General’s Office.

Source: Vermont AG Jan 15, 2015

This year, AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. AARP Tax-Aide, in its 48th year, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention to the older population. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.

“This program helps thousands of Vermonters every year recover millions of dollars in refunds,” said Greg Marchildon, AARP Vermont state director. “Our counselors work throughout Vermont and the sites and clients have come to really rely on this help year after year.”

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc (NYSE: BHLB), the parent company of Berkshire Bank reported a 20 percent increase in fourth quarter core earnings per share to $0.48 in 2014 compared to $0.40 in 2013. Earnings growth was driven by a 17 percent increase in core revenue as the company expanded operations in its footprint. Fourth quarter GAAP EPS increased by 10 percent to $0.46 as earnings in both years were impacted by non-core charges related primarily to growth and restructuring. Berkshire Bank has branches in southwestern Vermont.

For the year, core earnings per share totaled $1.80 in 2014. Core earnings decreased by 4 percent from $1.87 per share in 2013 as volume growth was offset by lower margins in the first half of the year. GAAP EPS totaled$1.36 in 2014 and $1.65 in 2013.

FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (comparisons are to prior quarter unless otherwise stated):

Allison Beck, Acting Director of the US Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), issued the following statement today on behalf of FairPoint Communications Inc, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The bitter strike affecting workers in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine began on October 17.

Statement: "FairPoint Communications, Inc, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Council T-9 and the Communications Workers of America Local 1400, collectively agree to announce that the parties continue, with the assistance of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, to work towards new collective bargaining agreements and that progress is being made. Any statements or assertions made by any other party are not authorized by the Company or the Unions."

Vermont Business Magazine On January 23, 2015, Italian coffee company and Keurig Green Mountain investor Lavazza sold an aggregate of 378,371 shares of Common Stock ($50,299,273), as a result of which Lavazza currently owns approximately 7.8 percent of the outstanding Common Stock, as described below, worth about $1.7 billion. In a SEC filing statement, Lavazza said it intends to continue to review market conditions for shares of Keurig Common Stock and may from time to time sell additional shares of Keurig Common Stock. Keurig Green Mountain is based in Waterbury, Vermont.

Norwich University has reached $62 million in pledges toward a $100 million goal set out last September, officials announced today at a ceremonial groundbreaking of major enhancements to the university’s Kreitzberg Library. To date, meeting the $25 million Tawani Challenge — in which the Chicago-based Tawani Foundation matches certain gifts dollar-for-dollar up to $25 million — has been a fundamental achievement in the university’s fundraising success. Under the Tawani Challenge the university raised $27.6 million.

Another significant milestone is a recent gift of $5 million for construction of a new academic building, according to NU President Richard W Schneider.

The Public Service Department today announced that the next meeting of the Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel will be held on Wednesday January 28, 2015, from 6 pm to 9 pm, in the Autumn Room at the Quality Inn and Conference Center, 1380 Putney Road, Brattleboro, Vermont. The agenda for the January 28 meeting includes a presentation on the PSDAR process from Bruce Watson of the NRC, as well as an update on the current status of Vermont Yankee from Entergy. The agenda can be viewed online at the following link: http://publicservice.vermont.gov/sites/psd/files/VY%20NDCAP%20Agenda%201-28-15%20Final.pdf

All meetings of the Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel are open to the public.

Vermont is preparing for a significant snowstorm affecting the Northeast that could dump more than a foot of snow on southern counties. The snow will start Monday afternoon and the heaviest snowfall is expected overnight Monday into Tuesday.

“This isn’t the first winter storm of the season here in Vermont as it is for other parts of the northeast,” Governor Peter Shumlin said. “Nonetheless, parts of Vermont, especially southern counties, could see more than a foot of snow. We are prepared and will closely monitor conditions over the next few days. Vermonters know how to deal with winter weather, and I encourage everyone to use good Vermont common sense over the next few days.”

State Leaders convened in St Albans City Hall today to outline the new plan for addressing agricultural runoff in the Lake Champlain basin. New resources, deeper partnerships across state government, and new accountability tools (including enforcement and penalties by the attorney general's office) have been established to improve water quality across Vermont. The state is under pressure from the US EPA to move aggressively ahead with cleaning up the lake. If not, the federal government could come in and act on its own and bill Vermont for cleanup costs.

According to RE/MAX of New England, loosening lending practices, low inventory and steady interest rates are anticipated to heat-up the New England housing market in the first half of the year. Increased consumer confidence, a rebounding local economy and continued low-interest rates have converged to create a steady, consistent housing market throughout much of New England in 2014. Inventory shortages in desirable areas drove prices up, but throughout much of the region, overall home sales decreased over 2013 numbers. In Vermont, total sales were down and single-family homes paid slightly less, with the average median price dropping 3.8 percent to $205,000 in 2014, down from $213,000 a year ago.

Encore Redevelopment, of Burlington, Vermont, has announced the recent installation and commissioning of the PSEG Essex Solar Energy Center in Essex Junction, Vermont. At 3.6MWp, this array is the largest solar project in Vermont and is estimated to produce approximately 4,500,000 kWh of electricity annually, sufficient to power roughly 700 Vermont homes.

The solar array will also provide a lease payment which will help to diversify the income stream of the Whitcomb Farm and help the Farm, which has been in continuous operation since 1867, remain in active agricultural use.