NH News Briefs

The NH Executive Council has voted to approve a plan allowing Dartmouth Health to take over operations at Hampstead Hospital. The state will still oversee the youth mental health facility but Dartmouth Health is going to be responsible for running it. Supporters, including Governor Sununu, believe this is the best outcome and has the benefit of a local provider that already has a close relationship with the state. There have been a series of patient outbursts at Hampstead Hospital the last two years.

Data shows there have been a large number of fatal fires in New Hampshire this year. The latest was Sunday when 61-year-old Rickey Bailey passed away following a blaze at his home in Canaan. A total of 21 people have died due to fires this year, which is up from 12 in 2023. The cause of some of this year’s tragedies have been smoking-related and residents are urged to make sure they have working smoke detectors in their homes and an emergency escape plan

A Nashua man has been arrested after being accused of threatening a child with a BB gun. Authorities say they received a letter last week from the state Division for Children, Youth and Family detailing the incident involving 31-year-old Devonta Soto. Police were granted a search warrant to access Soto’s home after talking with the victim and a witness. He was taken into custody after a black BB gun was found in his residence and is facing a felony charge.

The doors of another casino in the Granite State are now open to the public. People got their first chance yesterday to check out the Revo Casino and Social House in Lebanon. It’s owned by the same California-based entertainment company that owns four other casinos in New Hampshire. As part of a state law, a portion of all gaming revenue must go to nonprofit groups. Gaming operations also resulted in the state getting over 21-million dollars in tax revenue last year.