Current News

Bruegger's announced that it will donate approximately $90,000 to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals - largely the result of its "Bottomless Mug" campaign, which ran October 27, 2010 through January 31, 2011. Throughout the campaign, the fast casual leader donated a portion of proceeds from sales of the bakery's popular Bottomless Mugs and asked generous guests to donate spare change (and more) during its first-ever Free Coffee Day in November 2010.
The campaign was Bruegger's first national fundraiser to benefit Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and the first time the bagel leader, with 300 locations in 26 states, donated a portion of proceeds from sales of its popular Bottomless Mug. Guests who purchased the Bottomless Mug receive unlimited free refills of coffee, tea or soft drinks for a full year -- and helped sick and injured children by supporting children's hospitals in Bruegger's neighborhoods.

Mylan Inc (Nasdaq: MYL) today confirmed that the company has been sued by Vivelle Ventures LLC, Noven Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation in connection with the filing of an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Estradiol Transdermal System, USP (Twice-Weekly), 0.025 mg/day, 0.0375 mg/day, 0.05 mg/day, 0.075 mg/day and 0.1 mg/day. This product is the generic version of Vivelle-Dot®, which is indicated for the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause, the treatment of hypoestrogenism and the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Mylan has a plant in St Albans which manufactures Transdermal patches and pharmaceutical labels.

The Teagues of North Carolina, the Mahaffys of Oregon and the Beidlers of Vermont are the top three winners of the Stonyfield Organic Farmers Grant-a-Wish Program, which will fund a total of six innovative organic farming projects in the U.S. Consumers voted online for the winners after watching short videos about each one. All recipients are farmer-owners of Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, t he organic farmers’ cooperative which has supplied Stonyfield with organic milk for more than 15 years.
‘It’s exciting that consumers are taking the time to get to know the farmers who grow their food and getting involved in ways like the Grant-a-Wish Program to help organic agriculture innovate and thrive,’ said Gary Hirshberg, Stonyfield President and CE-Yo.

BioTek Instruments, Inc, continues their global expansion in the microplate-based technology market with the establishment of BioTek Korea. Managed by Mr Yunki Kyung, the new direct sales and service organization will focus on growing BioTek's brand and expanding direct service and application support for our growing customer base in South Korea.
BioTek Korea will be fully functional by July 1, 2011. BioTek's long-time partner and distributor, DI Biotech, will work closely with BioTek Korea to ensure a seamless transition for the company's existing and expanding customer base.

The Senate Monday afternoon began debate on long-pending legislation to make the first comprehensive reforms to the nation’s patent system in nearly six decades. The legislation is authored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). Leahy and Hatch have been longtime partners on intellectual property issues, and first introduced patent reform legislation in 2006.
"The Senate today is turning its attention to a measure that will help create jobs, energize the economy and promote innovation,’ said Leahy. ‘The Patent Reform Act is a key part of any jobs agenda. We can help unleash innovation and promote American invention, all without adding a penny to the deficit. This is commonsense, bipartisan legislation.’

The Vermont congressional delegation today urged the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure a swift cleanup at Vermont Yankee after the license to run the nuclear power plant runs out.
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Represetnative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) signed a letter that was drafted by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Sanders sits on the Senate panel that oversees the NRC, which regulates commercial nuclear plants in the United States.
The lawmakers called it ‘unacceptable’ that Entergy, which owns the Vermont plant, could engage in ‘decades of delay’ before cleaning up the site along the Connecticut River at Vernon, Vt. ‘Immediate decommissioning will assure Vermonters that the plant is being disassembled safely,’ the delegation wrote. An immediate cleanup and shutdown of the site also would allow the plant operator to take advantage of the skills of many long-term Yankee employees who otherwise would lose their jobs.

Champlain College will confer honorary degrees during this year's 133nd Commencement on Saturday, May 7 to former Vermont Governor Jim Douglas of Middlebury and Premier of Quebec Jean Charest.

At a meeting of the National Governors Association this morning, President Obama announced his support for amending the Affordable Care Act to allow states like Vermont to seek a federal waiver to the new law three years earlier than currently allowed. States would be required to design plans that are at least as comprehensive and affordable as the federal model and cover at least as many people.
The Vermont congressional delegation and Governor Peter Shumlin issued a statement today that hailed President Obama’s endorsement of legislation allowing states to restrucutre laws to, for instance, allow for a single-payer system, which supporters hope would increase health care and lower cost starting in 2014.

The National Life Group Charitable Foundation is deeply woven into the fabric of the Central Vermont community where the state’s oldest and largest LEED certified building resides. The National Life Building houses National Life Group and its corporate giving non-profit organization, the National Life Group Charitable Foundation. In 2010, the two collectively provided financial, infrastructural, and community enhancement support totaling over $500,000.

A major contribution to Central Vermont Medical Center’s now named National Life Cancer Treatment Center completed a radiation center providing Central Vermont residents with new access to local radiation therapy instead of driving to Burlington or Hanover.

The House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on Friday voted out its jobs bill with a favorable vote of 9-1-1. The bill assembles two dozen initiatives and focuses on the urgency of supporting business expansion and job creation in Vermont. It places special emphasis on enhancing the manufacturing and value-added agricultural sectors in Vermont.
‘This bill sets forth a clear strategy for economic development and job growth,’ said Representative Bill Botzow, Chair of the Commerce Committee. ‘These are real, concrete programs we can employ even in times of constrained resources.’

The Stowe Rotary has donated $2,500 to Copley Hospital toward the purchase of telemetry equipment. Telemetry is used to monitor and record a variety of patient parameters, such as an EKG, from a remote location. This means that the patient’s vital signs may be monitored less intrusively 24 hours a day both at the bedside and at Copley’s Nurses Station. As changes or notable fluctuations occur, nurses are immediately notified. The data is also easily incorporated into an Electronic Health Record and is useful to establish baselines and track progress over time.
‘We are grateful to the Stowe Rotary for their assistance in purchasing additional telemetry units,’ says Patashnick. ‘Telemetry provides a great benefit to patients with the improved care and safety provided by 24 hour electronic monitoring in addition to traditional ‘hands on’ nursing. The Stowe Rotary again demonstrates that they share Copley’s commitment to improving the health of our community.’

With energy prices on the rise, Vermont Yankee’s license expiring in 2012, and recent instability in the Middle East, Williston-based AllEarth Renewables is hosting an energy series in five local communities this March.
The ‘Smart About Solar’ series, which will focus how Vermonters can protect themselves against the rising cost of energy, will be held in Chittenden County and northern Addison County communities throughout the month of March.
The events begin at 7 pm and will be held in Charlotte, Shelburne, Hinesburg, Vergennes and Starksboro. They are free, open to the public, and include refreshments.
The solar series events are:
Charlotte: Wednesday, March 2nd at 7:00 p.m. - Charlotte Central School Library, 408 Hinesburg Road, Charlotte with presenter David Blittersdorf, president/CEO of AllEarth Renewables
Shelburne: Tuesday, March 15th at 7:00 p.m. - Shelburne Town Offices, 5420 Shelburne Road, Shelburne