Latest news with #Merrimack
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Connection (CNXN) Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results
SECOND QUARTER SUMMARY: Net sales: $759.7 million, up 3.2% y/y Gross profit: $137.8 million, up 0.9% y/y Gross margin: 18.1%, down 40 basis points y/y Net income: $24.8 million, down 5.2% y/y Diluted EPS: $0.97, compared to $0.99 y/y MERRIMACK, N.H., July 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Connection (PC Connection, Inc.; NASDAQ: CNXN), a leading information technology solutions provider to business, government, healthcare and education markets, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share of the Company's common stock. Payment will be made on August 29, 2025, to shareholders of record on August 12, 2025. "Q2 2025 represents our fifth consecutive quarter of year-over-year net sales growth. Despite a dynamic economic environment, customers continued to invest in data center refresh initiatives and in the transition to Windows 11, which resulted in positive momentum in advanced technologies and end point devices. We remain committed to delivering outstanding value through integrated IT solutions and superior customer service," said Timothy McGrath, President and Chief Executive Officer. Second Quarter of 2025 Results: Net sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 increased by 3.2%, year over year. Gross profit increased by 0.9% to a record $137.8 million, compared to $136.5 million for the second quarter of 2024, while gross margin decreased 40 basis points to 18.1%, compared to the prior year quarter. Net income decreased by 5.2% to $24.8 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, compared to net income of $26.2 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share1 was $0.97 for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $1.00 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, severance expenses and non-routine legal settlements ("Adjusted EBITDA")1 decreased 2% to $122.5 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $125.4 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2024. ________________________________1 Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. See page 9 for definitions and reconciliations of these measures. Performance by Segment: Net sales for the Business Solutions segment increased by 5.4% to $293.2 million in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $278.2 million in the prior year quarter. Gross profit increased by 3.8% to $68.8 million, compared to $66.3 million in the prior year quarter. Gross margin decreased by 30 basis points to 23.5% for the second quarter of 2025. Net sales for the Public Sector Solutions segment decreased by 11.9% to $140.5 million in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $159.5 million in the prior year quarter. Gross profit decreased by 11.9% to $21.3 million, compared to $24.1 million in the prior year quarter. Gross margin remained flat year over year at 15.2%. Net sales for the Enterprise Solutions segment increased by 9.1% to $326.0 million in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $298.8 million in the prior year quarter. Gross profit increased by 3.4% to $47.6 million, compared to $46.1 million in the second quarter of 2024. Gross margin decreased by 80 basis points to 14.6% for the second quarter of 2025. Sales by Product Mix: Notebook/mobility and desktop sales increased by 6% year over year and accounted for 48% of net sales in the second quarter of 2025, compared to 47% of net sales in the second quarter of 2024. Software sales decreased by 1% year over year and accounted for 9% of net sales in the second quarter of both 2025 and 2024. Servers/storage sales increased by 12% year over year and accounted for 9% of net sales in the second quarter of both 2025 and 2024. Networking sales increased by 2% year over year and accounted for 7% of net sales in the second quarter of both 2025 and 2024. Accessories sales remained flat year over year and accounted for 10% of net sales in the second quarter of 2025, compared to 11% of net sales in the second quarter of 2024. Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased in the second quarter of 2025 to $106.9 million from $105.2 million in the prior year quarter. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased to 14.1%, compared to 14.3% in the prior year quarter. Interest income in the second quarter of 2025 was $3.2 million, compared to $4.7 million in the second quarter of 2024. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $346.1 million as of June 30, 2025, compared to $442.6 million as of December 31, 2024. During the second quarter of 2025, the Company repurchased 254,695 shares of stock at an aggregate purchase price of $15.5 million. Conference Call and Webcast Connection will host a conference call and live web cast today, July 30, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. EDT to discuss its second quarter financial results. For participants who would like to participate via telephone, please register here to receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN number that is required to access the call. A web-cast of the conference call, which will be broadcast live via the Internet, and a copy of this press release, can be accessed on Connection's website at For those unable to participate in the live call, a replay of the webcast will be available at approximately 90 minutes after the completion of the call and will be accessible on the site for approximately one year. Non-GAAP Financial Information EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, LTM Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share are non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are included to provide additional information with respect to the Company's operating performance and earnings. Non-GAAP measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures and should be considered together with the GAAP financial measures. Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Definitions for each Non-GAAP measure and a reconciliation to their most directly comparable GAAP measures are available in the tables at the end of this release. About Connection PC Connection, Inc. and its subsidiaries, dba Connection, ( NASDAQ: CNXN) is a Fortune 1000 company headquartered in Merrimack, NH. With offices throughout the United States, Connection delivers custom-configured computer systems overnight from its ISO 9001:2015 certified technical configuration lab at its distribution center in Wilmington, OH. In addition, the Company has over 5,000 technical certifications to ensure that it can solve the most complex issues of its customers. Connection also services international customers through its GlobalServe subsidiary, a global IT procurement and service management company. Investors and media can find more information about Connection at Connection–Business Solutions (800.800.5555) is a rapid-response provider of IT products and services serving primarily the small-and medium-sized business sector. It offers more than 460,000 brand-name products through its staff of technically trained sales account managers, publications, and its website at Connection–Enterprise Solutions (561.237.3300), provides corporate technology buyers with best-in-class IT solutions, in-depth IT supply-chain expertise, and real-time access to over 460,000 products and 2,500 vendors through MarkITplace®, a proprietary next-generation, cloud-based supply chain solution. The team's engineers, software licensing specialists, and subject matter experts help reduce the cost and complexity of buying hardware, software, and services throughout the entire IT lifecycle. Connection–Public Sector Solutions (800.800.0019), is a rapid-response provider of IT products and services to federal, state, and local government agencies and educational institutions through specialized account managers, publications, and online at Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This earnings release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance and include statements concerning, among other things, our future financial results, business plans (including statements regarding new products and services we may offer and future expenditures, costs and investments), liabilities, impairment charges, competition and the expected impact of current macroeconomic conditions on our businesses and results of operations. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "anticipate," "may," "should," "will," or similar statements or variations of such terms, although not all forward-looking statements include such terms. These statements reflect our current views and are based on assumptions as of the date of this report. Such assumptions are based upon internal estimates and other analysis of current market conditions and trends, management's expectations, plans and strategies, economic conditions and other factors. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from expectations or results projected or implied by forward-looking statements. Such differences may result from actions taken by us, including expense reduction or strategic initiatives (including reductions in force, capital investments and new or expanded product offerings or services), the execution of our business plans (including our inventory management, cost structure and management and other personnel decisions) or other business decisions, as well as from developments beyond our control, including; macroeconomic factors facing the global economy, including disruptions in or increased volatility of the capital markets, changes in trade policy, which may include the imposition of tariffs or other trade barriers, economic sanctions and economic slowdowns or recessions, changes in tax policy, rising inflation and changing interest rates modifying our potential for investment income and the timing or reducing the level of investment our customers are willing to make in IT products; substantial competition reducing our market share; significant price competition reducing our profit margins; the loss of any of our major vendors adversely affecting the number or type of products we may offer; virtualization of information technology resources and applications, including networks, servers, applications, and data storage disrupting or altering our traditional distribution models; service interruptions at third party shippers negatively impacting our ability to deliver the products we offer to our customers; increases in shipping and postage costs reducing our margins and adversely affecting our results of operations; loss of key persons or the inability to attract, train and retain qualified personnel adversely affecting our ability to operate our business; and cyberattacks or the failure to safeguard personal information and our IT systems resulting in liability and harm to our reputation. Additional factors include those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, including under the captions "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and "Business," in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, including under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and in the other subsequent filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this release. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated, to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the statements are made except as required by law. CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION At or for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 % Change Operating Data: Net sales (in thousands) $ 759,693 $ 736,479 3 % Diluted earnings per share $ 0.97 $ 0.99 (2) % Gross margin 18.1 % 18.5 % Operating margin 4.1 % 4.2 % Inventory turns (1) 17 19 Days sales outstanding (2) 68 68 % of % of Product Mix: Net Sales Net Sales Notebooks/Mobility 34 % 35 % Desktops 14 12 Accessories 10 11 Displays and Sound 9 10 Software 9 9 Servers/Storage 9 9 Net/Com Products 7 7 Other Hardware/Services 8 7 Total Net Sales 100 % 100 % Stock Performance Indicators: Actual shares outstanding (in thousands) 25,396 26,332 Closing price $ 65.78 $ 64.20 Market capitalization (in thousands) $ 1,670,549 $ 1,690,514 Trailing price/earnings ratio 20.1 19.2 LTM Net Income (in thousands) $ 86,050 $ 88,691 LTM Adjusted EBITDA (3) (in thousands) $ 122,461 $ 125,416 (1) Represents the annualized cost of goods sold for the period divided by the average inventory for the prior four-month period. (2) Represents the trade receivable at the end of the period divided by average daily net sales for the same three-month period. (3) LTM Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure defined as EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) adjusted for stock-based compensation, severance expenses and non-routine legal settlements for the last twelve months. See page 9 for a reconciliation. REVENUE AND MARGIN INFORMATION For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 Net Gross Net Gross (amounts in thousands) Sales Margin Sales Margin Enterprise Solutions $ 326,011 14.6 % $ 298,808 15.4 % Business Solutions 293,168 23.5 278,198 23.8 Public Sector Solutions 140,514 15.2 159,473 15.2 Total $ 759,693 18.1 % $ 736,479 18.5 % CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (amounts in thousands, except per share data) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net sales $ 759,693 $ 736,479 $ 1,460,739 $ 1,368,504 Cost of sales 621,927 599,937 1,195,662 1,113,890 Gross profit 137,766 136,542 265,077 254,614 Selling, general and administrative expenses 106,869 105,208 216,728 209,816 Severance expenses — 415 2,930 415 Income from operations 30,897 30,919 45,419 44,383 Interest income, net 3,216 4,649 7,116 9,216 Other income — — 76 — Income tax provision (9,324) (9,407) (14,341) (14,284) Net income $ 24,789 $ 26,161 $ 38,270 $ 39,315 Earnings per common share: Basic $ 0.98 $ 0.99 $ 1.49 $ 1.49 Diluted $ 0.97 $ 0.99 $ 1.48 $ 1.48 Shares used in the computation of earnings per common share: Basic 25,405 26,348 25,739 26,355 Diluted 25,520 26,520 25,860 26,522 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS June 30, December 31, (amounts in thousands) 2025 2024 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 186,744 $ 178,318 Short-term investments 159,350 264,295 Accounts receivable, net 637,037 611,433 Inventories, net 133,487 95,054 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 22,449 17,750 Total current assets 1,139,067 1,166,850 Property and equipment, net 48,267 52,520 Right-of-use assets, net 2,219 3,077 Goodwill 73,602 73,602 Intangibles, net 1,599 2,209 Other assets 4,523 1,096 Total Assets $ 1,269,277 $ 1,299,354 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 303,756 $ 300,242 Accrued payroll 23,444 23,330 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 41,076 47,633 Total current liabilities 368,276 371,205 Deferred income taxes 15,031 15,091 Non-current operating lease liabilities 634 1,552 Other liabilities 516 516 Total Liabilities 384,457 388,364 Stockholders' Equity: Common stock 294 294 Additional paid-in capital 141,406 137,036 Retained earnings 868,016 837,466 Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (53) 174 Treasury stock, at cost (124,843) (63,980) Total Stockholders' Equity 884,820 910,990 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 1,269,277 $ 1,299,354 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (amounts in thousands) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Cash Flows provided by (used in) Operating Activities: Net income $ 24,789 $ 26,161 $ 38,270 $ 39,315 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 2,866 3,273 5,965 6,539 Adjustments to credit losses reserve 663 141 1,058 410 Stock-based compensation expense 2,461 2,248 4,669 4,197 Deferred income taxes — 1,623 — 1,623 Amortization of discount on short-term investments, net (1,627) (3,269) (1,672) (5,593) Gain on sale of short-term investments — — (76) — Loss on disposal of fixed assets 4 15 20 36 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (33,716) (71,708) (26,662) 7,598 Inventories 18,305 (12,713) (38,433) (12,434) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,474) (6,019) (4,142) (5,823) Other non-current assets (1,713) 168 (1,629) 448 Accounts payable 30,326 98,299 3,368 53,172 Accrued expenses and other liabilities (14,626) 172 (6,865) 6,188 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 26,258 38,391 (26,129) 95,676 Cash Flows (used in) provided by Investing Activities: Purchases of short-term investments — (103,279) (52,358) (203,278) Proceeds from sale of short-term investments — — 108,763 — Maturities of short-term investments — 53,280 50,000 103,280 Purchases of property and equipment (1,620) (1,819) (3,331) (3,427) Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (1,620) (51,818) 103,074 (103,425) Cash Flows used in Financing Activities: Proceeds from short-term borrowings — 2,211 732 10,560 Repayment of short-term borrowings — (2,211) (732) (10,560) Purchase of common stock for treasury shares (16,725) (3,427) (60,464) (3,613) Payments for excise tax on treasury purchases (36) — (36) — Dividend payments (3,810) (2,635) (7,720) (5,271) Issuance of stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan 619 537 619 537 Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld (399) (414) (918) (645) Net cash used in financing activities (20,351) (5,939) (68,519) (8,992) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 4,287 (19,366) 8,426 (16,741) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 182,457 147,579 178,318 144,954 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 186,744 $ 128,213 $ 186,744 $ 128,213 Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities: Accrued purchases of property and equipment $ 346 $ 347 $ 346 $ 347 Accrued purchase of treasury shares $ 66 $ 211 $ 66 $ 211 Accrued excise tax on treasury purchases $ 572 $ 18 $ 572 $ 18 Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Income taxes paid $ 15,112 $ 17,311 $ 18,171 $ 17,946 Interest paid $ — $ 1 $ — $ 2 EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA A reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income is detailed below. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA (defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) adjusted for stock-based compensation, severance expenses and non-routine legal settlements. Both EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are considered non-GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that either includes or excludes amounts that are not normally included or excluded in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide helpful information with respect to our operating performance including our ability to fund our future capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Adjusted EBITDA also provides helpful information as it is the primary measure used in certain financial covenants contained in our credit agreement. When analyzing our operating performance, investors should use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in addition to, and not as alternatives for Net income or any other performance measure presented in accordance with GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Three Months Ended June 30, LTM Ended June 30, (1) (amounts in thousands) 2025 2024 % Change 2025 2024 % Change Net income $ 24,789 $ 26,161 (5 ) % $ 86,050 $ 88,691 (3 ) % Depreciation and amortization 2,866 3,273 (12 ) 12,410 13,026 (5 ) Income tax expense 9,324 9,407 (1 ) 30,449 31,674 (4 ) Interest income (3,219 ) (4,656 ) (31 ) (16,790 ) (16,031 ) 5 Interest expense 3 7 (57 ) 165 14 1,079 EBITDA 33,763 34,192 (1 ) 112,284 117,374 (4 ) Severance expenses and other charges (2) — 415 (100 ) 2,930 459 538 Legal settlement (3) — — — (1,700 ) — 100 Stock-based compensation 2,461 2,248 9 8,947 7,583 18 Adjusted EBITDA $ 36,224 $ 36,855 (2 ) % $ 122,461 $ 125,416 (2 ) % (1) LTM: Last twelve months (2) Severance expenses in 2025 and 2024 consisted of severance and other charges related to internal restructuring activities. (3) The Company recorded $1.7 million of other income as a result of a legal settlement received. ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE A reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income to Net Income is detailed below. Adjusted Net Income is defined as Net Income plus severance expenses, net of tax plus or minus loss or income from non-routine legal settlements. A reconciliation of Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share to Diluted Earnings per Share is detailed below. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share is defined as diluted earnings per share adjusted for severance expenses, net of tax. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share are considered non-GAAP financial measures (see note above in EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for a description of non-GAAP financial measures). The Company believes that Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share provide helpful information with respect to the Company's operating performance. When analyzing our operating performance, investors should use Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share in addition to, and not as alternatives for Net income and Diluted Earnings per Share or any other performance measure presented in accordance with GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (amounts in thousands, except per share data) 2025 2024 % Change 2025 2024 % Change Net income $ 24,789 $ 26,161 (5 ) % $ 38,270 $ 39,315 (3 ) % Severance expenses (1) — 415 (100 ) 2,930 415 606 Tax benefit — (110 ) (100 ) (799 ) (111 ) 620 Adjusted Net Income 24,789 26,466 (6 ) 40,401 39,619 2 Diluted shares 25,520 26,520 25,860 26,522 Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.97 $ 0.99 (2 ) % $ 1.48 $ 1.48 — % Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.97 $ 1.00 (3 ) % $ 1.56 $ 1.49 5 % (1) Severance expenses in 2025 and 2024 consisted of severance and other charges related to internal restructuring activities. View source version on Contacts Investor Relations Contact: Thomas Baker, 603.683.2505Senior Vice President, CFO, and Treasurertom@
CBS News
09-06-2025
- CBS News
2 swimmers critical after being pulled from the water off Plum Island Point with help from fishermen
Two swimmers are in critical condition after they were pulled from the water off of Plum Island Point in Massachusetts Sunday night. Newburyport Police and Fire said they responded to Plum Island Point and found two swimmers in distress shortly after 7 p.m. Two fishing boats were nearby and a fisherman from one boat brought one of the swimmers, who was unresponsive, to shore. The second swimmer was pulled into the other boat and brought to shore with help from the Coast Guard. The second swimmer was also unresponsive. Both swimmers were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Their current conditions are unknown at this time. "I'm kind of shocked but not really because it is the Merrimack and stuff happens here every year," said Newburyport resident Jacob Kirk. It's unclear why the two swimmers were in the water. Police said the incident remains under investigation.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Church messages removed from outside Merrimack schools
Lawn signs, balloons and chalk messages on sidewalks promoting a local church's community outreach were removed from all six public schools in Merrimack late last week because a local congregation's annual 603 Day project didn't have permission. Wearing 'I Love My Church' T-shirts, large groups of Movement Christian Church members spread their 603 Day message Monday evening on the eve of June 3 (which is 6/03). Kids drew chalk art with sayings such as 'You rock' and 'That smile looks goooood on you.' But in addition to the happy faces and hearts, members drew the church's logo, which was also on dozens of balloons. Everett Olsen, the chief educational officer for the Merrimack School District, said in a phone interview Thursday afternoon that he had learned about the signs and messages just a few hours earlier and was having them removed. 'We don't allow anything of that nature, either from companies or religious organizations on school property,' Olsen said. 'We would certainly not encourage or allow any group to do that without a permit from the School Board, and that didn't happen.' Olsen said parents reported the presence of religious messages on the secular public school campuses of James Mastricola Elementary, James Mastricola Upper Elementary, Reeds Ferry Elementary, Thornton's Ferry Elementary, Merrimack Middle and Merrimack High schools. Georgeann Lytle, ministry coordinator for Movement, said if the church overstepped its bounds, they didn't mean to, and they will work with the school district to be respectful of their policies going forward. 'It was not our intent to promote Movement in any way shape or form,' Lytle said in a phone interview Sunday. 'We care deeply for our teachers and schools in our community.' Movement Christian Church's website is and members run monthly LOVE603 community service events at homeless shelters, food banks and other places in the area. Lytle said the church has been doing community service projects on 603 Day for eight years, since the inception of the Movement Christian Church in Merrimack. This year, they had about 130 volunteers who worked around Merrimack and surrounding towns. One group of students did yard work on this 603 Day for an elderly veteran, Lytle said. Another example is the church donated 20 meals for community members last Thanksgiving. 'Our acts of service are not meant to promote our church or our beliefs,' Lytle said. Lytle featured some of her team's work outside the Mastricola Elementary schools during last Monday, saying in the video, 'We're over here at the schools, drawing some messages for our amazing teachers and staff.' Most of Movement Christian Church's social media posts about 603 Day included biblical verses referencing service such as Mark 10:45 and Philippians 1:3, or had hashtags such as #ServeLikeJesus. However, posts also featured hashtags and non-religious rhetoric such as #LoveInAction or #CelebrateTeachers. There did not appear to be any direct biblical references or use of the church's name in any of the signage or chalk art. The executive pastor of the church is Mark Papp, who is the husband of Stacy Papp, a Reeds Ferry kindergarten teacher. Stacy Papp was a 603 Day team leader at one of the schools. dpierce@
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill allowing 'social districts' in NH communities awaits governor's signature
A bill on Gov. Kelly Ayotte's desk awaiting her signature is creating quite a buzz around the state. HB467 would allow cities and towns in New Hampshire to establish 'social districts' — areas where people are allowed to purchase alcohol at local bars and restaurants, then take it with them in a to-go cup while moving through designated 'sip and stroll' areas. State Rep. Bill Boyd, R-Merrimack, told members of the state Senate Commerce Committee he modeled HB 467 after legislation in North Carolina, working closely with Chief Mark Armaganian, director of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission's Division of Enforcement and Licensing. 'It's a local-option bill,' Boyd said. 'Should this be enacted, if communities want to have a social district, they can do so, and they can work with liquor enforcement and their local law enforcement to create a plan that makes the best sense for that community.' Voters would have to approve creation of a social district at town meeting or a city election. Local officials would determine the boundaries of the social district, then work with the liquor commission and the state to be able to make sure that all requirements under state law are met and develop a working plan to ensure safety in the district. Brodie Deshaies, a legislative advocate with the New Hampshire Municipal Association, said the association supports the bill. 'We've had members reach out in the past and contact us about how they could set up a process like this,' Deshaies said. 'There was nothing that currently permitted towns to adopt these types of districts or to allow people to carry open containers between businesses that are all in close vicinity of each other. 'We view this as a great private/public partnership, and the state helping fulfill its role to help create guidelines — or guardrails — along that process.' Gauging interest It's unclear how interested businesses in places like Manchester are in establishing social districts — at least at this time. Owners of several downtown businesses along Elm Street seemed indifferent about the concept when quizzed this past week. Jodie Nazaka, Manchester's economic development director, said her department doesn't have a position either for or against HB 467. 'I haven't had any businesses or aldermen express interest in establishing this type of district in Manchester,' Nazaka said in an email. 'If there were general interest from business owners in the downtown area, we would certainly look into the merits of the concept.' Nazaka said she has seen social districts successfully implemented in other areas of the country, including Raleigh, North Carolina, which she experienced last summer. 'There are definitely rules and restrictions associated with these districts, so they're not as unrestricted as some might imagine, like Bourbon Street in New Orleans or the Las Vegas Strip,' Nazaka said. 'I'm interested in seeing where this conversation may lead. For now, at least to my knowledge, there isn't much interest in pursuing this in Manchester.' Boyd said communities like Raleigh and Savannah, Georgia, have had 'tremendous success' with social districts. 'There's so many different types of social districts that exist now today, in Georgia and North Carolina and Michigan, the creativity as to what can happen as a result of this particular concept can only benefit the economic development of a particular community that seeks to create it,' Boyd said. Boyd said Tuscan Village in Salem has its own social district, which operates on private property, but they worked closely with Armaganian and the liquor enforcement team to come up with something that makes sense for the site. 'Government-sponsored drinking' Not everyone loves the idea of social districts. Bob Bevill of Merrimack, a justice of the peace in Hillsborough County, submitted testimony via email opposing the bill, calling it 'government-sponsored 'pub-crawling'' that will create an enforcement burden on towns, could increase liability premiums for some businesses, and provides 'absolutely no benefit to the taxpayers.' 'Based on similar legislation from North Carolina, these 'zones' would allow for specially-marked alcoholic beverage cups to be transported out of the bars and restaurants' where people 'may freely walk from place to place carrying their alcoholic beverages in public,' Bevill writes. 'These cups would be 'containers (that) clearly displays a logo or some other mark that is unique to the social district in which it will be consumed.' Hence, government-sponsored drinking.' Bevill asked who would be responsible for determining if a customer has been overserved in a social district. 'In most establishments, it is the waitstaff or barkeep who has a running tab and knows exactly how much alcohol has been purchased,' Bevill writes. 'But between zone businesses? If someone has too much to drink and kills a family, do we apportion the damages against all of the merchants in the social district? Or do we have to investigate which establishment served them last?' Margaret Konze of Pembroke was short and to the point on the subject. 'We don't need more public drunkenness in New Hampshire.' Drew Cline, president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy, spoke before the Senate Commerce Committee in support of the bill. He said he often visits his hometown of Hickory, North Carolina, which has a downtown social district. In the past, it was 'always the same thing, looking around at the vacant storefronts,' Cline said. 'Last year I went back, and I am not exaggerating, there is not a single vacant storefront in downtown Hickory, North Carolina. In the entire downtown. 'Hickory is a mill town, it was a textile and furniture manufacturing town — this might sound familiar to a lot of people in New Hampshire — and not a single vacant storefront.' pfeely@
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
MSU lands transfer commitment from Merrimack DB Elisha West, brother of Aydan West
MSU lands transfer commitment from Merrimack DB Elisha West, brother of Aydan West Michigan State football added another defensive back via the transfer portal -- this time being a brother of a current Spartan. Elisha West announced his commitment to Michigan State on Friday night. Elisha West is the older brother of freshman early-enrollee cornerback Aydan West. West is transferring to Michigan State from FCS school Merrimack. He will be a preferred walk-on for the Spartans, according to Spartans Illustrated. West will have four years of eligibility after redshirting this past season while at Merrimack. He appeared in two games this past season with Merrimack before take a redshirt season. He also participated in the Merrimack's spring practice this year before entering the portal. Michigan State has been active on the defensive side of the ball during the spring transfer portal, especially in the secondary. West will now join his younger brother Aydan in the Spartans secondary next year. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
