Veterans Protest at College That Stopped Flying U.S. Flags

Amherst, Mass. — Veterans were protesting at a western Massachusetts college facing criticism from around the country for its decision to stop flying U.S. flags after students allegedly burned a flag in protest of Donald Trump’s presidential election. Dozens of veterans and other demonstrators held American flags and chanted “U.S.A.” at Hampshire College in Amherst on Sunday, in what organizers called a “peaceful demonstration of freedom.”

College officials decided to indefinitely stop flying flags earlier this month after the main flag in the center of campus was burned after students lowered the banner to half-staff. Officials replaced the flag, but it was lowered again.

School officials say they welcome peaceful discussions about the flag decision.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and others at the rally said the school’s decision disrespects veterans and current military members.

Manchester ‘Safe Station’ Program Sees 150 Clients a Month

Manchester — Manchester’s fire chief is encouraging other departments to adopt a program aimed at helping those struggling with addiction.

Manchester launched its Safe Station program in May, providing help to anyone who walks into any of the city’s 10 fire stations.

Chief Dan Goonan told New Hampshire Public Radio that he expected a few participants a month, but instead the average is 150 per month. On Thanksgiving, the program welcomed its 800th client.

Anyone at risk for a medical emergency is sent to a hospital. Others get help connecting to local recovery services. Goonan said just 300 of those clients have been from Manchester. The rest have come from all over New Hampshire and New England. Nashua started its own program earlier this month, and Goonan said others should follow.

Meeting to Focus On Vermont Yankee Sale

Brattleboro— Vermont’s Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel meets this week to look at a new proposal to sell the closed Vermont Yankee nuclear plant.

It’s a makeup meeting for one that had been set for Nov. 17, but was put off after the Nov. 8 announcement that the plant would be sold to NorthStar Group Services Inc. of New York City. That company said it believes it can decommission Vermont Yankee for less than what’s in the plant’s decommissioning fund.

Thursday’s meeting from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Brattleboro Area Middle School is expected to feature representatives from the plant’s current owner, Entergy Corp., and from NorthStar talking about the proposed sale.

Toys Collected by Band Headed to New Hampshire

Manchester — A box truck full of toys is making its way to New Hampshire.

WMUR-TV reported that Justin Spencer, a member of the band Recycled Percussion, is driving the truck from Las Vegas to New Hampshire and is expected to arrive today. The toys were collected for struggling kids by the Recycled Percussion Foundation, which was created to help individuals overcome being bullied through counseling and education.

Spencer founded the junk rock drumming band in Goffstown in 1995 for a high school talent show. The band came in third place on America’s Got Talent in 2009, and now perform in Las Vegas.

— Wire reports