New Hampshire

March 24, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died March 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

They were assigned to the 237th Military Police Company, New Hampshire National Guard.

Killed were:

Sgt. Thomas C. Ray, II, 40, of Weaverville, North Carolina.

Sgt. David S. Stelmat, 27, of Littleton, New Hampshire.

Sgt. David B. Williams, 26, of Tarboro, North Carolina.

Source: DoD

March 27, 2008 -- New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte announces that recent DNA test results have provided additional confirmation that Robert Breest is guilty of the 1971 homicide of Susan Randall. Susan Randall’s badly beaten and partially naked body was found on the ice of the Merrimack River in 1971. Robert Breest was eventually arrested for the murder and brought to trial.

The evidence at trial included substantial forensic evidence that tied Breest to the murder including hairs and paint chips. He was convicted by a jury of First Degree Murder and sentenced as a psych-sexual murderer in 1973. Breest was sentenced to life in prison. Under the laws in place at the time of his sentencing, he was not eligible for parole for 40 years.    » read more »

March 27, 2008 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today received a letter from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Stewart Baker PDF Doc icon stating the federal government has agreed to postpone imposing Real ID requirements on New Hampshire citizens.

Gov. Lynch sent a letter to Homeland Security officials PDF Doc icon last month requesting that the Department not impose Real ID requirements on the citizens of New Hampshire.    » read more »

March 19, 2008 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch applauded the House’s support of legislation creating a Coos County Tax Credit, an important new tool in the state’s efforts to attract jobs to the North Country.

Gov. Lynch proposed the tax credit during his State of the State Address.

“This new tax credit will help our efforts to build the North Country’s economy by helping to bring good-paying jobs to the families of Coos County,” Gov. Lynch said. “I applaud the House for recognizing the importance assisting the North Country economy and I want to thank the Ways and Means Committee for its thoughtful work on this important bill.”    » read more »

March 19, 2008 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today commended the House’s approval of a bill to allow New Hampshire to officially join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is aimed at reducing the harmful pollution that is causing global climate change.

Gov. Lynch made it a priority to pass legislation enabling New Hampshire to enact the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

“We are dedicating ourselves here in New Hampshire to reducing the pollution that causes global warming and climate change, and joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a major part of that effort. Cutting our greenhouse gas pollution is the right thing to do for the long-term health of our citizens, the health of our environment and our economy,” Gov. Lynch said.    » read more »

Proposal Aims to Give Small Businesses More Affordable Health Insurance Options

March 18, 2008 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today applauded the Senate Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection Committee’s unanimous support of New Hampshire HealthFirst initiative, an initiative aimed at making health insurance more affordable for small businesses and their workers.

Gov. Lynch proposed New Hampshire HealthFirst in his State of the State address.    » read more »

March 17, 2008 -- CONCORD - CQ Press today named New Hampshire the “Safest State” in the nation for 2008.

New Hampshire boasts the nation’s lowest murder rate and second-lowest rates for aggravated assault and burglary, according to CQ Press.    » read more »

Boston, Mass., March 17, 2008 – Nearly $5.4 million in grants and innovative financing are available to Northeastern communities and organizations working to significantly reduce diesel emissions and improve public health.    » read more »

Report Reveals Why Insurance Matters as a Life-and-Death Issue

Washington, D.C. — More than one person dies every week in New Hampshire because he or she doesn't have health insurance, says a new report by Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers.

The Families USA report, the first-ever state-specific report of this type, is based on a groundbreaking national study by the Institute of Medicine, which in 2002 forged the direct link between a lack of health coverage and deaths from health-related causes.    » read more »

March 14, 2008 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today applauded the approval of federal Trade Adjustment Assistance for Fraser Paper Mill and Perras Lumber employees.

The Fraser Mill in Gorham plans to lay off 167 employees effective April 13. The mill will remain open and continue to employ about 180 workers. Perras Lumber of Groveton, a supplier to the recently closed Wausau Papers Mill, laid off 12 employees in December.    » read more »

March 3, 2008 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has ordered flags on all state buildings to half staff on both Wednesday and Thursday, the days of the calling hours and funeral, to honor House Republican Leader Mike Whalley, who died Saturday due to complications from a fall.

“Mike was dedicated to serving his constituents and the entire state of New Hampshire, and I ask all citizens of New Hampshire to join in honoring Mike’s service to our state,” Gov. Lynch said.    » read more »

February 05, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two sailors who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Chief Petty Officer Michael E. Koch, 29,of State College, Pennsylvania, and Chief Petty Officer Nathan H. Hardy, 29, of Durham, New Hampshire, died Feb. 4, from wounds suffered from small arms fire during combat operations in Iraq.

Both were assigned to East Coast-based SEAL teams.

Source: DoD

January 30, 2008 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch and the Executive Council today approved new grants to help more of New Hampshire’s young people graduate from high school. The grants are part of Gov. Lynch’s comprehensive effort to increase New Hampshire’s graduation rate.

“Students who graduate from high school have more opportunities for better jobs and better lives than students who drop out of school. That is why we are working hard to make it possible for more of our young people to graduate,” Gov. Lynch said.    » read more »

North Country Business Leaders Support Initiative

January 24, 2008 -- CONCORD - A Coos County Tax Credit will be an important new tool in the state’s efforts to attract new jobs to a struggling North Country, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch said.

“Our state’s economic development team is aggressively reaching out to businesses encouraging them to bring jobs to the North Country. This will be an important new tool in those efforts,” Gov. Lynch said.    » read more »

Governor Unveils Plans to Assist Lagging Coos County Economy, Help Small Businesses Better Afford Health Insurance

January 23, 2008 -- CONCORD - Saying New Hampshire is fundamentally strong, Governor John Lynch today called for continued fiscal responsibility and bipartisan cooperation to implement a comprehensive agenda that includes addressing the downturn in the national economy, unprecedented help for the lagging Coos County economy and a new effort to help more small businesses afford health insurance.    » read more »