Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported Thursday that there were 16 new cases as well as an uptick in the number of hospitalizations (6) and in the ICU (2). For the last several months these numbers have usually been zero. The VDH also reminds that it is especially important for everyone to get their flu shot this year – when flu viruses and the new coronavirus may be spreading at the same time. Help keep flu out of the picture! We encourage everyone older than 6 months old (with rare exceptions) — and especially people in a high-risk group or who have underlying health conditions — to get their flu vaccine.

Vermont Business Magazine If you need help with paying your internet service bill, you may be eligible for a grant from the Vermont COVID-19 Temporary Broadband Subsidy Program (TBS). The program is available to Vermont residential broadband customers who have experienced economic hardship due to the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc, a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company based in Rutland, today reported its financial results for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2020. Highlights include: Revenues were $202.7 million for the quarter, up $4.1 million, or up 2.1%, from the same period in 2019; Net income was $15.1 million for the quarter, up $2.7 million, or up 22.0%, from the same period in 2019.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced a partnership between the Burlington International Airport and VGS in which the utility will provide the local match for the BTV Sound Mitigation Program, closing the gap needed to apply for $4.5 million in federal funds for soundproofing in 2021, and without any impact on the general funds of the communities around the airport. The arrival of the F-35 for the BTV-based Vermont Air Guard one-year ago resulted in complaints in adjoining towns of increased noise pollution.

Vermont Business Magazine A bipartisan group of senators this week introduced legislation to protect property owners whose assets are seized by the federal government. The DUE PROCESS Act is sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) – all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Christopher Parker, of Guilford, Vermont, waived indictment and pleaded guilty today to a one count information charging him with tax evasion. U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss ordered Parker released on conditions pending sentencing on February 15, 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network confirmed today that it is "working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Vermont Department of Public Safety to investigate a now confirmed cyberattack that has affected some of our systems. We expect that it will take some time to restore and we are working as quickly as possible to return to normal operations."

Vermont Business Magazine Represented by Cornell Law School’s First Amendment Clinic and the ACLU, the Vermont Journalism Trust filed a public records lawsuit today to obtain additional records related to the still unresolved EB-5 scandal. The State of Vermont is again withholding EB-5 records, citing the “litigation exemption” under Vermont’s Public Records Act – an exemption state agencies have relied on repeatedly to prevent public disclosure.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has announced the 24th year of funding to support projects on municipal roads that improve water quality and result in maintenance cost savings. The grant funds are provided by AOT in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and are sourced from federal and state transportation funds and the State’s Clean Water Fund. The Vermont Better Roads Program promotes the use of erosion control and maintenance techniques that save money while protecting and enhancing water quality around the State.

Vermont Business Magazine Today Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos issued a in response to a correction made to a factually and substantively incorrect statement by Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh in his concurring opinion in the Court’s Democratic National Committee v. Wisconsin State Legislature decision. The correction was made following an October 28th letter sent to the Court by Secretary Condos.

Vermont Business Magazine During Fiscal Year 2020, which ended on Sept. 30, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England regional office continued to aggressively take action to promote compliance with lead-safe work practices, and lead paint disclosure to tenants and homebuyers, to protect children from harmful exposure to lead that continues to be found in paint in older housing and buildings.

“During Children’s Health Month, it is especially appropriate that we emphasize that protecting children by reducing lead exposure is vitally important and is a high priority for EPA,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator Dennis Deziel. “Throughout New England there are many older residences and properties where lead paint may still be found. Chipped lead paint and lead dust created during renovations is a significant health hazard for children.”

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Labor have announced the availability of a new $1,000 scholarship for eligible Vermonters to support training and other expenses incurred from enrollment in an adult career and technical education certificate program. The Adult Career Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship was created in partnership between the Department of Labor and the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation.