N.H. law makes state parks free for military

CONCORD, N.H. — Members of the military can now enjoy free admission to New Hampshire state parks thanks to a new law inspired by a Marine mom from Salisbury.

Mary Thayer pushed lawmakers to change the law after her son, Master Gunnery Sgt. Richard Thayer, visited her last summer. They were surprised to learn that while state park admission is free for some members of the New Hampshire National Guard, the offer did not extend to all military personnel.

That is no longer the case — the new law specifies that any member of the military can visit state parks for free. At a bill signing ceremony Monday, Mary Thayer thanked lawmakers and cried when she explained that her son is in North Carolina, preparing for his fifth deployment.

NASA's Curiosity lands successfully on mars and shoots photo's

the Mars Rover including the 7 minutes of terror that NASA had no communication with the rover. Everything went without a hitch, and the rover even sent back a couple of photo's just after landing.

Curiosity landing on mars 8/6/2012. This video is the last 11:30 of the landing of

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Injured Hiker assisted off Old Bridle Path in NH

FRANCONIA NOTCH, N.H. -- A Westford man who fell and injured his leg while hiking in Franconia Notch Saturday afternoon was helped from the trail by a rescue team, but officials say he was well-prepared for his hike.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department was notified about 3:40 p.m. that Jay Enis, of Westford, fell and injured his leg while hiking on the Old Bridle Path Trail in Franconia Notch. Old Bridle Path is typically used to access the Greenleaf on the way up to Mount Lafayette. The trails on and around this ridge have been a frequent rescue area this year due to various reasons

Members of the Appalachian Mountain Club were helping Enis descend the trail under his own power, but conservation officers from New Hampshire Fish and Game and the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team started up the trail to assist.

Members of the rescue team found Enis about 4:15 p.m., about 2 1/2 miles from the trailhead. They provided first-aid and put a splint on Enis' leg. Everyone made it back to the trailhead by 8:05 p.m.

Despite the injury, Enis was able to slowly complete the hike with some assistance.

"Mr. Enis and the other member of his hiking party were prepared and had all the necessary clothing and equipment for a summer day hike," the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said in a press release.

The agency encourages all hikers to visit www. hikesafe.com for a list of recommended hiking equipment. The trails on and around this ridge have been a frequent rescue area this year due to various reasons, but the common theme in most of the rescues in the area have been due to the lack of preparedness.

Hikers who get in trouble while hiking unprepared can be forced to pay for their rescue.

Old Bridle Path (Red)

Stranded hikers at blame for lack of preparation and late departure

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire Fish and Game officials are blaming a late departure and lack of preparedness for the late night rescue of four hikers from Mount Major in Alton.

The hikers, all from Somersworth, included two adults and two children. Officials say they did not begin their hike up the 1,786-foot mountain until 4 p.m. Sunday and were wearing light clothing and carrying one small light. Darkness fell during their descent.

The hiking party called 911 at 9:17 p.m. Fish and Game officials and members of the Alton Fire Department rushed to reach the hikers as storms were moving into the area. The hikers were escorted down the mountain and reached the trailhead at 11:25 p.m. Sunday.

Officials say hikers must be prepared with emergency clothing and gear.

Prepare for your hike: http://hikesafe.com/

Hands across New Hampshire

On Sept. 1, New Hampshire residents will be participating in an event called "Hands Across New Hampshire." This is a peaceful, family-friendly protest of the proposed Northern Pass and Trailbreaker projects.

Northern Pass, the proposed 180-mile overhead transmission project through New Hampshire, is slated to bring electricity from Hydro Quebec to the southern New England market.

More than 30 towns along the proposed route of Northern Pass have voted in opposition to the project. Opposition to Northern Pass includes the fact that large hydro-electricity is not designated green or renewable in New Hampshire, it contributes to global climate change, cancer concerns of living or working near overhead HVAC power lines, lost property values, and a for-profit corporation intruding into the White Mountain National Forest.

Trailbreaker is a proposal to bring tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada, through an existing underground pipeline that runs from the Canadian border through Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine where it will be offloaded in Portland to foreign markets. Opposition to Trailbreaker is based on the fact that mining tar sands oil is toxic to the environment and contributes to global warming.

Also the pipeline which will be used was never intended to transport such corrosive and abrasive oil and could result in spills in some of the most ecologically-sensitive areas of New England.

Thus far the following New Hampshire towns are participating in Hands Across New Hampshire: Colebrook, Lancaster, Littleton, Concord, Easton, Campton, Thornton, Sugar Hill, Franconia, Holderness/Plymouth.

For times and locations, or to start your own group, please contact handsacrossnh@gmail.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HandsAcrossNH
Twitter: https://twitter.com/handsacrossnh

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