Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The US Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday advanced the nomination of retired Essex Police Chief Brad LaRose to be Vermont’s next US Marshal. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Governor Phil Scott (R) had jointly recommended LaRose to President Trump in January to fill the vacancy, and the President nominated him in June.

Vermont Business Magazine At a gathering to celebrate Goddard College’s new $2.5 million woodchip district heating plant, the Biomass Energy Research Center (BERC) and Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) released a report Wednesday called Expanded Use of Wood Heating in Vermont. With Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan to meet 90 percent of the state’s energy needs through renewables, the organizations said in a statement that advancing wood heating is a critical part of meeting our climate commitments. The report offers a roadmap to reach 35 percent of Vermont’s heating demands with wood heating by 2030.

REV's Ansley Bloomer, left, and Goddard College President Dr Bernard Bull at the ribbon cutting for the new woodchip heating plant. REV photo.

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday, November 8, 2018, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) filed the adopted rule amendment to the Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) with the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) and the Secretary of State (SOS). The amendment includes requirements for reducing nutrient contributions to waters of the State from subsurface tile drainage on agricultural fields. The new rule will become effective November 23, 2018.

Vermont Business Magazine In honor of Native American Heritage month and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, Vermont Evaporator Company is challenging the Vermont maple industry to join it in making a difference for native New Englanders by donating a portion of November sales. Vermont Evaporator Company has identified its chosen beneficiary as the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police Bomb Squad safely disposed of commercial explosives including dynamite found in a private residence in Wallingford on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, according to a VSP press release. On Thursday, November 1, VSP-Rutland was contacted by an employee from an auction company regarding a suspected explosives magazine found at a property in Wallingford that was being prepared for sale. Information obtained by the auction company suggested explosives still were stored within the magazine. A trooper from the Rutland field station responded to the scene and verified the presence of the magazine. The magazine was determined to be secured. The former property owner was found to have previously held a Vermont explosives license. A bomb technician responded to the scene to complete further assessment on Friday, November 2. At that time, the contents of the magazine could not be verified.

Vermont Business Magazine Today Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos announced the official results of the Vermont 2018 General Election held on Tuesday, November 6. The 2018 General Election set a record for most votes cast in a Vermont midterm election, with 278,230 voters casting ballots out of 490,074 registered voters. Vermont’s number of registered voters is also at an all-time high.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Willie Noyes, owner of Willie’s Village Auto in Stowe, agreed to sanctions for failing to comply with a July 2016 court order that required the removal of junk motor vehicles from his property. The order stemmed from violations of the Vermont salvage yard rules.

by Patricia Moulton, President, Vermont Technical College Vermont has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the nation. We also have one of the lowest rates in the country for high school grads entering college. At a time when two-thirds of jobs will require some form of education after high school by 2020, Vermont needs to make sure that more than 60 percent of its high school students are getting more education. Perhaps even more important to improve, the rate of economically disadvantaged students going on to college is currently less than 40 percent.

Vermont State Police At approximately 3:35 PM on 11/13/18, the Windham Fire Department was notified of a structure fire at 5736 Windham Hill Road in Windham. This single family home was vacant at the time of the fire and owned by folks outside the State of Vermont. Upon arrival the Windham Fire Department they encountered heavy fire located at the rear of the building. They began and exterior and interior attack and were able to contain the bulk of the fire to this area. The rest of the house sustained heavy heat and smoke damage. The fire started near a sump pump and heating tape, but cause of the fire is so far undetermined.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office (AGO), on behalf of the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL), has entered into a stipulation that will allow temporary receivership of three residential care homes to include Harborview, the fourth facility owned by East Lake Capital Management (ELCM) and Andrew White. The agreement also continues the merits hearing originally scheduled for today, allowing White to consult with local counsel. Last week, the Washington Superior Court appointed a temporary receiver of Allenwood at Pillsbury Manor in South Burlington, Homestead at Pillsbury in St Albans, and Pillsbury Manor South in South Burlington, the three other facilities held by ELCM in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Since reaching its tax agreement with the State of Vermont two years ago, Airbnb has remitted more than $7.8 million in taxes on behalf of the host community across the Great Mountain State. Airbnb, which issued a press release on the revenue total today, automatically collects and remits this tax, providing a significant boost to state coffers while making the process seamless for individuals and families who share their home to make ends meet. Airbnb began collecting and remitting taxes on behalf of hosts after signing a tax agreement with the State of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life was recognized recently for its corporate philanthropy by a group dedicated to supporting nonprofits. The Northern New England chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals presented its “Outstanding Corporation” award to National Life at a luncheon during National Philanthropy Day. National Life was recognized for the work of its charitable foundation, which distributes $2 million in grants to nonprofits primarily throughout northern and central Vermont and the Dallas area each year. In addition, Stowe's Donna and Jake Carpenter of Burton Snowboards also were honored in the category of Outstanding Philanthropist.

The association in particular highlighted the National Life Foundation’s cause to end childhood hunger in Vermont, an initiative that is just getting under way.