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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.

Vermont Business Magazine Want to work for a company that's reinventing electric aviation? Helping satellites move through space? Developing renewable energy solutions to combat climate change? You'll find them all at this year's Vermont Tech Jam, a career and tech expo like no other. It's back in Burlington this year, at one of the city's most beautiful new venues — Hula!

Vermont Business Magazine Cabot Creamery Co-operative has launched a Farmer Pen Pal Program, to connect their younger fans with the dairy farmers who supply the creamery. The program is designed to give a first-hand account of life on a dairy farm, the journey from cow to cheese, and all things farming. When teachers or parents sign up for the Farmer Pen Pal Program, they receive letters from Cabot farmers, activity sheets, teacher resource guides, and classroom presentations to help bring the program to classrooms and homes. Since its initial launch in April 2021, the Cabot Farmer Pen Pal Program has worked with 6,800 children.

Opportunity Closes This Sunday, October 24 for Millions in Relief Money for Utility Customers

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced that four municipalities have been awarded $10 million in ARPA funding to accelerate efforts to eliminate combined sewer overflows in their cities and towns. Montpelier, Northfield, St Johnsbury and Vergennes will each receive a portion of this $10 million. The four municipalities selected to receive initial funding will use these funds to implement high-priority projects identified in their long-term plan for controlling sewer overflows. The governor has recommended a total of $30 million in ARPA funding to help Vermont municipalities fast-track planned sewer overflow reduction projects. $10 million was appropriated this year to support these projects, and additional funding is anticipated over the next three years. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Clean Water Board is asking the public to weigh in on how they would like to prioritize approximately $46.9 million available through the State Fiscal Year 2023 Clean Water Budget to clean up water pollution across the state. The draft budget is available for public review. The Board is asking Vermonters to provide feedback, through an online questionnaire, on whether they believe funding levels are sufficient and whether they agree with the Board’s proposed prioritization of funding across projects. The Clean Water Board will consider public input before making its final Clean Water Budget recommendation in December 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine A fully accessible recreation path and boardwalk along the shores of Lake Memphremagog is complete and open to the public, the Vermont Land Trust has announced. The new mile-long trail on Bluffside Farm crosses Scott’s Cove, connecting downtown Newport to trails that run north to Canada. The project has been touted as a cornerstone to advancing Newport’s recreation-based economy and community connections to land.

Vermont Business Magazine Agri-Cycle (ACE) announces its expanded food scrap hauling services and partnerships in Vermont. ACE currently provides food scrap recycling for a number of Vermont businesses, including 17 Hannaford stores, and is now available to provide services for other Vermont businesses, institutions, and multi-family residential units. In addition, ACE’s Vermont operations include plans to manage the compost site located at the Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District’s Organics Recycling Facility in North Hartland, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) announced the availability of grant funds to cover permitting costs for businesses engaged in adding value to forest products. The Vermont Value-Added Forest Products Permitting Assistance Grant Program (FPPA Grants) has $25,000 to award grants ranging from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $5,000. Funds for this program are State funds allocated by the Vermont Legislature and signed into law by Governor Scott in Act 83 in 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Low Income Trust for Electricity, Inc (VLITE) is seeking applications from qualified candidates interested in serving as a member of the Vermont Electric Power Company, Inc. (VELCO) Board of Directors for a term beginning in April, 2022. VLITE was formed in 2012 as a part of the GMP-CVPS merger to own 38% of VELCO and its charge includes selecting three well-qualified, independent directors for VELCO’s Board. VELCO serves as the operator and manager of Vermont’s high voltage electric transmission system.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting that cases fell again today for the fourth straight day with 107 cases of COVID-19 (down 30 cases) after setting a pandemic record of 342 on Saturday. The VDH also today reported two additional deaths for 349 statewide. There are 55 people hospitalized (up 10 from Tuesday) with 17 in the ICU (up one). Hospitalizations are high but have been stable until today's report. Cases in the southern four counties continue to be relatively high, with a spike today in Bennington, which reported 25 cases, more than twice the number in Chittenden County.

Vermont Business Magazine State tax revenue collections for the month of September indicate that the General Fund, Transportation Fund, and Education Fund receipts were a combined $274.5 million, or 3.9 percent above monthly consensus expectations. However, while the vital personal income tax showed strong results in September for the General Fund, weakness in sales tax receipts led to a negative result in the Education Fund. The fuel tax receipts were also below expectations, but that result was offset by strong motor vehicle sales in the Transportation Fund. In August 2021, the consensus revenue expectations were upgraded substantially for fiscal year 2022 as compared to the January 2021 forecast.