Vermont

June 17, 2008 -- BURLINGTON - Each year in Vermont, mosquitoes are mapped, monitored, targeted and trapped and – when spotted – swatted, smacked and squished.

The Vermont Department of Health’s main interest in the pests is whether or not the mosquitoes are infected with West Nile virus, an infection that may cause illness.

Mosquito: Photo by OliBac (CC)

Most mosquitoes are not infected with West Nile virus, which is transmitted from infected birds to certain types of mosquitoes that routinely feed on robins, jays, crows, ravens and raptors.    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- BURLINGTON - Vermont State officials are advising residents in southern Vermont, including the City of Rutland, affected by flash flooding over the weekend to take special precautions to prevent illness and injury.

More rain is forecast this week and additional flooding may result where the ground is saturated with water. Stay tuned to local media for updates and safety instructions.

• Always leave flooded areas and never walk or drive through floodwaters. If you need to evacuate your home, always turn off power at the circuit breaker – if there is time.    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- BURLINGTON – The Vermont Department of Health has confirmed one case of Salmonella that is part of a multi-state outbreak of foodborne illness, with certain types of raw tomatoes as the source of the illnesses.

The adult infected, whose name will not be released for privacy reasons, was hospitalized but has fully recovered.

There are no other cases reported in Vermont at this time. The Health Department is conducting ongoing surveillance for any new cases identified by the Health Department laboratory.    » read more »

Measure Includes Key Provisions For Vermont’s Captive Insurance Sector

May 29, 2008 -- BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has signed into law a bill making changes to Vermont’s banking and insurance laws, including key provisions for the state’s captive insurance industry.

The bill also includes measures to protect consumers by enabling Vermont to join a national licensing system for mortgage brokers and non-bank lenders.

“Through a collection of thoughtfully rendered statutory changes, this legislation ties together numerous diverse benefits to both consumers and Vermont’s financial services industries, particularly our captive insurance sector,” said Governor Douglas at a signing ceremony at Dwight Asset Management, LLC, in Burlington.    » read more »

May 28, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class Jason F. Dene, 37, of Castleton, Vermont, died May 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident on May 24.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The incident is under investigation.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 22 – The Senate today approved legislation that includes support for veterans and for people who need help paying spiraling home heating bills. Both provisions were championed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Sanders played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role in securing an additional $1 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. “At a time when the cost of oil is soaring, it is important to expand the home heating assistance program to make certain that no Vermonter goes cold next winter.”    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- “The President’s veto should not stand, and it will not stand.

“If President Bush is allowed to have his way, this veto would be a setback for farmers, for hard-pressed Americans trying to keep food on the table, for our promising organic farming sector, and for efforts to clean up Lake Champlain.

“The economy is sliding and more families are at the edge. This bill is a big boost for anti-hunger efforts like Food Stamps that will help families who are struggling the most. It will help keep public food shelves stocked in Vermont and other states.

“We have a strong, bipartisan majority behind us, and my sense is that Congress will override this veto and the Farm Bill will become law before the week is out.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 14 – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) applauded inclusion of key nutrition, renewable energy, and food security provisions in a farm bill poised for final passage by the Senate later this week. The measure also expands the Milk Income Loss Contract Program crucial to Vermont dairy farmers.

Sanders championed a fresh-produce snack program. He helped to secure expanded support for wood as an energy resource. A nutrition education program that links schools with community gardens also was included at his request in the final bill.    » read more »

Major Boosts For State’s Dairy, Organic, Anti-Hunger And Lake Champlain Priorities

WASHINGTON (Wednesday, May 14) -- Vermont’s clout in agriculture policy again is paying big dividends as Congress races to finish work on a new bipartisan five-year Farm Bill. The House Wednesday passed the newly negotiated Farm Bill by a veto-proof vote of 318 to 106, and the Senate has set its vote on the bill for Thursday. The Senate is also expected to pass the bill with more than enough votes to override a threatened presidential veto.    » read more »

May 07, 2008 -- Montpelier, Vermont – The State of Vermont announced today that the Department of Public Service (DPS) will award $2.28 million from the Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) for projects throughout the state. The goal of the CEDF is to increase the development and deployment of combined heat and power (CHP) technologies and renewable energy generation.

A hydroelectric facility in Winooski, Vermont: Photo by Peter Wadsworth (CC)    » read more »

April 25, 2008 -- WATERBURY, VT - Vermont's black bears have emerged from their winter dens and are looking for springtime food sources. If you have been feeding birds, you can help prevent the bears from getting into trouble by removing your bird feeders now according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

Black bear: Photo by Jean-Guy Dallaire (CC)

"We are getting reports of bears getting into bird feeders," said Fish & Wildlife’s Col. Robert Rooks. "We are urging people to help by removing any food sources that may tempt the bears."    » read more »

April 23, 2008 -- WATERBURY, VT – Vermont’s “emergency” baitfish regulation that went into effect last October has been replaced by a permanent regulation that takes into account many of the concerns of anglers and yet still helps protect Vermont fisheries from a deadly new fish virus called Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS).

Baitfish: Photo by Matthew Hoelscher (CC)

Shawn Good, the Fish & Wildlife Department fisheries biologist heading their Aquatic Nuisance Species Team, says the regulation is necessary to help prevent Vermont’s waters and fish from becoming infected with VHS, which could result in devastating fish kills.    » read more »

Kicks off week with awards for environmental excellence and pollution prevention

April 21, 2008 -- MONTPELIER, Vt. – With Earth Day events planned around the globe on April 22, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has proclaimed this week to be Vermont Earth Week, with a call to Vermonters to celebrate and honor our environment’s role in our livelihood.

Vermont mountains, fall: Photo by Paul Moody (CC)    » read more »

April 21, 2008 -- Essex Jct., Vt. – At the 2008 Vermont Home and Garden Show today, Governor Jim Douglas presented a 15-point economic package to encourage growth, create jobs and help Vermont emerges from the current national economic challenge with a stronger and more resilient economy. In total, the package has the potential to generate more than $214 million in direct economic activity and millions more in indirect economic multipliers.

The text of the Governor’s announcement is below:

State of Vermont
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Official Statement of the Governor
Announcing an Economic Growth Initiative
Saturday, April 19, 2008    » read more »

“Operation Vermont Maple Sweetness” Nears Completion

April 18, 2008 -- Underhill Center, VT—Vermont maple syrup, donated by producers all around the state, will soon be on its way to Vermont troops as a reminder of the sights, smells and tastes of home.

Over the past three months, the Operation Maple Sweetness committee has been soliciting donations of Vermont maple syrup from sugarmakers throughout the state.

Wood-fired maple syrup evaporater: Photo by Doug Letterman (CC)    » read more »