Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington-based weekly newspaper Seven Days won 10 first-place awards in this year’s New England Better Newspaper Competition — including General Excellence and top honors for crimes and courts reporting, video journalism, design and human interest feature story. Staff writer Kymelya Sari was chosen as Rookie of the Year for weekly newspapers in the six-state region. The contest is organized by the New England Newspaper and Press Association; winners were announced at NENPA’s annual convention last week in Boston.

​Vermont Business MagazineLocal infants helped raise awareness for heart disease – all by wearing red hats. Throughout the month of February, each baby born at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) received a red hat, courtesy of Little Hats, Big Hearts, a program started by the American Heart Association (AHA).

Vermont Business MagazineMassachusettsis the best state in the nation, New Hampshire is 2 and Vermont is 10, according to USNews & World Report. USNews, which bills itself as the global rankings authority,evaluated all 50 states across a range of criteria, from education and health care to infrastructure and economy, to capture how states best serve their citizens. The inauguralBest Statesrankings are the centerpiece of a new, interactiveplatformfeaturing fresh reporting, data and charts on trends, developments and news throughout the states.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott officially kicked off Vermont’s maple season today at Silloway Maple in Randolph Center. The Governor joined the Silloway family, Ag Secretary Anson Tebbetts, members of the Randolph Center community, and the Orange County Sugarmakers to tap a tree and celebrate the importance of the maple industry to Vermont’s economy, landscape, and heritage.

Vermont Business Magazine Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced legislation Tuesday to lower the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs by allowing Americans to import safe, low-cost medicine from Canada. Representatives Elijah E Cummings (D-MD) and Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) introduced a companion bill in the House. Both measures would authorize the secretary of Health and Human Services in two years to allow importation from other advanced countries.

In Canada and other major countries, the same medications, manufactured by the same companies, in the same factories are available for a fraction of the price compared to the United States. In 2014, Americans spent $1,112 per person on prescription drugs while Canadians spent $772 and Danes spent $325.

Vermont Business MagazineTony Pomerleau is a strong supporter of community and believes in giving back. Everyone at Living Well Group believes in caring for our elders with compassion and respect. Through their mutual commitment to addressing disparities by means of innovative approaches and programs, Pomerleau and Living Well Group have created a new challenge for themselves and the greater community. Together, they are offering the Circle of Care challenge match; Pomerleau will match dollar-for-dollar all donations to Living Well Group’s Ethan Allen Residence up to $100,000.

Vermont Business MagazineThe University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center was recently named one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the United States by iVantage Health Analytics and The Chartis Center for Rural Health.UVM Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center scored in the top 100 of rural and community hospitals nationwide on iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength INDEX®. The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive rating of rural providers.

“We’re thrilled to receive this honor,” said Judy Tartaglia, President and CEO for UVM Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center. “It’s a testament to our employees and providers, who work hard every day to bring the best health care possible to our community. To be recognized nationally in this way is a true achievement. ”

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Inc. (VITL), Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice (CVHHH), and the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties (VNA) announce the immediate availability of home telemonitoring patient data through the Vermont Health Information Exchange (VHIE). The VHIE is Vermont’s secure, statewide network that gives health care providers the ability to electronically exchange and access patient data.

Vermont Business Magazine EPA is making grant money available for New England communities to reduce environmental risks, protect and improve human health and improve the quality of life. EPA New England’s Healthy Communities Grant Program is currently accepting initial proposals for projects that will benefit one or more New England communities. EPA plans to award a total of approximately 10 cooperative agreements.

Eligible applicants include state and local governments, public nonprofit institutions or organizations, private nonprofit institutions or organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions or organizations, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, K-12 schools or school districts; and non-profit organizations (e.g. grassroots and/or community-based organizations).

Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department and Green Mountain Power today are warning customers about an ongoing bill payment phone scam. In a new wave of calls today, Burlington Electric and Green Mountain Power customers have been receiving calls threatening disconnection if payment is not made immediately. These calls have been targeting primarily restaurants, but other customers have received similar calls.

These calls are not from Burlington Electric or Green Mountain Power, and customers should hang up if they receive a call with such demands. If customers have any questions about their account status, they should call the authorized phone number for GMP, 888.TEL.GMPC (888.835.4672), or for BED, 802.865.7300.

Vermont Business MagazineCalifornia is the toughest state for first-time homebuyers, according to a new Bankrate.com report, and Vermont is surprisinglyone of the best. Vermont is the highest ranked state East of the Mississippi at number nine.Hawaii and New York round out the three most difficult states to buy your first home. Iowa is best. The data study evaluated all 50 USstates based on several factors pertaining to young adults, including home affordability relative to median income, credit availability, unemployment, market tightness and homeownership percentage among under-35 households.

Vermont Business Magazine Keurig Green Mountain, Inc and Dunkin’ Donuts have announced an expanded partnership for the manufacturing, distribution and marketing of Dunkin’ K-Cup pods to workplace customers where coffee is provided as an amenity and to in-room hospitality clients. The initial brand roll-out will feature five K-Cup pod varieties in popular Dunkin’ Donuts flavors – Original Blend, Dunkin’ Dark, Hazelnut, French Vanilla, and Dunkin’ Decaf – and will be available through all Keurig Authorized Distributors serving selected workplace and hospitality clients later this month.