Current News
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Vermont Business MagazineInReady or Not? Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases, Disasters and Bioterrorism, 25 states scored a 5 or lower on 10 key indicators of public health preparedness.Alaskascored lowest at 2 out of 10, andMassachusettsandRhode Islandscored the highest at 9 out of 10. Vermont, along with several other states, received a 6 out of 10. New Hampshire received a 4.
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Vermont Business MagazineHonoring ski resorts fromVermonttoWest VirginiaandColoradotoCalifornia, Liftopia -- the largest online and mobile marketplace for lift tickets and mountain activities -- has unveiled the2017-18 Best in Snow Awards, Powered By Liftopia, recognizing the most beloved ski areas inNorth America. Unlike other ski awards, the Best in Snow Awards is the only ranking that calculates survey feedback from thousands of skiers and snowboarders and incorporates the largest dataset in the industry to determine the ski areas consumers are most passionate about. The Best in Snow Awards bring uber-local, relevant and must-know intel to beginning skiers as well as ski and snowboard aficionados.
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Vermont Business MagazineGifford Health Care’s Community Health Team is partnering with Vermont Blueprint for Health to offerthe CDC-approved PreventT2 diabetes prevention program, which can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes (when blood sugar levels are higher than normal) puts people at risk for developing serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
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Vermont Business Magazine The UVM Medical Center has earned reverification as a Level I Adult Trauma Center, the highest category of trauma services, by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The hospital has also been reverified as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center. The UVM Medical Center is the only Level I Trauma Center in Vermont, and shares this status with just 102 of the 5,000 hospitals in the United States.
Studies show that being treated at a Level I Trauma Center increases a seriously injured patient’s chances of survival by an estimated 20 to 25 percent. The UVM Medical Center admits approximately1,300 trauma patients per year. It has been designated a Level I Trauma Center since 1994.
Verified Level I Trauma Centers must provide:
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byDrCarrie Wulfman My career as a family practice physician working in Vermont spans nearly two decades. I have been a practicing physician at Porter’s Brandon Primary Care Office (formerly Neshobe Family Medicine) for 18 years and I have seen many changes in medical practice over these years. One of the most positive changes I have seen is the creation of OneCare Vermont, a collaborative initiative between the University of Vermont Medical Center and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. One of the key aspects of OneCare is to reward primary care providers like me to work with our patients to keep them healthy rather than treating them only when they are sick. This approach is an effort to move away from the current fee-for-service system and move us to a value-based system focused on improving quality and promoting wellness by focusing on primary care for Vermonters.
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by John McClaughry A recent announcement from the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) brought back vivid memories of a long- forgotten legislative episode of 25 years ago. The announcement came two weeks ago in a webinar sponsored by VPIRG and its ally the Vermont Natural Resource Council. The purpose of the webinar was to build support for their most recent plan to lay millions of dollars of new taxes on gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas and heating oil, some of which would, the advocates said, be returned to everyone through lower electric rates and assorted rebates (The ESSEX Plan).
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Vermont Business Magazine The 4th Annual Jingle Bell on December 2 at the Hermitage Club in Wilmington, VT, hosted a sold-out crowd of more than 200 people and raised $130,000 for Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). The evening began with a cocktail reception and a raffle for a pair of Von Bargen’s Jewelers diamond hoop earrings. The excitement continued with an elegant dinner and a live auction of eight premium packages, including court-side VIP box seats for the U.S. Open of Tennis in New York donated by Richard and Pamela Ader and a 7-day trip to Las Cabos, Mexico, donated by Dr. and Mrs. John and Marie LaPenta. Finally, the Putnam Challenge, a call to emulate the generosity of hospital founders Henry W. Putnam and his son, rounded out the evening’s program before hours of fun-filled dancing to the New York Players.
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by Christine Hallquist With smart grid improvements and the increasing penetration of renewables, Vermont’s electric grid continues to transform in exciting ways. Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), Vermont’s largest not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility, will continue to embrace these changes and challenges in the New Year. But before we look at 2018, let’s take stock of some of 2017’s highlights.
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Vermont Business Magazine Everbridge, Inc (NASDAQ: EVBG) has been selected by the Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management as the new mass notification service provider for its statewide VT-ALERT program. VT-ALERT, powered by Everbridge, will enable Vermont authorities to communicate critical information directly to residents, businesses and visitors in near real-time. Everbridge is based in Massachusetts.
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Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Climate Economy Action Team (CEAT) has released its action priorities for the 2018 legislative session. These initiatives will stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities in fast growing sectors that help mitigate the effects of climate change.
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Vermont Business MagazineVermont spends over $1.6 billion a year in public education. This is higher than at any point in its history, but the number of students over the last 25 years has fallen by about 30,000. Property taxes will go up over 9 percent next year if the state doesn't do anything about lowering expenses, and Governor Phil Scott wants to do something about lowering expenses. But even he is not entirely sure how to go about it, since much of the solution relies on local school boards.
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Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police is reporting that today (12/18/17) at approximately 11:55 am the TD Bank on Route 100 in Waitsfield was robbed. An individual dressed in dark clothing, wearing a mask and hood entered the bank. The suspect was armed with a firearm and demanded money from the bank tellers. The suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect was last seen on foot on Route 100 heading north from the bank. The suspect is described as 5’ 10” to 5’ 11” tall and weighing approximately 180 pounds. No one was injured in the robbery.
Anyone with information is asked to call State Police Detectives in Middlesex.
CASE#: 17A305259
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Lt. Jeremy Hill
STATION: Middlesex Barracks