Current News

by Devon Green, VP Government Relations, VAHHS Heading into Omicron, it feels like we’re on an airplane with an unspecified mechanical failure—maybe Omicron will be mild and boosters and therapies will come together for a safe landing… but maybe not. Vermont’s hospitals are expected to have the most critical staffing shortages in the country.

by Christine McGowan, Vermont Forest Industry Network Brad Johnson would like to see wood products valued for the stand that’s left behind in the forest, not just the dollar value of the wood removed. Johnson founded Third Branch horse logging with Derek O’Toole in 2018 with two core values. First, they both love working in the forest with horses and second, they believe there is a market in Vermont for low-impact logging that emphasizes forest ecology over speed or volume.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont state’s minimum wage increased today, January 1, 2022, to $12.55 per hour. This is an increase of $0.80 from the previous minimum wage of $11.75.

This annual adjustment also impacts the minimum wage for tipped employees. The Basic Tipped Wage Rate for service, or “tipped employees,” equals 50% of the full minimum wage. On January 1, 2022, the tipped minimum wage increases from $5.88 to $6.28 per hour.

The minimum wage and tipped minimum wage are adjusted annually in accordance with Vermont law and take effect at the start of the new year.

Any employee who believes they are not being compensated fairly, according to this law, is encouraged to contact the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Unit at 802-951-4083 or online at Labor.Vermont.gov/Rights-and-Wages.

The Vermont State Police is investigating the death of an inmate at the Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport. Michael Cornell, 34, of Newport was found in his cell by Department of Corrections staff just before noon Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. He was given emergency care by DOC staff and EMS personnel before being taken by ambulance to North Country Hospital in Newport, where he was pronounced deceased shortly after 1 pm.

Vermont State Police On December 30, 2021 at approximately 1530 hours the Rochester Fire Department was dispatched to 233 Bindrum Lane in Rochester for a report of a structure fire.  When firefighters arrived, they found the single family log home fully involved with fire.  Firefighters from Rochester, Hancock, and Granville Fire Departments fought the blaze for several hours but were unable to save the structure. 

Vermont Business Magazine From January 6 - 14, critically acclaimed, award-winning authors and faculty of the Bennington Writing Seminars will host Writers Reading, an evening reading series during the MFA program's winter residency, which is being conducted remotely this term. All readings are free, open to the public, and will take place virtually via Zoom.

Vermont Business Magazine Bennington Jim Brown, President of The Bank of Bennington, announced this week that the Bank completed its 2021 annual giving to community food cupboards and fuel funds before the end of the year. In 2021, The Bank of Bennington donated over $25,000 to more than 20 area organizations in 11 towns.

Vermont Business Magazine MCR Development from New York City — the country’s 4th-largest hotel owner-operator — announced Thursday that it has acquired the 117-room Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa in Stowe, Vermont. Financial terms were not disclosed. The resort was founded, owned and operated by the Baraw family since 1948.

Vermont Business Magazine South Burlington accounting firm McSoley McCoy & Co announced the retirement of John F McSoley today.

McSoley’s accounting career began after his receiving his B.S. from the University of Vermont. After graduation, McSoley was employed as a staff accountant at PF Jurgs & Company. He interned there when he was a junior in college.

Ten years later that firm merged with KPMG and McSoley met Peter McCoy. Three years later, in 1990, they decided to start a company in the depths of a recession.

For the past 31+ years, John’s leadership, guidance, and his sense of humor has made McSoley McCoy & Co. what it is today… a successful accounting firm based on integrity.

Source: McSoley McCoy & Co 12.31.2021

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), joined by Governor Phil Scott, Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint, and House Speaker Jill Krowinski, on Monday will discuss Vermont’s nursing workforce crisis. The press conference will be held at 10 am at the State House.

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont has adopted the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine, while adding an additional layer of protection. In addition to the CDC guidance, the Department of Health guidelines allow Vermonters to end isolation on the 5th day if they have gone 24 hours without a fever and have two negative antigen tests performed at least 24 hours apart, beginning no sooner than day 4 of their isolation period. Continuing to wear a mask around others through day 10 of the isolation period is strongly recommended by both the CDC and the Health Department.

Vermont Business Magazine Throughout December 2021, Vermont State Police received multiple reports of thefts from Dollar General stores in Richford, Enosburg, and Georgia. The same suspect was observed on security cameras loading shopping carts full of merchandise, exiting without paying - even when confronted, and loading the stolen merchandise into a vehicle before fleeing. VSP’s investigation identified the suspects as Jessica and Robert Bigelow, who reside on Weaver Street in Winooski, and a Search Warrant was granted for their residence.