BY JENN McDOWELLJust as Allenstown wins federal assistance to buy up to 14 homes severely damaged in the past two years’ floods, it – and many other towns throughout the state – ended up sopping wet after Hanna hit. The tropical storm swept up the coastline and through New England quickly, the first downpour hitting the state in ...

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 JENN McDOWELLEpsom Police Chief Wayne Preve said he’s lost two officers this year to other departments that offer higher pay and more opportunities. Officer Joseph Lister left in April, about two weeks after the March vote, at which the town inherited its fourth default budget in a row. He took an opening with the Northwood Police ...

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 JENN McDOWELLIt’s going to be a lot harder for the Hills family of Allenstown to stay afloat financially this year, with fuel prices hitting record highs. Jeanne Hills babysits her toddler grandson, staying home while her husband and her adult children work. With the price of heating oil averaging more than $4.50 a gallon, according to ...

BY CHRISTINE HEISERNext winter, when the temperatures drop and the oil tank is low, rising fuel costs might bring on a budget crisis for some homeowners. Unlike public utilities such as gas or electric, private oil companies are not bound by law to deliver in the winter even if the customer doesn’t pay their bill, so each company sets its ...

The New Hampshire Department of Historical Resources announced that 12 properties have recently been added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, including three in Hooksett and one in Allenstown. The New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places recognizes and honors properties that are meaningful in the history, architecture, ...

BY JENN MCDOWELL With gas prices flirting with the $4 mark, it’s a wonder people are sticking to their summer vacation plans. But for the most part they will, according to the American Automobile Association. They’ll just be more frugal. While AAA has not released official summer travel projections yet this year other than ...