Current News

Vermont Business Magazine VT Helplink, Vermont’s statewide resource for alcohol and drug use support services, is now available to connect with people in Vermont 24/7. For nearly five years, VT Helplink resource specialists have been available by phone and through chat at VTHelplink.org to provide information and referrals to people seeking substance use information and support services. New this year, VT Helplink supports the option to text “LINK” to 802-565-LINK (5465) — the same number as the live call service — to connect with a resource specialist. People in Vermont can now reach out for help with alcohol and drug use anytime, day or night, in the format that is most accessible to them. 

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today announced the release of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission’s annual report, including statistics, trends, and recommendations. The Commission, housed within the Attorney General’s Office, found that in 2023, seven of Vermont’s 29 homicides were related to domestic violence. Included in the Commission’s report are key recommendations, including addressing access to firearms, funding victim service positions for local law enforcement agencies, and expanding the use of lethality assessments statewide. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas held the first meeting of the 2025 Town Clerk Advisory Committee (TCAC) at the Thetford town offices on Tuesday. This is the second iteration of the advisory group, which Copeland Hanzas reconvened after a decade-long hiatus upon taking office in 2023. The Committee will meet monthly to discuss and address the interests of Vermont’s town clerks, who play an essential role in the functioning of Vermont’s municipalities.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Afghan Alliance released the following statement in response to the Trump Executive Order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program: “All of us at the Vermont Afghan Alliance are devastated to learn of the Executive Order suspending entry of refugees into the United States under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), including Afghan refugees awaiting relocation to the United States. It has been nearly 3.5 years since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and thousands of Afghans have continued to wait, often in hiding, to evacuate to safety in the United States. Those affected include former Afghan government officials who supported the U.S. government, Afghan prosecutors and judges, family members of U.S. Service members, and more."

Vermont Business Magazine The Shelburne Selectboard approved on January 21 the formation of an economic and community development commission tasked with preserving, promoting and enhancing the town’s economic, historic and social vibrancy. Experience Shelburne, the non-profit entity associated with the commission, also seeks to foster and support community infrastructure investment and development for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors. The initiative was recommended by a recent economic development study and informed by extensive community input.

The Vermont State police is able to identify the victim of the Marshfield fire as 18-year-old Adalyn Phoenix. She was pronounced dead at the University of Vermont Medical Center due to injuries sustained in the Jan. 17 fire. Her family advised that they are honoring the wishes of their daughter and are donating her organs to assist other individuals and families in need. On 1/17/25 at approximately 1445 hours the Marshfield Fire Department was alerted by a concerned citizen to smoke coming from a structure at 3343 US Route 2 in Marshfield. Marshfield Fire responded to the scene and was assisted by numerous area fire departments.

Vermont Business Magazine Middlebury College announced today that it has appointed Dr. Ian Baucom, PhD, as its 18th president. Baucom, currently executive vice president and provost of the University of Virginia and the Robert C. Taylor Professor of English, is a widely regarded leader in higher education who has long championed the role of colleges and universities as civic institutions. He has empowered teaching, research, and learning to engage the urgent challenges of our time by building partnerships across a broad spectrum of disciplines: neuroscience and biotech, the humanities, environmental resilience, global Black studies, the visual and performing arts, digital technology, and artificial intelligence. As a scholar, teacher, mentor, administrator, and colleague whose work has influenced individuals and organizations here and around the world, he has been a steadfast advocate for the work of education in changing lives and advancing the promise of democracy.

Vermont State Police The FBI Albany Field Office continues to investigate an alleged assault on a federal officer in connection with the fatal shooting involving a U.S. Border Patrol Agent Monday afternoon on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont. At approximately 3:15PM on Monday January 20th, U.S. Border Patrol Agent David “Chris” Maland was involved in a traffic stop on Interstate 91 southbound near mile marker 168. During the course of the traffic stop, an exchange of gunfire occurred, and Agent Maland was struck. Additionally, one subject was killed, and one subject was injured and is currently being treated at an area hospital. The identification of either subject was not released, however, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the deceased subject is a German national in the U.S. on a current visa.

Vermont Business Magazine Kyel Tuckerman never aspired to go to college. “I had this perception college would be a waste of time and money and I’m not really a ‘sitter’,” he said. “I was at the Hartford tech center taking hands-on classes when I met a student from Vermont State University (VTSU). He visited me and my buddy to tell us about the Construction Management program, brought us to the Randolph campus to check out the classes, and showed me how the program is geared toward interesting and real-life things. I saw it was something related to what I might like to do in my life.” Kyel is now 19 and in his second year in the program. He has two-and-a-half years left and is looking forward to his next summer internship. He’s already interned with Casella Construction, where he was able to work on a pipeline construction project in Rutland that connects to a dam for hydroelectricity. 

Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission TRORC’s Shared Energy Coordinator (SEC) program held a festive, holiday-themed event at the Bugbee Senior Center in Hartford on December 5th to promote awareness of the 2024 update to Vermont’s Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES). A few dozen attendees representing several towns engaged with presentations from local building science experts, then put their skills to the test by building models of RBES-compliant wall assemblies using gingerbread and candy. The campaign will continue throughout the winter and spring with outreach to town permitting officials.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released the Vermont Clean Water Initiative 2024 Performance Report. It highlights water quality progress made through public investment. By investing over $603 million in clean water projects in the past nine years (on average, $67 million per year), the State has cut pollution going into Vermont’s waters. These investments also help reduce flood damage and flood risk while building more resilient road networks, water infrastructure, and agricultural economy. State funding, technical assistance, and regulatory programs have helped: Carry out pollution prevention projects on 456,615 acres of agricultural fields and pastures; Replace and right-size 1,080 municipal road drainage and stream culverts; Construct, upgrade, or refurbish over 100 wastewater collection and treatment systems.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Acquisition and demolition of flood-prone residential properties, or “buyouts,” helps communities restrict the land as open space in perpetuity to preserve the natural benefits of a floodplain. Keeping the property as open green space not only gets people out of harm’s way but also enhances community resilience, keeping flood waters away from neighbors. FEMA does not buy directly from property owners but supports projects administered by the state and local communities. The state and local communities work together to identify areas where acquisition of properties make the most sense. Individuals do not apply directly to the state. The community must sponsor an application on behalf of the property owner.