Chamber set to host Business After Hours

NASHUA – The Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly Business After Hours event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. tonight at Millyard Bank, 57 Northeastern Blvd.

Register in advance by visiting http://bit.ly/2uPfd0f. Those who register early are entered into a drawing for the pre-registration prize, a bouquet of flowers containing $100.

For additional information, call 603-881-8333.

Leaders sponsor renewed push to fund LWCF

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced Tuesday with U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., that they’ve cosponsored bipartisan legislation to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Restore Our Parks Act, which provides mandatory funding for deferred maintenance at the National Park Service, the Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service. The LWCF helps preserve and maintain critical lands for national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and recreational areas in New Hampshire and across the country. The bill – the Great American Outdoors Act – was introduced Monday by Sens. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.

“This legislation would represent an historic investment in conservation and federal lands, and I’m very glad that there’s a renewed bipartisan effort to get this legislation across the finish line,” Shaheen said. “The Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped protect and preserve treasured sites all across our state. The LWCF continues to be a win for our environment and our outdoor recreation economy, and permanent funding holds exciting potential for further conservation efforts in New Hampshire.”

“New Hampshire’s beautiful natural resources help define us as a state,” Hassan said. “Our tourism and outdoor recreation industry are also critical economic drivers, which makes it even more essential that we protect and maintain our natural resources for generations to come. I have long supported the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and I am glad that the Senate is moving forward with bipartisan legislation to permanently fund this critical program. I am also pleased that it will address the costly maintenance backlog at federals lands across the country, including throughout New Hampshire.”

Feltes, Reagan call for transparency

CONCORD – On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes, D-Concord, and Sen. John Reagan, R-Deerfield, introduced legislation to the Senate Finance Committee to enhance accountability and transparency in the Community College System of New Hampshire budgeting process. SB 761-FN follows CCSNH’s announcement of 10 layoffs this past November, despite having received a nearly 20% increase in their state appropriation and testified they would use that appropriation to freeze tuition for in-state students and maintain the present head count of faculty.

“Last year, the Community College System of New Hampshire was given adequate funding to maintain their present staffing and yet 10 employees were laid off during the holidays,” Feltes and Reagan said in a joint statement. “Additionally, the chancellor took inappropriate action by giving himself a raise at the time of the layoffs. With a nearly 20% increase in funding by New Hampshire taxpayers there is no reason those employees should have been laid off under the guise of financial pressure. That is not the way to do business. New Hampshire taxpayers rightfully expect more transparency and accountability when it comes to spending tax dollars on our higher education system, and this bill will do just that.”

Bill to honor World War II Army Rangers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U S. Sens. Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Army Rangers veterans of World War II, in recognition of their extraordinary service. All members of the World War II-era Ranger Battalions were volunteers, whose service contributed to the military success of the United States and its allies.

“The Army Rangers of World War II valiantly put their lives on the line, serving in some of the toughest conditions to bring us to victory,” Hassan said. “These brave service members deserve to be recognized for their heroic actions, and I am proud that the Senate has passed this bipartisan legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to these exemplary men. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this bipartisan legislation without delay.”

“Army Rangers fought in some of the most challenging operations of World War II and helped to lay the groundwork for our modern special operations forces,” Shaheen said. “The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor Congress can bestow and the service and sacrifice of our World War II Ranger units certainly makes them deserving of such a distinction. I’m pleased the Senate passed this bipartisan bill to ensure they receive the recognition they’re due – our nation is forever in their debt.”

The first Army Ranger combat operations took place on August 19, 1942, when 50 Rangers took part in a raid on the French coastal town of Dieppe. Rangers went on to serve in major combat operations in both the European and Pacific Theaters. The units formed the basis of current day Army Ranger battalions.

Three small quakes recorded in N.E.

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine (AP) – Three small earthquakes have been recorded in New Hampshire and Maine since Sunday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey.

A 2.2-magnitude earthquake was reported Monday morning near Mount Vernon in Maine. Mount Vernon is about a 30-minute drive from the state’s capital. A 2.7-magnitude earthquake hit a few hours later off the coast of Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

New Hampshire recorded a 1.9-magnitude quake at about 3:20 a.m. Sunday.

Brush fires fought in several N.H. towns

EXETER (AP) – Firefighters fought brush fires in several New Hampshire towns, including one fire that came within feet of a home.

Andre Baillargeon, an office administrator at the fire department in Exeter, tells WMUR-TV she heard her own address announced as the spot of one of the fires Monday. She got there as the fire department did.

Firefighters contained the brush fire, which left charred leaves spread nearly the length of a football field near her home.

Firefighters also contained a nearly 3-acre fire in Rye on Monday afternoon.

The cause of both fires remains under investigation.

It’s early for brush fire season. Firefighters said it was dry, warm, and windy Monday.

Residents encouraged to report lake conditions

CONCORD (AP) – As spring approaches, New Hampshire’s Department of Environmental Services wants to hear from residents when lakes and ponds become ice-free.

The “ice-out” conditions mean a water body is thawed and can be navigated by boat. Lake Winnipesaukee has annual “ice-out” observations by aircraft.

New Hampshire Public Radio reports there are “ice-out” conditions on some lakes in the southern part of the state. It’s similar to conditions in other mild winter years, such as 2018 and 2016.

State officials are looking for more long-term data of “ice-in” dates, as well, to show whether warmer winters are causing shorter ice seasons.

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