Current News

The annual American Farmland Trust survey of state farm and ranch land protection programs shows a 19 percent increase in funding from 2011 to 2012, but funding levels are still 39 percent below where they were in 2008, according to’ Andrew McElwaine, President and CEO of AFT. Colorado,’ Pennsylvania,’ Maryland,’ New Jersey’ and’ Vermont’ lead the 27 states with active farmland protection programs in the number of acres protected.
"State budget cuts have hit agricultural land protection programs hard in the last five years, but our latest survey shows a very significant 19 percent increase in funding from 2011 to 2012," said McElwaine.’ "This increase shows that a number of states have put a priority on protecting farmland, while state spending on environmental protection programs generally continues in a downward trend.’

KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) today announced fourth quarter net income from continuing operations attributable to Key common shareholders of $229 million, or $.26 per common share, compared to $229 million, or $.25 per common share for the third quarter of 2013, and $190 million, or $.20 per common share for the fourth quarter of 2012.’ ‘ During the fourth quarter of 2013, Key incurred $24 million, or $.02 per common share of costs related to both its previously announced efficiency initiative and a pension settlement charge.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, net income from continuing operations attributable to Key common shareholders was $847 million, or $.93 per common share, compared to $813 million, or $.86 per common share for the same period one year ago.’ During 2013, Key incurred $117 million, or $.08 per common share of costs related to both its efficiency initiative and pension settlement charge.

It’s hard to believe, but Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it and The Vermont Teddy Bear Company is getting ready for another busy season. They need HUNDREDS of people to help them get all those Valentine’s Day orders out the door, so now’s the time to stop by the Factory on Route 7 in Shelburne to speak with a hiring manager.
WHAT: The Vermont Teddy Bear is HIRING NOW for the Valentine’s Day season. There are HUNDREDS
of temporary jobs available for call center agents, gift fulfillment and data entry specialists, art and
embroidery operators, and shipping and warehouse workers. Experience is helpful but not necessary.
Training is provided. Generous employee discounts. And the Factory is right on the bus route.
WHO: Professionals looking for a fun side job for a few weeks, college students, retirees with some free
time. Anyone in need of some extra cash!

FairPoint Communications, Inc (Nasdaq: FRP), a leading provider of advanced communications in northern New England, has expanded broadband to more than 120 homes and businesses in Sharon.’
FairPoint’s new fiber-based, high-capacity network offers customers a better, faster way to communicate.’
‘Our next-generation network allows us to expand broadband service into areas with no high-speed Internet access and provide enhanced services across the state,’ said Beth Fastiggi, FairPoint state president for Vermont. ‘Broadband availability opens the doors to the world for the residents and businesses in Vermont and is fundamental to the state’s future economic growth.’’

Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce have announced the top 27 Best Places to Work in Vermont 2014. The awards program was created in 2006 and is presented in partnership with the Society for Human Resource Management, Vermont State Council (SHRM), the Vermont Department of Labor and the Vermont Department of Economic Development and Best Companies Group.’
SEE’ LIST’ OF’ WINNERS’ BELOW
This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Vermont, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses. ‘
To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
- Have at least 15 employees working in Vermont;
- Be a for-profit or not-for-profit business or government entity;
- Be a publicly or privately held business;
- Have a facility in the state of Vermont; and

The University of Vermont has received a record number of applications for the fall of 2014 -- 23,936 -- up 9 percent over last year, with a surge from states outside of New England. Vermont applications rose 3 percent, despite a steep ongoing decline in the number of high school graduates in the state, driven by demographic trends. Applications rose 4.6 percent from students in New England, which is also in the midst of a decline in high school graduates.

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org Michael Sirotkin, the widower of Senator Sally Fox, has asked the Chittenden County Democratic Committee to consider him for his wife’s seat in the state Senate. Fox died on January 10.
Sirotkin, founder of Sirotkin and Necrason and a longtime lobbyist in the Vermont Statehouse, sent an email to committee members Tuesday night. The story was first reported Wednesday morning in Seven Days. The committee is set to make a decision Wednesday evening about who to recommend for the seat.
Sirotkin told the committee that Fox had wanted him to take her seat.
‘After much soul searching and encouragement from others, I decided I would welcome the opportunity if given such honor by your Committee and the Governor,’ Sirotkin wrote. ‘It is hard to imagine anyone filling Sally’s shoes with the grace, dignity and enthusiasm she displayed throughout her lifetime.’
He apologized for the ‘lateness of this request.’

FairPoint Communications, Inc (Nasdaq: FRP), a leading provider of advanced communications in northern New England, completed broadband expansion work at the end of December, wrapping up a two-year project that will benefit nearly 4,000 locations in 20 target communities across Vermont.’
The target community areas include portions of Bethel, Bradford, Braintree, Brownington, Charleston, Chelsea, Corinth, Dummerston, Eden, Fairlee, Guilford, Johnson, Pittsfield, Putney, Readsboro, Thetford, Vershire, Washington, West Fairlee and Weston that previously lacked broadband availability. ‘
In 2012, the Vermont Public Service Board approved a plan that the Department of Public Service and FairPoint developed for FairPoint to invest service quality monies totaling more than $6.6 million from 2008, 2009 and 2010 and use them for a purpose that benefits Vermonters and serves the state’s larger goals. ‘

Governor Peter Shumlin, Secretary of State Jim Condos, veterans’ advocates, lawmakers and others today highlighted programs to support Vermont’s troops, including a voluntary check-off box on the Vermont State tax form, IN 111, to donate a dollar to the Vermont Veterans Fund (VFF). ‘
The Veterans Fund was created in 2010 to provide financial assistance to organizations supporting veterans. Over the last three years, grants from the fund have supported homeless veteran transition programs, peer counseling, emergency assistance with rent and utilities, funeral honors for those who have passed on, and more. The fund has generated about $159,000 since its launch. ‘
‘This is a simple, effective way for Vermonters to thank our veterans and their families for the sacrifices they make in service to our state and our nation,’ said Shumlin. ‘

by Hilary Niles vtdigger.org Schools, teachers, administrators and other stakeholders rekindled debate Tuesday over standards that Vermont’s independent schools must meet.
The discussion is round two for a controversial proposal to require independent schools to comply with the same standards public schools must meet for special education, teacher licensing, educational assessments, free meals and other conditions.
The Vermont Independent Schools Association and the School Boards Association have met on their own to hash out differences between the two organizations. Representatives from both groups reported some progress to the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday afternoon when legislators considered S.91.
If the groups come to terms, differences of opinion between the Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators, the Vermont-National Education Association and the Vermont Superintendents Association likely will remain.

by Hilary Niles vtdigger.org More than $11 million from tobacco-related lawsuits will be used to plug holes in Vermont’s budget in fiscal year 2015 and the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Vermont is not happy about it.
Vermont expects to receive a roughly $3 million installment in April 2014 from a multistate agreement with tobacco companies that dates back to 1998. Technically, the money will go to the Tobacco Trust Fund, set up at the time to fund programs for smoking prevention and cessation. But it won’t stay there long, and it won’t be used for the fund’s intended purposes.
At a briefing on Gov. Peter Shumlin’s proposed budget Jan. 15, Secretary of Administration Jeb Spaulding said the money would be diverted to help pay for Medicaid obligations.

AT&T has turned on its’ 4G LTE network in’ Burlington and Barre, bringing customers the latest generation of wireless network technology.
Several of the benefits AT&T 4G LTE provides include: