Current News

And you thought the sexual battles between people could get weird and fierce? Try ants. In a new study, biologists at the University of Vermont have discovered some queen ants that make sexual bondage into a life and death fight. In a discovery new to science, their research shows that sexual conflict between two species can drive an evolutionary bedroom-battle royal, leading to competing adaptations in which female ants of one species manage to manhandle sperm away from the unwitting males of a different species during intercourse. The study was published in the October 29 online edition of the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

by Morgan True vtdigger.org Existing Vermont Health Connect customers looking to renew coverage during the open enrollment period that starts Nov. 15 will be asked to avoid the exchange’s web portal, a state official said. Chief of Health Care Reform Lawrence Miller said the VHC web portal is expected to relaunch before Nov. 15, but those seeking changes will be encouraged to use a paper application or call the customer service call center. Navigators can help customers make those calls. Existing users will be able to renew coverage online, but will have to fill out a new application, which will then be linked on the back end to their existing account, he said.

Miller also said that customers who renew without making changes to their coverage will be auto-mapped into that same coverage. That process will start Nov. 15 and is expected to be finished by Dec. 5. Open enrollment ends Feb. 15.

Governor Peter Shumlin on Friday joined Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) Sec. Brian Searles and officials, legislators, local government officials and business leaders in celebrating the opening of the Morristown Alternate Truck Route. The new 1.98 mile section of VT 100 runs from near Bishop Marshall School and joins VT 15 in a new roundabout. Originally conceived in 1963, the near-$31million project is meant to alleviate serious congestion issues caused by truck traffic on the streets of Morrisville.

“This new road opens the doors to more opportunities for economic prosperity for the region,” said Gov. Shumlin. “This is a big win on many fronts. By removing the big trucks from downtown, we are giving Morrisville the space to create a more livable and desirable town center. And by opening up this new corridor, we are helping businesses bring their products to market more efficiently.”

For the second year in a row, Money Magazine has selected Citizens Bank as one of nation’s best banks in its 2014 list of "The Best Banks in America." Citizens Bank was recognized for its level of customer convenience available through its customer contact center, access to banking specialists via instant messaging and its “robust physical presence,” with approximately 1,200 locations and approximately 3,200 ATMs. Money’s “The Best Banks in America” is featured in the November issue.

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc, (Keurig) (NASDAQ: GMCR), a leader in specialty coffee, coffee makers, teas and other beverages with its innovative brewing technology, and SUPERVALU INC. (NYSE: SVU), one of the largest grocery wholesalers and retailers in the United States, today announced that the companies will offer affordable Java Delight® brand coffee products in convenient K-Cup®packs for the Keurig® hot brewing system.

“Java Delight is a welcome addition to our Keurig brand family,” said John Whoriskey, president of U.S. sales and marketing at Keurig. “By working with SUPERVALU, we can offer shoppers across the country the value pricing and rich flavors they expect from their favorite SUPERVALU brand, all with the added convenience of the Keurig Brewed® seal, ensuring premium quality with each and every cup.”

Today, November 1, 2014, the City of Burlington will initiate the first phase of changes to the downtown parking system, including new credit card reading parking meters, improved garage facilities, new rates, and new hours of enforcement. The changes have been designed to improve the customer experience and create a financially sustainable parking system. The community is invited and encouraged to provide feedback to the City and its parking consultant teams on all aspects of additional downtown and residential City parking at a public forum on Wednesday, November 19 from 7-9:30 pm in City Hall’s Contois Auditorium.

“Improving the parking system will drive our economy forward,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “New technology, a more efficient customer experience, and more sustainable parking infrastructure complement our exciting downtown. These changes represent a significant investment in our City’s transportation system and a sustainable, data-driven future.”

The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce announced on October 29, 2014 at their Annual Meeting (sponsored by GE-Avaiation) that Ron Cioffi (Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer) at Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice is the Chamber's 2014 Business Person of the Year. Cioffi was presented the award by Congressman Peter Welch, Rutland City Mayor Chris Louras, and Chamber officials. Tom Donahue (Executive Vice President/CEO) of the Chamber, called Cioffi “a tireless advocate for community health.” In 2013 RAVNAH served 2.589 clients making 92,168 visits to residents in Rutland County. A major employer, Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association (RAVNAH) employs 342 people with 287 in Rutland and another 55 in Bennington, due to the recent merger with Bennington’s VNA which on October 1 became part of the larger RAVNAH family.

Vermont State Colleges Chancellor Tim Donovan has announced that Dan Smith, currently serving as interim president of Vermont Tech, has been chosen to lead the school as its full time president. The appointment of President Smith comes after seven months in an interim leadership position at the college. A lawyer by training, Smith served as VSC’s director of community relations and public policy, before assuming the interim role at Vermont Tech.

Every October, food system leaders and innovators who comprise the Vermont Farm to Plate Network convene to review the progress towards implementing the State of Vermont's Farm to Plate Strategic Plan and learn about the next set of challenges facing Vermont’s evolving food system. Approximately 300 individuals representing all facets of Vermont’s farm and food economy from farmers and food businesses to non-profit organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions attended this year’s Farm to Plate Annual Gathering at the Killington Grand Conference Center.

Last week, the Farm to Plate Network concluded its third year collectively working towards the statewide Farm to Plate goals to economic development and jobs in Vermont’s farm and food sector and improving access to healthy local food for all Vermonters.

The Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF) loaned $837,212 in the 3rd quarter of 2014 to Vermont's small businesses, community facilities, child care programs and developers of affordable housing. These loans have created or preserved quality jobs, affordable homes, quality child care and other essential services for Vermonters throughout the state.

“VCLF’s ability to work closely with our borrowers, to provide not just the financing but the supporting services they need – we’re needed now more than ever before. The impacts of VCLF’s work are improving the health of our communities and the quality of life for hundreds of Vermonters,” said VCLF Executive Director Will Belongia.

Projects financed include:

Since its inception forty years ago, the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has approved 7,395 separate economic development financings totaling over $2.07 billion for Vermont businesses and farms. Created by the Vermont General Assembly in 1974, VEDA’s financing approvals through June 30, 2014 include direct commercial loans of over $352 million, agricultural loans exceeding $261 million, and since 1987, small business loans totaling almost $65 million.

These and other measures of the Authority’s contributions to Vermont’s economy over the years will be presented today at VEDA’s 40th Annual Meeting in Burlington. Governor Peter Shumlin will speak at the event, as will UBS Investment Bank Senior Investment Strategist Brian Rose.

VEDA’s 2014 Annual Report is available for viewing online at www.veda.org.

On Monday, AutoSaver Group presented a check for $20,000 from the company’s ‘Drive for a Cure’ campaign to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The donation was the largest gift Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has received this year from a new partner in Vermont.

AutoSaver Group partners – Ronney Lyster and Abel Toll – presented the check to staff members of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Vermont as well as local survivors at the Capitol City Kia dealership in Montpelier.

“Corporate partners like AutoSaver Group have made breast cancer a priority by supporting Making Strides,” says Susan Rowell, one-year breast cancer survivor. “The American Cancer Society commends such partners that continue to raise funds to help finish the fight against breast cancer and help make an impact within our community and beyond.”