Covid-19 news

New positive infection rates of Covid-19 continue to be on the decline in New Hampshire. According to state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan, the Granite State saw an average of 150 new cases per day in the week leading up to May 18. State health officials reported just 79 new cases of Covid-19 on May 23 — that’s the first time since Oct. 26 of last year that DHHS reported fewer than 100 new infections in a single day, public health update documents show.

As of last week, walk-ins are now accepted at all of New Hampshire’s state-run vaccination sites between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. every day except Sunday.

During a May 18 press conference, Gov. Chris Sununu announced that New Hampshire would be terminating its participation in all pandemic-related federal unemployment compensation programs, including the $300 weekly unemployment benefits, on June 19. He also announced that the state will begin offering “summer stipends” totalling $10 million as an incentive to encourage people to find jobs. Effective May 18, anyone filing for unemployment in New Hampshire who returns to work for at least eight consecutive weeks will be eligible for a payment bonus — $1,000 for full-time workers and $500 for part-time workers. Payments are on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to people earning $25 per hour or less.

Ed funding lawsuit

New Hampshire school districts had until May 22 to join ConVal School District’s lawsuit against the state over equitable education funding, and now a total of 16 districts are co-plaintiffs in the suit. According to a press release, the plaintiffs argue that the State does not meet its constitutional obligation to provide adequate funding for all students, saying that base adequacy — which provided $3,636 per student in all districts in 2019 — is not sufficient. In March, the Supreme Court of New Hampshire rejected the State’s request to dismiss the lawsuit. The case now goes back to Superior Court Judge David Ruoff, who will hold hearings allowing the plaintiffs to present evidence that the State underfunds education; an evidentiary hearing isn’t expected until the summer of 2022, according to the release. The school districts involved in the lawsuit are ConVal, Claremont, Derry, Fall Mountain, Grantham, Hillsboro-Deering, Hopkinton, Lebanon, Manchester, Mascenic, Mascoma, Monadnock, Nashua, Newport, Oyster River and Winchester. “We all value public education because it uniquely serves our community honorably to make sure each and every student has an equal opportunity, no matter what circumstances, to lead educated, productive and engaged lives,” James Donchess, Mayor of the City of Nashua, said in a press release that was sent out following the Nashua Board of Education’s May 17 vote to join the lawsuit.

Covid Care Corps

The Covid Care Corps, piloted last summer as part of AmeriCorps, is looking for summer associates to serve in New Hampshire and Maine, building infrastructure and helping communities recover from the effects of the pandemic. According to a press release, the Covid Care Corps was so successful in New Hampshire that it was expanded into a year-round program. The summer positions are a 10-week, full-time commitment; members receive a biweekly living stipend and either scholarship money or a cash stipend upon completion of the service term. Members must begin by June 28. The application deadline is Thursday, June 4; contact Steve Niles at [email protected] or 207-370-3918.

Lowest unemployment

New Hampshire is tied with Nebraska, South Dakota and Utah for having the lowest unemployment rate in the country at 2.8 percent, according to April’s unemployment numbers from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Following the release of those numbers on May 21, Gov. Chris Sununu issued a press release saying the state should expect a “booming summer” that will build on its economic success. According to a press release, before the pandemic New Hampshire had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 2.6 percent. It has steadily dropped following a peak of 16 percent in April 2020, and the numbers in April 2021 show a return to pre-pandemic unemployment level, the release said.

New England College in Henniker announced last week that the Covid-19 vaccination will be added to the school’s list of required vaccinations. With limited exceptions, all students and staff who are attending classes or working on campus must be fully vaccinated prior to the start of the fall semester.

Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig will host community office hours throughout the city this summer, starting Thursday, May 27, from noon to 1 p.m. at Rock Rimmon Park, according to a press release. Next up, Craig will be at the Sheehan-Basquil Splash Pad on Monday, June 21, from 9 to 10 a.m.

Deb Chabot and Peter Georgantas have been named the first recipients of the Goffstown Citizen of the Year award. According to a press release, during the height of the pandemic the two helped raise more than $5,800 for a local food pantry and started a campaign to encourage residents to support local restaurants.

Mark Threlfall of Merrimack will be a judge at the 145th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Tarrytown, New York, on Sunday, June 13. According to a press release, Threlfall will be judging German Shorthaired Pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers, Gordon Setters, Irish Setters, and Irish Red and White Setters. He has worked with dogs his whole life, including as a professional handler, winning best in show numerous times, the release said.