PORTSMOUTH — A career Portsmouth police officer, Mark Newport was sworn in as interim chief Monday, during a virtual ceremony that drew praise from multiple city officials.Newport was sworn in by City Clerk Kelli Barnaby by taking a vow to uphold the federal and state Constitutions and faithfully discharge the duties of police chief. The…
Lessons the American people can learn from President Trump’s illness
While the nation watches and waits to see how President Donald Trump will fare as he’s treated for COVID-19, doctors say there are lessons the American people can learn from his infection in the midst of a pandemic that has so far killed more than 200,000 Americans and infected 7.3 million.Key among them is that…
Portsmouth city clerk opening Voting Center in City Hall
PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Voting Center in the Eileen Dondero Foley Council Chambers in City Hall will open Monday, Oct. 5.The hours of operation for the Voting Center, which will be offered through Nov. 2, are the same hours as City Hall:* Monday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (not open on Columbus Day, Oct. 12).*…
NH Democratic leaders stress need to get out the vote at Dover rally
DOVER — The top tier of New Hampshire Democratic leaders gathered for a rally Saturday at the Dover Elks Lodge, but two people not in attendance were on many people’s minds.Democrats wished President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump a speedy recovery from COVID-19, even as they expressed solid support for his Democratic rival…
Portsmouth Historical Society’s online art auction ends Oct. 7
PORTSMOUTH — Only days remain to bid on more than 100 works by regional artists in the Portsmouth Historical Society’s “Jubilee” art auction that ends at 6 p.m. Oct. 7.Half the proceeds support Discover Portsmouth and the John Paul Jones House Museum while the other half goes directly to 50 contributing artists. The online auction…
Sex crimes against children tips triple during COVID, says ICAC commander
Soon after COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were issued in March, cyber tips to the Portsmouth-based Internet Crimes Against Children task force tripled, said detective John Peracchi, commander of the statewide unit.Charged with finding adults who target children through the internet, ICAC investigators began seeing more children talking online with adults they thought were their own age,…
Mother in recovery loses – then regains – custody of 2-year-old son
Inscribed in black ink into the top of her hand, her son’s name – Tyrson.Named after a god in Germanic mythology, the little blonde boy with roseate, fleshy cheeks is her North Star. Glowing brightly toward a purposeful destination.”I don’t even think about relapsing,” said Schuyler Cumback. “I’m not going to sit here without my…
Median age of coronavirus sufferers trends down in Maine
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The median age of people who contract the coronavirus in the state is trending down.The median age was 51.3 from March through the end of May, and dipped to 41.4 for June through September, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention director Nirav Shah said Thursday. He said one of the…
After Trump’s COVID result, a running list of everyone being tested and their results
WASHINGTON – White House officials said Friday that President Donald Trump is feeling only “mild symptoms” following the announcement that he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19.Trump announced his positive test early Friday morning, sending Washington and the rest of the country into fresh turmoil just a month before the presidential election.…
Portsmouth police log: Sept. 30
Sept. 3010:16 a.m.: Checked on well being of a resident after a report of a suicidal comment.10:33 a.m.: Animal officer transported a pigeon to a wildlife sanctuary.11:15 a.m.: Report taken about the theft of four political signs from private Lafayette Road property.11:20 a.m.: Well-being check conducted, with a school employee, on a child.12:39 p.m.: Report…
Next year’s Maine farmer bash will take place online only
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s largest farm trade show will be a virtual event next year as the state’s agricultural sector continues to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic.The Maine Agricultural Trades Show will be held online in January 2021, the state’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said in a statement. The department organizes the…
New radiation monitor installed near Seabrook nuke plant
SEABROOK — A small metal box tied to an antenna on a beach house could be key in detecting a nuclear emergency, monitoring radiation in real-time across the harbor from Seabrook’s power plant.The Iospectra radiation monitor, installed at an anonymous residence Wednesday, was celebrated by the C-10 Foundation watchdog group that tracks real-time radiation near…
Portsmouth popup venue closing Oct. 18, before extension date
PORTSMOUTH — The Bridge Street parking lot food, drink and entertainment venue PopUp NH will close Oct. 18, in spite of a City Council extension to Oct. 31, said Josh Denton, chair of the board overseeing the temporary venue.Denton said the decision was made to end Oct. 18 out of “respect and gratitude for our…
Hampton police: Officer impersonator stopped vehicle, showed holstered weapon
HAMPTON — A Seabrook man is facing criminal charges for allegedly pulling over a vehicle and impersonating a police officer.Lamont Stewart, 61, was arrested Sept. 19 on charges alleging false personation and criminal restraint.Hampton Deputy Police Chief David Hobbs said on Sept. 19 police received reports involving an operator of a dark-colored SUV shining a…
Portsmouth PD officials tackle mask mandate, maskless officers and voters
PORTSMOUTH — Police officials Tuesday discussed enforcement of the city’s new face-mask ordinance, officers who can’t wear them for medical reasons and how the ordinance will be enforced at the Nov. 3 polls.Chief Robert Merner said there have been “very few complaints” since the ordinance was enacted Sept. 14 by the City Council.”There have been…
Exeter’s Enna Chocolate named one of the country’s best
EXETER — Enna Grazier brought two squash-like items to a small table. They weren’t vegetables, she informed her guests at Enna Chocolate’s cafe, but rather the pods for cocoa beans.”The beans are surrounded by a membrane,” Grazier said. “You put them in a winnowing machine, and the vacuum sucks the husk off. Then the nib…
NY Times bestselling author and Hampton native releases debut novel
Hampton-raised author Meredith Hall’s memoir “Without a Map” quickly became both a classic of the genre and a “New York Times” bestseller. Now, Hall is releasing her debut novel, “Beneficence,” a breathtaking exploration of grief and guilt, forgiveness and acceptance.Set on an isolated dairy farm in rural Maine, “Beneficence” traces the small victories and large…
Reservations required before leaf peeping at N.H. state parks
Most hikers and outdoor enthusiasts will agree, the fall season is the best time of the year to hike. However, making a reservation before you head out is the most important step in the process. Many of New Hampshire’s most popular hiking destinations require an advance day use reservation.The temperatures are perfect right now. The…
Girl Scouts invite you to an animal dance party in Seabrook
SEABROOK — Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is hosting animal dance and robot-building parties to introduce girls to the world of Girl Scouts. It’s a free and fun way for girls and their families to get to know Girl Scouts. Bring a friend or make a new one!An Animal Dance Party is…
Ruling: Portsmouth officer fired improperly after $2M inheritance, owed 2 years pay
PORTSMOUTH — Police officer Aaron Goodwin was poorly managed and improperly fired five years ago, during a dispute over his $2 million inheritance from an elderly resident, entitling him to two years of back pay, an arbitrator ruled in a decision being challenged by the city Police Commission.The “award” to Goodwin is cited in one…
Teamsters Local 633 endorses Sen. Shaheen for reelection
DOVER – Teamsters Local 633, representing more than 4,700 New Hampshire workers, endorsed Sen.Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, for re-election Monday, her campaign announced.Shaheen greeted workers at the Dover UPS facility’s shift launch Monday morning.”As governor of New Hampshire and now as our senator, Jeanne Shaheen has always stood up for Granite State workers and worked…
COVID-19 cases in York County spiking, worrying officials
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s top health official says the number of new cases of the coronavirus is growing and he’s warning about a “geometric surge.” Another health official is worried about outbreaks “coalescing into one big fire.”Dr. Nirav Shah, the director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that with community…
