Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Brattleboro Ski Hill was one of the first ski areas in Vermont to offer lift service. Over 23 years before Stratton Mountain opened, busloads of Connecticut and New York skiers traveled to Brattleboro. Thousands of winter sports enthusiasts lined up each weekend, waiting to get whisked up the 1,100-foot rope tow. Today, Stratton is helping to preserve the soul of skiing by investing in the success of the Brattleboro Ski Hill.

Vermont Business Magazine Start off the new year on the right foot with Vermont State Parks’ First Day Hikes. On January 1, 2025, everyone is invited to join free, guided hikes taking place at state parks, state forests, and other public lands across Vermont. Hikes are led by knowledgeable guides eager to share their love of Vermont’s outdoors. Hikes will take place at locations across Vermont including Allis State Park, Bomoseen State Park, Brighton State Park, Button Bay State Park, Mount Mansfield State Forest, Groton State Forest, Willoughby State Forest, and more. For hike descriptions and registration information, visit the 2025 First Day Hikes page and see list below.

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine The St. Johnsbury community, which is still trying to heal after the serious wounding of one of its beloved veteran police officers, is getting a special Christmas present this week. Multiple Vermont municipal police departments, county sheriffs, and the Department of Motor Vehicles have agreed to send law enforcement personnel to Caledonia County this week to cover many of the work shifts for beleaguered St. Johnsbury officers. Among them are the Windsor and Springfield Police Departments and the Windsor County Sheriff's Department. The three agencies have stepped up to provide coverage on Christmas Day to allow some St. Johnsbury officers to spend the holiday with their families at home. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas released the December Vermont 2024 Candidates and Campaign Finance. This report continues the Secretary of State’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency for campaign finance reporting during the 2024 campaign season. This is the final reporting period of the current election cycle and reflects candidate filings as of the filing deadline on December 15.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) recently to introduce the bipartisan Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act, legislation designed to lower drug prices by accelerating the roll-out of generic drugs that get FDA approval for certain indications. “In Vermont and across the country, hardworking families are burdened with astronomical health care costs—including for lifesaving prescription drugs. So-called ‘skinny labeling’ has helped level speed generics to market, bringing down costs in the process.  It’s no surprise Big Pharma has a big problem with it,” said Senator Welch. “Our bipartisan bill will protect skinny labeling and help patients pay less at the pharmacy counter.” 

by Mike Del Trecco, VAHHS CEO During the the time of the year when so many of us celebrate holidays and a new year, our hospitals have reached out to their communities and their coworkers to make the season brighter. Below is just a sampling of wonderful work they're doing. It warms my heart. Happy holidays to you, your organizations and your families.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Buildings and General Services announced today the date of the annual State House Menorah lighting on Thursday, December 26 at 4:30 p.m. The event will take place on the State House lawn and is open to the general public. The Governor welcomes Vermonters to the State House to light the State House menorah for the second night of Hanukkah. 

Vermont State Police Monday at approximately 1127 hours, Troopers responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash with death resulting on VT Route 22A near Carrs Lane in the Town of Bridport. Initial investigation indicates V#1 was traveling south on VT Route 22A when it gradually left the southbound lane. V#1 then struck a telephone pole, overturned and came to an upside-down position of uncontrolled rest. The operator was identified as Mark Axelrod (78) and the passenger was identified as Francine Axelrod (76), both of River Edge, NJ. Mark and Francine were both pronounced deceased at the scene.

Neither speed nor impairment are expected to be contributing factors at this time.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.08 per gallon, down 3.0 cents per gallon from last week's $3.11/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.69/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 60.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 3.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.01/g today. The national average is down 2.6 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 9.2 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine A new report released today shows that Vermonters—especially low-income and vulnerable Vermonters—are facing broad and substantial unmet civil legal needs. In the five years since the last statewide study, these needs have increased substantially. The widening gap between legal needs and services is often called the “justice gap.” Legal needs are present across the entire spectrum of civil legal subject areas, but several areas stand out. In particular, the data clearly shows that Vermonters are facing eviction and other housing legal issues at a crisis level.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Land for Good is hosting a free webinar series for farmers to learn about key issues, tools, and resources to help them make informed decisions and take steps towards transferring their farm to the next generation of their family or a non-family successor. Farmers will learn from other farmers and from professionals who can help in the process. Topics include retirement, financial and estate planning, taxes, legal entities, and determining goals for retirement, business transitions, and your land. All generations, including family and non-family members who may play a role in your farm's future are encouraged to attend. Farmers from across New England are welcome! Instructors include Mike Ghia, a Land For Good Vermont Field Agent, as well as a guest attorney and financial specialist. 

Vermont Business Magazine Mascoma Community Development (MCD) is pleased to announce the closing of $9 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to finance the redevelopment of the DyeWorks Building, a historic mill building in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The revitalization of the DyeWorks Building marks a significant milestone in community development and urban renewal. With the support of MCD’s New Markets Tax Credit allocation, Lawrence CommunityWorks is set to transform this historic mill into a hub of activity and growth. The project promises to bring essential goods and services to the area by bringing in a supermarket, family health center, and youth program center, addressing the needs of the community while preserving the architectural heritage of the building.