NEWS & NOTES Nonprofit changes
After agreeing to affiliate with Catholic Charities of New Hampshire, the CareGivers reopened and resumed services last Monday, according to a newsletter announcement from the nonprofit. The organization helps elderly and disabled individuals living in the greater Manchester and Nashua areas to remain in their homes for as long as possible. About a month ago the nonprofit closed its offices following the sudden death of former president and CEO Donny Guillemette. As part of this affiliation deal, the CareGivers will be restructured, and Catholic Charities of New Hampshire will now have oversight of the nonprofit’s operations and mission. The organizations are working on a definitive agreement, which will be completed by Dec. 1 and implemented by the beginning of next year. James Wilkie, the new president and CEO of the CareGivers, wrote in a statement that the move provides the nonprofit with “the immediate ability to continue supporting the work of our 600 dedicated volunteers on behalf of our 400 clients.”
the New Hampshire Department of Justice to develop and initiate a tracking program for sexual assault kits. Shaheen advocated for this funding as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. In a statement, she said “It’s critical that we have a justice system with the funding and resources necessary to handle cases in a timely, efficient and comprehensive manner. … These grants will help provide local law enforcement and prosecutors with the tools they need to ensure cases are appropriately investigated and prosecuted.”
Library fees
to the clerk’s office. To receive an absentee ballot, contact your city or town clerk’s office for a Federal Post Card Application, which will be processed for an election if it is received by the day before the election. For more information on registering and to find your polling place, visit sos.nh.gov/VoteNH. aspx.
Uber settlement
Attorney General Gordon MacDonald announced that New Hampshire joined the other 49 states and Washington, D.C., in a $148 million settlement agreement with Uber Technologies. In November 2016, the California-based ridesharing company learned that hackers gained access to personal information for 600,000 drivers nationwide, including 763 drivers in New Hampshire. Uber waited to report these issues to drivers until November 2017, violating state law that requires companies to notify individuals affected by data breaches “within a timely manner.” The Granite State will receive $672,822.71 through the settlement. Kate Spiner, director of communications for the Attorney General’s Office, said, “The money goes into the Consumer Protection Escrow Account by state law. This account, in part, funds the work of consumer protection done by the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau.”
Steve Geddes of Boscawen set a new record for the biggest pumpkin recorded in the U.S. at this year’s Deerfield Fair, according to a news release. The giant gourd clocked in at 2,528 pounds, beating the previous record of 2,360 lbs.
The Upper Room, a family resource center in Derry, announced it is working with the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families to launch the new “Reflections” program. The center will begin offering a weekly support group for parents, grandparents and caregivers who are interacting with the state’s court system.
CONCORD
Mast Way Elementary School in Lee was the only school in New Hampshire, and one of just 349 nationwide, included Hooksett among the U.S. Department of Education’s 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools, accordGoffstown ing to a news release. Since 1982, the department has recognized “blue ribbon” public and private schools MANCHESTER based on their overall academic performance or their efforts to close achievement Bedford gaps among specific student populations.
The Manchester City Library and Mayor Joyce Craig announced that all of the city’s public libraries will no longer charge overdue fines on children’s and young adult materials. The decision is part of a national trend to promote reading and accommodate local families Derry Merrimack Amherst who can’t afford to pay late fees. Craig wrote in a statement that the The Attorney General’s Office announced it is investigating an Londonderry Milford officer-involved shooting that took place in Epping on Sept. new policy will mean that “any 29. After an encounter off Exit 6 on Route 101, State Police child in our community can afford Trooper Kevin Dobson shot and killed 40-year-old Walter Welch to check out a book at our librarJr., who was armed with a gun at the time. According to the NASHUA ies. … No child should be unable to AG’s office, Dobson was placed on administrative leave, and a engage in learning because of their determination on whether the use of force was justified will be family’s income level.” Library released once the investigation is completed. Saint-Gobain users will still be asked to pay for The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is requir- lost or damaged children and young offered by the Advanced Regener- from Bow, Laconia, Londondering Saint-Gobain Performance adult items. ative Manufacturing Institute and ry, Kearsarge, Nashua, Pinkerton, Plastics to install air pollution conUNH Manchester, according to a Salem, Winnacunnet and Windtrols on its Merrimack facility, Voter registration news release. The Institute opened ham high schools enrolled in the according to a news release. The Ahead of the general election on in the Manchester millyard this class. Students will learn basics company must submit an applica- Tuesday, Nov. 6, New Hampshire year and will engineer and man- about the modern biotech industion and analysis of the installation voters have a few options for regufacture artificial organs and try, as well as business, regulatory, within six months. This request fol- istering to vote. According to sos. Biotech class lows two years of investigation by nh.gov, unregistered voters can fill Last week, high school students tissues. The Introduction to Bio- legal and scientific foundations in the department, during which time out a standard voter registration across New Hampshire started a tech Manufacturing course began today’s commercial and governSaint-Gobain has worked collab- form at their city or town clerk’s new online biotechnology course on Monday, Oct. 1, with students ment sectors. oratively to perform stack tests in office. A verifiable proof of domi2016 and 2018 to evaluate emis- cile is required. The last day to sions from the facility. According register prior to the election varies for... for... to the department, the investigation by city and town, but it is between ELLIOT HEALTH SYSTEM PEACE AND QUIET concluded that the facility continues six and 13 days before the elecElliot Health System raised over $509,000 at According to the AP, some local residents exto have small emissions of PFAS tion. Same-day registration is also its annual gala held at the Manchester Downpressed concerns at a public meeting on procompounds, which could contribute available on general election day. town Hotel, according to a news release. The posed improvements to sections of the Everett gala drew nearly 450 guests and set an allTurnpike in Bedford, Merrimack and Nashto pollution that exceeds existing If you’re unable to register in pertime fundraising record for any Elliot event. ua. According to the New Hampshire Departgroundwater quality standards. son due to a physical disability, The money will go toward building and openment of Transportation, the project will widreligious beliefs, military service ing the expanded Elliot Regional Cancer Cenen the turnpike to improve traffic operations or temporary absence, you may Sexual assault support ter on the main Elliot Hospital campus in Manand safety, including a third lane and a 10-foot Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced register by mail by requesting an chester, allowing patients to receive cancer shoulder. However, at the meeting hosted by that the state will receive $650,261 absentee voter registration affidaservices in one location. The center is expectthe department in early October, the AP reported to open in 2020 and will cost $29 million. ed that some residents spoke out about noise in federal funding to support vic- vit and a standard voter registration James J. Tenn Jr., chair of the Mary & John levels and asked for sound barriers during contims of sexual assault. These grants form from your city or town clerk, Elliot Charitable Foundation, wrote in a statestruction. Construction is expected to last from include $316,703 to the New according to the state website. The ment, “This outpouring of philanthropic sup2021 through 2025. affidavit must be witnessed, and Hampshire Department of Safeport highlights our community’s passion and then both the affidavit and the voter ty to help reduce sexual assault and support of Elliot’s vision for comprehensive rape kit backlogs, and $333,558 to registration form must be returned cancer services and programs under one roof.” HIPPO | OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2018 | PAGE 4