Current News

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.

by Scott Waterman, Agency of Agriculture What makes maple season special besides being out on the land, cold nights and warm days, a good boil and a lot of sweet maple syrup? Certainly, tradition plays a big role. For decades, governors have highlighted the importance of maple to Vermont’s heritage and economy, with the annual tapping of the tree.

Vermont Business Magazine Laura McKenna, owner and operator of Sunup Bakery, of Killington, was recently presented with the US Department of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award. David Wheel, representing Vermont Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presented the award for the outstanding support that McKenna has given to her employee and citizen-service member, Taylor Curtis, of Rutland, VT. Curtis is a Private First Class in the Vermont Army National Guard and serves as a combat engineer with Alpha Company of the 572 Brigade Engineer Battalion in Bradford, VT. She works full-time for Sunup Bakery as an assistant baker.

Laura McKenna, award recipient and Taylor Curtis, the Vermont Army Guard soldier who requested the award for her boss. ESGR photo

by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine Vermont is likely to lose one component of its rural cell phone coverage. CoverageCo, which runs the micro cell radio service along the state’s remote highways, has been looking for a buyer to avoid going out of business. So far, it's been unsuccessful in finding one. The Department of Public Service Thursday night warned legislators that the service could terminate at any moment, and along with it the 911 service it provides, but it does not know when.

CoverageCo won a contract from the Vermont Telecommunications Authority in 2012 to set up 357 micro cell sites that use proprietary radio signals to allow for cell service in rural areas of the state. But only 160 sites were ever operational, according to Clay Purvis, the Telecommunications chief for the DPS.