Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on December 19, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Joshua Hartness, age 45, of Colebrook, New Hampshire, with possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Hartness entered a plea of not guilty to the charges during an arraignment on December 20, 2024 before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Judge Doyle ordered that Hartness be released on conditions. According to the indictment, Hartness allegedly possessed one or more images of CSAM between May 22 and August 26 in 2022.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today announced he will join the powerful Senate Committee on Finance in the 119th Congress, and continue serving on the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry; Judiciary; and Rules and Administration. Senator Welch released the following statement on his assignments for the 119th Congress: “We are in the midst of a brutal affordability crisis. I will use my seat at the table of the Senate Finance Committee to help level the playing field for Vermont families and all hardworking Americans. I will focus my work on the Finance Committee on lowering costs, expanding economic opportunities for working families, and protecting the programs folks rely on and deserve to know are safe—like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act."

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.09 per gallon, down 1 cents/g from last week, down 3 cents from last month and down 19 cents/g from this time last year. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.60/g while the highest was $3.35/g, a difference of 75.0 cents per gallon. The lowest prices in the state are in Bennington County with prices rising going north, with Orleans County average highest. The national average price of gasoline is up 1 cent per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.03/g today. 

Vermont Business Magazine Since the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, or HPAI, in Texas dairy cattle this past March, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) has worked to promote awareness and prepare for the possibility of the disease’s arrival in our state.  To date, this has not occurred.  USDA recently mandated bulk milk sampling throughout the country, including Vermont, to proactively identify any currently unknown infected dairy cattle.  The goal is to test all milk that is eligible to cross state lines (Grade A) so any unknown infections can be identified and HPAI can be contained. Beginning today, VAAFM employees will sample unpasteurized milk on all Grade A milk producing farms in Vermont each month.

The Vermont State Police is investigating a fire that occurred Wednesday morning, Jan. 1, 2025, at a home in the Bennington County town of Sandgate. Two people were killed in the blaze, and another two were injured. The fire was reported at about 11:30 a.m. on Chunks Brook Road. Numerous fire departments from Vermont and New York responded to the scene and eventually were able to bring the fire under control. The two injured victims were transported to hospitals in New York for treatment; the extent of their injuries is unknown at this time.

by Lori Fisher, Lake Champlain Committee As 2024 draws to a close, so does my nearly 40-year tenure at LCC. Today is my last day as Executive Director. It has been an honor and privilege to work for clean, accessible water over many decades and to have your support in that cause. I’m pleased to note that after an extensive search, the Board of Directors has found a wonderful new leader. They will reach out to introduce her to you in January 2025. In our Winter E-Newsletter below we share a reflection on the Clean Water Act and information about our CHAMP volunteer’s discovery of Corbicula fluminea (read on to learn what that is) and introduce you to Dr. Lindsey Carlson—LCC’s new Science & Water Programs Coordinator. You’ll learn what Sobagwihla means and about our native aquatic plants project and how you can bring our visuals of native flora to your local school, art gallery, or community center. To inform your experience of winter you’ll find a Clean Lake Tip about how to keep your sidewalks safe with salt brine instead of rock salt, a nature note on lake-effect snow, and our latest Lake Look “When Shell Freezes Over”.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Lilac Rain Brown-Fisher, 29, of Essex Junction, Vermont, was sentenced Monday for felony Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult resulting from her theft of valuable heirlooms from elderly and disabled clients at the Maple Ridge Memory Care facility. The Court, Judge John L. Pacht presiding, sentenced Ms. Brown-Fisher to a prison sentence of up to five years, suspended for a term of probation as a result of her prompt acceptance of responsibility. Brown-Fisher must pay restitution to the victims, may not work with or care for vulnerable adults, and must complete a restorative justice program with 200 hours of community service. 

Vermont Business Magazine Disability Rights Vermont and the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council are excited to invite anyone interested to a special screening of Disability Rights Vermont's first documentary "Forgotten Promises: Vermonters Call for Investment in Community Living." This powerful film explores the pressing need for greater investment in home and community-based services, highlights the challenges of institutional reliance, and advocates for preventive solutions like affordable housing and timely access to care. Following the screening, a panel of professionals and community members will lead a discussion to continue the conversation and drive meaningful action.

Vermont State Police On Monday at approximately 1706 hours, the Vermont State Police-Shaftsbury Barracks was notified of a multiple-vehicle crash in the area of US Route 7 near mile marker 28.4 in the Town of Sunderland, VT. Through investigation, it was revealed Operator #1 (Kathryn Brown) was operating Vehicle #1 traveling north along US Route 7, and Operator #2 (Frost) was operating Vehicle #2 traveling south along with Operator #3 (Ivey) operating Vehicle #3. Brown succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash.

Vermont State Police The Vermont State Police investigation into the shooting of St. Johnsbury Police Department Capt. Jason Gray remains open and active. Evidence collected at the scene indicates Capt. Gray fired his duty weapon during the encounter at a Portland Street apartment Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in which he was shot and seriously injured by Scott Mason. Following standard protocols for police-involved shootings, upon completion of the investigation VSP will turn over the case to the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and the relevant State’s Attorney’s Office for independent reviews of Capt. Gray’s use of force. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced the five new appointments to the Land Use Review Board, which was created in Act 181 of 2024. This new Board is a reorganization of the Natural Resources Board, the organization responsible for the administration of Act 250, Vermont’s land use and development law. The Land Use Review Board’s primary responsibility is to promote and enhance operational accountability for fair, efficient and effective administration of Act 250’s land use permitting program, including management of five Act 250 District Offices, recruitment, training, and supervision of staff and providing administrative and technical guidance and oversight support to nine District Environmental Commissions.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.09 per gallon, up 1 cents/g from last week's $3.08/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.60/g while the highest was $3.35/g, a difference of 75.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.98/g today.