BY SUZANNE D’AMATOTo those of us who live in the Granite State, it’s no surprise that small-town folks have big hearts. With the holiday season almost here, the familiar requests for monetary donations and drives for items of all kinds are being made. The following are just a few examples of how generous donations of money, time and ...

BY SALLY BRZOZOWSKIThe snow is finally melting as better weather comes to New Hampshire, but there is no such indicator that the economy will improve at the same rate, or anytime soon. However, many communities have programs and practices in place to help residents who are finding it hard to make ends meet. Whether providing warmth or ...

BY MATT SCHOOLEYIf you could control the size of your tax bill, would you take that opportunity? Few people actually do, but all voters have the ability to both question and change the amount of money being spent by their local town and school officials through the budgeting process, Town Meetings and School District Meetings. “To sit back ...

BY SARAH LEBRUNThe Dec. 11 ice storm left thousands without power and and curtailed the operation of many businesses and organizations throughout town, including the schools. In New Boston, officials closed the Central School from Dec. 12 to 18. Students went back to school Friday, Dec. 19. SAU 19 Assistant Superintendent of School Brian Balke ...

BY MATT SCHOOLEY With Halloween arriving, not all students will be getting tricks or treats in the classroom, as many schools have shifted away from traditional festivities. One school that has done away with Halloween festivities is Hooksett’s Fred C. Underhill School, as Assistant Principal Ralene St. Pierre said the school has been ...

BY RYAN O’CONNOR Last year, Auburn’s Joey Dudek rode his arm and leg to Gillette Stadium – and very nearly the Super Bowl. Dudek, who won the 10- and 11-year-old division of the local Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick competition last August, also triumphed at the sectional competition in Bristol, R.I., and then the regional ...

EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS Although Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, has not been detected in samples taken from around New England this year, officials urge that care be taken to avoid contracting this viral disease, considered to be one of the most deadly mosquito-borne diseases in the United States, according to the U.S. ...

BY JENN McDOWELL As warm summer weather entices people to spend more time outside, state health officials are warning residents to be more aware of the big dangers that lie in wait in the tiniest of organisms. Jason Stull, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ public health veterinarian, said that right now ...

BY GINGER KOZLOWSKI If there’s one person who’s doing well in this changing economy, it’s John Labbe. Labbe is the owner of Hearth Designs in Hooksett, and he sells pellet stoves, wood stoves, fireplaces and other heating-related items. With people looking for alternatives to heating with oil, he said pellet stoves ...

BY MATT SCHOOLEYIt may be warm in July, but area residents are still feeling the pain of the past winter’s heating bills and fear what the future holds. Goffstown resident Carol Clark said her oil prices have tripled from what she used to pay. “It’s extremely frustrating. I don’t know what to do. A $300 fill will cost ...