Benjamin Domaingue

Managing Editor

United States

Managing Editor for WestfordCAT. Staff Writer for WHAV.

University of New Hampshire '21 alumni

Portfolio

WestfordCAT

WHAV

Whav
10/03/2024
Proposed Solar Field Near Lovers Lane on Hold Through October

Haverhill city councilors this week opted to continue discussions on a proposed solar field near Lovers Lane amid concerns over the scope and scale of the plan, which could impact more than 23 acres of green space near the New Hampshire border.

Whav
10/10/2024
City of Haverhill CFO Perkins Receives National Budget Award

Haverhill City Auditor and Chief Financial Officer Angel A. Perkins this past Tuesday was cheered by city councilors after being presented with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the city’s current year budget.

Community Advocate

Community Advocate
02/09/2022
Marlborough photographer is dedicated to sharing community's beauty

"Whenever I'm traveling, my eyes are continuously looking," he said in a recent interview. "[I'm thinking] 'Oh this is good, let me take a photo.'" Qadri has photographed Marlborough for years, developing his personal photography into a passion project. His primary focus remains natural photography - with a strong preference for the Marlborough skyline and its unique sunsets.

Community Advocate
02/11/2022
Marlborough mayor holds State of the City Address

Speaking to the Marlborough Rotary Club, the mayor discussed items ranging from Marlborough's COVID-19 response to upcoming budget requests. He reiterated priorities laid out last month in his inaugural address while touching on a handful of other topics. Vigeant optimistic on COVID-19 outlook "Everybody's been stepping up to the plate for us," Vigeant said.

Community Advocate
01/31/2022
Marlborough police chief reflects on role, ongoing challenges

MARLBOROUGH - Marlborough's police chief David Giorgi was lauded in communication from Mayor Arthur Vigeant to the City Council last week, earning praise as Vigeant requested approval of his reappointment as police chief. For Giorgi, this continues a chapter in a long career in law enforcement as the Marlborough Police Department tackles ongoing challenges in the community.

Community Advocate
01/12/2022
Marlborough Public Schools Superintendent announces resignation

Bergeron was emotional as he announced his resignation to the Marlborough School Committee Jan. 11. He said his focus is creating a smooth transition for the next superintendent. "But I feel this is the best choice for me and my family," Bergeron said.

Community Advocate
01/26/2022
For Marlborough teen, volunteering is a way of life

"Whenever I'm not in school doing work, I'm working with people to help others," she said in a recent interview. Mohanakrishan, a junior at the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science, recently won the Marlborough Lions Club Youth Speech Competition for the second year in a row.

Community Advocate
01/31/2022
Marlborough High School to hold junior prom

Fears recently spread around rumors that the junior class was unable to fundraise enough to hold the event. "We're still planning on having a junior prom," MHS Principal Dan Riley told the Community Advocate on Monday, though. "I think the class officers were trying to communicate that they can't hold a private venue," he continued.

Community Advocate
01/27/2022
Marlborough Historical Society showcases sword owned by former mayor/Civil War officer

MARLBOROUGH - The sword of former mayor and civil war officer Henry Parsons was recently presented to Marlborough's current mayor, Arthur Vigeant, by representatives of the Marlborough Historical Society on Thursday. Parsons, who began his career as a private in the New York Volunteers in 1862, quickly rose to the rank of captain.

Community Advocate
02/19/2022
Marlborough considers raising pay for parking enforcement officers

The discussion comes after Marlborough's previous officer opted to leave the city for another position with a higher wage, according to a memo sent to the City Council by Mayor Arthur Vigeant. Parking enforcement officers had previously been paid up to $18 an hour, the same rate as city crossing guards.

Community Advocate
02/18/2022
Southborough lifts municipal building mask mandate

SOUTHBOROUGH - The Southborough Board of Health, which has recently voted to lift their broader municipal mask mandate, recommended this week that the Select Board lift the town's mandate for municipal buildings. In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, the Select Board voted to, indeed, rescind the mandate, which was enacted back in August of last year.

Community Advocate
02/17/2022
Talks continue around proposed regional emergency dispatch program

REGION - A regional emergency dispatch system is still in the works in the area. But it's still a long way away from coming to fruition. "There's a tremendous amount of preliminary work before public officials can make a decision about something like this," Hudson Fire Chief Bryan Johannes told the Community Advocate last week.

Community Advocate
02/05/2022
Hudson educators discuss efforts to diversify curriculum

HUDSON - Hudson Public Schools educators recently provided an update on a now two year-old effort to evaluate and improve diversity in school curriculum. They spoke during a School Committee meeting on Jan. 25, discussing their findings and experiences related to this work.

Community Advocate
02/15/2022
Northborough concludes inaugural Kindness Week with luminary lighting

The Northborough Community Affairs Committee welcomed dozens of families to make luminary bags on an unseasonably warm February evening. Attendees could fill these white bags with lights. "I'm very happy with the turnout," committee member Suzanne Cieslica told the Community Advocate.

Community Advocate
02/12/2022
Algonquin boys hockey wears camouflage jerseys in honor of fallen soldier

NORTHBOROUGH - The Algonquin boys hockey team continued its tradition of wearing camouflage jerseys to honor the memory of Northborough's Brian Arsenault this week. They wore their alternate jerseys for their game against Groton Dunstable on Thursday, paying tribute to Arsenault while students also wore red, white and blue clothes.

Community Advocate
02/08/2022
Eighth graders use Lego bricks to solve real-world issues

Indeed, they're a tool to help solve real world problems. The Beastly Building Boys are a lego building team made up of eighth graders from Westborough and Southborough. They have participated in competitions together since 2019, completing challenges through the FIRST Lego League .

Community Advocate
01/19/2022
Hudson Board of Health to discuss possible mask mandate in February

That's the result of a unanimous vote by the Board of Health on Tuesday to shelve the issue until Feb. 15. The delay, according to Board of Health chair Michael Delfino, is aimed at giving residents more time to submit comments on the matter. "We will review this at our February meeting," said Delfino.

Concord Monitor

Concord Monitor
12/06/2021
NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action launched this weekend

Pediatricians and other healthcare professionals say they are an essential line of defense in educating families and their children on the detrimental effects of climate change on a child's physical and emotional wellbeing, while remaining a non-partisan and objective practitioner with their patient's best interests in mind.

Concord Monitor
11/28/2021
Gale School enters final phase of redevelopment

Belmont's historic Gale School, which was successfully relocated in July of last year, could begin its transformation into a new community center as early as next year if fundraising goals are met. After relocating the building, Lakes Region Community Developers, which had partnered with Save Our Gale School group, assumed responsibility for preserving and repurposing the school.

Concord Monitor
11/26/2021
Money headed to White Mountain National Forest for tree planting

Millions of dollars will soon be available to plant more trees and improve the health of the White Mountain National Forest through funds available in the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. The REPLANT Act, which stands for Repairing Existing Public Lands by Adding Necessary Trees, was a standalone bill later included in the infrastructure bill that removes the cap on the Reforestation Trust Fund, previously $30 million, quadrupling U.S.

Concord Monitor
11/24/2021
How much is that tree in the window going to cost this year?

Deb Grove was so worried she will not be able to find a tree in her home state of Florida, she bought one in Concord to bring back home."I drove up for Thanksgiving and I'm driving back with a tree," Grove said this after purchasing an evergreen at...

Concord Monitor
11/23/2021
Feztival returns with a forest of raffle trees

As families begin to string up their holiday lights and ornaments, so too does the Bektash Shriners, with a twist. Each year, families, businesses and organizations alike decorate and donate their own unique Christmas tree with gifts, products and ornaments to represent their donors to be raffled off by the Shriners.

Concord Monitor
12/14/2021
'My community needed it': New American opens hair supply business

Growing up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Frank Dunia says he was born with a love for hair care that he has honed throughout his life."You're born with something," said Dunia, who sports a well-groomed beard and clean-shaved head. "You love...

Concord Monitor
12/05/2021
New Bow Police chief focused on community

As police chief in the small town of Thornton with 2,500 residents at the foot of the White Mountains, Kenneth Miller worked on partnerships. "My philosophy has always been building a strong community and police partnership," said Miller. "When we realized Thornton didn't have a lot of things to do, we started National Night Out."

Concord Monitor
11/22/2021
Pitco a tax loss for Bow, Pembroke

Pitco Frialator's decision to consolidate its operations in Concord is an economic win for the city, but it also comes at the expense of neighboring towns Pembroke and Bow.Pitco occupied a 200,000 square-foot storage facility on Sheep Davis Road in...

Concord Monitor
11/04/2021
Volunteers help refresh faith at Penacook church

On the brink of closing, Penacook's Living Hope Community Church saw a change in leadership and a renovation effort revitalize their aging building and their shrinking congregation. Jonathan Hutchins, Living Hope's new pastor, has spearheaded the renovation project to spruce up the historic building inside and out with colleagues from Indiana.

Concord Monitor
11/03/2021
Concord has a new trail ranger ready to welcome you outdoors

Meet Melina Caron, the city of Concord's first official trail ranger. The City of Concord recently adopted its Trail Master Plan, which identifies and prioritizes initiatives for more than 80 miles of public and privately-held trails in and around the city.

Concord Monitor
10/26/2021
Colleges requiring vaccines to comply with federal mandate

The remaining five percent of University of New Hampshire faculty and staff who haven't gotten vaccinated - including student employees - will be required to do so by December 8 or risk losing their jobs. A federal vaccination mandate stipulates that...

Concord Monitor
10/22/2021
House with profane signs in Bow for sale for $899,000

A house on Clinton Street in Bow where profane political banners were hung as it was being constructed this summer is now for sale for $899,000.While it was being built, several town residents and commuters complained about the vulgar language on...

Concord Monitor
10/16/2021
'We're hoping to make lavender the next pumpkin spice'

Defying the odds, Pumpkin Blossom Farm in Warner received one of four USDA-backed grants for the state of New Hampshire. New Hampshire remains one of the lowest awarded states in the nation, receiving just four Value Added Producer Grants totaling only $564,230 out of over $76 million in available aid, according to data provided by the USDA.

Concord Monitor
10/16/2021
Whole Health Concord opened amid health and wellness spike

When Laura Jones was developing a plan to open a natural healthcare store in an old ice cream shop in Concord, COVID-19 was never part of her calculations.Just months after opening her new business on Broadway Street, a global pandemic struck...

Concord Monitor
10/06/2021
Lack of winter snow vexing New England sled dog racing

Sled dog racing evokes images of canines and their caretakers charging through frozen trees across harsh winter climates. Yet, because of changing New England winters and a frequent lack of snow on the ground, the sport has been forced to adapt in...

Concord Monitor
10/04/2021
Protesters arrested outside Bow power plant

At the entrance of the Merrimack Station power plant, protestors stood in defiance of local and state police wearing helmets and body armor as they called to shut down the last remaining coal power plant in New England.Merrimack Station in Bow, which...

Concord Monitor
10/01/2021
Rooftop garden at Concord Hospital aims to heal body and soul

Amid the smell of disinfectants and the glow of fluorescent hallways, hospitals rarely provide a natural escape for their patients. A resurgence in the therapeutic benefits of nature has made hospitals reconsider some of their unused space. Concord Hospital recently unveiled plans for a new rooftop meditation garden for its staff and patients.

Concord Monitor
10/01/2021
Volunteers work to restore the last of Hopkinton-owned cabins

After years of work on the other three, the last of the cabins around Kimball Pond in Hopkinton is getting its turn.Volunteers have been working since 2014 to repair the town-owned cabins by replacing rotten boards and logs, fixing the roofs and...

Concord Monitor
09/26/2021
New arcade opening in downtown Concord

Maher Abbas, owner and operator of Wow Fried Chicken and Subs, is looking to expand Concord's downtown experience, planning to open a new arcade for the general public.Abbas, a small business owner, has operated his restaurant for nearly seven years...

Concord Monitor
09/22/2021
Concord's In a Pinch Cafe seeks new owner

Longtime Concord eatery, In a Pinch Cafe on Pleasant Street, is looking for a new owner.Sandy Chen, who purchased the business in 2012, is getting ready to retire with her husband and eventually visit her mother more in Taiwan."Usually I take two...

Concord Monitor
09/13/2021
Ellison trial in jury's hands

Richard Ellison was nowhere near the house on North State Street 16 years ago in early December where a fire killed 84-year-old Robert McMillan, Ellison's defense attorney argued in the closing arguments of his murder trial."Rick Ellison did not go to...

Concord Monitor
09/09/2021
Erle Pierce appointed NH Lottery Commissioner

Concord City Councilor and former Verizon Vice President of Government and Public Affairs Erle Pierce has begun a three-year term as a New Hampshire Lottery Commissioner. Pierce was nominated by Gov. Chris Sununu and confirmed by the Executive Council last month.

Concord Monitor
09/03/2021
Squam Lake: Home of mountain lions

Mountain lions remain an enigmatic animal for residents of New Hampshire, with New Hampshire Fish and Game reporting three to five sightings per week."Of those three to five reports, one or two come with photos," according to Patrick Tate, a wildlife...

The New Hampshire

The New Hampshire
UNH professor accused of posing as woman of color on Twitter

University of New Hampshire (UNH) Assistant Professor Craig Chapman has recently come under scrutiny for allegedly posing as a woman of color on Twitter under the name "The Science Femme" with the handle "piney_the." Chapman is an assistant professor within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS) at UNH, where he teaches chemistry.

The New Hampshire
UNH service worker spotlight: Annette Vachon

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the University of New Hampshire's (UNH) Durham campus manages to look as beautiful as ever. Even with the enhanced cleaning protocols due to COVID-19, UNH's Resident Housekeeping Supervisor Annette Vachon keeps a smile on her face under the increased workload.

The New Hampshire
Hazard pay not an option for UNH RAs

In an email following up with RAs, Director of Residential Life Ruth Abelmann rejected potential hazard pay for resident assistants. University of New Hampshire (UNH) resident assistants (RAs) and the Department of Residential Life recently met to discuss additional compensation for RAs due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The New Hampshire
Petition circulates for RA hazard pay

University of New Hampshire (UNH) Resident Assistants (RAs) are requesting hazard pay from the university through a petition that has circulated among the student body. The petition, which has amassed nearly 480 signatures at the time of writing, notes concerns of the increased workload for RAs when UNH transitioned to its orange mode of operation.

The New Hampshire
Theta Chi party leads to COVID-19 cluster

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) has reported its first coronavirus (COVID-19) cluster on its Durham Campus. A COVID-19 cluster is a single location with three or more confirmed cases. Eleven positive cases of COVID-19 were discovered as a result of a Saturday, Aug. 29 party at the university-affiliated Theta Chi fraternity.

The New Hampshire
UNH Covid Lab recieves $4 million grant

Gov. Chris Sununu announced a $4 million investment into the University System of New Hampshire's (UNH) COVID-19 testing infrastructure. "We are grateful to the governor's office and our congressional delegation for their support of this work with funding from GOFERR (Governor's Office for Emergency Relief & Recovery) and the CARES Act," said Marian McCord, senior vice provost for research, economic engagement and outreach, and co-chair of the UNH Testing and Tracing Committee in a press...

The New Hampshire
UNH suspends in-person classes

At 7:05 p.m. on March 18, President James W. Dean Jr. informed the University of New Hampshire (UNH) student body that all in-person classes will be cancelled for the remainder of the spring semester due to COVID-19.

The New Hampshire
UNH to hold in-person classes for fall semester

University of New Hampshire (UNH) President James W. Dean, Jr., along with the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) Board of Trustees, announced on May 8 that it will reopen UNH's campus for the fall semester of 2020 amid the uncertainty of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The New Hampshire
UNH holds town hall On COVID-19 policy, students frustrated

On Thursday, July 21, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs Wayne E. Jones Jr. held a town hall with University of New Hampshire (UNH) students and parents on the Student Confirmed Consent Agreement (SICA), and UNH's reopening plan, which received over 915 questions from the student body.

The New Hampshire
University faculty express concerns over reopening

Throughout the community of the University of New Hampshire (UNH), a letter has circulated from over 200 members of faculty and staff frustrated and concerned over the university's lack of communication regarding the reopening plan. The signatories included Molly Campbell, the president of UNH Lecturers United, the subsidiary of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), the union that represents university faculty and staff.

The New Hampshire
Elizabeth Warren stops in Durham on campaign tour

Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) made her University of New Hampshire (UNH) debut in the Granite State Room at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday to great fanfare. Each seat in Granite State Room was filled, with the audience surrounding its perimeter.

The New Hampshire
University suspending operations for two weeks after break, Dean confirms

Late Wednesday night, University of New Hampshire (UNH) President James Dean announced via email to the student body that the university would continue classes as scheduled after spring break, despite discussion about potentially curtailing operations or moving classes online due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The New Hampshire
COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Whittemore Center

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) hosted two closed vaccination points of dispensing (PODs) for eligible students, faculty and staff. Eligible members of the community included full-time New Hampshire residents. Out-of-state college students were not eligible at the time of the clinics, but it has since been announced by Gov.

The New Hampshire
UNH students to receive CARES Act grants

On Friday, May 8, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Wayne Jones Jr. released a statement from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) outlining the impending CARES Act disbursement from the federal government to students. The CARES Act, or the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, provided $2 trillion to affected individuals, industries, and higher education institutions.

The New Hampshire
UNH Global cancels fall 2020 study abroad

In an email to students, the University of New Hampshire's Global Education Center announced their decision to cancel all fall 2020 study abroad programs in accordance with their International Travel Risk Policy. "It is with sadness and disappointment that UNH is announcing the cancellation of all student international travel programs and experiences for the Fall 2020 semester in accordance with our International Travel Risk Policy.