Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported October5 that COVID-19 cases exceeded 600 last, as hospitalizations were also up. COVID-19 infections are still considered "Low." Total cases for the week increased by 9.8 % to 638 after rising 31% the previous week. Hospitalizations increased by 6 to 45 and have been edging up over the last few weeks (from a low of 30). There were 19 COVID-related fatalities in August, 11 in September and 2 so far in October, for a pandemic total of 728 (the VDH report could be updated as more data becomes available). Vermont has the lowest COVID death rate in the nation, at 115 per 100,000 population.

Vermont Business Magazine Amid inflation and high prices, Vermonters can make extra cash by removing their junk cars. In 2015, the State of Vermont created the Salvage Yard Rule (bit.ly/SY-Rule) to protect human health and the environment by ensuring the safe, proper, and sustainable operation of salvage yards (aka junk yards). Vermonters with four or more unregistered and uninspected cars or vehicles (or other junk) on their property need a Salvage Yard Permit. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has ramped up efforts to clean up unpermitted salvage yards and to help more Vermonters follow the State’s rules.

Vermont Business Magazine Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), southeastern Vermont’s non-profit community mental-health agency, announced today that they have been awarded the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) CCBHC Planning, Development, and Implementation grant designed to address health disparities in rural settings. This significant funding of $1 million per year for four years, will allow the mental health agency to prepare to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). CCBHCs are specially funded organizations that provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance abuse services that are required to meet certain quality standards of care.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Fred’s Plumbing & Heating, Inc, a fuel oil delivery business based in Derby, was fined $9,000 for violations of the Vermont Aboveground Storage Tank Rules. Vermont’s Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Rules protect human health and the environment by establishing standards for the design, installation, and inspection of all AST systems.

Vermont Business Magazine Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) today announced Judith Selzer as their next CEO & President. Selzer has more than twenty years’ experience working with the nation’s leading social justice organizations. She served as Chief Strategy Officer for Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey and as Executive Director for the Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. Prior to Planned Parenthood, Selzer co-founded the Women’s Foundation of Florida, launching their Women on the Run non-partisan campaign training program, and their Girls Leadership Institute, focused on empowering girls to lean into science, technology, engineering, and math.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police has concluded operations in and around the Winooski River in Waterbury as part of this week’s search related to the 2006 disappearance of Donald Messier of Waterbury. Searchers confirmed that a vehicle located this week by the independent group Adventures With Purpose was Messier’s truck, based on the vehicle description and attached license plates. An examination of the vehicle located personal effects, but investigators have uncovered no obvious human remains at this point in the search. Crews including the Vermont State Police Scuba Team and Crime Scene Search Team were on scene for 12 hours Thursday, ending operations at about 9 pm. Adventures With Purpose also was present at the scene throughout the day and provided dredging equipment VSP divers utilized.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) is distributing 50,000 menstrual pads for free in partnership with local and national organizations. SVMC is a part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). The pads have been made available through the PERIOD. organization, Walmart, and Always, a Proctor and Gamble subsidiary. The group has committed to giving out 2.5 million pads nationally to people experiencing challenges obtaining or paying for menstrual products. The 50,000 pads allocated for Bennington are available for free to patients throughout the community thanks, in part, to a partnership with the Alliance for Community Transformations (ACT Bennington). SVMC's VISTA Fellow Sha’mar Dennison has spearheaded the effort and leads the local pad distribution.

Vermont Business Magazine Following nine months of contract negotiations, United Academics, the University of Vermont's faculty union, said they and the UVM administration reached a state of impasse on Thursday for a new part-time faculty contract. UVM, for its part, said they are not at an impasse and the administration will continue to negotiate.

Vermont Business Magazine A new opportunity for Vermont contractors is now open. The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has released its Request for Proposals (RFP) for Primary Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts. VTrans seeks contractors to perform preventive maintenance and repair services, including necessary equipment and materials for the Highway Bureau and for the Railway and Aviation Bureau. This RFP will result in the award of Primary Contracts to multiple Contractors for a five-year term. The RFP requires all current IDIQ Primary Contract Holders to submit a proposal. Proposals are currently due Thursday, November 3rd.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced he appointed 28 Vermonters to State boards and commissions in September. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website to apply.

Vermont Business Magazine Celebrate the arrival of fall this weekend by winning Lawson’s Finest Liquids merchandise or trying the brewery’s latest beer, Mad River Maple, at Mad River Glen. Visitors to the ski area will have a chance to win tote bags brimming with Lawson’s Finest Liquids and Mad River Glen merchandise on Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th by riding the famed single-chair or hiking the ski area’s trails. On Saturday, October 8th, visitors to the cooperative can win by simply taking a ride on Mad River Glen’s single chair. Throughout the day, Mad River Glen staff will randomly stamp three lift tickets with a Lawson’s Finest Liquids logo. If your ticket is stamped, head to the single chair to collect your prize.