NEWS
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Costa Concordia: Italian cruise disaster satire speaks to rapid pace of comedy about tragedy
“The boundaries that used to separate experience are much more flexible, permeable, transparent, whatever you want to call it,” says Joshua Meyrowitz, chair of the communication department at the University of New Hampshire and author of the seminal No Sense of Place: The Impact of Electronic Media on Social Behavior.



American Lung Assn. gives mixed reception to tobacco control efforts


Sebago rapist still at large, attacker drove truck with NH plates
According to Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Naldo Gagnon, county detectives are working with New Hampshire and New England authorities in hopes of tracking down the man whom Gagnon describes as a "violent attacker."


Fosters: SHA immediate restraining order denial explained: Judge claimed SHA rep did not try to make contact before the hearing
SOMERSWORTH — The Somersworth Housing Authority was denied an ex parte restraining order against the estate of the former fiscal director of the SHA because the judge hearing the motion said appropriate notice to the defendant was not given


Friend of murdered UNH football player Todd Walker testifies at trial


BDN: Rise in gang membership prompting police, lawmakers to take action
Those arrested in the high-profile raids included members of the Asian Boyz and two factions of the Bloods — the True Sudanese Bloods and the True Somali Bloods.


BUSINESS
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NOAA denies Sen. Kerry request to reassess condition of cod in Gulf of Maine


Seabrook bylaw would ban 'big box' stores near Mass. border
According to Selectman Bob Moore, the measure would prevent more "big box" retail stores along Route 1 in that vicinity, which is ripe for redevelopment when the economy recovers. The zoning would allow small stores and companies to locate there with apartments above them to foster small businesses in town and a traditional New Hampshire village atmosphere.


NRC to review request from Mass. lawmakers to halt Seabrook plant's relicensing
Last month, state Sen. Steven A. Baddour, D-Methuen, and state Rep. Michael Costello, D-Newburyport, sent letters to NRC Chairman Greg Jaczko requesting he stop the relicensing process until a long-term solution has been implemented regarding the alkali-silica concrete degradation problem at the plant.


NH consumers carry among the nation's highest average credit card balance
The states with the highest average credit card debt are Alaska...with about an $8,000 dollar balance--followed by New Hampshire and Connecticut.


UNH study finds hospitality inhospitable to workers with disabilities
University of New Hampshire researchers surveyed 320 hospitality companies across the nation and found similar concerns and challenges regarding employment of people with disabilities.


Rite Aid looking to build new drug store in Meredith


Mid-life career changes: the rule, not the exception


USA Springs deal faces evaporation


FEATURES / ENTERTAINMENT
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Life after death for deep sea vents
"It's certainly fascinating to learn more about the processes by which these submarine vents keep on "giving" by providing a substrate for life well after the vents themselves become inactive," commented geochemist Julie Bryce of the University of New Hampshire.


Author Janet Evanovich puts her NH home on the market, calls on Stephanie Plum fans to see movie adaption so that more can be made
Evanovich has put her New Hampshire home on the market and is getting ready for the release of her next novel, “Wicked Big,” featuring her Diesel character. Katherine Heigl stars in 'One for the Money', based on the best-selling Evanovich novel, which opens today.


Atkinson, Plaistown, Sandown libraries pool resources to improve service


Edible flowers - the new rage in haute cuisine
Author notes first time the flowers landed on her plate was on New Hampshire train.


Dr. Scott Kalicki named president of Lakes Region Community College



COURTS / PUBLIC OVERSIGHT
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NHSUPCO - 2010-517, Appeal of A&J Beverage Distribution, Inc. - DOL decision vacated.
A&J wins appeal of NHDOL decisions in whistleblower's proceedings.


NHSUPCO - 2010-632, State of New Hampshire v. Daniel Bent - SUPCO says lower court overstepped when it accepted that DOC has a blank check to set restitution payments.
The court erred in ruling that it was bound by the restitution amount set by the department of corrections. While the department of corrections has authority to set the time and method of restitution payments, and to enforce a restitution order, RSA 651:64 (2007), only the court has the authority to set the amount of restitution, RSA 651:63 (Supp. 2010). Because the trial court never independently considered the amount of restitution, but rather incorrectly ruled that it was bound by the amount set by the department of corrections, the award of $21,230.86 must be vacated and the case must be remanded.


NHSUPCO - 2010-880, Lachlan MacLearn & a. v. Commerce Insurance Company - affirmed


NHSUPCO - 2011-123, In re Haley K.
Court sustained lower courts finding that custody of child should not be returned to father, not because he was in jail but rather that while he was in jail he "failed to make adequate provisions for his hild's care and support during his incarceraation"


Virginia agrees to settlement on services for developmentally disabled
Justice officials say the case is particularly relevant to ongoing investigations in Oregon, Florida and Utah. In addition, the Justice Department has issued its findings but not yet reached agreement with officials in New Hampshire, North Carolina and Mississippi.


Va. Institutions To Close Under Deal With Feds



POLITICS
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Gov. Lynch lends support effort opposing Obama's $100 user fee per flight on all general aviation aircraft
A response from the White House says they believe the tax is a fair way to continue to fund air traffic services, and the fee would generate an estimated $11 billion over 10 years. STORY 2


Unions muster supporters at State House to preserve pensions for public employees


D.C. Leaders Pushing for Statehood in New Hampshire


In letter to Mayor Gray, most D.C. Council members oppose spending budget surplus


UNH sociologist weighs in on Mass. bill to make testimony from anyone under the age 18 anonymous
David Finkelhor, a professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshire who studies juvenile justice issues, said Scandinavian countries and Germany have similar protections to keep child witnesses out of the media’s reach.
“One of the main reasons is juveniles don’t have the same resources as adults have to protect how they would be portrayed,” said Finkelhor. “They don’t have the knowledge or skills to organize a presentation or to combat misinformation that might be purveyed about themselves. That puts them in a disadvantaged position.”


PRIMARY
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Huntsman to serve as cancer foundation chairman


OPINION
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NH becoming 'most pro-gun state in the country'


Mass. newspaper says New Hampshire GOP is obsessed with gays and lesbians


Director of Salvation Army Carey House takes exception to Laconia Daily Sun article about 'Robert'
"The Carey House, like other homeless shelters in New Hampshire, has rules in place to insure that residents are safe, enforces policies that support communal living, and develops protocols that advance the goal of living a responsible and productive life. Unfortunately there are some people who are unwilling or unable to comply with the program we have at the shelter. It is impossible to express how difficult it is to ask someone to involuntarily leave the shelter, but this is sometimes necessary in order to maintain a safe, orderly, and productive environment at the Carey House. Our shelter is not a "flop house." It is a clean and secure facility and residents are expected to do chores, remain sober, treat each other respectfully and work the program that they develop with their counselor."


SPORTS
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Ex-Bruins to skate in rehab center fundraiser
The Boston Bruins Alumni Classic, a fundraiser featuring a team of former Bruins against employees and friends of the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center, will be held Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. at Saint Anselm’s Sullivan Arena in Manchester.


Catcher Travis d’Arnaud leads pack of Blue Jays in mlb.com prospects list