Current News

In a case of national importance, Vermont Superior Court Judge Dennis Pearson found that R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company s advertising claims of a reduced risk cigarette were deceptive and misleading, in violation of Vermont s Consumer Fraud Act and a 1998 settlement agreement and court order.
This is a huge decision with national implications and Vermont has once again led the way, said Attorney General William H. Sorrell. The Court has ruled that companies cannot make health claims about their products unless they have the proof to back them up, said Attorney General Sorrell. This decision also shows that the tobacco industry has to live up to the promises they made in the 1998 nationwide settlement.

According to the National Association of Realtors, Northeast home sales were up 13 percent in February over the same time last year, the biggest gain in any of the four U.S. regions. Nationwide, homes sales were up eight percent, without seasonal adjustment.
The median sales price for an existing home went up nearly eight percent, to $254,700. The Northeast was the only region to show a price increase over last year. The national median sales price went down about two percent to $165,100.
A report released by Associated Press- Re/Max Monthly Housing Report showed mixed results for home sales in the nine major Northeast cities. The report looked at sales metropolitan areas done by all real estate agents, not just those affiliated with Re/Max. Most realtors did more business dealing with lower priced properties. This was due in part to the extension to April 30 of the first-time homebuyers tax credit.
(Source: Associated Press)

Mount Snow Ltd., the owner and operator of Mount Snow Resort in West Dover, Vermont, has agreed to pay ninety-five thousand dollars ($95,000) in civil penalties to the State of Vermont to settle claims brought by the Vermont Attorney General's Office that it violated a number of Vermont s Hazardous Waste Management Rules at its facilities. Improper handling and mismanagement of hazardous materials are serious matters, said Attorney General William H. Sorrell. Vermont businesses that generate and handle hazardous materials are responsible for following the State s hazardous waste management regulations and will have to answer for the failure to do so, Attorney General Sorrell added.

On March 9, Attorney General William H. Sorrell together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 34 states announced a settlement with LifeLock, Inc., a Tempe, Arizona-based identity theft service provider, that resolves an investigation into the company s misleading advertisements. Eligible Vermont consumers will receive refunds and the state will receive $15,000 to cover the costs of investigation.
LifeLock led consumers to believe the impossible that it could fully protect against identity theft, said Attorney General Sorrell. Now, many consumers will get their money back and everyone will have a better sense of what LifeLock actually provides. The FTC and states will jointly send letters to eligible consumers, notifying them of the agreement and how they can benefit from the settlement. Although the FTC and state attorneys general share authority over unfair and deceptive advertising, a joint enforcement action of this magnitude is unprecedented.

Nine people are out of work as a result of the closure of Hutchins & Perreault, a small Barre granite company which has been in operation in Barre for 40 years.
Rick Hutchins cited a number of circumstances in his decision to close the business, including a decline in the market for cemetary memorials due to the increased popularity of cremation as well as competition from more inexpensive stone that is being imported.

To continue to stay ahead of rising demand for 3G wireless applications and Internet access in Chittenden County, Verizon Wireless has enhanced its local network. Since 2000, the company has invested $2.6 billion into its New England network, including $192 million in 2009, and recently earned recognition from JD Power and Associates for "Highest Call Quality Performance among Wireless Cell Phone Users in the Northeast" *.
Consumer Advantages
-- Recent upgrades to existing 3G cell sites provide increased 3G data capacity in: -- Burlington
-- Charlotte
-- Milton
-- South Burlington
-- Underhill
-- Winooski
-- Enhanced 3G data capacity in Chittenden County lets more customers using notebook computers or smartphones: -- Download and use cool apps, from mobile social networking platforms to GPS-enabled maps
-- Rapidly browse the web to keep up with news, sports, stock quotes, Hollywood gossip and more

GW Plastics, Inc, has been selected as Plastics News’ Processor of the Year. The prestigious award honoring excellence in well-rounded plastic processing companies was announced March 9th at the Plastics News Executive Forum in Tampa, FL.

Vermont Yankee engineers and technicians are continuing to plan for soil and groundwater remediation. The new well to be used for extracting groundwater is being installed today beside the Advanced Off Gas Building. Also today, equipment is arriving to support the pumping operation that will be the first stage of groundwater remediation.
The work to isolate the remaining internal leak from the ‘A’ AOG recombiner steam trap drainline into the AOG tunnel continues. (The leakage is being collected and processed; it is not reaching the environment.) To prepare to isolate the ‘A’ drainline, operators brought the rerouted ‘B’ drainline into full operation today. The next step will be to close valves to isolate the ‘A’ drainline. Technicians will then use the remotely operated camera to confirm the internal leak from the ‘A’ drainline to the tunnel has stopped. With that confirmation, the ‘A’ drainline will be rerouted and be put into standby status.

Participating Scoop Shops across the country will open their doors from noon 8 pm on Tuesday, March 23rd to serve up the latest of the company s newest super-premium quality and values-led flavors. It s an annual tradition started by Ben & Jerry as a way to give back to the communities that support their local scoop shops.
The 2010 scoop shop line-up includes some great new flavors including more made with Fair Trade Certified ¢ ingredients.

The Lake Champlain Transportation Company (LCT) today resumed ferry service at the Essex-Charlotte crossing. The ferry will operate Monday through Friday until April 5, at which point service will be expanded to seven days per week. The ferry begins service from Vermont at 7 a.m. and from New York at 7:30 am each day. As has been the standard practice, the LCT charges for use of their privately-owned ferry. Their current rates start at $9.50 per vehicle for a one-way trip.For more detailed schedule and rate information, visit the Lake Champlain Transportation Company web site at http://www.ferries.com/temporary_schedule.asp . Year-round temporary ferry service will continue to operate 24 hours a day, free of charge to travelers between Crown Point, NY, and Chimney Point, VT during the time it takes for a new Lake Champlain Bridge to be built and to open.

Katy Lesser, Owner of Healthy Living Market, South Burlington, has been named the US Small Business Administration s (SBA) 2010 Vermont Small Business Person of the Year. Nominated by David Blow, Jr, Vice President, Granite State Development Corp., Burlington, Lesser was selected for outstanding leadership related to her company s staying power, employee growth, increase in sales, innovative ingenuity and contributions to the community.
Lesser s business is a full-service, natural and organic food store abounding with grocery, wine, cheese, local meats, organic produce, a café, a bulk section, and natural health and beauty products. From humble beginnings in a 1,200 sq. ft. space with only one employee and average earnings of $300 a day , Lesser grew Healthy Living Market over a period of 23 years into a spacious, 33,000 sq. ft. market, a staff of 130 employees, and average daily sales of $50,000. Lesser s sales for 2009 were more than $17 million.

John Mandeville of East Hardwick has been appointed Executive Director for the Lamoille Economic Development Corporation based in Morrisville. He replaces Art Sanborn who is retiring effective April 1, 2010.