Current News

Leonine Public Affairs The House Appropriations Committee (HAC) worked long hours this week to finalize the FY2022 budget. Friday was the crossover deadline for all money bills and the budget, transportation and capital bills all needed to pass out of their respective committees in the House.

The Vermont State Police is identifying the victim in this case as Sergio Raychstock, 60, of Fletcher. An autopsy was performed on the victim Saturday, March 20, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The cause of death was determined to be hypothermia, and the manner of death was ruled an accident.

Vermont Business Magazine Rae Carter, a cancer and trauma survivor, announces the launch of EmpowR, a healing and social justice enterprise centered in co-creating personal and cultural transformation in Plainfield. Services and educational programs are designed to empower and affect heart-centered change in our personal lives and cultures to make space for healthier bodies and a more inclusive, just, and compassionate society.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Student Assistance Corporation’s GEAR UP program is sponsoring a new podcast series aimed at parents of teenagers and the tough challenges that face teens.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the timeline for when all Vermonters age 16 and older will be eligible to make an appointment for COVID-19 vaccination. The goal is to have Vermonters fully vaccinated by July 1. Governor Scott also announced updates to COVID-19 guidance for bars and social clubs, like American Legions and VFWs. These establishments are being moved under the state’s restaurant guidance, which will allow them to reopen March 24 within that sector’s current restrictions. These include operating at 50% capacity, requiring patrons be seated at tables with a maximum of 6 per table, 6 feet of distance between parties, masking and more.

Vermont Business Magazine The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently awarded more than $5.7 million is given to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, to pass through to Southern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) to cover the cost of the State of Vermont’s Emergency Feeding Program. The state’s emergency feeding program called Vermont Everyone Eats was established and coordinated with state-wide sub-contractors (Hubs) who oversee restaurant engagement, meal production and meal distribution. The program, a vital part of Vermont’s emergency feeding initiative, provided meals to the COVID-19 impacted population of the state.

​Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Mr Cooper was fined $13,500 for violating Vermont waste management regulations after failing to promptly remove trash and other waste that was accumulating on a property it owned in West Fairlee. Nationstar is one of the largest home-loan servicers in the country, and in August 2019, it became record owner of a residential property in West Fairlee.

Vermont Business Magazine The State of Vermont received a grant totaling nearly $4 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help reimburse expenses associated with COVID-19 response efforts. Since January 2020, COVID-19 has created an immediate threat to the health and safety of the public requiring emergency response and protective measures.

The grant, totaling $3,829,746, is awarded to the Vermont Department of Public Safety for the cost of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and N95 sterilizer machines during the time between March 1, 2020 through September 14, 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine The deadline for Vermont personal income tax filings for tax year 2020 has been extended from April 15 to May 17 in alignment with the federal due date change announced by the IRS earlier this week. This extension means taxpayers can file their 2020 Vermont personal income tax, and pay any tax owed, by May 17 without penalties and interest. This extended due date also applies to Vermont Homestead Declarations and Property Tax Credit Claims.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont today announced the appointment of Fitzroy B “Roy” Beckford, PhD, as associate dean and director of UVM Extension in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Beckford spent over a decade with the University of Florida Extension as a county Extension director managing work in the areas of agriculture, natural resources, horticultural sciences, marine and aquatic environments, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, food systems, small farms initiatives, and environmental sustainability.

Vermont State Police Members of the Vermont State Police are investigating the death of a man who was found with extensive injuries lying by the side of a road Friday morning, March 19, 2021, in the town of Fletcher, Vermont. The victim’s identity was initially unknown, but through investigation, state police have been able to identify the victim as a 60-year-old resident of Fletcher. His name is being withheld at this time while relatives are notified.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today laid out the projected timeline for all remaining age bands, which will govern the state’s vaccination distribution process moving forward. By April 19, according to the schedule, all Vermonters aged 16 and older will be able to sign up for a vaccination. Based on the supply assurances from the federal government, the state aims to have all Vermonters who can be vaccinated to be fully immunized by the end of June.