Welcome to InDepthNH.org’s roundup of news that matters in New Hampshire for Dec. 26
Manchester VA scores 4 out of 5 (Union Leader)
The Manchester VA Medical Center isn’t a full-blown hospital, but it got better than a passing grade in the latest ranking of the 146 health centers for veterans across the country.
Keene Cinemas ends cash-only policy (Keene Sentinel)
Local moviegoers frustrated by a long-standing cash-only policy can rest easy: Among many improvements slated for the facility, Keene Cinemas now accepts debit and credit cards.
Tables filled at Common Table’s Christmas dinner (Seacoastonline)
PORTSMOUTH – “Take a look around,” said St. John’s Episcopal Church Rector Rev. Rob Stevens. “This is a picture of God’s Kingdom here on Earth.”
Historian searches for mother and son (Seacoastonline)
Like all the best mysteries, this one began with a single clue. Years ago, I bought a sepia-toned photo of a young Victorian mother and child for a few dollars in an online auction.
Many local stores across New Hampshire reported record sales this holiday shopping season. And that foot traffic is not expected to slow down this week.
Politics Dominated N.H. News in 2016 (Valley News)
Concord — A busy election year in New Hampshire highlighted by a parade of presidential hopefuls and competitive Senate and gubernatorial contests topped state news headlines in 2016. Others include a man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping a 14-year-old girl and holding her captive for nine months; a new law expanding Medicaid coverage; and a family winning a $487 million Powerball jackpot, the nation’s eighth largest.
Deep blue sea; Nashua sailor mans bridge on ocean liner (Nashua Telegraph)
Nashua’s Kevin Morrissey could drive a Harley like his dad’s or a pickup truck or any other vehicle, but … no.
Family feeds firefighters on Christmas; friend inspired woman to serve holiday meal (Nashua Telegraph)
NASHUA – Debbie Bartol has delivered Christmas dinner to the Airport Fire Station on Pine Hill Road for 15 years.
Child seriously injured after Manchester crash (WMUR)
7 others suffer minor injuries
Manchester Police donate to victim of life-savings theft, ID suspect (WMUR)
Surprised victim on Christmas Eve
Berlin High School students organize food pantry (Berlin Daily Sun)
BERLIN — Earlier this week, a small group of students and advisers at Berlin High School were working after school to put together holiday food boxes for fellow students and their families.
Laconia man sentenced in 2015 home invasion and burglary (Laconia Daily Sun)
LACONIA — A city man who burglarized the occupied home of an older woman on Emerald Drive in the summer of 2015 will spend a minimum of three years in the New Hampshire State Prison.
Manchester man arrested Christmas morning for slashing tires, threatening bar employees with knife (Union Leader)
Employees told police they had asked Cody Cecere of 205 Whipple St. to leave the bar after 1:30 a.m. because he was too drunk and had become belligerent.
Third judge steps aside in billboard defamation lawsuit (Union Leader)
Another judge has stepped aside in a lawsuit filed against a mortgage broker accused of using his billboards across New Hampshire to damage the reputations of three Manchester businessmen.
AROUND THE NATION AND WORLD
Russia plane crash: Huge search for bodies in Black Sea (BBC)
A huge search operation is continuing “round the clock” in Russia, after a Russian military plane with 92 people on board crashed into the Black Sea.
A Mom-and-Pop Empire, Amplified by the Trump Name (New York Times)
An examination of the Trump Organization reveals a distinctly family business fortified with longtime loyalists that operates less on standardized procedures and more on a culture of Trump.
With Claims of ‘Fake News,’ Conservatives Take Aim at Media(New York Times)
The term once referred to fabricated accounts intended to deceive, but many on the right have turned it against news they see as hostile to their agenda.
Trump in position to reshape judiciary with more than 100 vacancies (New York Times)
In addition to an open Supreme Court seat, openings throughout the federal circuit and district courts will allow Donald Trump to quickly make a wide array of lifetime appointments. The new Republican president will have nearly twice the number of vacancies to fill than President Obama had when he took office.
George Michael dies at 53; pop singer was half of duo Wham! before successful solo career (LA Times)
The English singer-songwriter who shot to stardom as a teen idol in the 1980s as half of the pop duo Wham! and went on to become one of the era’s biggest pop solo artists died peacefully in his home, according to his publicist.
Compiled by InDepthNH.org, a nonprofit investigative news outlet published online by the New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism 603-738-5635