Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections today announced it retained Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC (DRM) to lead a review process for making public findings from investigations into critical incidents at the Department. The Department’s existing review process includes independent case analysis; interviews with incarcerated individuals, correctional staff, and Department leadership; video evidence; documents; and medical information from the Department’s health contractor. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office announced that Joshua M. Jones, 34, of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Britney Spaulding, 34, of Lynchburg, Virginia, both formerly of Morrisville, Vermont, were each sentenced yesterday in Vermont Superior Court, Lamoille Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to charges related to neglect of a vulnerable adult with death resulting. Mr. Jones was sentenced to four to six years all suspended but three years to serve in jail and ten years of probation. Ms. Spaulding was sentenced to a suspended jail sentence, 10 years of probation and 250 hours of community service.

Vermont Business Magazine The Wellspring Forum series culminated with Governor Phil Scott as the featured speaker. The event series, hosted by the Vermont Chamber, brings together top Vermont businesses and policy leaders for robust economic discussions. Each event takes place at a unique Vermont business. Scott addressed the Vermont Chamber Board of Directors and other Vermont business leaders via a moderated conversation with Vermont Chamber President, Betsy Bishop. In addition to ongoing workforce and housing concerns, the top issue raised by businesses was the anticipated impact of new and increased taxes and fees that are poised to fund multiple major legislative proposals.

Dartmouth College President Philip J. Hanlon ’77 today announced that The Call to Lead campaign, which will conclude on June 30, is the first higher education campaign worldwide with more than $3.7 billion in gifts and 60 percent undergraduate alumni participation. The Call to Lead has reaffirmed Dartmouth’s distinctive foundational strengths, particularly its commitment to the life-changing power of a liberal arts education, the breadth and capacity of the institution’s research enterprise, and its dedication to offering an academic experience that enables undergraduates to engage with faculty who are both leaders in their field and devoted teachers and mentors. 

Vermont Business Magazine Smoke from wildfires in Quebec and Northern Ontario is continuing to cause elevated levels of air pollution in many portions of New England. The primary concern is high concentrations of fine particle air pollution that is unhealthy, especially for sensitive groups such as people with respiratory disease, the elderly, or people with compromised health. Areas that are currently exceeding the Federal air quality standard for 24-hour particle pollution level concentrations are:  Connecticut, Western Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and portions of southern and central Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are rising and are $3.58 per gallon as of today, up 2 cents per gallon from last week, up 5 cents/g in a month, but down $1.42/g from a year ago.  The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1 cent per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.53g today. The national average is up 3 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.45 cents per gallon lower than a year ago

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Education, in partnership with the Agency of Agriculture, has recognized five supervisory unions that have achieved the highest percentage levels of local purchasing through The Local Foods Incentive Grant program established in 2021. In its first year, the grant program provided $489,838.20 to 23 SU/SDs during the 2021-2022 school year to help increase the amount of local food purchased. Eligible schools received a grant equal to $0.15 per meal to assist schools with purchasing and sourcing locally produced foods and agricultural products.

Vermont Business Magazine Discover mudpuppies with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Fish & Wildlife Department (FWD) at the upcoming Clean Water Conversations virtual event from 12–1 pm on June 8, 2023. Native populations of mudpuppies can be found in Lake Champlain and its tributaries. The Lamoille River has one of Vermont’s largest mudpuppy populations. FWD is working to establish a new sub-population of mudpuppies through relocation. Staff mark relocated mudpuppies and fit some with radio transmitters to track their survival and movement.

Vermont Business Magazine At a ceremony in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, June 6th, NRG Systems, Inc, the global leader in wind and solar resource measurement and intelligence, was honored with the President’s “E” Award for their outstanding contributions to exporting and promoting American-made products in international markets. NRG Systems is one of only 24 companies selected to receive this accolade and the third Vermont company recognized for this achievement since the award was established by executive order 62 years ago.

VermontBiz Vermont’s annual, statewide Summer Free Fishing Day is this Saturday, June 10, and it will be highlighted by a free family fishing festival in Grand Isle as well as opening day of the state’s regular bass fishing season.

“Vermont’s Free Fishing Day gives resident and nonresident anglers the opportunity to go fishing without a license for the day in Vermont lakes and streams,” said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Christopher Herrick.  “Free Fishing Day is a great opportunity for an experienced angler to be a mentor to friends who have not gone fishing before.  A day on the water could lead to a lifetime of great experiences and healthy local food.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Federal Nuclear Waste Policy (FNWP) Committee of the Vermont Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel (VT NDCAP) will hold meetings on June 12th and June 19, 2023.  Both meetings, which will be held on consecutive Mondays, will run from Noon to 1:15 PM.  As permitted by ACT 1 of the 2023 Vermont Legislature, these meetings will be conducted solely as webcasts with concurrent teleconferences. The June 12th and June 19th FWNP Committee meetings will both discuss potential recycling and reprocessing options for spent nuclear fuel. 

Vermont Business Magazine As the opening of HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase approaches, WheelPad L3C is celebrating the design, manufacture, and shipment of its latest accessible modular home, which will be exhibited at the event. WheelPad’s SuitePAD model home is en route to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with expected arrival Tuesday.