Leddy Center Home is Up For Sale
January 26, 2008
The Leddy Center for the Performing Arts, a landmark in downtown Epping for more than two decades, may have to find a new home.
Officials learned Monday that the historic building housing the 190-seat theater and a second building with the Leddy Center’s office, school and costume and props room, will likely be put on the market soon.
The buildings’ owners, Dr. Paul Gustavson and his wife, Elisabeth, offered to sell the buildings to the center, but it can’t afford them, Executive Director Elaine Gatchell said yesterday.
From the Union Leader.
LaBarre’s Motion to Suppress Denied
January 23, 2008
A jury will hear a police officer’s account of seeing a charred bone and flesh in a burn pile on accused murderer Sheila LaBarre’s lawn after a judge denied a defense request to suppress statements and evidence they claimed was obtained through an illegal search of her property.
They will also hear about LaBarre’s repeated pleas to Epping Police Chief Greg Dodge to “just shoot me,” and how she flashed her breast at Epping Police Lt. Michael Wallace when he asked if she had any weapons on her body.
Rockingham County Superior Court Judge Tina Nadeau denied all parts of a motion to suppress filed on behalf of LaBarre by her prominent team of Boston defense attorneys who sought to suppress evidence and statements obtained on four dates in 2006.
Full article on Seacoastonline.
Town Approves Road Repairs, Not Garage
January 22, 2008
The town Selectmen voted to recommend a $500,000 bond to pay for road repairs, while turning down a a proposed warrant article asking for $450,000 for a Highway Department Garage.
Epping selectmen back $500K bond for road repairs
Epping selectmen won’t back highway garage article
Town McDonalds first in region to go ‘upscale’
January 22, 2008
Route 125’s famous Golden Arches got an extreme makeover.
The McDonald’s restaurant is sporting a slightly new location, along with a brand new look.
Storeowner Dwight Barnes said the changes have modernized the building, and so far, he has gotten a good response from customers.
“The changes seem to be pretty well-received by customers,” Barnes said. “The old store was old and tired, and this one is nice and new, and more contemporary.”
Manager Justin Place said the aesthetic improvements are very nice for customers, but he believes the one improvement that hasn’t yet been completed may be the biggest boost for customers.
Full Story from Terrill Covey
Crowley Reaches 1000 Point Milestone
January 22, 2008
Chris Crowley layed the ball up and in, and was fouled with 8.7 seconds left to reach the 1,000-point milestone Friday night.
It was a great finish to Epping High School boys basketball team’s 65-47 victory over Hillsboro-Deering, and it took the senior captain his entire team and an adoring crowd to achieve it.
“The way the crowd and the team was pushing for him to get it, is a testament to how good a leader he is and how tight a team we’ve become,” Epping coach Tim Sullivan said.
Crowley needed 32 points to reach 1,000, and finished with 34 points. Jimmy Riordon (16) and Chris Dougherty (10) also contirbuted for Epping (4-3). Hunter Tilley led Hillsboro-Deering (0-8) with 12 points.
Proposed Cell Tower Opposed
January 22, 2008
The approval of a highly contested plan for a cellular phone tower on High Road was postponed another month and a half following a Jan. 10 Planning Board meeting.
The board postponed the decision due to a tie vote and because neighbors presented a list of alternative sites for the tower and members wanted time to review all information.
Board members and applicant, Industrial Tower and Wireless of Marshfield, Mass., decided they would review the information and respond to it before making a decision on the plan.
The hearing and vote on the plan is now pushed back until the board’s March 6 meeting.
Full Story from Terrill Covey.
St. Laurent Street Development Approved Despite Objections
January 18, 2008
The Planning Board voted 3-2 to approve a 20-unit multi-family housing facility off St. Laurent Street despite the concerns of abutters.
The development, proposed by developer Rob Graham, would have a driveway that enters from St. Laurent Street, right between the homes of Maureen Robbins and Leo Bernier.
The board was split on the balance between landowner rights and abutters’ rights, and ultimately, three board members voted in favor of the landowner, while the other two expressed concerns about the abutters’ rights.
Full story from Terrill Covey
Map of area:
Five Vying to Replace Fournier
January 18, 2008
Epping is getting closer to finding a new town administrator, as the Board of Selectmen will interview three finalists this month.
After interviewing the final five candidates recently, New Hampshire Local Government Center asked the Board of Selectmen to set a date to interview the final three recommended candidates. Candidates are being sought to replace former town administrator Steve Fournier who is now working as North Hampton’s full-time town administrator.
Selectman Dianne Gilbert attended the interviews of the final five candidates, and she said she believes there are strong options.
Full story from Terrill Covey on Seacoast Online.
There is also a list of School and town offices open.
Scrabble Players, Artists, Wanted at Library
January 17, 2008
Scrabble Club meets at Epping Public Library.
The Harvey-Mitchell Memorial Library is looking for adults interested in friendly competition around a Scrabble board, non-tournament style play. The library has boards, dictionaries and lots of table space.
Interested players, 18 years of age and up, are welcome to drop in on Thursdays at 1 p.m. and the library will provide coffee and snacks. This group is open to adults from the area that would like to join. Please call the library at 679-5944 for more information.
Artists Wanted at Epping Public Library.
The Harvey-Mitchell Memorial Library has been hosting a rotating display of local artist’s works on the Main Floor of the library for over a year. All artists are welcome to inquiry about booking a month long display, preference will be given to Epping artist and all work is subject to review before being displayed in this public venue. This month go to the library and see Barbara Battiparano’s detailed paintings and pen & ink drawings and sign up to be the next artist on display. Student artists welcome.
Please call the library at 679-5944 for more information.
Teddy Bear Picnic Scheduled
A part of the monthly Toy Play Day series, the Harvey Mitchell Memorial Library is hosting a Teddy Bears’ Picnic on Saturday, January 26th from 11:00 to 1:00. Children ages 2 - 10 are invited to bring a picnic lunch and their favorite teddy bears to the library for playtime with their friends and neighbors, “beary” good stories and even a craft project to make for the furry visitors. This is a free family program designed to encourage young children to feel comfortable in their library. Toy Play Day happens on the 4th Saturday of each month, with different toy themes.
For more information on this or any library programs, call 679-5944.
Daycare Mourns Tragic Deaths
January 17, 2008
At Maple Tree Learning Center, there are painful reminders everywhere of Shane and Kaleigh Lambert.The other day, school owner Lisa Dodge tripped over little Shane’s light-up Spiderman slippers.
And then there was the little girl in Shane’s class of 4-year-olds who told teachers she knew Shane was safe in heaven, but there was a problem. She put her hands on her hips, and insisted, “Shane was supposed to marry me.”
Shane and Kaleigh’s tragic deaths on a Massachusetts highway have stunned this Epping preschool where the children spent the last four years.
JASON SCHREIBER, Manchester Union Leader.
