New Hampshire
Civil rights charges filed against N.H. official over stolen Pride sign he called ‘roadside trash’ – The Boston Globe
CONCORD, N.H. — A town official in New Hampshire is facing civil rights charges from the state attorney general’s office for allegedly stealing a Pride sign because of his animus toward the LGBTQ+ community.
Frank T. Hobbs Jr., who is listed as vice chair of the Goffstown Budget Committee, allegedly plucked the “Goffstown Pride” sign from alongside an intersection last summer, leaving behind “numerous” other signs, according to a legal complaint New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella’s office filed this week in the Hillsborough County Superior Court northern district.
Hobbs, 56, was caught taking the sign on June 5 because the person who lawfully placed it there on public property had also left behind a trail camera to monitor the area after prior incidents of sign theft, according to the complaint.
When a local police officer began investigating, Hobbs argued with the officer and asked whether it’s illegal to pick up “roadside trash,” according to the complaint.
Hobbs told the officer he had been advised he can remove signs that display “pedophile symbols,” and he removed the “Goffstown Pride” sign because he found it offensive, like a “pedophile” sign, according to the complaint.
The complaint alleges two violations of the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act. One accuses Hobbs of trespassing and the other accuses him of damaging the sign.
“The trespasses and property damage violated the Civil Rights Act because they were motivated by Defendant’s animus toward sexual orientation and/or gender identity,” the complaint says.
Leslie M. Gill, an attorney who has represented Hobbs in a related criminal case, did not answer questions from The Boston Globe.
Hobbs, who works as a financial adviser, was elected to a three-year term on the town’s budget committee in 2022. He did not respond to an email seeking comment.
The victim who reported that their sign had been stolen did not respond to a request for comment.
Each alleged civil rights violation comes with a $5,000 maximum civil penalty, according to the attorney general’s office, which has asked the court to issue a preliminary injunction barring Hobbs from engaging in or threatening physical force, violence, or trespassing against anyone based on their protected characteristics, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and more.
This case against Hobbs as an individual comes as Formella’s office is also pursuing civil rights charges against a group accused of anti-LGBTQ+ intimidation at a drag queen story hour event.
Prosecutors are asking the judge to prohibit Hobbs from contacting the alleged victim directly or indirectly or going within 350 feet of their person, home, or workplace.
Hobbs was arrested in July by the Goffstown Police Department. He was charged in Goffstown District Court with one misdemeanor count that he stole a “Goffstown Pride” sign worth less than $1,000, but that charge was dropped in November, according to court records.
Hillsborough County Attorney John J. Coughlin did not respond to an email seeking comment on why the misdemeanor charge was dropped.
The location where the sign theft is alleged to have occurred, at the intersection of Route 114 and Route 114A in Goffstown, was a popular spot for political signs ahead of the 2024 general election. Hobbs was among those who stood with fellow supporters for Donald J. Trump on that corner on Oct. 11, with signs and flags supporting the candidacy of the now-president-elect.
Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
New Hampshire
Longtime Blue Jays organization member Tamargo tasked with leading New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Are you ready for your mornings reimagined?
Hi! I’m Garret Doll (like Ken, but less hair and not as handsome), and I’m teaming up with Katie Killourhy for 97.5 WOKQ’s new morning show, Garret & Katie in the Morning!
You ready to join us?
So, Who Is Garret Doll?
I’ve learned something about myself… I don’t like clutter. Unless it’s my clutter. Then it’s not clutter, it’s a system.
That’s probably a pretty accurate starting point for who I am. A little self-aware, a little stubborn, and definitely someone who knows what he likes. I like tacos, steak tips and lobster rolls. (Fun fact: I’ve never had a lobster roll until moving here.)
How It All Started
This whole radio thing started for me when I was 15. My mom helped me land a job at a radio station in my hometown (cause she worked there), and I fell in love with radio. I’ve never left this career.
I’ve spent my entire adult life doing this job, and I still feel like I lucked into the best job in the world. No two days are the same. One minute you’re talking about life, the next you’re playing your favorite songs, then suddenly you’re out in the community meeting people who feel like friends you’ve known forever.
Most of my career took me to places like Denver, Charleston, and Richmond. Now, somehow, it’s brought me here to New Hampshire.
Honestly, I look at it like a “this is exactly where I’m supposed to be” moment. It’s a new start on life, so to speak. You will learn more about that as we get to know each other and you listen to the show on 97.5 WOKQ.
Why WOKQ Matters to Me
WOKQ is one of those stations you hear about in radio. It’s got history. It’s got heart. And it’s built around a community that actually cares about local connection and country music throughout New England.
That matters to me.
I don’t want to just “be on the radio.” I want to be part of what’s happening here. The towns, the events, the random conversations at a bar, the places you tell your friends they have to check out.
That’s the fun part of all of this.
What I’m All About
I’m a pretty simple dude:
I’m the guy who would give you the shirt off my back
Glass half full (even when it probably shouldn’t be)
Always smiling
Authentic… sometimes too authentic
And yeah, there are definitely moments where I say something before thinking it all the way through.
So if you ever hear me and think, “Did he really just say that?” There’s a decent chance the answer is yes.
Some Quick Hits About Me
Coffee order: Americano
Drink Order: Old Fashioned or just a good local beer
Favorite food: Tacos (not even close)
Guilty pleasure show: The Big Bang Theory
Pet peeve: Close talkers… and people who are late
Random fact: I once got a tattoo of Dopey from the Seven Dwarfs because a girl I was dating wanted one. We got them together. (Don’t worry, it’s been covered up by a microphone and a rose… and I haven’t heard from her in about 20 years)
Let’s Do This Together
I’m new to town, which means I could really use your help.
Where’s your go-to spot when you just want to get outside? Best place to hike? Kayak? Local bar? Just disappear for a few hours?
READ MORE: Hidden Gems in New Hampshire: 5 Secret Places Worth Discovering
Drop me your favorites, because if there’s one thing I know, it’s that the best recommendations don’t come from Google… they come from you! The ones who actually live it.
And I’m ready to start exploring and getting to know you. So make sure to tune in to Garret & Katie in the Morning! See you there.
BankNH Pavilion: Summer Show Lineup, 2026
Gallery Credit: Sarah Sullivan
HUDSON, N.H. — An animal cruelty investigation led to the arrest of two former tenants who police say left three cats behind in the apartment they were evicted from.
The Hudson Police Department said officers responded to 19 Oliver Drive on Nov. 25 after the town’s animal control officer received a report that multiple cats had been left behind in an apartment previously occupied by Faith Byers, 48, and Kevin Greene, 57.
The pair had reportedly been evicted a week earlier, on Nov. 18.
Police said that attempts to reach Byers and Greene by phone were unsuccessful, and the property owner later confirmed that the two had moved out without taking the cats or arranging for their care.
With the owner’s permission, police entered the apartment and found three cats alone inside the unoccupied residence.
Police said they determined the cats had been left unattended for several days in conditions lacking adequate airflow, sunlight, litter and consistent access to food or water. Police added that no care plan had been made for the animals, and neither former tenant indicated any intention to return for them.
The animals were safely removed and transported to the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire in Bedford, where they are now receiving care.
Arrest warrants were issued for Byers and Greene, who are each charged with one count of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor. They were arrested on Friday and released on personal recognizance bail.
They are scheduled to appear in 9th Circuit Court Nashua District Division at 1 p.m. April 28.
Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.
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