Current News

Thirty-five prosecutors, law enforcement officials, forensic tool developers, and computer forensics practitioners from around the country convened on the Champlain College campus on September 1 and 2, 2004, as part of a US Department of Justice project. Champlain College is an important partner in the National Institute of Justices (NIJ) Electronic Crime Partnership Initiative (ECPI). The ECPI is promoting Champlain's Computer & Digital Forensics program as a model that can be replicated elsewhere in the country to help fight electronic crime and cyber terrorism.
US Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Americas Cyber Senator, came to the Champlain College campus to meet the ECPI participants.

For Immediate Release: Contact: Leigh Tofferi
September 7, 2004 (802) 371-3205
Public Invited to Celebrate Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermonts 60th Year of Serving Vermonters
Berlin, VT - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is inviting the public to join in celebration of the organizations 60th anniversary offering quality nondiscriminatory health benefits in Vermont. A family oriented event featuring games, refreshments and music, will be held at the Round Barn at Shelburne Museum on September 18, 2004 from 10:00AM to 12:00 noon.
The Vermont observance coincides with the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield systems 75th anniversary this year. What began as an innovative prepaid health care plan for loggers and teachers has evolved into a national, technology-driven system that provides health benefits and financing for millions of Americans delivered through independent, community-based, local companies like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont.

DuBois & King Relocates to Downtown Randolph
Randolph, Vermont- DuBois & King, Inc., a multi-disciplinary engineering firm, located 2.5 miles out of the center of Randolph on Vermont Route 66, is packing up and moving to the center of town. Sounds simple enough, right? It took five years of effort and the involvement of eleven federal, state, and regional agencies. The new building, on the site of the old Village School, is nearing completion and moving day is soon approaching.
In business since 1962, DuBois & King has operated outside of town near Exit 4, off Interstate 89, for 33 years. Proximity to the Interstate was a major factor in originally locating the business on Route 66. Extensive travel is required to service clients throughout Vermont and New England.

GROUNDS FOR GROWTH: GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE ROASTERS
OPENS NEW, $9 MILLION DISTRIBUTION CENTER
WATERBURY, VT (September 1, 2004) -- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) celebrated a significant milestone in its growth todaythe opening of a distribution center that will allow the Company to keep up with increasing consumer demand for a good cup of coffee. U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas, and Company CEO Bob Stiller were on hand to cut the ribbon at the new site in Waterbury, Vermont.
The new, 52,000 square foot warehouse and distribution center will mean Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has the room to increase its roasting capacity from 17 million pounds of coffee a year to 50 million pounds annually. The multi-level building cost $9 million to build and features state-of-the-art automation that is anticipated to increase efficiency and lower overall distribution costs in the long run.

Governor Announces First Clean and Clear Water Plan Grants
Montpelier-Governor Jim Douglas was in St. Albans today to announce
the first $111,000 in grants for his Clean and Clean Action Plan and
present a check for $11,000 to the Lake Champlain Committee for work to
identify which areas in the St. Albans Bay watershed should undergo
treatments to reduce the amount of phosphorus reaching the lake.
Douglas' multi-year, multi-million dollar clean-up plan for the Lake
Champlain Basin, and waterways throughout Vermont, received $500,000 in
capital funds in the fiscal year 2005 budget to complete stream stability
projects. Douglas' plan calls for this stream stability program to be
funded for at least six years. "Our plan is about more than a precious
natural resource; it is about more than our lakes, rivers and streams.
It's about our quality of life, and our way of life," Douglas said.

VEDA BOARD APPROVES $10.7 MILLION IN PROJECT FINANCING COMMITMENTS
Montpelier - Vermont manufacturing, educational, healthcare-related, technology and agricultural projects totaling $23.2 million have been approved by VEDAs Board of Directors for $10.7 million in Vermont Economic Development Authority financing assistance.
The Boards commitment of VEDA resources has enabled these projects to leverage an additional $12.5 million in private and public capital to create jobs, enhance vital community services, and improve Vermonters lives, said Jo Bradley, VEDAs Chief Executive Officer.
The projects approved by the VEDA Board are:

October 6th kicks off the start of a new group of adults seeking a masters degree in business administration from the College of St. Joseph. This program is specifically designed to accommodate working adults who want to expand their career opportunities and earning potential. Courses focus on developing managerial leadership skills and conveniently meet one evening each week. Students advance through the coursework with their original group, which provides the added benefit of developing strong relationships within the classroom and the workplace.

Center for Global Business & Technology
at Champlain College opens its doors
BURLINGTON, Vt.-Champlain College opened a $10 million academic facility
on August 30. The Center for Global Business & Technology will enhance the
College's ability to put students to work on real business challenges for
Vermont companies and non-profits, which will fuel Vermont's business
community. Students will interact with these clients and Champlain faculty
members in new high-tech classrooms and multimedia suites, a market
research and strategy room, focus group room, international business
resource center and conference rooms.
"This building speaks to Champlain's philosophy of action-based
education," said President Roger H. Perry. "The Center includes as much
integration with the business community as we could build into it. It's a
facility that benefits students as well as Vermont's public and private

The city of Burlington will again play host to the ALS Association Northern New England Chapters largest statewide fundraiser, Walk to D'Feet ALS, happening Saturday, September 18th at Burlington's Leddy Park. The event is a chance for those in Vermont personally touched by ALS to join together in support of those who still struggle with the effects of this devastating terminal illness. Our fundraising goal for this event is $50,000!
2004 Sponsors include: General Dynamics, ATP. , Ride Away Corporation, Green Mountain Video, Inc, Madhouse Munchies of Vermont and many more!

JAMES KEYES PROMOTED TO PRESIDENT OF CITIZENS BANK'S CHARTER ONE FRANCHISE
IN VERMONT
Keyes, Who Joined Citizens Bank in 2002 as EVP of Commercial Lending, Will
Oversee Vermont Operations
Providence, RI (August 26, 2004) - Citizens Financial Group announced
today that James R. Keyes will be President of Citizens Bank's Charter One
franchise in Vermont. Citizens takes over Charter One on September 1. Keyes, who joined Citizens Bank New Hampshire in
June of 2002 as Executive Vice President of Commercial Lending, will
return to the Vermont market, where he spent more than 17 years.
"Jim brings more than 25 years of diverse banking experience to his new
role within Citizens Bank," said Bob Mahoney, Vice Chairman of New England
Banking at Citizens Financial Group. "He is a 'balanced banker' with a
background that includes executive level management positions in many

Vermont to Receive $337,500 in Securities Settlement
with Deutsche Bank Securities and Thomas Weisel Partners
Montpelier, VT (August 26, 2004) - Under the terms of settlements announced today between
securities regulators and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Thomas Weisel
Partners LLC, Vermont stands to receive $337,500 in total fine money upon
final acceptance of the terms of the agreement, said John P. Crowley,
Vermont's Commissioner of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care
Administration (BISHCA). The settlements result from allegations of
conflicts of interest at brokerage houses where analysts recommended
stocks due to improper influence from their investment banking colleagues.
Deutche Bank Securities, Inc. will pay $287,500 and Thomas Weisel Partners
LLC will pay $50,000 in fines.
Commissioner Crowley made the announcement following investigations of the

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Stephan A. Morse of Newfane has been selected as the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. Morse will be honored with a roast-and-toast banquet on October 28, 2004 at the Woodstock Inn & Resort.
The prestigious Vermont Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award focuses on community service, and going above and beyond the call of duty. Presented annually for more than four decades, the Citizen of the Year award honors the person who contributes to Vermont on a statewide basis through service, self-sacrifice, and volunteerism.
Morse is known for his dedication to Vermont communities and our citizens through both his career and volunteer efforts. A native Vermonter and former Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives, Morse is currently the President and CEO of the Windham Foundation, Inc., in Grafton.