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Vermont State Police The deceased victim in this crash is identified as Sean Hayes, 38, of Burlington, Vermont. The Shelburne police officer is identified as Sgt. Kyle Kapitanski. VSP’s investigation into this incident remains active and ongoing. A fatal crash between a Shelburne Police Department cruiser and a bicyclist occurred at about 2:45 a.m. Monday when the cruiser, driven by an on-duty Shelburne police officer, was headed south on U.S. Route 7 (Shelburne Road) in the vicinity of Fayette Drive in South Burlington. The cruiser struck a southbound cyclist pulling a trailer. Hayes was pronounced deceased on scene. It was raining and dark, and the road was wet at the time of the crash.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) on November 6 released the following statement in response to the outcome of the 2024 presidential election: "It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them. First, it was the white working class, and now it is Latino and Black workers as well. While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they’re right."

Vermont Business Magazine The National Life Group Board of Directors has approved an estimated payment of $25 million in dividends to eligible participating policyholders in 2025. This payment represents National Life’s ongoing commitment to its policyholders and continues the proud heritage of having paid a dividend every year since 1855. An annual dividend is a yearly payment from the life insurance company for certain policies. Every year the company determines what the dividend rate will be, or if they will pay a dividend at all. Annual dividends are not guaranteed and may increase or decrease from policy year to policy year.

Vermont Business Magazine A freelance photojournalist who documented tensions in eastern Ukraine between 2014 and 2019 will speak at Saint Michael’s College about the war in Ukraine and how the West has failed Kiev. Dmitri Beliakov, an award-winning photographer originally from Russia, currently has more than 50 photos on display at Saint Michael’s College on the 3rd floor of the Dion Family Student Center. Beliakov’s photos explore several themes: the fanaticism that is driving Europe’s largest war in a generation; the transformative effects of the conflict on pro-Ukrainian government fighters and Moscow-backed armed separatists; and the tragedy of the most vulnerable: the elderly, the ill, and the poor of the region. His photos will be on display through this free exhibit until Nov. 14.   

The Vermont State Police is investigating a fatal crash between a Shelburne Police Department cruiser and a bicyclist that occurred early Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. The crash occurred at about 2:45 a.m. Monday when the cruiser, driven by an on-duty Shelburne police officer, was headed south on U.S. Route 7 (Shelburne Road) in the vicinity of Fayette Drive in South Burlington. The cruiser struck a southbound cyclist pulling a trailer. The cyclist, a man, was pronounced deceased on scene. It was raining and dark, and the road was wet at the time of the crash.

Vermont Business Magazine The ban on debris burning issued on October 28 by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) has been extended in Bennington, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor Counties.  Persistent dry conditions in the southern portion of the state, high winds, an abundance of fuel, and regional drought have created an elevated risk for wildfires. This ban will end on November 18, 2024, at 3:00 PM. The ban in all other counties will expire Monday November 11 at 3:00PM. However, local conditions may vary, and town forest fire wardens may have burning restrictions in place. Always contact your local fire warden to obtain a burn permit prior to any open burning. There has been no significant rainfall in the state and most of the area is experiencing drought conditions according to the US Drought Monitor.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas released the first November 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 report reflects candidate filings as of the most recent filing deadline on November 1. 

Vermont Business Magazine On 11/10/2024, at approximately 0406 hours, Troopers from the Vermont State Police – Rutland Barracks were notified of a motor vehicle crash on Cold River Road, near Upper Cold River Road, in the Town of Shrewsbury. Through investigation it was determined Operator #1 (Macy Piersiak) was traveling south on Cold River Road and failed to maintain their lane of travel. Vehicle #1 crossed the centerlines, exited the roadway and struck a guardrail. Vehicle #1 continued on to strike a tree head on. Operator #1 (Piersiak) was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash. There were no additional occupants of the vehicle.

Burlington DPW Water Resources Pine Street from Pine Place to just north of Kilburn St will be closed to Southbound traffic during the workday for sewer cleaning starting on Tuesday 11/12 and lasting for up to 4 days. Southbound travel will be restored at the end of each workday. Please follow detour signage and plan extra time for travel through this corridor. 

Vermont Business Magazine This Veterans Day, the American Red Cross is celebrating veterans and the sacrifices they’ve made. Their service to this country inspires over 4,300 Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) employees and volunteers, including 38 from the Northern New England Region, to provide a continuum of care to service members, veterans, their caregivers and their families. Through every phase of duty, service members and their families face a unique, sometimes daunting set of challenges – like reaching a loved one on a military vessel at sea or supporting a veteran living with depression.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.12 per gallon, up 0.7 cents per gallon from last week's $3.11/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.86/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 43.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 2.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.03/g today. The national average is down 16.7 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 32.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine The Request for Applications is now available for the 2025 Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program! Approximately $180,000 in funds is available for projects that will strengthen Vermont’s specialty crop industries through research, consumer education, marketing, produce safety improvements, and more. Projects must benefit more than one producer. This year, awards will range from $15,000 to $45,000. What’s a specialty crop? The official USDA list includes fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture crops (including honey, hops, maple syrup, and mushrooms), and nursery crops (including Christmas trees and floriculture). The pre-application will be open from November 18th to January 8th. Select pre-applications will then be invited to submit a full application.