Current News

Vermont Business Magazine This February, in recognition of American Heart Month, members of Copley’s cardiology team - Drs. Adam Kunin and Michael Hayes and Cardiac Nurse Practitioner, Nadia Fletcher - share their tips for a healthy heart. According to Dr. Kunin, it is generally much easier to prevent a heart attack than it is to treat a heart attack once it has occurred: “Comprehensive cardiac prevention involves evaluating a person’s overall risk of having a cardiac event and looking at various ways to prevent such an event from happening.” Kunin says that an important piece of prevention is recognizing that you may not know all the possible risks and trying to identify them through advanced testing.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that COVID-19 cases again fell to their lowest level since early November and hospitalizations also were down for nearly the same timeframe. There were again 4 fatalities, which is slightly fewer than they've been in about two months. The pandemic death total now stands at 1,128 as of February 17, 2024 (the most recent data available). Total reported deaths in January were 28, which is the highest monthly total in nearly a year, and 11 so far in February. The VDH reported February 21, 2024, that COVID-19 hospitalizations were down 3 last week to a statewide total of 25. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Reported cases last week were 180, down 30 for the week.  Of the total deaths to date, 910 have been of Vermonters 70 or older. There have been 3 deaths of Vermonters under 30 since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center has announced the recipients of the 2023 Rutland Regional Medical Center and Community Physician and Advanced Practice Provider of the Year Awards. These awardees were selected from more than thirty nominees, representing a diverse group of exceptional individuals who represent and reflect the quality of the medical staff. Awards are given to two physicians and two advanced practice providers representing Rutland Regional Medical Center and the Rutland area community.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division (ESD) is excited to announce the relocation of its Burlington office from 119 Pearl Street to 128 Lakeside Avenue. The move comes as the State sells the Zampieri State Office Building at 119 Pearl Street in Burlington, which currently houses ESD’s local office and the Department of Health. ESD’s transition will occur over the weekend of March 8, with the new office ready to serve the community on Monday, March 11. There are no changes in services expected during this time. 

Vermont Business Magazine Several business leaders from across Vermont convened for an afternoon of testimony before the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee on Friday, February 23, 2024. The hearing underscored the critical role of manufacturing as an economic driver of Vermont’s economy, while also highlighting the opportunities and challenges unique to manufacturing in Vermont. The committee’s Chair also recognized Chris Carrigan, Vice President of Business Development, for his 16 years of service to the industry. In his opening testimony, Chris Carrigan elevated the Vermont Chamber’s work on supportive tax policies and transforming the state into a supply chain hub by bringing buyers, suppliers, and partners together. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections today announced the death of Alfred Brochu, an incarcerated individual at Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility (TCCF). Alfred Brochu, 71, of Newport, Vermont, was found unresponsive in his cell at 12:14pm (CST) on Sunday, February 25. TCCF medical staff immediately began life-saving measures and called for emergency medical services. Mr. Brochu regained consciousness and was taken by ambulance to Northwest Delta Regional Medical Center (NDRMC) in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where he was listed in critical condition. Mr. Brochu passed away at NDRMC at 12:32am (CST). Mr. Brochu’s death does not appear suspicious at this time. Mr. Brochu was incarcerated in 2003 and serving a Life Without Parole sentence on charges of Aggravated Murder.

Vermont State Police A suspect has been arrested in connection with the Jan. 23, 2024, fatal shooting of 38-year-old Christina Chatlos in St. Johnsbury. The suspect, a 15-year-old male from Springfield, Massachusetts, will be charged as an adult in Vermont with second-degree murder. He is accused of fatally shooting Chatlos during a confrontation outside 510 Portland St. in St. Johnsbury. The suspect initially was taken into custody after the shooting on an unrelated warrant from the state of Massachusetts. He was extradited there and remained in juvenile custody as the investigation into the St. Johnsbury homicide progressed. On Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, the Massachusetts State Police arrested the suspect on the Vermont murder warrant. He was expected to make an initial appearance later Monday in juvenile court in Hampden County, Massachusetts.

by Brian Shupe, Executive Director, VNRC I’m writing to let you know that after nearly 13 years in what is arguably the best job in Vermont, I’ve decided to step down as the executive director of VNRC. While I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life, the honor and pleasure of having worked closely with such talented and dedicated colleagues, and a committed and supportive Board, makes this a bittersweet decision for me. In what has truly been a team effort, VNRC has grown stronger and more effective since I assumed this role in October 2011, and we have a long list of accomplishments.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Superior Court Environmental Division has once again rejected an appeal by opponents of the proposed housing community on Alice Holway Drive in Putney. The ruling by Superior Court Judge Thomas S. Durkin states that, “to find that the project is subject to Act 250 jurisdiction…merely because of the presence of a Class III road, would be an irrational and impermissibly strict reading of the statute that stymies the legislature’s intent to encourage mixed income housing in designated areas.” The Judgement Order, issued on Thursday, granted Windham & Windsor Housing Trust’s motion for summary judgement in the case, and denied the summary judgement motion by the Appellants. This latest decision is the third ruling in a lengthy legal process that began in March 2022 when an appeal was filed contesting the permit and delaying progress of the 25-unit mixed income development.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.24 per gallon, unchanged from last week. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.95/g while the highest was $3.39/g, a difference of 44.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.24/g today. While prices are holding now, they are soon expected to rise again.

Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, VAHHS A huge thank you to the House Health Care and House Human Services Committees and their chairs, Rep. Lori Houghton and Rep. Theresa Wood, for holding a joint hearing last week on the systemwide impact of patients who cannot get to the appropriate level of care due to a fragile post-acute and long term care system. Dr. Stephen Leffler, President and COO of the UVM Medical Center, underscored how the inability to discharge patients to a skilled nursing facility reverberates throughout the health care system with smaller hospitals unable to transfer their sickest patients to the UVM Medical Center and emergency departments filling up with long-stay patients. The message from hospitals, skilled nursing, and home health was unified: invest in post-acute and long-term care.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets The Weights & Measures Section of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets will be hosting multiple scale inspection events around the state for anyone who uses a scale at farmers’ markets or farm stands to sell produce or other commodities. The testing and licensing of these scales is required by law. Anyone interested in getting their scales tested should first fill out an application form. This will allow the Agency to perform inspections in a more efficient and less disruptive manner.