Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network (UVMHN) and MVP Health Care (MVP) recently launched a new Medicare Advantage Plan, called UVM Health Advantage. UVM Health Advantage is the region’s first Medicare Advantage plan created in collaboration between an insurer and a provider network. The plan’s benefits have been influenced by local doctors and more than 1,100 Medicare eligible heath care consumers of Vermont and Northern New York. UVM Health Advantage is already the highest rated plan in Vermont, with 4.5 out of 5 stars by Medicare for 2022. Enrollment in the plan began October 15, with coverage starting on January 1, 2022.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Monday announced that more than $189 million in Congressionally Directed Spending priorities for the Green Mountain State were included in the nine appropriations bills released by the Chairman’s office on Monday. Leahy noted that these targeted projects are investments in Vermont’s future, supporting education and workforce development, new and improved infrastructure, research and development, and preservation of the state’s heritage and environment. Monday’s announcement brings the total of Leahy-secured Congressionally Directed Spending projects for Vermont to $253 million across all 12 annual Appropriations bills that fund the federal government.

Vermont State Police An arraignment for Joseph Ferlazzo on a charge of first-degree murder is scheduled for 10:30 am Wednesday, October 20, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Burlington. After agreeing to speak to investigators Tuesday afternoon, Joseph Ferlazzo told detectives that he had killed his wife early Saturday morning inside their vehicle in Bolton. The vehicle, a small bus, had been converted into a living and traveling space that Emily and Joseph Ferlazzo shared and had used to travel to Bolton late last week. The state police located and seized the bus early Tuesday morning in St. Albans.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Public Safety (DPS) has upgraded its statewide public safety network in a major effort to support the mission-critical communications needs of several state agencies. The new network from Nokia provides increased speeds, more flexibility and resiliency, and higher bandwidth to support applications such as video. This network is used by the DPS to promote the detection and prevention of crime, to participate in searches for lost and missing persons, and to assist in cases of statewide or local disasters or emergencies.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM), the Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS) and the Farm First Program are proud to announce the award of an USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network – State Departments of Agriculture grant. The Agencies will collaborate with Farm First to provided expanded stress and mental health services to Vermont Farmers. The program will build on programs of the USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, Northeast of which Farm First is a partner.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced today the approval of the use of $7.9 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to expand the Weatherization Assistance Program. Weatherization helps eligible households reduce their energy usage, lower their utility bills, and improve the comfort and safety of their homes. About $1.6 million of the additional funding will be used to provide “one-stop” comprehensive weatherization and efficiency improvements in multi-family housing. A household is eligible for no cost weatherization services if their gross household income is below 80% of the median income in their area. A family of four with an annual income of about $67,000 would be eligible in most Vermont communities.

Governor Phil Scott Good afternoon. Today’s briefing will focus on our weekly data update, vaccine boosters, plans for quickly vaccinating kids under 12, and use of rapid tests and contact tracing to keep kids in school. But before we dive into those updates, I want to define more clearly what I mean when I ask Vermonters to think about personal responsibility at this point in our COVID response. I see this as the key to moving forward because what we did for 15 months – before vaccines – was necessary, but is not sustainable, or good for our well-being. Specifically, I want to talk about the connection between personal responsibility and keeping those at greatest risk, meaning the oldest people in our lives, especially those with underlying conditions, out of the hospital. And how by making some easy choices, we can also help regulate case counts that can lead to hospitalizations and transition from pandemic to endemic.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting that cases fell modestly for the third straight day with 137 cases of COVID-19 (down 65 cases) after setting a pandemic record of 342 on Saturday. The three worst days for cases have all come since mid-September, as the Delta variant has taken over since early July. There may be some variability from day to day because of when cases are reported to the VDH, but the seven-day average remains high. Scott used strong language today for those who are unvaccinated. While he wasn't scolding them for not getting vaccinated, he said that anyone who was not vaccinated and then did not follow the simple health protocols (wearing a mask inside in a public place and staying home if sick, etc) is being "selfish."

Vermont Business Magazine For the third year in a row, Vermont Electric Co-op (VEC) has received the prestigious Cigna Well-Being Award from the insurance company Cigna. VEC is the only company in Cigna’s book of business that has won the award three years running.

Vermont Business Magazine Sun Country Airlines (NASDAQ: SNCY) today announced that it will begin service to Burlington International Airport (BTV) from Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (MSP) beginning June 16, 2022. As the airline's name suggests, its year-round service from MSP is to warm-weather destinations. Most of the cities it serves, like the new BTV route, are seasonal. Sun Country's other nearby airports include Boston, Hartford, Portland and Providence. Introductory fares are as low as $89 one-way. Today’s announcement is part of a larger expansion by the airline, as it announced 11 new nonstop routes and welcomed seven new airports to its growing network.

Vermont Business Magazine The Renal Dialysis team at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), was the recipient of the DAISY Team Award for Extraordinary Nurses in September. This was the first time SVMC has honored a team with a DAISY award.

Vermont Business Magazine Late Monday evening the Burlington City Council voted by a margin of 8-4 to raise the authorized cap of officers at the Burlington Police Department to 79 officers. With an additional 8 officers at the Airport currently, this action effectively raises the cap from 74 to 87 officers.