Current News

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."

Vermont Business Magazine The ACLU of Vermont filed a complaint today with the Vermont Human Rights Commission (HRC) on behalf of “C.B.,” a former Vermont student who was subjected to racially motivated bullying and harassment—including derogatory racial slurs, references to white supremacy, and threats of physical violence—by classmates at Twin Valley Middle High School in Whitingham during the 2020-2021 school year.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed comprehensive reviews of site cleanups at nine National Priority List Sites (Superfund Sites) in New England, including three federal facilities, by performing required Five-Year Reviews of each site. This includes the Pine Street barge canal site in Burlington, Vermont. In total, there are 123 Superfund sites across New England.

​Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center sends our good wishes to all for your seasonal celebrations through these challenging times. Our hope is for everyone who is in recovery to celebrate their hard work while encouraging those still struggling with sobriety to reach out for the help they need. Howard Center offers resources and services to help you, your friends, and loved ones celebrate sober this year.

Vermont Business Magazine Encore Renewable Energy and Bromley Mountain Ski Resort announced the completion of a 615kWdc solar project on land owned by Bromley Mountain in Peru, Vermont. The new project, jointly developed by Encore and Tangent Energy Solutions, will generate clean, locally generated solar power and help Bromley reach their sustainability goals. The energized solar array will generate enough electricity to power 70 average households per year and offset the emissions of 120 passenger vehicles annually.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets’ (VAAFM) Hemp Program received approval from the Agricultural Marketing Service of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of the Vermont Domestic Hemp Production plan. The approved plan supports the Vermont Hemp Rules and governs registration, production, and compliance for hemp cultivation beginning in 2022.

by Jeff Tieman, VAHHS Through the pandemic, there has been some great and crucial journalism. A worldwide public health threat naturally inspires curious journalists to explain the unexplainable and shine a light on what’s really happening. This kind of careful and thorough reporting is important, especially when misinformation is rampant like it is now.

This month, Vermont Public Radio provided an example of stellar journalism in its series featuring caregivers at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury. Speaking about the difficulty of seeing COVID patients give up hope, one nurse says, “We cry. We cry together as a group, especially night staff, you know. We have a lot of moments where we feel overwhelmed.”