Lebanon High School Closed Today Because of Frozen Pipes

Lebanon — Lebanon High School will be closed today after pipes burst inside the building’s science wing, school officials announced on Monday.

Cleanup from the pipes is expected to last a day, said Tim Ball, the school district’s business administrator, in an email. He said after school activities and sporting events will go on as scheduled.

The district also announced a two-hour delay for the Mount Lebanon School, Hanover Street School and Lebanon Middle School because of projected freezing temperatures during the morning commute, according to an alert on its website.

Morning preschool is also canceled for today, but afternoon preschool will run as usual.

Fetal Homicide, Parental Rights Laws Takes Effect

Concord — A new law allowing murder charges to be brought against those who cause the death of a fetus is among those that took effect Monday in New Hampshire.

Nearly 40 other states already have fetal homicide laws. New Hampshire’s version would allow fetuses that have reached 20 weeks after conception to be considered victims of murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide or assisted suicide.

Another bill that took effect on the first day of 2018 deals with the termination of parental rights in cases of sexual assault.

The new law presumes that termination of the biological father’s rights is in the best interest of the child when a birth is the result of a sexual assault. A third new law gives grandparents preference as guardians in cases of parental drug abuse.

2017 Vermont Traffic Fatalities Hit Five-Year High

Burlington — Vermont traffic safety officials are concerned by an increase in the number of traffic fatalities on the state’s roadways.

State police statistics show that in 2017, 69 people died in 63 separate crashes.

It’s the highest number since 2013, when 71 people died in 65 crashes.

The Burlington Free Press reported law enforcement officers attributed the spike in fatalities to driver impairment, speed, failure to use seat belts and distracted driving.

State Police Lt. John Flannigan, commander of the Vermont State Police’s safety programs, said the figures are disappointing and officials are looking at ways to reduce crashes.

Hundreds Take a New Year’s Day Plunge in Boston Despite Cold

Boston — About 200 people have taken a New Year’s Day dip in the frigid waters of Boston despite the bone-chilling cold.

The bitter cold forced the cancellation or postponement of many “polar plunge” events throughout the country on Monday.

The Boston Globe reports that the annual L Street Brownies New Year’s Day Swim went on as planned in South Boston, with 200 or so brave souls taking part.

Last year, roughly twice that amount took the plunge.

Vermont’s Minimum Wage Rises to $10.50 an Hour

Montpelier — Vermont’s lowest paid workers are getting a raise along with the New Year.

As of Monday, Vermont’s minimum wage increased to $10.50 per hour, up from $10 per hour. According to a determination signed by Vermont Labor Commissioner Lindsay Kurrle, the minimum wage for tipped workers increased to $5.25 per hour.

Beginning next year, the minimum wage will increase by 5 percent or the percentage increase of the consumer price index.

— Wire reports