Current News

Marathon Health, Inc, based in Colchester, Vermont, today announced its selection to provide onsite medical services for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County (Kentucky) Government's 6,400 employees, retirees and dependents. The Government Council approved the contract with Marathon Health at a recent meeting.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) is a consolidated government between the city of Lexington, Ky. and Fayette County, Ky. led by Lexington Mayor Jim Gray. Marathon Health will provide government employees and their families with its MedicalHome@Workâ ¢ model, which includes primary care, occupational medicine, health assessments, health coaching, and disease management.

Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), owner of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant in Vernon, today reported third quarter 2011 as-reported earnings of $628.1 million, or $3.53 per share, compared with $492.9 million, or $2.62 per share, for third quarter 2010. On an operational basis, Entergy’s third quarter 2011 earnings were $628.1 million, or $3.53 per share, compared with $518.1 million, or $2.76 per share, in third quarter 2010.

Consolidated Earnings ‘ Reconciliation of GAAP* to Non-GAAP Measures

Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2011 vs. 2010

(Per share in U.S. $)

Third Quarter

Year-to-Date

2011

2010

Change

2011

2010

Change

As-Reported Earnings

3.53

2.62

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) over the weekend opened a bridge along Route 74 in Shoreham that was closed for repair in mid September. Reopening the bridge in less than seven weeks was possible due to an accelerated construction process that reduces not only the length of construction, but also reduces the cost of repair.
Final repair costs are expected to run about $450,000. Repairing the bridge using more traditional construction techniques that include either erecting a temporary bridge or maintaining one lane of traffic over the bridge while it is under construction likely would have added between $100,000 to $300,000 to the cost of the project, and added as many as 12 weeks to the construction schedule.

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin and administration officials today reduced Agency of Transportation damage estimates in response to Tropical Storm Irene. VTrans, which initially believed the cost of repairing all roads, culverts and bridges on the state system could exceed $600 million, now estimates the actual cost will be between $175 million and $250 million.
The agency revised its estimate following two intense months of conducting repairs to more than 500 miles of state highway and some 200 state-owned bridges. The new estimate is based on Federal Highway’s Detailed Damage Inspection Report (DDIR) process and includes a contingency for unknown costs and spring repairs.
‘This is great news for Vermont taxpayers,’ said Governor Peter Shumlin. ‘Not only are we recovering from Irene faster than anyone expected, we are also conducting repairs at a cost considerably less than anyone expected.’

Ruth B Smith has been promoted to the position of executive vice president for protection at National Life Group, it was announced today by Mehran Assadi, president and chief executive officer.
Since 2009 Smith has been in charge of the life insurance division of National Life Group, a Fortune 1000 company with $29 billion in assets under management. She oversees product development, business acquisition services, customer services, agent services, and claims management.

‘This promotion reflects Ruth's incredible record of accomplishment at National Life Group,’ said Assadi. ‘Ruth joined the company in 1999 as vice president of registered products, and was placed in charge of implementing an independent distribution channel for our life business. That effort has been successful beyond anyone's expectations. Independent distribution has been - and continues to be - critical to our growth.’

On Tuesday, October 18, 2011 the 34th Annual Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Northern Vermont’s (HBRANV) Better Homes Award Banquet was held at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference in Burlington. Over 375 people involved in the homebuilding business attend this year’s banquet. This banquet, known as the ‘Academy Awards’ for the Home Building Industry, highlights builders for projects that they submit to the program.
The Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Northern VT 2011 Better Homes Award Winners
Scroll down the page to view the full list.

Online advertised vacancies gained 500 in Vermont but dipped slightly nationwide by 13,600 in October to 3,933,400, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine (HWOL) Data Series released today. The October drop follows a decline of 44,000 in September and a decrease of 164,000 in August. The Supply/Demand rate stands at 3.54, indicating there were 3.5 unemployed for every online advertised vacancy in September, the latest monthly data available for unemployment.

On October 31, 2011 the Central Vermont Public Service Corporation (NYSE: CV) Board of Directors approved the following resolution. RESOLVED: That out of the reserved and unrestricted retained earnings of the Company quarterly dividends on the Preferred Stock, $100 Par Value, of $1.03 per share on the 4.15% Dividend Series, $1.16 per share on the 4.65% Dividend Series, $1.19 per share on the 4.75% Dividend Series, and $1.34375 per share on the 5.375% Dividend Series, are hereby declared payable January 1, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business December 22, 2011.
RUTLAND, VT--(Marketwire - October 31, 2011) -CVPS

Bill Stenger, President and Chief Operating Officer at Jay Peak Resort, has been selected as the 2011 Citizen of the Year by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Stenger’s achievements will be toasted at a gala event on December 9, in coordination with the sneak preview of Jay Peak’s nationally acclaimed 50,000 square-foot Pump House indoor water park.
The prestigious Citizen of the Year Award, now in its 48th year, highlights the work of a Vermonter who has bettered the state through self-sacrifice, service and volunteerism.
‘I am delighted to accept the Vermont Chamber Citizen of the Year award. The timing could not be better as family, friends, and colleagues come together to celebrate the Pump House, a new dimension in the creation of a four-season, destination resort at Jay Peak,’ Stenger noted.

The early season snowstorm that has knocked out power to 1.5 million customers in the Northeast, caused more than 6,300 CVPS customer outages in Windham County Saturday night. As of 9 am Monday morning, only 11 customers statewide were still without power.
Heavy wet snow that started falling Saturday afternoon in southern Vermont brought down trees, tree limbs and power lines. Brattleboro and surrounding towns were hit hardest tonight. Multiple trees and limbs started coming down just outside of the downtown Brattleboro substation around 5 pm. No broken poles were reported, but the heavy wet snow also knocked out a transmission line in National Grid service territory around 8:30 pm, affecting about 1,000 CVPS customers. Many large distribution lines in Brattleboro were downed by trees and tree limbs. About 500 customers in Wardsboro and Dummerston are also without power.

Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott and Secretary of Commerce and Community Development Lawrence Miller, who have been leading a task force to organize coordinated and affordable removal of flood-damaged mobile homes from mobile home parks, announced a work plan for that project, as well as some unexpected good news: thanks to successful fundraising, the cost to each individual homeowner will be less than anticipated.

The Vermont Irene Flood Relief Fund is awarding $86,500 this week in new grants to 48 small business impacted by flooding. To date, the Fund has granted $289,000 to 167 businesses located in 10 of Vermont’s 14 counties. The Fund has received 239 requests for assistance, with applicants estimating losses totaling in excess of $25 million ‘ with insurance covering only an estimated 20% of the damage.