Current News

Vermont Business Magazine There are plenty of walk-in opportunities throughout the weekend, including at some special events. On Saturday, you can get vaccinated at the Burlington Farmers Market. The clinic will offer the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for anyone 18 and older from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 345 Pine St. Thunder Road in Barre is also hosting a walk-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Sunday as part of the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic. The VDH is reporting today only eight cases of COVID-19 statewide with deaths holding at 255, which is unchanged since May 15. As for reaching Governor Scott's 80 percent vaccination goal, he's still hoping for the end of next week. The state is at 77.6 percent, but the CDC is making adjustments to the data and is closed Monday, so Tuesday will be the next full update.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation is opening the State Historic Sites for the 2021 season. Opening on Saturday, May 29, are the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch, Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell, and Bennington Battle Monument in Bennington. The observation deck of the Monument will be open again this season, affording visitors spectacular 360-degree views.

by Mike Donoghue, correspondent, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont's chief federal judge has agreed to quash two court-ordered subpoenas on behalf of former Jay Peak executive William Stenger after learning many of the documents have been provided – possibly without the knowledge of the state and a law firm. Judge Geoffrey W Crawford in Rutland had initially approved in April the subpoena requests by the defense, but both the Vermont Attorney General's Office and a private Burlington firm representing the state wanted the court orders blocked to try to ensure Stenger does not get to see or use records about possible fraud in the EB-5 case.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, Senator Bernie Sanders and Vermont Afterschool today announced the recipients of the Summer Matters for All Grant Program. A total of $3.85 million was awarded to about 100 programs in 13 counties to expand access to summer enrichment opportunities for K-12 youth this summer. The grants were awarded to a variety of programs, including summer camps, libraries, municipalities, teen centers, non-profit social services organizations and more, to expand the number of weeks and slots, as well as to increase affordability and accessibility of summer programs. These offerings will supplement school-based programs.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Friday issued the following statement after President Joe Biden released his fiscal year 2022 federal budget proposal: “The budget that President Biden has submitted to Congress constitutes the most significant agenda for working families in the modern history of our country."

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Veronica Lewis, 37, of Worcester, Vermont, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Christina Reiss after previously having pled guilty to Interference with Commerce by Robbery and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. The case originally resulted in a legal confrontation between Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George, who had dropped the charges because of the mental health issues, and Attorney General TJ Donovan who reinstated them.

Vermont Business Magazine Central Vermont Medical Center’s COVID-19 Call Center will take its last phone call today. At the height of its operation, the COVID-19 Call Center had a staff of six nurses and an on-site provider who handled 250-300 calls per day – some even from outside CVMC’s service area due to the call center’s reputation for providing fast and reliable information.

Vermont Business Magazine Blair and Rosalyn Hyslop, “couplepreneurs” from Sussex, New Brunswick, who are the owners of Mrs. Dunster’s Bakery, announced Thursday their intention to purchase all the assets of the Koffee Kup Bakery in Burlington, Vermont, which includes the Vermont Bread Company in Brattleboro. The USA company will be named North Atlantic Baking Company but will continue to market the same baked goods that made the company a household name throughout New England under the Koffee Kup and Vermont Bread brands. The company will be based in Burlington

by Judith Levine In early May, Brienne Allan, production manager at a Massachusetts craft brewery, took to her Instagram page to invite women to share their stories of sexism in the industry. Hundreds poured in, describing everything from frat–boy boorishness to outright racism and assault. Allan edited the posts together so they pass by almost too fast to read. The impression is of a gushing sewer pipe. The accusers are anonymous. The accused are not.

Vermont Business Magazine If you are 12 or older you may get vaccinated at a walk-in clinic without an appointment (SEE LIST). If you are 12-17 years old, look for clinics that offer the Pfizer vaccine and bring a parent or guardian with you. Vaccines are available without an appointment while the supplies last. The number of spots are an estimate. Many pharmacies also offer walk-in vaccinations. Check with your pharmacist.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Regular initial unemployment claims remain at levels more typical of pre-pandemic weeks after the Vermont Department of Labor was able to eliminate the vast bulk of fraudulent claims. VDOL now requires new claimants to call the department directly. As the VDOL discovered, and other states have realized, criminal operations were barraging online systems with false claims. In addition, initial technical issues with the work search requirement for unemployment insurance filers have been resolved. The work search requirement was suspended by the governor during the pandemic and was reinstated on May 9.

by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) The Budget Control Act of 2011 expires this year, and that is a good thing. This law led to a decade of underfunding our domestic priorities, from which it will take years to recover. Right now, in communities across the country, our infrastructure is crumbling, millions of Americans cannot access federal programs for which they qualify, and we are falling behind in investing in science, research, and development on the global economic stage.