Current News
by tim
Agency of Human Services' Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living Announces Regional Partnerships for the Vermont Nursing Home Diversion Project
Waterbury, VT-- (October 3, 2008) Vermont's Nursing Home Diversion Project (NHDP), a demonstration project funded by the federal Administration on Aging, is fully underway, Secretary of the Agency of Human Services Cynthia D. LaWare announced today.
The Agency's Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) is working in partnership with two Area Agencies on Aging-Central Vermont Council on Aging (CVCOA) and Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont (COASEV)-to deliver NHDP services to older Vermonters in Windsor, Windham, Washington, Lamoille and Orange counties.
by tim
Sugarbush Resort Forced to Suspend Mountain Biking Operations due to Too Much Snow
Warren, VT (October 3, 2008)- Ah& the fall. Hillsides of saffron and scarlet. And now you can add white to the color palette. Two inches of snow fell on the top of Sugarbush Resort this morning forcing the resort to suspend its lift-serviced mountain biking. The season's first snow came just as the fall foliage in the Mad River Valley is reaching its peak. With the opening of winter operations slated to begin in just over 50 days, the early brush with winter was welcomed as positive sign of things to come.
"We gave up trying to predict the future years ago, but an early October snow is always a promising sign," said resort Communications Director JJ Toland. "If anything, it really ratchets up the excitement level."
Snow removal crews were dispatched to the top of the Super Bravo chairlift and by mid afternoon, mountain biking had resumed.
by tim
UNICEL ADDS CELL SITES IN WAITSFIELD AND ACROSS VERMONT
Waitsfield, Vt.; Oct. 3, 2008 - Unicel has added five new cell sites in the past few months, bringing the total number of Unicel cell sites in Vermont to 126. The wireless services company plans to add as many as 12 more cell sites this year, providing Vermont residents, business people and travelers with the benefits of its advanced network.
Unicel announced its most recent cell sites today with Gov. Douglas at the Waitsfield Inn, the historic home to one of Unicel's latest cell sites.
by tim
Registration closes today
Distinguished Citizen
Award Dinner
October 7, 2008
Christopher
Barbieri
Green Mountain Council
Boy Scouts of America
www.scoutingvermont.org
To attend: Call 802-244-5189
The Distinguished Citizen Award
The Boy Scouts of America has been
fostering the values of citizenship and
leadership in Americas youth since
1910. In those years, more than 110
million young men and women have
counted themselves as Scouting
alumni.
There is no better way to foster positive
values and to highlight the traits that
America stands for then by having positive
and active role models to copy.
by tim
City Market, Onion River Co-op Reduces Member Equity and Launches Construction Project
Annual member equity is reduced by $10
by tim
Despite the national and state economic slowdown, one of the largest private employers in the Northeast Kingdom remains strong, said Steve Patterson, executive director of the Northeast Vermont Economic Development Association.
NSA Industries, LLC of Lyndonville is one of the fastest growing manufacturing industries in the region; more than 40 new employees were hired in the last 12 months, pushing the total workforce to over 300 employees.
The company is still looking for 30 to 35 more new employees, Patterson said today, outlining the fast growth of the metal fabricator located in the Lyndonville - St. Johnsbury Industrial Park.
Patterson also noted NVDA talked with Vermont Aerospace, also located in the Park and said the defense contractor reports that it is doing well.
Aerospace is also looking to hire, Patterson said.
This should help offset some of the recent job losses in the St. Johnsbury Region, he added.
by tim
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by tim
Statement from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Michael Hartman on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Decision Regarding Certification of Vermont State Hospital
We all know that Vermont State Hospital has faced its share of challenges in the past few years as the State, legislators, advocates, mental health clients and other stakeholders have worked to rethink, reform and revitalize Vermont's system of mental health care to best serve our state's most severely mentally ill.
by tim
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy
In Support Of The Financial Bailout Package
October 1, 2008
This financial crisis is rooted in material actions involving executive greed and ineptitude, flawed economic policies, and the incompetence of on-the-scene regulatory agencies. And we are dealing with this crisis at the unfortunate intersection of two toxic trends: the loss of confidence in our financial system, and the public's loss of confidence in the Bush Administration. Many have come to agree with those of us who have long felt that 'trust me' is not enough when this White House asks for sweeping new powers.
by tim
The American Bus Association (ABA) announced that the 'Vermont Celebrates Champlain,' and 'Hudson 400th Celebration of Discovery' are the winning US events, respectively, as ABA released its 2009 list of the
'Top 100 Events in North America.'
The year 2009 will mark the 400th anniversary of when French explorer Samuel de Champlain traveled by canoe up the Richelieu River and came upon a lake spanning 120 miles in length and 12 miles in width.
Vermont will commemorate this event in 2009 with festivals, pageants, exhibits and much more. All are invited to share in the fun and help commemorate this historic moment.
The annual guide for professional travel planners and the general public highlights the top fairs, festivals, parades and regional events across North America. While the Top 100 are not ranked, ABA highlights the top US and Canadian events for 2009.
by tim
Governor, UVM President sign Vermont Climate Collaborative Charter
MONTPELIER - Governor Jim Douglas and UVM President Daniel Mark Fogel have formally adopted the Vermont Climate Collaborative framework, which will guide Vermont's effort to address climate change and further develop the green tech economy.
At a charter signing at the Statehouse Wednesday, Governor Douglas called the Collaborative a signature partnership that brings together the state's higher education institutions, businesses, legislators and nonprofit organizations to allow the state to forge ahead with confidence in protecting and enhancing Vermont's quality of life.
"This charter spells out a foundation and framework for action," the Governor said. "The Collaborative's mission is simple: to see that Vermont stays green, leads the nation in environmental policies and creates job opportunities for a thriving green economy."
by tim
State Treasurer Issues Statement on Need for Congress to Act Now
I understand that Vermonters are angry about the financial mess we are currently facing and not sure who to trust about what the appropriate government response should be. There is plenty of blame to be shared for the dilemma we are in. That can come later. Right now we need a bipartisan agreement in Congress to pass a comprehensive bill that will help to stabilize the financial markets sooner rather than later.
While it makes good sense to craft the proposal in a way that has the best chance of benefiting American citizens, hopefully phased in and as an investment, not just a bailout, I'm concerned the longer it takes to do so, the more serious the recession we face. Holding out for a perfect bill is risky business.