Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $2.98 per gallon, down 2.1 cents per gallon from last week's $3.00/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.59/g while the highest was $3.19/g, a difference of 60.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 7.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.84/g today. The national average is up 3.6 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 23.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity is excited to share a new homeownership opportunity for families and individuals in Central Vermont. Applications are now open for a new, affordable duplex at 804 North Main Street in Northfield. Each home is being built to be energy-efficient and easy to maintain, helping homeowners save on monthly costs. The homes are designed to be bright, comfortable, and good for the environment. Applications are due by 12:00 PM on Friday, February 27, 2026. These homes will be sold through Habitat’s shared-equity program, which keeps homes affordable for today’s buyers and for future families. While each home is expected to be worth about $335,000, buyers will pay a mortgage based on what they can afford. Monthly housing costs will be set at about 30% of household income, and only a $500 down payment is required for approved applicants.

Vermont Business Magazine On January 12, 2026, Adam Locklin was sworn in as the new U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) District Director for Vermont. “We are fortunate to have Adam Locklin on board to support the 82,000 small businesses across Vermont,” said Peter A. Steele, SBA New England Regional Administrator. “With 20 years of diverse professional experience, Adam is well positioned to lead Vermont’s new and experienced SBA team members to assist and empower the unique small businesses, manufacturers and aspiring entrepreneurs in the state.” In his role as district director, Locklin is responsible for the delivery of SBA’s financial assistance, business counseling and contracting programs throughout Vermont.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The application is now open for the Local Food in Schools and Child Care Food Hub Grant. This funding opportunity will provide local food to Vermont K–12 students through partnerships with nonprofit food hubs. Food hubs can apply for funding to work with a subset of School Food Authorities (SFAs) within their distribution reach, giving each SFA a pre-determined amount of funding to purchase local food from the food hub. Funding is provided by a one-time State of Vermont legislative appropriation to the Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Program for Local Food for Schools and Child Care (LFSCC), which was appropriated as a result of the termination of the USDA LFSCC funding in March 2025.

by Maggie Lenz and Gwynn Zakov Last Tuesday, the Governor delivered his annual budget address to a joint session of the House and Senate, proposing a $9.4 billion FY27 budget. The numbers were sobering. Federal pandemic funds are gone. The state’s revenue forecast has been slightly downgraded by $8 million. And Vermont faces roughly $139 million in additional costs simply to maintain current state operations. Education sits squarely at the center of this moment. The Governor proposed a $105 million one time buy down to ease property tax pressure, but was explicit that temporary relief does not address long term cost growth.

Vermont Business Magazine With heavy snow expected across Vermont, Vermont Gas (VGS) wants to make sure safety is top of mind. Here are some important reminders: Keep gas meters free from snow and ice – Use a broom, not a shovel, to clear snow from your meter assembly and vents. Including: Make sure whomever plows snow knows the location of gas meters; Keep exterior sidewall vents clear – If a vent becomes buried in snow or blocked otherwise, equipment may shut down or draw exhaust fumes into a home.

Vermont State Police On Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, the Sharon Fire Department and South Royalton Rescue Squad were dispatched to a fire in a camper trailer at 4573 Vermont Route 14 in Sharon after numerous 911 callers reported seeing black smoke coming from the camper. Sharon Fire arrived, entered the camper and extinguished the fire. Sharon Fire located a man deceased inside the trailer. 

by Amanda Kuhnert If you’ve never heard the term environmental acoustics, you aren’t alone. Eddie Duncan, owner of Paxwood Acoustics in Quechee, says one of the most important parts of his job is explaining exactly what he does. In a nutshell, Duncan works to make the world a little quieter for both current and future generations. Paxwood Acoustics provides professional consulting services in acoustics and noise control engineering, with a focus on environmental permitting and compliance.

Vermont State Police On January 24, 2026, at approximately 10:41pm, Troopers from the Vermont State Police – Royalton Barracks investigated a reported Hit & Run resulting in damage to a street sign and fence at the intersection of VT Route 65 and Stone Rd in the town of Brookfield, VT (near the Float Bridge). Investigation indicates a silver/grey in color Toyota 4Runner struck a snowbank, continuing to hit a street sign, which fell and damaged a fence.

Vermont State Police On Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, the Bradford Fire Department and Upper Valley Ambulance were dispatched to a fire scene on Goshen Road in Bradford. The fire department located 65-year-old Mark Hewes in a camper on the property with burns to his arms, ears, neck and face. Hewes was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, where he was listed in critical condition. He was later taken by helicopter to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. 

Vermont State Police On Thursday, the Vermont State Police responded to Tenney Pond Rd in the town of Newbury for a reported one vehicle rollover into a pond. Investigation determined Jeffrey Linsky, (69) of Wells River, VT, was driving north bound on Tenney Pond Rd in a Chevrolet Colorado when he overturned the vehicle into a body of water off the roadway. Linsky was found unresponsive and despite lifesaving efforts he was pronounced deceased.

Vermont State Police On January 24th, 2026, Troopers from the Berlin Barracks responded to a two-car motor vehicle crash located on the Waterbury Stowe Road in the Town of Waterbury. Troopers were advised of possible serious bodily injuries resulting from the crash. Troopers, Waterbury Fire and EMS responded to the scene. Preliminary investigation revealed that a white Honda CR-V operated by Paula Breining (61) was traveling south on the Waterbury Stowe Road. The Honda CR-V crossed the center line and collided with a blue Hyundai Tucson traveling north. Paula Breining (61) was pronounced deceased at the scene. The investigation into this crash is ongoing and there are no further details at this time.