Update on $100M housing initiative; YDC trial goes to a jury; register for the Southern NH Tour of Lights; how to support local businesses.
CONCORD, NH — Here are some share-worthy stories from the New Hampshire Patch network to discuss this afternoon and evening.
This post features stories and information published during the past 24 hours.
City Of Concord Sets New Tax Rate: $27.69 Per $1,000 Assessed Value: Penacook residents in the MV School District will pay $30.64 per thousand rate due to higher school taxes; tax bills due Jan. 2, March 31.
Find out what’s happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
New Hampshire’s $100M Housing Investment Beginning To Pay Off: Polls consistently show housing costs are a top priority for Granite Staters and many employers say housing makes hiring a big challenge.
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Concord Man Arrested On Mass. Child Enticement, Obscene Matter Charges: Richard Wayne Talbot Jr. was arrested Tuesday night at the McDonald’s Restaurant on Loudon Road, connected to charges in Methuen, Mass.
Find out what’s happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Residents Arrested On Nonappearance In Court Warrants: Nashua Cop Log: Plus: Thief with priors arrested on new theft charges; woman arrested on trespass charge; man arrested on domestic violence charge.
NH One Of Top Ten States For Outdoor Recreation Economic Activity: An annual report by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis says outdoor recreation added $3.9 billion to New Hampshire’s 2023 economy.
North Conway Named Best Ski Town In 2024 By Readers Of USA TODAY: The town beat out places like Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Vail, Colorado, and Stowe, Vermont, which all made the Top 10 of the list.
Franklin Woman, Manchester Man Face DUI Charges: Concord Police Log: Nottingham woman charged with criminal trespass; perp with priors arrested on new theft charges; pair arrested on warrants at Chipotle.
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In New Hampshire, Not All Nonprofit Hospitals Are Alike: For many needy families in New Hampshire, one pillar of the safety net is their local nonprofit hospital.
Here’s How Much Thanksgiving Dinner Could Cost In NH; How To Cut Costs: According to the latest Consumer Price Index, grocery prices are about 1.1% higher this year than last and 28% higher than in 2019.
Fatal, Fiery Crash; Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Train: PM Patch NH: Cops seek tips after bank robbed; homeless camp fire extinguished; fun events; beware of E-ZPass text scam; newspaper gets $1M pension loan.
Here are some other posts readers may have missed:
House Registration – Southern NH Tour of Lights
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CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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