Current News

KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) today announced second quarter net income from continuing operations attributable to Key common shareholders of $243 million, or $.26 per common share. Key’s second quarter 2011 results compare to net income from continuing operations attributable to Key common shareholders of $56 million, or $.06 per common share, for the second quarter of 2010. The results for second quarter 2011 reflect an improvement in noninterest expense and lower credit costs from the same period one year ago. Second quarter 2011 net income attributable to Key common shareholders was $234 million compared to net income attributable to Key common shareholders of $29 million for the same quarter one year ago.

Irving Oil is offering even more opportunities to save on gas this summer by taking savings directly to customers through Irving Rewards. Over the next two weeks Irving street teams will be traveling throughout New England giving away thousands of dollars in Irving Gift Cards to customers at select locations as part of the Irving Rewards program.
In Vermont, the Irving Rewards street team will be at the Rutland Rte 7 Irving located at 258 South Main Street on Wednesday July 20th from 11AM ‘ 2PM. Customers that fill up will receive an Irving tote bag that could contain gift cards ranging from $20 to $100. In total, $1,000 in gift cards will be distributed to customers at the Rutland location.

A new report released July 18 discusses how state leaders in K-12 education are rethinking policies to allow students to advance competency-based approaches that allow any time, everywhere learning for today’s youth.
‘Unfortunately, many states and school districts are still handcuffed by rigid regulations that prevent them from moving toward the student-centered, performance-based approach,’ Patrick said. ‘This report offers guidance and practical recommendations for state education policymakers.’
‘We are proposing what amounts to a vital change in current methods of instruction and measurement so that students can move ahead when they demonstrate knowledge,’ said Susan Patrick, co-author of the report and president of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL).

The flood waters from the record breaking rainfall this spring have receded, but the damage is still visible for many homeowners that live near Lake Champlain and the many streams that feed into the lake.
Vermont Organics Nursery’s Streambank Restoration Program is helping to restore and stabilize areas affected by flooding. Damaged areas are repaired, and land is stabilized against further damage and soil erosion using eco-friendly materials.
BFA St. Albans students Zach Devoid and Isaac Devoid use organic burlap bags to repair a damaged streambank in St. Albans.

As an oncologist at the Oncology and Hematology Clinic at North Country Hospital in Newport, Les Lockridge MD knows all too well the impact cancer has on patients, their families, and the community. So when about 600 people took part in this year’s Relay for Life in Newport on June 25 and 26 his heart was warmed by the region’s dedication to battling cancer.
The event, which included 60 teams, raised almost $160,000, beating out last year’s $143,000.
Les Lockridge M.D. and Evelyn Page, a cancer survivor, were two of the several hundred people who attended this year’s relay for life.
‘Anytime you have the community rally to fight cancer that is a good thing,’ Dr Lockridge said. ‘A portion of the money goes toward cancer research and remainder goes towards helping patients cover expenses not covered by health insurance.

Governor Peter Shumlin today announced the appointment of Mark Larson to head the Department of Vermont Health Access. Larson, who serves in the Vermont House, replaces Susan Besio as commissioner.
‘I am proud to add Mark Larson to my administration and look forward to his leadership at DVHA," Shumlin said. "Mark has a deep understanding of health policy in Vermont, including complex systems like Medicaid, which is central to health planning. Mark has also demonstrated his commitment to the principles behind Act 48, and will be a valuable member of my health care policy team.’
As commissioner, Larson will oversee management of Vermont's publicly funded health insurance programs. He will also play a key role in moving forward Vermont’s health care reform efforts, including the new Vermont Health Benefit Exchange and Green Mountain Care. Larson will officially begin the position on August 17.

The Federal District Court for the District of Vermont issued a decision Monday evening in favor of the State of Vermont and denied Entergy’s request for a preliminary injunction that would have prevented the State from enforcing its laws during the pendency of the litigation. In a prepared statement, Attorney General William Sorrell called the decision ‘a very good first step in an important case.’

The Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) announced today that Southern Vermont Broadband Cooperative and Cloud Alliance, LLC, were selected to receive discounted commercial broadband connections on the Vermont FiberConnect network. Additional award announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
To meet the public interest needs of reaching more underserved areas of the state, VTA selected the last-mile providers while Sovernet Fiber Corp. will offer them deeply discounted network connections. Awards were based upon review and evaluation of the recipients’ responses to a Request for Proposal that was issued by the VTA in May. Each of the recipients demonstrated that their broadband service offerings would target the Hardwick area and Stamford which are among the most underserved communities in rural Vermont.

Vermont was the only New England state to experience a decline in median home price in June. However, its 22.3 percent increase in home sales was second only to Connecticut. All six New England States experienced a 3-month trend uptick in June of 21.7 percent. For the first time in the past three months, Vermont realized a price decline of -4.0 percent, with all other states continuing to see month-over-month price increases.
While year-over-year sales and prices remain sluggish in New England, the consistent monthly numbers suggests that the market has hit bottom. Changes in financing requirements, unemployment and overall uncertainty continue to be the barriers that are slowing recovery.

The Vermont Community Foundation recently received a three-year, $104,000 grant to build the capacity of public policy journalism in Vermont. The Foundation will partner with VTDigger.org, a nonprofit news website that provides in-depth coverage of statewide issues affecting Vermonters. The funding will allow VTDigger.org to hire a full-time investigative reporter to cover health care and energy issues in Vermont. It will also allow Founder and Editor in Chief Anne Galloway the chance to extend her energies beyond reporting.
‘VTDigger.org has grown from a very low-budget, all-volunteer operation to a funded news organization with paid staffers in just two years,’ says Galloway. ‘This generous grant will enable us to deepen our coverage of key issues that affect the daily lives of Vermonters and make it possible for us to focus on building the long-term sustainability of VTDigger.org.’

The US Small Business Administration reminds eligible Private Non-Profit Organizations (PNPs) of the August 15 deadline to submit disaster loan applications for damages caused by severe storms and flooding that occurred from April 23 through May 9, 2011.
PNPs located in Addison, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orleans and Washington counties in Vermont are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits are now available to help those Vermonters left jobless as a result of the severe flooding damage that occurred in Washington and Caledonia counties during May 26, 2011 to May 27, 2011. The disaster assistance period awarded for Washington and Caledonia Counties began May 26, 2011 and ends January 7, 2012. The filing deadline for individuals deemed eligible for assistance is August 15, 2011. The first payable week will be the week ending June 4, 2011.