Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine COVID-19 cases were up and hospitalizations were down last week, but overall, they have remained steady since late summer. There were 6 fatalities reported by the Vermont Department of Health last week, for a pandemic total of 1,061, as of November 18 (the most recent data available). Fatalities have been running at about five per week during the fall, mostly among the very elderly. The Vermont Department of Health reported November 12, 2023, that COVID-19 hospitalizations fell by 7 to a statewide total of 36 last week. COVID-19 activity remains in the "Low" range, according to the VDH. Reported cases last week were 258, up 25 for the week. Cases were over 300 in late September. 

Vermont Business Magazine State Treasurer Mike Pieciak joined Governor Scott today to announce a $15 million program to support flood-impacted municipalities. Through the 10% in Vermont local investment program, the Treasurer’s Office has awarded $15 million to the Vermont Bond Bank to create the Municipal Climate Recovery Fund (MCRF). The high costs associated with recovery from the summer floods has forced many communities to borrow the funds needed. Vermont’s banking sector has stepped up to help, but interest rates at 20-year highs are stressing budgets as towns await FEMA assistance or other funding solutions. Through the 10% in Vermont award, the Vermont Bond Bank will be able to offer financing allowing municipalities to refinance or reimburse flood expenses at an estimated interest rate of 1.3% for seven years. The program will save taxpayers in flood-impacted communities up to an estimated $3.5 million.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) staff and leaders gathered this month to honor employees who embody the organization’s values and mission. Each year SVMC, a member of Dartmouth Health, presents one award for each of the organization’s five core values: quality, empathy, stewardship, teamwork and safety. 

Vermont Business Magazine Six Vermont communities and organizations are receiving funds up to $4,000 each in grant funds from AARP Vermont to initiate or enhance winter placemaking demonstration projects. The projects focus on creating or reinventing public spaces to improve safety, accessibility, and overall appeal on a temporary or permanent basis. Proposals from Vermont River Conservancy, the Town of Windham, Canaan Naturally Connected, Inc., Barre Senior Center, Cathedral Square Corporation, and Roxbury Community Crafters were selected from dozens of applications for the initiative. This is the seventh year of AARP Vermont’s Placemaking Grant Program, which aims to spearhead demonstration project efforts that will help build momentum for long-term livability improvements with an emphasis on the needs of adults aged 50 and older.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections today announced the death of an incarcerated individual at the maximum-security Kentucky State Penitentiary (KSP) in Eddyville, Kentucky. Gary Schaefer, 72, of Springfield, Vermont, was lodged at the KSP in May of 1985 to serve his sentence under the terms of the U.S. Interstate Corrections Compact (ICC). Vermont DOC houses a small number of incarcerated individuals in other jurisdictions through the ICC in rare instances requiring higher levels of security or protection. 

Vermont Business Magazine The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced on Monday that United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest sent a letter to all skilled nursing facilities in Vermont warning that refusing to provide care for persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will enforce these federal civil rights protections.

Vermont Business Magazine Charlotte, Vermont-based Junapr has been recognized among the best and most innovative PR firms in the US, securing a spot on the prestigious PR News 2024 Agency Elite Top 100 list. This marks the third consecutive year that Junapr has been honored on this elite list. PRNEWS, the communication industry’s go-to source for business intelligence, recognition and peer-to-peer networking, has unveiled its 2024 Agency Elite Top 100. Each year, an exclusive group of agencies are selected to represent the best and brightest firms in PR and Communications.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Public Safety is mourning the loss of Forensic Laboratory employee Josephine “JoBeth” Buckley, who was killed in a car crash last week in Bolton. Buckley, known as “JB” to friends and co-workers, was employed as a forensic chemist specializing in DNA and serology at the Waterbury lab, which provides services to the entirety of Vermont’s criminal justice system. Buckley, 34, of Essex died Wednesday morning, November 22, after her car went off the road in Bolton as she drove to work and was struck by another vehicle.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police is warning the public about scam phone calls in which the caller is purporting to be a member of the Vermont State Police. Reports to the state police indicate the imposter tells the recipient of the call that his or her identity has been compromised. The number that appears on Caller ID is the main line for the state police’s Westminster Barracks, although the calls are not originating from this location. These calls are not from the Vermont State Police. If anyone receives such a call, they should hang up or not call back at the number provided, and instead telephone their local VSP barracks to confirm the authenticity of the message. 

Vermont Business Magazine Some Vermont Electric Co-op members may be without power into tomorrow as crews continue to assess and repair damage after a big slug of heavy, wet snow blanketed the region last night. “These outages are widespread and because field conditions are tough, restoration for some areas is taking time,” said Jake Brown, VEC Energy Services Planner. VEC members who still do not have power this evening and do not have an Estimated Time of Restoration assigned to their service should expect to not have power overnight and should plan accordingly.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger hosted a press conference to address the investigation into the shooting of three Palestinian students Saturday night in Burlington and to announce the subsequent arrest and arraignment of the suspected shooter Jason Eaton. Present for the press conference were Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad, two uncles of the victims Rich Price and Radi Tamimi, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George, United States Attorney for the District of Vermont Nikolas Kerest, and representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The alleged shooter, Jason J. Eaton has now been arraigned and charged with triple attempted murder, charges that carry the potential for life sentences. 

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.43 per gallon, down 2.8 cents per gallon from last week's $3.46/g, according to GasBuddy. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $3.12/g while the highest was $3.59/g, a difference of 47.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 5.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.21/g today.