Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Girls on the Run Vermont’s spring program registration is now open for our northern region. Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that inspires girls in 3^rd through 8^th grade to be joyful, healthy and confident. The volunteer-led program brings together groups of girls for a ten-week program that encourages personal development, team building and connection to the community.

Vermont Business Magazine OneCare Vermont has partnered with Cigna’s Community Ambassador Fellowship program to reduce social isolation and build resiliency for older Vermonters. Alison Hemphill, a Senior Account Manager in Cigna’s Burlington office, was selected as a 2020 Fellow and will work with OneCare Vermont’s primary prevention team to launch a “Sheds” initiative as they aim to improve social connections for older residents and create a space where members can contribute their skills to the needs of the broader community.

Vermont Business Magazine Vail Resorts EpicPromise has announced the recipients of the 2019-2020 community grants cycle. Eight local non-profit organizations received $21,500 in grant support aimed at supporting the issues that matter most to the Okemo Valley Area community. Across the company, Vail Resorts will give $14 million in support to more than 350 community non-profits throughout the upcoming year. Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow is owned by Colorado-based Vail.

Vermont Business Magazine The precautionary boil water advisory, issued Saturday at approximately 2:30PM, for the low service water system in Burlington and limited parts of South Burlington was lifted today. Sample results have confirmed that it is safe to use the water. There are no active boil water advisories. Outside of the special sampling taken to lift the advisory, drinking water is also tested throughout the day at the drinking water plant and weekly throughout the distribution system.

Vermont Business Magazine A Franklin County ice angler was charged Monday after harvesting and possessing a muskellunge (muskie) caught in Lake Champlain. Vermont State Game Wardens received numerous tips that the individual had posted photos on a social media platform displaying the large muskie with other fish caught over the weekend.

Vermont Business Magazine Good news has emerged about phosphorus load reductions into Lake Champlain, and Mill River Brewing BBQ & Smokehouse (MRB) is set to celebrate the data — and continue work on its Clean Water Campaign — with the 1st Annual Clean Water Ice Fishing Derby to benefit the Friends of Northern Lake Champlain (FNLC).

On Saturday, Feb. 22, MRB — based in St. Albans — will hold a one-day, family-oriented, yellow perch fishing derby on Missisquoi Bay, near The Tyler Place in Highgate Springs. This catch-and-release-style derby is part of an ongoing Clean Water Campaign and partnership between MRB and the FNLC. The derby will be educational and geared toward getting young people enthusiastic about fishing and the sport’s reliance on clean water. All net proceeds will benefit the FNLC. The media is invited.

Leonine Public Affairs The tension between Republican Governor Phil Scott and Democrats in the legislature continued this week with Scott’s veto of S.23, a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $12.55 by January 1, 2022. In vetoing the bill the governor criticized it for what he believes will be a negative impact on job growth and employers, particularly in rural areas. The Senate was swift to respond, and on Thursday voted to override the veto by a vote of 24-6.

by Tim Briglin (D-Thetford Center) Chair of the House Energy & Technology Committee Building more resilient communities and transitioning to locally-sourced clean energy isn’t just good climate policy, it’s good economic policy. Vermont has made strides toward a green energy economy, but there’s much more to do. The Global Warming Solutions Act holds our state accountable to achieving targeted greenhouse gas emission reductions, supporting rural resilience to climate change, and ensuring that the benefits of a clean energy economy are broadly shared.

Burlington Department of Public Works We would like to share a general update as people are preparing for their day about the precautionary boil water advisory that has been issued through most of Burlington and a very limited part of South Burlington. A water main break on a 16” (large) main at 339 Pine Street led to a depressurization in a significant part of our distribution system. To comply with recent state requirements and out of an abundance of caution, we have issued this precautionary boil water advisory.

Vermont Business Magazine Sugarbush Resort, in partnership with Protect Our Winters (POW), is hosting an open forum on climate change and related issues facing the snow sports industry. The forum, titled The Future of Snow, is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Saturday, February 22^nd in the Gate House Lodge at Lincoln Peak.

by Tom Hughes Later this spring, Governor Phil Scott will have the opportunity to strengthen the economy, promote equity, and protect the environment by joining the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). If Gov. Scott refuses to join our regional neighbors in the fight against climate pollution, it is very likely that Vermonters will pay higher prices for fossil fuels without receiving any of TCI’s investment benefits.