Category: News

News & Notes 23/12/21

College for first responders

The New Hampshire Department of Safety has launched a new First Responder program in collaboration with the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH), the Police Standards and Training Council and Sen. David Watters. According to a press release, this initiative aims to enhance the career development, recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers, professional firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Eligible first responders can receive tuition and fee reimbursements for courses at any of New Hampshire’s community colleges, subject to funding availability and successful course completion. The program underscores the state’s commitment to maintaining a skilled first responder workforce and is supported by funding from New Hampshire Senate Bill 153, sponsored by Sen. Watters.

School projects

The Public School Infrastructure Commission in New Hampshire has recommended funding for 262 school security projects across the state, totaling $9,668,202.68. According to a press release, this recommendation is part of the third round of the Security Action for Education (SAFE) grants program, which received 630 applications. The grants, aimed at enhancing school security measures such as access control and surveillance, await approval by the governor, the Executive Council and the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee, expected in early 2024. Previously, the SAFE grants program had allocated about $13.9 million to 341 schools, with priority given in the latest round to those schools that had not received funding in earlier rounds.

Insurance ed

The New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID) and New England College (NEC) are continuing their educational collaboration with the launch of the second year of a specialized insurance industry course. According to a press release, this course, starting in the Spring 2024 semester, aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of various aspects of the insurance sector, including risk identification, management techniques, the logic behind insurance purchases and regulatory oversight by the NHID. The course, which offers four academic credits, also includes the possibility of an internship for additional credits. Experienced professionals from the NHID will lead the course, sharing their knowledge from both public and private sectors in insurance. Completion of the course and internship may even allow students to waive the insurance licensing exam, akin to the Webster Scholar Program at UNH Law.

Charter schools

According to a report by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, New Hampshire’s public charter school enrollment saw an increase of 11.99 percent, or 592 students, during the 2022-2023 school year. This growth contrasts with the overall trend in public school enrollments nationally, where public charter schools experienced a 2 percent increase (more than 72,000 students) from the 2021-2022 to the 2022-2023 school year, while district public schools saw a marginal increase of 0.02 percent (7,400 students). Over the past four years, public charter schools nationally have added more than 300,000 students, a 9 percent rise, whereas district public schools have not regained the approximately 1.5 million students lost during the pandemic, a 3.5 percent decrease. In New Hampshire charter schools have grown by 30.79 percent in the last three years, with the Academy for Science and Design in Nashua recording the largest enrollment increase, of 97 students for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Health news

Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, a Dartmouth Health member, has introduced continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for intensive care unit patients experiencing kidney failure, according to a press release. With the acquisition of two CRRT machines and the ICU staff trained in their use, the hospital can now treat more critically ill patients locally. The CRRT treatment offers a 24-hour dialysis process, crucial for patients with acute kidney injury, which is associated with a high mortality rate. This new capability allows patients to stay close to their community during recovery, a significant change from when patients needed to be transferred to other facilities. Cheshire’s ICU also benefits from Dartmouth Health’s TeleICU service, providing around-the-clock care in collaboration with remote nephrologists. The program has been operational since early August, contributing to life-saving treatments and, in one case, facilitating organ donations from a patient.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has implemented nighttime lane closures on Interstate 93 northbound in Derry/Londonderry, expected to be in effect through the morning of Friday, Dec. 22, according to a press release. During this period, northbound traffic will be rerouted through newly constructed ramps, returning to I-93. The closures, affecting the stretch from mile marker 11 to 13, will reduce traffic to one lane near mile marker 12. These closures are for setting steel girders on the new Exit 4A bridge, part of a larger $45 million interchange construction project.

Manchester’s Bookmobile program has reached a milestone of distributing 20,000 books to children. According to a press release, the Bookmobile, reintroduced in 2018 and operational through the pandemic, aims to improve child literacy and ensure book access for all ages. The program is supported by staff from Manchester City Library and the Manchester School District, as well as community volunteers.

Nashua nonprofit Harbor Care received a $5,000 grant from BAE Systems, a global defense, aerospace and security company, to assist in ending homelessness among veterans in the state. According to a press release, this funding will support essential services for homeless veterans, including access to shelter and food. Harbor Care, serving more than 450 veterans and their families annually, has contributed to ending veteran homelessness in Nashua since 2017 and is working toward replicating this success across New Hampshire.

Quality of Life 23/12/14

Welcome, winter enthusiasts!

New Hampshire has been recognized as the fourth-best state for a winter trip in the U.S., achieving a score of 9.31 out of 10 in a study by travel expert Viator. This commendation highlights the state’s robust offerings for winter enthusiasts, including a high count of ski resorts at 28, the most among the top four states. In addition to providing numerous winter sports opportunities with approximately 61 inches of average snowfall, New Hampshire also caters to ice skating fans with 37 rinks available across the state.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Another reason to get excited about snow.

Bird woes

New Hampshire residents have been noticing a decrease in bird populations, NHPR reported. Sean O’Brien, from the University of New Hampshire’s cooperative extension, has been addressing this concern, identifying a mast year, where oak trees produce abundant acorns, as a key factor. This abundance of forest food reduces birds’ presence in open areas. Furthermore, climate change is impacting bird species, with the National Audubon Society noting significant declines across the U.S. Migratory birds are particularly affected, experiencing habitat changes and increasing temperatures. In contrast, local winter birds like owls and woodpeckers are faring better.

QOL score: -2

Comment: In the report, O’Brien highlighted the importance of native plants in supporting bird populations, recommending that gardens should comprise at least 70 percent native perennials to help birds thrive, along with minimizing pesticide use and keeping cats indoors.

Reading help

New Hampshire is offering free training on the science of reading to parents and educators, NHPR reported, aiming to improve literacy among the state’s elementary students. The Department of Education notes more than 3,300 individuals are already enrolled in the Lexia LETRS courses, with more cohorts opening for 2024. The training covers various aspects of reading education, including phonics and phonology, and is unique in its inclusivity, being open to all adults involved in children’s education, such as parents and homeschool instructors. Funded by federal Covid relief funds, the program sees participation from more than 80 school districts.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The report said this initiative responds to concerns about declining reading scores and the use of outdated teaching methods in the state. New Hampshire’s reading and math scores have been falling since peaking in 2013, with current data showing about half of the state’s fourth-graders not proficient in reading, according to the article.

QOL score: 87

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 87

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?
Let us know at [email protected].

This Week 23/12/14

Big Events December 14, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Dec. 14

The Palace Theatre’s (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) production of A Christmas Carol continues through Dec. 23, with showtimes on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., with an additional show on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $28 to $59.

Thursday, Dec. 14

Author Daniel Dain will discuss and sign his bookA History of Bostontoday at 6:30 p.m. at Balin Books (Somerset Plaza, 375 Amherst St. in Nashua; balinbooks.com). Visit the bookstore’s website to RSVP.

Saturday, Dec. 16

The McAuliffe Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Dr. in Concord; starhop.com) will celebrate “Dozens of Decades of Flight” today and tomorrow, commemorating the Dec. 17, 1903, flight by Wilbur and Orville Wright. The event will feature aviation activities, speakers and guest organizations, including Capt. Shawn Grinnell of the U.S. Space Force on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m. The celebration is included with admission, which costs $12 for adults, $9 for ages 3 to 12, $11 for 62+ and ages 13- college. Planetarium shows cost an additional $6. The center is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16

The Little Mermen, described as “the ultimate Disney cover band for Disney fanatics of all ages,” will play the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com) today at noon; doors open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets cost $25.

Saturday, Dec. 16

Catch the NH Philharmonic’s annual Holiday Pops concert tonight at 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. at the Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive in Salem). Tickets cost $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, $10 for students and $5 for Salem students; see nhpo.booktix.com for tickets. A livestreaming ticket option is available for the Sunday 2 p.m. concert. See nhphil.org.

Sunday, Dec. 17

Catch a screening of Elf (PG, 2003) today at 3 p.m. at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St.; nashuacenterforthearts.com). The event is free but go online to secure tickets. Find more fun family holiday screenings in the Kiddie Pool column on page 22.

Save the Date! Sunday, Dec. 31
The Grappone Conference Center (70 Constitution Ave. in Concord) will have a Disco-Themed New Year’s Eve Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 31, from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The event will feature a buffet dinner, cash bar, cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, dancing to music from DJ Nazzy and a midnight toast, according to a press release. Tickets cost $90 per person and are available via the Grappone Conference Center’s Facebook page and through eventbrite.com. Know of other fun ways to ring in 2024? Let us know at [email protected].

Featured photo: A Christmas Carol at the Palace Theatre.

The week that was

The Big Story – A Weird Local Week: No story dominated. The Red Sox actually got worse at the winter meetings and the Bruins surrendered their overall points lead in the NHL thanks to going 5-4-1 in their last 10 games, while thin-skinned refs heard it from Jaylen Brown after he was surprisingly ejected vs. New York on Friday. But most notable was D.C. political pub Politico reporting that for the first time in 20 years presidential primary candidates are now scheduling events during Pats games because the Pats are so bad. Exhibit A: the negative yacking about Thursday’s win over Pittsburgh because it may hurt their draft position in April.

That’s where we start the week.

Sports 101: OnSaturdayJayden Daniels became the third player from LSU to win the Heisman Trophy. Name their other two winners.

News Item – New Hampshire Athletes: Two locals were in the news last week. Steelers tight end PatFreiermuth of Durham had three catches for 18 yards vs. the Pats, and Merrimack’s Mickey Gasper was taken by Boston in the Rule 5 draft after spending five years catching in the Yankees organization. He’s got to stick all year with the Sox or he reverts back to New York.

Lakers Win First NBA In-Season Tourney: Yawn. That’s all we got for that.

The Numbers:

3.2 –NFLlowest yards per carry allowed by the stingier than you think Patriots defense.

50 – second best in the NBA blocked shots recorded by San Antonio 7’6” rookie Victor Wembanyama after 19 games, with the 50th being his viral swat off the backboard of a layup attempt by T-Wolves big Naz Reid.

129 – points averaged by the Indiana Pacers, which will set the NBA record for most points per game ever if the number holds.

… Of the Week Awards:

Honors –Good guy Red Sox radio voice Joe Castiglione was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame. After 41 years and 6,000 broadcasts he’ll go in next July as the recipient of the Ford Frick Award for broadcast excellence. It’s about time. Congratulations.

Grudge Match –The long feud between historically overrated Chris Paul and touchy referee Scott Foster grabbed headlines again after Paul claimed Foster’s tossing him with two quick T’s was “personal.” The interesting side note is Paul’s teamhas won just twice in the 20 games officiated by Forster since CP3 entered the NBA. It got both a (David) stern response from Commissioner Adam Silver to knock it off.

Stat – Patriots are 1-3 when they’ve given up 10 points or less, while the rest of the NFL is 53-0 when teams have done that.

Thumbs Up – Fisher Cats Sold: As first reported by the Union Leader, the F-Cats were sold to Diamond Baseball Holdings, the operator of 29 minor-league teams, who also bought the Red Sox AAA club in Worcester days earlier. Best of all they’re staying put.

Thumbs Down – Sports Illustrated: In the latest flash-over-substance drone pick, the teenagers now running Sports Illustrated (into the ground) somehow named Colorado Football Coach Deion Sanders as its Sports Person of the Year, a guy who following a 3-0 start after running off almost every Buffalo from 2022 finished at 4-9. Who was their runner-up, Kyrie Irving? What planet do you people live on?

Random Thoughts:

Sorry, Pat Mahomes, you can’t blame the refs for calling back Travis Kelce’s oh-so-alert cross-court lateral/pass to Kadarius Toney that went for a TD vs. Buffalo. Toney lined up in the neutral zone, a preventable mistake that was entirely Toney’s fault. No excuse for such a bonehead move.

Sports 101 Answer: The other two LSU Heisman Trophy winners were Joe Burrow in 2019 and running back Billy Cannon, who after winning in 1959 gave the AFL a huge publicity boost by being the first big name to sign with the fledgling league.

Final Thought – Yanks Got Better, Sox Got Worse: Aside from making their everyday line-up weaker by gift-wrapping Alex Verdugo to the Yanks for three pitchers no one ever heard of, Craig Breslow came away with a doughnut at last week’s winter meetings.

Not sure it was the first mistake of the Breslow era. But it made the Yanks seem less desperate to improve their outfield and thus took some of the leverage San Diego appeared to have as they pursued slugger Juan Soto, who they got the next day in a seven-player blockbuster deal for what’s been called a disappointing return.

This was done with a majority of the starting pitching trade options coming off the board and as the marquee free agents eliminated Boston from their wish list, most notably Shohei Ohtani. Though, since he almost landed in Toronto and got an astonishing $70 million for 10 years from the Dodgers, the dominoes fell right with him.

But if this doesn’t change right away, can you say last in the AL East? Again.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 23/12/07

Higher ed

Gov. Chris Sununu has established a Public Higher Education Task Force, as outlined in Executive Order 2023-06, to address the strategic alignment of public higher education in the state. According to a press release, the Task Force, which includes members from various educational, governmental and business sectors, will hold its first meeting on Dec. 21. The goal is to ensure New Hampshire’s public higher education institutions can navigate the changing educational landscape marked by declining enrollments and the rising costs of college education. This initiative follows unanimous support from the boards of both the University System and the Community College System of New Hampshire. The Task Force is expected to report its findings by March 31, 2024, aiming to maintain the state’s institutions as vital contributors to the workforce and culture amid demographic and economic pressures.

Historic preservation

The New Hampshire Land & Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) has announced grant awards for 12 historic preservation projects, facilitating essential rehabilitation and restoration efforts. According to a press release, the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, a statewide nonprofit organization, has played a pivotal role in the success of these projects, providing planning grants for building assessments and technical assistance. Key beneficiaries include Mason’s 1848 town hall and the Brookside Congregational Church in Manchester, both of which received state recognition and planning grants thanks to the Alliance’s intervention. Additionally, Plainfield Town Hall, recently listed on the Alliance’s 2023 Seven to Save list, will receive LCHIP funds to address moisture issues affecting its historic stage set. The grants, matched by double the funds from private and public sources, contribute to local economies and the state’s cultural and historical fabric.

Recovery help

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has teamed up with Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) to introduce the Strengthening Communities of Recovery Act. This legislation aims to reauthorize and boost funding for recovery resources to support individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), addressing the severe behavioral health crisis and the rising number of overdose deaths, which in New Hampshire increased by 11 percent last year. The Act proposes to raise the grant program’s annual funding from $5 million to $16 million over five years, enhancing peer recovery support and services such as advocacy, education and employment assistance. Sen. Shaheen also contributed to the FY 2023 government funding legislation, which includes increased funding for SUD response grants and resources for supportive housing for women in recovery.

Funds for health

New Hampshire’s community health safety net, comprising 11 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), has received a $500,000 donation from Northeast Delta Dental. According to a press release, this contribution comes at a crucial time as four of the largest health centers in the state face a collective financial shortfall of $3.5 million due to the public health pandemic, low Medicaid reimbursements and reduced pharmaceutical savings. This funding will help these centers continue to provide critical services such as primary care, behavioral health therapy and substance use disorder services to more than 102,400 people annually. Leaders from FQHCs across the state emphasized the importance of this donation, noting that without it the loss of services would lead to increased strain on emergency departments and gaps in treatment for chronic and emerging health conditions. The gift from Northeast Delta Dental is seen as a vital contribution to stabilizing the network and maintaining integrated health care services across New Hampshire.

Funds for BAE

U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, alongside U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, joined Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in Nashua to announce a $35 million CHIPS funding award to BAE Systems. According to a press release, this federal investment, derived from the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, will modernize BAE Systems’ Microelectronics Center, a Trusted Foundry for the Department of Defense, enhancing U.S. semiconductor technology access for military use. The initiative aims to bolster the U.S.’s economic and national security, reduce dependency on international semiconductor manufacturing, and create jobs. Part of this funding will also foster a partnership with Nashua Community College to develop a workforce training program, reinforcing New Hampshire’s position in the national defense manufacturing sector and contributing to the state’s economic growth.

The New Hampshire State Forest Nursery in Boscawen is accepting online orders for spring 2024, according to a press release, with limited quantities of conifer species due to adverse weather last year. While popular Christmas tree varieties are affected, the nursery offers a range of shrubs and hardwoods, including red-berried elder and winterberry holly, and an expanded pollinator pack. Customers can purchase seedlings through the nursery’s online store, buynhseedlings.com, which provides up-to-date inventory. Despite the reduced availability of certain species, this offers a chance to diversify plantings. To view available species, visit nh.gov/nhnursery.

The Christa McAuliffe State House Memorial Commission has selected artist Benjamin Victor of Boise, Idaho, to design the Christa McAuliffe Memorial to be placed on the Statehouse lawn in Concord. Victor is the youngest artist to have a sculpture in the U.S. Capitol National Statuary Hall, where he has three sculptures (Sarah Winnemucca, Dr. Norman Borlaug and Chief Standing Bear), according to a press release from the governor’s office.

The City of Manchester has scheduled a public informational meeting to discuss the rehabilitation of the Amoskeag Eastbound and Canal Street Ramp bridges. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 18, at the Rines Center (1528 Elm St.) The objective, according to a press release, is to provide the public with details about the proposed project and to gather community feedback to ensure the project aligns with public transportation needs, community objectives and environmental considerations.

Quality of Life 23/12/07

Funding the show

The Community Players of Concord, an all-volunteer theater company founded in 1927, received a significant boost with a $50,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor. According to a press release, this gift is aimed at establishing an investment fund to secure the long-term future of the nearly century-old organization. The fund, named “A Fund for the Players,” requires the Players to raise an additional $50,000 to access the full pledged amount. Already over halfway to their goal, the group plans to meet this challenge before their annual meeting in June 2024.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Contributions to this fund can be made through the Community Players of Concord’s website, communityplayersofconcord.org.

Our holiday look

A “Most Popular Christmas Decorations 2023” study conducted by Lombardo Living found that New Hampshire ranks 7th among states for the most holiday decorating in 2023. The study, which analyzed Google search terms related to Christmas decorations, also indicates that the most popular decoration in New Hampshire is the window candle. This preference places New Hampshire within a unique niche of states that have chosen a specific type of holiday decoration that differs from the more commonly seen Christmas trees and lights that dominate other states’ preferences.

QOL score: +1

Comment: The study reports that 83 percent of Americans are decorating for the holidays this year, spending an average of $140 on decorations.

Jewelry thefts

The Manchester Police Department reported three mid-business-day jewelry thefts happening within a little more than a week at two local jewelry stores, according to a press release. Starting on Nov. 20, Day’s Jewelers fell victim to a “snatch-and-grab” theft of a gold chain, a tactic repeated in a subsequent theft at the same store on Nov. 25. A similar theft took place at Market Square Jewelers on Nov. 28, involving a gold rope chain, the release said.

QOL score: -2

Comment: Manchester Police Department asks anyone for information about the thefts to call Manchester Police Detective Andrew Choi at 792-5514. Descriptions and photos of the men suspected in the thefts are posted on the police department’s Facebook page.

QOL score: 87

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 87

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?
Let us know at [email protected].

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