Category: News

Covid-19 update	As of October 4	As of October 11
Total cases statewide	8,645	9,143
Total current infections statewide	492	685
Total deaths statewide	443	456
New cases	437 (Sept. 29 to Oct. 4)	498 (Oct. 5 to Oct. 11)
Current infections: Hillsborough County	250	349
Current infections: Merrimack County	43	94
Current infections: Rockingham County	91	127

Covid-19 news

On Oct. 5, Gov. Chris Sununu issued Exhibit S to Emergency Order No. 29, which had been issued on April 9. Emergency Order No. 29 requires state agencies, boards and commissions t

o submit recommendations to Sununu if any regulatory deadlines should be adjusted in response to the state of emergency. Per Exhibit S, emergency waiver of attendance and leave rules previously adopted by the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services’ Division of Personnel to provide flexibility to state employees impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic will continue for the duration of the state of emergency.

During an Oct. 8 press conference, state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said that public health officials will start to modify the way numbers are reported going forward, focusing “less on the extraneous numbers and more on numbers relative to the current situation in New Hampshire.” Even though the number of new positive test results of Covid-19 has continued to increase over the last several weeks, Dr. Chan said the percentage of positive results relative to all tests remains stable. “We believe that this is, in part, due to the large increase in testing that is being conducted statewide in many communities, both PCR and antigen testing,” he said. Dr. Chan added that there is also, however, evidence of increased community transmission, especially in Hillsborough, Rockingham and Strafford counties, likely due to a decrease in the relaxation of social distancing restrictions in some areas of the state.

On Oct. 9, Sununu issued Executive Order 2020-20, extending the state of emergency in New Hampshire due to the Covid-19 pandemic for another three weeks through at least Oct. 30. It’s the 10th extension he has issued since originally declaring a state of emergency on March 13.

Details of Sununu’s Executive Orders, Emergency Orders and other announcements are available at governor.nh.gov.

Voter alert

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office is alerting voters that an unidentified source has sent out mailers that contain an absentee ballot application form, a return envelope addressed to the recipient’s town or city clerk, and an allegedly handwritten note that says, “You are needed please fill this out and mail it in.” According to a press release, state law requires that such mailings include the identity of the entity mailing and distributing the form, which is not the case with this mailer. The Attorney General’s Office emphasized that these mailers have not been sent by any New Hampshire town or city clerk or by any state agency, and anyone who received this mailer who had already requested or submitted an absentee ballot does not need to complete another form. Anyone with questions can call the Attorney General’s Election hotline at 1-866-868-3703 or send an email to electionlaw@doj.nh.gov.

Opioid settlement

New Hampshire has joined a $1.6 billion global settlement agreement with Mallinckrodt, the biggest generic opioid manufacturer in the U.S., according to a press release from the office of New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald. The settlement comes more than a year after the state filed a complaint in Merrimack County Superior Court against Mallinckrodt alleging that the company failed to disclose risks of addiction, misrepresented the abuse-deterrence qualities of its opioids and failed to report suspicious orders of opioids, all of which violated New Hampshire’s consumer protection laws. The state also claimed that the company allegedly created a public nuisance and that between 2006 and 2014 Mallinckrodt accounted for 21.81 percent of all opioid transactions in New Hampshire; in that time, the company “sold the equivalent of approximately 153.5 million 10 mg opioid pills in New Hampshire, with a population of roughly 1.35 million people. That was enough Mallinckrodt opioids to provide each man, woman, and child in the state with 114 pills,” the release reads. Mallinckrodt, which has filed for bankruptcy, will pay $1.6 billion in cash into a trust, and a large amount of that money will go toward abating the opioid crisis. How much each state will receive will be negotiated during the bankruptcy process. The global settlement agreement includes attorneys general from 50 states and territories and local subdivisions.

NHDRA online

Last week, the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration launched Phase 2 of its new online user portal and revenue management system, for taxpayers of the New Hampshire Business Profits Tax, Business Enterprise Tax, Interest & Dividends Tax and Communication Services Tax. According to a press release, that equates to approximately 139,000 taxpayers who will now have a better online experience. The online user portal, Granite Tax Connect, allows users to file taxes electronically, schedule automated payments, and check on the status of returns, payments, and refund and credit requests. The first phase launched about a year ago, which made the portal available to those who pay the Meals & Rentals Tax, Medicaid Enhancement Tax, and Nursing Facility Quality Assessment. The department expects that by the end of 2021 all tax types will be able to utilize the online portal.

Social Security

AARP NH is hosting a free online discussion about Social Security on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m., according to a press release. Local and national experts will talk about how Social Security affects New Hampshire and its residents, and there will be an opportunity for people to ask questions. The discussion is free but pre-registration is required at aarp.cvent.com/SSProgram1021.

SEE Science Center

The SEE Science Center in Manchester has received a CARES grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services — the only award given to a New Hampshire museum, according to a press release. Only 68 projects from museums and libraries throughout the country were awarded funding out of more than 1,700 entries. SEE’s project, Creating Flexible Field Trips: Reopening Programming by Designing for Uncertainty during the Covid-19 Pandemic, is an effort to transition the Science Center’s in-person field trips to other formats so that teachers and students can continue to use the museum’s educational offerings during and after the pandemic.

The New Hampshire Food Bank will host a drive-through mobile food pantry on Friday, Oct. 16, from noon to 2 p.m. at NHTI in Concord, according to a press release. The food bank will bring the food to people in their vehicles.

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen was scheduled to visit Catholic Medical Center in Manchester on Tuesday to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the state’s health care providers, according to a press announcement. Shaheen also planned to talk about providing more resources to providers through relief legislation.

There should be no shortage of golden retrievers in Amherst on Sunday, Oct. 18, as the town holds its Goldens on the Green event from 1 to 3 p.m. on the town green. According to a press release, there will be a kissing booth, pool diving and a parade of goldens. Donations will be accepted, with the money raised going to animals awaiting adoption at the Humane Society for Greater Nashua. Everyone is welcome, including people who don’t own golden retrievers.

Starting in the fall of 2021, Rivier University in Nashua will have men’s and women’s ice hockey, according to a press release. The school plans to launch a national search for head coaches this month.

Covid-19 update	As of September 28	As of October 4
Total cases statewide	8,208	8,645
Total current infections statewide	339	492
Total deaths statewide	439	443
New cases	256 (Sept. 22 to Sept. 28)	437 (Sept. 29 to Oct. 4)
Current infections: Hillsborough County	130	250
Current infections: Merrimack County	36	43
Current infections: Rockingham County	71	91

Covid-19 news

On Sept. 30, Gov. Chris Sununu issued Emergency Order No. 70, an order extending Emergency Order No. 52, which had been issued on June 15. Emergency Order No. 52 is an order regarding public health guidance for business operations and advising Granite Staters they are safer at home. Emergency Order No. 70 extends that advisory through Nov. 15.

During an Oct. 1 press conference, Dr. Beth Daly, Chief of the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control of the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services, reported that, after a slight increase in positive test results of Covid-19 in the Granite State over the last month, new case counts “have plateaued” at around 35 to 40 per day on average. “More recently, some of the infections that have been reported to us each day have been associated with institutional settings, such as long-term care facilities and schools,” she said.

During the same press conference, Sununu announced that $2 million in federal CARES Act funding will benefit student-enrichment programs in New Hampshire, including those offered at institutions like the local branches of the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Clubs.

On Oct. 2, the Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force released guidance documents for the Granite State’s skiing industry this winter, according to a press release. Some of these guidelines include mask requirements in lodges and rental facilities, and when in line for and riding lifts; the strong discouragement of strangers riding lifts together; social distancing protocols; and admission limits to indoor and outdoor facilities.

For information on all other announcements, including Emergency Orders and Executive Orders, visit governor.nh.gov.

2019 drug overdoses

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has released its report summarizing 2019’s drug overdose deaths. According to the report, there were 415 drug overdose deaths last year, 383 of which were determined to be accidental and 25 of which were suicides. The manner of death could not be determined in the remaining seven cases, which typically means that it is not clear whether the death was an accidental or intentional overdose. A combination of fentanyl and other drugs (excluding heroin) accounted for the highest number of overdose deaths (220), followed by just fentanyl (119). The number of drug overdose deaths in the state reached a high in 2017, with 490, with a slight decrease in 2018 (471) and a more significant decrease in 2019. However, preliminary data has shown a slight increase in drug overdose deaths in 2020 so far, according to the release. “Although the substantial decrease in the number of drug overdose deaths in 2019 is encouraging, it remains to be seen if this downward trend will continue in 2020,” the report reads.

Drought continues

When the New Hampshire Drought Management Team met on Oct. 1, State Climatologist Mary Stampone said the latest drought conditions and forecasts indicate that drought will likely persist across southeastern New Hampshire through the fall, according to a press release. The “well-below average” precipitation in September caused drought conditions to deteriorate, Stampone said, and recent rainfall and the upcoming forecast will not make up for the precipitation deficit. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services reported that some lake levels are lower than they have been in decades, but although water supply reservoirs are low, they have enough water to meet demands right now. For groundwater, most of the 31 monitoring wells across the state are much lower than normal, with all water levels having dropped between August and September. According to the release, homeowners whose wells are running low should expect to wait more than six weeks to get a new well drilled. In the meantime, all homeowners are advised to space out water use, avoid outdoor watering, and buy water for drinking and if necessary for dishwashing and flushing toilets.

Free college classes

New Hampshire students can earn college credits through a new partnership with Modern States, which will offer free online courses and will pay for 1,000 College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, according to a press release from the Department of Education. CLEPs are accepted for credit at 2,900 colleges and universities nationwide, including the University System of New Hampshire and New Hampshire Community College System. “Through remote instruction, New Hampshire students have gained experience with self-directed online learning, which is exactly what Modern States offers. Dual and concurrent enrollment programs give students a chance to earn high school and college credit simultaneously so that when they step onto a college campus, they are already well on their way to a degree and a bright future,” said Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut. There are 32 classes to choose from, and they are taught by professors from universities like Tufts, MIT and Rutgers. The content prepares students to pass the course’s CLEP exam, which must be taken at one of six locations across the state.

Art for veterans

The Currier Museum of Art will be able to make some of its programs more accessible to veterans thanks to CARES Act Funding, it announced in a press release. The $717,500 will go toward expanding the museum’s art therapy program for veterans and their families, enhancing the remote art therapy programs that were launched over the summer, and renovating the art therapy space in order to allow for social distancing and digital engagement. All programs for veterans, active duty service members and their families are free of charge, according to the release.

Candy & a pumpkin

Reserve a spot now for your local Lowe’s drive-through curbside trick-or-treating, happening from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, and Thursday, Oct. 29. Families are invited to drive to Lowe’s for free candy and a small pumpkin. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Reservations open on Oct. 10 at lowes.com/DIY.

Betsy Janeway of Webster has received the Goodhue-Elkins Award for her contributions in the areas of bird study and conservation for the past 40 years, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Audubon, which presented the award at its 106th annual meeting on Sept. 19.

An adult from Epsom has tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus, and the risk level for Epsom will be increased to high, according to an Oct. 2 press release from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. This is the fourth case of Jamestown Canyon virus in the state this year.

New England Metal Recycling in Madbury will pay a civil penalty of $2.7 million to the state for improper disposal of hazardous waste, according to a press release from the Office of the Attorney General. As part of the settlement with the state, NEMR must also remediate and properly dispose of all of the remaining hazardous material by Oct. 30, 2021, according to the release.

A new Manchester Small Business Resiliency Grant Program has been launched to help small businesses recover from the impacts of the pandemic, according to a press release from Mayor Joyce Craig. Funds are available through the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program, and businesses can receive up to $5,000 to go toward eligible expenses incurred since March 13. Visit manchesternh.gov to apply.

Covid-19 update	As of September 21	As of September 28
Total cases statewide	7,952	8,208
Total current infections statewide	288	339
Total deaths statewide	438	439
New cases	238 (Sept. 15 to Sept. 21)	256 (Sept. 22 to Sept. 28)
Current infections: Hillsborough County	97	130
Current infections: Merrimack County	24	36
Current infections: Rockingham County	78	71

Covid-19 news

On Sept. 24, during a press conference, state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan reported that New Hampshire continues to see between 35 and 40 new infections of Covid-19 on average per day, while the percent-positivity rate relative to all tests remains low, around 1 percent or less. Chan also reported that the number of new hospitalizations as a result of the virus has “crept up slightly,” from 10 or fewer total people in the state to around 16 to 17 on any given day.

During the same press conference, Gov. Chris Sununu announced the creation of the Special Education Provider fund, which provides $4 million in federal CARES act funding to Granite State schools, aimed to help students and families with developmental disabilities. According to Sununu, the fund will benefit 21 schools in New Hampshire that serve more than 750 students.

Sununu also provided updated guidance to restaurants and bars in New Hampshire. Effective Oct. 1, the six-foot distancing rule for tables and booths at restaurants can be lifted, as long as protective barriers are in place. “We do continue to see positive data in restaurants. They are currently not a source of widespread transmission,” Sununu said, “and so we’re very confident that we can move forward with this model in a very safe manner.”

With Halloween around the corner, Sununu announced the release of a trick-or-treat safety tip sheet, which is available to view online at nh.gov. The sheet contains all the regular tips for motorists and families to remember on Halloween night, but with additional safety suggestions, such as wearing a mask or face covering when handing out treats and bringing a bottle of hand sanitizer with you while out trick-or-treating.

On Sept. 28, the governor’s office announced in a press release that the state will be able to conduct 25,000 more Covid-19 rapid antigen tests per week once a new shipment of BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen testing kits from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration arrives. The nasal swab tests, which provide results in 15 minutes, are expected to be distributed across the state to community testing locations in the next few weeks, and the FDA expects the state to be able to conduct up to 400,000 rapid tests by the end of the year. They will be targeted to symptomatic individuals who are in in-person school settings, as well as frontline health care workers, emergency responders and other high-risk populations. “The BINAX test will allow the state to significantly ramp up testing in a targeted fashion — specifically for students and vulnerable populations,” Sununu said in the release. “The rapid results will make decisions much easier for parents and educators.”

Details of Sununu’s Emergency Orders, Executive Orders and other announcements can be viewed at governor.nh.gov.

City school changes

The Nashua School District will delay switching to hybrid learning for most students and continue with remote learning until January 2021, according to a letter from Superintendent Jahmal Mosley that was sent to the community on Sept. 18. “We have decided to maintain the current course and predictable remote schedule, which has proven to be a steady course for many of our students’ families and our staff as they navigate work schedules, day care arrangements, and, for some of our families, caring for loved ones during this trying time,” the letter reads. Students with special needs will start attending school in person next week, and students in kindergarten and in first grade, “who learn best through play and hands-on learning,” will start to attend school later in the season following a hybrid schedule. All other students will continue to be fully remote. “We need to be confident in having students and staff return to school. Safety and well-being is paramount and, by taking additional time this fall, we will make a decision with greater confidence about our return to in-school for all students. Right now, we are still facing too many unknowns,” the letter reads.

Meanwhile, the Manchester School District announced last week that on the week of Oct. 12 it will start a multi-week process of transitioning to hybrid learning for more grade levels, despite receiving confirmation Friday that two staff members who had been in school buildings (Memorial High School, Beech Street Elementary School and McDonough Elementary School) had tested positive for Covid-19. According to a press release, those staff members are isolating at home, and the Health Department is completing a public health case investigation and contact tracing process. “We understood from the beginning it was likely we would eventually see positive Covid-19 tests in our schools once students and staff returned,” Dr. John Goldhardt, Superintendent of Schools, said in the release. “I will be clear: I would not further open schools if I did not feel it was safe to do so; however, I also want to make sure families understand that if the situation worsens, we may need to pull back.” Students in kindergarten, first grade and some specialized programs started the year with the option for some in-person learning, and other grades will gradually start hybrid learning, if families choose, throughout mid and late October, according to the release. High school students’ return dates are tentative right now, as those schools have asked for more time to prepare for the return to in-person classes.

Interim chief

Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig announced in a press release that she has named Assistant Chief of Police Ryan Grant as interim chief of police for the Manchester Police Department, effective Oct. 1, the day after Chief Carlo Capano retires. Craig plans to announce her nomination for chief of police at the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6, though the board will note vote on the nomination until the next board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Operation SOS

When the Department of Justice launched Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge, intended to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids, in 2018, it targeted 10 districts with some of the highest drug overdose death rates in the country, which included New Hampshire, according to a press release from the office of United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire Scott Murray. As part of Operation SOS, Murray was asked to designate a county to focus on prosecuting every readily available case involving fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and other synthetic opioids. In a Sept. 25 press release, Murray said that since the operation started, approximately 93 defendants have been charged with drug trafficking offenses in federal court. “By taking aggressive action against drug traffickers in Hillsborough County, Operation SOS is limiting the supply of fentanyl and other drugs in the community and helping to reduce the overdose death rate in that county,” Murray said in the release.

Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester recently received two honors: It was named to the “Great Colleges to Work For” list put out by ModernThink for the 13th consecutive year, while Forbes named SNHU the best employer in New Hampshire in late August, according to a press release.

Arhaus, a retailer that sells handcrafted home furnishings, will open a 15,000-square-foot store next spring at Tuscan Village in Salem, according to a press release. Tuscan Village has previously announced lease agreements with LL Bean, Ulta Beauty, Old Navy, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Chase Bank, as well as local brands Drive Custom Fit, Pressed Café and Tuscan Market, all scheduled to open in the spring.

The Hudson and Bedford fire departments have been awarded $2,170,180 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to recruit and train new firefighters, according to a press release. The funds come from FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grants program, and each department will be able to hire four new firefighters, with Hudson getting $1,098,456 and Bedford getting $1,071,724.

Alene Candles in Milford is looking to recognize four community members who have gone above and beyond to help their friends, families and neighbors during the pandemic, according to a press release. Alene is asking the public to nominate people for its Milford Luminaries program, through which it will donate $4,000 to area nonprofits, with each luminary choosing where to direct a $1,000 donation. Nominations are due by Oct. 16 and can be submitted at alene.com/milfordluminaries.

Covid-19 update	As of September 14	As of September 21
Total cases statewide	7,714	7,952
Total current infections statewide	291	288
Total deaths statewide	436	438
New cases	238 (Sept. 8 to Sept. 14)	238 (Sept. 15 to Sept. 21)
Current infections: Hillsborough County	93	97
Current infections: Merrimack County	22	24
Current infections: Rockingham County	94	78

Covid-19 news

On Sept. 16, Gov. Chris Sununu issued Emergency Order No. 69, authorizing the commissioner of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services to appoint new members of the state’s health ethics committee.

On Sept. 18, Sununu issued Executive Order 2020-18, extending the state of emergency in New Hampshire due to the Covid-19 pandemic for another three weeks through at least Oct. 9. It’s the ninth extension he has issued since originally declaring a state of emergency on March 13.

On Sept. 21, Sununu issued Exhibit R to Emergency Order No. 29, which had been issued on April 9. Emergency Order No. 29 requires state agencies, boards and commissions to submit recommendations to Sununu if any regulatory deadlines should be adjusted in response to the state of emergency. Per Exhibit R, the expiration of any child day care agencies and licenses in New Hampshire are stayed during the state of emergency. Renewal application deadlines for child care agencies have also been deferred until 90 days after the end of the state of emergency.

Details of Sununu’s Emergency Orders, Executive Orders and other announcements can be found at governor.nh.gov.

House upholds vetoes

On Sept. 17, the New Hampshire House of Representatives sustained every veto from Gov. Chris Sununu, including paid family and medical leave and a minimum hourly wage, prompting divisive responses from House and Senate leaders. “Over the past two years, Governor Sununu has vetoed a record-breaking 79 pieces of legislation, 65 of which had bipartisan support,” Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes (D-Concord) said in a statement. “This year, in the middle of a global pandemic, Sununu vetoed over one-third of the bills sent to his desk, many helping working families, frontline workers, and small businesses.” “This year’s session has been filled with Washington style political stunts from Democrats,” House Republican Leader Dick Hinch (R-Merrimack) said in a statement following the votes. “They want to raise taxes so badly that they have clearly abandoned professional protocol throughout the pandemic and pushed through their radical partisan agenda. Today Republicans stood united together to push back against these stunts on behalf of the citizens of New Hampshire.”

LEACT

New Hampshire can begin to implement all recommendations from the New Hampshire Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community and Transparency, after Gov. Chris Sununu issued a roadmap on Sept. 17 for how to move forward, according to a press release. LEACT was established through an executive order in June after the murder of George Floyd, and it recently released a report that focused on reforms to training, reporting and investigation of police misconduct, and community relations. “Today I am endorsing every single recommendation from all three parts of the LEACT report,” Sununu said. “Their charge was difficult — to come up with recommendations on how to improve law enforcement here in New Hampshire.” The release said that Sununu will issue an Executive Order to take immediate action on many of the reforms within the next two weeks, while the Attorney General will lead the effort to craft legislation for any of the reforms that require passage through the legislature.

Mental Health Plan

A report highlighting the progress that the state has made on the New Hampshire 10-Year Mental Health Plan of 2019 was released last week, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. The department published the plan in January 2019, and it prioritized 14 recommendations to advance the mental health system within the first two years of implementation. The new report highlights several improvements since then, including an increase in permanent housing for individuals with mental illness, new transitional housing program beds, increased the state’s Housing Bridge Subsidy Program, established more integrated primary and behavioral health care programs at community mental centers, increased the number of children served by the Care Management Entity, and expanded Assertive Community Treatment to increase accessibility throughout the state. “The 10-Year Mental Health Plan provides the pathway to a mental health system that makes services and programs available to patients when they need them,” DHHS Commissioner Lori Shibinette said in the release. “We are committed to realizing this goal, and while our work continues, this report highlights the important progress that is being made.”

First Lady Melania Trump visited Concord Hospital on Sept. 17 as part of her efforts to combat opioid use, according to a report from WMUR. She was there to learn about the hospital’s “Eat, Sleep, Console” protocol, the goal of which is to wean babies from addictive drugs with minimal or no medication.

Middle-school student Kaylin Emerson of New Boston recently won the Walter A. Felker Memorial Award from the New Hampshire Maple Producers Association for a paper she wrote about maple chemistry, according to a press release. Emerson took part in the annual statewide contest, which is open to kids 16 and younger.

Livingston and Bronstein parks in Manchester have been chosen as two of 14 sites nationwide to transition to organic grounds management as part of Stonyfield Organic’s #playfree initiative, according to a press release. Stonyfield is donating $5,000 and access to experts from Osborne Organics, and Hannaford is matching the monetary donation.

The construction of Exit 4A on Interstate 93 in Derry and Londonderry has been put on hold after price proposals for the design-build project exceeded the New Hampshire Department of Transportation’s cost estimate by more than $30 million, according to a press release. The department will work with both towns and affected property owners to figure out its next steps and will work toward a more cost-effective design.