Bus issues

Since the start of the school year, the Manchester School District has grappled with transportation issues, including significant bus delays, overcrowding and route cancellations, according to a press release. While the district contracts two companies, Student Transportation of America (STA) and Manchester Transit Authority (MTA), for bus services, STA is currently short-staffed and unable to serve charter schools. The district is actively seeking solutions and has informed the affected charter schools of the situation. Schools served by STA, such as Memorial, West, Parkside and others, will continue to face delays until staffing normalizes. The district emphasizes the urgent need for more drivers and encourages potential applicants to consider positions with both STA and MTA.

State police director

Mark B. Hall has been confirmed as the new Director of the Division of State Police by the Executive Council of New Hampshire, according to a press release. Gov. Sununu nominated him for the position on Aug. 23. Hall has been with the Department since October 1999, having previously held the ranks of Major, Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant and Trooper. The Director of the New Hampshire State Police is responsible for overseeing the overall operations and performance of the Division by leading its employees in its mission to make New Hampshire safe. Prior to his employment with the State of New Hampshire, Hall worked as a Vermont State Police Trooper and as a patrol officer with the Milton, Vermont, Police Department. He is a graduate of Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy.

Raising awareness

In advance of NH and National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 10 through 16, the New Hampshire Suicide Prevention Council hosted a press conference with Gov. Sununu and Council representatives from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, NAMI New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to discuss statewide efforts and resources to prevent suicide. According to a press release, the community impact of NH Rapid Response/988, the launch of Strong As Granite, a new public awareness campaign, and the NH Suicide Prevention Council’s new website offering a statewide resource for suicide prevention were highlighted. In New Hampshire, suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals ages 15 to 34 and the ninth leading cause of death overall. Visit preventsuicidenh.org to learn more.

Day of Caring

The Granite United Way will host its Day of Caring event on Thursday, Sept. 21, in the greater Manchester area, where hundreds of volunteers will be dedicating their time to assist local nonprofits in completing their wish list projects. According to a press release, volunteers will help out with a variety of tasks, from painting and yard maintenance to preparing summer camps for the winter season. Those interested can still sign up for volunteer projects online at guw.upicsolutions.org/Volunteer/VolHome.jsp.

Settlement

Attorney General John M. Formella announced a settlement with Tempoe, LLC, resolving a multistate investigation into Tempoe’s advertising and leasing to consumers through retailers across the nation. According to a press release, the multistate investigation revealed that Tempoe’s marketing and sales practices often misled consumers to believe they were signing up for an installment plan or credit sale when, in reality, they were entering into a lease agreement. The complicated structure and the lack of required disclosures of the lease agreements caused more confusion, often resulting in consumers’ paying two to three times the purchase price of the product or service, the release said. Through this settlement, Tempoe is permanently banned from engaging in future consumer leasing activities. All existing leases will be canceled, and consumers may retain the leased merchandise in their possession without any further financial obligation to Tempoe, resulting in approximately $33 million of “in-kind” financial relief to consumers nationwide.

Bike tour

The Queen City Bicycle Collective is holding a Tour of Manchester on Sunday, Sept. 17, with a 7 a.m. start time at the Eversource parking lot (780 N. Commercial St. in Manchester), according to a press release. This family-friendly bike ride will explore places like the Hands over the Merrimack Bridge, the Piscataquog Trail, the Rockingham Recreational Trail and the South Manchester Trail, the release said. The tour has a 30-mile loop and an 8-mile loop option. Register at qcbike.org/tour.

Concord Makerspace celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 9. According to a newsletter, visitors were invited to witness 3D printers in action, see live demos on a CNC router and watch a table saw crafting wooden pendants. The router was reassembled and surfaced following the event, and classes on its operation are now available, with members prioritized for registration. Remaining slots are announced on Facebook for non-members.

A bridge over the CSX railroad on Oak Street in Rollinsford will be closed for approximately two weeks for essential maintenance beginning Monday, Sept. 18. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, this will involve replacing the timber surface on the bridge deck. While Oak Street will remain accessible for local businesses and residences, a detour will be established for other motorists.

The Eighth Annual Water Walk, organized by The Thank You Project (TYP), is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 16, in Nashua. According to a press release, participants will embark on a 2-mile journey from Greeley Park to the Merrimack River Bridge on Main Street, filling containers with water and carrying them back, simulating the daily challenges faced by many in Nigeria. TYP, a Christian-based nonprofit, works to provide clean drinking water in Nigeria. Visit thankyouproject.org/waterwalk to register or donate.