CONCORD, N.H.

Last call moved to 2 a.m. with community approval

Bar patrons will be able to buy drinks until 2 a.m. with approval of the New Hampshire community where the bar is located under a new law.

Gov. Maggie Hassan signed the law Wednesday to push back last call from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m., but only if the local governing body passes an ordinance allowing the change. The law takes effect Jan. 1.

NASHUA, N.H.

Investigators rule out gas as possible cause of fire

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Investigators say they have ruled out natural gas as a possible cause of a house fire that killed one person and injured a firefighter in Nashua, N.H.

WMUR-TV reported investigators dug up and checked gas lines to the house and determined that the fire wasn’t caused by a natural gas problem.

The victim’s name has not been released, pending an autopsy.

Neighbors reported hearing an explosion or explosions around 2 p.m. Wednesday. Flames spread quickly through the house. Investigators said they’re not sure exactly where in the home the fire started.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.

R.I. to provide paid leave for baby, sick relative care

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Rhode Island will become the third state to provide workers paid time off to care for a baby or sick loved one.

A spokeswoman for Democratic Gov. Lincoln Chafee said Thursday he signed legislation that allows workers to collect a portion of their paycheck for up to four weeks if they’re caring for a new child or ailing parent, grandparent or spouse. California and New Jersey are the other states that offer it.

In Rhode Island, the program begins Jan. 1.

Like the state’s existing program for temporary disability insurance, it will be funded by a paycheck deduction and administered by the Department of Labor and Training.

Bill sponsor Sen. Gayle Goldin said it will allow working families to continue to pay rent when they’re experiencing serious medical issues.

WILLISTON, Vt.

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Governor urges Vt. farms to keep record of damage

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin and Agriculture Secretary Chuck Ross are urging farmers to document the damage their farms suffered after an unprecedented rainy period left parts of some farms underwater and saturated fields across the state.

Shumlin and Ross said the federal Farm Services Agency is expected to request an emergency disaster declaration, but that won’t happen until after crops are harvested in the fall.

The officials said that if farmers have crop insurance, they should reach out now to their companies.

Shumlin and Ross highlighted the problem Thursday at a Williston farm where fields have been damaged by the wet weather.

Since the end of June, Vermont has been hit by a near-constant series of thunderstorms that caused localized flash flooding in a number of communities.

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WALTHAM, Mass.

Police chief resigns after sentencing for assault

Waltham’s police chief has resigned after being found guilty of assaulting his wife at their Maynard home.

Thomas LaCroix resigned Wednesday after he was sentenced to 18 months of probation. He had been on unpaid leave since his conviction June 26. He was acquitted of several more serious charges.

He had been on paid leave since he was charged with assaulting his wife twice in June 2012.

Even though his wife denied she was assaulted at trial, a neighbor testified that she witnessed the assaults and a co-worker said she saw bruises on the victim.

 


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