Current News
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Fiske Guide to Colleges in 2012 and the Princeton Review’s Best 376 Colleges 2012 edition. The Fiske Guide is widely sold as ‘the #1 best-selling guide to colleges.’ And the Princeton Review’s Best 376 Colleges is called ‘the Princeton Review’s flagship college guide.’
‘We’re very pleased to be included in these guides; we know that these are among the most important resources for students and their parents in making college choices, so it’s wonderful for Saint Michael’s to be described in books that get into the hands of so many families across the nation,’ said Saint Michael’s President John J Neuhauser.
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Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) Celebrates 40 Years of Organic Farming and Launches First Capital Campaign
4’0 years ago in Putney, Vermont, a small group of farmers gathered to talk about how to market their crops, be better farmers, and share their techniques for growing wholesome, healthy food. That was the beginning of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA). There are now 7 NOFA chapters in the Northeast. Since 1971, NOFA Vermont has facilitated the extraordinary growth in Vermont’s food landscape through educational programs, establishment of farmers’ markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and development of an organic certification program, Vermont Organic Farmers.
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Agri-Mark, Inc, a Methuen, Massachusetts-based dairy cooperative that does business under the name Cabot Creamery Cooperative, has agreed to settle claims by Vermont Attorney General William H Sorrell that the company misrepresented the ‘rBST-free’ nature of the milk used to make some of its products. Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), also known as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), is a synthesized hormone that is sometimes given to dairy cows by injection to increase milk production. The settlement requires Agri-Mark to pay $65,000 to the State of Vermont, to donate $75,000 worth of dairy products to local food banks, and to take steps to prevent misrepresentations in the future and accurately inform the public as to the rBST status of its products.
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Some Vermonters saw their homes and cars swamped by this spring's heavy rains and floods, while others saw their jobs or businesses swept away.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is helping put the state's economy back on track, not only by providing financial assistance to families and businesses, but also by hiring residents in Vermont to help with the recovery efforts and spending money in the local economy.
The agency has hired 10 Vermonters in various positions around the state, according to FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer Craig Gilbert, who noted that the roughly 150 workers at the agency's Joint Field Office in Burlington are the equivalent of a large business locating there.
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Individuals from Vermont's leading hotels, B&Bs, resorts, inns, restaurants, shops, attractions, and recreation destinations will gather in Woodstock for the Annual Hospitality Gala in November.
Celebrating Vermont's tourism industry and its contributions to Vermont’s economy, the highlight of the Gala is honoring five individuals with the hospitality industry's most prestigious awards: Borden Avery Innkeeper of the Year, Chef of the Year, Restaurateur of the Year, B&B Innkeeper of the Year, and Allied Member of the Year.
Award winning businesses/people will:
Demonstrate superior management ability as reflected in a successful business
Display commitment to training, motivating, and furthering self-improvement of staff
Promote and support legislation beneficial to the hospitality industry on local, state, and national levels; and
Provide consistent leadership within the community
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In a partnership expected to elevate Vermont’s travel and tourism business, Ski Vermont and Heritage Aviation today announced a formal cross-promotional marketing agreement.
The new partnership establishes Heritage Aviation as the official air charter, Fixed Base Operator (FBO), and aircraft maintenance services partner of Ski Vermont. Ski Vermont is the association of Vermont’s 18 alpine and 30 Nordic ski areas.
‘Ski Vermont and Heritage Aviation share a passion for providing the highest quality service,’ said Parker Riehle, President of Vermont Ski Areas Association. ‘Ski Vermont’s work with Heritage Aviation will introduce general aviation passengers and aircraft owners to the distinction and authenticity of Vermont’s mountain lifestyle,’ he continued.
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Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) reported second quarter 2011 earnings of $1.76 per share on as-reported and operational bases versus $1.65 for the second quarter of 2010. A far-flung energy company based in New Orleans, Entergy owns the Vermont Yankee nuclear power station in Vernon, Vermont.
Table 1: Consolidated Earnings ‘ Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
Second Quarter and Year-to-Date 2011 vs. 2010
(Per share in U.S. $)
Second Quarter
Year-to-Date
2011
2010
Change
2011
2010
Change
As-Reported Earnings
1.76
1.65
0.11
3.14
2.77
0.37
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Central Vermont Public Service (NYSE-CV) has completed the purchase of the Town of Readsboro’s franchise territory and electric department assets.
The $360,000 deal includes about 14 miles of distribution line and associated equipment, and the exclusive franchise Readsboro held to serve its 330 customers. The purchased assets also include Readsboro’s small ownership interest in Vermont’s high-voltage transmission company, specifically 133 shares of VELCO stock and 9,651 shares of Vermont Transco.
‘Readsboro customers will fit perfectly into our southern Vermont territory,’ CVPS President Larry Reilly said. ‘We have two operations centers within proximity to the town, and we serve most of the surrounding territory.
‘CVPS will be able to offer most customers lower rates, new services and rate choices, top-notch customer service, and award-winning operations. This is a nice addition to our customer base.’
by tim
The Vermont congressional delegation typically votes as a united block. But the budget crisis gripping Congress has broken their unity. Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy voted for it, while Independent Senator Bernie Sanders and Democratic Representative Peter Welch voted against the measure. The US Senate, needing 60 yes votes, passed the debt ceiling bill, 74-26, and President Obama signed it today ending, for at least a couple of months, the strangled hold it had on the budget, the economy, and Washington politics.
In the end, 28 Republicans and six Democrats voted against it in the Senate. The two independents, Sanders and Joe Lieberman, split, with the Connecticut senator voting for it. In last night's House vote, the measure passed 269 to 161, getting votes from 174 Republicans and 95 Democrats.
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On Sunday, August 14th from 10am ‘ 1pm, numerous members of the Transplant Community including recipients, donor families, living donors, health care professionals and family and friends will come together for the first-ever Donate Life Vermont’s 5K Walk & Family Festival. The fun-filled, family event will unite Vermonters to help spread awareness of the critical need for organ donor registrants in our state, while raising money to support donor and recipient families.
The 5K walk will take place along the Lake Champlain waterfront, starting and ending under the pavilion at Waterfront Park. Afterward, there will be a picnic for walkers and supporters filled with food, door prizes, 50/50 raffles, a live band, and much more fun! To register for the event, visit http://donatelifevt.eventbrite.com/ .
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Vermont employees of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. will sponsor and participate in their seventh annual River Cleanup event, in conjunction with American Rivers' National River Cleanupâ ¢, a nationwide effort to keep America's waterways clean. From August 1-5, employee volunteers will use paid time off to pick up trash in and around Vermont's Winooski River.
"River Cleanup is GMCR's most popular volunteer effort, and one way we make a difference in our hometown community," says Paul Comey, GMCR's Vice President of Environmental Affairs. "Clean water is important for both healthy communities and a good cup of coffee, so we are proud to support the River Cleanup for the seventh year in a row."
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The US SBA loan volume report for the 10-month period (October 1st through July 31st) is $50,453,400. These are Vermont loans only. This compares to $64,826,244 for the same period last year. The federal fiscal year ends September 30. Once again, Peoples United Bank was the largest SBA lender with 51 loans totaling $9,612,100.