Current News

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) announced Tuesday that Vermont organizations will receive 15 grants totaling nearly $13.4 million from the US Department of Justice to support crime victims and to strengthen services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The $13.4 million in fiscal year 2018 funding represents a $6 million increase in funding for crime victims, including survivors of domestic and sexual violence, over fiscal year 2017 levels.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan joined Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) to warn Vermonters about scams involving student loans. Scammers pose as student loan servicers, debt relief companies, document preparation companies or say that you may be eligible for a student loan forgiveness program.

Vermont Business Magazine Troopers from Vermont State Police barracks throughout the state responded to numerous vehicle crashes, slide-offs and other weather-related incidents during the season’s first widespread snowstorm on Monday, November 13, 2018. The incidents included a fatal two-car crash in Sharon (please see separate news release below for case number 18B204904) in which one passenger was killed, and a three-vehicle collision involving a school bus in Newbury (please see separate news release below for case number 18A406242) in which five passengers from Newbury Elementary School were brought to the hospital as a precaution.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Mike Touchette to be the next Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Corrections. Touchette will take over for Lisa Menard, who plans to retire in December 2018 after 32 years of service at the Department and more than four years as commissioner.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington issued the following statement following a mass-casualty alert today that was not identified as only a drill: "The University of Vermont Medical Center conducted a mass casualty drill earlier today to test the hospital’s ability to handle a surge of patients with varying injuries. During the drill, automated telephone and text messages were sent out in error. This happened as the emergency response team was testing emergency alerts sent through a mass notification system. The messages were stored from previous exercises, and unfortunately did not carry language that the exercise was a “drill.”

Vermont Business Magazine VEC will not seek a rate increase for January of 2019, marking the fifth consecutive year that VEC has kept electric rates flat. “I’m very proud of the work our entire team has done to keep rates flat since January 2014,” said VEC Chief Financial Officer Michael Bursell. “It’s taken a great deal of creativity, negotiation, and careful budgeting and everyone has pitched in,” he said. “That’s the beauty of the co-op model – if we do well, all our members do well.”

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center was awarded an ‘A’ grade from The Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2018 Hospital Safety Grade. Rutland Regional Medical Center was one of 855 in the United States awarded an “A” for its efforts in protecting patients from harm and meeting the highest safety standards. The Leapfrog Group is a national organization committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. The Safety Grade assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms among patients in their care. Rutland Regional is the only hospital in Vermont to receive an “A” rating this fall. Since 2013, Rutland Regional has the distinction of earning at least one “A” rating each year for patient safety.

Vermont Business Magazine Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology based in Amsterdam, today announced an agreement with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health (D-H) to implement Philips' eICU program technology. The program aims to help reduce mortality, length of stay, and ventilation days while providing patients the care they need, wherever they are located. D-HH is the latest health system to work with Philips to implement a tele-ICU program, further demonstrating the growing global momentum and interest in virtual health care and remote monitoring solutions like Philips eICU.

Vermont Business Magazine Vail Resorts, Inc (NYSE: MTN) today took major steps in its 'Commitment to Zero,' as the company announced a long-term wind energy contract to purchase the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power 100 percent of its estimated FY 2019 North American operations by 2020. Those operations include the Stowe Mountain and Okemo ski resorts in Vermont. The virtual wind energy will come from the new Plum Creek wind farm in Nebraska.

Vermont Business Magazine People’s United Bank announced that it has awarded $2,000 to Rutland Mental Health Services (RMHS) in Rutland. This donation will be used to train licensed clinicians allowing for the expansion of the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy program (PCIT), which provides treatment for young children with behavioral problems. RMHS is a key partner in Rutland County, working closely with the local hospital, primary care physicians, the school system and other local service providers. In 2017, RMHS provided services to over 3,200 individuals, of which over 1,000 were children and youth. Services were provided in 48 programs through their Behavioral Health Services, Child and Family Services and Developmental Disability Services.

Vermont Business Magazine Unsafe sleep environments are responsible for four to six infant deaths in Vermont each year. To help avoid these tragedies, the Vermont Department of Health has launched its Infant Safe Sleep campaign – sharing information, tips and guidance for everyone who takes care of babies. A safe sleep environment means ensuring there is nothing where the baby sleeps that could prevent their ability to breathe because something covers their mouth or nose. Some of these things may be blankets, pillows, bumpers, toys, loose clothing, or even pets and other people. Babies can get also accidentally become wedged in mattresses, recliners or between couch cushions and pillows.

Vermont Business Magazine Chef Shawn Calley, the Executive Chef of the Burlington Country Club, was named the Culinary Cup Champion for his smoked chicken stuffed with apples, goat cheese, and sage. This is the third win for Chef Calley. Chef Evan Leavy of the Jericho Cafe & Tavern won the People's Choice Award for his house smoked brisket with blackstrap molasses, apple relish, and cornbread crumble. Other chefs competing this year included: Chef Christian Kruse, Vergennes Laundry by CK; Chef Donnell Collins, Leunig's Bistro & Café; and Chef David Hoene, Pauline's Café.