Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced that Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) has agreed to pay over $400,000 for its disposal of recyclable processed glass at three locations on its Williston, Vermont property. CSWD will also post information on its website and publications to ensure that it is being transparent with the public about what happens to glass sent to CSWD for recycling.

Vermont Business Magazine President Donald Trump signed into law on Sunday night a government funding bill that included energy efficiency provisions championed by Representative Peter Welch, and an important Medicaid fraud bill that he introduced this Congress. The bill also funds the government for the remainder of fiscal year 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement in response to the House of Representatives’ overwhelming 275-134 passage of $2,000 direct payments for the working class: “The House has passed a $2,000 direct payment for working people. It is time for the Senate to act. This week on the Senate floor Mitch McConnell wants to vote to override Trump's veto of the $740 billion defense funding bill and then head home for the New Year. I'm going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $2,000 direct payment to the working class."

Vermont Business Magazine Community Health's medical professionals began receiving the COVID vaccination this weekend, with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bradley Berryhill as one of the first providers to get the Pfizer vaccine. As the process of immunizing against the coronavirus has just begun, Dr. Berryhill shared his thoughts, concerns and advice to friends, family and patients in a letter to the community. Cautioning that this is just the beginning of a process that will last for months Dr. Berryhill underscores the importance of staying informed and vigilant.

Dear Friends,

This is a historic moment in time for our world and no less true for everyone who lives here in central Vermont. There exists a level of stress and anxiety which is uniquely representative of this moment in time.

Vermont Business Magazine The Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC) is pleased to announce expanded outreach and services to municipalities and the public to enhance water quality and tactical basin planning efforts for South Lake Champlain (Basins 2 & 4).

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Monday reported that there have been 12 more deaths from COVID-19 since their last report December 23, for a statewide total of 129. There were 87 cases reported on Monday for a total of 7,120 since last March. Many Health Department teams are working through the holiday week, including the laboratory staff, contact tracing and other critical response teams.

by John McClaughry On December 21 Gov. Phil Scott bailed out of the proposed 12-state Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), at least for 2021. Only three of the twelve hoped-for state participants have agreed to implement TCI (Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island). Eight others, including Vermont, agree to keep on meeting, talking and negotiating, but the process is likely on life support. The twelfth state, New Hampshire, wants nothing to do with TCI.

Vermont Business Magazine New England Culinary Institute President Dr Milan Milasinovic has announced on the college's website that it will be closing down. The 40-year-old Montpelier institution, which featured a college experience and real-world culinary arts at its own restaurants, has struggled in recent years, just as many other small colleges in Vermont and elsewhere have. Enrollments are down nationwide. NECI follows Green Mountain College, St Joseph's College. Southern Vermont College and Marlboro College in shutting its doors in the last two years.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott is seeking applicants for appointment to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to fill a forthcoming vacancy. The PUC was created to ensure the provision of high-quality public utility services in Vermont at minimum reasonable costs. The Commission strives to achieve this mission by providing an independent, fair and efficient means of resolving public utility disputes, and by guiding the development of state utility policies and rules for public services to best serve the long-term interests of Vermont and its residents.

Vermont Business Magazine We appreciate the challenge of governing during a global pandemic. Instead of meeting with colleagues and constituents, we now rely on video chat, texts, emails, and phone calls. We are in an extraordinary time, where safety requires us to maintain physical distance from one another. We believe government is essential and applaud the efforts to adapt. We cannot allow this virus to grind the gears of government to a halt.

Vermont Business Magazine Adrianne Johnson Ross, MHA, was today named Home Health & Hospice’s next president and chief operating officer. She is preceded by Judy Peterson, who is retiring in January 2021 after eight years leading the organization. Johnson Ross’s appointment is effective immediately. She begins today and will transition into in her new role over the next few weeks.

Vermont Business Magazine Sunday night President Trump signed the COVID 19 relief bill. It had passed both the House and Senate last week. It includes extending the unemployment and PUA benefits, with the extra $300 per week, one-time direct payments of $600 to individuals ($1,200 filing jointly) and ensures that PPP forgiveness does not result in taxable income. Among other measures, it includes a second round of PPP.