Savannah native Bakari Bryant, who won a state basketball title as a player at Savannah High in 1998 under Tim Jordan, and went on to coach a state championship squad at Jenkins, is returning home to take over the New Hampstead boys basketball program where his squad lost to Johnson in the semis at Savannah State He coached at Jenkins from 2011 through 2018 and led the Warriors to the Class 3A state crown in 2015 and to state runnerup finishes in 2016 and 2018 "I can tell you that was part of it — coming back home to coach in those games and having fans and fellow coaches coming up to me and saying 'We need you back,' " Bryant said "I grew up in the Savannah basketball community and it helped make me into the man I am today — and to have that kind of support after I left meant a lot." and everyone in the family thought it would be good to come home," Bryant said "I admit I was frustrated at the end of my time at Jenkins and I felt like I need to move to Atlanta and spread my wings and grow professionally This is going to be our last move — we hope to settle in until we retire "I think New Hampstead is a gold mine with the talented athletes they have," Bryant said I believe God takes me to the places I need to be The job at Dougherty didn't end up working out but I believe good people always land on their feet I'm very excited to get started at New Hampstead meet the kids and get going with summer basketball." who went 13-16 in his one season at the helm of the Phoenix program New Hampstead lost in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs this year The Savannah basketball community is ready to embrace Bryant's return I truly believe that — and Coach Jordan is a big part of that for me," Bryant said I love coaching because I love people and it's my safe haven and I'm ready to get started." Jordan said he is excited about having Bryant and I don't know of anyone else who has won a state championship here as a player and then coached a championship team in Savannah New Hampstead is a great school for basketball and I think he's going to do a great job there." Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News to Herschol Wayne Oxford II and Judith (Salay) Oxford His smile would light up the room and his laugh was contagious He grew into the most kind and generous man Cameron had this incredible gift – the ability to make everyone around him feel seen He poured his energy into fixing our problems Cameron always had an impressive amount of knowledge and knowhow when it came to anything He touched many lives in his time here with us Joyce Rossiter and Joyce Smith; his grandfather Joseph Salay Sr.; his great grandfather Ernest Groskopf Sr; his great grandmother Bobbi Groskopf; special friend Kat Voli; and numerous aunts Cameron was predeceased by his grandfathers and Richard “Smitty” Smith; and his grandmother Laura Oxford We have made a Facebook group for memories to be shared His memorial service will be at 4:00 pm on Sunday at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home in Wilmington with Pastor Merrell McKoy officiating Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting Tribute Wall above Quinn McGowen Funeral Home of Wilmington is serving the family (WAKA) — With warmer temperatures and longer days residents of the Hampstead community gathered for the 4th annual Hampstead Crawfish Boil on Saturday at the Lido Green corn and potatoes were poured onto long tables Friends and neighbors filled their plates — and stomachs — with spicy crawfish while enjoying time together Children and dogs frolicked nearby as live music from the T.U.B Band provided the perfect backdrop for the festivities “We started this event as a community event to cultivate relationships for neighbors to get to know each other,” said Kim Traff “As it’s grown and others have wanted to come some really cool amenities we’re going to be announcing and the Montessori school is about to open up 8 On Your Side i-Team Saving Selma Pay It Forward What the Tech Mugshots (This story was updated to add new information.) A Pender County institution that was a destination for skateboarders from around the region for nearly three decades is shutting down Hampstead ramp house The Skate Barn announced Thursday night on its Facebook page that it was "closing the doors effective today." A reason for the closure was not given and calls to The Skate Barn were not immediately returned "Skate family we appreciate the support over the years," the post read "There are so many good times and countless memories made at the Barn Those people include Hampstead native Evan Feus and Jordan Simmons of Wilmington rock band Narah who bonded over the music that played over the speakers at the Barn while skating there as childhood friends According to a 2020 story in the StarNews marking The Skate Barn's 24th anniversary the business opened in 1996 in its current location on Pansy Lane off U.S Narah, 'Talk Is Cheap': This Wilmington band mashes up decades of rock to distill a potent sound all its own The 6,000-square-foot facility boasted various ramps and bowls and both local and touring bands would often play there while people skated Acts to take the Skate Barn stage included Wilmington rockers Reason to Ignite and regional acts including Orphan Riot and Passafire Thrasher Magazine once wrote that the Skate Barn had "some of the best ramps on the East Coast," built by Jim Reece with salvaged wood from the old Carolina Beach Ramp House in the early '90s the facility became The Skate Barn in 1996 A skate shop called Doublewide later opened there to serve skaters Bob Burnquist and Chet Childress skated the Barn The Skate Barn was a rite of passage of sorts for countless kids and teen skaters from Hampstead and around the region Regulars were known as "Barn rats," and adults skated there as well The Skate Barn's owner for many years was Jimmy Ellington who could often be found skating the bowls and ramps there The current owner of the business is Wes Corder "I'm not in this for the business," Ellington told the StarNews in 2005 "My main motivation is to keep this thing going so kids have a positive place to come." As part of her Eternal Sunshine Deluxe album Ariana Grande has released a track titled “Hampstead.” This review focuses solely on this song but I highly encourage you to check out the other tracks from the deluxe edition as well—they're great “Hampstead” is a ballad with a modern touch chorused quality—almost like it's from outer space This unique sound blends seamlessly with the second half of the track I won’t spoil it too much—you should really hear it for yourself This song completely caught me off guard the first time I listened I’m not used to hearing this kind of track from Ariana But that’s part of what makes deluxe albums special—they give artists the space to be more experimental and showcase sides of themselves that might not have fit on the standard edition that might just be the whole point of a deluxe version As someone who loves FINNEAS and Billie Eilish this track immediately reminded me of something FINNEAS could have produced—a piano ballad with bittersweet tones and raw Ariana’s signature melodic choices and sound design add a unique almost cinematic quality—nothing over-the-top “Hampstead” is one of those songs that always feels too short It’s so well-crafted that it becomes a kind of comfort I don’t know if it was comforting for Ariana to create and this deluxe edition only strengthens that feeling Also subscribe to this post or post as a guest Post Loading comment.. The comment will be refreshed after 00:00 17 between New Hanover and Pender counties have probably noticed a bit of traffic congestion The good news is that the North Carolina Department of Transportation is working to alleviate the traffic in that area by building a bypass around the Hampstead area Here's what you need to know about those plans The Hampstead Bypass is a $505 million project by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) that aims to improve the U.S 17 corridor in Pender and New Hanover counties by constructing a bypass around the unincorporated area of Hampstead Reader questions we've answered: Find the answers to all your questions in one place with MyReporter Barksdale explained that crews have placed more than half — or 2.6 million yards — of borrow material on what will be the new section of highway “This requires a lot of earth moving and waiting time for the material to settle so that the new roadway is built up and not in a low-lying area in order to avoid drainage problems,” Barksdale said Do you have a question that you want answered and it may be featured in an upcoming story He noted crews have also constructed seven of the eight culverts that will go underneath the highway and completed one of five bridges that will be used for the project He added that this highway includes about five miles of new location as well as upgrading and widening nearly two miles of existing U.S Barksdale also said the contractor is “doing a lot of embankment work for the new bridges.” requires a lot of dirt to be hauled to where the bridges and roadway will go over the highway and they must wait for several months to let these large mounds of dirt settle before building structures and roadway over them,” he said 'A drastic change': How Pender County is growing and planning for the future Barksdale said construction for segment B is expected to be completed in summer 2027 The completion date is not yet listed for segment A Renee Spencer is the community engagement editor at the StarNews You may also submit questions about issues in the Cape Fear region to MyReporter@starnewsonline.com (The story was updated to add new information.) Jimmy Ellington, the longtime owner of Hampstead skateboarding destination The Skate Barn, which had closed abruptly Feb. 13 who had been battling cancer for nearly five years But his face and name never stopped being associated with the business that became a local institution and a home away from home for two generations of skateboarders "Jimmy created an environment of inclusivity regardless of skating ability or even your belief system," said James "Sonny" Russell a former Skate Barn employee and a longtime member of Wilmington's music scene Ellington especially encouraged younger skaters and taught countless kids how to "drop in" on a ramp instilling life lessons in a beautiful way." the Skate Barn "was the cheapest daycare in town Moms would drop their kids off with $10 and let them skate all day (Ellington) would go out and say hi to everyone throw down his board and make a run and go back to work." The Skate Barn: Legendary Hampstead skateboarding facility closes abruptly after nearly three decades a former competitive body boarder who bought the Skate Barn previously known as Middle School skate park running the Pender County hub was a labor of love 'This is going to be a business for 20 years and it's about profits,'" Ellington said in a 2018 YouTube video Ellington's uncle was famed NASCAR driver and team owner Charles Everett "Hoss" Ellington who used to work on cars on the property that later became the Skate Barn "My main motivation is to keep this thing going so kids have a positive place to come," Jimmy Ellington told the StarNews in 2005 "The gratification of seeing kids grow up and knowing you had an effect on their lives is just a great feeling A former frontman of costume-wearing Wilmington punk rock act The Stuntdoubles Ellington was big into music and often brought in bands Members of Wilmington sludge metal act Weedeater lived in a house next to the Skate Barn circa 2000 and would sometimes play impromptu shows there, and Russell's band with Charles Smith, Reason to Ignite, got its start there as well, as did younger Wilmington acts including Narah the vibe (at the Skate Barn) definitely changed "Jimmy Ellington was an example of the grace of God "But he had the punk rock spirit of a full-on Christian." In a world where some people think "you need to look a certain way or dress a certain way" to be a Christian "His faith was an authentic faith that's so needed today He gave so many kids a reprieve from a bad home According to former Skate Barn employee Charles Smith Ellington had a full-time job working for his family's company for most if not all of the time he ran the Skate Barn Ellington also opened a since-closed chain of surf and skate shops called Doublewide that was tied to the Skate Barn "He couldn't survive off just the skate park being open," Smith said If a kid didn't have money (for park admission) he was like Russell said that during his time working at the Skate Barn which included helping run skate camps for kids during the summer but there were probably years we broke even," he said At one time the Skate Barn was the only skate park in the area Even so, said Dean Grey, a former bandmate of Ellington's in The Stuntdoubles who also helped organize an ongoing GoFundMe to offset costs of his friend's cancer treatments Ellington played fundraisers for the skate park at Greenfield Lake despite knowing it would compete with The Skate Barn "He was so involved with the skate community that it didn't matter to him," Grey said calling Ellington "a local legend" who was "a pillar of the community." Ellington sold the Skate Barn to Wes Corder about a year ago to focus on his fight against cancer and Russell asked that people upset over the recent closure of the business give Corder some grace Business had been very slow at the Skate Barn since the pandemic and especially in recent months Information on funeral services wasn't immediately available, but Russell said the Good News Sk8 Night ministry he runs with help from others is having what will be the final event at the Skate Barn 6-9 p.m The event was actually set up before Ellington's passing but will now amount to a final send-off for the man who created the Skate Barn and the culture around it Russell added that he will say a few words before giving people one last chance to skate the Barn "It will be to celebrate skateboarding and Jimmy," Russell said "This one's going to be one for the books." Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions Search autocomplete is currently not responding And it’s hard to know the “right” thin.. We invite you to participate in the 2025 Pender County Opioid Task Force Annual Community Survey and your responses will be used to guide local efforts in addressing the overdose Pender C... Questions have been raised about the recent decision to switch public notice advertising to the Wilmington Star News from the Pender-Topsail Post and Voice County Staff contacted the UNC School of Government about potentially making the switch and were t.. Pender County is unveiling its draft Imagine Pender 2050 Comprehensive Land Use Plan and invites residents to get involved during the second Community Engagement Window (CEW #2) The Pender County Board of Commissioners has appointed Meg Blue as interim county manager Blue brings over a decade of public finance experience to the role and has served as the county’s Finance Director since 2019 The Pender County Health Department invites residents to take part in a series of vital community discussions focused on the growing challenges of overdose A total of seven in-person sessions will be hel.. Pender County invites residents to help shape the County’s future by providing input on its 5-Year Strategic Plan County staff have developed a draft plan to guide priorities and decisions through 2030 Tate was sworn in Monday night as a commissioner on the Pender County Board of Commissioners State Representative Carson Smith administered the oath of office as Dr Tate’s nieces stood proudly by h.. Pender County has launched a new mobile app to make it easier for residents and visitors to access county services and information from their smartphones The My Pender app is now available for download on both Apple and Android devices in collaboration with Pender County and Black River Health is proud to present the 2nd Annual Pender Unity Resource Expo (PURE) 2025—a powerful community-building event designed to connect residents with vital services and .. Hampstead Alive After Five is set to return for another season of free outdoor concerts at Hampstead Kiwanis Park food trucks and dessert vendors on select Friday evenings throughout the summer the Open Ban on Burning will be rescinded for all unincorporated areas of Pender County Please follow all applicable laws for open burning within 100 feet of a dwelling – The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that applications are now open for disaster relief funding for farmers who suffered crop and livestock losses in 2024 – Pender County broke ground Thursday on Central Pender Park a new recreational facility located off U.S a burn ban has been issued for the unincorporated areas within Pender County due to very high fire danger conditions All burning within 100 feet of any structure is banned within the unincorporated areas of Pend.. NC –  Effective at 8 am March 21st a burn ban has been issued for all unincorporated areas within Pender County due to very high fire danger conditions This ban will be enacted in conjunction with the NC Forest Se.. NC – At approximately 10:45 PM on March 16 a 40-foot center console fishing boat was engulfed in flames in the Washington Acres neighborhood of Hampstead Pender EMS & Fire responded promptly to the scene and successfully extinguishe.. – The Pender County Board of Commissioners has directed the county to work with the Pender EMS and Fire Board of Directors to develop a plan for the county to assume direct responsibility for emergency services – The Pender County Board of County Commissioners and the Pender County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board invite the community to the groundbreaking ceremony for Central Pender Park on Wednesday was honored with the Old North State Award during the recent Pender County Board of Commissioners meeting recognizing her more than 20 years of dedicated service to the State of North Carol.. Ivan Blume has been appointed as the Pender County Inspections and Permitting director bringing more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry Blume has a strong background in architectural design and has worked on a variety of projects th.. Pender County marked a significant milestone on February 16 celebrating its 150th anniversary at the Pender Arts Council (Dees Drugstore) in Downtown Burgaw The event commemorated the exact date the North Carolina General Assembly established Pend.. Local leaders gathered for the annual State of the County address on Feb 10 to discuss the county’s progress The event brought together elected officials Pender County is excited to announce that Aimee Watson-Green will join the Consolidated Human Services Division as the new Director of the Department of Social Services (DSS) a dedicated social services professional with 23 years of experie.. PENDER COUNTY – Pender County is home to many dedicated individuals who give their time and talents to support their neighbors and strengthen the community Now is the time to recognize these exceptional volunteers by submitting a nomin.. Pender County invites residents to attend the 2025 State of the County Meeting a collaborative event showcasing updates and initiatives from local government Pender County Library is proud to host an exhibit celebrating the life and career of Samm-Art Williams (1946–2024) The exhibit will be on display at the Main Library in B.. N.C.— Pender County will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a special event at the Pender County Courthouse on Feb The ceremony will include speeches from local leaders and the unveiling of a new clock and historic.. Pender County Utilities (PCU) is actively preparing for the extreme cold temperatures forecasted to impact the Southeast this week In collaboration with the Emergency Operations Director the department is taking proactive measures to ensure the County&a.. NC — Pender County Government is excited to announce the launch of the Pender County Future Leaders Internship Program a paid summer opportunity designed to empower local youth and provide them with hands-on experience in various.. NC - Pender County Library welcomes acclaimed local author and military historian Rona Simmons to discuss her latest book "No Average Day" on Thursday NC – A house fire broke out early this morning at approximately 4:25 AM on Rocky Point Training School Road significantly damaging a single-wide mobile home Firefighters from Rocky Point Volunteer Fire Department NC – Pender County Parks and Recreation has been awarded the 2024 Arts & Humanities Award for Class 3 by the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Association This recognition highlights the department’s contributions.. NC – The North Carolina Blueberry Festival will host its annual Blueberry Pancake Breakfast fundraiser on Saturday NC — Pender County Government celebrated its employees' hard work and dedication at the annual holiday party recognizing those who reached significant career milestones The event acknowledged the years of invaluable ser.. – Pender County property owners are reminded that 2024 property taxes must be paid on or before Monday contact the Pender County Tax Office to verify y.. — The North Carolina Division of Water Resources has recognized 79 water treatment facilities statewide including the Pender County Utilities Surface Water Treatment Plant for exceeding federal and state drinking water stan.. N.C. — Pender County officially broke ground today on its highly anticipated Health and Human Services building at 298 Progress Drive in Burgaw NC – At approximately 2:30 AM on 12/4/2024 a house fire broke out on Deepwoods Ridge in Rocky Point prompting a swift response from the Rocky Point Volunteer Fire Department NC — During the December 2nd Board of County Commissioners meeting newly elected members were warmly welcomed and the exceptional contributions of our county leaders were celebrated The Pender County Board of County Commissioners is excited to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 75,000-square-foot Health and Human Services building the event will take place at 298 Progress Driv.. the Pender County community came together for a memorable occasion: the ribbon-cutting and dedication of the Penderlea Community Park This exciting event celebrated the collaborative efforts that turned thi.. NC — Pender County Utilities is proud to announce that Kurt Lonander has been recognized as the 2024 NC One Water Wastewater Collections Operator of the Year This prestigious award highlights Lonander’s exceptional contributions and dedication to.. Pender County filed a lawsuit against the Shiloh-Columbia Volunteer Fire Department to protect public safety in the Shiloh-Columbia fire district This action came after the County reviewed years of deficiencies in performance by t.. NC — It is with a heavy heart that Pender County announces the passing of Commissioner Wendy Fletcher-Hardee NC — Pender County proudly celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Law Enforcement Center (LEC) a landmark achievement in advancing the county’s public safety infrastructure NC - The Pender County Board of County Commissioners and Pender County Parks and Recreation invite the public to join us for a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony at Penderlea Community Park on Wednesday Pender County buildings will display green lighting on our flags to honor veterans We encourage businesses and residents to join us by swapping out one light bulb in your business or home for a green one FEMA has approved new flood zone maps for Pender County which are scheduled to take effect on January 17th The new maps will replace the existing flood maps for several areas of the County – Pender County is launching its inaugural 2025 Citizens Leadership Academy providing residents with an opportunity to engage with local government NC – Pender County will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Law Enforcement Center on Wednesday The ceremony will take place at 1417 Old Savannah Road with county officials and the Pender County S.. NC – At the Pender County Board of Commissioners meeting on October 7 the board selected Commissioner Jerry Groves to serve on the Board of Directors for the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority — In an exceptional mobilization of community resources more than 70 tons of essential supplies have been delivered to areas severely impacted by Hurricane Helene NC – Pender County is excited to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase IV of Hampstead Kiwanis Park This exciting new phase will expand the park’s amenities with the addition of tennis courts and slither your way to the Hampstead Annex Auditorium and Penderlea Auditorium this October for a spooktacular evening in the morbid world of The Addams Family: Young@Part NC — Pender County is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the launch of the Imagine Pender 2050 Comprehensive Land Use Plan Current Watches/Warnings/Advisories in effect:Update from the National Weather Service - Wilmington As of Sept NC – Pender County residents are being notified of a delay in mailing this year’s tax bills caused by technical issues with our tax management software The county is actively working to resolve these issues and ensure t.. Director of North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) visited the Pender County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) yesterday to express his gratitude and commend the emergency response teams and staff for their unwaverin.. NC — Tropical Storm Debby has led to active flooding in the Black River and Northeast Cape Fear River areas The following updates provide the latest information on river levels NC– Tropical Storm Debby made its second landfall in the Carolina’s last Thursday The storm brought rainfall that totaled 15 inches for the state of North Carolina NC – Swiftwater rescue teams and equipment are actively supporting local emergency services as rising floodwaters affect the county The Black River and Northeast Cape Fear River are continuing to swell NC — The Pender County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated this morning Several roadways are currently closed due to significant flooding and additional closures are anticipated as the situation develops NC — Due to ongoing river flooding compounded by recent storms the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will activate at 8 a.m Rivers are expected to continue rising through mid-week Weather Alert: Showers and Thunderstorms Expected Throughout the WeekendThe National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch and Flash Flood Warning for our area due to the continued showers and thunderstorms expected today and throughout the weekend This is the latest update on Tropical Storm Debby from Pender County Emergency Management It will provide information regarding recent shelter operations Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activities NC— Pender County Emergency Management will close all emergency shelters at 3 p.m today and deactivate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 6 p.m This decision comes as weather conditions have improved.  NC–Tropical Storm Debby made landfall in the Bulls Bay area of South Carolina earlier this morning The storm is currently sustaining maximum winds of 50 mph and is moving northwest at 5 mph Pender County Tourism proudly announces that Stephanie Key has been honored as one of the 2024 Wilmington Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 awardees This esteemed accolade celebrates young professionals in the Wilmington area who exhibit outstanding leader.. NC – In response to the significant weather conditions affecting our area Pender County Emergency Management staff have provided the following updates and safety information for residents: NC – The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activated this morning at a level three.  Pender County is experiencing significant flooding.  N.C. – Due to Tropical Storm Debby Pender County Emergency Management has declared a state of emergency as of 5:00 pm today the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated at 8 am Wednesday to ensure efficien.. NC—At last night's board meeting the Pender County Board of Commissioners recognized the exceptional service of Pender County IT and Pender County 911 The recognition came in the wake of a critical incident that occurre.. Pender County Emergency Management officials are advising residents to prepare for potential impacts from Tropical Storm Debby The Category One hurricane made landfall today in the Big Bend region of Florida The storm is expected to approach the Georgia.. Event DetailsThe Community Rating System is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements in the National Flood Insurance Program The agency is evaluating the Community R.. We are excited to announce that new Pender Solid Waste and Recycling stickers will arrive in mailboxes over the next few weeks As we begin sending out these new stickers we ask for your patience and understanding Pender County landowners will have the opportunity to apply for cost-share assistance under the NC ACSP from July 1  This program is designed to assist landowners and operators of existing agricultural operations to .. NC—Pender County proudly announces that two local youth softball teams will represent North Carolina in the 2024 World Series of the Dixie Softball League This prestigious event will take place i.. NC— Pender County has successfully completed its annual review of the mitigation action strategies outlined in the 2021 Southeastern North Carolina Hazard Mitigation Plan Approved by the Board of Commissioners on March 15 NC— Pender County Utilities invites residents and stakeholders to attend a Public Input Meeting on Monday The meeting will take place from 6:00 pm to.. NC – Every third Saturday in October will officially be GREAT TRAILS STATE DAY thanks to the NC General Assembly’s 2024 Farm Bill that passed unanimously in both the NC House and Senate and became law last week with the Gover.. – Moores Creek Battleground Association received a grant from the North Carolina’s America 250 NC initiative for a project to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 NC – Moores Creek Battleground Association is actively planning a week of celebrating America’s 250th and the 250th Commemoration of the Battle at Moores Creek Bridge on Feb NC—The Pender County Board of Commissioners has approved a new water rate and fee schedule proposed by Pender County Utilities This decision marks a shift in how water consumption charges will be structure.. a water treatment operator at Pender County Utilities demonstrated exceptional alertness on June 15 when he noticed smoke and flames emerging from the rooftop of Coastal Beverage's facility in the Pender County Commerce Park NC - Pender County Emergency Management conducted a comprehensive activation drill today at the Emergency Operations Center The exercise involved various county agencies and emergency services in preparation for hurricane season – Pender County has received a $10,000 grant from North Carolina’s America 250 NC initiative for a project to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 America 250 NC is North Carolina’s commem.. Randy Burton took the oath of office administered by NC Representative Carson Smith on Monday during the Pender County Board of County Commissioners Meeting he officially assumed the role of Commissioner on the Pen.. The Pender County Board of County Commissioners has approved the FY 2024-2025 operating budget during their June 17th meeting The manager's recommended budget was presented on May 22nd before the commissioners who sealed approvals to the $106,355,051 Ge.. Pender County filed a lawsuit against the Shiloh-Columbia Volunteer Fire Department for failure to fulfill the terms of their contract to provide fire services This included failure to provide staff with adequate.. PENDER COUNTY – With the start of Hurricane season Pender County is here to promote hurricane preparedness for citizens in our County To help spread the word and make citizens better prepared we are committed to ensuring all know their risks,.. NC - Carousel Child Advocacy Center honors the Pender County Health Department for its exceptional dedication to the safety and well-being of the children of Pender County representing Carousel Child Advocacy Cente.. NC –Pender County Utilities proudly announces Erin Jones as the new Surface Water Treatment Plant Superintendent marking a historic appointment as the first female to hold this esteemed position within the organization NC - Pender County Commissioner Wendy Fletcher-Hardee has tendered her resignation from the position of Pender County Board Commissioner effective Friday In a heartfelt letter addressed to Chairman George — Pender County is committed to enhancing fire protection services in the Penderlea and Shiloh-Columbia areas as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents NC – The North Carolina Blueberry Festival is set to host its 21st Annual summer festival taking place on and around Burgaw’s historic courthouse square at 100 S Wright Street The festivities will begin with a kickoff concert.. NC – Pender County Emergency Management unveils its latest initiative by launching a tailored smartphone application to transform how the agency interacts with Pender County residents — Pender County tax appraisers continue fieldwork in your area Each on-site visit for tax appraisal typically lasts only a few minutes averaging between 10 and 15 minutes per visit Appraisers play a crucial role in ensurin.. The Pender County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for the Citizens Academy The Academy runs for 7 weeks and meets weekly on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm until 8:30 pm Our next class is being scheduled now for Fall 2025 We're hiring the following positions at the Pender County Sheriff's Office.  Deputy Sheriff positions in the following areas:  Phone: 910-259-1200 Staff Directory law enforcement responded to report of a house fire at 412 Masters Lane Megan was located deceased inside of the home Pender County Sheriff Alan Cutler later confirmed she had been killed prior to the fire being set Megan's brother, 23-year-old Matthew Edward Dolan, was previously identified by law enforcement as the primary suspect in connection with the death Prior coverage: Suspect in Hampstead homicide makes first appearance in Pender court and taken into custody by the Geauga County Sheriff's Office He was extradited back to Pender County in September 2024 and currently faces charges of first-degree murder An investigation report released by the N.C Office of the Chief Medical Examiner notes while the last time Megan was last known to be alive is unclear neighbors possibly heard her screaming in the late afternoon on Aug multiple neighbors saw the porch of the Masters Lane home on fire and called 911 Pender County EMS and Fire responded to the scene Prior coverage: Man suspected of killing his sister in Hampstead located Law enforcement noted the smell of gasoline and significant charring of the decedent the investigation report notes there appeared to be a potential stab wound to Megan's chest Former District Attorney Ben David previously said officials believed a deadly weapon had been used in the death of Megan medical examiner indicates she sustained multiple sharp force injuries including at least 28 stab wounds of her torso and lower extremities and at least five incised wounds of her upper left arm Her cause of death is understood to be the result of these injuries according to the autopsy summary and interpretation Matthew made his first appearance in a Pender County court on the morning of Sept Former District Attorney Rebecca Zimmer Donaldson was seen consoling the Dolan parents who were in attendance for the first appearance before exiting the courthouse around 11 a.m Matthew is being held in the Pender County jail under no bond Just a few days after it was thought to be closed for good it turns out that legendary Hampstead skateboarding destination The Skate Barn still has a few kickflips left On the Barn's social media accounts this week new owner Taylor Maready said he was working to reopen The Skate Barn as soon as possible some of whom had been patronizing The Skate Barn for years I'm taking over a failing business,'" Maready said On Feb. 13, The Skate Barn, whose most recent owner was Wes Corder, abruptly announced that it was closing. Then, on Feb. 16, The Skate Barn's longtime owner, Jimmy Ellington, passed away in hospice care at the age of 52 intended both to memorialize Ellington and pay tribute to The Skate Barn Many skaters took what they thought would be their final runs on the Barn's ramps that night "It's been a heavy couple of weeks," Maready said But when he heard the news that the Barn was closing was one of the first employees there when it was known as Middle School skate park and stayed on when it became The Skate Barn in 1996 "He wanted to skate and we didn't have any money," Taylor Maready said "So he'd sweep the floors and do whatever he had to do so they'd let him skate Asked why the Skate Barn held such an important place in the hearts of so many people Maready said it was "just the feeling you had there but when you had a skateboard in your hand Jimmy Ellington: Man who turned Hampstead's Skate Barn into a destination dies at 52 a science and summer camp program for kids said he had already been talking with Corder about doing some summer camps at the Skate Barn they came to terms to allow Maready to buy the business and the land it's on "Wes put his heart and soul and a ton of money into it," Maready said He could've easily sold out and had condos there already I really want to clear his name" after some people had expressed anger on social media about the Skate Barn's closing and questioned Corder's motives for shutting the doors Maready said that his "goal is to open as soon as possible "We need a lot of memberships just in order to pay the bills," he said Some of the ramps need thousands of dollars of repairs "Maybe we'll invite a band to play" to raise money for repairs The Skate Barn was known for often hosting live music in the past with bands playing even as people skated nearby "I want there to be bands again," Maready said I hang out with these fellahs at the House of Games and it’s so real I feel like I’m in a movie Choose a date and select your own seats online Celebrated psychoanalyst and author Dr Margaret Ford has a new client gambling big money at an illicit poker lounge Dr Ford also happens to be in search of subject matter for her next best-seller - a search which takes her deep into Chicago’s underworld and into the path of Mike in which even the players themselves don’t know the rules or who will be left holding the trump card.. This gripping adaptation of David Mamet’s noir thriller comes from celebrated playwright Richard Bean who returns to Hampstead following Reykjavik Director Jonathan Kent also returns to Hampstead where his productions have included Double Feature Groups: For every 9 tickets get the 10th free  Seniors*: (matinees only): £26/£36/£46/£56 Use of strong language and discussions of drug use and sex.Technical: Use of herbal cigarettes and one loud gun shot Subscribe to our emails to be the first to hear about new shows and casting announcements Sign-up Now There are many ways to get to us whether it be by tube Click here to discover your best route © 2025 Hampstead Theatre| Registered Charity no: 218506 We use cookies (sadly inedible) to improve how our site works. Read our cookie policy here or accept to continue. Chris Sununu got his final wish in the corner office after the Executive Council agreed to allow Dartmouth Health to take over operations at Hampstead Hospital Dartmouth Health will now lease Hampstead Hospital – New Hampshire’s only children’s psychiatric hospital and residential treatment facility – from the state with a seven-year contract Sununu acknowledged the model was a first for the state At Glencliff Home and New Hampshire Hospital the state-owned nursing home and psychiatric facility a public-private partnership is in place with Dartmouth the private health provider staffs all the clinical positions while the Department of Health and Human Services retains control over executive positions Dartmouth will staff the entire facility from top leaders to clinicians the deputy commissioner for Health and Human Services said the full takeover will provide stability at the facility after two fraught years since the state purchased it in 2022 “What I believe is powerful about this model is that we have the powerhouse of clinical expertise of Dartmouth Health as well as their mission alignment,” she said the contract lacked strong enforcement mechanisms “It’s a half-baked contract in my opinion,” she said the mechanisms and we’ve seen how bad the outcomes can be.” Dartmouth Health will be required to renew its license each year to operate the facility as well as report on conditions inside the facility including the use of restraints and seclusion The contract also establishes a joint oversight commission which will include hospital and state staff to address everything from readmission to staffing levels Two existing oversight commissions – one on children’s services and another on health and human services – will also play a role a citizens advisory board will be created to allow for people with lived experience behavioral health advocates and others to provide advice on hospital operations “I want to respectfully disagree on the premise that this has inadequate teeth,” said Henn layer-upon-layer accountability mechanisms to ensure that Dartmouth Health is providing the highest quality care.” Councilors were up against the clock to make a decision on the contract When Hampstead opened under state ownership the facility was designed to have 71 hospital beds and 12 more spots for a residential psychiatric treatment facility Due to staffing shortages and space restrictions the hospital has never admitted more than 40 patients and only half of the residential beds were filled at a time The new contract intentionally does not indicate how many beds patients should occupy the first step in recognizing that more beds aren’t necessarily good for children in the state “If we are going to move to a future landscape where we are serving kids around families and not removing them from their homes to be treated in placements we need to begin to understand that resources may need to be shifted at any given moment toward the outpatient offerings that Dartmouth health is offering or toward the system of care with community-based partnerships that exist,” she said Dartmouth will have greater flexibility in the services it provides and not be held to mandated occupancy requirements A provision of the lease will also state that New Hampshire children must be served before out-of-state youth are accepted to the facility Henn reported seven children remained in the emergency room waiting to be admitted current staff at the hospital will be offered positions as full-time Dartmouth employees The hospital is offering 2 percent raises for those who stay on and Henn said state and hospital leaders would be onsite as soon as possible to talk through the transition We have an incredibly dedicated staff at Hampstead hospital who have been through a lot,” said Henn “I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to work as hard as they do and go home at the end of the day not knowing what the model holds I believe we don’t have the time to wait.” Becoming a Dartmouth employee isn’t the desired outcome of over 100 hospital staff who signed a petition presented to the Executive Council at their last meeting some employees have seen a carousel of changes to their insurance and pensions under the shifts in leadership The conversation could continue in the legislative chambers introducing a bill to establish permanent classified state employee positions for the staff of Hampstead urged the council to avoid letting staffing disputes be the final stumbling block go to Hampstead and give clear information to employees about the transition and their benefits Henn estimates the state will finalize a lease agreement with Dartmouth at the beginning of February “They’re the best game in town and they’re mission-driven,” said Kenney you agree with our use of cookies to personalize your experience measure ads and monitor how our site works to improve it for our users Ariana Grande *finally* dropped eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead, and it’s even better than I expected! After announcing the album alongside a short film, fans have been anxiously awaiting new music from the singer This release added six bonus tracks to Eternal Sunshine which Ari originally dropped in March 2024 Grande is known for sneaking tidbits of reflection about her life into her songs and it seems she did just this in her track “Hampstead.” “Hampstead” is the last song on the deluxe album and makes references to Grande’s 2020 track “pov,” which has many fans wondering if this new song is about her ex-husband Dalton Gomez as “pov” references the couple falling in love Throughout “Hampstead” Grande is heard singing “I’d rather be seen and alive than dying by your point of view ’cause nobody ever loved me like you do I’d love to see me from your point of view.” Talk about a complete 180 “Hampstead” and the repeated “I do’s” seem to be a nod to Grande’s wedding vows to Gomez. This, along with the fact that Grande and Gomez were seen in Hampstead before their divorce has some fans certain this song is about the end of their marriage Ariana lived with Dalton in Hampstead when she was filming Wicked….. pic.twitter.com/fbyzSasphY — baby_ (@ETERNALLY179341) March 22, 2025 HAMPSTEAD DALTON GOMEZ WHEN I CATCH YOU pic.twitter.com/izt4pWv7Sm — reanna ☆! (@hs1hrrysgf) March 28, 2025 However, many are also speculating that this song is about the public. After Grande’s divorce from Gomez, the star began a romance with her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, which was met with a lot of public scrutiny People are thinking that these point-of-view lines are about the public you’re still wrong about everything / So far off your seat’s nowhere near the table,” it makes sense why fans think this song is about Grande’s feelings toward the general public’s perception of her and her relationships the way i’m almost sure hampstead is about the general public — a.🦄 (@xcowboygeniusx) March 28, 2025 Hampstead being her calling the public a bunch of idiots who know nothing — M (@embermuna) March 28, 2025 One thing that is not up for debate is the beautiful vocals that accompany the song. Grande has also shared that this has been her favorite song to write it definitely gives us fans a sneak peek into her life the star will keep being open with us and soundtracking both happy and sad moments alike The historic women-only swimming spot is continuing its controversial self-ID policy News | London Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice Hampstead Heath Ladies' Pond has failed to ban transgender women despite a landmark Supreme Court ruling that they are not legally recognised as female which opened 100 years ago specifically for women and girls has been at the centre of a heated debate over trans rights since the City of London Corporation implemented a self-ID policy in 2019 Gender-critical feminists have fought hard to "reclaim" the pond—the UK's only women-only natural bathing pool—but their efforts have met strong resistance from trans rights activists On Wednesday, the City of London Corporation confirmed its self-ID policy would "remain in effect at this time" while reviewing the Supreme Court judgment's implications Prominent barrister Sarah Vine KC slammed the decision warning the corporation faces legal danger "Any continued description of two of the ponds as 'men's' and 'ladies' will expose the Corporation to discrimination claims," she told The Telegraph She stressed: "This is despite the fact that women's overall need for safety and privacy is generally higher than that of men." a feminist activist banned from the Kenwood Ladies' Pond Association after protesting biological males' access expressed no surprise at the authority's stance "It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that the Corporation is trying to fudge this," she said Allan explained women "need women's spaces for our safety She added: "The ponds are stunningly beautiful and special to any woman who goes Going for the first time when I was 21 was one of my first experiences of a women-only space that wasn't utilitarian this is what women-only spaces can be like.'" like in most mixed pools where boys and men dominate." Council accused of ‘endangering girls’ with plans to scrap single-sex changing rooms Campaigners call for urgent action to protect infants from unhealthy food Nat Sciver-Brunt named England cricket captain after Knight ousted How Guerrilla.Co is tackling road-runoff pollution in the UK Fiona McAnena from Sex Matters called the policy "invasive, discriminatory and unlawful" and demanded immediate action: "The City of London and those managing women's swimming facilities need to admit defeat and immediately restore boundaries that respect the safety The City of London Corporation rejected these accusations stating: "These accusations are completely false The City Corporation is compliant with existing UK law." “In line with other affected organisations we are carefully considering the judgment and awaiting statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission – which service providers must take into account They added that “a carefully considered decision.. will be take in due course” and that the corporation was “committed to providing a safe.. Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer UK tourists face major travel shake-up as Dubai airport set to close Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPENDER COUNTY (WECT) - The Pender County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) arrested a man on sex crimes involving a child on Saturday 33-year-old Justin Matthew-Randall Smith was arrested on Feb He is currently being held under a $150,000 secured bond and made his first court appearance on Feb PCSO says the investigation is still open and there may be additional charges If you have any information about Smith and these crimes contact PCSO Detective Steven Scott at 910-259-1437 was involved in an accident near Hampstead resulting in the helicopter being destroyed The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 after off-loading a patient from an interfacility transfer flight it climbed to 1,000 feet enroute back to their base at OAJ Autopilot was on and the pilot was wearing his night vision goggles (NVGs) the NVGs with the mount came off the visor of the helmet and were hanging The pilot then disconnected the NVGs from the battery pack and set them in his lap grabbed the strap for the night vision goggle case that was hanging on the backside of the pilot's seat The pilot pulled that over his head (or around the side) and opened the NVG storage bag and put the goggles and the battery pack along with the mount in the case He could not remember if he zipped the case closed the goggle case rolled off his lap to the left and he reached for it The helicopter pitched violently forward and started a descent when the pilot reached for the goggle case The pilot then tried to regain control of the helicopter and remembered the helicopter entering the trees The pilot stated that his next memory was of him standing next to the helicopter He could not remember how he got out of the helicopter but remembered standing next to it He also remembered the flight nurse and him working to free the flight paramedic who was trapped in the front left seat of the helicopter (the helicopter was on its left side) He also remembered pulling the instrument console off the flight paramedic while the flight nurse pulled the flight paramedic free Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInWILMINGTON (WECT) - Hampstead Kiwanis Park is continuing its progress to expand by including new amenities for the community to use The Pender County Parks and Recreation posted pictures on their websites on the park’s progress Phase 4 of the park will add tennis courts Hampstead Theatre is working with Camden Council Wac Arts and the Winch to give people from London’s ‘loneliest borough’ the chance to combat isolation through making According to research published in Camden’s State of the Borough Report in 2024 more than a third of adults in Camden said they feel lonely some of the time At 36.3%* the figure is the highest of all the London boroughs Hampstead Theatre has launched a new theatre-based participatory programme for adults who are at risk of loneliness and social isolation The programme includes regular Community Nights which offer a relaxed space for groups to engage with the theatre through tours Hampstead Theatre’s Participation Director “We’ve been working hand-in-hand with organisations such as Age UK Camden the Winch and Wac Arts to find a way to bring local people and communities together to combat social isolation and loneliness both of which can have a significant impact on people’s wellbeing we’ve welcomed 350 people to take part in writing and performance sessions or to see a show at the theatre and have seen first-hand the hugely positive effect that creativity and making connections can have on individuals and communities.” “I’m delighted to see the impact of Hampstead Theatre’s community participation work on our local area It’s brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds to work with dedicated professionals fostering a sense of community and creativity The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and I’m proud to have supported this initiative I look forward to seeing its continued growth and success.” “Belsize Councillors were delighted to support Hampstead Theatre’s Participation team with their latest community-based projects and I’m sure the impacts will be far-reaching for them themselves These projects also demonstrated the wide value of our local theatre and the power of the community activity undertaken by a very small but hugely imaginative team.” The collaboration with Age UK Camden has so far seen playwright Martha Watson-Allpress and a group of older people write a play about their experiences of ageing while challenging common stereotypes Their work was brought to life by a cast of professional actors at Hampstead Theatre at the Winch - a local charity that supports families and young people – artist Yasmin Dawes and a group of women at risk of homelessness created a play called Seeds of Joy Performing in front of an audience for the first time was a significant achievement for all of them will explore how theatre can help build positive relationships between generations by bringing together younger and older people to form a creative writing group Hampstead theatre’s participation programme complements its other work with new and established writers through its INSPIRE mentorship programme and the work it produces across its two stages Later this year a new course for local first-time directors will be launched by the theatre in recognition of the current gap in director training opportunities Hampstead Theatre’s participation programme is supported by Camden Council Further details on the projects can be found at hampsteadtheatre.com FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE When the doors to New Hampshire’s first psychiatric residential facility for children opened last May advocates and state leaders celebrated the new resource that could house up to a dozen kids that maximum capacity has yet to be hit – not due to demand has shared bedrooms and little space to separate kids who also may be in crisis It’s hard to achieve a “home-like” feel with these limitations and to best serve kids who are living there only half of the full capacity have been admitted at a time A new expansion to the facility makes Justin Looser hopeful that soon they will be able to house the maximum occupancy of 12 children but it’s certainly small and that footprint would benefit from being expanded both from a programming aspect and a patient-focus aspect,” said Looser so we really felt like to expand upon that census we needed a bigger footprint.”  The Executive Council approved a $3 million contract funded with remaining federal pandemic aid money The company is already contracted with the state to build a new youth detention center on the Hampstead Hospital site The current East Acres facility is just over 2,200 square feet Looser said the renovation will essentially double the space and will not impact children currently in care The project set to be completed by June 30 East Acres was a hallmark addition to New Hampshire’s array of services for kids acute mental health needs.The site is the only facility in the state that provides care for children whose needs are ranked at Level 5 – the highest designation on the Comprehensive Assessment for Treatment tool that the Bureau for Children’s Behavioral Health uses often difficult behaviors and sometimes kids don't have the best coping skills,” he said “Having a larger space would allow us to increase the overall census to get to 12 just by having individualized rooms and more of a living space so kids aren't on top of each other.” For children who are accepted to the residential treatment program children – ages 5 to 21 – are enrolled in school and participate in group and individualized therapy like outings to the movie theater or volunteer activities a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services Prior to the facility opening at Hampstead Hospital New Hampshire did not have an in-state facility that could provide psychiatric residential care for children meaning that they were sent out of state to receive these services The residential facility is not the only resource to face capacity issues on the Hampstead Hospital campus The psychiatric hospital itself is only at half capacity staffing” as reasons for the for the capacity shortage With an expanded residential program at Hampstead Hospital Looser hopes more children can receive services closer to home the renovation contributes to a larger goal of transitioning kids out of residential care – regardless of location – and allowing them to be supported within their community “The overall goal is to get kids out of any type of residential or inpatient setting and back to a home setting,” he said but in the midst of that expansion our goal focuses to try to get those kids the lowest level of care with the appropriate supports so that they don’t have to remain in an institution.”  HAMPSTEAD DOWNSTAIRS / CELIA ATKIN PRESENT Poetry by nature is insulated and indulgent Only some small degree of emotional restraint keeps it from being indulgent and some small degree of sharing it with others keeps it from being insulated… performing in an experimental comedy troupe and writing poetry containing wisdom and insight far beyond his years Max applies to Sarah Ruhl’s playwriting workshop he quickly realises he has found not only a mentor When Max finds out his childhood cancer has returned the two correspond continually - pursuing an understanding of life and of art and sharing their innermost thoughts with honesty and generosity Letters from Max is a rich mosaic of letters music and dialogue that tests theatre’s ability to express the ineffable Sarah Ruhl is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist for her plays In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) and The Clean House Letters From Max premiered in New York in 2023 Director Blanche McIntyre returns to Hampstead following her triumphant production of The Invention of Love Her previous credits include The House of Shades and The Writer (both Almeida) and Tartuffe (National Theatre) Six major subdivisions were approved for Savannah's New Hampstead area in 2024 That amounts to about 400 lots in addition to the hundreds of homes already built in the area Savannah City Manager called those western parts of Savannah "position a" for the region's growth But the closest fire station is in Bradley Point nearly 10 miles away and the Southside Savannah Police precinct serving the area is located near Oglethorpe Mall The city of Savannah took a key step Friday towards shrinking the distance between its New Hampstead residents and its emergency services The city broke ground on a modular public safety facility in New Hampstead that will host a police substation and temporary fire station "This facility will enable our first responders to serve this growing community in a better and faster manner," said Savannah Police Department Chief Lenny Gunther From the budget: Savannah's proposed 2024 budget is out. Here's a preview of council priorities: The new facility is located along Highgate Boulevard about a mile and half from New Hampstead K-8 school The substation will allow a place for officers to conduct reports and interviews near New Hampstead neighborhoods Officer will also have a base from which it can respond to calls in the area faster The temporary fire station will feature two vehicle bays that can host two large fire engines The station will also include living quarters for firemen to be located on the site "We know that these services are the result of deployment You have to have folks be able to get to where they need to get quickly," said Mayor Van Johnson Construction costs come in a $3.5 million for the project which was approved in a construction contract by Savannah City Council in November 2024 Local construction company Johnson-Laux Construction LLC was awarded the contract modular buildings that will serve as the police substation and fire station The movable structures were $2.3 million of the total construction costs and can be reused at other locations when permanent New Hampstead locations are built The project also calls for construction of a permanent building at the location which currently has an undetermined future use by the city But Savannah Fire Department Chief Elzie Kitchen said having the modular facilities will save taxpayer money in the future through repurposed use The modular station and substation are expected to be complete this summer according to the city's project manager Leif Blomberg Chris Sununu has one ask before he leaves the corner office: to see Dartmouth Health take over operations at Hampstead Hospital He knows it’s a unique proposition – the private hospital would lease the facility from the state gaining full control over hiring and operations – but after months of negotiations he’s convinced it’s the best model of care for New Hampshire’s most vulnerable kids the state bought the psychiatric hospital and residential facility from private owners and offered the first state-run services for kids with the highest needs in New Hampshire with changing leadership and limited capacity for services “We’ve been very passionate about making sure that we’re doing everything we possibly can to create the right systems,” he said it would be just a jewel and a crown of what is really a reformed system.” He’ll have to wait until later this month to see that wish come to fruition Executive Council members tabled a contract for Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital – a branch of Dartmouth’s medical center – to take over operations at their Wednesday meeting raising concerns on the oversight of the proposition and saying they need more time to understand the partnership agreement The hospital itself has 71 beds available for in-patient services as well as a dozen beds in the psychiatric residential facility Both the hospital and residential facility have operated well below capacity since opening leaving kids boarding in emergency rooms and utilizing out-of-state programs as they wait for in-state care Within the hospital, 36 beds are currently occupied, with 35 offline and six kids waiting, as of Dec. 3. Only six children have been admitted at a time to East Acres, as well, with the Executive Council approving a $3 million renovation to the facility to increase the capacity Sununu’s confident the state will reach a consensus with the councilors and they’ll approve the partnership at their Dec which will be his last before Governor-elect Kelly Ayotte takes office “I absolutely expected that they would want more time It’s a bit different than what we’ve seen before,” he said Not all parties will be happy with the proposal A petition from over 100 Hampstead Hospital employees is asking for them to remain as state employees The last two years have marked a “challenging season of many changes” according to Morissa Henn the deputy commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services to provide them with the certainty and stability they deserve They have been through tremendous change,” said Henn “Our commitment is that every employee has a great job at the end of the day.” Employees have had four changes in leadership which means changes to insurance plans and retirement packages Another transition to a new employer with Dartmouth would lead to “some objective – if inconvenient – facts,” they stated in the petition the state entered a contract with Wellpath but top leaders were employed by the state The partnership mimicked that of New Hampshire Hospital and Glencliff Home the state-run adult psychiatric hospital and assisted living facility means they would have full autonomy over staffing and operations The state would oversee the facility through an advisory role on a joint commission Sununu said through negotiations the state considered a myriad of options from operating the facility itself to selling it He always envisioned a private partnership of sorts after purchasing Hampstead but admits leasing the entire facility is a new approach “It’s a great example of just because we haven’t done it before doesn’t mean it’s not going to be a home run,” he said As the state and Dartmouth negotiated a contract for this takeover employees were temporarily reassigned as state employees This was never meant to be a permanent fixture “These employees were never long-term state employees,” he said temporary employee status while we negotiated the contract His conviction is pretty clear – he doesn’t expect the employees’ request to hinder negotiations The Executive Council also does not have the ability to alter contracts All current employees will be guaranteed positions Plans include for all clinical staff to be hired full-time by Dartmouth and hospital leadership to be offered positions within the state department or by Dartmouth that match their skill set The employees’ request could arise in the Legislature has filed a bill to establish classified state employee positions for all staff of Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility the partnership with Dartmouth will transform services for children at Hampstead the private company would have better recruitment efforts than if the facility was state-run Financing will also not be subject to a two-year state budget system and he estimates the deal will save the state $20 million in expenses annually Henn hopes that this means more beds will be available for children but another factor of the contract is that Dartmouth intends to expand offerings to also provide outpatient care “That’s why we want to build on that even further “We also don’t want to be putting kids in institutions.” councilors raised concerns over the scope of the 138-page contract Dartmouth Hitchcock and their trustees and executives have all the authority and power,” said Executive Councilor Janet Stevens “They are going to make the ultimate decisions.” if another private entity were to take control of a state facility of this scope the process would require a “rigorous process” through the Department of Justice charitable trusts “They would have to show that they are capable of operating this and providing the services for the community into the future They would have to talk to payers about the antitrust,” she said “None of that is happening here but the process for doing something this big Dartmouth has a long history with the state of providing mental health services for residents with services at New Hampshire Hospital and the Sununu Youth Services Center Warmington is “delighted” that the hospital system is the provider in negotiation “I hope we’ll continue working with them in the fu ture but I think that we have not gone through the process we should go through.”