Category: News

Covid-19 news

State health officials reported just 93 active hospitalizations due to Covid-19 on Feb. 23 — that’s down from more than 400 back in early January and also the first time since the early fall that it has dipped below 100. “The omicron surge is decreasing, both in New Hampshire and nationally,” state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said during a press conference that day. “As population immunity has increased, there’s also been a notable decline … in the severity of disease from Covid-19, and largely due to the availability of vaccines.” In response to the continued downward trend of cases and hospitalizations, Chan announced new updates to the state’s mask recommendations. “At this point … we are no longer recommending universal face masks for people in indoor, public locations, unless a person is required to wear [one] for their specific situation,” he said. Chan noted that this change does not apply to certain situations where face masks are still required under federal guidance or regulations, such as while someone is on board public transportation or when inside of a health care facility.

As of Feb. 25 there were 2,130 active infections and 92 hospitalizations. The state averaged 290 new cases per day over the most recent seven-day period, a decrease of 27 percent compared to the week before. All 10 counties remain at substantial community transmission levels.

Governor veto

Last week, Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed HB 319, which would have required students in the university and community college systems of New Hampshire to pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services civics naturalization test. In his veto letter, Sununu said that last year he passed SB 320, which implements a similar civics competency exam for high school students that goes into effect in 2023 “and will help continue the Granite State tradition of a citizenry actively engaged in self-government. As such, House Bill 319 would serve to address the lack of civics education only in out-of-state public post-secondary students. House Bill 319 would also represent the first time the legislature has imposed a universal graduation requirement for students at our public colleges and universities. I am concerned that this would create a precedent for future legislatures to mandate extreme requirements.”

State settlements

New Hampshire is expected to receive its full share of settlement funds — approximately $115 million paid over 18 years — following the final approval of the $21 billion opioid agreement with the nation’s three major pharmaceutical distributors: Cardinal Health, Inc., McKesson Corporation., and AmerisourceBergen Corporation. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, the defendants will start releasing funds to a national administrator on April 2, and states will start getting funds in the second quarter of 2022. Under state law, all of the funds will be used for opioid abatement purposes to support treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and other strategies to address the opioid epidemic, with 85 percent of those funds going directly into a dedicated opioid abatement trust fund, the release said.

The State has also entered into a settlement agreement with the Monsanto Company, Solutia Inc., and Pharmacia regarding polychlorinated bi-phenyl contamination of state waters and other state property. According to a press release, the old Monsanto Co. marketed and sold numerous products containing PCBs knowing that PCBs caused harm to human health and the environment from 1929 to at least 1977. This caused 104 state water bodies to be impaired with PCBs and has required the state to issue numerous fish advisories. Monsanto has agreed to pay $25,000,000 to resolve this case, and the State will get $20,000,000 of that after paying attorneys’ fees, the release said.

Lottery app

The New Hampshire Lottery has launched a new mobile app, allowing players to check their tickets, find retail locations, stay up to date on new promotions and customize the app to their preferences to show their favorite games and winning numbers. According to a press release, the app is available on iOS and Android devices, giving users an easy way to stay up to date with the latest news from the New Hampshire Lottery, including winning numbers, jackpot amounts, current scratch ticket games and results. A Ticket Checker lets players see if they are winners by scanning the barcode from the bottom front of scratch tickets and Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky For Life, Tri-State Gimme 5, KENO 603 and other games, the release said. Players can also purchase Fast Play tickets from any Lottery vending machine by scanning the QR code.

No Russian spirits

On Feb. 26, Gov. Chris Sununu issued Executive Order 2022-2, an order instructing all of the state’s Liquor & Wine Outlets to immediately remove all Russian-made and Russian-branded spirits from store shelves until further notice. The order is one of several similar measures taken by state governors as a show of solidarity with Ukraine against Russia’s invasion of the country just days earlier. “New Hampshire stands with the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom,” Sununu said in a statement on social media. Brands include Stolichnaya, Russian Standard and Hammer and Sickle — according to a statement from the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, sales have been suspended at each store per the governor’s order, and updates on each product’s availability will be provided “as the situation evolves.” Visit liquorandwineoutlets.com.

Dining with dogs

Sununu also signed SB 17, an act relative to permitting dogs in outdoor dining areas of restaurants, last week. The bill will go into effect on April 25, according to a report from NHPR. It allows restaurants to permit dogs in outdoor dining areas alongside their owners if the restaurants follow certain guidelines, like putting up a sign so patrons know where dogs are allowed, taking food safety measures, ensuring dogs are under their owners’ control, and not allowing restaurant staff to play with or pet the dogs.

Travel board

State Division of Travel and Tourism director Lori Harnois has been elected to serve on the U.S. Travel Association’s Board of Directors. According to a press release, Harnois will serve a two-year term beginning this month. “It is an honor to be elected to serve in this capacity,” Harnois said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to being more involved in national issues … and elevating New Hampshire’s presence on a national level.” Based in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Travel Association represents all components of the travel industry and produces research in the form of travel data, analysis and insights to keep the industry and lawmakers informed. According to the release, the newly elected directors will convene for the first time in person at a meeting in Washington, D.C., in April.

The Raymond Coalition For Youth is partnering with Unite Us to expand Unite Us in New Hampshire, a coordinated care network that aims to address the unmet needs of people and families throughout the state. According to a press release, Unite Us helps connect people to mental and behavioral health services, youth and family resources, and financial assistance. By partnering with Unite Us, the Raymond Coalition For Youth will offer a central point of contact where health care providers, social service organizations and individuals can access and refer people to needed services while monitoring progress.

The public is invited to the Manchester Land Use Code Code-a-Palooza on Monday, March 7, and Tuesday, March 8, at the Palace Theatre’s Spotlight Room. Put on by the City of Manchester and Town Planning and Urban Design Collaborative, the event is a chance for residents to talk with community members, city staff and planners to share ideas, hopes and concerns about the future of the Queen City’s sustainability, character, housing, and development, according to a press release. A schedule of meetings can be found at manchesternh.gov/landusecode.

Rev. Andrew Armstrong, Senior Minister of The First Church Nashua, plans to travel approximately 2,000 miles from Nashua, Iowa, to Nashua, New Hampshire, to raise awareness and funds for repairs to the 129-year old church bell tower. According to the press release, the church has started a GoFundMe page to support Armstrong’s ride and the restoration of the historic New England landmark.

Covid-19 news

State health officials reported 846 new cases of Covid-19 on Feb. 18. The state averaged 371 new cases per day over the most recent seven-day period, down 42 percent from the week before. As of Feb. 18 there were 108 hospitalizations statewide, the fewest since August of last year.

Also on Feb. 18, the state Department of Health & Human Services announced in a press release that, effective Monday, Feb. 21, the state-run fixed vaccination sites have modified their hours. The sites operated by ConvenientMD are now open seven days a week from noon to 7 p.m., while the sites operated by On-Site Medical Services are open Monday through Saturday, from noon to 7 p.m. According to the release, the hours were modified to allow for greater access beyond traditional school and work hours. Go to covid19.nh.gov and click on the “vaccination fixed sites” button to view a complete list of locations — no appointments are required.

State of the State

Gov. Chris Sununu gave his State of the State address on Feb. 17, praising New Hampshire for its economy, how it’s handled Covid and its progress toward better mental health care, among other things. “Today the Granite State is ranked as the freest state in the nation. … We have the strongest economy in the Northeast and the fastest population growth in New England. … We are No. 1 in America for public safety … first in economic freedom … and we continue to have the lowest poverty rate in the country with some of the highest average wages for our citizens,” he said in his address. Sununu pointed out that in the past year the statewide property tax has been cut by $100, the rooms and meals tax has been cut, business taxes have been cut, and the state’s rainy day fund has doubled. Regarding Covid, he said that “it has been safer to live in New Hampshire through the pandemic than virtually any other state,” with relatively low infection rates and hospitalization rates and a high vaccination rate. And in other health-related progress, Sununu said in his address that “For the first time in state history, New Hampshire is developing the most innovative paid family medical leave program in America — one that is truly voluntary and funded without an income tax.” The state’s mental health system, too, is seeing major improvements, he said. “When I came into office, the State had a mental health system that was fragmented and designed by and for bureaucrats, not for families and individuals … and [we] have worked to dramatically transform the entire mental health system,” he said. As for new initiatives, Sununu announced the creation of the InvestNH Housing Incentive Fund, a $100 million federally funded program to increase housing construction throughout the state. He also announced the creation of the New Hampshire Veterans Campus; the state will partner with Easterseals to build this campus on a 15-acre site in Franklin, to provide mixed housing, supportive services and a retreat campus for veterans and their families.

Library goals

The Nashua Public Library has some new goals for the next three years. According to a press release, staff and trustees surveyed the public, talked with focus groups, and held retreats for staff and trustees to answer the question, “What does Nashua want and need from its library?” After an analysis of the data they compiled, staff and trustees have decided to focus on three strategic directions: Make the library welcoming and comfortable and a hub of community activity; support learning and culture in the community by connecting people to learning opportunities in an inclusive way; and keep the library collaborative and connected by integrating it into the community. Three long-term goals were set for each of the three strategic areas, the release said, and the library is now working on an action plan to meet those nine goals. The plan is expected to be completed this spring.

Dr. Gretchen Mullin-Sawicki, president of NHTI in Concord, will be stepping down from her position later this spring, having served as president since 2019. According to a press release, she is relocating to be closer to family, and Chancellor Mark Rubinstein will serve in a dual role, leading NHTI for about six months while the Community College System of New Hampshire’s board of trustees begins its search process.

Drivers should anticipate daytime and nighttime lane closures for bridge work on I-293 in Manchester. According to a press release, the project entails replacing the concrete bridge deck and expansion joints, and work is expected to last through the fall. Initial lane closures will move traffic under the bridge at Huse Road while construction crews set up protective shielding on the bridge, the release said.

Longtime instructional paraeducator Beverly Mann celebrated 40 years as an employee at New Searles Elementary School in Nashua last week as staff threw her a surprise gathering under the guise of a Valentine’s Day staff breakfast. According to a press release, more than 50 current and former colleagues attended the event, which was also a celebration of her 80th birthday.