News
Granite Geek: Free government software for taxes – what could go wrong? (Not much, as it turns out)
By DAVID BROOKS
This year’s tax season was like all the others, a real pain in the neck to get through especially if, like me, you had to file for an extension because one stupid piece of paper was late. Argh!!!Which made me wonder how things went with the intriguing...
Here’s why the verdict in New Hampshire’s landmark trial over youth center abuse is being disputed
By HOLLY RAMER
“Duped.” “Devastated.” “Sickened.” That’s how a jury foreperson felt after learning that the amount awarded in a landmark lawsuit over abuse at New Hampshire’s youth detention center could be slashed by nearly 99%.A jury on Friday awarded $38 million...
Gaming company skips funding for problem gambling efforts
By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN
An ongoing review of the state’s charitable gaming laws has sparked concerns over Ainsworth, a company operating nearly half of the historical horse racing terminals that avoids paying money to fund problem gambling services.While the company’s...
Bradley Haas Act to provide death benefit to all security officers under new amendment
By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN
Lawmakers moved to expand the proposed Bradley Haas Act to provide a death benefit not only to the family of the fallen security officer but also to other security officers who may be killed in the line of duty.Senate Bill 604, named after former...
Hopkinton tries to nab out-of-town trash bandits
By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN
Already struggling to enforce its green bag program in its shared transfer station, Hopkinton realized it faces a new issue: Concord residents trying to dump their trash in town.Last Saturday, select board members Thomas Lipoma and Jeffrey Donohue...
Jaffrey hosts inaugural Monadnock Comic-Con
By ASHLEY SAARI
Escape Hatch Books, TEAM Jaffrey and The Park Theatre collaborated to bring a longtime dream into reality last week with what they hope will be the first of an annual Monadnock Comic-Con event.On Friday and Saturday, Main Street hosted vendors with...
Next Broken Ground principal is currently Rochester superintendent
By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN
Kyle Repucci, current superintendent of schools in his hometown of Rochester, will be the new principal of Broken Ground elementary next year after the school board unanimously approved his hiring Monday night. It’s been awhile — eight years — since...
Lawyers and lawmakers assert the Department of Education is on the verge of violating the law
By RHIANWEN WATKINS
New Hampshire’s state funding of public schools is the lowest in the nation, despite the state Constitution requiring the state government to finance an adequate education for every child.The arguments over state school funding have raged in the...
For Stephanee Byars, life goes on, even without her right arm
By DANIEL SARCH
Stephanee Byars lived carefree before sustaining a kitchen injury to her right arm at work 22 years ago. She was an avid skier, kayaker and biker, and living on the edge was her motto. But her injury posed many problems over the years, and eventually,...
UNH selects Elizabeth Chilton as university’s next president
By JEREMY MARGOLIS
The University of New Hampshire on Tuesday named Elizabeth Chilton, the current chancellor of Washington State University’s flagship campus, as its next president.Chilton, an anthropologist, has also served as a dean at Binghamton University and as an...
On Thursday, public Q&A with Manchester airport director at NH Aviation Museum
Ted Kitchens, director of the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, will answer questions about recent airfield developments plus effects of the global aviation industry in a free talk, open to the public, on Thursday, May 9.The session comes as the...
UNH faculty and students call on university police chief to resign following his alleged assault on a student
By JEREMY MARGOLIS
Five days after police arrested 12 pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of New Hampshire, students and faculty called for the resignation of university Police Chief Paul Dean after they say he assaulted a student while responding to last...
Hometown Heroes: Through dance, Sindy Chown teaches kids that they belong
By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN
For Sindy Chown, dance is belonging: within one’s own body, within a culture, within a community. “When someone dances with their heart, you see it in their face,” Chown said. Their eyes will light up, and a smile will bloom on their face. “It’s like...
When returning to the moon, politics – and fear of weapons in space – is part of the discussion
By DAVID BROOKS
NASA’s return-to-the-moon program Artemis has 18 New Hampshire companies and institutions supplying products or services, from temperature sensors to gaskets to research projects, so it was no surprise that business was featured when astronaut...
Low and moderate income homeowners property tax relief program open through June 30
By MICHAELA TOWFIGHI
Applications for property tax relief through the Department of Revenue Administration are open through June 30. Single homeowners who make up to $37,000 a year and married couples who have an income of $47,000 can apply for a reduction on their local...
More details emerge from Diaper Spa hearing
By ANGELINA BERUBE
The Diaper Spa only saw three clients at its Atkinson location when it was in operation, its owner divulged during the third state board hearing to determine if the business was run unlawfully and without required medical licenses.Colleen Ann Murphy...
To snuff out cancer, NH firefighters seek regular screenings
By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN
One hundred New Hampshire firefighters will be screened for cancer this week at the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire’s convention, kicking off an effort to develop long-term, regular testing statewide. Cancer is now the leading cause of...
Steeplegate project to reopen to public comment as developer seeks to reduce required parking
By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN
The developer looking to turn the mostly vacant Steeplegate Mall into a bustling mix of residences and retail is seeking relief from the city’s minimum parking requirements to reduce the amount of pavement at the massive redevelopment project.The...
Students and staff welcome the opening of new Allenstown K-8 school
By JEREMY MARGOLIS
Five years after planning for a new school building in Allenstown began and 19 months after builders broke ground at 171 River Road, the Allenstown Community School opened on Friday.The big day was celebrated with white shirts emblazoned with...
Recycled Percussion to perform free concert for first responders at Flying Monkey
By GABRIEL PERRY
PLYMOUTH — Alex Ray of The Common Man family of restaurants and Justin Spencer of Recycled Percussion and Chaos & Kindness are teaming up to thank first responders who fought a fire that threatened the Flying Monkey and burned adjacent buildings the...
