News

Pembroke seminar on climate change aims to set the record straight

By RAY DUCKLER

Ayn Whytemare doesn’t like the view from the top of her hayfield in Pembroke.From there, rising from pines like a lonely skyscraper, stands the smokestack used by the Bow coal plant, the last facility of its kind in New England. And while the visible...

Pay-by-bag works for most communities, but not Hopkinton

By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN

Every time Jolene Cochrane clocks in for her shift at the Hopkinton Transfer Station, she sees residents driving in with their household waste bagged in various colored trash bags.With 19 years of experience at the station — a few years longer than...

Hooksett’s new tower could improve coverage in Bow

By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN

Hooksett’s plan to replace their emergency radio tower with one integrated with a cell tower could potentially improve cell coverage for certain residents in Bow.The emergency radio tower located at 98 South Bow Road, which houses emergency services...

Rare bipartisan gun bill gets NH Senate hearing

Wildfire season is here: Concord at moderate risk; high risk further south

By DAVID BROOKS

Despite all the wet weather, spring fire season has arrived.For the first time this year, parts of the state were rated Wednesday as being in “high” risk of wildfires by the state’s Forest Protection Bureau.The period after snow melts but before...

Court: Communities can’t reject solar on looks, property value fears alone

By ANNMARIE TIMMINS

Four communities in the state have been recognized as solar-welcoming by SolSmart, a federally funded organization that helps municipalities expand solar power. Franklin is not among them, and a recent state Supreme Court opinion likely won’t help get...

Mayors say need is growing for state homelessness prevention funds

By ETHAN DeWITT

When homeless residents request housing assistance from Keene, the city must help, even when shelters are full. As the number of New Hampshire’s homeless has grown, that has become increasingly expensive.During the fiscal year that ended in June 2023,...

Hundreds gather at discovery center in Concord for eclipse

By CHLOE RATTEE

A rush of excited people poured out of the lobby of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center when Cameron Waller, who works behind the front desk, announced that it was just 15 minutes until the eclipse reached totality.The center held a viewing party...

Concord city-schools committee revived, will meet for first time in 2 years

By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN

After the close of their budget planning seasons and with a mounting list of major construction projects between them, a joint committee between city and school district leaders — including both Concord and Merrimack Valley — will reconvene this...

With less than three months left, Concord Casino hasn’t found a buyer

By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN

At the start of the year, Concord Casino was ordered to close its doors and sell the business within six months, but, so far, no buyers have stepped forward to acquire the establishment.“There’s been no change in the status of the Concord facility,”...

Now that the eclipse is over, what do I do with my glasses?

By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN

After months of preparation, New Hampshire, along with many other parts of the country, experienced the solar eclipse. But now, what can you do with the eclipse glasses?Save them According to NASA, eclipse glasses with valid certification can...

Regal Theater in Concord is closing Thursday

By DAVID BROOKS

After Thursday’s 7:30 p.m. showing of “Kung Fu Panda 4,” the Regal Cinema on Loudon Road will close for good, ending 28 years of multiplex movies on The Heights in Concord and marking the latest step in the redevelopment of the Steeplegate Mall.What’s...

Kearsarge Middle School drone team headed to West Virginia competition

JEREMY MARGOLIS

For 60 seconds, a persistent buzz pervaded the Kearsarge Regional Middle School library on a recent Thursday afternoon as sixth grader Oliver Pirone piloted a drone through a green hoop, below a blue arch, and through two blue and black cubes,...

Phenix Hall, Christ the King food pantry, rail trail on Concord planning board’s agenda

By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN

Several major city projects — including one for a food pantry that drew ire from parents of a nearby school and the other for a mixed-use commercial, apartment, restaurant and event complex — are slated to come before the Concord Planning Board...

Granite Geek: Forest streams are so pretty; too bad they’re such a pain to measure

By DAVID BROOKS

One of my favorite parts of hiking in New Hampshire is coming across a rushing brook or mountain stream. They are one of nature’s most beautiful creations. But we live in reality so I realize there are complications even when things are beautiful. For...

Vandals key cars outside NHGOP event at Concord High; attendee carrying gun draws heat from school board

By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN

Vandals keyed the cars of at least 10 members of the state Republican Party while the group held its biennial convention inside Concord High School on Saturday. “There’s already too much vitriol in partisan politics,” Party Chair Chris Ager said. Ager...

Dinner over death in Concord

By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN

Instead of light conversations around a meal, Granite VNA, in partnership with Bennett Funeral Home, is hosting a dinner on Wednesday where attendees will engage in conversations about death and dying.Guided by end-of-life experts from a hospice team,...

Another Chipotle coming to Concord

By RAY DUCKLER

A Chipotle is set to be built across the street from the Merchants Way shopping plaza, giving patrons another dining option.Two years after the City of Concord approved the construction of a new Starbucks on Whitney Road – a site located off Exit 17...

Former Franklin High assistant principal Bill Athanas is making a gift to his former school

By RAY DUCKLER

Bill Athanas saw the sign outside Laconia High School and flashed back to the hallways of Franklin High.He remembered walking past the plain Franklin High sign – white letters on a black background, flanked by two small brick pillars – and greeting...

Portsmouth temple again targeted with vandalism

By TODD BOOKMAN

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man captured on video shattering two light sconces featuring the Star of David attached to the exterior of Temple Israel in downtown Portsmouth.The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. Monday.“While...