Current News

Vermont Business Magazine A new Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at Saint Michael’s College, more practice-based than the traditional Master of Education (MEd), answers growing demands from potential undergraduates, recent college graduates, and career-changers to earn teacher licensure faster and more affordably.

Vermont Business Magazine Scott Silver of Hospitality Funding has announced plans to redevelop a historic Burlington building into a new Cambria hotel at 266 College Street, the current location of the Greater Burlington YMCA. Cambria Hotel Burlington will preserve the historic facade of the existing structure, built in 1934, and will feature 142 guest rooms. The hotel is expected to open in 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine FirstLight, an Albany-based provider of fiber-optic data, Internet, data center, cloud, and voice services to enterprise and carrier customers in Vermont and throughout the Northeast, announced today that it has expanded its relationship with the Albany Times Union Center and facilities operator, SMG, to provide higher bandwidth solutions for its clientele.  FirstLight will provide additional high-speed, fiber-based Internet and voice services, ensuring that the center is positioned to meet the growing demands of event organizers and attendees.

Vermont Business Magazine Registration is now open for Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibilities annual spring conference, titled “Champion Change in the Workplace and Marketplace.” Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) members, friends and state legislators will gather for the conference at the LEED-certified Davis Center at the University of Vermont in Burlington Wednesday May 15^th. Throughout the day, attendees will engage in their choice of 15 workshops designed to help forward-thinking professionals find new opportunities through values-led work.

Over 300 participants will enjoy a localvore lunch menu and visit with 40+ exhibitors including corporate members like Green Mountain Power and non-profits such as Change the Story Vermont. The day will conclude with a cocktail and networking reception.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce and Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan today announced that nearly $90,000 owed by Western Union to Vermonters is now available. This money is available to Vermonters who did not file a claim in an earlier class action process. The State Treasurer’s Office will work to contact any Vermonter identified in this settlement to assist them with claiming unclaimed property and provide information about how to file a claim.

Following a nationwide class action lawsuit, Western Union was required to offer refunds of unclaimed wire transfers that it had not returned to the original senders in a timely fashion. These initial refunds were made directly to Vermonters who claimed their refunds from Western Union.

Vermont Business Magazine Leonine Public Affairs, based in Montpelier, is launching a new line of business that will provide government relations services to the fast-growing cannabis industry. The new line will be headed by Leonine Partner Todd Bailey and will focus on public policy and the development and growth of the cannabis and hemp industries throughout the nation.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) has designated Castleton University as its preferred partner for nursing education. With the impending closure of Southern Vermont College, SVHC anticipates there will be a shortage of registered nurses with a bachelor of science degree to fill vacant positions in the immediate future and beyond, which are necessary to sustain critically important services and meet the needs of the communities it serves.

Vermont State Police The Vermont State Police is identifying the member involved in this incident as Trooper Eric Vitali of the Royalton Barracks. He was hired in 2005 and initially assigned to the Rockingham Barracks. He transferred to the Westminster Barracks in 2016 and the Royalton Barracks in 2018. Preliminary investigation shows that James Luce was armed with a shotgun, which he had just used to fire at the home located on Quechee West Hartford Road in Hartford, while he was moving away from Hartford, Vermont, and Lebanon, New Hampshire, police officers and toward members of the Vermont State Police. Luce was ordered by state police to drop the firearm and not pick it up again, but when he failed to comply, Trooper Vitali responded by firing his shotgun one time, grazing Luce. He received minor abrasions and was treated and released from Mount Ascutney Hospital.

Vermont Business Magazine To celebrate and promote wellness through outdoor recreation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross) will once again offer its popular Mountain Days program in May and June. This year’s events combine a longstanding community tradition in Brattleboro with two brand new events in Vermont. All Mountain Days are weather permitting, and will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (no pre-registration required). There will be free t-shirts, raffle prizes, snacks and water, and the first 100 hikers at each Mountain Day will also receive a free picnic lunch.

May 11 – 19^th Annual Mountain Day at Mt. Wantastiquet. This event, which has become a Mother’s Day weekend tradition for many families, is sponsored by the Windham County Community Advisory Board of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont. Participants can chose to hike up Mt. Wantastiquet or enjoy a lovely riverside walk. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today recognized and celebrated the efforts of Vermont state employees, attending an awards ceremony and presenting a proclamation designating May 5-11, 2019 as “Public Service Recognition Week” in Vermont. Governor Scott honored 146 outstanding state employees, including 22 individuals, 14 state teams and one cross-agency team. These employees were applauded for their many achievements in service to the programs that support the citizens of Vermont.

by John McClaughry The Vermont House is, for the seventh time over 37 years, trying to enact a primary seat belt law for over-18 drivers.  Worse yet, this time its backers are trying to slip their cherished bill through where it won’t be noticed. Fortunately, it’s been noticed.  Here in Q&A format is what you need to know on this subject.

Q: Isn’t wearing an automobile seat belt a good thing?

A: Except in very rare cases, like cars submerged in water, seat belts can save lives. Long ago, before seat belts became original equipment, I bought one at the auto parts store and  bolted it into the floor board of my 1953 Plymouth.

Q: Then why doesn’t everyone buckle up for their own safety?