Claremont Upgrades Planning Software

Claremont — Officials responsible for building inspections, planning and zoning applications and reviews, and code enforcement will soon have a more complete way of communicating following the city’s purchase of new software.

Planning and Development Director Nancy Merrill said the software, which is expected to go live next month, also will allow applications for zoning variances, building permits and more to be filed online, and relevant documents can be uploaded. This will eliminate the need for people to travel, sometimes from out of town, to the planning office. Food licenses also will be able to be renewed and paid online.

Merrill said the new software will keep the different departments responsible for a host of building and property issues informed. “For us, the real difference is we will have much better integration,” she said. As an example, she said, if fire officials are in the field doing an inspection, they will be able to access property information on their phones to see if there are any outstanding building code issues or other relevant information.

“They will be able to pull building permits and check them in the field,” Merrill said.

Merrill said she anticipates some forms will be available in March, with more added as time allows.

Officials: 2 Record Fish Caught in Vermont in 2016

Montpelier (ap) — The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department said two record-setting fish were caught in the state last year.

John Konya, of Bradford, set a record by catching a 1.98-pound bluegill on Miller Pond in West Fairlee in August. The fish measured a little over 12 inches long and beat a previous record from 2008.

Last year’s other record fish was a 25.54-pound freshwater drum caught in Lake Champlain by Joseph Whalen Jr., of New York. It measured 34.5 inches long.

The department said Whalen’s daughter also caught the record freshwater drum for New York state in 2016. That fish weighed 29.87 pounds and measured 36.5 inches long.

Shaheen Part of Delegation To Munich Conference

Concord (ap) — Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is attending a two-day foreign policy and security conference in Germany.

Shaheen is part of a 16-member bipartisan congressional delegation led by Republican Sen. John McCain, of Arizona. They’ll be attending the annual Munich Security Conference on Saturday and Sunday. Shaheen will participate in a panel discussion on Sunday titled “The New U.S. Foreign Policy: Views from Congress.” Other panelists include Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, and Democratic Sen. Christopher Murphy, of Connecticut.

N.H. TV Station Sold To FCC for $100 Million

Concord (ap) — A New Hampshire television station that debuted in 2014 has been sold at auction to the Federal Communications Commission for an estimated $100 million and will go off the air in the coming months.

Bill Binnie of WBIN-TV said Friday that proceeds from the sale will be used to acquire other media assets in digital, outdoor and radio areas. He said many employees will be transferred to a new division. There will be continued investment in its 19 radio stations and news web business, NH1.com.

Robb Atkinson, general manager of the newly expanded NH1 News digital business, said the company is investing in delivering news content on mobile phones, tablets and home computers.

Police Deploy Bearcat To Manchester Scene

Concord (ap) — Police have arrested a man in Manchester after he allegedly assaulted a family member, threatened to burn the house down and said police would need to destroy the home and shoot him to get him. The incident ended peacefully and with the man in custody.

The Manchester Police Department said Robert Conway has been charged with two counts of domestic violence-related simple assault.

The police deployed an armored vehicle called a Bearcat to the scene because family members said there were guns in the apartment. Police said Conway eventually left the residence and was taken into custody peacefully. He is being held in preventive detention.

— Staff and wire reports