Local and regional news

,

9th Annual Cupcake Battle!

The 9th Annual Cupcake Battle was a huge success! The Annual benefit for Mt. Washington Valley Promotions sold out yesterday as hungry attendees tried an assortment of miniature cupcakes and determined which they liked best. There were eighteen total bakers competing in four separate categories: Spencer Kelly was best child baker. Hannah Thelemarck won best Teen Baker. Bette Muise took the award for best home baker, and Julie Tavares of Batter Up became a three time champion when she was awarded the win for the Professional baker category. Mt. Washington Valley Promotions Executive Director Lisa Dufault noted that it was the largest number of professional competitors in the event’s history. She says the event took in roughly $3,000, which is a little over $2,400 for the non-profit after the prize money is deducted. Event organizers are already looking forward to next year with the hopes that it will be as big.

 

Ms. Mount Washington Valley, MacKenzie Herlihy, presents the Teen Baker award to Hannah Thelemarck.

 

Mr. Mount Washington Valley, Nate Sawyer, presents the Best Child Baker prize to Spencer Kelly.

 

Bette Muise (left) won the Best Home Baker prize while competing against her cousin Lorraine Holt (right).

 

,

Cancellations and Delays – Friday February 15th, 2019

school-closings2

Cancellations for Friday 2/15/19:

 

Jean Limmer Dance Center is CLOSED for the day with ALL CLASSES CANCELLED

Kennett High School Girls & Boys Basketball Games against Hanover has been postponed, both Home & Away Games.

 

 

To Report a Cancellation or Delay contact our Office at 603-356-8870

 

Cancellations and Delays are brought to you by:

 
 

Granite State Glass

 

 

 

 

Valladares Transportation and Repair

(603) 447-2101

,

Rep. Chris Pappas Criticizes Wayfair Decision

US Representative Chris Pappas took to the floor of the House of Representatives to criticize the Wayfair Decision yesterday. The Supreme Court decision allows States to tax sales to people within their States, even if the business selling the product is located elsewhere. Representative Pappas cites his visit to the Mt. Washington Valley and specifically White Mountain Puzzlers and Lupine Pet in his criticism. Pappas says the decision threatens to shut down the internet sales of many New Hampshire businesses because they are unprepared to take on the sales tax burden of other States across the country.

 

,

Governor Sununu Proposes Budget

Governor Chris Sununu submitted his budget proposal to the legislature this morning. The New Hampshire Governor highlighted the budget had no new taxes of any kind and did not raise fees, commenting that government budgets should operate under the same fiscal constraints balancing revenues with expenditures as household budgets. Some highlights of the budget include:

  • Adding $15 million to the rainy day fund to bring its total to $137.3 million.

  • Sending money back to poor communities to use for school infrastructure.

  • Increasing Special Education Aid by 18%

  • Providing $32.5 million for student debt assistance.

  • Providing $40 million for eliminating the Emergency Department’s waitlist, relocating children’s mental health services to their own space.

  • Increase funding for the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence to $2.4 million a year.

  • Increased funding to the Human Rights Commission to clear a backlog of cases.

  • $50,000 per year to fund Diversity and Cultural Competency training in public schools.

  • Consolidating the Adjutant General’s Department, the Office of Veteran Services, and the Bureau of Community-Based Military Programs into one department of Military Affairs and Veterans services.

The Governor also proposed fully legalizing sports betting to raise additional revenues and the creation of a Council of Responsible Gaming to help those with gambling addictions.

 

,

New Flag for Maine?

 

Maine's House of Representatives is debating a proposal to change the design of Maine's flag.

 

Maine could be changing their flag soon if a House Provision introduced last week makes it way through the legislative process. Maine House Provision 508 was introduced by state Representative Janice Cooper to change the current Maine State flag back into the flag the State had prior from 1901 to 1909. The alternative state flag would be much simpler with a white field, a green pine tree in the center, and a blue star to the top left. Advocates for the change point to online surveys that rate Maine as having one of the worst flag designs in the country.

 

The “new” design would actually be the design Maine previously used between 1901 and 1909.

,

New England Patriots Week Declared!

It’s official! It’s New England Patriots Week in New Hampshire. The proclamation was issued by Governor Chris Sununu following the lowest scoring Superbowl in history, a feat which he credits to the outstanding defense played on both sides of the field. Governor Sununu says, “The Patriot’s victory over the Rams ties the franchise with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl victories ever.” And that he has, “no doubt that before long Tom Brady will be leading the Patriots to a historic seventh win.”

,

When Should You Shovel Off Your Roof?

 

How much snow is too much for your roof? Obviously the answer to that depends on your particular home, but the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety recommends definitely getting your roof shoveled off by two feet of snow, which can weigh as much as 60 pounds per square foot. They note it’s also important to remember that fresh snow doesn’t weigh as much as older snow or ice, which is much more dense. This doesn’t mean that your roof is necessarily safe below two feet of snow. The National Research Council Canada recommends keeping an eye on signs your house may give that it’s under strain from the snow. These signs can include unusual sounds from the roof or supporting walls, visible movement of walls or sagging of ceiling and cracking of drywall or plaster. Other signs may include doors that jam or water leaks that show up after a big snow fall.

 

Keeping your roof clear of snow can save you and your wallet a lot of hurt this winter.