N.H. committeeman among those targeted by Washington D.C. protesters

N.H. committeeman among those targeted by Washington D.C. protesters

After the fireworks following President Donald Trump’s address to close out the Republican National Convention, Chris Ager started to walk back to his Washington, D.C. hotel along streets erupting with protesters. Ager, the Republican National Committeeman representing New Hampshire, walked with his jacket draped over his left arm and carried a pair of red heels belonging to the woman to his right. A crowd followed the pair in an exchange that was caught on video and viewed on social more than 3 million times by Friday afternoon.

(This image taken from Twitter shows Republican National committeeman, Chris Ager, who represents New Hampshire, trying to get back to his hotel from the White House Thursday night. Jonathan Van Fleet—Courtesy)

Veteran Homeschool Parents Offer Advice

Veteran Homeschool Parents Offer Advice

As a founding member of Granite State Home Educators and chairman of the Home Education Advisory Council (cq), a liaison group that connects home educators with the New Hampshire Department of Education, Michelotti has lots of experience with homeschool. She also educates her three sons, ages 13, 10 and 6. Despite her enthusiasm for homeschooling, she says that the parents who are opting to homeschool this year because of the pandemic face unique challenges.

(Kitty Michelotti and her husband Nathan Glaser, of Derry, homeschool their three sons, Riley, 13, Jack, 10, and Morgan, 6. They find that involving the boys in homeschooling decisions keeps them engaged. Courtesy photo, Kitty Michelotti.)

To Survive Pandemic Economy, New Restaurants Find Savings and Start Small

To Survive Pandemic Economy, New Restaurants Find Savings and Start Small

The New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association is currently surveying the state to find out exactly how many restaurants have closed since the start of the pandemic. It’s hard to tell now, since not all businesses publicize their closure, but the association predicts that anywhere from 50 to 300 restaurants across the state have shuttered, according to Mike Somers, CEO of the association and a member of the governor’s economic re-opening task force.

(Broken Spoon in Franklin is set to open by mid-September. Photo: Jordyn Haime, Granite State News Collaborative.)

Revivalists Nice, Following Rules in town, locals say

Revivalists Nice, Following Rules in town, locals say

The religious tent revival has drawn hundreds of out-of-staters to New Ipswich since it started last week. News of the coming crowd caused town officials as well as officials from neighboring towns to speak out against it, saying it is a health risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. The tent revival was one of the reasons Gov. Chris Sununu issued an emergency order last week that requires face masks be worn at any scheduled gatherings of more than 100 people. Additionally, a road sign flashing a COVID-19 warnings -- including “COVID RISK HIGH” -- was provided by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation through the Attorney General’s office.

Tradeswomen Want To See More Females In Construction

Tradeswomen Want To See More Females In Construction

The economic impact of coronavirus has been centered on industries that employ a disproportionate number of women. More women than men have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, with 11.5 million women newly unemployed between February and May compared to 9 million men, according to data from Pew Research Center. That’s different from the 2008 recession, when men were twice as likely to lose their jobs. Hispanic women have been especially hard hit this year, seeing a 21% reduction in employment between February and May.

(When she walks onto a job site, Krista McCullough says she has three disadvantages: she’s young, female, and working in safety. Courtesy photo, Krista McCullough.)

Post-lockdown, Schools Focus on Social and Emotional Learning Opportunities

Post-lockdown, Schools Focus on Social and Emotional Learning Opportunities

The pathogen that provoked lockdowns this past spring is only one of many worries for public school students who may be nervous watching their parents lose jobs or seeing family members get sick, or possibly die. Some students are tangled in abusive home lives they can’t escape from. They may be falling behind in their academics because of the lack of routine or a quiet place to study.

(Peer leadership students at John Stark High School work on a mental health awareness project for younger grades. (Courtesy photo))

New Hampshire Ski Areas Prepare for A Socially-Distanced Season

New Hampshire Ski Areas Prepare for A Socially-Distanced Season

Many areas already got a taste of what can happen with COVID-19 when the novel virus shut down most of the outdoor activities prematurely at the end of the 2019-2020 season. This season, the pandemic is giving many mountains and cross-country areas a new look. Changes will be coming in restaurants, ticket areas, rest rooms, rental areas and possibly lift lines in order to help people maintain social distance.

(Downhill ski areas have the luxury of of expansive space for plenty of social distancing. Courtesy photo by Gunstock Mountain)

Recursos y Reglas de Desalojo

Recursos y Reglas de Desalojo

En marzo, un moratorio nacional de prevención de desalojo a inquilinos de ciertas propiedades, fue incluido como parte del paquete de ayuda federal ante la situación del coronavirus. Bajo esta orden, los inquilinos en propiedades respaldadas por hipotecas federales y programas de alojamiento, podían quedarse en casa así no hayan podido pagar la renta. Sin embargo, el moratorio expiró el 25 de julio.

Gran Número De Familias En New Hampshire Cualifican Para Beneficios Adicionales De Alimentos Y No Lo Saben

Gran Número De Familias En New Hampshire Cualifican Para Beneficios Adicionales De Alimentos Y No Lo Saben

Miles de niños en New Hampshire podrían ser elegibles para recibir beneficios de alimentos aunque sus familias aun no reciban asistencia del Programa de Asistencia de Nutrición Suplementaria, conocido en inglés como SNAP.

Algunos defensores legales en el estado están tratando de esparcir esta información sobre los programas que han surgido durante la pandemia y trabajan con el miedo que tienen las familias de no aplicar porque piensan que no son elegibles para cupones de alimentos.

Cómo presentar un voto ausente para las elecciones 2020 en New Hampshire

Cómo presentar un voto ausente para las elecciones 2020 en New Hampshire

Los votos extendidos de ausencia han llegado a New Hampshire.

Desde el lunes 27 de julio, los residentes de cualquier pueblo pueden pedir y recibir papeletas de voto ausente para las elecciones primarias del estado en septiembre y para la elección general del 3 de noviembre. Esto es oficial según la secretaría del estado, la cual, maneja la distribución de papeletas en New Hampshire.

COVID-19’S IMPACT ON NH ATTORNEYS—ZOOM MEETINGS, ETC.

COVID-19’S IMPACT ON NH ATTORNEYS—ZOOM MEETINGS, ETC.

Many readers of this column are New Hampshire business owners who, from time to time, use the services of New Hampshire lawyers, and a few readers are themselves New Hampshire lawyers. The following thoughts about the short-term and long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic on New Hampshire lawyers may be of interest to these readers, but perhaps also to other readers as well.

Se Necesitan Fondos Para La Fuerza Laboral Comunitaria De Salud

Se Necesitan Fondos Para La Fuerza Laboral Comunitaria De Salud

Si New Hampshire quiere ganar la guerra contra el COVID-19, va a necesitar de un ejército de trabajadores comunitarios de salud, dice la doctora Trinidad Tellez, directora de la oficina de equidad de la salud para el departamento de salud y servicios humanos.

“No importa qué tipo de cultura, tener un miembro confiable de la comunidad es lo que brinda un trabajador comunitario de salud", dijo Tellez en inglés.

Thousands of NH families could qualify for additional food benefits and may not know it

Thousands of NH families could qualify for additional food benefits and may not know it

Thousands of Granite State children may be eligible for food benefits, even if their families are not already receiving SNAP assistance. Some legal advocates in the state are trying to get the word out about the pandemic related program over fears families may not be applying because they don’t think they are eligible.

TO FIGHT THE PANDEMIC, CAN GOVERNOR SUNUNU BAR CHURCH ATTENDANCE?

TO FIGHT THE PANDEMIC, CAN GOVERNOR SUNUNU BAR CHURCH ATTENDANCE?

In my column in this paper last week, I addressed the question whether, in order to protect New Hampshire residents from the coronavirus, Governor Sununu could lawfully require them to wear masks in public places and could impose fines or other legal penalties on them for failure to do so. On the basis of the relevant U.S. Supreme Court cases and a recent New Hampshire trial court case, I wrote that the answer is clearly yes.

Negocios en New Hampshire reciben Última oportunidad para recuperar ingreso perdido

Negocios en New Hampshire reciben Última oportunidad para recuperar ingreso perdido

El estado abrió las aplicaciones para su programa New Hampshire General Assistance & Preservation (GAP) el martes 21 de julio, una última oportunidad para dueños de negocios antes de que terminen la mayoría de programas federales CARES. La aplicación cierra el 4 de agosto.

El programa GAP de $30 millones es un “sistema de respaldo para otro sistema de respaldo" dijo el gobernador Chris Sununu en una conferencia de prensa, refiriéndose al fondo estatal de $400 millones Main Street Relief Fund.

Accreditation is seen as a solution to police accountability but not all can afford it

Accreditation is seen as a solution to police accountability but not all can afford it

Nationwide calls for police reform following protests over systemic racism, police brutality and the killing of unarmed black people have started conversations in New Hampshire and elsewhere to identify weaknesses in police standards and accountability and to fix them. Those conversations turn again and again to accreditation, a process that involves a third party regularly inspecting and reviewing a department’s policies, procedures and facilities to make sure it’s following best practices in policing.

La guía de reapertura de escuelas en New Hampshire: una explicación completa.

La guía de reapertura de escuelas en New Hampshire: una explicación completa.

A mediados de julio, New Hampshire publicó un conjunto de lineamientos a seguir para reabrir los distritos escolares, el cual, responde algunas preguntas que tenían los padres de familia y el personal escolar.

Sin embargo, hay un tema que llama la atención en este documento de 54 páginas: es voluntario. Esto quiere decir que la mayoría de lineamientos pueden ser adaptados o alterados por el distrito y pocos son obligatorios.

Too hot outside, not safe inside: grappling with COVID and heat waves

Too hot outside, not safe inside: grappling with COVID and heat waves

The summer of 2020 has been unlike any other. For many, typical plans and activities have been cancelled or altered in accordance with COVID-19 and related risks. Cooling centers, it seems, is yet another casualty of the pandemic. Typically during heat waves, towns will set up central areas to be designated as “cooling centers” where elderly and vulnerable populations as well as anyone who needs to cool off can come and do so. Some common locations are libraries or community centers, and these centers operate from a few hours per day to 24 hours per day.

From lines around the corner to nothing but crickets, Covid makes for a mixed up tourist economy

From lines around the corner to nothing but crickets, Covid makes for a mixed up tourist economy

If there is one thing that is consistent in this topsy-turvy Covid-19 world it is there is no rhyme or reason to what will work for businesses. There is no explanation why one business will see lines around the corner while another has employees leaning on their elbows waiting for customers. With summer in full swing many establishments are seeing exactly where they stand from now until Labor Day. Some have been pleasantly surprised while others are witnessing what they expected - a slow and unpredictable season.

(Visitors to the outlets in North Conway wear masks while shopping. Courtesy of Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce)