Board to petition court to fill vacancies

ORFORD—When four members of the Orford Planning Board resigned within weeks of each other, it raised the question, “why?”

Longtime trustees start new chapter

BRADFORD—Two long-time trustees of the Bradford Public Library will step down from active membership this month.
Larry Coffin and Anthony (Tony) Brainerd still plan on continuing to assist the library in various ways, as other former trustees have done. Bud Haas “retired” from the board two years ago after a lengthy stint, but still attends many meetings and continues to participate in other ways.

Man sentenced in Haverhill shooting

NORTH HAVERHILL—A North Haverhill man has pleaded guilty to reckless conduct and criminal threatening after firing five rounds of a handgun during a domestic dispute at a Benton Road home in March.

School board member resigns after suit

NORTH HAVERHILL—A Haverhill School Board member has resigned after New Hampshire Public Radio reported last week that he had been accused of child abuse in lawsuits filed against the state of New Hampshire. Mike Adamkowski also resigned from his post as chair of the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families Advisory Board, according to NHPR.

Wing’s store changes hands

EAST THETFORD—On a clear, cold morning with the wintry air nipping at their heels, a couple in their twilight years entered the familiar white general store that sits close to Route 5 in East Thetford. The old sign has been taken down, but you can still read the ghostly “Wing’s Market” letters that were there last month.

Budding artist crafts comic strip

BRADFORD—How does a comic strip artist get her start? During a recent interview, 18-year-old Jayda Garcia detailed the inspirations behind her upcoming comic strip for the Journal Opinion, entitled “Clay Paint.” A senior at Woodsville High School, Garcia has attended 21st century media and digital arts classes at River Bend Career and Technical Center for two years.

In Times Past…Sing a song of Christmas

“Beneath the familiar melodies and words, Christmas songs reveal a portrait of the American psyche past and present, wishing simultaneously to embrace nostalgia, commerce, charity, carnival, romance, and travesty.” Ronald B. Lanford Jr. “A Cultural History of American Christmas Songs.”

Community staple vows to re-open after fire

WAITS RIVER— The Waits River Country Store and Deli is temporarily closed after a gas-operated clothes dryer caught fire earlier this month, causing severe smoke damage throughout the store.

Woodsville man accused of killing cop, utility worker

WALTHAM, MA—A Woodsville man is facing manslaughter, armed robbery, and other charges after he allegedly crashed into a Waltham, Massachusetts roadside worksite killing a police officer, a utility worker, and injuring two others last week.

Rivendell opens community food pantry

ORFORD—Food insecurity does not recognize state lines. New Hampshire and Vermont both battle the problem, and that’s where Rivendell Academy stepped in. The small interstate school in Orford has added a food pantry to aid in the fight against hunger among the district’s students and the community at large.