Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Cathedral Square intends to be part of the solution to ending homelessness in Vermont and is pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative – the Housing Incentive Program (HIP). HIP is aimed at supporting new residents exiting homelessness to be successfully housed over the long term. The pilot will leverage all the existing layers of services available in a Cathedral Square community, including the award-winning SASH® (Support and Services at Home) model, with the added component of tiered financial incentives spaced out over five years for participation in a flexible menu of additional support and education options.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) Chancellor, Dr. Elizabeth Mauch has announced the recipients of the inaugural round of funding from the newly launched Chancellor’s Innovation Fund. With the aim of advancing VSC Vision 2030 strategic priorities of enhancing the affordability and accessibility of high-quality higher education for all Vermonters, the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund supports faculty and staff proposals of creative, cross-campus and cross-institution projects that enhance the system’s ability to better meet student and state economic needs.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Calling ALL specialty crop producers! The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced a new $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program this week, aimed at helping specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs. This one-time direct payment, available to any active producer of an eligible specialty crop, will be be calculated based on estimated producer sales for 2025. To apply, businesses must file a Form FSA-1140 "Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program" to any FSA county office by January 8, 2025.

Vermont State Police The Vermont State Police arrested shooting suspect Scott Mason, 38, of St. Johnsbury early Sunday morning, Dec. 15, 2024. Police took Mason into custody at about 2 a.m. after locating him inside a residence at 251 Portland St., the house next door to the location where St. Johnsbury Police Department Capt. Jason Gray was shot and seriously wounded Friday afternoon. Shortly after midnight, the state police obtained a search warrant for 251 Portland St. and converged on the residence. The response involved members of the Vermont State Police Field Force and Criminal divisions, the Tactical Services Unit, K-9 Unit, Narcotics Investigation Unit, and the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program. 

by Amanda Kuhnert, VermontBiz Magazine “I’m a career changer — I didn’t study education formally in school,“ said Vince Razionale, who at 39 is pursuing his teacher licensure through a new apprenticeship program in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. The program helps individuals with bachelor’s degrees attain their teaching certification while earning a salary and gaining practical experience in the classroom. “When I was 23, coming out of college, I don’t know whether I would have had the stamina or professionalism to be as good a teacher as I can be now,“ Razionale said. “I feel really at peace about who I am as a person and my place in this world — and this community.“ But the path forward wasn’t always clear.

Vermont State Police The town of St. Johnsbury is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the apprehension of Scott Mason, the 38-year-old suspect in the shooting of local police department Capt. Jason Gray. The reward was authorized by the St. Johnsbury Selectboard at the request of Police Chief Joel Pierce and with the support of Town Manager Chad Whitehead. The FBI’s Albany Field Office also announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction. Search efforts continued through the day Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, and remain ongoing. Mason is still at large.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and members of his cabinet will be in Orange County on Tuesday, December 17 for its Capital for a Day 14-county tour. Governor Scott first launched this initiative in June 2018, and he and his cabinet visited all 14 counties over the following 10 months. Capital for a Day gives local constituents, municipal government leaders and other partners the opportunity to connect directly with state leadership and staff.

Vermont State Police The search continues for Scott Mason, 38, of St. Johnsbury, the suspect in a shooting Friday afternoon that injured a St. Johnsbury police officer. The Vermont State Police is working with local, state and federal law-enforcement partners and has alerted agencies across the state and across New England to be on the lookout for Mason. The state also issued a Blue Alert, which can be employed any time a police officer has been killed or injured in the line of duty, and a dangerous suspect remains at large. VSP encourages members of the public to be vigilant and take reasonable precautions, including locking doors to their homes and vehicles and remaining aware of their surroundings.

VermontBiz Magazine A previous effort to sell the company didn’t work out. Mirabelles contacted Venture 7 Advisors to learn about selling a business after reading about their sales of Vermont Cookie Love in Ferrisburgh and the Vergennes Wine Store (now known as Hare and the Dog). Within seven months, Mirabelles had a new owner.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) would like to remind all farm operations that the annual winter manure spreading ban begins December 15th. Between December 15 and April 1, no manure or other agricultural waste (including compost and spoiled feed) may be spread on agricultural fields throughout Vermont. This annual ban is required by the Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs), which is a part of Vermont’s overall strategy to protect water quality, the working landscape, and natural resources. The RAPs also prohibit the application of manure or agricultural wastes on frozen, saturated, or snow-covered fields outside of the winter manure spreading ban. 

VermontBiz Magazine The Woodstock Inn & Resort has been recognized by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) organization. Jennifer Vincent, Director of Marketing at Woodstock Inn & Resort, received the organizations’ Pillar Award for Excellence in Marketing by Boston HSMAI chapter. The award seeks to recognize hospitality professionals who exemplify the organizations core pillars that include contributed to growth in sales, revenue and inspired marketing efforts. 

The Vermont State Police is seeking a suspect in connection with the shooting late Friday afternoon of a St. Johnsbury Police Department officer. The suspect is identified as Scott Mason, 38, a resident of a second-floor apartment at 261 Portland St. in St. Johnsbury. Members of the public should consider Mason to be potentially armed and dangerous. If someone sees Mason, they should not approach him and instead immediately call 911. Mason is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing around 220 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. A photograph of Mason is attached to this release.