Rape Victim Calls Plea Deal ‘An Absolute Abomination’ | Fire Weather Danger Warning | More: PM Patch NH

CONCORD, NH — Here are some share-worthy stories from the New Hampshire Patch network to discuss this afternoon and evening.

This post features stories and information published during the past 24 hours.

In Merrimack County Superior Court, Rape Victim Calls Plea Deal For Ex- ‘An Absolute Abomination’: Richard French Jr., first convicted in 2025, received 4- to 8-year and 1 to 2-year prison sentences Thursday, connected to other rape cases.

Grass, Twigs, And Other ‘Dry Fuels’ Could Lead To Elevated Fire Weather Danger In NH, Forecasters Say: Central and southern Granite State cities and towns need to take precautions to contain brush fires and uncontrolled fire spread.

Academy Students Remove 100-Plus Pounds of Trash From Hampton Beach: A school cleanup with Surfrider volunteers brought 333 students and staff to Hampton Beach on April 17.

Made In NH Initiative, To Promote Local Businesses Statewide, Launched In Bedford: State leaders and business owners gathered in Bedford on Wednesday to launch a new branding platform for New Hampshire businesses.

New Hampshire Secretary Of State Offers New Voting Resources For Student Voters: The new guides explain registration, domicile, absentee voting and ID requirements before the Sept. 8 primary.

Nashua Medical Center Named One of Newsweek’s Best Maternity Hospitals For 2026: Newsweek and Statista gave Southern NH Medical Center a five-ribbon rating for maternity care in 2026.

Manchester Cellist Invited To Queen Elisabeth Competition Returns To MCMS For Rehearsal Friday: The Manchester Community Music School alumnus Roric Cunningham will return for a local rehearsal on April 24.

Bank Robber, Sexual Assaulter, With 40-Plus Year Criminal History, Wanted On Parole Violation: NH DOC: Corrections is searching for Michael J. Wells, who is wanted by the state parole board. He is known to frequent both Concord and Manchester.

Franklin Thief, Out On Bail, Arrested On New Theft, Willful Concealment Charges: Concord Police Log: Plus: Barnstead woman faces conduct after an accident charge; man arrested twice in 39 hours; reckless operation on Second Street.

Hiker Found Dead In Franconia | Fatal Lakes Region Officer-Involved Shooting Update | More: PM Patch NH: Indictments, student robotic update, carriage house torched by fire, former Rep. to be sentenced on child sexual abuse charges in June.

Here are some other posts readers may have missed:

6 Money Secrets Americans Are Still Missing Out On

🌱 Patch AM: How Boston MedFlight’s new Manchester base could impact Bedford emergencies

Merrimack Rotary Hosts 6th Electronics Recycling Fundraiser - June 6, 2026

🌱 Patch AM: Londonderry firm just secured a new patent—what did they invent?

523 Winnacunnet Road In Hampton — Under Agreement

🌱 Patch AM: Why was a quick final vote on Manchester’s $434M budget blocked?

New Hampshire’s Labor Market Slowed in 2025

🌱 Patch AM: Milford to host services honoring Lorraine A. Strube’s life and service

Concord’s running community gathers for iconic spring race at NHTI

🌱 Patch AM: Meet the Salem founder landing $250,000 to fight fraud with AI

$34K Awarded To Seacoast Nonprofits Through The Fabulous Find's Giving Program

🌱 Patch AM: Why a blog post could reshape Hampton’s I-95 service plazas

State Drops Case Against Alleged YDC Abuser Malavet

🌱 Patch AM: Studio Two: The Beatles Tribute Concert (LaBelle Winery- Amherst, NH) and 14 more events

Ex-Ports Director And His Supreme Court Justice Wife Maliciously Prosecuted, Complaint Alleges

When SPLC Put Moms For Liberty On Its Hate Map, It Was Also Funding Neo-Nazis

Mack: I Testified To Protect Women's Spaces. A State Senator Called It 'Terrorism.'

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