Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont gasoline prices rose 1 cent per gallon since last week to $3.43/g. The are 7 cents higher than a month ago and $1.34 higher than a year ago. The Vermont high is $3.72/g in Woodstock and the low is $3.20 in Middlebury. For the US average, prices also rose 1 cent from last week to $3.43/g. They are up 7 cents from last month and $1.28 since last year.

Vermont Business Magazine Pandemic food insecurity remains elevated in the Northeast – affecting over 27% of households in Vermont and Maine – and in response, many families have increased the amount of food they grow, fish, raise, forage or hunt themselves. New research from the University of Vermont and University of Maine shows nearly 60% of households in both states engaged in some form of home food production since the COVID-19 pandemic, half of whom did so with increased intensity or for the first time. While the prevalence of food insecurity in Vermont and Maine has decreased since the height of the pandemic, when nearly 1 in 3 households were experiencing food insecurity, it remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to new survey data from spring and summer of 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine After three successful years of partnership, Lawson’s Finest Liquids is excited to continue their collaboration with Kingdom Trails Association (KTA) into 2022 through their Good Brews for a Cause program. KTA is a Vermont-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide recreation and education opportunities by managing, maintaining, and building trails in the Northeast Kingdom region of the state.

Vermont Business Magazine I want to welcome VBM readers to the 12th annual Rising Stars special section. The Rising Stars was established by Vermont Business Magazine in 2010 to highlight the accomplishments and contributions made by our young people in Vermont. Including the Class of 2021, we have honored 481 individuals over the past twelve years who are committed to business growth, professional excellence and involvement in their communities. Below is a synopsis of each of the Rising Stars Class of 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine The Shires of Southwestern Vermont Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), in partnership with the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, will launch a fun, scavenger-hunt-like social media challenge for travelers and residents alike this upcoming holiday season. Starting Saturday, November 27 on Small Business Saturday, the organizations will launch their “Dashing Through The Shires” campaign highlighting that there is no better time to visit The Shires of Southwestern Vermont then during the holiday season.

by Jordan Giaconia, et al Last week, both Governors Charlie Baker of Massachusetts and Ned Lamont of Connecticut announced their withdrawal from the Transportation & Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P) -- a regional cap-and-invest program designed to reduce pollution from gasoline and diesel fuels while creating a new funding stream for clean and equitable transportation investments. In December 2020, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Washington, DC pledged participation. Lack of other states’ participation in the program was a key rationale for Massachusetts’ withdrawal in particular, leaving a significant gap in the region -- and those states’ -- ability to reduce transportation-related carbon pollution.

Vermont Business Magazine Each November The NEK Council on Aging, The Administration for Community Living (ACL), the Caregiver Action Network (CAN), and caregiver advocates across the country honor National Caregiver Month. It is a time to recognize and honor unpaid family caregivers across the country.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported 295 cases of COVID-19, up from 190 on Tuesday. There were 470 on Sunday, 433 Saturday, and Friday's count was 461. Last Thursday there were 517 cases. COVID cases have been high in November, but the rate of growth slowed last week.

Vermont State Police Following an extensive investigation that began more than three years ago, the Vermont State Police has identified a suspect in connection with a double homicide that occurred in Woodbury on Oct. 30, 2018. A judge on Wednesday afternoon, November 24, 2021, issued an arrest warrant on charges of aggravated murder and first-degree arson for Manuel Gomez, 32, of Hartford, Connecticut, in connection with the killings of 29-year-old Carol Fradette and 48-year-old David Thompson at their homes on Bliss Road in Woodbury.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on November 23, 2021, Randy Sheltra, 59, of Alburgh, Vermont, was sentenced in United States District Court in Burlington, Vermont, to serve 15 years of imprisonment following his conviction, after a six-day jury trial, of two counts of attempting to persuade, induce, and entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, and one count of attempted receipt of child pornography.

Vermont Business Magazine Six new cases of COVID-19 were detected at Northern State Correctional Facility (NSCF) in Newport. Three of the cases were identified in the incarcerated population and two among staff in outbreak testing conducted on November 22. One additional staff member tested positive in outside testing. A total of 27 incarcerated individuals and 11 staff have tested positive in the NSCF outbreak, which began on November 10.

Vermont Business Magazine Sugarbush Resort has welcomed in the 2021/22 season. The resort opened on Wednesday, November 24th with four trails including Jester, Organgrinder, Downspout, and Allyn's Traverse. Skiers and riders could access Heaven's Gate Triple, spinning 9 am - 3 pm, and Super Bravo, loading 9 am - 2:45 pm. As there is not yet a top-to-bottom route open, guests are required to download on Super Bravo to get back to the base area.