Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said on Tuesday that the latest outbreak of COVID-19 at Champlain Orchards in Shoreham is yet another reminder of the dynamic nature of the virus. As of last night, 27 workers have tested positive. He again emphasized that as of right now, the outbreak is contained to the site, and there is no known risk to the public. Nor is there a risk to anyone consuming their apples or other products. The department continues to work closely with the owner of the orchards and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture to implement isolation and quarantine.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Public Service today announced $4,055,920.50 in grant awards to Internet Service Providers to serve over 2,860 eligible locations with broadband connections in response to COVID-19. The goal of the COVID-19 Emergency Connectivity Initiative is to use Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to build high-speed broadband service to unserved and underserved locations by December 30. About $12 million has been distributed in this program.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott’s press briefing today featured several data presentations, an update on the outbreak at Champlain Orchards in Shoreham and indicated that guidelines to increase indoor nursing home visitation should be available this week. At the briefing, Scott acknowledged “Vermont Mask Day” to encourage facial coverings to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL) wants to learn about older Vermonters’ needs and aspirations. Two surveys: Vermonters 60+ and Family Caregiver will provide vital information to help DAIL develop Vermont's next State Plan on Aging, a guiding document that outlines how the State of Vermont and the network of Agencies on Aging and service providers will strive to meet the needs of older Vermonters over time.

Vermont Business Magazine Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), southeastern Vermont’s non-profit community mental health agency, announced today that it has implemented an open access model for new clients, allowing the agency to offer same day access. This open access model will allow HCRS to improve the client experience by being able to offer same day assessment services at its clinical office locations in Hartford, Springfield [headquarters shown in photo], Bellows Falls, and Brattleboro.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott Monday evening vetoed H926, An act relating to changes to Act 250, and signed Executive Order 04-20 to provide regulatory certainty for recreation trails.

In his veto letter to the Legislature, Governor Scott said that at the start of the legislative session, there was broad support for a comprehensive, balanced modernization package, but the bill the Legislature delivered falls far short.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced Monday evening actions on the following bills, passed by the Legislature. These include the veto of the Act 250 and passage of several other, less controversial bills.

by Louis Josephson, PhD I often get asked, what does “recovery” from addiction actually mean? It may come as a surprise that attempts to define recovery from substance use issues are fairly recent. Just 15 years ago, stakeholders in attendance at the first National Recovery Summit took up the task of developing a definition of recovery along with associated principles. The definition they came up with is as follows:

“Recovery from alcohol and drug problems is a process of change through which an individual achieves abstinence and improved health, wellness and quality of life.”

In 2020, the website of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes recovery in similar, but slightly updated terms: “Recovery is a process of change through which people improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.”

Vermont Business Magazine Mt Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC) has confirmed that it is engaged in plans to establish a pharmacy within the Ottauquechee Health Center located at 32 Pleasant Street in Woodstock, Vermont. The plan would require renovations by the building owner, DEW Ottauquechee, LLC, to space under lease to MAHHC. The pharmacy would be operated by High Mountain Corporation d/b/a/ Rutland Pharmacy.

by John McClaughry For the past three years Governor Phil Scott and others have expressed a concern about Vermont’s stagnant population. Last year the legislature even created a New Worker Relocation Program to pay people to move to Vermont, conduct their businesses on line, help revitalize small communities, and of course pay Vermont taxes.

Vermont Business Magazine At a media briefing on Monday, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said the Health Department is investigating a new outbreak of COVID-19 at a farm in Addison County. The Health Department learned last week that a worker at Champlain Orchards had tested positive for COVID-19. There are currently 26 cases associated with the outbreak, and contact tracing is underway.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor has announced that the state is set to trigger off of the High Extended Benefits program, as of October 10, 2020. This determination by the US Department of Labor follows the recent announcement of Vermont’s unemployment rate decreasing from 8.3% in July to 4.8% in August. A state’s unemployment rate is what drives its extended benefits program, and depending on how extreme the unemployment rate becomes, states can trigger on or off of what is called “State Extended Benefits” (State EB), which offers an additional 13 weeks of benefits, or “High Extended Benefits” (High EB), where the original 13 weeks are expanded to 20 weeks.