Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The 2022 “State of Lung Cancer” report shows that only 13.2% of Vermont residents who are eligible have been screened for lung cancer. The American Lung Association’s 5th annual report, released today, highlights the toll of lung cancer in Vermont and examines key indicators including new cases, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment and screening rates. Nationally, the “State of Lung Cancer” report shows continued progress for lung cancer survival. The lung cancer five-year survival rate is now 25% and increased 21% from 2014 to 2018. Here in Vermont, the lung cancer survival rate is above the national average at 28.1%. The report also highlights that people of color who are diagnosed with lung cancer face worse outcomes compared to white Americans, including lower survival rate, less likely to be diagnosed early, less likely to receive surgical treatment and more likely to receive no treatment.

Vermont Business Magazine The National Life Group (NLG) Foundation has increased its budget by 15 percent, bringing the total to $2.3 million. This reflects the Foundation’s growth and impact on the community. The Foundation offers grants to nonprofit organizations primarily in central and northern Vermont and the Dallas, Texas area where the company has offices with a focus on ending childhood hunger and promoting youth mental health. Applications for grants will be accepted from January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023.

Vermont Business Magazine As Vermonters receive the first snowflakes of the season, new national and state data shows that Vermont continues to lead the nation in outdoor recreation as a key linchpin of the State’s economy. As the state continues to recover from the pandemic, a Bureau of Economic Analysis report shows that spending in Vermont generated by activities from snow sports to camping, hiking, boating, and biking continues to increase exponentially. Nationally, outdoor recreation accounted for $862 billion in consumer spending and $1.53 billion in Vermont’s spending. The contribution of Vermont’s outdoor recreation to the state gross domestic product (GDP) jumped from 3.7% in 2020 to 4.1% in 2021, maintaining Vermont’s rank of 3rd highest in the country behind HI and MT.

Vermont Business Magazine The LoveYourBrain Foundation, a Vermont-based nonprofit, is proud to announce its second annual Mindset Challenge, a free, research-backed online yoga, mindfulness, and education program designed to build resilience for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion, caregivers, clinicians, and others. Over six weeks, participants receive weekly tools to manage stress, increase balance and mobility, create focus and inner steadiness, and support sleep and rest. TBI is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with more than 3 million people in the US and Canada alone sustaining a TBI annually. After a brain injury, people often need to navigate new physical and emotional challenges, yet individuals often lack the support to heal.

Vermont Business Magazine State and local officials, affordable housing advocates, and area residents gathered in South Hero today to celebrate the opening of Bayview Crossing, a new Cathedral Square community with 30 homes for older adults and new offices for the local nonprofit C.I.D.E.R. (Champlain Islanders Developing Essential Resources). It is the first affordable housing in Grand Isle County in 17 years.

Vermont Business Magazine Richer meals, shorter days, late nights celebrating with friends, and cookies, so many cookies… The holidays can be a tricky time to maintain our healthy routines. That’s why Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is launching the 8-week Healthy Holiday Challenge. Every Friday from November 25 – January 13, SVHC will release a video featuring a different SVHC health role model sharing a fun and motivating challenge to complete that week. The challenges address different aspects of health, including nutrition, movement, and more. They are adaptable to all fitness levels and dietary needs and emphasize trying new things.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Medical Society (VMS) physician and physician assistant members met this month for the 209th VMS Annual meeting. Hosted in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians, and the Vermont Psychiatric Association, this was the first in-person meeting since 2019. During the meeting, VMS members elected a new slate of 2023 Society officers, awarded the Mildred Reardon medical student scholarship and honored 2022 VMS Leadership awardees.

Vermont State Police Members of the Vermont State Police completed their investigation into the motor vehicle crash which took place on October 3, 2022, at approximately 1730 hours on VT Route 100 at the intersection with Collins Mill Road in the Town of Newport Center, VT. The investigation has shown that the operator of Vehicle 2, Jordan Carpenter (20) of Newport, VT was traveling north on VT Route 100 and operating his 2002 Yamaha YZF600 Motorcycle. At approximately the same time, a 2016 Dodge Ram 2500 operated by Howard Collins (81) of Newport Center, VT was traveling south on VT Route 100 and slowed his vehicle in preparation to turn left onto Collins Mill Road. Collins failed to recognize the hazard of an approaching motorcycle and subsequently began his turning maneuver. Carpenter who was still traveling north recognized the turning vehicle in his path and began braking, Carpenter was unable to avoid a collision at which point his vehicle struck the passenger side of the 2016 Dodge Ram 2500.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has a new Local Food Pricing Dashboard. In conjunction with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, the Agency has collected years of pricing data for vegetables, meat, and eggs at farmers markets across the state. This dashboard provides an interactive visual to see how prices have changed from 2019 to the present. Each week of the market reporting season (June to October) the data is updated to reflect recent price fluctuations. Some market items have more data than others, depending on its popularity and frequency at markets in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott and Jennifer MV Fitch, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS), have notified the Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) that they were awarded $52,760 for six Addison County businesses through the Building Communities Grant Program for projects in Bristol, Cornwall, Middlebury, New Haven, and Vergennes. Thanks to annual appropriations by the Vermont General Assembly, the Building Communities program annually awards $900,000 in matching grants statewide to municipalities and nonprofit organizations for capital costs associated with the major maintenance, renovation, and development of facilities in the following categories: human services, health care and education, recreation, and economic development.