WOODSVILLE—On Friday evening, Chelsea Anderson of Warren was one of several people waiting in line at Sunny Garden restaurant for takeout. She and the others in line were all wearing masks and observed the recommended 6 feet of social distancing.
It was the same day that New Hampshire statewide mask mandate, in place since Nov. 20, expired. On April 15, Gov. Chris Sununu said a reduction in the state’s seven-day average of daily deaths to the lowest level since before the mask mandate warranted the decision. He added that hospitalizations were at manageable levels and over 70% of those 65 and older have been vaccinated.

BRADFORD—The Oxbow Unified Union School District budget for the 2021-2022 school year was approved on the first try last week.
On April 13 in Australian ballot voting, 243 people, or 59%, in Bradford and Newbury approved the $17,171,968 budget. There were 166 votes, or 41%, against the budget.
The 409 votes cast were fewer than the number of votes cast in the four rounds of voting required to pass the 2020-2021 budget. That $16,780,183 budget was approved on Jan. 13 after a pandemic-induced delay and subsequent voter revolts.

WOODSVILLE—Local and federal law enforcement officers raided a residence on 42 Railroad Street in Woodsville on April 7, but have thus far disclosed only scant details about the episode.
According to witnesses, police were on scene for a few hours. A Journal Opinion staff member saw several uniformed officers on scene in the afternoon with a number of cruisers parked near the property not far from Central Street, the village’s main artery.
In response to a reporter’s inquiry, Haverhill Police Department issued a press release indicating a property search authorized by a warrant was carried out at approximately 2 p.m. in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies as part of a “renewed cooperative strategy to combat crime.”

WENTWORTH—Antsy youngsters, deprived of camp last summer, are counting the days.
With spring’s arrival, interest in summer camp has escalated and parents have been making plans, some as early as January.
For camps such as Pemigewassett on Lower Baker Pond in Wentworth and Moosilauke on Upper Baker Pond in Orford, the pandemic-induced shutdown in 2020 was the first time they did not open their doors since they were founded over 100 years ago.
While many New Hampshire camps completely closed last year, others had limited openings for family camping which allowed them to enjoy the outdoors at a distance from others. And even as the camps aim to reopen this year, COVID-19 safety measures will reduce capacity for all of them.

BRADFORD—More than half a dozen cars have been reported stolen in the Bradford area since March 25.
The car thefts and several related break-ins have riled community members and frustrated investigators. An arrest warrant has been issued for a 30-year-old man who faces charges in both Vermont and New Hampshire, but there may be at least two other suspects being sought in the investigation.
All the cars and trucks taken over the last two weeks have been recovered, although numerous valuables remain missing.