Governor’s updates
Covid-19 update | As of June 15 | As of June 22 |
---|---|---|
Total cases statewide | 5,345 | 5,558 |
Total current infections statewide | 984 | 929 |
Total deaths statewide | 320 | 339 |
New cases | 321 (June 9 – June 15) | 233 (June 16 – June 22) |
Current infections: Hillsborough County | 621 | 586 |
Current infections: Merrimack County | 74 | 66 |
Current infections: Rockingham County | 199 | 185 |
On June 16, Sununu issued Executive Order 2020-11, establishing the New Hampshire Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community and Transparency. According to a press release, the commission is composed of members of the public, representatives of the NAACP and the ACLU, as well as members of the state’s Police Standards and Training Council and Commission for Human Rights. The newly established commission is being given 45 days to engage with stakeholders in the community and develop recommendations for reforms to enhance transparency, accountability and community relations in law enforcement in the state. Its report will be posted publicly on the governor’s website.
On June 17, Sununu issued Emergency Order No. 53, an amendment to Emergency Order No. 36, which had been issued on April 24, ensuring worker’s compensation coverage of state first responders who have been exposed to the coronavirus. Per Emergency Order No. 53, “first responder” includes any individual covered by the definition of “emergency response/public safety” worker and any member of the New Hampshire National Guard ordered into active state service.
On June 18, Sununu issued Executive Order 2020-12, an order directing the formal establishment of the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council on Substance Misuse and Prevention. Members of the council advise Sununu, from a youth perspective, on legislation, events and media pertaining to substance misuse. The council consists of up to 21 members, each appointed by Sununu, in grades 9 through 12 in the state. The council meets monthly and will submit a report of its activities to Sununu on or before Nov. 30.
On June 22, Sununu issued Executive Order 2020-13, an order amending Executive Order 2020-11, an order issued six days earlier that establishes the New Hampshire Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community and Transparency. Per Executive Order 2020-13, a criminal defense attorney will be added as a member of the commission.
Details of all Emergency and Executive Orders can be found at governor.nh.gov.
DCYF
The New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth, and Families has made “substantial progress” over the past few years, according to new data released by the Department of Health and Human Services. “When I took office in 2017, New Hampshire’s DCYF was in crisis with unacceptable results for our kids,” Gov. Sununu said in a press release. “We made children a top priority, created a new set of standards, made the right investments and have exceeded expectations with our outcomes.” DCYF Director Joseph Ribsam said in the release that the department has rebuilt its Child Protection System, and in doing so has seen positive trends like caseloads going down, workforce numbers going up, and the number of children finding permanent homes going up. For example, the average assessment caseload per social worker reached 93 in January 2016 and is now at 17, and the number of overdue open assessments has gone from 3,500 in November 2015 to 747 as of June, according to the press release. Ribsam said in the release that these trends were evident even prior to the pandemic, during which fewer calls have been coming in.
Food access
A new website, neighborhoodprovisions.org, has been created to help elderly and immunocompromised patients and community members in need find food options that can be delivered to their homes. According to a press release, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health is collaborating with community partners to facilitate food distribution to those populations during the pandemic. Locally, that includes Granite United Way, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Families in Transition and the office of Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig. “It’s been difficult for some of my patients to know what resources exist,” Roshani R. Patel, M.D., a surgeon at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester, said in the release. “They are overwhelmed. Many can pay for food but can’t find a central location to see what their options are.” The website includes a list of restaurants, small grocers and farms, support and delivery help, according to the release.
Septic troubles
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has seen an increased percentage of applications to replace failed individual septic systems over the last few months compared to 2019, according to a press release. With more people staying home due to the pandemic, there is an increased use of home septic systems, and system overload may be contributing to the increased number of failures, according to the release. In addition, disposing of antibacterial cleaning materials in septic systems can also lead to premature system failure. Visit getpumpednh.com for information about proper septic system maintenance.
Ride on
The Manchester Mounted Patrol Unit — police officers Kelly McKenney and Andrew Choi along with horses General Stark and Valor — has received a $1,200 donation from Members First Credit Union, a sponsorship that helps keep the self-funded unit on patrol, according to a press release. The unit has been patrolling the city, including the downtown area, since 1999 and serves as an ambassador of the Manchester Police Department by attending public events, parades, schools and police demonstrations, according to the release. Donations like these help cover expenses associated with operating the unit. Find “Friends of Manchester Mounted Patrol” on Facebook.
Teacher of the Year
The New Hampshire Department of Education has chosen 11 semifinalists for the 2021 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year award, selected from 30 nominees, according to a press release. The semifinalists are Alyssa Balboni, third-fourth grade, Parker-Varney, Manchester; Danielle Boutin, ELL, Ledge Street School, Nashua; Sarah Carlson, third grade, Plymouth Elementary; Maryanne Cullinan, Enrichment, Great Brook Middle School, Antrim; Christina Duffy, Social Studies, Hampton Academy; Lauren Elliott, first grade, Winchester School; Steven Juster, English, Londonderry High School; Jay Keough, Criminal Justice, Spaulding High School and R.W. Creteau Regional Technology Center, Rochester; Kathleen McCaffrey-Pomerleau, second grade, Main Street School, Exeter; Benjamin Rodon, Humanities, Amherst Middle School; and Tina Sturdivant, Biology, Pinkerton Academy, Derry. This year, instead of site visits, candidates submitted videos that showed how they transitioned to remote instruction. Now the semifinalists will be tested on their public speaking skills by visiting the department to answer this question: “What is your platform and how can you use that to elevate the teaching profession?” From there, finalists will be visited in their schools in September, if schools are open, with a final recipient selected in October, according to the release.
The Warner Historical Society will present a free online talk about the effect of the railroad on farming and mill development along the Warner River on Friday, June 26, at 7 p.m., according to a press release. Email info@warnerhistorical.org to register. During the discussion, you will be able to ask questions and talk to the presenters.
City Hall in Manchester has resumed in-person services, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to a press release. Masks are required for employees who work with the public and are strongly recommended for anyone entering the building. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available. Using online services is still recommended if possible, and processing fees will now be waived temporarily for all online services, according to the release.
Get your dog some ice cream and help the canines of Second Chance Ranch Rescue in New Boston at the same time. Throughout the month of July, Dairy Queen on Second Street in Manchester will be donating 100 percent of proceeds from every pup cup sold at the drive-thru, according to a press release.
Free bagged lunches will be available to kids under 18 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Nashua Public Library this summer, according to a press release. There will also be bags of nonperishable foods available Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The library parking lot will have a designated space with a curbside pickup sign. You can either use the intercom to request food or call 589-4600, and there is no ID required.