Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Tuesday reported a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases after a couple of relatively quiet days. The state awaits an expected surge in cases for the holidays, driven by the new Omicron variant. Today the VDH reported 653 cases of COVID-19 (up 413 from Tuesday). There were 242 on Monday, 463 on Sunday and 454 cases on Saturday. On Wednesday, the VDH began presenting the relative death, hospitalization and case counts between fully vaccinated and not fully vaccinated Vermonters, in order to emphasize the benefits of getting vaccinated and boosted (fully vaccinated includes having received a booster shot for those who are eligible.)

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont announced today that new and returning students are required to receive boosters no later than Feb. 1, 2022. The new variant shows signs of being more contagious than any previously known variants, but more data are needed about the severity of COVID symptoms for those infected and not vaccinated or boosted. For those who are already fully vaccinated, boosters appear to significantly reduce or prevent serious COVID symptoms following infection by the Omicron variant.

​Vermont Business Magazine In advance of the holidays, Governor Phil Scott today announced a series of COVID-19 testing clinics providing access to rapid tests across Vermont. 10,000 rapid LAMP tests and 60,000 at-home rapid antigen tests will be distributed through a combination of testing sites and community organizations starting December 23. This represents a significant expansion over pre-Thanksgiving testing, where in comparison the State of Vermont offered 1,200 rapid tests.

​Vermont Business Magazine Agri-Mark’s Cabot Extra Sharp Vermont Cheddar earned the Chairman’s Award and the title of Best Cheddar at the National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) Annual Cheese Contest held last month in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Co-operative earned an additional 13 awards, sweeping the Extra Sharp Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, and the Natural Cheese Snack categories.

by Dr John Brumsted, et al Across the UVM Health Network, we are doing everything we can to respond to the ever-changing challenges of COVID-19. Today, nearly two years into this pandemic, we continue to fight the impact of this virus. Our emergency rooms are packed. Our Intensive Care Units are nearing capacity. All of our people, providing all types of care throughout our health system, are being pushed to the brink. If you have not received your COVID-19 vaccines, you are putting yourself, your loved ones, your friends, your neighbors and your health care workers at risk.

Vermont Business Magazine New England Sports Network (NESN) was removed from DISH TV Monday night, affecting access in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Connecticut. With this removal, DISH TV customers no longer have access to NESN. NESN is the primary local broadcaster of the Red Sox and Bruins.

Small Business Administration Vermont The Center for Women & Enterprise Vermont is accepting applications for its Power Forward class, a free 10-week strategic growth planning course. Classes will be held virtually from 9:30 a.m. to noon Thursdays beginning Jan. 13. The course provides a framework for business owners to expand and evolve their business knowledge, and to develop new strategies for long-term business success. This class introduces new tools and resources to create, review, revise and revisit a powerful strategy plan. Also, the SBA Vermont District Office is accepting nominations for its 2022 small business awards.

Vermont Business Magazine US Attorney Nikolas P Kerest announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont collected $1,874,911.26 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2021. Of this amount, $1,326,495.45 was collected in criminal actions and $548,415.81 was collected in civil actions. Additionally, the District of Vermont worked with other US Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $291,607,284.62 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $20,151.91 was collected in criminal actions and $291,587,132.71 was collected in civil actions.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Tuesday reported another relatively quiet day as the state awaits an expected surge in COVID-19 cases for the holidays, driven by the new Omicron variant. Today the VDH reported 240 cases of COVID-19 (down two from Monday). There were 463 on Sunday and 454 cases Saturday. The VDH also reported no additional deaths, which hold at 455 statewide.

Two rounds of testing return zero new staff, incarcerated positives at Northern State Correctional Facility

Vermont Business Magazine Northern State Correctional Facility (NSCF) in Newport is in standard modified operations after two consecutive rounds of COVID-19 testing returned zero positive results for staff or incarcerated individuals, the Vermont Department of Corrections (Vermont DOC) announced Tuesday. This status change allows for more movement and cohorting among the population and enables the facility to return to near-normal operations.

Currently at NSCF, Vermont DOC is monitoring no active incarcerated cases and two active staff cases, the most recent of which was detected on December 10. Statewide, two positive incarcerated cases and 14 positive staff cases exist across five correctional facilities, two field offices, and Central Office.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Vorsteveld Farm, LLC, agreed to pay a fine and perform corrective and remedial actions for unpermitted activities associated with its Large Farm Operation in Panton, Vermont. In May 2016 and again in June 2017, the farm removed vegetation, performed dredging, and placed fill in a wetlands complex associated with the Dead Creek, ultimately impacting approximately 7.1 acres of Class II wetlands and their surrounding buffer zones. “Class II” wetlands exhibit significant functions or values such as water quality protection and/or habitat. In March 2020, the Agency observed evidence that the Farm had allowed agricultural waste like manure to run off from the farmstead to a tributary of the Dead Creek.

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger released the following statement regarding the Council’s action last night on the Police Chief search: “Unfortunately, Progressives City Councilors have made this goal of consensus impossible by denying the Administration the tools and conditions we need to recruit a broad pool of candidates. Progressive City Councilors have blocked the Administration since September from increasing the salary for the open Chief’s position, a step routinely taken by the City to ensure that our leadership positions are competitive."