CONCORD, N.H.

Hassan to run for governor again; defends trip to Turkey

Incumbent Gov. Maggie Hassan has officially entered the race for a second term and is defending an upcoming trip to Turkey as an important economic development effort.

Filing her candidacy papers with the secretary of state, the first-term Democrat said businesses around the state say it’s important to expand international trade relationships. Hassan says Turkey is the state’s 12th largest trading partner and a growing player in the aerospace market.

Republicans criticized Hassan for the $15,000 trip in light of her request for a freeze on hiring and unnecessary travel. In the packed hallway at the Statehouse on Thursday, a man dressed in a turkey costume was a reminder of the criticism.

TEWKSBURY, Mass.

Undercover sting leads to arrest for soliciting sex

Police say they arrested a New Hampshire woman at the Tewksbury Public Library for allegedly requesting $60 to perform a sex act on an undercover officer.

Brittany Macintyre, of Nashua, New Hampshire, was released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty Wednesday in Lowell District Court to a charge of sexual conduct for a fee.

Police sent the undercover officer to the library on Tuesday after getting complaints from patrons about a woman soliciting sex.

Police say Macintyre engaged a detective in conversation and passed him a pen and paper. The two exchanged several notes until she asked for the money and was arrested.

She is scheduled back in court on July 30.

PELHAM, N.H.

Smoking ban in town parks rescinded after two weeks

Less than two weeks after prohibiting smoking in parks in the town of Pelham, New Hampshire, selectmen have lifted the ban.

Chairman Ed Gleason told the Eagle Tribune the board learned the measure was adopted in violation of state law, which only forbids smoking in enclosed public areas.

The board voted 3-2 on May 27 to ban smoking at Pelham’s five parks and discussed posting signs at them.

The board later contacted an attorney with the New Hampshire Municipal Association and was told sections of New Hampshire law only forbid smoking at indoor public places. State law also bans smoking in the workplace, restaurants and bars.

In Derry, the town decided not to adopt a ban and to just post “No smoking” signs near parks.

CONCORD, N.H.

After gun death, new law restricts parental visitation

Gov. Maggie Hassan has signed a law aimed at preventing gun violence during supervised visits with children.

The law that took effect Wednesday allows courts to limit parental visits to supervised visitation centers that use metal detectors and have trained security staff on site.

The measure was filed after 9-year-old Joshua Savyon was shot to death by his father as the two spent time together at a Manchester YWCA. His father also killed himself.

The YWCA had hand-held metal detectors, but they were not used the day Joshua was killed.

Joshua’s father was upset over custody arrangements and had threatened to kill his mother or himself and the boy.

RYE, N.H.

Young, emaciated seal pup rescued at Star Island

A week-old emaciated harbor seal pup has been rescued at Star Island at the Isles of Shoals.

The pup, who’s been named Rose, was found Tuesday, without her mother anywhere in sight.

– From news service reports