Current News

by Bill Schubart While most of the civilized world has abandoned execution for moral as well as practical reasons, President Trump is now proposing an expanded application of the death penalty – traditionally applied only in first degree murder cases – for all “major” drug dealers.

And even then, the death penalty has become so problematic and costly that the thirty-one states where it’s still legal only executed, or tried to execute, twenty-three people last year. The legal and correctional cost of execution vastly exceeds the cost of a life sentence.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont farms have built up a massive phosphorus surplus – one that is growing at an estimated 1,500 tons per year – as farmers continue to import large quantities of animal feed and fertilizer, a new University of Vermont study says.

Vermont Business Magazine In a startling report released today, National Safety Council research shows just 13 states and Washington, DC, have implemented comprehensive, proven actions to eliminate opioid overdoses and help protect their residents. In Prescription Nation, a digest analyzing how states are tackling the worst drug crisis in recorded US history, the Council assigned its highest mark of "Improving" to Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, DC, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia.

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger on Monday night delivered the State of the City Address in City Hall’s Contois Auditorium, during which he said that the city is a place of opportunity, is in a strong position, and that it will grow even stronger in the years ahead, "as we work to ensure that all residents benefit from our recent progress and have a voice in our future direction." That reference was to his re-election challenge in which opponents contended he was out of touch with the average Burlingtonian, especially in respect to the $225 million Church Street mall redevelopment and the sale of the city-owned Burlington Telecom to an Indiana firm.

Governor Phil Scott, Attorney General TJ Donovan, the City Council, city department heads, and other city employees and community members were also in attendance.

Vermont Business Magazine Mamava has announced the launch of The Mamava Mini by Steelcase, the result of a design collaboration between Mamava, expert in lactation accommodations; and Steelcase, a global leader in office furniture, interior architecture and space solutions. The Mamava Mini is a compact lactation suite that provides an affordable, easy-install option for office settings.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center has begun a nurse residency program designed to ease the transition of newly graduated nurses from the classroom to clinical practice. Research indicates programs like this promote quality and safety of care, and reduce turnover rates for first-year nurses. The one-year experience is based on the Vizient and American Association of Colleges of Nursing (Vizient/AACN) Nurse Residency Program™, and is open to all graduating nurses hired by UVM Medical Center with licensing from an accredited school.

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and Terry Bicycles are back with the fifth running year of Wellness Revolution, a program designed to promote healthier lifestyles for Vermont women through cycling. Registration for the five-week program begins on March 27 and ends on April 13. Space is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Megan Peek, community relations and health education manager at BCBSVT shares, “We encourage women of all cycling levels to join us! This five-week program not only advances our participants’ cycling abilities but also provides them an opportunity to connect with other women in a fun, supportive environment.”

Peek adds, “BCBSVT and Terry also urge area businesses to let their employees know about this program. We’re also happy to talk with businesses on how to integrate this into a company wellness program.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Behavioral Health Early Childhood program of Community Care Network in Rutland has received grants from The Vermont Country Store and Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match Program to support the launch of two specialized children’s mental health treatment programs in Rutland. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and Child Parent Psychotherapy have recently been introduced to help with specific behavioral and mental health difficulties that some families with young children face, according to Lauren Norford, LICSW, Manager of Early Childhood Mental Health Programs.

Vermont Business Magazine Housewright Construction, Inc, a full service residential general contracting firm headquartered in Newbury, Vermont, is celebrating their 33^rd year of business. Since being founded by Craig Hervey in 1985, Housewright has earned a reputation as a premier builder and remodeler of distinctive homes in New Hampshire and Vermont and as a knowledgeable resource for historic restoration and reproduction.

Their woodworking shop designs and fabricates fine custom cabinetry and millwork for homeowners, architects and designers throughout New England. To learn more about the company or to schedule a project consultation, visit them at www.housewright.net or at their listing on Houzz.

Vermont Business Magazine United Counseling Service (UCS) has been recognized for their outstanding wellness program. For the fifth consecutive year, UCS earned an Excellence in Worksite Wellness award from the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. The award was presented to members of UCS’ Wellness Committee at the 2018 Vermont Worksite Wellness Awards & Conference held on March 21st in Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine HealthHUB’s mobile dental hygiene facility has a new site in Randolph. Thanks to support from Gifford Health Care, a new electrical connection is being installed that will allow the facility to park at Gifford Medical Center in the lot behind the OB/Gyn building. The mobile facility – a trailer housing all of the equipment needed to clean teeth and take x-rays – will be in Randolph during school vacation week April 16 – 20, and again this summer. Clinic hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 16 through Friday, April 20.

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine Northern Power Systems Corp (TSX:NPS), a next generation renewable energy and energy storage technology company based in Barre, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017. Northern Power reported that in 2017 it had its first break-even year with approximately $40 million in revenue and non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $0.8 million, including WEG related royalties. However, wind turbine manufacturing is expected to be suspended and with it furloughs are expected in Vermont. How many workers will be furloughed is not clear at this point. Northern Power reported to VBM that it has 75 employees globally, of which 50 work at the plant in Barre.