Current News

The Senate appropriations panel with jurisdiction over the budget for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) voted Tuesday to begin replenishing the depleted coffers of the agency’s Disaster Relief Fund, which had fallen to insufficient levels even before Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene pummeled the East Coast and New England.

Secretary of State Jim Condos announces that since the Governor has declared a state of emergency, temporary emergency licenses for out-of-state health care providers and veterinarians are available.
Use of Vermont providers should be our highest priority before reaching out to other states.
Secretary Condos said this provision was enacted so Vermont would be better prepared to respond in the event of a disaster. It expedites the licensing process for the emergency assistance needed in the wake of a disaster like that caused by tropical storm Irene. Under normal conditions, the licensing process takes longer.

The Vermont Specialty Food Association is sponsoring two workshops on meeting the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 in Colchester (Hampton Inn) on October 4, 2011 and Rutland (Franklin Conference Center) on November 3, 2011.
Known as FSMA 2011, the law will result in some of the most sweeping changes in decades to our food safety and regulatory system. Brian Norder of Vermont Food Consulting Services and Bob Weybright of Weybright and Associates, Inc. will guide participants through key provisions of the law, and, through hands-on exercises, how to write a food safety plan to comply with the law and private food safety audits. Special emphasis will be placed on differences in requirements for small and large producers.
This project is funded in part by a USDA Rural Development Grant (USDA-RBEG.). More information of the sessions can be found at www.vtspecialtyfoods.org.

As President Barack Obama prepares for a Thursday address on jobs to a joint session of Congress, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) called today for putting Americans back to work through a series of bold measures that include rebuilding the country’s crumbling infrastructure.
As part of a four-point plan to jumpstart the economy, Sanders also said the federal government should do more to help cash-strapped states and local governments that have been forced to furlough teachers, firefighters, police officers and other workers. He advocated transforming our energy system with job-creating investments in renewable and sustainable energy sources. And he called on Congress to reconsider so-called free-trade policies that have decimated manufacturing in the United States.

IBM has awarded the DREAM mentoring program a $10,000 Catalyst Grant to develop an environmental education program using the organization’s 50-acre property bordering the Metcalf Pond in Fletcher Vermont.
IBM is awarding Catalyst Grants in recognition of its 100th anniversary. The grants support IBM employees applying their professional skills to volunteer projects with schools or community organizations, or that demonstrate a connection to a local, sustainable issue. IBM is awarding 100 Catalyst Grants of $10,000 worldwide in 2011.

Governor Peter Shumlin announced today that Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are available to help those Vermonters left without work as a result of tropical storm Irene.
President Obama and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) have declared the following counties as official disaster areas eligible for individual assistance: Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties. Under this declaration, individuals living, working, or scheduled to work in those counties may be eligible for disaster unemployment benefits.

The US Senate Tuesday night took an important step toward final passage of legislation to make the first comprehensive reforms to the nation’s patent system in nearly six decades.
‘The discoveries made by American inventors and research institutions, commercialized by American companies, and protected and promoted by American patent laws have made our system the envy of the world,’ said Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the bill’s chief Senate sponsor. ‘We cannot stand on a 1950s patent system and expect our innovators to flourish in a 21st Century world.’
‘The America Invents Act will keep America in its longstanding position at the pinnacle of innovation,’ said Leahy. ‘This bill will establish a more efficient and streamlined patent system that will improve patent quality and limit unnecessary and counterproductive litigation costs, while making sure no party’s access to court is denied.’

Vermont Agency of Transportation Secretary Brian Searles today reminded the public that "tremors" from Tropical Storm Irene in the form of sink holes and slope failures continue to occur across the state, especially in the southern tier.
Recent rains continue to soften the state's soil, intensifying the probability of such tremors. These dangers can occur on roads that previously experienced no damage. Travelers need to be on the lookout and drive with care.
"We appreciate there are some long detours to take in light of roadway closures," Searles said. "Trying to make the longer commute shorter by driving aggressively may cost you your life. Everyone's focus needs to be on safety."

The e-Vermont Community Broadband Project will join with local leaders in Poultney on September 8 to officially launch the community’s downtown wireless Internet zones. Irene showed how important the Internet is for communication. This new tool will expand public accessibility and offer an additional option for residents and tourists to connect their laptops and smart phones 24/7. Early response to the project has been overwhelmingly positive, with more than 100 users logging onto Poultney Wi-Fi during its testing stage and some businesses planning to purchase laptops or work stations for customers to use.
Inspired by Wireless Woodstock, the free service will also highlight local events, weather, businesses, services, and community organizations (at www.poultneywifi.com). The zone extends the Poultney Public Library’s wireless signal along Main Street from Maple Street to Beaman Street.

Vermonters have seen their homes, businesses and farms suffer terrible damage in the wake of Hurricane Irene. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened three disaster recovery centers over the weekend in Barre, Brattleboro and Waterbury. FEMA hopes to have up to 10 locations throughout Vermont by the end of this week.
These FEMA centers will help Vermonters identify benefits, grants, and low-interest loans that are available to help families recover from the devastation caused by this natural disaster. "If you have been impacted by the hurricane, it makes all the sense in the world to contact FEMA," Bernie said.
FEMA's recovery centers are open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Before visiting the disaster recovery centers, you are encouraged to register with FEMA by calling 800-621-3362 or by registering online.
Visit a FEMA disaster recovery center near you »
Register with FEMA online »

Vermont Law School's Land Use Clinic and South Royalton Legal Clinic are continuing to help residents to fill out FEMA applications for Tropical Storm Irene-related damage from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Friday in the VLS Library. The South Royalton Legal Clinic also will provide civil legal assistance. For more information, call 802.831.1028.
Residents should bring their Social Security number, address, contact telephone number, insurance information, total household income, bank routing and account information (if they want FEMA funds directly deposited into their bank account) and a description of losses caused by the disaster. If residents need additional legal advice, VLS volunteers will put them in contact with someone who can assist them.
VLS faculty and student-clinicians are available to talk to the media about their relief efforts.
VLS 9.6.2011

National Life Group will donate $120,000 to support the relief and rebuilding efforts in Vermont stemming from the destruction of Tropical Storm Irene, CEO Mehran Assadi announced today.
In addition Assadi said the company will match dollar-for dollar every donation that its 900 employees make to Vermont flood relief organizations.
‘Our hearts go out to those affected by this disaster,’ he said. ‘National Life has been rooted in Vermont since 1848 and we want to do our part to rebuild the lives, homes, and businesses of our neighbors.’
A number of National Life employees suffered losses in the flooding and the company has created a separate emergency assistance fund focused on their needs.
Hundreds of National Life employees have used their volunteer time to help their neighbors clean up from the flood damage. National Life allows employees 40 hours a year to volunteer in the community on company time.