New Hampshire

Democratic commissioners in Strafford County, N.H., stuck for now with newly drawn districts – The Boston Globe

Published

1 year ago

June 5, 2024

Democratic commissioners in Strafford County, N.H., stuck for now with newly drawn districts – The Boston Globe

One of the plaintiffs, George M. Maglaras of Dover, said the judge’s order doesn’t necessarily suggest he’ll rule against the commissioners on the merits of their lawsuit.

“There’s a lot of constitutional questions at stake here,” he said. “I don’t know whether he will rule against us or not.”

Maglaras has said the new law aimed to “destroy” the Strafford County Commission. If the law remains in effect, it could pit him against fellow incumbent commissioner Deanna Rollo of Rollinsford in the Democratic primary for the newly established second district, preventing one of them from advancing to the general election.

Maglaras, who is serving his 20th two-year term, said he intends to seek reelection. Rollo said she has not yet decided whether to run again. They are both eagerly awaiting further word from the court.

The judge is slated to hold a hearing next Thursday, June 13, on the state’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, according to court records. That’s the day before the filing period closes.

New Hampshire Senator James P. Gray, a Republican from Rochester who advocated for the change, said he heard from constituents and fellow lawmakers who expressed concerns about the voices of conservative voters in northern Strafford County being drowned out by Democratic voters in the county’s southern communities.

The three Republicans who ran for Strafford County commissioner in 2022 carried about 41 percent of the vote but didn’t win any of the three seats.

Gray said divvying the county into three separate districts gives conservative voters a shot at electing a commissioner who aligns with their views. It also makes Strafford County more similar to New Hampshire’s other nine counties, which already have commissioner districts, he said.

“What I’m trying to do is bring Strafford County in line with the others and make sure there is fair representation,” he said.

Gray said the judge’s decision late last week was an encouraging development that brought needed clarity ahead of the filing period, and the final outcome of this case remains to be seen.

The third Democratic incumbent commissioner, Robert J. Watson of Rochester, appears to live in the newly drawn first district, which covers several communities across northern Strafford County. He did not return calls seeking comment.

Democrats have denounced the introduction of district lines — which slice through Strafford County’s two most populous cities, Dover and Rochester — as a form of partisan gerrymandering. They tried to undo the change with another bill this year, but failed.

Commissioners, who will earn a base salary of $13,907 next year, are generally tasked with oversight of county government departments and budgetary matters. Some serve two-year terms. Others serve four-year terms that may be staggered.

While commissioners in New Hampshire’s other nine counties must live in the districts they represent, not all of them are elected solely by the voters in their district. Each commissioner in Carroll and Sullivan counties is picked through a countywide vote.

Maglaras said he will review the judge’s final ruling then decide whether to appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. He said this law shows how state lawmakers have foisted “Washington-style politics” onto Strafford County government.

“I just feel sorry for the people of Strafford County who have been disenfranchised by this action,” he said. “I think it’s totally wrong.”

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

Source link

Related Topics:apstockpix ballot court courthouse Featured

Click to comment

New Hampshire

Teen Driver Accused Of Fleeing Trooper, Crashing Into A House: New Hampshire State Police Roundup

Published

13 hours ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Teen Driver Accused Of Fleeing Trooper, Crashing Into A House: New Hampshire State Police Roundup

CONCORD, NH — A man from Concord was accused of driving 135 mph during another traffic enforcement initiative in New Hampshire, this time, on Interstate 93 in Bow on Sunday.

Logan Drew, 22, of Concord, was among 35 drivers stopped during the enforcement effort. According to state police, around 9:30 a.m., a sergeant in a state police aircraft saw a driver in a vehicle traveling south “at an extremely high rate of speed,” a report said. The trooper clocked the vehicle at up to 130 mph. Information was relayed to troopers on the ground, and Drew was pulled over, the report said. He was charged with reckless operation and operating after suspension charges. Drew is due in Concord District Court on Jan. 9, 2026.

During the enforcement, which lasted three hours, 40 violations were observed. Of those, 25 drivers were traveling at 90 mph or faster. Two of the drivers had suspended privileges.

Find out what’s happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

State police said driving recklessly at 100 mph or more carries a minimum fine of $620 and a 60-day license suspension. After the first of the year, the fine increases to $930 and a 90-day loss of license.

Logan Drew was arrested on several charges on Nov. 23. Credit: NHSP

Find out what’s happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Teen Accused Of Crashing Into Home, Fleeing Scene

A teen from Gilmanton was arrested last week on several charges after a chase in the Lakes Region.

Around 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 18, a trooper attempted to stop the driver of a 2013 Ford Taurus on Route 104 in Meredith for having tinted windows. The driver, Patrick Cameron Hamel, 19, of Gilmanton, was accused of refusing to stop, speeding, and illegally passing other vehicles. He then lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a home on Shoreline Drive in New Hampton.

Hamel was arrested and charged with reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, reckless operation, conduct after an accident, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal restraint, and disobeying a police officer. He was held on preventive detention and was due to appear in court on Nov. 19.

Troopers were assisted by New Hampton police and firefighters and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper Nathan Cobis at nathan.f.cobis@dos.nh.gov.

Patrick Cameron Hamel was accused of fleeing state police and crashing into a home in New Hampton on Nov. 18. Credit: NHSP

Also Read

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the New Hampshire State Police and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.

Troop A Blotter

11/01/2025 01:05, HAMPTON FALLS, HERNANDEZ PEREZ, JANCY Y. (23); BIDDEFORD, MAINE, 631:3 (RECKLESS CONDUCT-DEADLY WEAPON), 318-B:2,I (CNTRL DRUG: SCHED 1-4; POSSESSION), 265-A:3,I(C) (DUI AGGRVTD ATTEMPT TO ELUDE POLICE), 264:25 (CONDUCT AFTER ACCIDENT), 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT).

11/01/2025 09:37 SOMERSWORTH, MERCIER, EDWARD J. (49); SOMERSWORTH, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).

11/01/2025 11:57, EXETER, JACK, ADAM (35); NOTTINGHAM, 262:23 (OPERATE AFTER CERT AS HABITUAL OFFENDER).

11/01/2025 16:33, NORTH HAMPTON, BUEHLER, JOSEPH LEE (49); PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT).

11/02/2025 01:54, GREENLAND, DENELLE, OLIVER T. (26); NARRAGANSETT, RI, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 631:3 (RECKLESS CONDUCT-DEADLY WEAPON), 642:2 (RESIST ARREST/DETENTION), 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE), 264:25 (CONDUCT AFTER ACCIDENT).

11/02/2025 09:03, HAMPTON, REYNOLDS, RYAN MARK (40); DIEPPE, NK 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 639:3,I (ENDANGERING WELFARE OF CHILD).

11/02/2025 10:55, HAMPTON FALLS, MCRAE, HEATHER JOYCE (61); SOMERSWORTH, 265:60 (SPEEDING 25+ MPH OVER 65 LIMIT), 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION), 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION).

11/02/2025 14:30, HAMPTON, BURR, THOMAS SPENCER (33); BARTLETT, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT).

11/02/2025 17:12, NORTH HAMPTON, HOLT, DAVID FREDERICK (59); PELHAM, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).

11/02/2025 23:32, GREENLAND, ROBICHAUD, CASSIDY R. (24); AUGUSTA, ME, 270:29-B (RECKLESS OPERATION OF BOATS).

11/02/2025 23:34, NORTH HAMPTON, EUCEDA, JONATHAN JOSUE (25); MANCHESTER, 263:1-A (IMPROPER PERSON OPERATING VEHICLE), 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION).

11/02/2025 23:34 NORTH HAMPTON, MUNOZ BENITEZ, LENON I. (36); LONDONDERRY, 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT).

10/27/2025 21:32, HAMPTON, DODIER, JACOB ANDREW (19); DOVER, 263:64,V-A(B) (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-ORIGINAL AND YOUTH), 263:63 (DRIVING WITHOUT GIVING PROOF), 265:25 (FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY), 263:12 (PROHIBITIONS RE: DRIVERS LICENSE).

10/28/2025 21:19, HAMPTON, ELBROLOSY, ABDELRAHMAN (28); QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).

10/29/2025 00:26, EPPING, CARLETON, NICHOLAS J. (28); EPPING, 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION).

10/29/2025 03:08, EAST KINGSTON, TUITE, CAMERON JAMES (24); EAST KINGSTON, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265-A:2,I(B) (DUI; ADULT>.08; MINOR>.02), 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 634:2,II (CRIMINAL MISCHIEF), 644:2 (DISORDERLY CONDUCT).

10/29/2025 09:38, HAMPTON, RIVERA, JOSE LUIS (58); CAMBRIDGE, MA, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).

10/29/2025 16:13, NORTH HAMPTON, BOURNE, MELISSA D. (28); ELIOT, ME, 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT), 261:40 (UNREGISTERED VEHICLE).

10/30/2025 19:30, ROCHESTER, HORTON, REBECCA CLAUDETTTE (30); ROCHESTER, 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE).

10/30/2025 21:00, DOVER, KEPFORD-SEKMEN, MARISSA SUE (32); SOMERSWORTH, 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT), 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 265:109 (OPERATING WITHOUT LIGHTS).

10/31/2025 05:15, GREENLAND, DENGLER, NOAH J. (23); WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).

10/31/2025 08:18, SEABROOK, BIANCUZZO, JOSEPH J. (54); HAVERHILL, MA, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).

10/31/2025 22:15, EXETER, MOULTON, KYLE ROBERT (24); RAYMOND, NH 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT).

10/31/2025 22:39, ROCHESTER, WILLARD, COLIN AVERY (26); S TAMWORTH, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION).

10/31/2025 23:44, DOVER, MACIAS CARRIEL, ANGEL DANIEL (17); ALTON, NH 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE).

Troop B Blotter

10/30/2025 13:35, NASHUA, BALL, SHANE EDWARD (23); MANCHESTER, 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 265:79-B (NEGLIGENT DRIVING).

10/31/2025 10:04, NASHUA, JONES, CRYSTAL LEE (38); LOWELL, MA, 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE).

11/01/2025 01:00, MANCHESTER, DROUIN, DANIELLE (35); RINDGE, NH 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265-A:2,I(B) (DUI; ADULT>.08; MINOR>.02).

11/01/2025 03:22, RAYMOND, MCCLAUGHRY-BERTELSEN, SAVANNAH LEIGH (18);

MANCHESTER, 631:3 (RECKLESS CONDUCT-DEADLY WEAPON), 265-A:3,III (DUI AGGRVTD 0.16+), 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265:79 (RECKLESS OPERATION), 265-A:45 (TRANSPORT ALCOHOL OR MARIJUANA BY MINOR), 265-A:44 (OPEN CONTAINER ALCOHOL OR MARIJUANA).

11/01/2025 17:26, MANCHESTER, ERICKSON, THOMAS ALEXANDER (61); MANCHESTER, 262:23 (OPERATE AFTER CERT AS HABITUAL OFFENDER), 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT), 263:63 (DRIVING WITHOUT GIVING PROOF), 263:64,VII (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUSPENSION), 265:22 (YELLOW/SOLID LINE VIOLATION).

11/02/2025 07:42 BEDFORD, SANTOS, JONATHAN A. (38); MANCHESTER, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).

Troop D Blotter

10/27/2025 10:46, BOW, MAYANGE, ABDULLAHI (30); BURLINGTON, VERMONT, 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE), 265:37-A (DUTY WHEN APPROACHING HIGHWAY EMERGENCY).

10/28/2025 19:08, CONTOOCOOK, WELCH, BRUCE (52); HOOKSETT, 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION), 263:64 (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS).

10/28/2025 21:20, TILTON, KNOX, MEGAN N. (38); DANBURY, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).

10/29/2025 00:59, CONCORD, BUTLER, JAMIE L(43); ASHLAND, 594:7 (ARREST ON WARRANT).

10/29/2025 20:41, WARNER, ALLISON, JAMES MATTHEW (46); WARNER, 631:2-B,I(A) (DV; SIMPLE ASSAULT; BI OR PC).

10/30/2025 08:45, HOPKINTON, ZAREMBO, DOUGLAS SCOTT (33); WILMOT, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265:22 (YELLOW/SOLID LINE VIOLATION).

10/30/2025 16:49, CONCORD, RILEY, CAMERON JAMES (39); LACONIA, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI 2ND; IMPAIRMENT), 264:25 (CONDUCT AFTER ACCIDENT), 634:2,II (CRIMINAL MISCHIEF), 318-B:2,I (CNTRL DRUG: SCHED 1-4; POSSESSION), 265-A:37,I (ALC INTERLOCK MV NOT EQUIPPED W/INTERLOCK).

10/31/2025 22:26, BOW, VIEU, MICHAEL R. (59); BOULDER, MONTANA, 159:3-A (HAND GUNS ARMED CAREER CRIMINAL), 159:3,I (FELON IN POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS WEAPON), 637:7 (RECV STOLEN PROP; $1501+).

11/01/2025 07:03, SUTTON, SHARIAN MAYANCHA, ANGEL ABRAHAM (41); BROCKTON, MA, 263:1,III (LICENSE REQD; OP W/O VALID LICENSE), 265:60 (SPEEDING 21-24 MPH OVER 65 LIMIT).

11/01/2025 23:54 BOW, SMITH, BOBBI ALEXANDRA (32); HILLSBOROUGH, 261:178 (SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION).

Other Arrests

11/04/2025 17:56, WALPOLE, SCULLY, BRANDY N. (29); KEENE, 265-A:3,I(D) (DUI AGGRVTD PASSENGER UNDER 16).

10/29/2025 19:45, OSSIPEE, RYDER, CODY E. (30); CTR OSSIPEE, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 631:2-B,I(F) (DV; SEXUAL ASSAULT; CONTACT & FORCE), 631:2-B,I(A) (DV; SIMPLE ASSAULT; BI OR PC), 642:2 (RESIST ARREST/DETENTION), 642:1 (OBSTRUCT GOVT ADMINISTRATION).

11/16/2025 15:27, LYME, FENIELLO, MARIE A(65); RAMSEY, NJ, 644:8,III (CRUELTY TO ANIMALS; NEGLIGENT), 644:8,III (CRUELTY TO ANIMALS; NEGLIGENT).

Do you have a news tip? Please email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella’s YouTube or Rumble channels. Patch in New Hampshire is now in 190 communities. Also, follow Patch on Google Discover.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

Source link

New Hampshire

Maura Sullivan collects endorsements from former top military officials

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Maura Sullivan collects endorsements from former top military officials

Maura Sullivan, a Democratic candidate for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, is endorsed by Frank Kendall III, former U.S. Air Force secretary under the Biden administration, and Christine Wormuth, former U.S. Army secretary under the Biden administration.

Source link

New Hampshire

Canterbury NH library saves big with insulation upgrade – Concord Monitor

Published

2 days ago

November 23, 2025

Press Room

Canterbury NH library saves big with insulation upgrade – Concord Monitor

Rachel Baker is going to have to think of a new present for library staffers this holiday season.

“For Christmas I would always buy them sweaters… just to keep them warm,” said Baker, who has worked at Canterbury’s town library for 20 years, the last five as its director.

Holiday sweaters, ugly or otherwise, won’t be needed this year because the building, a converted cinderblock fire station, now has something that most buildings take for granted: insulation.

“When I say it had zero insulation, I mean zero. I have pictures!” said Baker. “You could see Mt. Kearsarge through my roof… There was no caulking around my windows, none.”

Library Director Rachel Baker discusses the formerly-leaky windows at Elkins Public Library in Canterbury, NH. Credit: UNITIL / Courtesy

That problem was solved during a five-day session in April, when crews from Northeast Air Sealing of Concord crawled through the roof and otherwise gained access to fill leaky air spaces and, in industry parlance, tighten the building envelope.

“They did the ceiling, all the walls, around the windows. They did it without us having to move the books out — they were brilliant,” Baker said.

Elkins Public Library at 9 Center Road moved into the former fire station in 2004 as part of a town-wide municipal building project, but initial plans for radiant heating were dropped, leaving just a propane furnace. Patrons and staffers have shivered through winters ever since.

The roughly $20,000 cost of the improvements was mostly covered by NH Saves, a program funded by New Hampshire utilities using ratepayer money that supports a variety of energy efficiency work, with the help of a $7,210 energy efficiency incentive from Unitil. Baker said town resident Tom Flaco did the heavy lifting on getting the assistance.

The improvements are expected to lower the library’s annual energy usage by approximately 1,515 gallons of propane, saving around $4,500 a year.

The arrival of cold weather means people will be able enjoy the library without having to put on fingerless gloves and break out the space heaters, but even during the heat of summer, Baker noticed an unexpected improvement.

“Acoustics was the biggest difference,” she said. The uninsulated cinderblock building had allowed outdoor noise to intrude even as it reflected indoor noise. “We didn’t notice that until it was gone — it was so much quieter.”

The director has an extra reason to enjoy the upgrade because she grew up in Canterbury where her father, Dale Caswell, was fire chief.

“I knew this building intimately. I spent my childhood in this firehouse,” she said. Seeing it take on a new life has been a treat: “It’s a gorgeous space. We have so much room here.”

Source link