News
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...
NH resident pleads guilty to selling stolen body parts
WILLIAMSPORT. Pa. — The wife of a former Harvard Medical School morgue manager has pleaded guilty to a federal charge after investigators said she shipped stolen human body parts — including hands, feet and heads — to buyers.Denise Lodge, 64, of...
More than two years into war, Granite Staters continue to travel to Ukraine to provide aid and teach philosophy
By JEREMY MARGOLIS
It will take Brian Nolen and his 10-year-old springer spaniel, Annie, at least four days to travel from their home in Bedford, New Hampshire to Kharkiv, Ukraine.The five-leg trip – Nolen’s sixth to the country since the war broke out in February 2022...
Former Warner town administrator placed on leave in Newbury
By MICHAELA TOWFIGHI
Diane Ricciardelli, the former town administrator in Warner, was placed on administrative leave from her new job in Newbury recently after an emergency non-public select board meetingScott Wheeler, the chair of the Newbury Board of Selectmen,...
Hometown Hero: Quilters, sewers grateful for couple continuing ‘treasured’ business
By RAY DUCKLER
When Randy and Holly Silver saw their chance two years ago to open a business they’ve always wanted, they wasted no time moving forward.They went to the bank almost immediately after an offer was made to buy the Bittersweet Fabric Shop, a staple in...
Concord martial arts studio builds life skills far beyond combat
By CHLOE RATTEE
Sometimes a life-changing moment can come from something simple, like a TV show.For Paul Averill, the longtime owner of Averill’s Martial Arts Academy, that change in his life’s trajectory came after he watched Kung Fu, which aired in the 1970s....
