Current News

ImmuneWorks, Inc. recently partnered with The University of Vermont in Burlington to conduct a clinical trial for a new idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treatment. The Phase I clinical trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and biologic effects of three doses of IW001 in patients suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a serious lung disease.
For more information about The University of Vermont in Burlington clinical trial for IPF, visit ImmuneWorks’ website at www.ImmuneWorks.com.

As Vermont debates over whether or not to become the next state to pass the Death with Dignity Bill giving terminally ill patients the choice on ending their own lives, HBO will give a sneak preview of the HBO Documentary Film ‘HOW TO DIE IN OREGON’ to an invitation-only audience. Winner of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Award, this film is an extraordinarily powerful, compassionate and intimate exploration of Oregon’s historic and controversial Death with Dignity Act.
WHO: Filmmaker Peter Richardson will participate in a discussion with moderator Anne Galloway, editor of vtdigger.org.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 13, 2011
6:30 p.m. - Screening
8:15 p.m. ‘ Discussion with Filmmaker Peter Richardson
WHERE: Majestic 10
190 Boxwood St.

Dr Robert E Simpson, president and chief executive officer of The Brattleboro Retreat, has been chosen by the American Hospital Association (AHA) as the hospital leader in Vermont who did the most in 2010 to help broaden the base of community support for hospitals, to advocate on behalf of patients, and to deliver the hospital message to elected officials.
‘In just a few years, Rob has become a state and national leader on mental health issues,’ said M. Bea Grause, president and chief executive officer of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. ‘His commitment to providing compassionate, effective healing to adults and children has helped to both transform the Brattleboro Retreat and shape state and national policy in many arenas. We are lucky to have him here in Vermont.’

FairPoint Communications has expanded broadband to hundreds more homes and businesses in Fairfax, Weathersfield, Brandon, Killington and Mendon.
These new broadband rollouts are part of FairPoint’s pledge to bring total broadband coverage to half of its exchanges this year and are part of the company’s new fiber-based, high-capacity network called VantagePoint(sm).
‘VantagePoint is enabling us to expand broadband service into areas with no high-speed Internet access and provide enhanced services across the state,’ said Michael K. Smith, 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.’

You don’t need to search for it online. It’s true. Ben & Jerry’s gives away free ice cream. The annual event is a way to say thanks to those who have supported the company since the beginning. To continue the tradition, Ben & Jerry’s outlets across the globe will open their doors from noon ‘ 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12 to serve up the newest, super-premium quality and values-led flavors featuring even more Fair Trade certified ingredients than ever before.
This year’s newest flavors being offered in Scoop Shops include:
Late Night Snack inspired by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon ‘ Vanilla Bean Ice Cream made with Fair Trade certified vanilla, a Salty Caramel Swirl & Fudge Covered Potato Chip Clusters (the fudge uses Fair Trade certified cocoa, too)!

In conjunction with its Extra Innings Weekend this weekend, Bolton Valley Resort has announced that it is extending its early-bird season pass purchase deadline until Sunday, April 10 as well. The resort, just 30 minutes from Burlington, currently is offering the lowest prices on next year’s All-Access Season Pass until the new purchase deadline.
‘The Extra Innings weekend has become a quick hit, and we felt that extending the season pass deadline through until the last day of this season made sense,’ said Bolton Valley President George B. Potter. ‘With extra days to purchase your season pass, the ‘extra’ them will be running wild at Bolton Valley this weekend for sure!’

At its 2011 town meeting on March 1, the Town of Berlin approved a policy that allows the town Select Board to negotiate tax stabilization agreements with business owners who choose to locate, expand or improve properties in town. Select Board members believe that the policy offers a valuable incentive for business owners to move into Berlin, whose location and infrastructure already offer a lot of advantages.
‘Berlin is an ideal location, central within the state, just off I-89 and is home to E.F. Knapp State Airport,’ said Select Board Chair Susan Gretkowski. ‘We also have ample property available for business development, both in our business park and other designated areas in accordance with the Town Plan. Businesses like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, UPS, Staples, TJ Maxx, Price Chopper, Central Vermont Medical Center, and many others have chosen to locate here, and we’d like to welcome many more,’ she said.

Eight small business owners and two small business advocates have been selected by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) for outstanding success in their chosen fields.
Rick Cochran, owner of Mobile Medical International Corporation (MMIC), St Johnsbury, Vermont, has been named the SBA 2011 Vermont Small Business Person of the Year. Nominated by Aaron Melville, Attorney at Law, St Johnsbury, VT, Cochran was selected for exceptional leadership related to his staying power, employee growth, increase in sales, innovative ingenuity and contributions to the community. Mr. Cochran will compete for the national title at National Small Business Week ceremonies in Washington, D.C., May 18-20, 2011.

A 2010 Public Space Award presented to Wilmington's River Bank Park
by five different organizations: the Vermont American Society of
Landscape Architects, Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Council,
American Society of Civil Engineers, Vermont Planners Association and
AIA Vermont.
Thursday March 31st, there was a Statehouse Ceremony wherein
Administration Secretary Jeb Spaulding presented the prestigeous award to
Joseph Cincotta, Architect, LineSync Architecture.
"The Awards Committee was particularly impressed with the beautiful
design incorporating local materials. Most indicative of the park's
success was how much thought went behind each detail of the design
from the lowered walking deck to the arbor weight used in stabilizing
the antique stone wall, to the mini amphitheater for gatherings.
LineSync Architecture does an excellent job at communicating the
design intent."

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims in Vermont rose above 400 last week, but remain low, consistent with typically low summer totals. There were 410 new, regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance in Vermont, an increase of 22 from the previous week's total and 22 fewer than they were a year ago. Generally, claims have been running below last year's totals.

Altogether 4,391 new and continuing claims were filed, an increase of 35 from a week ago, and 385 fewer than a year ago. The Department processed 0 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08). The total for all programs was 4,391 claims, 35 more than last week, and 391 fewer than the same time last year.

Governor Peter Shumlin said today that state highway crews are out in force across Vermont to tackle one of the worst pothole seasons in memory, noting that the Agency of Transportation has already spent about $1.3 million on pothole patching so far this year, exceeding the five-year annual average.
‘This year’s heavy snowfall and spring rains created a bumper crop of potholes across the state,’ Gov. Shumlin said at a news conference in Middlesex with a highway road crew. ‘Highway crews are working hard to keep up with the never ending sea of potholes on all of Vermont’s paved roads. We will continue to patch holes and do what we can to keep the big ones from coming back. Crews have used 5,500 tons of cold patch so far this year, exceeding the five year average by 30 percent.
These costs come on the heels of an already-expensive winter road season. For the season:

Fitch Revises Vermont Electric Cooperative's Outlook to Positive; Affirms Sr. Secured at 'BBB'

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Vermont Electric Cooperative's (VEC) implied senior secured rating at 'BBB'. The Rating Outlook has been revised to Positive from Stable. VEC's senior secured rating is implied as none of the cooperative's secured debt is publicly held. However, the rating takes into account approximately $58 million of secured debt privately held by lenders including National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. and CoBank.
RATING RATIONALE:
--The Positive Outlook for VEC reflects the cooperative's consistently strong financial metrics, including increased equity (42.3% at year-end 2010) and solid coverage ratios (debt service coverage [DSC] of 2.0 times [x] for 2010), and the expectation that the current levels will be maintained.