Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting that cases spiked again today with 318 (up 211) after four straight days in which cases fell, after setting a pandemic record of 342 on Saturday. The four worst days for cases have all come since mid-September, as the Delta variant has taken over since early July. There has also been some uneven reporting of cases, resulting in peaks and troughs. The VDH also today reported two additional deaths for 351 statewide. Cases in the southern four counties continue to be relatively high (Bennington 29, Rutland 26, Windsor 26, Windham 18), as have cases in Franklin (21) and the Northeast Kingdom (Orleans County 60, Caledonia 21, Essex 7).

Vermont Business Magazine A coalition of Vermont associations representing home health and hospice, physicians and other clinicians, dentists, mental health providers, long term care facilities, adult day centers, and hospitals expressed support for the Scott Administration’s proposals to strengthen Vermont’s vital health care workforce and help address our state’s workforce shortage. The Agency of Human Services presented its Health Care Workforce Development Strategic Plan to the Green Mountain Care Board on Wednesday recommending new investments and increased supports that are critical to the state’s health care system.

Vermont State Police Following a request Thursday afternoon from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, the Vermont State Police is assuming the lead role in the investigation of a fatal shooting that occurred Wednesday night, Oct. 20, 2021, in Greensboro. The incident occurred at about 8:13 p.m. Wednesday at 1119 Eligo Lake Rd. The deceased is identified as Robert Chaplin, 27, of East Hardwick. The shooting occurred following a dispute that began earlier Wednesday in Hardwick between the victim and Daryl Johnson, 48, of Greensboro.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union today joined over 56,000 credit unions around the world to celebrate International Credit Union (ICU) Day. ICU Day highlights the many ways that credit unions across the world help members improve their financial health and well-being. In celebration of International Credit Union Day, Vermont Federal Credit Union team members delivered food and reusable tote bags to seven food shelves across northern Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Rinck Advertising was recently awarded a two-year contract for the Vermont Department of Health’s tobacco counter-marketing campaigns. With offices in Lewiston, ME and Annapolis, MD, the full-service agency’s health communication interventions aim to reduce Vermont’s youth and adult smoking prevalence, as well as reduce the exposure of all Vermonters to secondhand smoke.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Blakely H Jenkins, Sr, 60, of St Johnsbury, has been indicted by the federal grand jury in Burlington on six counts of tax evasion and one count of identity theft in connection with Jenkins’ operation of his St Johnsbury-based painting business, Blake Jenkins Painting, Inc. Jenkins was arrested on the charges today and is expected to appear in United States District Court tomorrow.

Vermont Business Magazine House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint announce the final round of community conversations on the once in a lifetime opportunity facing Vermont to make significant investments that will transform and shape the future of our state. These regional discussions will be held virtually, October 28 and November 2, 4, 8, 10 and 16.

Vermont Business Magazine The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday morning approved the nomination of Vermont’s Beth Robinson, to the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, sending her historic nomination to the US Senate Floor for a confirmation vote. This is the key step in the confirmation process. The Second Circuit covers Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Kingdom (NEK) Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation has granted $124,449 to 23 organizations in Orleans, Essex, and Caledonia counties this fall. The awards represent a combination of grants to organizations supporting youth and education, community engagement, and increasing access to healthcare and outdoor recreation opportunities. In response to continued need across the Kingdom, the Foundation and its donors contributed in meaningful ways to make 2021 one of the fund’s largest grantmaking years to date.

Vermont State Police Following a months-long investigation, the Vermont State Police on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred March 11 on U.S. Route 4 in Mendon, Vermont. Dylan Gunnip, 27, of Rutland was arrested Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of leaving the scene of a crash with death resulting. He was processed and released on a citation to appear for arraignment at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Rutland.

Vermont State Police On 10/20/21 at 1012 hours Troopers from the VSP Rutland barracks responded to the area of the Killington flats and the Turn of the River Lodge, Box 5672 US 4 in the Town of Killington for a 3 car motor vehicle crash with entrapment. Killington Fire/Rescue, Regional Ambulance service, and VSP Crash Reconstruction Team responded. Investigation into the crash determined that a line of vehicle traffic was traveling eastbound on US 4. From the line of vehicles, two vehicles attempted to pass/overtake the lead vehicle; (a 20' Box truck). A collision between the two vehicles caused the vehicles to lose control, and one of the vehicles to then crash into the lead vehicle; (a 20' Box truck). That second crash caused the lead vehicle to lose control, travel from the roadway, and overturn down a 15' embankment. The operator of the Box truck, Joseph Robert Terry, was found partially ejected and deceased.

Vermont State Police On October 20, 2021 at approximately 2225 hours, State Police were notified of a two-vehicle head on collision on Route 105 in the town of Sheldon. This was just west of the Bedard Rd intersection. Investigation on scene revealed that a Volvo S60 occupied by a male operator was heading eastbound when it drove into the westbound lane which was occupied by a Tractor Trailer Unit. The operator of the TT-unit, Ernest Wilgus (age 57) stated that he observed the Volvo heading towards him and cross into his lane without warning. Wilgus attempted to stop his vehicle by braking, but the Volvo collided with him head-on. The operator of the Volvo, Mark Vanburen, was pronounced dead on scene.