Current News

The Vermont State Police has arrested a suspect following a shooting Thursday afternoon in Montgomery that left a man with serious injuries. Robert Morrell, 77, a resident of Highland Springs Road, was taken into custody on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was ordered by the court to be released on a citation to appear for arraignment at 1 p.m. Friday, May 5, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in St. Albans. The victim is identified as Kevin Temple, 54, who also lives on Highland Springs Road. Investigators have determined the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute about the maintenance of the private road where both men lived. During an argument Thursday afternoon, Morrell produced a .22-caliber revolver and shot the victim one time in the torso. Morrell remained at the scene and was taken into custody by police following investigation of the incident.

Vermont Business Magazine The M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank, today announced Amplify Fund grant recipients in Vermont, totaling $350,000 committed to four non-profit organizations focused on environmental justice. First announced in May 2022, the Amplify Fund is a $25 million philanthropic investment as part of the merger between People’s United Bank and M&T Bank. Powered by the M&T Charitable Foundation, the Amplify Fund is a one-time supplemental charitable program to provide further support in the legacy People's United communities throughout New England and New York, to benefit low- and moderate-income communities and underrepresented populations using a racial equity and justice lens.

Vermont Business Magazine Sugarbush Resort will reopen for skiing and riding this Friday, May 5th, Saturday, May 6th, and Sunday, May 7th. Available terrain is projected to include Stein’s Run and Coffee Run, with additional terrain assessed later this week. Conditions permitting, The Valley House Quad will run 10 AM – 5 PM on Friday and 9 AM – 5 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Sugarbush is welcoming all passholders to enjoy the weekend, with all Sugarbush passes, including midweek passes and midweek Quad Packs, valid for the weekend.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced he had vetoed, as expected, S.5, the Affordable Heat Act bill. In a letter to the Legislature, he reiterated his ongoing concerns with the cost of the law to lower-income and rural Vermonters and his view that the language of the bill is complex and confusing. Meanwhile, he did sign into law two bills related to charter changes in Springfield and Barre. "As Governor, I believe we must make Vermont more affordable by helping Vermonters keep more of what they earn, while we simultaneously make transformative, strategic investments in important areas like community revitalization, climate action, housing, childcare, clean water, and broadband. I also believe government transparency is essential to maintaining faith and trust in our democracy. When we pass laws, we must clearly communicate both the burdens and the benefits to Vermonters. From my perspective, S.5 conflicts with these principles, and I cannot support it."

Vermont Business Magazine M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB) has announced the appointment of Heidi Stumpff as the new Regional President for Vermont. With 24 years in the banking industry, including the last decade at People’s United Bank, Stumpff brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the M&T Team. In this role, Stumpff will oversee all aspects of the bank’s operations in Vermont, including strategic planning, business development, commercial banking, community markets, and community engagement. Prior to assuming this role, Stumpff was Senior Vice President and Region Manager of Commercial Real Estate at M&T and People’s United Bank. She’s also served as Vice President of Commercial Lending at TD Bank and Wells Fargo.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas and Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark joined forces today to highlight their offices’ respective consumer protection work regarding residential contractors and unveiled a new consumer tool to help Vermonters protect themselves: an interactive map on the SOS’s webpage that will help consumers determine if a home contractor is registered and in good standing with the state. The General Assembly took action during their 2022 legislative session requiring the registration of residential contractors working in Vermont. This requirement applies to any residential contractor who performs construction where the estimated value is $10,000 or more, inclusive of labor and materials. Registered home contractors will also be required to maintain insurance and execute a written contract. The registration program is overseen by the Secretary’s Office of Professional Regulation.

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on Thursday introduced legislation to cut the price of prescription drugs under Medicare in half by requiring Medicare to pay no more for prescription drugs than the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If this legislation were signed into law, Medicare would save an estimated $835 billion over the next decade. According to the CBO, on average, a 30-day prescription of a top-selling brand-name drug costs $190 under the VA but $343 under Medicare.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont today are $3.54 per gallon. This is one cent lower than last week, 16 cents/g higher than a month ago, and 74 cents/g lower than a year ago. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.54/g today. The national average is up 4 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 70 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 5.3 cents in the last week and stands at $4.07 per gallon.

Vermont Business Magazine Earlier today, Speaker of the House, Representative Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington) addressed reporters and the public in the Lincoln Hall of the State House today. She said that she will begin the process to investigate Sheriff John Grismore and States’ Attorney John Lavoie as a first step that could lead to impeachment. Grismore was sworn in in February despite a simple assault charge and allegations of financial irregularities. Lavoie is being investigate for allegations of mistreatment of employees. Both have declined to resign.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) today announced awards of over $1 million in Downtown Transportation Fund grants to support seven projects in Designated Downtowns and eligible Designated Village Centers. Since 1999, DHCD has supported investment in public infrastructure through the Downtown Transportation Fund. The program has helped update streetscaping, parking, rail, and bus facilities, bicycle and pedestrian safety, park enhancements, utilities, street lighting, and wayfinding signage. The Downtown Transportation Fund is a financing tool that helps municipalities pay for transportation-related capital improvements within or serving a designated downtown or village center. Since its inception in 1999, the program has invested over $14 million to support 158 projects in 35 different communities leveraging over $57 million in additional funding.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group released its 2022 Annual Report, which highlights new sales records set in its 175^th year despite market volatility, as well as the return of Do Good Fest in Vermont after a two-year pandemic hiatus and the inaugural Do Good Fest held in Texas, raising $146,000 for local nonprofits. National Life reported $2,962 million in annual revenues in 2022. National Life is the state's largest Vermont-based business. National Life was the only insurance company included in Inc. Magazine’s prestigious list of the “Best in Business,” reserved for companies who performed well while doing good.