Whitcomb Complex Residents Could Return Home This Week

Springfield — If all goes according to plan, Whitcomb complex residents, who were displaced from their apartments on July 27 when a flash flood knocked out the building’s electrical system, could begin returning the middle of this week.

Springfield Housing Authority Executive Director Bill Murlock said last week that new equipment is being installed in the mechanical room of the building and the work is expected to be completed no later than today. After that, Murlock said they have to test this system and if everything works, residents could begin returning on Tuesday or Wednesday. But Murlock cautioned there are no guarantees on the timeline to allow residents back in their apartments.

“If it doesn’t work properly, it could be longer,” he said.

The 72 residents in the building have been able to find temporary housing, Murlock said. The flooding of the mechanical room was caused when a culvert became blocked during heavy rains and the water washed across Mineral Street and into the basement area where the electrical system is located. There was no other damage nor injuries to residents.

20 N.H., Maine Firefighters To Battle Wildfires in the West

Allenstown, n.h. — Twenty firefighters from New Hampshire and Maine are headed west to battle wildfires.

The group departed this weekend for Pennsylvania from Allenstown to join other firefighters.

From there, they’re headed to the northern Rockies coordination center in Montana.

Capt. Douglas Miner, of the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, tells WMUR-TV that the New England crew will be assigned to one of the 66-plus active fires in the western states.

Fire crew boss Brian Charland said the work will be challenging with firefighters working 16-hour days in steep mountains while wearing 40 pounds of gear.

Land Purchase Protects 783 Acres In Northern New Hampshire

Stark, n.h. — Hunters, hikers and horseback riders will have greater access to nearly 800 acres of land in northern New Hampshire thanks to partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The land — 180 acres in Stark and 603 acres in Milan — is located within and next to the White Mountain National Forest.

Officials said the purchase will help connect the towns to snowmobile trails, rivers and hiking paths. Members of the state’s Democratic congressional delegation helped secure funding for the program, noting the significant role outdoor recreation plays in the state’s economy.

Vermont Health Department Starts Drug Mail-Back Program

Burlington — The Vermont Department of Health has introduced a free program that allows people to dispose of unneeded prescription drugs by mailing them to a location where they are destroyed.

Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said the mail-back program builds on the success of prescription drug take-back days and drug disposal kiosks located around Vermont.

The envelopes are available at town offices, health centers, libraries, senior centers, veterinarian offices, and other locations across the state. Up to 8 ounces of medications — either in their original containers, or in a sealed bag — can be put in each pre-addressed, 8×11-inch envelope.

Night Paving to Cause Traffic Disruption on I-91

Brattleboro — An ongoing paving project on Interstate 91 between Brattleboro and the Massachusetts state line is going to cause some traffic disruption. The night paving beginning the week of Aug. 12 means that northbound and southbound on/off ramps from Exit 1 to Exit 3 will need to be closed from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The Brattleboro Reformer reported the different exits will be closed at different times and the closings may last from two to three hours.

— Staff and wire reports