Current News
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont has reinstated an indoor mask requirement for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors on campus.
“We will continue to monitor the rate of COVID-19 cases on campus, in Vermont, and across the region and will adjust this requirement if conditions warrant,” noted Patricia A. Prelock, Provost and Senior Vice President and Gary Derr, Vice President for Operations and Public Safety, in a message to the campus community.
The new guidance was developed in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Vermont Department of Health (VDH), and the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSHA).
Vaccination
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor is reminding claimants the federal expansion of unemployment insurance benefits created under the CARES Act will end September 6, 2021. This includes Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). The Department will be increasing outreach and assistance to help claimants transition into the workforce or find training or educational opportunities.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced a series of new walk-in vaccination clinics that will be open at schools across Vermont next week. You can either walk-in, or you can also visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine to guarantee your spot by making an appointment online or by phone.
“As the school year approaches, we want as many eligible Vermont students as possible to get vaccinated,” said Governor Scott. “That’s why we’re setting up more school-based vaccine clinics for students and their families. These clinics are open, not only to our students, but to anyone who needs to get their shot.”
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine US Route 2 at the temporary drawbridge is open to two lanes of traffic. The contractor is working from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Saturday. The temporary bridge has a speed limit of 25 mph. There are tight curves approaching the temporary bridge, and trucks are advised to reduce speed to 15 mph. Bicycles should use caution while crossing the bridge. The work zone speed limit is enforced, and individuals have been ticketed for excessive speeding. Obeying the speed limit is extremely important for everyone's safety.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine The investigation is continuing Thursday night by the Vermont State Police into the fatal officer-involved shooting by a member of the Hartford Police Department that occurred earlier in the day.
The deceased subject is a white man believed to be in his 30s. The names of those involved will be released as the investigation progresses.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Currently, nearly 1 in 5 teens are vaping and close to 1 in 4 teens are using at least one tobacco product – becoming the next generation addicted to tobacco. In Vermont , our high school tobacco use rates are an alarming 28.2%. We are proud to share that today, Thursday, August 5, 2021, the American Lung Association announced the Vape-Free Schools Scholarship Fund, a new effort to fund schools’ implementation of the Vape-Free Schools Initiative so that more kids can access cessation, support and education.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) issued decisions Thursday requiring Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and MVP Health Plan, Inc. (MVP) to lower the premiums they sought to charge individuals and families for health insurance in 2022. BCBSVT requested a 7.9% average annual rate increase for its plans, which it lowered to 5.0% based on the recommendations of the GMCB’s actuaries and then increased to 5.2% following the submission of Vermont hospitals’ 2022 budgets.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Department of Corrections (Vermont DOC) is reporting three staff members tested positive for COVID-19 during surveillance testing conducted August 3: two at Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF) in South Burlington and one at Northeast Correctional Complex (NECC) in St. Johnsbury.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Venture 7 Advisors, a Burlington-based merger and acquisition advisory firm, announced the successful sale of Vermont Cookie Love®, the popular bakery and creemee ice cream company, to a private party. Vermont Cookie Love®, which operates out of the “Love Shack” on Route 7 in North Ferrisburgh, is known for its line of all-natural cookies and scones. The details of the transaction were not disclosed.
The seller
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Shelburne Farms and NOFA-VT are offering a year-long professional learning program through their Vermont FEEDpartnership: the Northeast Farm to School Institute. This important initiative supports selected schools in designing and implementing effective, school-wide Farm to School (FTS) programs— that have proven more important than ever through the COVID-19 pandemic.
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine Today, Lt. Governor Gray joined state leaders in applauding President Joe Biden’s nomination of VT Supreme Court Justice Beth Robinson to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Gray released the following statement:
“The nomination of Justice Beth Robinson is a historic step by President Biden to build a judicial system that represents all of us.
For me, and so many Vermont women in the legal profession, Justice Robinson has been a trailblazer and role model. She has been a champion for civil rights and marriage equality and will serve our country, and justice system, well.
I cannot imagine a better replacement for my dear friend and mentor the late Judge Peter W. Hall who carried on Vermont’s tradition and legacy of fairness, judicial independence, and integrity on the Court. I look forward to Justice Robinson’s confirmation and urge the United States Senate to act with haste.”
by katie
Vermont Business Magazine celebrated the 2021 winners of the Best of Business Awards (BOB) on Tuesday evening, August 3rd at Hula on the Burlington waterfront. With over 47,000 votes casted for the BOB's and over 100 winners, VBM had over 150 people come to celebrate and accept their awards. Click here to view the photos from the event. VBM would like to thank our sponsors, Community Bank NA, C2, Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC and our plaque sponsor Vermont Awards & Engraving. Photos taken by Baldwin Photography.
