New Hampshire

Any driver pulled over on I-95 during holidays in New Hampshire will be ticketed, N.H. Gov. says

Published

1 month ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

Any driver pulled over on I-95 during holidays in New Hampshire will be ticketed, N.H. Gov. says

Local News

There will be a “zero tolerance zone” in the I-95 corridor in New Hampshire through the holiday season, Gov. Chris Sununu said.

FILE – New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

New Hampshire State Police will give a ticket to any driver pulled over on I-95 starting Tuesday in an effort to crack down on drunk and distracted driving this Thanksgiving, the governor said.

Governor Chris Sununu said there will be a “zero tolerance zone” in the I-95 corridor from Seabrook to Portsmouth, which covers the length of the interstate in New Hampshire.

“If you get pulled over, you are getting a ticket,” Sununu said. “We want that enforcement to be strong. We want the visibility to be out there, and we want everybody to take their role and responsibility in ensuring that not just them and their families, but their kids and their neighbors and even the strangers that pass them on the road, everybody needs to get where they need to be safe.”

Sununu said the zero tolerance zone will continue “through the holiday season.” Officials noted that Wednesday night before Thanksgiving is sometimes known as Blackout Wednesday or Drinksgiving.

“If you’re gonna go out and celebrate, make a plan before you even have one drink,” said New Hampshire State Police Lieutenant Christopher Storm. “Designate a sober driver to get you home safely. If you wait until you’ve had a drink, you may make not the best decision.”

New Hampshire, like other New England states, have seen an increase in traffic fatalities. Sununu said at a press conference there is a 200 percent increase in young driver fatalities compared to this time last year.

Storm said that of last weekend, traffic deaths in New Hampshire are tied with last year’s total of 127 with still a month to go.

“We are announcing additional enforcement efforts, increased patrols statewide, around the clock, through the holiday season,” Storm said. “Drivers take note if you’re excessively speeding, driving recklessly or impaired on our roads, you will face consequences.”

State troopers from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine all joined Sununu on Tuesday and said their agencies will also increase patrols on their roads.

“While we may be in New Hampshire today, we are New England, and so that means when it comes to travel safety, we are all in it together,” Sununu said.

Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more.

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New Hampshire

In inaugural speech as N.H. governor, Kelly Ayotte aims for unifying message – The Boston Globe

Published

6 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

In inaugural speech as N.H. governor, Kelly Ayotte aims for unifying message – The Boston Globe

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte will deliver an inaugural speech Thursday in which she is expected to project a message of post-election unity.

Ayotte, a Republican, is expected to emphasize her desire to get to work for all Granite Staters regardless of party affiliation.

“You have my word that each and every day I will work on your behalf to do what’s best for all of us. For all of New Hampshire,” she’ll say, according to excerpts of her prepared remarks that her team shared with The Boston Globe.

Ayotte is expected to say New Hampshire needs to “get serious about housing production” in light of the current “crisis” around the constrained supply of homes. She’s expected to voice support for expanding the state’s Education Freedom Account program. And she’s planning to laud the budgetary approach state leaders have taken in recent years, including the elimination of the interest and dividends tax.

“New Hampshire is a wonderful, beautiful state,” she’ll say. “And protecting what makes us unique is so much more important than one person or one party. … I could not be more optimistic about our shared future.”

Inauguration Day ceremonies are slated to begin at 11:30 a.m., with a livestream available.
Do you know Kelly Ayotte’s background? Here are 10 facts, including a few you may have missed.
As she takes office, Ayotte’s allies and foes will be watching closely, including to see how her policy positions play out in these six areas.

The festivities around Ayotte taking office include a first inaugural ball on Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Omni Mt. Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, and a second inaugural ball on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Manchester. Tickets to both events are sold out, though a waitlist is available.

Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.

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New Hampshire

Why are the New Hampshire Ice Castles so blue?

Published

14 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Why are the New Hampshire Ice Castles so blue? – CBS Boston

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The Ice Castles in North Woodstock, New Hampshire are set to open this weekend, inviting visitors to enter a world of frosty enchantment. WBZ-TV’s Jacob Wycoff reports.

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New Hampshire

New Hampshire Ice Castles get unexpected boost from Mother Nature

Published

22 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Press Room

New Hampshire Ice Castles get unexpected boost from Mother Nature

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH – The Ice Castles in North Woodstock, New Hampshire, are set to open this weekend, inviting visitors to enter a world of frosty enchantment.

Why are the Ice Castles blue?

With towering ice walls, sparkling tunnels and glowing sculptures, the Ice Castles are a true winter masterpiece. As crews put the finishing touches on the attraction ahead of Friday’s opening, this year marks one of the attraction’s earliest starts on record.

What makes New Hampshire’s Ice Castles unique is their distinct blue hue, a result of the pristine water sourced from nearby rivers. This natural element enhances the beauty of the castle, which gleams a cool blue under daylight. But it’s after dark when the castles truly transform, illuminated by thousands of LED lights embedded in the ice, creating a magical, glowing spectacle.

At night, LED lights embedded in the ice turn New Hampshire’s Ice Castles into a glowing spectacle.

CBS Boston

What does it take to build the Ice Castles?

Crafting this frozen wonder is no easy feat. The process begins as early as October, with a dedicated team of artists and builders meticulously constructing the castles by hand. They use millions of icicles grown and frozen on-site, working tirelessly to bring the vision to life.

“Mother Nature is 100% the main architect,” said Luke Ely, assistant manager for Ice Castles New Hampshire. “We pretty much do a dance with her the entire season to get what we have today.”

This year’s early-season cold weather provided an unexpected boost, allowing the team to get ahead of schedule for Friday’s opening.

Reflecting on the allure of ice, Ely added, “You don’t see it in this medium too much. Most of the time, winter is kind of like looked at as a harsh, negative, just-get-through-it kind of time time, and ice is the main factor in all that. And being able to do something with it that’s more beautiful and graceful, I thing, draws a lot folks.”

The Ice Castles in New Hampshire aim to remain open through April, weather permitting. Visitors are encouraged to experience this seasonal wonder before Mother Nature decides to reclaim her icy masterpiece.

Jacob Wycoff

Jacob Wycoff is a meteorologist at WBZ-TV and will contribute to weekend morning newscasts. Jacob is a member of the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society.

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