E-ZPass scam alert
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation reported that a smishing scam targeted New Hampshire residents by texting people with links to settle outstanding toll amounts, according to a Nov. 19 press release. “NH E-ZPass will never send text messages requesting payment for tolls with late fees,” the release said. Check accounts via the official NH Turnpike E-ZPass website, ezpassnh.com. “Those who receive a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center atic3.gov. That is a site dedicated to sharing information on Internet crimes across law enforcement agencies. Recipients can also forward the suspicious message to 7726 (SPAM) to alert their mobile provider,” the release said.
Support for youth
The New Hampshire Department of Corrections and the Manchester Police Athletic League announced a partnership program called the CHOICES initiative, a “restorative justice program aimed at fostering positive community impact by supporting high-rish youth in greater Manchester,” according to a Nov. 22 Corrections release. “The CHOICES initiative — Creating Hope, Opportunities, Inspiring Change, Excellence & Success — builds on MPAL’s mission of strengthening bonds between young people and law enforcement while addressing the challenges faced by at-risk youth. Through this collaboration, NHDOC will provide unique mentorship opportunities by involving individuals under the department’s supervision, who have completed training and demonstrated their commitment to community betterment,” the release said. In addition to mentorships, the program will participate in guided visits to state prison facilities for candid discussions about the long-term impact of choices, the release said. For more information on CHOICES and MPAL and NHDOC’s work with youth, see manchesterpoliceathleticleague.org.
Google news
New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella is joining other state attorneys general and the United States Department of Justice in
“proposing a package of remedies to end Google’s unlawful monopoly over internet search engines and to restore competition to benefit consumers,” according to a press release from the Attorney General’s office on Nov. 21. “In a landmark decision in August 2024, a D.C. federal district court judge ruled that Google violated federal antitrust laws by illegally maintaining a monopoly in online search and search text ads. At issue now are the remedies the court will impose to end Google’s improper conduct that has stifled competition and harmed consumers, and the steps necessary to restore competition for the benefit of consumers,” the release said.
“The proposed final judgment, … filed with the court seeks to end … Google’s search distribution contracts and revenue sharing agreements by prohibiting Google from paying to be the initial default search engine on any phone, device, or browser. Google is also required to share its data and information …with rivals to improve the competitive choices available to consumers,” the release said. A hearing on the proposed remedies is scheduled to begin on April 22, the release said.
Dam news
According to a press release, The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services announced that the Governor and Executive Council approved $475,000 for the Fiske Dam Removal project in the town of Hinsdale and this Aquatic Resource Mitigation Fund grant was awarded to the Nature Conservancy. The Fiske Dam Removal project will restore riparian and wetland functions on a portion of the Ashuelot River, according to the release. The concrete dam removal will also restore aquatic organism passage and reconnect 7.44 miles of upstream river and streams in the Ashuelot River System to the Connecticut River and Atlantic Ocean with additional benefits that include restoration of approximately 154 river and stream miles for fish, mitigation of flood risks for Hinsdale and surrounding community areas, creation of a permanent Ashuelot River access point and providing conservation areas with improved water quality for ecosystem health, according to the release.
Girl Scout news
Girl Scouts from New Hampshire and Vermont were recognized for their achievements at a Young Women of Distinction ceremony held by the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains on Nov. 10 in Bedford. Eight of the 13 Girl Scouts who earned Gold Awards (the highest award in Girl Scouts) attended the event to talk about their projects, which require 80 service hours, according to a press release. The event also honored Silver Award and Bronze Award winners, the release said.
Girls interested in learning more about Girl Scouts can check out “Explore Girl Scouts” events on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m., at Northwood School, 511 First NH Turnpike in Northwood and on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 6 p.m. at Peter Woodbury School in the music room, 180 County Road in Bedford. See girlscoutsgwm.org.
Concord Communcity Music School (23 Wall St. in Concord, ccmusicschool.org) will feature Zefira Trio (violinist, cellist and pianist) for its Bach’s Lunch on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 12:10 p.m.
Author Ty Gagne will discuss his new book The Lions of Winter: Survival and Sacrifice on Mount Washington, about a 1982 four-day search for two missing ice climbers on Mount Washington, with Laura Knoy on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m. at Gibson’s Booksetore (45 S. Main St. in Concord).
Balin Books (Somerset Plaza, 375 Amherst St. in Nashua; balinbooks.com) will host two authors on Saturday, Nov. 30. At 11 a.m., Hattie Berstein will sign and discuss her book Don Quixote’s Hammer: Tapping into the Healing Power of the Nervous System. At 2 p.m., U.S. Marshal Steve Monier will sign and discuss his book No One Has To Die about the 2007 standoff in Plainfield.
Damian Costello will discuss “Maple, Medicine of Connection: Indigenous Wisdom and Communal Medicine” at the Pembroke Town Library (313 Pembroke St.) on Monday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Blessed Sacrament Parish (14 Elm St., Manchester, 622-5445, blessedsacramentnh.org) will serve a Thanksgiving feast Thursday, Nov. 28, from noon to 2 p.m. All are welcome.
The United Way of Greater Nashua will hold its next “Coffee and Causes” talk on “Preventing Falls and Fires at Home” on Friday, Dec. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Dartmouth Health Lower-Level Conference Room in Nashua. The event is free; register at tinyurl.com/Dec2024-Coffee.