Current News

Vermont Business Magazine A rare native wild cat—the Canada lynx—has been confirmed in Vermont for the first time since 2018 from video recorded on August 17 in Rutland County, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. “Canada lynx are endangered in Vermont and threatened nationally,” said Brehan Furfey, wildlife biologist and furbearer project leader with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. “That makes any verifiable lynx sighting in our state important.  This newest sighting is especially exciting because the cat was spotted in Rutland County, far south of most confirmed lynx reports in Vermont.” Vermont is on the southernmost edge of the Canada lynx’s range. Most confirmed sightings are from the Northeast Kingdom, which supports the best climate, habitat and food sources for lynx in the state.

Vermont Business Magazine Stowe Electric Department (SED) has renewed its participation as a host institution in the US Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship (CEIF) program. Fellows receive hands-on experience supporting projects that the host institutions identify as critical to advancing clean energy solutions that decarbonize the power system, electrify transportation and industry, and make the US power system more resilient, equitable, and inclusive. Fellows can spend up to two years participating in the program, which is funded in part by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

Vermont Business Magazine In the first round of funding for the Leahy Memphremagog Clean Water Program, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) has awarded a total of $886,323 to seven organizations engaged in aquatic habitat improvement work in the Memphremagog watershed.  The 12 proposals funded include both capacity building and project implementation. The new program is funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) and aims to improve Lake Memphremagog’s aquatic habitats and increase capacity among VHCB partner organizations engaged in work that protects the watershed. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says bear hunting season starts in September and reminds hunters about the bear hunting regulations. Vermont has two bear hunting seasons.  The early season, which requires a special bear tag, starts September 1, and continues through November 15 with one exception.  Nonresident hunters using dogs cannot start bear hunting until September 15.  The late bear season begins November 16 and continues through November 24.  A hunter may only take one bear during the year. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), the statewide, nonprofit business association with a mission to leverage the power of business for positive social and environmental impact, has announced the 2024 recipients for three awards honoring Vermont leaders in social equity, environmental responsibility, and sustainable economic development. The date and location for the 23rd Annual VBSR Awards Ceremony and Dinner have been set for Thursday, October 10, 5-8:30 p.m., at The Barn at Smugglers’ Notch, Jeffersonville. VBSR will honor: Donna Carpenter, Owner & Chair, Burton with the VBSR Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement; American Meadows with the VBSR Innovation and Inspiration Award – Large Organization; Vermont Professionals of Color Network with the VBSR Innovation and Inspiration Award – Small Organization; and Molly Lawrence, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, King Arthur Baking Company with the VBSR Young Changemaker Award.

Agency of Commerce and Community Development President Joseph Biden has approved Governor Phil Scott’s request for a FEMA major disaster declaration for Vermont to assist individuals and communities in recovering from flooding that occurred from July 9 to 11, 2024. Because of this, the U.S. Small Business Administration is making available two loan programs to businesses that suffered damage on July 9, 10, and 11.

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office announced that Ella Mae Woods, 76, a former Brattleboro resident who recently has been living in Iowa, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Rutland to twelve months and one day of imprisonment following her May 2024 guilty plea to a charge of wire fraud. Visiting U.S. District Judge Mae D’Agostino from the Northern District of New York ordered that Woods serve a one-year term of supervised release upon completion of her prison term and pay restitution in the amount of $328,000. Woods has been incarcerated since she was found to be in violation of the conditions of her pre-trial release in April. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Community College of Vermont has announced that the CCV-Middlebury center has moved to 3 Court Street. This move provides CCV with the opportunity to continue to collaborate with a close partner, the Vermont Community Foundation. For the Vermont Community Foundation, sharing available space with CCV aligns with their work to make a difference in Vermont. The Middlebury center will offer advising, financial aid counseling, and other services by appointment at the new location. Fall classes start September 3.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and Vermont’s congressional delegation today announced $2,155,468 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) federal funding awards through the Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP). These investments will support renovations to existing rental units in the City of Rutland, the redevelopment of underutilized and vacant housing in the City of Rutland and Town of Castleton, construction of water and wastewater infrastructure to support the development of eight Habitat for Humanity homes in Underhill, and making the Vergennes Opera House fully accessible.

Vermont State Police An officer with the St. Johnsbury Police Department is facing a felony charge of aggravated assault arising from his use of force when attempting to arrest a man May 10, 2024, in St. Johnsbury. According to evidence collected by the Vermont State Police, St. Johnsbury police Sgt. George Johnson lacked sufficient cause to stop 35-year-old John Stelzl at about 5:10 p.m. May 10 as he was walking near the Honking Bridge on Bay Street, and then subsequently employed excessive force during a physical altercation with Stelzl. Stelzl was taken to the hospital, treated for significant injuries, and later released

Vermont Agency of Transportation On 08/20/24 at approximately 1:05 p.m., Vermont State Police in St. Albans were made aware that a tractor trailer had crashed on VT 78 in Swanton between Mac’s Bend and the U.S. Wildlife Refuge. The motor carrier operating the tractor trailer was identified as SBPS Trans, Inc., from Indianapolis, IN. DMV Inspectors and VSP responded and discovered that the tractor trailer swerved to avoid a collision with another vehicle that crossed over the center line. The tractor trailer then lost control and subsequently went into the Missisquoi River.

Vermont Business Magazine Starting next week and for the next two weeks, kids from all over Vermont are heading back to school and young adults are starting college for the 2024-2025 school year. While this is an exciting time for students, parents and schools, it can also mean new lung health challenges. The American Lung Association is providing guidance to parents, young adults and school officials to ensure that everyone heads back to school with healthy lungs.