Category: News

First in the nation

The New Hampshire Senate voted to approve various bills on Feb. 9, including SCR 1, which affirms the General Court’s support for New Hampshire to remain the first-in-the-nation primary state. “The first-in-the-nation primary has been a tradition and a responsibility that our residents have always treated with the respect and seriousness it requires,” the Senate Democratic Caucus wrote in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues from across the aisle to protect our status of going first and ultimately protect the diverse array of candidates, from across the nation and the political spectrum, the New Hampshire primary creates and welcomes.” The Senate also voted to approve SB 114-FN, which permanently codifies the state’s responsibility of contributing 7.5 percent to the New Hampshire retirement system for teachers, firefighters and law enforcement; and SB206, which prohibits corporal punishment in child daycare agencies. Corporal punishment now meets the definition of abuse in New Hampshire’s child care regulations and statutes. “Previous standards were not keeping children safe, allowing individuals to violate the boundaries of the children within their care,” state Sen. Sharon Carson said in a press release. “Granite State children will no longer fall victim to this abuse, and parents can take comfort in knowing that justice will be delivered if/when it does.”

Airport bomb threat

The Manchester-Boston Regional Airport Communications Center received a phone call on Saturday, Feb. 11, about 10:50 a.m., reporting an alleged bomb threat aboard Spirit Airlines Flight 2025 destined for Tampa, Florida. According to a press release, investigators from the Londonderry Police Department led the investigation, with assistance from resources from the Division of State Police, including the Bomb Squad, which responded to the threat, and from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, which actively monitored the situation while it was ongoing. Law enforcement searched the flight, re-screening all passengers and baggage and having K9 units sweep the aircraft and terminal building, and determined that there was no security risk. Airport roads reopened and normal operations resumed by afternoon, and no injuries related to the threat were reported. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport released the following statement: “Safety is always our top priority. MHT would like to thank our passengers and guests for their patience and understanding during this incident. The Airport also extends its deep appreciation to law enforcement, airline and mutual aid partners for their assistance in bringing a safe resolution to this incident.”

Walmart bomb threat

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, the New Hampshire Department of Safety announced that it was actively monitoring multiple bomb threats reported in a number of phone calls placed to Walmart stores throughout the state. According to a press release, multiple state agencies assisted local law enforcement agencies in responding to and investigating the calls. The New Hampshire Information and Analysis Center shared information with local, state and federal agencies, and the investigation revealed that other Walmart stores across the country had also received bomb threats. All threats are believed to have been a hoax.

Student protest

Hundreds of students at Milford High School staged a walkout on Friday, Feb. 10, in protest of a new bathroom policy, WMUR reported. The school board voted on Monday to start enforcing a limit on the number of people allowed in a restroom that is equivalent to the number of available stalls in the restroom. Protesting students, who were joined by some teachers and administrators, argued that the policy makes it difficult for students to use the bathrooms in an efficient and timely manner, particularly the students using the male restrooms, in which the urinals have reportedly been covered up with trash bags. The policy was drafted in response to a proposal recently presented to the board to change the school district’s current bathroom policy in regard to gender, from permitting students to use whichever bathroom aligns with their gender identity, to requiring students to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender assigned at birth. The next school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 20.

Grant for arts group

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has awarded a $1,620 grant to the Manchester-based community organization Queerlective. According to a press release, the funds will be used to kick-start community events and programming centered around Queerlective’s mission to create and promote inclusive environments for the queer, BIPOC and underserved communities in New Hampshire with a focus on utilizing art for personal and community growth. “With support like this, Queerlective can continue to support the community in bigger and better ways than before,” the group stated in the release. “By closely working with the community and partner organizations, Queerlective is able to respond to community needs and provide opportunities for more impactful gatherings.” The grant follows a recent announcement by Kimball Jenkins, a community arts and cultural center in Concord, that it had partnered with Queerlective as a fiscal sponsor. Visit queerlective.com.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation will host a public informational meeting on Wednesday, March 1, at 6 p.m. at the Meredith Community Center (1 Circle Drive, Meredith) to discuss a culvert replacement project in Meredith. According to a press release, the proposed project would involve a stone culvert with causeway replacement on Meredith Neck Road, a crossing that is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Manchester District Office, on Perimeter Road in Manchester, has reopened after being closed for repairs following water damage caused by burst pipes earlier this month.

Holman Stadium, home of the Nashua Silver Knights collegiate baseball team, will soon be a stop on the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. According to a press release, a plaque will be unveiled at the stadium this spring to honor African American baseball players Roy Campanella, a Hall of Fame catcher, and Don Newcombe, a Cy Young Award-winning pitcher, who were signed to play with the Nashua Dodgers in 1946.

Historic awards

The Manchester Historic Association has selected five honorees for its 31st Annual Historic Preservation Awards. According to a press release, the awards recognize and support the efforts of individuals, businesses and organizations that have made significant contributions to the preservation of buildings, neighborhoods, traditions and other historic resources in Manchester. The honorees include the city’s recently restored Civil War Memorial at Veterans Park for the City Landmark Award; Michael and Lynn Murphy for the Homeowner’s Award; Linda Murphy of Bare Knuckle Murphy’s Boxing for the Adaptive Reuse Award; Grace Episcopal Church’s Grace House for the Stewardship Award; and Justine “Brownie” Gengras for the Lifetime Achievement Award. An awards celebration will be held on Tuesday, May 23, at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. Visit manchesterhistoric.org.

Historic places

The New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources has added three properties to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, according to a press release. The properties include Blazing Star Grange Hall No. 71 in Danbury, built in 1911 under the leadership of the group’s first female master; the Dudley Gilman Homestead in Belmont, built by Revolutionary War veteran Corporal Dudley Gilman in circa 1785; and the Milford Town Hall and Library Annex, built in 1869 and designed by prominent Boston architect Gridley J. F. Bryant. Visit nh.gov/nhdhr to learn more about the properties.

Statewide report card

The New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System will be administered to students from March 7 through June 16 to track and evaluate educational progress in the state. According to a press release, the testing will measure English language arts and math proficiency among students in grades 3 through 8 and science proficiency among students in grades 5, 8 and 11. SAT exams will be administered to high school juniors between March 22 and April 4, depending on the district. “Assessment data allows school districts to create targeted strategies for students performing at the lower end of the achievement scale, as well as accelerated students that are highly advanced, which is vitally important in the aftermath of the pandemic,” Frank Edelblut, education commissioner, said in the release. “Understanding the data helps to improve teaching, identify supports and determine whether interventions are necessary — knowing that the needs of our students are our top priority.” The New Hampshire Department of Education has partnered with Tutor.com to provide free tutoring and test preparation services to students in grades 6 through 12. Visit tutor.com/nhed for details on how to access those services.

Leadership NH

Leadership New Hampshire is accepting applications for its intensive statewide leadership program. According to a press release, the program connects and educates a diverse cohort of emerging and established leaders in the state to increase civic engagement and strengthen communities. Over 10 months, from September 2023 to May 2024, participants will attend 12 seminar sessions across the state, exploring topics such as the justice system, education, culture and arts, government and politics, health care, the environment, and the economy. Applicants should demonstrate passionate commitment to New Hampshire’s future, accomplishment in their field, involvement in community activities and the time and energy to devote to the sessions. The application submission deadline is March 15. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by June. Visit leadershipnh.org or email info@leadershipnh.org.

Arts partnership

Kimball Jenkins, a community arts and cultural center in Concord, has partnered with Queerlective, a statewide group based in Manchester, as a fiscal sponsor to help the group in its mission to provide more support to New Hampshire’s diverse creative community and create inclusive and safe spaces where the arts can be used for personal and community growth. “Queerlective has been a leader in producing art happenings and events that center queer,

BIPOC and underserved communities,” Julianne Gadoury, executive director of Kimball Jenkins, said in a press release. “Kimball Jenkins is honored to serve as a fiscal sponsor, which will allow people who are part of these communities, and most closely connected, to lift up and amplify their voices and needs in the most authentic way possible.” Visit kimballjenkins.com and queerlective.com.

New mascot

New Hampshire Technical Institute, Concord’s Community College, has introduced a new design for its mascot, Leroy the Lynx. According to a press release, the design, created by NHTI visual arts student Valerie Deforge and selected by a campus-wide vote, depicts Leroy with bold lines, fresh colors and expressive motion. “Our new design pays homage to our historical Leroy the Lynx and evolves us into the modern era of collegiate community and competition,” Amber Gavriluk, NHTI’s marketing officer, said in the release. “Leroy represents the new rallying point around which our students, faculty, and staff can feel belonging in our diverse community. And this new design offers a strong brand identity and personality that can lead us boldly into the future.” NHTI will replace previous mascot designs with the new one over the next year.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation will host a public informational meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. at the Community Building in Loudon (29 S. Village Road) to discuss proposed improvements at the intersection of Route 106, South Village Road and Chichester Road in Loudon. According to a press release, these would include widening the road and adding signalization to the intersection. Visit nh.gov/dot/projects to learn more.

Canterbury Shaker Village, a completely preserved Shaker village established in 1792, received a nearly $110,000 matching grant award from the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program to fund construction of a new roof for its Dwelling House, a National Historic Landmark. The project is expected to begin this spring, according to a press release.

New Hampshire residents pursuing post-secondary education in medicine, nursing or social work are invited to apply for the Yarnold Scholarship. Funded by a trust established by Rollinsford couple Alice M. Yarnold and Samuel Yarnold, scholarships are awarded to 30 to 40 students each year in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, according to a press release. Interested students may call Yarnold Scholarship administrative representative Laura Ramsdell at 766-9121 to receive an application.