Current News

Perfect Landing At Harris Hill Ski Jump
Organizing Committee Secures Additional Funds for Construction
BRATTLEBORO, VTAt a Brattleboro Selectboard meeting, Harris Hill Ski Jump Co-Director Pat Howell announced that Harris Hill has received a gift of $188,000, totaling the funds needed to complete the construction of the jump.
"This is more than a gift, it's a miracle," said Howell. "The town of Brattleboro should be very proud of the confidence in our community that this gift represents."

Bridge Managers Optimistic About Improving Bridge Conditions
DES PLAINES, Ill., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the first time
since 2005, highway engineers are optimistic about reducing the number of
structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges. The information
comes from an annual survey of highway professionals in 50 state
Departments of Transportation and the District of Columbia conducted by
Better Roads magazine and sponsored by Contech Bridge Solutions, Inc. The
study, which provides the most current data available on bridge conditions,
shows that increased funding, initiated after the I-35 bridge collapse in
Minnesota, is finally working its way into the system. More than 60 percent
of respondents felt that they would be able to reduce the number of
functionally obsolete and structurally deficient bridges in the next year,
compared to just 40 percent in 2007.

Astronomer/Cosmologist O'Meara, collaborates with 8 other scientists
Saint Michael's physicist receives $300,000 NASA grant to determine how galaxies are born and how they change over time
Assessing data sent to earth by the Hubble Space Telescope, Dr. John O'Meara, Saint Michael's College assistant professor of physics, and eight colleagues at four universities, will study how galaxies are born and how they change with time.
Dr. O'Meara learned last week that his proposal to do this analysis had been funded by the Space Telescope Science Institute of NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Two, two-year grants, one for $158,891 and one for $146, 733, will provide funding to O'Meara, the principal investigator (PI), and colleagues from the University of California, Santa Cruz; Notre Dame, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, and the University of Chicago, to explore thorny issues about the galaxy.

Economic development commissioner stepping down
Douglas, Dorn Praise QUINN's Service
Montpelier, Vt. -- (November 6, 2008) Vermont Department of Economic Development (DED) Commissioner Michael Quinn today announced he his stepping down as economic development commissioner.
Quinn said he has enjoyed serving Vermont and Governor Douglas, but is looking forward to returning to the private sector.
"I left the private sector to spend six very rewarding years serving the people of Vermont and working with Governor Douglas to advance his pro-growth, job creation agenda," said Quinn, "but six years is plenty - and longer than I'd told my extraordinarily supportive wife, Froncie - so it's time to make a change."
Governor Douglas praised Quinn for his service.

Central Vermont Reports Third-Quarter Earnings

RUTLAND, VT, Nov 05, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Central Vermont Public Service (NYSE: CV)

Champlain College to Buy Ethan Allen Club
Members to remain for two years while student housing plans are developed
BURLINGTON, Vt. (Nov. 4, 2008) - Champlain College announced today it has entered into a purchase and sale agreement to purchase the Ethan Allen Club located at 298 College St. The building and location, identified in Champlain's recent master plan, represents an opportunity for Champlain to develop apartment-style housing units for its students, according to officials at Champlain College.
Champlain College President Dave Finney explained the decision, "This property represents a big step towards the College taking responsibility for all of our undergraduate students in Burlington. We currently have more than 1,000 students living in apartments in Burlington neighborhoods and our goal is to house all of them in Champlain housing by 2016."

Week Ending November 1, 2008
There were 1,253 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, an increase of 63 from the week before, according to the Vermont Department of Labor. Altogether 7.545 new and continuing claims were filed, 640 more than a week ago and 2342 more than a year earlier. In addition, the Department processed 1,136 claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008, a decrease of 25 from last week.
The Unemployment Weekly Report can be found at:
http://www.vtlmi.info/
Previously released Unemployment Weekly Reports and other UI reports can be found at:
http://www.vtlmi.info/lmipub.htm#uc

Vermont Public Television Wins PBS Award for Excellence, Other Awards
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) recently honored Vermont Public Television with four national awards for innovation and fundraising at the annual Development Conference. VPT was the PBS member station to receive the top award, the Award for Excellence, in the On-air Achievement category. Three other awards recognized VPTs work in Local Corporate
Underwriting, On-air Achievement and Planned Giving.
Staff members who led the award-winning efforts were Lee Ann Lee, vice president for marketing and development; David Donegan, membership manager; Brynn Wikgren, pledge/events coordinator; and Peter Shea, corporate services director.
Vermont's statewide public television network raises 85 percent of its revenue from local sources, most of that directly from local viewers.

Sales Increase for 18th Consecutive Quarter at Bruegger's
Last update: 5:52 p.m. EST Nov. 3, 2008
BURLINGTON, Vt., Nov 03, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Guest-focused Business Strategy Spells Success for National Bakery-Cafe Brand

Marking 18 consecutive quarters of growth, Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc. has announced third quarter system-wide gross sales of $45.13 million; a 8.7 percent rise over the same period in 2007. Revenue for comparable sales grew 1.7 percent at company locations and 1.7 percent system-wide for the third quarter ending October 30, 2008.

Anchor Building & Movie Theatre in Downtown St Johnsbury Sold
St. Johnsbury, VT The building that houses the Star Theatre and other popular retail and business establishments in downtown St Johnsbury was sold this week, along with the movie theatre business.
The property, located at 17 Eastern Avenue was owned by Recreation, Inc. and successfully owned and operated by the late Bill Costa, Orlando Costa, Jim Heath and the Costa family. Jim Heath, owner/manager of the Star Theatre said, "After many years of providing entertainment to the greater St. Jay area, we felt it was time for us to pass the torch onto a new owner. It has been our pleasure to be a part of this community, and we know that the new owner will continue to serve the area."

GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER FILES FOR
RATE ADJUSTMENT OF LESS THAN TWO PERCENT
COLCHESTER, VT& (October 31, 2008) Green Mountain Power has asked the Vermont Public Service Board to authorize a 1.58 percent rate adjustment to go into effect on January 1, 2009, as part of its alternative regulation plan. The increase is largely due to increases in regional transmission costs.
"While we know any increase in rates can be difficult for our customers, we are pleased to have been able to keep our adjustment extremely low at a time when many of our customers are facing difficulties as a result of turmoil in the broader economy," said Mary Powell, Green Mountain Power President and Chief Executive Officer. "We have worked hard and very successfully to manage the costs within our control."

Central Vermont Public Service Schedules Third Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call/Webcast