Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Real estate professionals from myriad sectors will come together once again at the 10th annual Vermont Development Conference from White + Burke Real Estate Advisors. As issues of housing, Act 250, and the cost of development intensify, a slate of thoughtful and experienced speakers will inspire the land use and development industries represented at the Nov. 20 event, held at Hotel Champlain. Kicking off the event will be MIT researcher and thought-leader, Steve Weikal, speaking on the impact of artificial intelligence and other innovations on the future of real estate.

Vermont Business Magazine GlobalFoundries (Nasdaq: GFS) (GF) is proud to announce its sponsorship of the 2024-25 FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) program in Vermont, reinforcing GF’s commitment to community engagement, K-12 STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, and workforce development. As part of this sponsorship, GF will host the FLL Vermont State Championship at its Essex Junction facility on January 18, 2025. The event will be supported by local GF volunteers, showcasing the company's strong community involvement. This sponsorship builds on GF’s longstanding relationship with the FIRST organization in Vermont through which GF employees have actively mentored FIRST teams across local communities, logging over 1,300 volunteer hours last year alone.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine For the week ending November 2, 2024, the Vermont Department of Health reported that the number of COVID-19 cases increased while hospitalizations fell again. The number of fatalities were up slightly. Vermont cases are now back over 100, but lower than all but one month since mid-July. Hospitalizations and general "syndromic" cases decreased to just over 5 cases statewide for the week. The VDH reported 2 COVID-related fatalities, even as COVID deaths are higher this fall than last so far. The number of COVID cases increased last week to 146. Cases had been falling in April and May and were as low as 31 at the beginning of May. 

Vermont Business Magazine VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR) has announced that, for a limited time, its Thrift Shop in Manchester will be open on select Saturdays in November and December. Traditionally open Monday through Friday, the Thrift Shop will extend its hours to include Saturdays from 10AM to 2PM on the following dates: Saturday, November 16; Saturday, December 21.

Vermont State Police The deceased victim in this crash is identified as Sean Hayes, 38, of Burlington, Vermont. The Shelburne police officer is identified as Sgt. Kyle Kapitanski. VSP’s investigation into this incident remains active and ongoing. A fatal crash between a Shelburne Police Department cruiser and a bicyclist occurred at about 2:45 a.m. Monday when the cruiser, driven by an on-duty Shelburne police officer, was headed south on U.S. Route 7 (Shelburne Road) in the vicinity of Fayette Drive in South Burlington. The cruiser struck a southbound cyclist pulling a trailer. Hayes was pronounced deceased on scene. It was raining and dark, and the road was wet at the time of the crash.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) on November 6 released the following statement in response to the outcome of the 2024 presidential election: "It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them. First, it was the white working class, and now it is Latino and Black workers as well. While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they’re right."

Vermont Business Magazine The National Life Group Board of Directors has approved an estimated payment of $25 million in dividends to eligible participating policyholders in 2025. This payment represents National Life’s ongoing commitment to its policyholders and continues the proud heritage of having paid a dividend every year since 1855. An annual dividend is a yearly payment from the life insurance company for certain policies. Every year the company determines what the dividend rate will be, or if they will pay a dividend at all. Annual dividends are not guaranteed and may increase or decrease from policy year to policy year.

Vermont Business Magazine A freelance photojournalist who documented tensions in eastern Ukraine between 2014 and 2019 will speak at Saint Michael’s College about the war in Ukraine and how the West has failed Kiev. Dmitri Beliakov, an award-winning photographer originally from Russia, currently has more than 50 photos on display at Saint Michael’s College on the 3rd floor of the Dion Family Student Center. Beliakov’s photos explore several themes: the fanaticism that is driving Europe’s largest war in a generation; the transformative effects of the conflict on pro-Ukrainian government fighters and Moscow-backed armed separatists; and the tragedy of the most vulnerable: the elderly, the ill, and the poor of the region. His photos will be on display through this free exhibit until Nov. 14.   

The Vermont State Police is investigating a fatal crash between a Shelburne Police Department cruiser and a bicyclist that occurred early Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. The crash occurred at about 2:45 a.m. Monday when the cruiser, driven by an on-duty Shelburne police officer, was headed south on U.S. Route 7 (Shelburne Road) in the vicinity of Fayette Drive in South Burlington. The cruiser struck a southbound cyclist pulling a trailer. The cyclist, a man, was pronounced deceased on scene. It was raining and dark, and the road was wet at the time of the crash.

Vermont Business Magazine The ban on debris burning issued on October 28 by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) has been extended in Bennington, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor Counties.  Persistent dry conditions in the southern portion of the state, high winds, an abundance of fuel, and regional drought have created an elevated risk for wildfires. This ban will end on November 18, 2024, at 3:00 PM. The ban in all other counties will expire Monday November 11 at 3:00PM. However, local conditions may vary, and town forest fire wardens may have burning restrictions in place. Always contact your local fire warden to obtain a burn permit prior to any open burning. There has been no significant rainfall in the state and most of the area is experiencing drought conditions according to the US Drought Monitor.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas released the first November Vermont 2024 Candidates and Campaign Finance. This report continues the Secretary of State’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency for campaign finance reporting during the 2024 campaign season. This report reflects candidate filings as of the most recent filing deadline on November 1. 

Vermont Business Magazine On 11/10/2024, at approximately 0406 hours, Troopers from the Vermont State Police – Rutland Barracks were notified of a motor vehicle crash on Cold River Road, near Upper Cold River Road, in the Town of Shrewsbury. Through investigation it was determined Operator #1 (Macy Piersiak) was traveling south on Cold River Road and failed to maintain their lane of travel. Vehicle #1 crossed the centerlines, exited the roadway and struck a guardrail. Vehicle #1 continued on to strike a tree head on. Operator #1 (Piersiak) was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash. There were no additional occupants of the vehicle.