NH News Briefs 1-8-2025
Today is “Convening Day” for the New Hampshire Legislature. The House and Senate were to separately certify the 2024 election results. Committees in both chambers will begin work next week. Over 11-hundred bills have been filed for this legislative session, 830 in the House and 325 in the Senate.
A NH House Republican leadership proposal for a dress code is set to be considered today. If approved, casual clothing like blue jeans and t-shirts with questionable slogans will be banned in favor of “proper business attire.” Supporters say casual dress cheapens decorum in the House.
A 50-year-old Rochester man is charged with criminal threatening and harassment. Christopher Daly allegedly threatened employees at Planned Parenthood in Exeter late last month. He was arrested yesterday as the result of a week-long investigation. He’s free on personal recognizance with a scheduled appearance in 10th Circuit Court in Brentwood in March.
Gunfire in a residential neighborhood in Nashua Monday night is under investigation. Officers were called to Webster Street around 8:30 p.m. where they found 16 bullet casings. There were no injuries or property damage reported. Police said they believe all those involved know each other and there’s no threat to public safety.
New data shows the number of drug overdoses were down in two of the state’s largest cities last year. According to AMR, there were 710 suspected overdoses in Manchester and Nashua which was the lowest total since the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those overdoses, 46 in Manchester were fatal and there were also 20 overdose deaths in Nashua, which is the fewest combined tally since AMR began tracking data in 2015. Anyone struggling with addiction can get help by dialing 211.
Brookline NH police have identified the elderly man who was struck and killed by a vehicle. Authorities say 91-year-old Ronald Russell was trying to cross Pepperell Road, also known as Route 130, Monday when he was hit by a pickup truck. He passed away at the scene after being thrown about 20 yards due to the impact. The driver involved in the tragedy is cooperating with the investigation and no charges have been filed.
Thanks to an emergency declaration, heating oil delivery drivers are being allowed to work longer hours. The Department of Safety Commissioner says that a lot of people are using more oil and propane these days due to cold weather. That means heating companies are increasing deliveries to meet high demand. Federal rules normally limit the number of hours drivers can be on the road but this declaration removes that restriction.
Barrington Fire Chief Richard Walker will retire at the end of June. He’s been involved with the department for over 40 years, the last 25 as chief. He was Barrington’s first certified firefighter and the fire department’s first full-time employee, as chief. The deadline to submit applications to succeed Walker is February 25th.
