Paul Dame, current chair of the Vermont Republican Party, announced last week that he will seek re-election to the post. He made the announcement on WVMT’s Morning Drive radio show.

Dame grew up in Brandon, graduated from Otter Valley Union High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont. He served as a member of the Vermont House from 2015 to 2017. He ran for election in the 2022 Vermont House of Representatives election, but lost by 5 votes in the Republican primary. He is a retirement planner, working from an office in Williston.

Feds sue Uber – Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Uber Technologies, Inc. under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act for discriminating against passengers with disabilities, including blind individuals who use service animals and those who use mobility devices including stowable wheelchairs, by routinely refusing to serve these individuals, imposing impermissible charges, and refusing to reasonably modify Uber’s policies to avoid discrimination.

To learn more, read the DOJ press release. For more information on the ADA, please visit ADA.gov. 

Disabled U.K. voter given a ride to polls by Uber (above) – but last week the U.S. Department of Justice sued the ride app company for discriminating against passengers with disabilities. At right, GOP Chair Paul Dame during the 2021 ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ event in Brandon, his hometown.

Coolest thing made in Vermont? You choose – The Vermont Chamber has opened nominations for the inaugural Coolest Thing Made in Vermont Awards. This new program celebrates the innovation, creativity, and craftsmanship that set Vermont apart.

Products can be entered in three categories:

• Coolest Thing Made in Vermont
• Coolest Thing Made by a Neighbor: Celebrating the aerospace corridor and the connections that drive manufacturing
• Coolest Thing Made by a Career Technical Education (CTE) or Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program

Nominations are open through October 1. Finalists and award recipients will be recognized at the Vermont Chamber Manufacturing Summit Awards Dinner on November 19.

“Manufacturing sustains almost 30,000 Vermont jobs and exports over $2 billion in goods earch year. Behind those numbers are stories of creativity, resilience, and community. The Coolest Thing Made in Vermont Awards celebrate that innovation and craftsmanship while shining a light on the people and products driving our economy forward,” said Amy Spear, President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.  

Nominations are due by October 1. 

Vermont declares September is Perimenopause Awareness Month – The National Menopause Foundation (NMF) announced this month that 12 states, including Vermont, have taken executive action to increase visibility and awareness of perimenopause. About 1.3 million women enter menopause each year in the U.S. Many people don’t know that perimenopause, the life stage leading up to menopause, begins 7-10 years before a woman experiences the end of her menstrual cycle. 

“Perimenopausal symptoms may begin as early as age 35, so it is essential that we talk about it and offer women education and support,” said Laura Okafor Crain, founder and CEO, Perry.

Hospital wins recycling award – From food waste to the mattresses used across University of Vermont Medical Center’s inpatient care units, the hospital’s Environmental Services (EVS) team is focused on finding every opportunity to recycle, compost and reduce the amount of material that ends up in landfills.

That dedication – and the EVS team’s remarkable record of sustained success and improvement – is now being honored by one of the region’s leading solid waste, recycling and resource management service providers.

Casella Waste Systems, Inc. is highlighting UVM Medical Center’s EVS team for excellence in health care sustainability with its 2025 Sustainability Leadership Award. The award recognizes partners and customers who exemplify achievements in reducing waste, increasing recycling and advancing the circular economy. The annual awards go to businesses, manufacturers, municipalities, and institutions in higher education and health care.

Muzzleoader permit winners announced – Deer hunters who applied for a Vermont muzzleloader season antlerless deer permit by the July 31 deadline can now go to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website to see if they won a permit. 

 Fish and Wildlife announced the permit winners on September 9, after conducting a randomized computer drawing.  Permit winners are listed in two categories — regular lottery winners and landowners.  Landowners who apply for a landowner antlerless permit are prohibited by law from posting their land against hunting. 

“Hunters can go to our website to find out if they are recipients of a muzzleloader season antlerless permit,” said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jason Batchelder.  “Knowing early if they’ve won, will help them plan their hunting this fall.”