| Covid-19 update | Last week | This week |
|---|---|---|
| Total cases statewide | 328,834 (as of June 13) | 330,116 (as of June 20) |
| Total current infections statewide | 2,707 (as of June 9) | 2,270 (as of June 16) |
| Total deaths statewide | 2,555 (as of June 13) | 2,570 (as of June 20) |
| New cases | 1,476 (June 7 to June 13) | 1,282 (June 14 to June 20) |
| Current infections: Hillsborough County | 1,115 (as of June 13) | 965 (as of June 20) |
| Current infections: Merrimack County | 370 (as of June 13) | 294 (as of June 20) |
| Current infections: Rockingham County | 905 (as of June 13) | 764 (as of June 20) |
Health and safety team for Manchester
A new Public Health and Safety Team has been formed to serve the City of Manchester, combining the efforts of the Manchester Police and Manchester Public Health departments, according to a press release from the mayor’s office. The team, which was announced by Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, Manchester Public Health Director Anna Thomas and Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg at a press conference on June 21, will consist of trained Community Health Workers who have experience and training in advocacy and conflict resolution and speak 14 different languages, collectively. They will be a multilingual point of contact for community and individual health and safety concerns and are trained in “violence interruption,” an evidence-based response technique for non-police and non-emergency matters to help reduce violent crime. The Public Health and Safety Team is one of the programs approved through the American Rescue Plan Act Recommendations.
Safer schools
A request from the New Hampshire Department of Education’s Bureau of School Safety and Facility Management to invest more than $10 million in federal funds in improving the safety infrastructure for all schools in the state was approved by the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee, Gov. Chris Sununu announced on June 17. “Ensuring kids are safe in school has been a priority of this administration for years, and this latest $10 million investment into school safety reaffirms our commitment to keeping students safe in the classroom,” Sununu said in a statement. “From our historic school safety taskforce to our initial first-of-its-kind $30 million fund to strengthen security in our schools, New Hampshire remains a leader in school safety investments.”
Voting access
A new law sponsored by Rep. Mark Paige, D-Exeter, will make it easier for New Hampshire students living with disabilities to vote. According to the Associated Press, the legislation requires discussion about voter registration to take place between school officials, parents and students living with disabilities who are age 17 and older as part of the special education planning for the student’s life after graduation. It will take effect in August.
Help for camps
A new program funded by federal Covid relief funds to make summer camp in New Hampshire more accessible to families includes mental health training for camp counselors. According to the Associated Press, 10 staff members from mental health facilities across the state will work with camps across the state to teach counselors how to identify children’s behaviors that may warrant reaching out for professional mental health support. Eight camps have received the training as of mid-June, according to the article.
A coach retires
NHTI Director of Athletics Paul Hogan announced his retirement on June 19 after 43 years working in education and athletics. According to a press release from NHTI, Hogan served as the men’s basketball head coach and athletic director at the school for more than two decades. Prior to that, his teaching, coaching and administrative career included positions at Woodsville, Litchfield, Laconia, Plymouth State and Spaulding High School in Rochester. Hogan has celebrated a total of 649 college basketball wins during his time as a coach — 513 at NHTI and 136 at Plymouth State, as well as two USCAA National Championships. “NHTI has been a very special place for the past 23 years,” Hogan said in a statement about his retirement. “My time with our Lynx will always be cherished. I look forward to continuing my relationship with NHTI in a different role moving into a new chapter of my life.”
Every dog at Cow Palace Creamery in Epping on June 21 had its day when Golden Dog Adventure Co. was slated to host a fundraiser and party for dogs and their owners in honor of National Dog Party Day. Attendees could enjoy a dog costume contest, ice cream and dog cornhole, and Mary’s Dogs Rescue & Adoption — Golden Dog Adventure Co’s charitable partner for the fundraiser — brought dogs available for adoption for people to meet, according to a press release.
Twiggs Gallery in Boscawen will host its second annual Arts Fest on Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a “Fun & Fiber” theme. See the story on page 14 of the June 9 issue of the Hippo (find the e-edition at hippopress.com) about the current exhibition “Wool: A Contemporary Fiber Art Exhibition.” Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com.
The City of Manchester will have its Independence Day celebration on Sunday, July 3, at Arms Park. Starting at 6 p.m., there will be food and beverage vendors, and the 39th Army Band will perform at around 7:30 p.m., until the fireworks begin at around 9:30 p.m. Admission is free, and attendees may bring their own chairs or blankets. The rain date, which would include the fireworks only, is Tuesday, July 5.
