Current News

With this week’s debut of a $10 million base-area expansion, Sugarbush Resort has once again strengthened its commitment to lifelong learning and the creation of new snowsports enthusiasts.
Devoted to ski school and family-friendly guest facilities, the two recently completed structures are part of Phase 2 of the Lincoln Peak revitalization; the other component being an upgrade of 2.5 miles of snowmaking pipe servicing both Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen.
Sugarbush’s Phase 2 improvements were financed through NBT Bank, VEDA, and EB5 funding, a federal program that uses foreign investment capital to put Americans to work. Sugarbush president Win Smith will host a grand opening celebration for the new facilities this Friday at 9 a.m., officially opening both ‘The Schoolhouse’ and ‘The Farmhouse’ to the public.
Governor Douglas as well as other local and state officials are expected to attend.

Governor-elect Peter Shumlin today announced the appointments of Vermont’s next Tax Commissioner, Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and Commissioner of Human Resources. Mary Peterson will be Tax Commissioner, Kate Duffy will be Commissioner of Human Resources and Robert Ide will remain as Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
‘Mary has the skills and experience to ensure that we implement a tax system that grows wealth and grows jobs,’ said Shumlin. ‘I am grateful that she has agreed to take on this important challenge.’
YouTube Video courtesy of vtdigger.org (story and more videos)

At the December 6, 2010 Newport City Council meeting, Newport became the first municipality in the state of Vermont to adopt form-based code into its zoning by-law. Form-based code is graphic form standards that regulate form of building rather than use of building. It has a positive approach illustrated by its language of ‘build to lines’ rather than ‘set backs.' Form-based code defines desired development patterns.
‘Form-based code is a three-pronged approach to zoning,’ stated Paul Dreher, Newport City Zoning Administrator. ‘It benefits the city with increased tax base, business benefits from expedited predictable permitting and it benefits the community with better public realm.’

Governor-elect Peter Shumlin sent a letter to Entergy’s Vermont Yankee Site Vice President, Michael Colomb today. Shumlin requests in the letter that Entergy return its extraction wells to service and repeated his request to increase the number of wells to prevent contaminated water from harming Vermont’s aquifers.

For the fourth year in a row Vermont has been named the healthiest state in America, Governor Jim Douglas announced today. The 21st annual America’s Health Rankings, which was released at a press conference at the Hall of States in Washington, DC, this afternoon, showed the Green Mountain State in a familiar position leading the nation when it comes to health.
‘Over the last eight years we have worked hard to improve the health and wellbeing of Vermonters,’ said Governor Douglas. ‘Policies like the Vermont Blueprint for Health, Choices for Care and Global Commitment to Health, and our groundbreaking 2006 health care reforms have contributed significantly to our success. But most importantly, it is the people of Vermont, who have taken responsibility for their health, that deserve credit for this distinction.’

Today, renewable energy advocate Tom Weis completed his 10-week "Ride for Renewables" at the Jefferson Memorial after traversing 11 states in his futuristic-looking "rocket trike." He is promoting 100% renewable electricity for the U.S. in ten years, a goal first proposed by former Vice President Al Gore.
"Almost everyone I met during this ride wants to see a modern day, green energy moon shot for America," said Tom Weis, President of Climate Crisis Solutions. Citing massive unemployment, energy dependence, economic turbulence and climate instability as top concerns driving this public desire, he said, "The solution is an American-led green industrial revolution."
Ride backer Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and author of Eaarth, said, "Politicians won't lead until we build a citizens movement powerful enough to challenge the might of the fossil fuel industry. That's what this ride is building towards."

Northern Power Systems, Inc, a leading manufacturer of next-generation direct-drive wind turbines, has announced a few key highlights and milestones achieved in its Community Wind business in 2010.
‘This past year has continued to demonstrate the strength of the on-site wind industry and our own Community Wind business, in particular’ said Parthiv Amin, President of Community Wind at Northern Power Systems. ‘This year we more than doubled our orders and installed base and now have over 60 cumulative years of field operating experience across our fleet.’ We now have Northern Powerâ ¢ 100 customers in 24 U.S. states and four countries, with global exports increasing to 40% of our business as we continue to grow our network of sales, installation, service and financing partners across North America and Europe.’
Additional 2010 Northern Power Community Wind highlights included the following:

What do the Northfield Savings Bank, Johnson Woolen Mills, and the National Life Group have in common? All three were recipients of the Vermont Centennial Business Award. This program is a joint project of the Secretary of State’s office, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and the Vermont Business Magazine and honors businesses that have operated in Vermont for at least 100 years.
Secretary of State Deb Markowitz said, ‘We are currently seeking nominations for the 2011 ceremony. Any business that has been in operation in Vermont for 100 years or more can participate by filling out an application and providing verification of its business start date." Vermont's centennial businesses will be presented with a plaque at an awards ceremony in the spring.

As President Obama took to the airwaves Monday night to announce a deal to extend President George W Bush's tax cuts, Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) called the plan ‘fiscally irresponsible’ and ‘grossly unfair.’ US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) comments were even stronger, calling it a "moral outrage."
Sanders issued the following statement today on the agreement announced Monday between the White House and congressional Republicans:

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR), a leader in the specialty coffee and coffee maker industry, today announced that the Company plans to announce financial results for its fiscal 2010 fourth quarter and full year via press release following the close of the financial markets on Thursday, December 9, 2010.
In conjunction with this announcement, GMCR will publish management’s prepared remarks on its quarterly and annual results. These prepared remarks will be provided via a Current Report on Form 8-K and also posted under the events link in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.GMCR.com.
The Company will host a conference call with investors and analysts on Thursday, December 9th at 5:30 p.m. ET. As a result of publishing prepared remarks in advance of the live call, the conference call will include only brief remarks by management followed by a question and answer session.

The Paramount Theatre announced today that nationally prominent humorist, satirist, and iconic National Public Radio personality, Garrison Keillor is bringing his solo Christmas Special to the Paramount Theatre, in a creative partnership with The Rutland Herald on Monday, December 13, 2010 at 8 pm. Keillor is making his second appearance at The Paramount following his sold-out engagement in February of 2009.
Best known as the host of A Prairie Home Companion (on the national airwaves since 1974), the show features guest musicians and a cadre cast doing musical numbers and comic skits complete with elaborate live sound effects. His weekly monologue, News From Lake Wobegone, is woven into the national consciousness and is heard by millions of listeners each week. A Prairie Home Companion regularly goes on the road and is broadcast live from popular venues around the United States, often featuring local celebrities and skits incorporating local color.

The City of Burlington announced today that it has received the 2nd annual Home Depot Foundation Award of Excellence for Sustainable Community Development, in partnership with the Champlain Housing Trust. The award recognizes cities that are incorporating real-world sustainability initiatives into their day-to-day operations, with a focus on efficient use of municipal budget funds while increasing the livability of the community for all residents. Burlington won the ‘small city’ award and joins Tacoma, Washington, winner of the large city award, as one of two national winners of this prestigious honor. Mayor Bob Kiss and Sustainability Coordinator Jennifer Green accepted the $75,000 award ‘ to be shared between the City and Champlain Housing Trust ‘ at the National League of Cities ‘Congress of Cities’ December 3 in Denver, Colorado. A video was produced for each winner and presented with the award.