Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross opens a second regional disaster shelter in Rutland at Rutland High School (22 Stratton Road). The shelter opened today at 9:30 a.m. This shelter will be managed by the Red Cross – and pets are welcome. The Red Cross continues to work closely with local and state emergency management and government officials to navigate disaster relief efforts following widespread severe flooding throughout the state. The Red Cross shelter at the Barre City Auditorium (16 Auditorium Hill, Barre) remains open. It saw an overnight population of 176 and has risen throughout the morning to more than 200 people. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and members of his administration updated Vermonters today on the effects of the rain storms that caused severe flooding across much of Vermont. In some cases and in some places, he said, the damage is equal to or greater than Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. The governor called the storm and resultiing flooding "historic and catastrophic." He said, "We are not out of the woods... This is not over." In some cases rivers have not yet crested even as the rain has stopped. More rain could be on the way in coming days. However, President Biden has granted the state's request for emergency declaration.

by Michael Del Trecco, President and CEO, VAHHS I hope you all enjoyed the holiday and extended time with family and friends last week. In between time with our loved ones, we’ve been busy at VAHHS putting the finishing touches on two projects that I’m happy to share with you this week. First, we have a new website. If you visit vahhs.org, you’ll notice it has been refreshed with new content and additional information to keep you up to speed on our work on behalf of Vermont’s non-profit hospitals. We’ve prioritized bringing you the news we know you care most about including our legislative priorities, initiatives to end workplace violence and a helpful overview of our hospital landscape. 

Vermont Business Magazine Catastrophic flooding in Central Vermont has significantly impacted operations at UVM Health Network - Central Vermont Medical Center and its clinics. An incident command post has been established at the hospital to monitor events and ensure our patients and community continue to receive the care and treatment they need. The hospital and the emergency department remain open and operational. However, the outpatient dialysis unit and primary and specialty care practices are closed today with very limited phone access. 

Vermont Business Magazine FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Vermont to supplement state and local response efforts to the emergency conditions in the areas affected by flooding beginning on July 9, and continuing. 

VermontBiz Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling, and resource management services company, and Waga Energy (EPA: WAGA), a global expert in the production of renewable natural gas (“RNG”) from landfills, announced the signing of a commercial agreement on July 10, 2023 to develop renewable natural gas facilities at three Casella landfills. As part of the commercial agreement, Waga Energy will deploy the capital required to fully fund construction of the projects and will own and operate the RNG infrastructure. Casella and Waga Energy will share in the revenue generated from the RNG facilities once operational.

VermontBiz New research has shown which states seek drug and alcohol rehabilitation the most, with some worrying trends revealed. The study by addiction treatment resource Addiction Treatment Magazine analyzed Google data for common terms associated with rehabilitation and rehabilitation facilities to determine the states seeking drug and alcohol rehabilitation the most.

Vermont Business Magazine Recently, six high school students from southern Vermont, spent five days immersed in activities like how to take blood pressures, start a peripheral IV, participate in a simulated Code Blue training exercise, spend time in a BOD POD to measure their body composition at Vermont State University Castleton Campus, and even observe how to safely administer Narcan when someone is overdosing.

Vermont Business Magazine Interstate 89 remains closed Monday night in both directions between the Montpelier and Middlesex exits, according to the Vermont State Police. Additionally, the northbound lanes are shut down between the Berlin and Montpelier exits.

Senator Bernie Sanders Nobody knows for sure, but the flooding we are now experiencing could be the worst Vermont has seen in a very long time. What we do know is that extensive damage is already occurring in the towns of Weston, Ludlow, Londonderry, Calais, and many more. We also know that a number of roads have been closed, including sections of Route 100, 14, 131, 12, 12A, 14, 2, 103, 140, 107, and 155. Vermonters can stay up-to-date on road closures by visiting the Vermont Agency of Transportation website or New England 5-1-1.

Vermont State Police Initial charges have been filed against the man who led Rutland police on a brief high-speed pursuit Friday that ended when he crashed into two cruisers, killing 19-year-old part-time Officer Jessica Ebbighausen and injuring two other officers. Tate Rheaume, 20, is facing charges of grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle with death resulting, and attempting to elude with death resulting. Meanwhile, nearly three dozen Vermont law-enforcement officers and first responders escorted Officer Ebbighausen’s body in a procession along US Route 7 from the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington back to the city she served as a part-time officer since May 23.

VermontBiz Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) issued the following statement amid flooding and severe rain across Vermont: 

“These storms are dangerous for folks throughout our state. I urge all Vermonters to take precautions: avoid walking or driving through floodwaters, stay up to date on the latest warnings from the National Weather Service and Vermont Emergency Management, and make a plan to evacuate if necessary.