Portsmouth Plans First Night, Wolfeboro Hosts Last Night

Portsmouth, n.h. — From First Night to Last Night, New Hampshire communities are planning family-friendly festivities for New Year’s Eve.

Portsmouth, which hosts the state’s only official First Night celebration, is expecting thousands of people to help ring in the new year. The event includes a street dance from 5 p.m. to midnight in Market Square and fireworks at South Mill Pond at 7:30 p.m.

Wolfeboro held First Night events for two decades but decided to drop the official branded celebration and host what it calls “Last Night” instead. Activities include a scavenger hunt, puppet and magic shows, a community dinner, and fireworks over Wolfeboro Bay at 6:30 p.m. followed by a contra dance.

Vermont Urged to Act Swiftly To Test Water in Schools

Burlington — Some lawmakers and environmental activists say Vermont needs to act faster to test water in schools for the presence of lead.

A pilot study this year discovered traces of lead in each of 16 schools that were tested. There was enough lead to require immediate action at five of the schools.

A state plan currently gives schools up to three-and-a-half-years to test their water for lead. Vermont Public Radio reported that the pilot program has spurred some to urge the state to move swiftly to protect children from the toxic heavy metal.

The state currently hopes to have tests wrapped up before June 2021 for schools with kindergarten programs and by June 2022 for the rest of the schools.

Gov. Sununu Joins Group In Plunging Into Icy North Atlantic

Hampton, n.h. — New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu took plunge into the icy North Atlantic to raise money for people dealing with addiction.

The “Freezin’ for a Reason” event in Hampton was launched by a man who lost two sons to drug addiction. Chucky Rosa jumps in the ocean every day of the year. Money goes to scholarships to help people who want to overcome substance use disorders.

The Portsmouth Herald reported that about 50 people took the plunge on Saturday. Sununu, who noted that the 40-degree weather was balmy compared to last year’s 10-below, said Rosa “reminds us every day that we still have a fight on our hands.”

Get an Active Start To New Year With a Hike

Montpelier — The Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation is inviting residents to get an active start to the new year with a guided hike at a Vermont state park on New Year’s Day.

Professional guides and outdoor experts will lead family-friendly hikes at Mount Ascutney State Park, Long Pond and Lake Willoughby in Westmore, and at Big Deer State Park in Groton.

Hikers are urged to dress for the weather, and to bring beverages and snacks and snowshoes if needed.

Details about the length and start time of the hikes and where to park can be found online on the Vermont State Parks blog .

Man Arrested After Firing Shots Behind Home in Vermont

South Burlington, Vt. — Police said a South Burlington man faces charges for firing his rifle at random in woods behind his home, forcing the closure of a road.

Police said 23-year-old Amrou Mohamed was not supposed to have a gun because of pretrial conditions of release stemming from a 2017 sexual assault arrest. Police said they found a handgun and ammunition, in addition to the .22-caliber rifle, in Mohamed’s home. He was taken into custody on Saturday and later released.

He’s scheduled for arraignment Dec. 31. It’s unknown if he has a lawyer, and he didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

— Wire reports