Current News

​Vermont Business Magazine Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz and his wife, Elana Amsterdam, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Elana’s Pantry, recently announced a $150,000 donation to the Vermont Community Foundation’s Vermont COVID-19 Response effort to support mountain communities where the company operates, specifically Mount Snow, Okemo Mountain Resort, and Stowe Mountain Resort.

Vermont Business Magazine With all the sacrifices Vermonters are making to keep themselves and others healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is taking extra steps to ensure that no one has to wonder if their water is safe to drink.

DEC is working with drinking water system operators, providing guidance and support for disinfection procedures to keep drinking water safe and free of pathogens. COVID-19 is not transmitted through drinking water, however, it is important to make sure drinking water is free of other pathogens that can cause illness.

Vermont Business Magazine As we seek to protect ourselves and our loved ones while preventing the spread of the highly contagious respiratory illness known as COVID-19, accurate information and expert guidance is more important than ever. Here, Tim Lahey, MD, an infectious diseases doctor and professor of medicine at the University of Vermont’s Larner School of Medicine and the University of Vermont Medical Center, offers his take on some of our most pressing questions, as well as some personal perspective.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced his appointment of Kelley Tully, Democrat, to fill the Windham-3 House District vacancy. Tully replaces former Representative Matthew Trieber (D-Rockingham) who resigned in February. Kelley Tully is the president of C & H Transportation and vice president of Cota & Cota, a third-generation family business in Bellows Falls. A registered nurse, Kelley worked at Springfield Hospital for twenty-five years.

by Susan Boutwell, Dartmouth College The students graduating from undergraduate and graduate schools at Dartmouth will receive their degrees in June, but not on the Green to the applause of 12,000 family, friends, and alumni, President Philip J. Hanlon '77 said today. The 2020 graduates will get their opportunity to celebrate on the Green in June 2021, alongside the 50th reunion Class of 1970, in a ceremony sure to be both poignant and spirited, President Hanlon said.

by Regina Bugbee, US Postal Service During these challenging times, postal employees are working hard to ensure residents stay connected with their world through the mail. Whether it’s medications, a package, a paycheck, benefits or pension check, a bill or letter from a family member, postal workers understand that every piece of mail is important. While service like this is nothing new to us, we need our communities’ help with social distancing.

For everyone’s safety, our employees are following the social distancing precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health officials. We are asking people to not approach our carriers to accept delivery. Let the carrier leave the mailbox before collecting the mail. With schools not in session, children should also be encouraged to not approach a postal vehicle or carrier.

Vermont Business Magazine April is Kids Garden Month, and an opportunity to celebrate the joys and wonder of gardening with children. KidsGardening, a national and leading youth garden nonprofit, has created a virtual opportunity to share, inspire, and connect on how to garden together at home.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today extended the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order are now in effect until midnight on May 15. This includes all the related measures. However, he and members of his administration offered on health data modeling. Current modeling shows that the mitigation measures have slowed the projected spread of COVID-19, but that the state has not yet hit its peak number of cases. But the state is ahead of even its best-case scenario in modeling revealed at the end of March.

Vermont Business Magazine-With the concern over COVID-19 and the Stay Home Stay Safe Order in place, rumors about Vermont’s fishing season are circulating fast and furious these days, and Vermont anglers are understandably concerned. This week’s report will set some things straight by answering many of the common questions we’ve been receiving, attempt to quell your fishing fears, and provide information to keep you and your family safe and healthy. Plus get some great tips for early season fishing.

With the COVID-19 virus upheaval that’s going on around the world and right here in our own backyards, Vermont anglers are understandably concerned, and in some cases confused over what it means for fishing. And since this is a fishing report, I thought it would be a great place to try and set some things straight.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced the official launch of a new online system for license renewals. This new service comes at a critical time for Vermonters and dovetails with the Governor’s March 18 directive for the DMV to transition to online, mail and phone transactions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The DMV strongly encourages Vermonters to renew online using the simple form. Renewal notices will continue to be mailed to all license holders and will include the URL for the online service and a unique PIN needed for the online form.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to the increasing number of initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits and inquiries to its claims center, the Vermont Department of Labor will implement an alphabetized structure for the intake of weekly claims and inquiries. The structure will take effect on Sunday, April 12. The new process will reduce the number of claims assistance calls and traffic to the claimant portal by designating specific days of the week for individuals to contact the Department, based on the first letter of their last name.

by Richard Wobby, EVP, AGC Vermont I know there are new stresses and strains that we’re all going through right now. I know that in normal times, this Sunday we would be gathering with our friends and families sharing a meal and celebrating Easter. These aren’t normal times, and we’re having to adapt our lifestyles, behaviors, and businesses in ways we’ve never had to before. I’ll admit, this is hard time. It’s uncertain and scary, and I remain hopeful.