Free Republic

PORTSMOUTH — A peace rally turned into a shouting match in Market Square on Thursday when a man approached the group booing loudly and lambasting the crowd for being disrespectful to U.S. soldiers, referring to the group as "nothing but a bunch of lemmings." The "Rally for a Better America" was organized to coincide with approximately 180 other events nationwide sponsored by a group called "The World Can't Wait," whose goal is to drive out the Bush administration. The man, Jack Kimball, was given the opportunity to speak despite protests from the crowd that he should "get his own permit"...

ROCHESTER — Meeting on Tuesday evening, the Fiscal Affairs Committee voted 4-0 to recommend to the full City Council that Rochester Veterans' Council should be allowed to relocate a POW/MIA flagpole from Union Street to a spot on Rochester Common, immediately behind the existing POW/MIA stone.City Councilor Sandra Keans, who made the initial motion to send the issue to the Finance Committee — although no taxpayers' money is involved in making the switch — abstained from the committee vote, explaining that she "didn't feel there was any need. It was pretty clear to me people made up their minds."Snip...Earlier, members...

The Homeless Center for Strafford County will hold its first ever "Sleep-Out for the Homeless" on Saturday, July 30, at the Rochester Fairgrounds. It begins at 4 p.m. and ends the following morning.Organizers expect event participants to raise funds by gaining sponsorships. The event is expected to draw many families and youth groups. The night will be like a traditional camping excursion, with a campfire, games and plenty of s'mores to go around. The Rochester Fair Association is sponsoring the event.

Buff and polish stunt proves need for health and safety regulationsIf Mike Fisher was hoping to gain sympathy for those tired of government red tape and bureaucracy by getting arrested Monday, he failed.A member of the Free State Project, Fisher arranged to give a fellow Free Stater a manicure outside the office of the State Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics. Doing so without a license, earned him a visit with a judge and two days in jail.Fisher had arranged the stunt to draw attention to what he called "out of control" licensing requirements by the state.As Free Staters, Fisher...

PORTSMOUTH - It takes at least "a few days" for Christine Schule to adorn her Wamesit Place apartment with what she characterizes as some much-needed Christmas cheer.That cheer comes in the form of not only presents, but also ample Christmas lights on outside windows on the first and second floors. This year, she has lighted decorations of a snowflake, a candy cane and an angel, not to mention the wired wreath hanging outside her front door.The electric ornaments are a staple for some residents of the public housing complex managed by the Portsmouth Housing Authority. There have even been some...

SEABROOK - The School Board was expected to approve a policy Monday night urging respect for the American flag, after hearing from parents upset at one teacher’s refusal to stand during the pledge of allegiance. Seabrook Middle School social studies teacher Dianne Dunfey said earlier Monday she and students chose not to stand and recite the pledge during homeroom. "My position is I support federal law, state law and school policy," said Dunfey, who was not at Monday’s meeting. "The policy in print at Seabrook Middle School is participation is optional."