Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and members of his Administration, the Opioid Coordination Council and the Legislature on Wednesday welcomed family members of Vermonters who’ve died as a result of an opioid overdose to commemorate Vermont’s second annual Opioid Overdose Awareness Day. Addressing the families at Wednesday’s event, Scott said, “Opioid addition affects so many lives, and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the courage and leadership of those joining us here today to share their stories in an effort to help others and make a difference. You demonstrate why we must continue this battle against an epidemic that’s impacted every corner of our state.”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan, joined by 16 attorneys general, Monday moved to intervene in Texas et al. v. United States et al., a lawsuit filed in federal district court in Texas which seeks to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Texas lawsuit imperils health care coverage and funding for all Americans, particularly more vulnerable groups like seniors, children, and people with chronic medical conditions or disabilities. The Texas lawsuit jeopardizes Medicaid funding and federal subsidies for individuals to buy private health insurance, which could lead to Vermont losing almost $3 billion in federal money over the next decade.

Green Mountain Club The Green Mountain Club (GMC), maintainer and protector of Vermont’s Long Trail and Vermont’s hiking trails advocate, along with the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR), manager of Vermont State Forests and Parks, and the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF), has announced the return of mud season to the Green Mountains. The wet soils on and around hiking trails are very susceptible to erosion at this critical time of year. To protect fragile soil and surrounding vegetation, some trails may be closed by the land manager during this time. Please respect the signage you see. Hikers walking on saturated soils or on the sides of trails cause damage to surrounding vegetation, widen trails, and inhibit natural drainage of our beloved hiking trails.

Vermont Business Magazine Community Bank NA recently presented Vermont Community Garden Network with a $2,500 donation to support the organization’s Gardens for Learning program. The funds will help cover the cost of ongoing training and technical assistance, curriculum resources, and garden and cooking equipment and supplies.

A grant and technical assistance program, Gardens for Learning provides summer gardening, nutrition and cooking programs for children at risk of summertime hunger.

Photo (left to right): Community Bank N.A. New England Regional Manager Anita Bourgeois, Vermont Community Garden Network Executive Director Michelle Gates and Community Bank N.A. District Manager Erika Baldasaro.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is hosting a meeting to provide an opportunity for public input on the draft long-range management plan for Mt. Philo State Park. The meeting will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Charlotte Central School on Hinesburg Road in Charlotte.

The format for this meeting will be an open house. At 6:00 pm, participants will have the opportunity to review the draft plan, view maps, discuss goals and strategies with staff from the Departments of Forests, Parks & Recreation and Fish & Wildlife, and provide written comments. At 7:00 pm there will be a brief presentation providing a planning overview, highlighting portions of the plan and outlining next steps. Following the presentation, participants can continue to meet with Agency staff and provide comment.

Visitors are welcome to arrive and depart at any time during the two-hour meeting.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department One of the great wildlife migrations is happening right now in Vermont, and it’s taking place right at our feet. You may have already heard the spring peepers or wood frogs calling in your backyard. Or perhaps you’ve noticed salamanders crawling over rocks in a nearby stream. Amphibians are on the move, but their spring breeding migration can too often become deadly.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott Wednesday afternoon signed three bills related to gun control and school safety. He did so on the steps of the State House while opponents of the bills jeered and supporters cheered. The transcript of his speech is below, as well as the prepared remarks from Speaker of the House Mitzi Johnson and as well as a statement from Gun Sense Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The 2018 Commencement speaker at Saint Michael’s College on May 13 at 10 a.m. in the Ross Sports Center will be New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, whose leadership in the removal of Confederate monuments last year led to his powerful and nationally acclaimed speech about the matter a year ago. Landrieu learned recently that he will be honored for those efforts with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award later in May.

Also receiving honorary degrees at Commencement in this 175th anniversary year of the Society of St. Edmund (Saint Michael’s College’s founding religious order), will be the Rev. Joseph McLaughlin, SSE, a former Saint Michael’s trustee and professor who also was Edmundite Superior General from 1986 to 1991; and Patricia McGuire, president of Trinity Washington University since 1989 and a dedicated champion for educating low-income black, Latino and immigrant Washington women.

Vermont Business Magazine The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) today released the statewide performance results from the 2017 assessments in reading and mathematics. While Vermont students continued to perform at or above the national average on the assessment, students showed a decline in average scale scores compared to the 2015 results.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced that, following a "thorough review" of concerns raised recently by the public and media, he "will continue to strongly support" the planned F-35 basing at the Burlington International Airport. He will neither sign nor veto the resolution, which will take effect in any case April 16 and will have no impact on the arrival of the new fighter jets late next year. He said in a statement that he decided not to veto the resolution because that would only extend the debate surrounding the ballot question supported by voters in March. The ballot question requested the Air Force seek an alternative mission for the Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG).

Vermont Business Magazine Ski Vermont reports that with yet another incredible winter under our belts, it is that time of year again when we must begin to announce closing dates. Thanks to Vermont’s world-class snowmaking and Mother Nature’s willingness to bestow numerous powder days upon us, many resorts are staying open well into April, May and even June. For those looking ahead to next season and wanting to secure a pass in the state with the longest season on the East Coast, now is the time to buy and save on 2018-19 season passes at Vermont resorts.

Vermont Business Magazine Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel brewed up over $4,300 for Special Olympics Vermont and New York during their Boots ‘n Beer fundraising events. Lenny’s offered free beer tastings by three local breweries at each event. In addition to the free tastings, customers could purchase limited edition event t-shirts and raffle tickets for a chance to win boots, shoes, clothing and accessories. 100% of the t-shirt and raffle ticket proceeds are being donated to Special Olympics Vermont and New York. Lenny’s gave away over a 50 raffle prizes including KEEN Utility work boots, Merrell shoes and three $100 Lenny’s Gift Cards.