New Hampshire
Emergency responders struggle with burnout, budgets as disasters mount • New Hampshire Bulletin
AUSTIN, Texas — Four days after residents of coastal Houston celebrated the Fourth of July with the traditional parades, backyard barbecues, and fireworks, Beryl came calling.
The Category 1 hurricane, weakened from an earlier Category 5, slammed into Texas’ largest city on July 8 – an unusual midsummer arrival. Delivering one of the worst direct hits on Houston in decades, Beryl flooded streets, ripped down trees, and left thousands without power, causing multiple heat-related deaths during a period of triple-digit temperatures.
Superlatives like “worst,” “biggest,” and “most” increasingly sprinkle news accounts in disaster coverage. Even as residents of Houston deal with Beryl’s lingering impact, farmers and ranchers in the Texas Panhandle are still trying to recover from the largest recorded wildfire in the state’s history, a February inferno that consumed more than a million acres of land, an estimated 138 homes and businesses, and more than 15,000 head of cattle. Three area residents were killed.
Climate change has rewritten the script for disasters, leaving communities vulnerable to weather patterns that don’t abide by schedules or the rules of past behavior. As a result, hundreds of thousands of emergency responders are facing unprecedented challenges – from burnout to post-traumatic stress disorder to tighter budgets – as they battle hurricanes, windstorms, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters that are more frequent and intense than those in the past.
“Everybody’s strapped,” said Russell Strickland, Maryland’s secretary of emergency management, who also serves as president of the National Emergency Management Association, or NEMA, the professional group for state emergency management directors.
Agencies are grappling with “stagnant budgets and staff shortages” at a time when they need more money and people to deal with disasters and confront other demands, Strickland said. In the 1980s, states averaged just over three $1 billion weather disasters a year in cost-adjusted dollars, according to the association. In each of the past three years, the average has been 20. Last year, the nation was hammered by a record 28 of those billion-dollar catastrophes.
In a 2023 white paper, NEMA reported that “the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing number of back-to-back disasters have resulted in disaster fatigue and burnout.” It also reported that current funding levels for most emergency management agencies are “wholly inadequate to address the types of events that states are experiencing along with expanding mission areas.”
The nation’s disaster response system is a massive multilevel network that includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is charged with dispatching hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants to battered states and communities, and counterpart state disaster agencies that advise or report to the governor. County and city governments also operate disaster and homeland security units.
Disaster officials throughout the country acknowledged that natural disasters such as wildfires, tornadoes and floods have increased and intensified as a result of climate change. Moreover, disaster agencies are being tasked with nontraditional assignments such as cybersecurity, opioid addiction, homelessness, and school safety.
A U.S. Government Accountability Office report published in May of last year said that state demands for FEMA assistance have “increased with more frequent and complex disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and the COVID-19 pandemic” but that “FEMA has had trouble building a workforce to meet these needs.”
Budgets for state emergency management are funded by state legislatures and vary widely. The biggest states allocate a half-billion dollars while the smallest set aside closer to a half-million, according to a NEMA examination of state emergency management budgets.
California’s emergency management unit, attached to the governor’s office with nearly 2,000 employees, had the largest budget as of the 2022 fiscal year, with more than $530 million, according to the NEMA report. California is the nation’s largest state with 39 million people. By contrast, Vermont, which has less than a million people, had a fiscal year 2022 budget of $650,000 to fund 34 emergency management personnel, according to NEMA.
Texas, whose emergency management division teams works with the governor’s office and is based in the Texas A&M University System, had one of the largest budgets, $33.5 million to fund close to 500 employees, as of the 2022 fiscal year.
State emergency management agencies, which also receive money from the federal government, including FEMA, constitute the central nerve center during major disasters, typically working from a strategically located emergency operations center that includes representatives from various other agencies. Real-time information begins pouring in hours before the crisis, resulting in an all-points response that ultimately encompasses legions of state and local police, sheriff’s deputies, EMS, firefighters, relief agencies, and a long list of other responders.
Heavier strain on emergency workers
As he took a late-morning break from battling a recent 11-acre brush and grass fire near Smithville, a small town about 50 miles southeast of Austin, 36-year-old state firefighter Billy Leathers reflected on his 18-year career with the Texas A&M Forest Service, which helps local fire departments fight outdoor blazes. A charred grassy hillside stretched behind him.
Leathers is a third-generation firefighter who followed his parents and grandfather into the job.
“That’s the only one that I found that I liked,” he said of being a firefighter, adding that he and his co-workers “wouldn’t do it if we didn’t like helping people.” But he acknowledges that the increasing pace “does kind of start to run you a little bit ragged towards the middle of the season.”
The job increasingly involves more than fighting fires.
In 2020, Tennessee responders confronted a bombing on Christmas Day in downtown Nashville, when a 63-year-old conspiracy theorist apparently intent on suicide parked his recreational vehicle near an AT&T facility and ignited an explosion that took his own life, injured eight others, and triggered dayslong communication outages.
Tennessee also has faced a relentless surge of more traditional disasters, said Patrick C. Sheehan, who has directed the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency since 2016. In the 1980s, Tennessee had only three major natural disasters caused by severe storms and flooding. Since January 2014, the state has had 24 major disaster declarations.
“We’re having incredible, record-breaking rainfall,” Sheehan said. “We’re having record-breaking cold. We’re having record-breaking heat. We’re having tornadoes earlier and later.”
Sheehan and other emergency managers point out that climate change’s continually shifting weather patterns now make it almost impossible to precisely predict a so-called season for storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes. As illustrated by Hurricane Beryl, coastal storms are increasingly arriving earlier and in greater strength.
“We expect weaker hurricanes to decrease in frequency and stronger ones to increase in frequency,” said John Nielsen-Gammon, the Texas state climatologist.
More residents, more danger
Texas’ chief disaster responder is Nim Kidd, a former San Antonio firefighter who heads the Texas Division of Emergency Management and who is typically alongside Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott during briefings on tornadoes, fires, floods, or other weather events.
The division was formerly attached to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the state police force, and was transferred to the Texas A&M System in 2019, putting it under the same umbrella as firefighters in the Texas A&M Forest Service. Kidd is also A&M vice chancellor for disaster and emergency services.
Forest Service Director Al Davis and Deputy Director Wes Moorehead said the wildfire danger in Texas has steadily increased with the state’s surging growth as more and more people migrate to the state, often settling in attractive areas close to trees and brush that become vulnerable to ignition during drought and triple-digit heat.
“They like a little bit of nature around them,” said Moorehead. “They want some trees, some grasses and vegetation. And in Texas that grass, that vegetation, those trees – that is fuel for a wildfire.”
The state’s disaster and firefighting operations came under scrutiny during a state House of Representatives hearing on the catastrophic Panhandle fires, which started Feb. 26 after a downed power line set off the blaze that ultimately advanced 95 miles, reaching into Oklahoma.
Local concerns focused heavily on delays in engaging aircraft into the firefighting effort, since the state doesn’t have its own firefighting fleet and relies on private contractors. The state’s first order for aerial fire-suppression equipment from the federal government wasn’t made until 24 hours after the so-called Smokehouse Creek fire erupted, the investigative committee found.
Kidd, testifying at the hearing, endorsed the creation of a state-owned firefighting fleet, which also was recommended by the five-member panel.
The Panhandle investigation also underscored the importance of volunteer fire departments in augmenting government emergency response agencies. Committee members found that volunteer departments are “grossly underfunded,” further undercutting emergency preparedness.
Many first responders say they tolerate the danger, stress, and low pay because they want to serve, said Moorehead, of the Texas forest service.
“When you’ve got people with the drive and the willingness and the service mindset to go out and do right and do good for the citizens of the state,” he said, “you can overcome shortages like you’d never imagine.”
This story was originally published by Stateline, which like the New Hampshire Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
New Hampshire
Gilmanton Iron Works Man Accused Of Possessing Guns, Hundreds Of Grams Of Fentanyl In Hooksett, Manchester
Editor’s note: This post was derived from information provided by the Hooksett and Manchester police departments and does not constitute a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.
Stark was arrested later by police during a motor vehicle stop in Manchester and charged with drug sale, possession, driving after revocation or suspension, and armed career criminal. He was then turned over to Hooksett police on that department’s charges, processed, declined bail, and was held at the Merrimack County Jail for future arraignment.
Decades Of Priors
Stark, according to superior court records, has more than two decades of criminal history, mostly in the Lakes Region.
In Laconia in December 2005, when he was a teen, Stark was accused of second-degree assault and felony theft. He pleaded guilty to both charges in August 2006. Stark was given work release in January 2007 and about 11 months later, was accused of violating probation. After being sentenced, he was accused of violating probation again in August 2008. A bail forfeiture hearing was held in December 2008, and a probation violation hearing was held in March 2009.
Stark was accused of controlled drug act in Laconia in December 2009, but the charge was nolle prossed in August 2010. In June 2010, he was accused of controlled drug act in Laconia, but the charge was nolle prossed in November 2010. Stark was charged with bail jumping in May 2010 and pleaded guilty a year later to the charge and received a two-to-four-year prison sentence with 113 days time served credit.
New Hampshire’s scenic natural landscapes are well-complemented by its rich culture and warm hospitality. The many small towns dotting the state are the best places to experience it all. For example, in Gorham’s downtown, visitors can explore local history while admiring the stunning views of lush White Mountains surrounding the town. The college town of Henniker is the perfect destination to enjoy outdoor adventures like skiing and hiking as well as leisurely strolls along the Contoocook River flowing by the town. Littleton is another riverside destination where even roadside signs encourage friendliness. These nine hospitable towns in New Hampshire are where warm hospitality is part of everyday life.
Gorham
Located in the White Mountains, Gorham is a community hub for residents and travelers alike. Since Gorham is called the “Gateway to the White Mountains,” start your trip with the Androscoggin Valley. This basecamp is where wilderness and hiking collide. Here, you will find the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) Community, blending alpine activities, hiker culture, and hospitality.
For a slower stroll, visit the Gorham Town Common, located in the heart of downtown Gorham. This vibrant community is a natural gathering place for everyone. Sit on the open grassy lawns, as you take in views of the Presidential and Mahoosuc mountain ranges. In this serene area, trees sway in the cool New England breeze, and monuments pay homage to local history.
Main Street has locally owned businesses such as the White Mountain Cafe, the Gorham Public Library, and the Medallion Opera House. Check out a live show and borrow a book for your weeklong (or weekend-long) stay. Then cozy up with a good book and a cup of coffee at the neighboring cafe. From this spot, you will also get unobstructed views of the White Mountains. If you have an urge to hike or climb, Mount Washington offers direct access to the ATV trail networks. It features exposed granite and low tree lines that make everything appear larger than are. It is also a serene spot to escape the crowds.
Litchfield
Litchfield is an idyllic enclave that sits among Derry, Manchester, and Nashua. It offers a rural, country lifestyle with close proximity to the Massachusetts border and major cities. The John Bryant River Access is where kayakers and canoers ride along the Merrimack River. This peaceful riverside setting is also the ideal spot for fishing and paddling.
For some wholesome fun, head over to Mel’s Funway Park, which offers a wide variety of activities, including mini golf, laser tag, go-karts, and bumper boats. While this place is more for families, it brings the kid out in everyone. This park especially looks magical during the holidays, with twinkling holiday light displays.
Visit Mine Falls Park around half an hour away. It is a 325-acre park with miles of hiking and biking trails and scenic views of the canals and surrounding rivers. This area also features open fields, wetlands, and forested areas, bordered by the Nashua River and south of the Mill Pond canal system.
Lancaster
Lancaster has a Mayberry-esque vibe that gives it warmth. This community also rallies support for local businesses. Due to its proximity to the Great North Woods, it is an ideal town to escape the noisy world. This area alone offers year-round outdoor recreation and views of the New England scenery.
Walk along Main Street, which prides itself on supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs. Yet, it looks like a typical New England town from the 19th century with its Victorian architecture and brick buildings. It is a highly walkable space that blends history with a modern aesthetic. Here, you will find delicious spots like the Polish Prince Bakery or the Copper Pig Brewery.
Each year, the Lancaster Fair brings people together. This event, held in the White Mountains, promotes the importance of education. Notable attractions include the Ferris wheel, livestock barns with farm animals, and mountain views in the background.
Along the Upper Connecticut River, this town offers access to the great outdoors. This waterway marks the border between New Hampshire and Vermont, and it features the iconic Mount Orne Covered Bridge. For the best experience, hike or bike through New Hampshire Route 135 between Lancaster and Dalton for views of the river winding through the valley.
Take an autumnal hike at Weeks State Park or go snowmobiling in the winter. Once you get to the top of Mount Prospect, you will take in the 360-degree views of the mountain and the North Country. Climb the stone tower, drive along the scenic road, or tour the house museum. There are also picnic areas for lunching or resting.
Henniker
Henniker is a social community that relies more on family-owned businesses than retail chains. This town embodies a welcoming, tight-knit community that does not shun newcomers or visitors. Pats Peak Ski Area and the Contoocook River are the best spots for skiing, snow tubing, and other winter activities.
Pats Peak is a family-owned ski area that features rustic lodges, scenic slopes, and panoramic views of Southern New Hampshire. The Contookcook River is known for its signature coffee-colored water, deep woodlands, and rocky rapids. Its appearance changes depending on the time of year and where you are. Walk along the Contoocook River Path to relax in the sand or launch your kayak on the shore. Henniker is also home to New England College, a 220-acre campus with brick buildings and modern amenities. This campus is conveniently located 15 minutes away from Concord. Explore the campus on your own or book a tour.
Meanwhile, the historic downtown area offers access to boutiques and stores like Old Number 6 Book Depot. Get lost in this two-story building filled with highly organized and alphabetized books. Here, you will get a selection of affordable books and nice people. The staff also has a friendly, affectionate cat that encourages petting and back scratching.
Mont Vernon
This town offers a tranquil, safe escape from bustling cities and busy tourist attractions. Nestled in Hillsborough County, Mont Vernon offers country living while situated close to Milford and Amherst. Start with a peaceful walk from Upton Road to the forested trails that lead you to the picturesque waterfalls called the “Devil’s Beanpot,” where the Lower and Upper Falls meet.
This area features a 25-foot drop, making it an ideal spot for biking, hiking, swimming, diving, and relaxing on the rocks. This area is close to Mont Vernon Town Forest, a dog-friendly area with hardwood trees, lush greenery, mossy rocks, and rooted paths that offer a peaceful escape for hikers and their furry friends.
Along this 25-foot drop, Purgatory Brook cascades into Purgatory Falls, which sits between Mont Vernon and Lyndeborough, New Hampshire. The trails stretch along the river and lead into a dense forest that features beech, hemlock, and oak. The landscape changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It could look like a wilderness in the spring or a peaceful brook during the summer.
In the fall, the community gathers for Lamson Farm Day, an annual event celebrating the town’s agriculture. Lamson Farms transforms into a community gathering with arts and crafts, hands-on activities, and barbecue chicken. You can also watch historical demonstrations such as black powder rifle demonstrations, shootings, or apple cider pressing.
Littleton
Littleton prides itself as the “Glad Town” of Pollyanna, the 1913 children’s book by Eleanor H. Porter. Their friendliness stems from its walkable Main Street, local culture, and community spaces. Here, you can visit the home of Eleanor H. Porter. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the bronze statue of the “Glad Girl” on the library lawn.
On the crosswalks of Main Street, you will see “Stop, Look, Wave” signs encouraging you to interact with the locals looking in your direction. Nearby is access to the PRKR Mountain Trails, which feature 25 miles of multi-use community trails that spread throughout the 1,000 acres of North Country terrain. This area offers panoramic views from Linda’s Lookout, including the Presidential Range of the White Mountains.
The Riverwalk & Harmony Park is a tranquil oasis situated behind Main Street. Walk across the 352-foot, open-sided pedestrian covered bridge, offering scenic views of the Ammonoosuc River and the surrounding brick buildings. Along the river, paved and gravel walking trails lead to quiet seating areas and community art spaces.
Chutters is your one-stop shop for nostalgic retro candy and hard-to-find varieties. Try their classic fudge and chocolates. All of their candy is set in a fanciful atmosphere, with friendly, knowledgeable staff. You cannot miss Chutters, with its pink-and-purple storefront along Main Street. This candy store is a must-stop for travelers of all ages. Young and old alike will also enjoy the Little Toy Village & Book Shop, an independent bookstore that welcomes everyone. Upon stepping into this store, you will come across helpful staff, educational books, and toys for all ages. You might even find your favorite classic toy or board game from your childhood.
Stratham
Stratham has community traditions with access to the Seacoast. Stratham Hill Park is known for its iconic tower, which welcomes locals and visitors alike. This area has pavilions, fields, and trails to explore.
The Great Bay Discovery Center at the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in nearby Greenland is a place to go for hiking, biking, boating, and hunting. At the visitor center, you will explore exhibits about plankton, salt marsh farming, and the estuary on the Bay. It also features incredible views of the Boardwalk and wildlife.
The Annual Stratham Fair at Stratham Hill Park on Route 33 is a time-honored New England country fair that feels intimate and comfortable, unlike the often-crowded Deerfield Fair. It has a mix of live music, carnival rides, petting zoos, and fair food. Run by the Stratham Volunteer Fire Department, it honors the classic traditions of offering Boy Scout lemonade stands, fresh apple cider donuts, and a chicken BBQ.
Make time on your trip to visit the Stratham Historical Society at the George A. and Emma B. Wiggin Memorial Library. This area contains artifacts, including the 1909 original Boston Post Cane. You will also come across old maps of this historic town and antique toll bridge signs.
Keene
Keene is a pleasant town with a diverse mix of locals from across the nation. Speak to people with diverse opinions at Keene State or Antioch University. These distinct campuses both embody this town’s traditional New England culture with their classic brick buildings and lush greenery. Both schools will also lead you to downtown Keene, known as one of the widest Main Streets in the nation. While Antioch University is in a more private, wooded setting, it is just minutes from downtown. Both schools are heavily influenced by New England scenery and the Monadnock Region’s natural beauty.
Explore Main Street, including Central Square and downtown. This area features the famously wide Main Street, lined with boutiques, secret alley murals, and bookstores like The Toadstool Bookshop. This classic spot is welcoming with its floor-to-ceiling book displays, warm lighting, and comfortable seating. It is just as fun to walk around and spot the classic books from your childhood.
Just 15 minutes from downtown is the Madam Sherri Forest. This area features stone ruins from Madam Sherri’s mansion, an opera singer who was famous in the 1920s. Hike along the trails during leaf peeping season. The Farmers Market of Keene is open year-round and has indoor access in the winter. The town has smiles on every corner, especially when you run into locals here. The market itself offers a wide array of dairy products, honey, maple products, fruits, vegetables, and meats.
Antrim
Antrim is a hospitable town that hosts annual community events, offers a walkable layout, and provides access to natural landscapes. Walk from Antrim’s historic downtown area to the Antrim Town Common. This classic green space has winding paths and trees blowing in the wind. Sit and observe the 19th-century architecture and historic homes in this calm area.
The Antrim Town Common offers a restful respite amid your busy travels. It is also the setting for most community events and festivals. Speaking of which, the Home and Harvest Festival is a classic New England town fair that has the vibe of a traditional fair without the crowds. This community-led event marches along Main Street. This stretch of road hosts craft vendors, food tents, and family-friendly activities. The weekend ends with a fireworks show hosted by Atlas Pyrotechnics.
This town also offers views of the Gregg Lake and the Contoocook River. Gregg Lake is a 201-acre lake of tranquil waters set among cabins, dense forests, and pine trees. It flows into the Contoocook River, a slow-moving flatwater surrounded by wetlands and reeds. It eventually transitions into rushing rapids centered on rugged terrain. Divers and hikers often frequent this spot.
End your trip with a stop at Antrim Farmers Market on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church, set in a traditional New England village. At first glance, it looks like a typical outdoor festival, but it offers so much more. Friendly and smiling vendors sit under pop-up tents, folding tables, and farm stands. There are also local musicians, authors, and artists. This farmers’ market is only open on Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. from May through September.
With so much to see and do, there are opportunities to explore history, art, and outdoor landmarks while steeped in these rich communities. Anyone who wants to make memories in New Hampshire will never feel alone.
CONCORD, NH — Anthony L. Russo, born in 1996, of Northwood, was arrested at 1:04 a.m. on July 7, 2026, on a driving under the influence charge and a yellow-solid line violation. He was arrested after an investigation or incident on South Main Street.
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