Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The annual “Big Change Roundup for Kids” raised $331,757.12 to support specialized care provided at The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital. The Roundup is the largest fundraiser each year for the hospital, and this is the largest preliminary total in the 13-year history of the event, outpacing last year’s mark of $314,600. That number is expected to grow as contributions continue to come in.

Vermont Business Magazine The House gave preliminary approval last Friday to the Workforce Development Bill, H.919, on a vote of 137-0. “This bill is an important step forward for Vermont,” said House Speaker Mitzi Johnson. “As I meet with business owners, workers, and business groups around the state, I constantly hear about the need for more educated and technically skilled workers. This bill will harmonize how we educate and train our workers, and how we address Vermonters’ call for better jobs and our employers’ need for skilled workers. I thank the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee for their diligent work on this issue that is so important to Vermont.”

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) and Green Mountain Academy for Lifelong Learning (GMALL) will partner to present a “Medicine Today” lecture about palliative care. The talk, Palliative Care, Hospice, and End-of-Life Issues, will be presented by Allen Hutcheson, MD, a specialist in palliative medicine. Palliative care is a relatively new medical specialty that aims to relieve patients’ suffering during serious illnesses. This class will address the emergence of palliative medicine, how it works, and the similarities and differences between palliative care and traditional hospice care.

Vermont Business Magazine Employees at Southwestern Vermont Health Care gathered on Friday, March 2, 2018 for a photo to celebrate National Dress in Blue Day, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s yearly event to raise awareness of the need for colorectal cancer screening. In 2018, more than 135,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. What's surprising is that colorectal cancer is mostly preventable when patients receive regular screenings. SVMC staff encourage everyone to ask their primary care provider which screening method is right for them or call SVMC’s nurse navigators at 802-447-5551.

Vermont Business Magazine The Cancer Center Community Crusaders (4Cs) hosted their 4th Annual Cabin Fever Dance at the Elks Lodge in Bennington, VT, on Saturday, February 24. The venue was generously donated by the Bennington Elks Lodge. “This event just keeps getting bigger and better,” said 4Cs Co-chair Bob Gorry. “We are grateful for the hard work our crews do to pull it together, to our many generous sponsors, and to all of the people who come and have fun for this great cause.”

The event welcomed over 300 guests who enjoyed an evening themed with the great outdoors including flannel, beard contests, a basket raffle, a 50/50 drawing, door prizes, and DJ services donated by John Wooddell.

Through tickets sales and fundraisers the evening raised over $6,300 for the Southern Vermont Regional Cancer Center's Patient Resource Fund.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor’s Brattleboro Career Resource Center is relocating to the Marlboro College Graduate Center Building at 28 Vernon Street, Brattleboro. The new center will be open for business on Monday, April 2, 2018. This new location will provide an expanded resource center, additional computer terminals, and greater accessibility to a wide variety of resources to assist job seekers with reaching their training and career goals. The space will also provide a greater resource for area businesses to host hiring events and receive additional support services from the Vermont Department of Labor. The office’s current location, 232 Main Street, Room #132, will be closed on March 29^th and March 30^th while the new center is being assembled.

Vermont Business Magazine The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has named award winning broadcast journalist Jennifer Costa, of Burlington, as Vermont government relations director. In this post, Costa will oversee advocacy efforts promoting evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

Costa comes to ACS CAN after serving for six years in several capacities including news anchor and investigative reporter at WCAX TV in Burlington. As a journalist, Costa has gained expertise in issues including healthcare, government and politics.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan joined 15 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief arguing that employment discrimination based on sexual orientation violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In the brief filed with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Horton v. Midwest Geriatric Management, LLC, the attorneys general urge the court to join a growing number of federal appellate courts in recognizing that Title VII’s workplace protections extend to sexual orientation.

Vermont Federation of Sportsman's Clubs The coalition of Vermont-based firearms groups which is comprised of the Vermont Federation of Sportsman's Clubs (VTFSC), the Vermont Traditions Coalition (VTC) and the Gun Owners of Vermont (GOVT), have all noted several issues which we bring to your attention.

Leonine Public Affairs This week marked the resumption of the legislative session after a one week break. Since crossover for policy bills was the Friday before break the returning legislators faced long floor sessions as each chamber considered and acted on the large number of policy bills that met the crossover deadline. Those bills run the gamut and cover subjects ranging from the use of drones near correctional facilities to changes to the state’s franchise law for the distribution of beer. The activity on each chamber’s floor then began driving the activity in the committees, as they all began to size up the bills that came to them from the other chamber and think about which ones they want to work on when.

Vermont Business Magazine There's just something about a s'more. Maybe it's smooshing the graham crackers around the toasted marshmallow or wiping melting chocolate off your face after taking a big bite. To harness the deliciousness of this campfire favorite, Ben & Jerry's created Gimme S'more, an ice cream take on a classic dessert experience. Join Ben & Jerry's via FACEBOOK LIVE for a flame-worthy digital launch unlike any other. Tune in by visiting Ben & Jerry's Facebook page on 3/15.

Vermont Business Magazine Five prominent alumni and one former faculty member joined the VSCS Hall of Fame at the third annual celebration at Montpelier’s Capital Plaza last night. Three hundred guests included Governor Scott, former Governor Douglas, legislative leaders and members, VSCS Trustees and Presidents, students, faculty and staff. The event raised nearly $100,000 for scholarships.