Current News

First Congregational Church at Thetford Hill, VT, the oldest meeting house in continuous service in the state of Vermont, has become the one thousandth customer connected to ECFiber’s network. To celebrate the occasion, ECFiber Chairman Irv Thomae presented a commemorative certificate to Rona Kinsley, Interim Pastor at the church.

First Congregational Church Interim Pastor, Rona Kinsley, receives a certificate of recognition and appreciation from Irv Thomae, Chairman of ECFiber. From left to right, Terry Barker, Church Secretary, Kinsley, Thomae, David Hooke, Chair of the church Board of Trustees, Stan Williams, CEO of ECFiber.

Champlain College has been recognized for the second time as winner of the Professional Award for Best Cybersecurity Higher Education Program at the 2015 SC Awards. The award was presented Tuesday during the 2015 SC Awards Gala held in San Francisco.

"We are honored that SC Magazine has again recognized our distinctive technology degree programs and the people who helped build this program," said Champlain College President Donald J. Laackman. "The Leahy Center for Digital Investigation and our other Centers of Excellence provide Champlain students the opportunity to work on real-world projects in supervised environments. The students working in the LCDI increase the digital forensic capacity of Vermont law enforcement."

John Snell was recently honored by the Rotary Club of Montpelier with the Capital Award as Citizen of the Year. A number of friends and colleagues shared stories about John’s extraordinary volunteer work and business successes including David Harrison, who has known John for 60 years, Bev Hill, Kim Bent for Eric Love, Rob Spring -- John’s business partner for 20 years, John’s wife Liz Snell, Nancy Sherman read greetings from Michael Sherman, and Paul Hartman.

Montpelier Mayor John Holler read a proclamation which read in part, “Whereas, John Snell has lived the values of service above self by giving abundantly of himself and by inspiring others to share their skills and talents with the Montpelier community.”

The Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF) has been awarded a $5,000 grant by Granite State Economic Development Corporation (GSDC). The Vermont Community Loan Fund is a nonprofit, mission-driven alternative lender dedicated to creating healthy communities and financial stability for all Vermonters. VCLF’s lending creates opportunities for low-income, low-wealth Vermonters, creating and preserving quality jobs for the small businesses that are the foundation of the state’s economy.

At the invitation of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey will visit Vermont Friday, April 24. Together, Leahy and Comey will tour the digital laboratory – the Leahy Center for Digital Investigation – at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. Champlain College President Don Laackman will join Leahy and Comey on the tour, which will be followed by a press availability.

Green Mountain Power is inviting customers to an open house at its Energy Innovation Center (EIC) in Downtown Rutland on Saturday, May 2, 2015 beginning at 9 am. The public can learn about GMP’s line of comprehensive energy efficient products and services that will empower customers to take control of their energy use and save money. This is the third open house GMP has offered in partnership with Efficiency Vermont and Neighborworks of Western Vermont to feature new products and services. With spring finally here, now is the time to consider home improvements like heat pumps, water heaters and more.

The Joint Commission (TJC), the nation’s leading accreditation and certification organization for hospitals and healthcare organizations, has renewed the Brattleboro Retreat’s Accreditation status for a period lasting up to January 2018. Accreditation from TJC is recognized as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting or exceeding a variety of performance standards.

The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization, accredits and certifies more than 20,000 healthcare organizations across the country. TJC accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

Four winners in Vermont were recognized Wednesday at EPA’s 2015 Environmental Merit Awards ceremony. The environmental leaders were among 27 recipients across New England honored for helping to improve New England’s environment. Each year EPA New England recognizes individuals and groups in the six New England states who have worked to protect or improve the region’s environment in distinct ways. The Vermont winners were Jacob Park of Green Mountain College, Poultney; DELTA T-90 Students at Norwich University, Northfield; Mountain Meadow Farm, Sudbury; and Green House Gas Use Reduction Projects at IBM Vermont, Essex Junction. Justin Johnson, newly appointed secretary of the Vermont Agency of Administration, was also recognized.

The merit awards, given out since 1970, honor individuals and groups who have shown particular ingenuity and commitment in their efforts.

Drivers need to be alert and cautious because moose are on the move, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time of year, especially after dark or early in the morning as they move from wintering areas to spring feeding locations.

More moose are hit by motorists in the spring than at any other time of the year. There is another peak of activity in September and October, the breeding season for moose.

“Motorists hit 64 moose on Vermont highways during 2014,” said Col. Jason Batchelder of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. “We are asking drivers to be especially careful and for people to enjoy watching moose from a distance. Moose can be unpredictable and dangerous if you get too close and they feel cornered or get irritated.”

Dynapower Company, the global leader in energy storage inverters based in South Burlington, Vermont, has expanded the capacity and performance of the micro-grid system at its company headquarters by adding 375 kW/250 kWh of lithium-titanate batteries manufactured by Microvast Power Solutions. The Dynapower HQ micro-grid, which also includes 100 kW of photovoltaic (PV) systems, 100 kW of wind power, and 750 kW of additional battery storage capacity, provides local load support and demonstrates how Dynapower energy storage inverters can deliver efficient micro-grid power conversion.

This year marks 100 years since the 1915 legislation enabling the creation of Vermont town forests was enacted. To recognize Vermont’s long and proud tradition of towns owning and managing their own forests for public benefit, statewide partners are planning a year-long celebration of Vermont’s Town Forests. The celebration kicks off on April 28th with the reading of a Vermont Senate and House resolution commemorating the anniversary and a press conference with state leaders and community volunteers.

Date: April 28, 2015

Schedule of Events

10:00 am Resolution Reading on the House of Representatives floor

11:00 am Press Conference, Cedar Creek Room, VT State House

· Senator Ginny Lyons

· Representative Rebecca Ellis

· Michael Snyder, Commissioner Dept. Forests, Parks and Recreation

by Rob Roper It is safe to say that all or at least most of us believe that Vermont is a very special place, and we all want to do what’s necessary to preserve and pass on this unique treasure that both draws and keeps us here – majestic mountains, pristine waters, and wild, open spaces. The question is, what is the best policy for doing so.

On April 14, the State Senate passed a resolution declaring:

That the Senate of the State of Vermont recognizes that climate change is real, that human activities make a substantive contribution to climate change, and that it is imperative Vermont take steps now to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels in order to promote energy independence and meet the State’s statutory goals for reduced greenhouse gas emissions….