Willard: Additional patrols announced, safety tips released

Willard: Additional patrols announced, safety tips released

Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard issued a statement yesterday regarding the onset of the holiday shopping season.  The Manchester Police Department is starting an initiative in the various retail areas of the city.  As part of this initiative, the Community Policing Division will increase patrols at various locations and may be seen handing out “safety holiday cards” which will list multiple safety and crime prevention tips.  One of the tips is a reminder to always lock your vehicle and to keep valuables, including electronics, wallets and purses out of view.  This often overlooked tip can greatly reduce the chance of someone’s vehicle getting broken into.

There are, of course other tips, many of which are designed to protect your home, such as:  If you go out for the evening, turn on lights and a radio or television so the house or apartment appears to be occupied.  We’ve published the complete list of tips at Girard at Large dot com and linked to it from this news read for your convenience.

NH AG: Not as safe as you think

NH AG: Not as safe as you think

New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph Foster has also issued a consumer alert regarding credit card safety.  Foster warns New Hampshire consumers to remain guarded against credit card fraud even as more secure credit card technologies, such as E V M, have become widespread.  They’re not foolproof and provide unforeseen opportunities for your information to be stolen. We’ve published the release at Girard at Large dot com and, of course, have linked to it from this news read.

Bow Police: Active phone scams operating

Bow Police: Active phone scams operating

Police in Bow are warning of an active phone scam after one of its own dispatchers received a call at the department.  The call came from a male identifying himself as “Rickey from Computer Tech.”  The number on the caller I D was  8 6 0 5 4 0 6 9 9 9.  A short time later, the department received a call from a citizen reporting a scam call from the same phone number (860-540-6999)  The citizen reported the caller indicated he was from Computer Tech and that quote “603 was out of service” and that she needed to turn on her computer.  She disconnected and immediately called police.

Bow Police say 8 6 0 5 4 0 6 9 9 9 has also been linked to numerous reported scams.  The most common theme appears to be the caller telling the proposed “victim” that their computer has been hacked and offering services to fix it.  At least one caller claimed they were from the Geek Squad.   Also reported were two similar suspicious scam calls as above from 5 1 6  2 1 0 0 3 9 8 and 8 5 5 4 8 1 5 3 9 9.  Several citizens indicate the caller identified themselves as being from the Geek Squad and offered services to fix a virus.

News from our own backyard continues after this.

Cobra Cheer Squad: Needs money to get to nationals.

Cobra Cheer Squad: Needs money to get to nationals.

The Manchester East Cobras D-14 Varsity Cheer Leading Squad is headed to a national competition in Orlando, FL on December ninth.  They need to raise five thousand dollars to offset the cost for the parents and coaches to get down there and stay and they’re looking for the community’s help (a total of $16,000 overall)!  These girls have had a phenomenal year, they have been said to be the “most improved team in NH AYC this year!”  This team has the heart, drive and desire to make waves on the mat in Florida.  Please consider donating as much as you possibly can.  Not amount is too small.  Conversely, no amount is too large.  We’ve linked to the site they’ve set up at You Caring dot com in case you can donate.  If you can’t, they’re asking that you share the site with others that might be able to.

Robie's: Open House, Tree Lighting announced

Robie’s: Open House, Tree Lighting announced

Robie’s Country Store Historic Preservation Corp. will be holding an Open House and the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at the store at 9 Riverside Street in Hooksett on Saturday, December 5th from noon to 6 p.m.

“The tree lighting has been great event for years, so it’s a tradition we wanted to continue.  It’s a chance to get together with customers, new and old, to celebrate another year,”
said Ann Turbyne, a volunteer for the preservation group.
The open house begins at noon so stop by for something delicious for lunch or get a couple servings to go for a great “warm-it-up” dinner.  Sample a piece of the famous cheese wheel.  (You’ll want to take some home for all those upcoming holiday gatherings.)  Enjoy coffee, mulled cider, or cocoa with a variety of holiday cookies.  Everyone gets a free bag of popcorn.

In addition to all the food:

  • Schoolmarm Barbara Allard from the Head School Society will join the festivities with a story time at 3:30 featuring her favorite Christmas stories.
  • Mrs. Claus will be stopping by the open house at 4 p.m. to say hello and take letters to Santa back to the North Pole.
  • The wonderful works of the Ash Street Group, a digital photography group that meets at the Hooksett Public Library, will be on display.
  • Joanne McHugh, Hooksett’s 2015 Citizen of the Year, will have the honor of lighting the Christmas tree on the hill across from the store at 5
  • Members of the Cawley Middle School Chorus will carol before the tree lighting.
Inside Robie's: Lots of early Christmas shopping opportunities!

Inside Robie’s: Lots of early Christmas shopping opportunities!

Of course, for your holiday shopping pleasure and convenience, the store’s merchandise will be on sale, as will items from the Heritage Commission line, including Hooksett ornaments, clothing, town afghans, matted prints, mugs, Cat’s Meow collectibles, collage posters, tote bags and more.  Consignment items will also be available.  So, on December fifth, go and relax for a while at Robie’s–Hooksett’s only listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

labeled politicians

Label law: Politicians dressed in “Donor Chic!”

Have you heard the joke about politicians wearing the logos of their donors like NASCAR drivers so it is obvious which special interests own them?  Well, there’s a ballot initiative that just might make that the in California.  The California is Not For Sale Initiative will require all legislators in Sacramento to display the names of their top ten donors whenever they are on the floor of the Senate or Assembly.

That’s news from our own backyard, Girard at Large hour ___ is next!

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