News

More than 100 Gifford Medical Center employees raised $505 for the March of Dimes by wearing “Blue Jeans for Babies” to work on Friday, March 20, 2015. Each March the Randolph medical center and its outlying health clinics participate in the fund-raiser, which allows employees who donate $5 to the March of Dimes to wear jeans to work for the day.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc (NYSE: BHLB) has completed the acquisition of Hampden Bancorp, Inc, and the merger of Hampden Bank in Springfield, MA, into Berkshire Bank, effective today. Shareholders of Hampden Bancorp as of the close of business on April 17, 2015 will receive 0.81 shares of Berkshire common stock for each share of Hampden stock.

Burlington-based 1% for the Planet, one of the world’s largest environmental networks, is excited to announce that Kate Williams, the network’s Director of Partnerships, will step into the role of CEO, effective May 1, 2015.

Champlain College today announced that it has formed an alliance with the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to bring its online programs to the Federal government's more than two million employees.

Norwich University’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies has launched its third online degree completion program, the Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security. The program is set to begin its first trimester in the fall.

The Vermont Attorney General’s Office has formally adopted the regulations implementing Act 120, the law requiring the labeling of food produced with genetic engineering (aka, genetically modified or GMO). The new rule is Consumer Protection Rule CP 121.

For the second year in a row, Efficiency Vermont is launching a grant program for non-profit organizations to help low-income Vermonters reduce their energy bills. The grant program was first launched in January 2014 with participation from the Committee on Temporary Shelter, Energy Coop of Vermont, Onion River Exchange, and Capstone Community Action.

Protesting a trade deal that he said would throw Americans out of work, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) today planned to march with leaders of the AFL-CIO and other labor organizations to a rally outside the US trade representative’s office.

Patients choosing prostate cancer treatment at the Southern Vermont Regional Cancer Center (SVRCC) have some additional options. Patients began enrolling on two new clinical trials for radiological treatment of prostate cancer last month.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association for helping employees eat better and move more. The Fit-Friendly Worksites program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping worksites make their employees’ health and well-being a priority.

Norwich University has received a grant for $55,675 from the National Science Foundation, with support from the National Security Agency, to lead a weeklong summer camp on cybersecurity for rising high school juniors and seniors.

Spring weather is here and there will be an increase in recreational hikers using hiking access points throughout Vermont. Last year there were numerous car breaks at various hiking access locations in Vermont. This is in part due to the ongoing heroin and opiate challenges the state currently faces.