Current News
by tim
by Bill Schubart During the Pandemic, Governor Scott has been an exemplary crisis leader. Now is the time for him to escalate his leadership and require vaccinations and public masking of all Vermonters until the delta variant spike has subsided. I can hear howls about freedom from the left and the right, but freedom is never absolute in a democracy as many would like to believe. Freedom has commensurate responsibilities to community.
by tim
Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets We don’t know about you but with the cancellation of fairs last year, we’re more excited than ever for this year’s Fairs and Field Days season. With the 84.7% of eligible Vermonters (and counting!) who have started the vaccine process, residents from every county are getting out and rewarding themselves with the excitement and traditions of Fairs and Field Days.
by tim
by Mike Donoghue, Correspondent, Vermont Business Magazine A defense lawyer said he plans to argue for no prison time for embattled former Jay Peak president William J Stenger after he pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to making false statements during a failed effort to build a biotechnology plant in Newport with use of EB-5 money. Stenger, 72, could face up to 5 years in prison when sentenced in US District Court, but defense lawyer Brooks McArthur said his client was victimized by two co-defendants, Ariel Quiros and William Kelly, both from Florida. McArthur called Quiros and Kelly, career con men and fraudsters and said both took advantage of Stenger, who is from Newport.
by tim
Vermont State Police On Sunday at approximately 1515 hours, an aircraft experiencing mechanical issues made an emergency landing in a field in Richmond, between I-89 and US RT 2. The aircraft made a safe, controlled landing with no injuries.
by katie
In June Central VT Habitat for Humanity, an affordable housing non-profit, hosted a children’s poster design contest where we invited kids in grades k-6 to submit artwork that showed what “home” looks like to them. From an adult perspective homeownership is often thought of as a financial asset, but as we learned from these children home means much more than that. Home is family, it is a place full of memories, and quite succinctly “home is the best place ever!”
Contestants drew, painted, and used a computer to make their art and to show us what home means to them. Each of the artists received 4 tickets for them and their families to attend the Vermont Mountaineers baseball game which were generously donated by the Mountaineers.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine We’ve all spent a lot of time in our pajamas in the last 16 months since the pandemic began. Children are getting ready for in-school learning, which makes this back-to-school shopping season unique and historic. Gone are the days of lounging in front of virtual classrooms in well-worn t-shirts and sweats. Kids are ready to show off their personalities to the world, and they long outgrew the clothes from the 2019 school year. There’s no better place to find unique outfits and distinctive school supplies than at Goodwill.
by tim
by John McClaughry A current case before the Public Utility Commission (PUC) may illustrate how that regulatory board has become an unaccountable fourth branch of government, dedicated to accelerating the current preoccupation with defeating the Menace of Climate Change. The case in point is a developer’s application to install a 500kw solar farm on Richville Road in Manchester. As an energy generation project, it falls under the jurisdiction of the PUC.
by tim
Vermont Agency of Transportation This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways throughout Vermont starting August 16. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.
by tim
Ride-N-Drive Event Features Parade of EVs, Plus Opportunities to Learn About Affordable & Clean Electric Driving
Vermont Business Magazine Interested in an electric vehicle, but curious what it’s like to own and drive one? Or have you thought about going electric but not sure what model is right for you? Green Mountain Power is making it simple and fun to learn about electric vehicles by launching a series of EVenture Ride-n-Drive events, in partnership with customers who drive electric vehicles.
The first one will be in Middlebury on Saturday, August 21, and will provide a chance for people to stop by, ask questions, and learn how driving electric can help cut carbon and costs. There are many electric vehicle options, and the EVenture will also feature a parade of electric vehicles.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) has been awarded a $3,000 grant from the Vermont Humanities Council to support a series of public programs on how the history and experiences of people of color are reflected in contemporary art. The series will feature BIPOC artists and curators who use archival and historic materials to draw connections between the past and present.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Was there any doubt 12 young girls could construct an entire cabin and bunk beds? Not among the girls at a special two-week summer camp session at Camp Farnsworth.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) and governing board (WLEB) were created by the legislature in 2012 to stimulate economic development in the agricultural and forestry sectors. WLEI is a collaborative effort between the Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets, Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation, and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.