PORTSMOUTH – Couples portraying President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were easy to find Sunday at a Toyota dealership.A camouflage Humvee with a gunner on top owned by Concord residents Mark and Rebecca Plummer was part of the crowd of 300-plus vehicles gathered before the start of a "Trump Train" caravan across the Seacoast. Joining them were Rebecca’s niece, Megan Elsten, dressed as the first lady, and her husband Mike Cwikla, in costume as the president, offering smiles and thumbs up for everyone."Political things shouldn’t divide people, but it does," Rebecca Plummer...… PORTSMOUTH – Couples portraying President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were easy to find Sunday at a Toyota dealership.A camouflage Humvee with a gunner on top owned by Concord residents Mark and Rebecca Plummer was part of the crowd of 300-plus vehicles gathered before the start of a "Trump Train" caravan across the Seacoast. Joining them were Rebecca’s niece, Megan Elsten, dressed as the first lady, and her husband Mike Cwikla, in costume as the president, offering smiles and thumbs up for everyone."Political things shouldn’t divide people, but it does," Rebecca Plummer...WW…

Hadley Barndollarhbarndollar@seacoastonline.comView CommentsPORTSMOUTH — The state Division of Public Health is working with the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church to “manage and control” a COVID-19 outbreak among its parishioners, according to a recent letter from the attorney general’s office.The Greek Orthodox practice of using a single, shared chalice and spoon “appears to be a source” of the outbreak, wrote Associate Attorney General Anne Edwards on Sept. 25 to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, which oversees the Portsmouth church along with more than 60 others across New...…Hadley Barndollarhbarndollar@seacoastonline.comView CommentsPORTSMOUTH — The state Division of Public Health is working with the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church to “manage and control” a COVID-19 outbreak among its parishioners, according to a recent letter from the attorney general’s office.The Greek Orthodox practice of using a single, shared chalice and spoon “appears to be a source” of the outbreak, wrote Associate Attorney General Anne Edwards on Sept. 25 to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, which oversees the Portsmouth church along with more than 60 others across New...WW…

Karen Dandurantnews@seacoastonline.comNEWFIELDS — At least 100 protesters expressed their displeasure with Republican Gov. Chris Sununu's new statewide mask mandate Sunday, holding a protest outside his private residence.The group gathered on a grassy area near the end of a cul-de-sac where Sununu's home is located, at about 2 p.m., without masks.Protesters chanted “Breathe free or die" and "We will not comply." People gathered were invited to take a turn at the bullhorn, shouting messages at Sununu’s house and urging him to come out and talk with him though there was no way for them to...…Karen Dandurantnews@seacoastonline.comNEWFIELDS — At least 100 protesters expressed their displeasure with Republican Gov. Chris Sununu's new statewide mask mandate Sunday, holding a protest outside his private residence.The group gathered on a grassy area near the end of a cul-de-sac where Sununu's home is located, at about 2 p.m., without masks.Protesters chanted “Breathe free or die" and "We will not comply." People gathered were invited to take a turn at the bullhorn, shouting messages at Sununu’s house and urging him to come out and talk with him though there was no way for them to...WW…

Portsmouth HeraldView CommentsBRENTWOOD — An anti-mask protester arrested outside Gov. Chris Sununu's home in December is now on the hook for a $1,000 cash bail after prosecutors say he violated his bail conditions and flew a drone over the governor's neighborhood. Skylar Bennett, 38, must pay the bail before April 2 to remain out on release while awaiting trial on charges of disorderly conduct and criminal trespass. Bennett was arrested while taking part in a protest outside Sununu’s home on Hemlock Court in Newfields Dec. 28, 2020. The new bail order was released...…Portsmouth HeraldView CommentsBRENTWOOD — An anti-mask protester arrested outside Gov. Chris Sununu's home in December is now on the hook for a $1,000 cash bail after prosecutors say he violated his bail conditions and flew a drone over the governor's neighborhood. Skylar Bennett, 38, must pay the bail before April 2 to remain out on release while awaiting trial on charges of disorderly conduct and criminal trespass. Bennett was arrested while taking part in a protest outside Sununu’s home on Hemlock Court in Newfields Dec. 28, 2020. The new bail order was released...WW…

Karen DandurantView CommentsDOVER – About 50 cars formed a solemn parade passing the Strafford County Department of Corrections Sunday, a call to release Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detaines that has been held every Sunday since April.No one honked. No one yelled slogans. They made three passes from the courthouse, past the jail and then returned to the courthouse where speakers urged freeing the detainees. In past rallies, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the protesters remained in their cars. On Sunday, they parked at the courthouse and everyone emerged with masks on to hear...…Karen DandurantView CommentsDOVER – About 50 cars formed a solemn parade passing the Strafford County Department of Corrections Sunday, a call to release Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detaines that has been held every Sunday since April.No one honked. No one yelled slogans. They made three passes from the courthouse, past the jail and then returned to the courthouse where speakers urged freeing the detainees. In past rallies, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the protesters remained in their cars. On Sunday, they parked at the courthouse and everyone emerged with masks on to hear...WW…

Portsmouth HeraldView CommentsCONCORD — Gov. Chris Sununu said Thursday by April 19 all K-12 schools must return to full-time, in-person learning five days a week. About 60 percent of schools are already doing this, he said.Many schools had plans to return to five days a week or close to it on May 3, but this will speed up the timeline or changes plans entirely in some cases.Seacoast doctors:“We know one, schools can reopen safely, and second, all teachers and staff that want the vaccine will have received their second dose,” Sununu said. “Third, we’re providing additional time for...…Portsmouth HeraldView CommentsCONCORD — Gov. Chris Sununu said Thursday by April 19 all K-12 schools must return to full-time, in-person learning five days a week. About 60 percent of schools are already doing this, he said.Many schools had plans to return to five days a week or close to it on May 3, but this will speed up the timeline or changes plans entirely in some cases.Seacoast doctors:“We know one, schools can reopen safely, and second, all teachers and staff that want the vaccine will have received their second dose,” Sununu said. “Third, we’re providing additional time for...WW…

David Sharp and Patrick WhittleAssociated PressView CommentsPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Long Creek Youth Development Center is testing all staff and residents for the new coronavirus after a youth detainee tested positive for the virus.The Maine Department of Corrections announced the decision to adopt universal testing Sunday after learning of the positive test result. The youth was tested Friday before being released; test results became available Saturday, officials said.The minor was asymptomatic while at the detention center and is now self-quarantining, officials said.In addition to...…David Sharp and Patrick WhittleAssociated PressView CommentsPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Long Creek Youth Development Center is testing all staff and residents for the new coronavirus after a youth detainee tested positive for the virus.The Maine Department of Corrections announced the decision to adopt universal testing Sunday after learning of the positive test result. The youth was tested Friday before being released; test results became available Saturday, officials said.The minor was asymptomatic while at the detention center and is now self-quarantining, officials said.In addition to...WW…

GUESTRep. Mary Jane WallnerView CommentsLess than one week after the election, Gov. Sununu announced that his first priority with the incoming Republican majorities in the House and Senate will be to raise your property taxes.The last budget, passed by the Democratic controlled Legislature in 2019, contained historic investments in cities and towns, returning over $100 million to taxpayers all over the state. The biggest priority of Democrats was to send money directly to cities and towns to decrease property taxes, and we delivered.Last week, Gov. Sununu announced that in the middle of a...…GUESTRep. Mary Jane WallnerView CommentsLess than one week after the election, Gov. Sununu announced that his first priority with the incoming Republican majorities in the House and Senate will be to raise your property taxes.The last budget, passed by the Democratic controlled Legislature in 2019, contained historic investments in cities and towns, returning over $100 million to taxpayers all over the state. The biggest priority of Democrats was to send money directly to cities and towns to decrease property taxes, and we delivered.Last week, Gov. Sununu announced that in the middle of a...WW…

By Karen Dandurantnews@seacoastonline.comView CommentsNEWFIELDS – State police remained watchful Sunday as groups of citizens who were told last week a new town ordinance prohibited them from picketing in front of Republican Gov. Chris Sununu’s home came back anyway.All remained peaceful Sunday among the protesters, who oppose Sununu's mask mandate and other coronavirus restrictions supported by state and federal public health officials. They numbered about 75, gathered at Newfields Town Hall and marched via a pathway running alongside Newfields Country Store to the...…By Karen Dandurantnews@seacoastonline.comView CommentsNEWFIELDS – State police remained watchful Sunday as groups of citizens who were told last week a new town ordinance prohibited them from picketing in front of Republican Gov. Chris Sununu’s home came back anyway.All remained peaceful Sunday among the protesters, who oppose Sununu's mask mandate and other coronavirus restrictions supported by state and federal public health officials. They numbered about 75, gathered at Newfields Town Hall and marched via a pathway running alongside Newfields Country Store to the...WW…

Hadley Barndollarhbarndollar@seacoastonline.comView CommentsPORTSMOUTH – “If you could photograph the smell, I’d say do that,” said Aaron Jule from behind the counter at WaterMonkey, a smile showing beneath his mask.The permeating musk medley of sandalwood, patchouli and jasmine was, of course, what Jule was referencing.A customer entered the store, ringing the cowbell fixed to the top of the door frame. Jule gave a “woo hoo!” as he does every time the bell rings.WaterMonkey, the Vaughan Mall’s second-longest tenant and a “local oasis for any generation of people,” will close its doors at...…Hadley Barndollarhbarndollar@seacoastonline.comView CommentsPORTSMOUTH – “If you could photograph the smell, I’d say do that,” said Aaron Jule from behind the counter at WaterMonkey, a smile showing beneath his mask.The permeating musk medley of sandalwood, patchouli and jasmine was, of course, what Jule was referencing.A customer entered the store, ringing the cowbell fixed to the top of the door frame. Jule gave a “woo hoo!” as he does every time the bell rings.WaterMonkey, the Vaughan Mall’s second-longest tenant and a “local oasis for any generation of people,” will close its doors at...WW…