Current News

FreshTracks Capital Peak Pitch 2026, to be held at Sugarbush Resort on Tuesday March 10, is now open for registration. Presented by FreshTracks, Peak Pitch, which is Vermont’s longest-running start-up business pitch event, brings aspiring entrepreneurs and investors together for a unique version of the classic "elevator pitch." At this unique event, a shared chairlift ride gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business plans to venture capitalists, individual investors, commercial lenders and other entrepreneurial advisors during a day of skiing and snowboarding at Sugarbush. FreshTracks has invested in more than 50 local companies, helping to grow these businesses, creating new jobs, and supporting economic growth in the region. FreshTracks has found several of its investments at Peak Pitch over the years and looks forward to meeting more at this fun and popular pitch and networking event.

Vermont State Police An autopsy was completed Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The Vermont State Police is able to identify the person who died as Jeremy Kawalec, 25, of Corinth. The medical examiner determined the cause of Kawalec’s death was “gunshot wound to head,” and the manner of death is listed as pending. Further investigation by detectives into this incident has determined that the death is not suspicious. VSP has no additional information to share regarding this case.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Therran Leggett, 27, of Bridport, Vermont, was arraigned on one felony count of aggravated sexual assault with a child. The charge brought against Leggett is the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the Vermont State Police. Leggett pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Vermont Superior Court, Addison Criminal Division. The Court, Judge Alison Arms presiding, ordered a $10,000 unsecured appearance bond and conditions of release which restrict Leggett’s access to the victim, witnesses, and minors, and prohibit him from abusing or harassing the victim.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Paul Collette, 57, of Windsor, Vermont, was sentenced in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to three felony charges of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials. The Court, Judge Elizabeth D. Mann presiding, sentenced the defendant to three to five years in prison all suspended followed by 10 years of probation. Conditions of Mr. Collette’s probation include that he must complete individual sex offender treatment, must not have contact with children under the age of 16, and shall have restricted access to electronic devices.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Treasurer Pieciak announced that his office is investing $8 million from the 10% in VT program to support the development of the Rutland downtown hotel. The new funding is a major step toward financing the project—transforming the Center Street block, strengthening local tourism, and sparking a new chapter of the Marble City’s revitalization. The hotel will replace the long-vacant brownfield “pit” on the corner of Wales Street and Center Street with a seven-story, mixed-use building accommodating 100 guest rooms, 30 permanent jobs, and 26 new apartments—boosting downtown foot traffic and welcoming new customers for local businesses. The added lodging space will also soften demand for short-term rentals, expanding local housing options for workers and families. Rutland’s downtown has been without a hotel since the Berwick Hotel, which previously occupied the space, burned down in 1973. The project is expected to add millions in new revenue to the local tax base over time.

Vermont Business Magazine PC Construction recently announced the promotion of Mike Yesalonia to Vice President of Operations and Advisor to the CEO. This new role aligns with the company’s long-term strategic objectives and optimizes executive resources to effectively leverage growth opportunities. Leadership training, individual growth and development, and succession planning are some of the highest priorities of PC Construction and are a hallmark of one of the employee-owned company’s core values: People First.

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) today released the following statement: Jesse Jackson, a friend and ally of mine for almost 40 years, has passed away. Reverend Jackson was one of the great and transformative political leaders in modern American history. He has broken down more barriers than most people could dream of doing.  Jackson was a courageous civil rights leader who put his life on the line in the fight against segregation and racism — in the north as well as the south. His extraordinary campaigns for president opened the door for Black candidates across the country — from Barack Obama to senators and governors.

The Vermont State Police on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, arrested a man on a charge of second-degree murder arising from the Feb. 8 shooting of 45-year-old Howard Doyle in Hancock. The suspect, Tanner Leary, 23, of Hancock, turned himself in Tuesday morning at the VSP barracks in New Haven, where he was taken into custody and processed. He was ordered to be brought to the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Middlebury for an arraignment at the court’s earliest possible convenience Tuesday afternoon. The state police was able to identify the victim of the February 9 shooting as Howard Doyle, 45, of Rochester. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of death was a homicide. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations have edged back to about 5 cases statewide. Other indicators through wastewater analysis show COVID-19, Norovirus and especially RSV in Vermont and nationally are active. There was one measles case reported in Vermont last week and the rate nationally is low. Testing also discovered the measles virus in Washington County’s wastewater last week. COVID virus, RSV and Norovirus were also high at testing sites.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Mayor of Burlington, signed Executive Order 2026-1, establishing clear citywide protocols for preparedness, transparency, and constitutional policing should there be escalations in federal immigration enforcement activity. The Executive Order, titled “Affirming Our Commitment to Preparedness, Due Process, and Community Trust: City of Burlington Response to Federal Immigration Enforcement Activity,” outlines proactive measures the City will take to ensure community safety while maintaining compliance with state and federal laws.

Vermont Business Magazine The BeneFit Shop, a longstanding non-profit organization and thrift store in Barre, has given $10,000 to support the Health Care Scholarship Program at University of Vermont Health – Central Vermont Medical Center. The gift will fund four, $2,500 scholarships for local high school students and adult learners pursuing careers in health care. High school seniors and adult learners who live within the hospital’s primary service area and have been accepted to an accredited school to study for a health care profession are eligible to apply through the scholarship program. The program will award a total of six scholarships this year.

by Devon Green, Sr. Vice President of Policy & Strategy, VAHHS The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard supportive testimony from VAHHS on S.142, which provides a pathway to licensure for physicians and medical graduates who have practiced medicine for the last three out of five years. VAHHS highlighted that hospitals are seeing a specialist shortage in addition to a primary care shortage and that this bill could help.