Current News

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? 

Vermont Business Magazine The Regional Prevention Partnerships (RPP) of the Northeast Kingdom, which includes Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) Prevention Services, was recognized as the 2019 Vermont Prevention Champion by Vermont Governor Phil Scott on Wednesday, May 2 at a statehouse ceremony. The recognition was for the ongoing collaborative work in the Northeast Kingdom regarding substance use and misuse.

In addition to NVRH RPP Coordinator Cheryl Chandler and Prevention Specialist Tennyson Marceau, the award recognizes the RPP of Newport at Northeast Kingdom Learning Services (NEKLS). Together, these RPPs serve Orleans, Caledonia and Essex counties. The grants are a customized regional response to reduce alcohol and drug use among adolescents, teens and young adults in collaboration with State of Vermont Department of Health and local community partners.

Vermont Business Magazine On March 21, Cynthia Turner, Vice President of Human Resources at Vermont Federal Credit Union, and Keiko Holtz, Human Resources Specialist, accepted the 2019 Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Award at the Worksite Wellness Conference. These annual awards create a standard of excellence for worksite wellness initiatives, and recognize employers’ efforts to enhance productivity, bolster a healthy environment and improve employee wellbeing, something Turner says is of great importance to the Credit Union.

“Our members, staff, and community all benefit from happy, healthy employees.” Turner added, “To us, receiving the gold level worksite wellness award confirms our program is creating a worksite culture of wellbeing, something we all can benefit from.”

Vermont Business Magazine In honor of National Nurses Week, which runs from May 6-12 (Florence Nightingale’s birthday) to honor and recognize the contribution of all nurses, BAYADA Hospice in Norwich, VT recognizes all hospice nurses who make a difference in their patients’ lives. One nurse in particular, office clinical manager Jeanette Leavitt, RN, was recently recognized as a finalist for BAYADA’s prestigious Ann Baiada Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership—a national award. Leavitt, a resident of White River Junction, VT, was nominated for exemplifying the highest standards of nursing excellence. 

Vermont Business Magazine Members of the Bennington Lodge 567 donated a portion of their 150^th anniversary grant to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, a part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). The donation amount, $250, was chosen to reflect both organizations’ years of existence.

Vermont Business Magazine This year’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - held on Saturday, April 27 - yielded more than three tons of unused, unwanted and expired medication for disposal, turned in by Vermonters at nearly 70 collection sites statewide. The 6,562 pounds of collected prescription medication is the highest total out of Vermont’s previous Take Back Days.

Vermont Business Magazine Three Vermont ski areas were recognized for safety, sustainability and marketing excellence when the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) presented industry awards at its annual National Convention last week in San Diego, CA. Sugarbush Resort won the Climate Change Impact Award, part of the Golden Eagle Awards for Sustainability. Established in 1993, the Golden Eagles are the highest honors bestowed on resorts for environmental performance. Stratton and Killington also were honored.

Vermont Business Magazine North Star Leasing Company in Burlington announced today that it achieved a 54 percent increase in originations year over year through April 30th. April also marked the largest funding month on record in the company’s nearly 40-year history. Fiscal year 2018 saw North Star Leasing fund $50 million with $7 million through longstanding syndication partners. People’s United Bank continues to support the company’s growth through a previously announced $60 million expandable Senior Revolving Credit Facility.