Current News
by tim
CCV TO PURCHASE WOODBURY COLLEGE CAMPUS IN MONTPELIER
Montpelier (November 11, 2008) Woodbury College and the Community College of Vermont (CCV) announced today that the two institutions have agreed to the sale of Woodbury's campus located at 660 Elm Street in Montpelier to the Vermont State Colleges for CCV. The closing is scheduled to take place at the end of December. In August of this year, Woodbury College announced that it would become the Woodbury Institute at Champlain College. As part of this transition, Woodbury will move to the Champlain campus in Burlington at the end of the calendar year.
by tim
CVPS: Use caution when cutting wood
More than 50 outages in 2008 blamed on felled trees
RUTLAND, VT - With fuel prices up, many Vermonters are turning to wood heat, and that's causing a significant number of power outages due to careless tree cutting near power lines.
Central Vermont Public Service, Vermont's largest power company, today urged Vermonters to use caution when cutting trees anywhere near power lines.
"From professional loggers to people cutting wood for the first time, we're seeing a tremendous number of accidents involving tree-cutting and power lines," CVPS spokesman Steve Costello said. "We urge all Vermonters to use the utmost in caution to prevent power outages, injuries and even death."
by tim
Green Mountain Coffee and Keurig Bring Single-Cup Brewing to Grocery Stores Nationwide
New Brewer and 12-Count Package Debut in Grocery Channel
WATERBURY, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Keurig has ignited a revolution in coffee making as the market leader in single-cup brewing. Now, in response to feedback from its customers and consumers, Green Mountain Coffee and Keurig, divisions of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR), are providing their winning combination of single-cup brewers and patented K-Cup(r) portion packs to grocery stores across the country, just in time for the holidays.
by tim
The law firm of Valsangiacomo, Detora and McQuesten, P.C., opened a full-time branch office in Burlington. VD&M's new office is located in the historic Maltex Building at 431 Pine Street.
The trial firm, headquartered in Barre, opened the new office earlier this year to better serve its growing client base in Chittenden County.
"We've established a solid reputation in Central Vermont for straightforward and cost-effective representation," said Oreste Valsangiacomo, Jr., a founding partner. "And that's earned us a growing number of clients in Burlington. This new satellite office allows us to be more accessible and more responsive to our northern clients."
VD&M was founded in 1977. Its seven staff attorneys offer experience in many areas of the law but the firm's major areas of emphasis are personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death cases.
by tim
On Nov. 12 and Nov. 15, representatives from Champlain College will host open house sessions to view plans for a welcome center, residence halls and other campus expansion proposals in conjunction with its master plan. The sessions are open for neighbors and community members.
In March 2007, Champlain completed its master plan with the vision to support future growth as a flexible, desirable, and attractive institution. This vision was designed with the goal not to negatively impact the residential or historic character, or the high quality of life on The Hill.
Attendees are welcome to stop by on either day for any duration during the hours of 6 pm and 8 pm on Nov. 12 and 9 am and noon on Nov. 15.
by tim
Michael Lane, co-founder and chief operating officer of Dealer.com will speak as part of Champlain College's "Speaking from Experience" lecture series on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The lecture series is sponsored by the college's "Bring Your Own Business Program" (BYOBiz).
The lecture will take place in the Hauke Family Center at Champlain College at 7 pm.
Lane will talk about his Burlington-based company that has experienced large growth since it began in 1998. Dealer.com creates web-based marketing campaigns and supports thousands of online marketing solutions across North America for the automotive industry. The company is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2007 Inc. 5000's "Fastest Growing Private Companies of America."
All events are free and open to the public.
by tim
FairPoint Communications Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results
by tim
Grimes Named to National Steering Committee
Barbara Grimes, general manager of Burlington Electric Department, has accepted an invitation from the Washington-based Alliance for Climate Action to serve on the steering committee of ACA's new Municipal Clean Energy Project (MCEP).
The MCEP is a 3-year, nationwide initiative of ASE, in close collaboration with the American Public Power Association (APPA), the Large Public Power Council (LPPC) and other partners to promote efficiency and renewable energy as the way to meet this country's energy needs.
"I was very pleased to be asked to join many luminaries in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy from around the country on this steering committee," said Grimes. "With our great work in the field of efficiency and our goal to achieve 100 percent renewable power BED, despite its small size, has a national reputation."
by tim
JONATHAN WOOD appointed secretary of natural resources
DOUGLAS THANKS crombie for Service
Montpelier, Vt. - (November 7, 2008) Governor Jim Douglas today announced that Forest, Parks and Recreation (FPR) Commissioner Jonathan Wood has been appointed Secretary of Natural Resources.
Wood replaces George Crombie who, after nearly two years as secretary, is pursuing other opportunities.
Governor Douglas thanked Crombie for his service. "I appreciate the time George dedicated to our state and the work he did to advance my climate change initiatives and the Clean and Clear Action Plan," Governor Douglas said. "I wish him well in his future endeavors."
Governor Douglas said Wood, who he appointed FPR commissioner in 2003, brings a wealth of policy knowledge and management experience to his new post.
by tim
Chris Graff: Douglas, Obama produce historic election results
by Chris Graff
VBM Political Coumnist
That Democrat Barack Obama won 67 percent support from Vermonters is stunning. That Republican Jim Douglas fought off the Obama tide to gain 55 percent of the tally in the governors race is amazing.
Obama's win in the state spanned the spectrum:
- Exit polling showed he won 95 percent of Vermont Democrats, 71 percent of independents and 11 percent of Republicans;
- 93 percent of those Vermonters who consider themselves liberal voted for Obama while 65 percent of the moderates and even 32 percent of the conservatives backed his candidacy;
by tim
Beginning Farmers Get Support from Federal, State
and Private Agriculture Groups
Montpelier, Vt This week, representatives from Farm Service Agency (FSA), Yankee Farm Credit and the Agency of Agriculture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to help beginning farmers get financial assistance to establish viable farming operations.
The MOU solidifies an agreement between the parties to provide cooperation and participation in joint funding between FSA and Yankee Farm Credit with the assistance of the State of Vermont for beginning farmers. Assistance will be provided for qualified beginning farmers through the use of the Down Payment Loan Program or guaranteed loan programs.