News

Governor Jim Douglas and Secretary of Administration Neale Lunderville today announced the appointment of Chief Recovery Officer Tom Evslin to the new position of Chief Technology Officer with specific initial responsibility for preparing telecom initiatives for the upcoming legislative session.

Vermont’s minimum wage will remain $8.06 per hour during 2010, the Department of Labor announced today. Vermont’s minimum wage increases at the same rate as the August Consumer Price Index (CPI) each year or five percent, whichever is smaller. The August CPI fell by -1.5% for the period September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009.

Larry Sudbay, President and Chief Executive Officer of SymQuest Group, Inc. announced today that Rutland County Parent Child Center, Inc. (RCPCC) was chosen as the winning applicant for the Third SymPowered Office Makeover from SymQuest — worth $25,000.

The Champlain Bridge connecting Route 17 in Addison with New York state was closed Friday until further notice. The sudden closure was the result of inspectors finding a pier deteriorating at the water line.

Arrow Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: AROW) announced operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009. Net income for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 was $5.1 million, representing diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $.46, unchanged from the diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of 2008, when net income was $5.0 million.

The parent company of Chittenden Bank, People's United Financial, Inc (NASDAQ: PBCT), has announced net income of $26.8 million, or $0.08 per share, for the third quarter of 2009, compared to $25.3 million, or $0.08 per share, for the second quarter of 2009, and $46.0 million, or $0.14 per share, for the third quarter of 2008.

Central Vermont Medical Center is revising their visitor policy starting Monday, October 19. These restrictions will remain in place throughout the H1N1 flu season. Guidelines will be revised as necessary to comply with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

Vermont tax revenues exceeded their adjusted targets in September in the three major categories and in nearly all sub-categories. The most promising of which was the personal income tax, which was down in August. The fiscal year-to-date numbers also exceeded targets, but more modestly. The General Fund was up 5.09 percent in September and 2.37 percent YTD ($263 million).

Mount Snow offered its earliest lift service opening in history last Saturday when the Discovery Shuttle lift loaded its first passenger at 9:30a.m. The early opening also made Mount Snow the first and only resort open in Vermont. The Launch Pad trail was filled with a dozen terrain park features and over 700 skiers and riders in attendance throughout the weekend.

89 North, an employee owned company located in Burlington, Vermont has introduced an incentive program aimed at reducing the amount of mercury waste generated in scientific laboratories across the country. Mercury arc lamps are a common tool used in many labs, specifically those performing fluorescence microscopy.

GE Healthcare announced today an agreement with Rutland Regional Medical Center to develop a Community Hospital Showcase and highlight the facility as a national host site for visiting community hospitals.

MONTPELIER, Vt., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- More Vermont physicians will be using electronic prescribing and other health information technology to improve patient care, under a $1 million federal grant secured by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy. The funds announced by Leahy and Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Inc.