Hometown Hero: James “Jim” Marshall and three decades of selling Christmas trees for charity

By RACHEL WACHMAN

It takes James “Jim” Marshall three minutes to snip the netting off a Christmas tree, unwrap it, determine the price, put a ribbon on the top, and add it to the pile of trees to be sold. He’s perfected this skill over 38 years of spearheading...

The Satanic Temple unveils holiday display in city plaza in front of NH State House

By ARIANNA MacNEILL

Near the city Christmas tree and a nativity scene, a new holiday display now stands in the city plaza in front of the State House.The Satanic Temple has installed its own holiday monument in front of the State House, unveiled Saturday evening.As a...

A community of love: Samuel and Dan Habib screen award-winning documentary in Concord

By RACHEL WACHMAN

As the lights dimmed and the screen began to glow with the film’s opening scene, audience members at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage settled in for a journey into Samuel Habib’s world.Born with cerebral palsy, the 25-year-old filmmaker and his father...

Conquered Bread delivers more than fresh loaves: How one small business contributes to social justice and community charm

By RACHEL WACHMAN

Alex Brown wakes up before his family, treads downstairs, brews a pot of coffee and shapes dough into loaves on his kitchen counter.As his two children and his wife start their mornings, Brown puts the dough in the fridge to proof and gets ready for...

Inside EFAs: A quarter of all Education Freedom Account tuition dollars went to five Christian schools, Monitor analysis finds

By JEREMY MARGOLIS

Editor’s note: Inside EFAs is a new occasional Monitor series that will examine New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account program from multiple perspectives over the coming months.The vast majority of money from New Hampshire’s four-year-old school...

Steadfast Spirits distillery buys Litherman’s Limited brewery

By DAVID BROOKS

Steadfast Spirits, a distillery on Hall Street in Concord, has purchased the nearby Lithermans brewery and the owner plans to take the brewpub back to its earlier “vibe.”“The focus is on going back to those original beers, small batches of really good...

‘People deserve to be remembered’: Finding and honoring Concord’s unmarked graves

By DAVID BROOKS

After more than a decade, an unusual program to place markers on long-forgotten graves of 686 infants and adults in the former “poor lot” of Concord’s huge Blossom Hill Cemetery, the resting place of people who could not afford family plots, has wound...

City tries ‘beaver deceiver’ to prevent flooding at Mine Falls

By MYA BLANCHARD

Mine Falls is one of Nashua’s most treasured landmarks, enjoyed by wildlife and people alike, including sustainability manager Deb Chisholm, who loves seeing beavers while kayaking on the Nashua River.“If you go out around dusk, then you have a better...

New Penacook branch of library opens

By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN

Members of the public got their first chance to check out the new Penacook branch of the city public library on Thursday. The Penacook branch had been housed in an old police station on Merrimack Street for around 75 years, but is now open at its new...

A car crashed into a Concord couple’s house. It wasn’t the first time.

By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN

On a night in July, a car crashed into Alissa and Don Jelley’s garage. Sunday night, it happened again — only this time the driver hit their house, careening into their home office and leaving an eight-foot hole in their foundation. “We heard this...

‘What is the fastest, cheapest way we can get the school built’: Concord school board reconsidering middle school options

By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN

Concord’s school board is at a crossroads.An election day vote threw plans to build a new middle school into the ringer, and the board now faces a variety of options about what to do next. None have officially been ruled out, but their once-fervent...

Chichester town administrator resigns at Tuesday meeting

By RACHEL WACHMAN

Chichester town administrator Jodi Pinard resigned from her position at the Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday.The town will begin the search to fill the position after the holidays, according to selectman Michael Williams.In the interim, planning...

Seasonal spirit: Small businesses sponsor downtown holiday music in Concord

By RACHEL WACHMAN

Downtown Concord embraces each holiday season with glowing lights, wreathes adorning lamp posts, a giant spruce tree greeting visitors in front of the State House and merry melodies spreading cheer as people stroll down the sidewalks. If you’ve ever...

Work may soon start to prep the old stables near the high school for a Concord Coach museum

By DAVID BROOKS

The long effort to create a permanent home for Concord’s famous horse-drawn coaches might get a $160,000 boost if the City Council goes ahead with plans to contribute to the renovation of the former Concord Stables building near the high school.The...

Should parents of school bullies face consequences? Some NH politicians think so.

By ANNMARIE TIMMINS

Expect school vouchers, budget shortfalls, and the rights of transgender students to divide the Legislature next year. School bullying could, too.Lawmakers behind the renewed efforts to rein in bullying say their goal is to address shortcomings in the...

Franklin Animal Shelter full, looking for foster parents and volunteers

By DANIEL SARCH

The Franklin Animal Shelter is currently at capacity for pets and is looking for people to foster or adopt a cat or dog.Board member Jennifer Ach spoke to the shelter’s mission.“We have a mission to find them homes that are safe, secure and loving,...

Franklin City Council directs police to stop ticketing during winter parking ban

By DANIEL SARCH

FRANKLIN — Council addressed a number of items Monday night, including winter parking. The city council voted to pass a motion to direct the city manager to limit the police department to issuing parking tickets only if it’s actively snowing for 24...

‘Anything you can do to make a difference’: Men Wear Pink brings breast cancer awareness to schools, stores, companies, and more

By RACHEL WACHMAN

Charles “Chuck” Lloyd’s closet grows pinker by the year. He now owns pink socks, ties, shirts, and even a pink suit.The Bow resident and vice chancellor for the state’s community college system has participated in the American Cancer’s Men Wear Pink...

Peterborough Fire and Rescue ordered a new ambulance in 2022. It still hasn’t arrived.

By ABIGAIL HAM

Peterborough Fire and Rescue ordered a new ambulance in December of 2022. The agency still doesn’t have it.The department serves Peterborough, Dublin, Hancock, Francestown, Sharon and Temple — a population area of about 11,500 people, as of 2020...

Pats Peak prepares to open Friday as snowfall predicted Wednesday into Thursday

New Hampshire’s ski areas are taking advantage of the arrival of cold weather after a warm start to winter by blasting snow-making machines as the alpine season heads into high gear.Many alpine areas are opening this week in preparation for the...