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Vermont State University Leadership training is critical for organizational success. Individual contributors need help stepping into supervisory roles and learning how to motivate other adults. Our leadership training experiences provide the right setting for participants to learn more about themselves as they improve their leadership capabilities and skillset. This is the new world of work - and this is the time to empower new, emerging, and experienced leaders to learn to lead and motivate in different ways.

Vermont Business Magazine Students at Cold Hollow Career Center recently tested their financial savvy at a Financial Reality Fair presented by NorthCountry Federal Credit Union. Each participant was assigned a career and income upon which to base their choices for housing, transportation, groceries, childcare, and additional expenses such as entertainment and technology.

Vermont Business Magazine Berkshire Bank, with branches in southern Vermont, has announced nearly $2.5 million in philanthropic investments were provided from its foundation in 2023 to support more than 500 nonprofit organizations system wide. This includes supporting Bennington County Meals Program, Bennington Museum, Inc, Rutland Community Cupboard, and the Vermont Community Foundation.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations remained relatively low last week after a long period of edging higher from last summer through early January. Cases and hospitalizations increased slightly the week. However, fatalities have not seen a related spike nor decline. Deaths reported by the Vermont Department of Health continue to average about 6 a week, for a pandemic total now of 1,112 as of January 20, 2024 (the most recent data available). Total deaths in January are 23 so far and are nearing a monthly level not seen in a full year. The VDH reported January 31, 2024, that COVID-19 hospitalizations were up 7 last week to a statewide total of 46. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Reported cases last week were 307, up 32 for the week. 

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger announced the completion of a six-month public engagement and design process for the Moran FRAME that resulted in a striking new concept for the future of the now revived northern waterfront. Implementing this bold, long-term community vision would require new partnerships, philanthropic and grant support, and other financing. To support these efforts, the Administration will add amenities and infrastructure on site using already committed ARPA funds and continue the City’s partnership with Friends of the FRAME, a local non-profit organization that has supported community programming on-site throughout 2023. The mayor, CEDO, and design team will present a physical model and other design materials of the new Phase 2 concept to the public at a special event at Burlington City Arts, in the Lorraine B. Good Room on Thursday, February 8 between 3 pm and 6 pm. 

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) today released the following statement announcing his plan to introduce an amendment to the foreign aid supplemental package that would remove $10.1 billion in offensive weaponry funding for Netanyahu’s right-wing government. The amendment preserves funding for defensive systems that will protect Israeli civilians against incoming missile and rocket attacks. 

by Brooke Burns, Community News Service Caribou, elk, catamounts once all roamed Vermont before going extinct over the last 200 years. And experts predict many more creatures to follow suit: Vermont is set to lose 6% of its species, or 368, by 2100, says the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. A new House bill aims to stem the tide by firming up species tracking and further restricting the sale or removal of species from their habitats in Vermont. H.812 was introduced by Rep. Larry Satcowitz, D-Randolph, in a House Committee on Environment and Energy meeting Jan. 16. He feels current rules and regulations for the protection of endangered species in Vermont are not enough. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Michael Holden, 35, of Manchester, Vermont, was arraigned today on six felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material – Second Offense. The charges brought against the defendant are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bennington Probation & Parole Office and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), including personnel from the Attorney General’s Office. Holden was previously convicted of Possession of Child Pornography in 2018 and ordered to probation. Holden pleaded not guilty at the arraignment today in Vermont Superior Court, Caledonia Unit Criminal Division. The Court, Judge Benjamin Battles presiding, ordered conditions of release that restrict Holden’s access to minors and the internet. 

Vermont Business Magazine Following its most recent winter meeting, Norwich University officials announced two new additions to the Board of Trustees. Following these appointments, the Board will comprise of 33 trustees, 25 of whom are Norwich University graduates. Alfred J. Gobeille ’86, P’18, known as Al, graduated from Norwich University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Al will serve a five-year term and be a member of the Budget and Finance, Facilities and Human Resources committees. Vincent T. McDermott ’90, known as Vin, graduated from Norwich University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Accounting. He also obtained a Master of Accounting (MSA) and a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), both from Suffolk University, Boston, MA. Vin will serve a five-year term and be a member of the Budget and Finance, Student Affairs and Audit committees.

Vermont State Police On February 1, 2024, at approximately 6:27 PM the Underhill/Jericho Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on VT Route 15.  When fire crews arrived, they discovered fire coming from an enclosed porch at the rear of the structure.  Fire fighters were able to contain and suppress the fire to the downstairs apartment.  The upstairs apartment sustained minor smoke and water damage. The basement apartment was heavily damaged by fire and smoke.  The second-floor apartment was impacted by smoke and water.  One firefighter sustained a burn injury during suppression efforts.  No one was injured during the fire or its suppression.  Damage to the property and contents is estimated to be in excess of $75,000.00.  

Vermont State Police On February 2, 2024, at approximately 6:18 AM the Middlesex Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on Sunny Brook Road.  When fire crews arrived, they discovered heavy fire at the rear of the structure that was rapidly spreading toward the front. As part of the fire chief’s assessment of the scene he contacted the Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit and requested assistance in determining the origin and cause of the fire event. Members of the Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit responded to the fire scene and conducted a scene examination.  Due to the amount of destruction caused by the fire, investigators were not able to determine the cause of the fire. 

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) in introducing the Preventing Algorithmic Collusion Act to prevent companies from using algorithms to set higher prices for consumers.