Current News

On March 9, Attorney General William H. Sorrell together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 34 states announced a settlement with LifeLock, Inc., a Tempe, Arizona-based identity theft service provider, that resolves an investigation into the company s misleading advertisements. Eligible Vermont consumers will receive refunds and the state will receive $15,000 to cover the costs of investigation.
LifeLock led consumers to believe the impossible that it could fully protect against identity theft, said Attorney General Sorrell. Now, many consumers will get their money back and everyone will have a better sense of what LifeLock actually provides. The FTC and states will jointly send letters to eligible consumers, notifying them of the agreement and how they can benefit from the settlement. Although the FTC and state attorneys general share authority over unfair and deceptive advertising, a joint enforcement action of this magnitude is unprecedented.

Nine people are out of work as a result of the closure of Hutchins & Perreault, a small Barre granite company which has been in operation in Barre for 40 years.
Rick Hutchins cited a number of circumstances in his decision to close the business, including a decline in the market for cemetary memorials due to the increased popularity of cremation as well as competition from more inexpensive stone that is being imported.

To continue to stay ahead of rising demand for 3G wireless applications and Internet access in Chittenden County, Verizon Wireless has enhanced its local network. Since 2000, the company has invested $2.6 billion into its New England network, including $192 million in 2009, and recently earned recognition from JD Power and Associates for "Highest Call Quality Performance among Wireless Cell Phone Users in the Northeast" *.
Consumer Advantages
-- Recent upgrades to existing 3G cell sites provide increased 3G data capacity in: -- Burlington
-- Charlotte
-- Milton
-- South Burlington
-- Underhill
-- Winooski
-- Enhanced 3G data capacity in Chittenden County lets more customers using notebook computers or smartphones: -- Download and use cool apps, from mobile social networking platforms to GPS-enabled maps
-- Rapidly browse the web to keep up with news, sports, stock quotes, Hollywood gossip and more

GW Plastics, Inc, has been selected as Plastics News’ Processor of the Year. The prestigious award honoring excellence in well-rounded plastic processing companies was announced March 9th at the Plastics News Executive Forum in Tampa, FL.

Vermont Yankee engineers and technicians are continuing to plan for soil and groundwater remediation. The new well to be used for extracting groundwater is being installed today beside the Advanced Off Gas Building. Also today, equipment is arriving to support the pumping operation that will be the first stage of groundwater remediation.
The work to isolate the remaining internal leak from the ‘A’ AOG recombiner steam trap drainline into the AOG tunnel continues. (The leakage is being collected and processed; it is not reaching the environment.) To prepare to isolate the ‘A’ drainline, operators brought the rerouted ‘B’ drainline into full operation today. The next step will be to close valves to isolate the ‘A’ drainline. Technicians will then use the remotely operated camera to confirm the internal leak from the ‘A’ drainline to the tunnel has stopped. With that confirmation, the ‘A’ drainline will be rerouted and be put into standby status.

Participating Scoop Shops across the country will open their doors from noon 8 pm on Tuesday, March 23rd to serve up the latest of the company s newest super-premium quality and values-led flavors. It s an annual tradition started by Ben & Jerry as a way to give back to the communities that support their local scoop shops.
The 2010 scoop shop line-up includes some great new flavors including more made with Fair Trade Certified ¢ ingredients.

The Lake Champlain Transportation Company (LCT) today resumed ferry service at the Essex-Charlotte crossing. The ferry will operate Monday through Friday until April 5, at which point service will be expanded to seven days per week. The ferry begins service from Vermont at 7 a.m. and from New York at 7:30 am each day. As has been the standard practice, the LCT charges for use of their privately-owned ferry. Their current rates start at $9.50 per vehicle for a one-way trip.For more detailed schedule and rate information, visit the Lake Champlain Transportation Company web site at http://www.ferries.com/temporary_schedule.asp . Year-round temporary ferry service will continue to operate 24 hours a day, free of charge to travelers between Crown Point, NY, and Chimney Point, VT during the time it takes for a new Lake Champlain Bridge to be built and to open.

Katy Lesser, Owner of Healthy Living Market, South Burlington, has been named the US Small Business Administration s (SBA) 2010 Vermont Small Business Person of the Year. Nominated by David Blow, Jr, Vice President, Granite State Development Corp., Burlington, Lesser was selected for outstanding leadership related to her company s staying power, employee growth, increase in sales, innovative ingenuity and contributions to the community.
Lesser s business is a full-service, natural and organic food store abounding with grocery, wine, cheese, local meats, organic produce, a café, a bulk section, and natural health and beauty products. From humble beginnings in a 1,200 sq. ft. space with only one employee and average earnings of $300 a day , Lesser grew Healthy Living Market over a period of 23 years into a spacious, 33,000 sq. ft. market, a staff of 130 employees, and average daily sales of $50,000. Lesser s sales for 2009 were more than $17 million.

John Mandeville of East Hardwick has been appointed Executive Director for the Lamoille Economic Development Corporation based in Morrisville. He replaces Art Sanborn who is retiring effective April 1, 2010.

The US House on Sunday passed historic health care reform legislation with the support of Rep. Peter Welch. A pair of bills approved by the House will extend access to health care to 32 million Americans, end abusive insurance company practices and cut the deficit by $138 billion over the next 10 years and by $1.2 trillion the following decade.
The House passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) by a vote of 219 to 212 and the Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872) by a vote of 220 to 211. Having already been approved by the Senate, H.R. 3590 will be sent to President Obama for his signature, while H.R. 4872, which makes immediate improvements to H.R. 3590, will be sent to the Senate for consideration.

Vermont s iconic ice cream makers, known for progressive social action as much as for the big chunks and swirls in their ice cream, have announced their newest leader from the home office. Jostein Solheim was appointed CEO of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream and VP Global Brand Development, effective immediately. The new CEO, supported both by Unilever and the Ben & Jerry s Board of Directors, was introduced at the company s South Burlington headquarters during a town-hall style site meeting.

KeyBanks’ Vermont District has been named the 2009 District of the Year among KeyBank N.A.’s 22 districts nationwide. The award recognizes the highest ranking district based on overall financial performance, service to clients and commitment to community.
“Our employees are incredibly dedicated to our clients and the communities we serve,” said Scott Carpenter, president, Vermont District, KeyBank N.A. “Our bankers work as a team to provide strong financial solutions and advice, and Vermonters and Vermont companies have rewarded us with their business.”
KeyBank Vermont District’s performance highlights include increasing loans and deposits over 2008, achieving excellent customer services survey scores, and demonstrating a commitment to the community through volunteerism and charitable support efforts.
Key provides commercial banking, private banking, consumer banking, investment services and mortgage services through its 13 branches across Vermont.