Current News

Vermont State Police Brian Crossman Jr., 22, of Granville, New York, made an initial appearance Friday afternoon in Warren County Court in Lake George, New York, on a charge of being a fugitive from justice. The charge relates to an arrest warrant for him obtained by the Vermont State Police on three counts of aggravated murder arising from the Sept. 15, 2024, triple homicide of his father, stepmother and stepbrother in Pawlet, Vermont. Crossman Jr. was remanded to the Warren County Jail without bail pending another hearing in New York court next week. Arrangements for his extradition to Vermont remain pending.

Vermont Business Magazine New Chapter, a Vermont-based vitamin and supplement company with a mission to deliver the wisdom of Nature to nourish mind, body, and soul, has released its first-ever Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) product. Available exclusively on NewChapter.com, the New Chapter Organic Holy Basil Booster Powder is produced using the pinnacle of organic agricultural standards. This launch marks a significant milestone in New Chapter's journey, reflecting the company's dedication to advancing regenerative practices and setting a standard in the vitamin and supplement industry.

Vermont Business Magazine Barr Hill Gin, America's most awarded gin and creator of Landcrafted spirits, is thrilled to announce the winner of its second annual Royal Jelly Cocktail Competition. Chef Shintaro Eleazar Tozzo of Bar Moga (New York, NY), took home the top prize with his cocktail, the “Bee Bop.” Lauren Simmons took second place honors for her cocktail, the “Bugs Hunny.” The competition, held on August 25, 2024, at Barr Hill's James Beard-nominated Bar and Distillery in Montpelier, Vermont, showcased the talents of eight remarkable semifinalists from across the Northeast. Competitors were tasked with creating the best Bees' Knees-inspired cocktail using Barr Hill Gin, lemon, and honey, while highlighting the importance of sustainability in the spirits industry.

Vermont Business Magazine Temperature, precipitation, wind speed—the U.S. government has plenty of ways to measure our climate. But how do we measure the impacts of climate on our communities, economies, and ecosystems? The new Climate Measurements Center of Excellence (CMeC) at the University of Vermont (UVM) will answer this need, thanks to a $2.7M investment from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. The new Center at UVM will advance U.S. climate impact assessment and planning by providing national, state, tribal, and local governments with standardized methods and metrics, addressing a lack of standards in regional climate change measurement.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Labor reported that the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for August was 2.2 percent. This reflects an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. There were only marginal changes in the major metrics. However, the increase in the number of unemployed outpaced both employment and the labor force. Vermont still has the second lowest jobless rate in the nation, behind South Dakota (2.0%). Nevada is highest at 5.5%. The United States rate in August was 4.2 percent, a decrease of one-tenth.

VermontBiz is proud to announce the winners of its Rising Stars recognition award. The list is comprised of 40 winners under the age of 40. Award recipients were selected by a panel of judges for their commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and involvement in their communities. “We are thrilled by the response to this initiative to recognize these up-and-coming leaders nominated by the Vermont business community. This is our 15th year,” said VermontBiz Publisher. “We received over 180 outstanding nominations this year. The total number of honorees over the past 14 years now totals 681."

The Vermont State Police on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect in the killings of three people last weekend in Pawlet. Brian Crossman Jr., 23, of Granville, New York, faces three counts of aggravated murder arising from the fatal shootings of his father, 46-year-old Brian Crossman Sr.; his stepmother, 41-year-old Erica (Pawlusiak) Crossman; and his 13-year-old stepbrother, Colin Taft. Evidence shows the killings occurred early Sunday morning, Sept. 15, inside the family home on Vermont Route 133 that Crossman Sr. shared with his wife and stepson. After the issuance of the Vermont arrest warrant, the New York State Police located Crossman Jr. and took him into custody. He is being detained without bail pending an appearance before a New York judge and the initiation of proceedings for his extradition to Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Dental Society (VSDS), University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Peter Welch are partnering to bring an innovative Dental Oral Health Education Center to Vermont in 2027. This new dental clinic and education program would bring UDM students to Vermont to complete their final years of training – strengthening the dental care provider pipeline and expanding access to much-needed care across the state. The first class of students will arrive in May 2027 and there eventually be 64 students in the program in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Yesterday at Noah Kahan’s Benefit Concert in Essex, Ben & Jerry’s scooped a very limited-edition flavor: Northern Latte-tude. And today only, the limited-edition flavor will be scooped in Burlington and Waterbury Scoop Shops. Created in partnership between Kahan and Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Gurus, the flavor is a maple latte ice cream with graham cracker cookie dough & graham cracker pieces. Northern Latte-tude is inspired by Kahan, his Vermont roots and popular song, Northern Attitude. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, requested information from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the international deployment of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in conflict settings, such as Gaza. The Senators urged the Department to proactively and publicly engage in setting international norms about the ethical deployment of AI technology. The Senators also commended the Department’s support of initiatives that address the use of AI in international conflicts, including the United States International Cyberspace & Digital Policy Strategy, the U.S.-led Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy, and the recently released Risk Management Profile for Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters affected by severe storm, flooding, landslides and mudslides from July 9-11, 2024, have until October 21, 2024, to apply for FEMA assistance. This October 21, 2024, deadline is for residents of Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Lamoille, Orleans, and Washington counties. If you were affected by the severe weather, you should apply as soon as possible. FEMA may be able to help with temporary housing, home repairs, privately-owned roads and bridges, and other disaster-related needs – and the faster you apply, the sooner you can get aid.

by Vermont Auditor of Accounts Doug Hoffer This summer’s extreme weather and flooding events have been unfortunate harbingers of the “new normal” of climate change. Thank you to all the first responders and community members who helped keep people safe and have since pitched in with the clean-up process. And to all those directly impacted by the floods: I have been keeping you in my thoughts and wish you the speediest recovery. The growing frequency and power of extreme weather events makes it clear – Vermont needs to do more to proactively ready our communities to reduce the danger to Vermonters’ lives and property.