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Snow Formation Collapses on Hiker in White Mountains

GORHAM, N.H. (AP) — Officials say a hiker had to be assisted down a trail and taken to a hospital after a snow formation collapsed on him in the White Mountains. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department says 28-year-old Alphonse Riang, of Quincy, Massachusetts, had gone off the trail and under the Tuckerman snow arch to take a video when the arch collapsed, crushing him. Other hikers helped remove the large ice and snow blocks and moved him to safety. When rescue crews arrived they determined that Riang had suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Raing was assisted down the trail to a shelter where he was then taken by ATV to a parking lot. He was then loaded into an ambulance and taken to Androscoggin Valley Hospital.

 

 

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Governor Sununu Signs 1 Pandemic-Related Bill, Vetoes Another

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Republican Governor Chris Sununu has signed a bill easing the absentee voting process during the coronavirus pandemic but vetoed another aimed at protecting workers. The bill signed Friday will allow voters to use one application to receive absentee ballots for both the Sept. 8th state primary and the Nov. 3rd general election, and will create a new box to check that specifies the virus as the reason. He vetoed a bill that would have provided unpaid leave for those affected by the virus and waived insurance cost-sharing for testing and treatment. Among other issues, he said provisions related to unemployment benefits would have been out of compliance with federal law and jeopardized millions in federal funding.

For more information click here.

 

 

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Tin Mountain Conservation Center Announces Five Annual Award Recipients

ALBANY, NH– Today, Tin Mountain Conservation Center announced the well-deserving recipients of its annual awards.  Traditionally, these awards are presented at the Annual Meeting in May.  As with many events and awards, this year’s awards are being presented virtually.

“On behalf of the staff and the board of trustees, we want to thank and honor these folks for their many contributions.  We’re sorry that we aren’t able to present these awards and recognize these people and organizations in person,” said Lori Kinsey, executive director,  “We want them to know how much we appreciate all the time, talent and resources they have generously given to Tin Mountain. Since its beginning, 40 years ago this year, Tin Mountain has grown and thrived thanks to the tremendous support it has received from a strong and devoted group of volunteers, members, and businesses. The words Thank You often feel insufficient for the hours of time, seemingly endless energy, and resources generously offered and donated from our community.  Each year, Tin Mountain recognizes those people, businesses, and organizations whose efforts have gone above and beyond. This year more than ever, we feel the need to recognize the hard work and passion of these ‘shining stars.’”

 

There are five award recipients this year:

The Volunteer of the Year award recognizes an individual(s) who has supported Tin Mountain events and/or daily activities. This year, we recognize Victor and Karen Vitek, who worked tirelessly the past few years organizing and entering the hundreds of items donated for the First Season benefit auction. When the decision was made to move the First Season Auction online, Victor and Karen went to work to upload pictures, and add detailed descriptions into the software. They helped test the site and fine tune listings to make sure everything was ready to go. This year’s Inaugural Online Auction was made possible thanks to the tireless dedication of Karen and Victor.

The Exemplary Service Award recognizes a current Trustee of the Tin Mountain Board of Trustees who has worked hard to make a lasting contribution to the organization. Leslie Schomaker came to the board with a strong financial background and quickly took on the role of treasurer as well as the herculean task of streamlining the financial reporting and moving the system online. What first seemed convenient quickly became indispensable with the shift to remote work in mid-March.

The Outstanding Environmental Educator Award recognizes a teacher who in addition to working with and supporting Tin Mountain in the classroom, works to further exploration and environmental stewardship. Dylan Harry, a science teacher and Director of the OLRC at Fryeburg Academy, began working with Tin Mountain several years ago. From the beginning, he enthusiastically jumped in, often co-teaching classes and utilizing local natural areas to better connect his students to the environment. He has been a champion for Tin Mountain, advocating for greater integration into Fryeburg Academy Curriculum and lobbying for administrative support of Tin Mountain programming.

This year’s Business Volunteer Award is presented to an organization in the Mount Washington Valley that has consistently helped advance Tin Mountain’s mission and programs. Increasing awareness is essential to the success of Tin Mountain programs and events and there is no better way to be heard than through the Mt. Washington Radio & Gramophone group of radio stations including 93.5 WMWV, 95.3 Easy and Magic 104. The stations consistently promote Tin Mountain events, provide updates and program changes, and host Tin Mountain staff and Trustees for interviews on Drive Time. These stations are the voice of the valley and we appreciate it when that voice speaks for Tin Mountain and its programs and events. Roy Prescott of WMWV supports and participates in the Mt. Washington Century+ bike event, so we got him a very special bib number!

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual or organization who has been a champion for the environment and the community, not just for a year or two, but for the ‘long run.’ Upper Saco Valley Land Trust has certainly earned this distinction. Through thoughtful community projects such as the Pine Hill Community Forest, and agricultural and water initiatives, USVLT seeks not just to preserve land, but the Mount Washington Valley as a whole.

For more information about Tin Mountain Conservation Center go to TINMOUNTAIN.ORG

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U.S. Coronavirus Vaccine Shows Hoped-For Results, Ready For Final Testing

WASHINGTON –The first coronavirus vaccine tested in the U.S, developed by Moderna Inc. and the National Institutes of Health, has shown hoped-for results and is now ready for key final testing, the most important step to determine if it’s effective and safe, in about two weeks. Researchers reported Tuesday (July 14th) that the first 45 volunteers who were injected with the experimental vaccine developed antibodies at levels comparable to people who’d survived a case of COVID-19. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, told AP, “No matter how you slice this, this is good news.” It’s hoped that results of the final testing will be available by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Florida passed its daily record for coronavirus deaths yesterday, reporting 132 and raising the state’s seven-day average to 81 deaths per day, more than double what it was two weeks ago, and bringing it to the second-highest in the U.S., behind only Texas. In Arizona, another coronavirus hot spot, the state reported a record number of hospitalized coronavirus patients, 3,517, and an additional 92 deaths. There have been more than 136,400 deaths in the U.S. as of early this morning, according to Johns Hopkins University’s count, and more than 3,431,000 confirmed cases.

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US Budget Deficit at Record High in June; Driven by Coronavirus

WASHINGTON — The U.S. had its biggest monthly budget deficit in history in June, $864 billion, driven by federal spending on programs to help deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus shutdowns, including the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses keep paying their workers, and the extra $600 per week in unemployment benefits. The total deficit for the first nine months of the budget year, which began on October 1st, is a record $2.74 trillion.

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Bill Would Help Military Spouses Save for Retirement

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — U.S. Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire have introduced a bill that would help spouses of active-duty service members save for retirement by expanding access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. Collins and Hassan said the economic and health effects of the coronavirus pandemic pose an additional threat to saving for retirement, and military spouses face another hurdle. When military service members experience a permanent change of station move, their spouses often relocate with them, putting their own careers on hold. Under the Military Spouse Retirement Security Act, small employers, those with 100 workers or fewer, would be eligible for a tax credit up to $500 per year per military spouse.

For more information click here.