Current News

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.   

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Economic Development (DED) today announced the launch of the Rural Industry and Development Program (RIDP) to increase the amount of move-in ready industrial space, in an effort to shorten the timeline for the permitting and building of sites that businesses can confront when moving to, or relocating within, Vermont. In 2022, DED received a dozen inquiries from companies headquartered in Canada and Germany looking for move-in ready industrial sites. Those potential employers were from the aerospace, manufacturing, construction, and tech sectors. Collectively, they could have brought 284 jobs to Vermont, but they never came because they could not find suitable industrial capacity. RIDP provides $5,000,000 in grant funding to regional and local development corporations located in areas that can accommodate business growth.

Vermont Business Magazine It’s a life altering diagnosis that someone in Vermont and northern New York hears every day, “I’m sorry, you have cancer.” At a time when these patients are most vulnerable and looking for the best possible chance for survival, The University of Vermont Health Network is responding with an investment in advanced technology that is a major step forward in the delivery of lifesaving radiation treatments patients need, close to home. The Network is partnering with Varian – a company that specializes in imaging and cancer care technologies and services – on a multi-year strategy to replace and upgrade six state-of-the-art linear accelerators. These machines are an important weapon for people requiring radiation therapy, targeting their tumors with pinpoint accuracy while preventing harm to nearby healthy tissue. They are used to treat cancers in numerous areas of the body, including brain, spine, lung, breast, esophagus, stomach, rectum, uterus, prostate, bladder, liver and bones.

Vermont Business Magazine Mental health access and support continues to be a critical issue for mountain communities across North America. Today, the Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust announced that, Rob Katz, Vail Resorts executive chairperson, and his wife, Elana Amsterdam, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Elana's Pantry, have made significant contributions totaling more than $2.66 million to support mental and behavioral health programs in 12 mountain communities, including 10 where Vail Resorts operates. Today's 13 grants issued by Katz Amsterdam will further enable collaboration and innovation across 12 mountain communities in Colorado, Utah, California, Nevada, Wyoming, Vermont, Washington, and British Columbia.

Vermont Business Magazine This weekend, Vermont-born company Burton Snowboards is bringing its grassroots Mystery Series to the brand’s home state of Vermont for the first time. Now in its third season, the Burton Mystery Series is a global open-format snowboard event focused on bringing together riders of all levels under a shared love of snowboarding to showcase creativity, self-expression, and good times. Celebrating community and progression for all ages and abilities, each Mystery Series event features a banked slalom event, product giveaways, athlete demos and Après hangout. Joining in on the fun at Stowe will be Burton athletes and Olympians Kelly Clark and Danny Davis. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced Thursday that David Conrad, 42, of Bristol, Vermont, was sentenced on January 30, 2024, to a 5-year term of probation, following his guilty plea to conducting a wire fraud scheme between approximately January of 2022 and February 28, 2023. United States District Judge Christina Reiss also ordered Conrad to pay $58,430.52 in restitution to 43 victims, and to forfeit $58,430.52 of fraudulently obtained proceeds to the United States. According to court records, David Conrad operated a custom woodworking business under the names “Old Camp Woodworking” and “Vermont Custom Designs.” 

Vermont Business Magazine The 2023 Shires’ Holiday Inn Tours, organized by the Manchester Business Association & The Shires of Southwestern Vermont Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), concluded in December, leaving a festive trail of success and generosity. This three-decade-long tradition continued its legacy on Saturday, December 2, and Saturday, December 9, of 2023 as patrons embarked on self-guided tours exploring Vermont's charming inns and historic hotels. The Shires lodging properties featured historic hotels, cozy inns, delightful B&Bs, and lodges, all opening their doors from 11 am to 3 pm each Saturday. This beloved event not only allowed lodging partners to showcase their unique properties but also provided visitors with a festive holiday atmosphere, tasty local treats and beverages. However, the true highlight of the event was the impact on food insecurity, as every ticket sold contributed to local charitable causes.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) today celebrated the White House’s announcement that it has sent initial negotiation offers through Medicare for the first 10 prescription drugs, selected last August, that are subject to price negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Pharmaceutical companies have until early March to accept the offers or propose counteroffers. Information on the first 10 prescription drugs selected for price negotiations can be found here. They include drugs to treat common illnesses and serious conditions such as blood cancers, blood clots, chronic kidney disease, coronary disease, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, psoriasis, psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.