Current News

Vermont State Police The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles was requested by Vermont State Police in Westminster to conduct a crash investigation for that involved a school bus. The crash occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m., VSP arrived at approximately 8:45 a.m., and DMV Inspectors arrived at approximately 10 am. The bus was traveling with seven school students when the driver lost control and went off the road. All students and the driver were able to get off the bus and onto another bus that was in the area and prior to police arrival. No injuries were reported. A post-crash inspection was conducted of the school bus, and no pre-crash defects were found. DMV was assisted by Reeds Towing and the Town of Athens.

Vermont Business Magazine Wednesday evening, US Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) took to the Senate Floor to call for an end to the United States’ support for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s war strategy that has not only caused massive death and destruction but has failed to achieve Netanyahu’s objectives of eliminating Hamas and releasing the remaining hostages. In his remarks, he commended President Biden’s support for the current ceasefire proposal, and discussed the urgent need for this war to come to an end.  

Vermont Business Magazine Director Heather Simons announced that she will be leaving the Vermont Police Academy effective June 7, 2024.  Named as the Executive Director on April 12, 2021, Simons worked collaboratively with the Vermont Criminal Justice Council to strengthen and expand law enforcement training in Vermont. Deputy Director Christopher Brickell will assume the duties of Executive Director. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott signed nine bills into law Thursday, as passed by the General Assembly, including: H.622, An act relating to emergency medical servicesH.870, An act relating to professions and occupations regulated by the Office of Professional RegulationH.876, An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to the corrections laws.

Vermont Business Magazine Fidium Fiber is expanding service of its all-fiber internet network to more than 1,600 homes and businesses in Cambridge and Jeffersonville, as well as locations in Belvidere and Waterville, Vt. Construction is scheduled to begin as soon as June 7. Through fiber expansion in these and other local communities, thousands of residents and business owners will have access to Fidium’s multi-gig speed fiber internet service. Fidium expansion in these communities comes through its partnership with Lamoille FiberNet Communications Union District. In addition to Cambridge, Jeffersonville, Belvidere and Waterville, construction is also underway in Eden, Johnson and Stowe, and fiber expansion will begin soon in other CUD communities, including Elmore, Hyde Park, Morristown, and Wolcott.

Vermont Business Magazine UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice’s annual Jiggety Jog 5K fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 8 at Malletts Bay School in Colchester. Registration will begin at 8am and the run/walk will begin at 9am. All are invited and encouraged to participate in the 5k run/3k walk, and enjoy lawn games, music and more. This annual fundraising event is the single largest fundraiser for the McClure Miller Respite House, Vermont’s only Medicare-certified hospice home. Every dollar raised goes directly toward providing room, board, personal care, and special services for residents, regardless of their ability to pay.

Vermont Business Magazine A new report, Neighborly Networks: Vermont’s Approach to Community Broadband, from Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Benton Institute for Broadband & Society gives a detailed and glowing review of Vermont’s Communications Union District (CUD) model of meeting the challenges of rural broadband. The report states “Vermonters have taken the reigns on their broadband journey, and they are already delivering results for Vermont’s unserved and underserved residents. Their progress, even before BEAD funding begins to flow, demonstrates the viability of their approach to fixing a broken broadband marketplace. CUDs will continue to play a central role in making Vermont one of the best-connected states in the next half decade.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Galvion, Ltd has agreed to pay $2,495,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act through the knowing sale of non-conforming parts to the United States Department of Defense. Galvion is headquartered in Montreal, Canada with three production facilities located in the United States, including one in Newport, Vermont. Galvion manufactures protective head systems for use by law enforcement and military personnel, including the United States military. Among the company’s products is the modular suspension system (MSS), a helmet insert. 

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine A federal judge in Burlington has dismissed a claim by a New York skier that he had accepted a multi-million dollar out-of-court settlement minutes before a jury in February rejected all the legal claims he made about an accident that left him paralyzed at Okemo Mountain. The injured skier, Richard Grajeda of Westbury, N.Y., was unhappy with the ruling from the bench by U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss in Burlington after she heard legal arguments last week. "They accepted it," Grajeda yelled at the judge as he stepped back from his walker and slumped into his wheelchair. "You can't do that," Reiss said as she adjourned court after about a 75-minute hearing. As Reiss left the courtroom, Grajeda continued, "I don't understand."  The Long Island man held his head in his hands.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that William Smith, 57, of Sheldon, Vermont, was sentenced today in Vermont Superior Court, Franklin Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of Luring a Child. The Court, Judge Alison Arms presiding, sentenced Mr. Smith by plea agreement to one year in prison and a 15-year term of probation with conditions that he complete sex offender programming, have no contact with minors, and that restrict his access to the internet. If Mr. Smith violates the terms of his probation, he faces up to 5 years in jail. Mr. Smith is also required to register as a sex offender for 10 years after he is discharged from probation. 

Vermont Business Magazine On June 6, Governor Scott returned without signature and vetoed H.887, An act relating to homestead property tax yields, nonhomestead rates, and policy changes to education finance and taxation, and sent the following letter to the General Assembly: "Vermonters cannot afford a double-digit property tax increase. Especially while facing a historic eight-percent property tax increase last year, a 20% increase in DMV fees, a new payroll tax taking effect July 1, increased fuel costs to heat homes and businesses from the Clean Heat Standard, and increased electric costs if my veto of the Renewable Energy Standard is not sustained. All on top of several years of inflation – the most regressive tax of all – driving up the cost of household essentials like food, clothing and services faster than paychecks are growing."

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has announced Amy Spear as the incoming President of the organization. Spear was selected from a robust pool of applicants following a six-month search committee process that leveraged the expertise of Burlington-based Hawley Consulting Services. The committee’s recommendation was ratified by the full board at a June 6 meeting. Spear has been part of the Vermont Chamber leadership team since 2019, serving as the Vice President of Tourism. She was named to the Vermont Rising Stars Class of 2023.