Child Advocacy Center Appoints Executive Director

Chelsea — Patricia Shanehas been named executive director of the Orange County Special Investigation Unit and Child Advocacy Center.

Shane has more than five years of experience in education management, most recently as the early childhood special education manager at the Capstone Head Start Program in Barre, Vt. Prior to that, she was the special education coordinator for the Vermont Agency of Education. She has experience collaborating with state agencies that benefit children and families, including the Department for Children and Families.

Shane received a bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University, a master’s degree in education from Eastern University, a leadership and administration certification from Cabrini College and is pursuing a law degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Farmland Leasing Workshop Comes to West Lebanon

White River Junction — Vital Communities, Land For Good and the Upper Valley Land Trust will host a workshop on “Leasing Your Land to a Farmer” on Wednesday, from 6-8 p.m., at the Kilton Library in West Lebanon.

The workshop is designed to help landowners learn how to assess their land and infrastructure, find a compatible farmer, consider liability and tax issues and craft a lease agreement to help secure a future for farming in the region.

“Our region’s support for farming recognizes that farmers are the backbone of the healthy, resilient, sustainable food and farming system that we all seek. And secure, longterm access to affordable and productive farmland on equitable terms is key to farming success across New England,” Jim Hafner, executive director of Land For Good, said in a news release.

For more information or to register, visit LandForGood.org/rsvp or call 603-357-1600.

Insurance Cost Website Expands to N.H. Businesses

Concord (ap) — A cost-comparison website created by the New Hampshire Insurance Department now includes new features to help businesses purchase health insurance for their workers.

The site, NH HealthCost, uses claims data collected from insurers to show estimated costs on more than 100 medical services and dozens of dental procedures. A new section launched last week for employers is aimed at helping them evaluate insurance companies and educate their employees.

Among other features, the site now includes a downloadable toolkit businesses can share with employees to explain key terms and a manual to allow employers to see how their current health plan compares to others in the state.

N.H. Liquor Commission’s New Bottle to Help Flags

Concord (ap) — The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is launching a new commemorative bottle to raise money to support the preservation and restoration of the Hall of Flags at the Statehouse.

The ceramic bottle depicts the hall and is filled with premium blended American whiskey. It’s the latest in a series of commemorative bottles raising funds to support the effort.

Previous commemorative bottles have depicted a New Hampshire camping theme and the Old Man of the Mountain. Since the commission started the program in 2013, bottle sales have generated more than $100,000 in support of Hall of Flags preservation.

The 115 flags from various wars are slowly disintegrating.

8.5 Million Visitors Expected To Visit N.H. This Winter

Concord (ap) — New Hampshire tourism officials say they expect 8.5 million people to spend an estimated $1.25 billion in the state this winter.

Victoria Cimino, director of the Division of Travel and Tourism, said officials are confident that tourism-focused businesses and attractions will experience a strong winter season this year.

The state is emphasizing its 7,000 miles of snowmobiling trails, dog sledding, snowshoeing, resorts and spas, and other attractions.

Rite of November: 16-Day Vt. Rifle Deer Season Begins

Montpelier (ap) — Hunters across Vermont headed out in the woods Saturday on the opening day of the state’s 16-day rifle deer hunting season. This year’s rifle season runs through Nov. 26, and experts say it should be a good season for hunters.

Hunters may take only one legal buck that has at least one antler having two or more points.

Fish and Wildlife spokesman Tom Rogers said that, after two mild winters, the state’s deer herd is estimated to be about 150,000. Cooler weather over the weekend should mean the deer will be moving around, and snow that fell in parts of the state will make tracking easier for hunters.

— Staff and wire reports