Lisa D. Connell, Berlin Daily Sun Journalist Profile

Articles

BHS seeks to add 'freshman academy' as budget cuts loom

2 days ago | conwaydailysun.com | Lisa D. Connell

By Lisa D. ConnellTHE BERLIN SUNkAmqt#{x} — p?5J #2?4=@6D[ E96 AC:?4:A2= @7 q6C=:? |:55=6 w:89 $49@@=[ :D 9@A67F= 2? 24256>:4 AC@8C2> E@ 8:G6 7C6D9>6? E96 DEC@?86DE 24256>:4 DE2CE :? EH@ 4@C6 DF3;64ED DE2JD @77 E96 4:EJ 3F586E 49@AA:?8 3=@4<]k^AmkAmp 7F== D49@@= J62C @7 t?8=:D9 {2?8F286 pCED 2?5 >2E9 7@C hE9 8C256CD H@F=5 36 2 7@4FD @7 “uC6D9>2? p4256>J” H:E9 2 7FEFC6 A=2? E@ :?4=F56 D4:6?46 2?5 9:DE@CJ :? E96 24256>J] %96 24256>J[ 2D :ED ?2>6 DF886DED[ H@F=5 7@4FD @? 3F:=5:?8 t{p 2?5 >2E9 D<:==D :?
Council works to trim about $3 million from FY26 budget

2 days ago | conwaydailysun.com | Lisa D. Connell

BERLIN — The fiscal 2026 city budget, under development and set to take effect July 1, needs to have about $3 million cut from it to keep the current or 2024 tax rate at $30.89 per $1,000 property valuation. The Fiscal Year 2026 proposed budget remains in flux. The updated budget, presented to city councilors Monday night by City Manager Phillip L. Warren Jr., does not include higher salaries for two city department union negotiations that have been completed, the fire and police departments.
Shaheen hears from NH residents fearing Medicaid cuts

2 days ago | conwaydailysun.com | Lisa D. Connell

BERLIN — Some of the people who will be most affected by any cuts to Medicaid programs or services spoke candidly with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) during her visit to Berlin on Monday. Under review in the U.S. House is a budget that may remove $800 to $900 billion from key programs that millions of Americans rely on, among them Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. kAm%96 D6?2E@C[ H9@ :D D6CG:?8 96C =2DE E6C> :?
Shaheen hears from Medicaid recipients in Berlin

3 days ago | conwaydailysun.com | Lisa D. Connell

BERLIN — Some of those who will be most affected by possible cuts to Medicaid got to speak candidly with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) during a rural health roundtable at Northern Human Services in Berlin on Monday as Shaheen kicked off a weeklong "Medicaid Impact Tour."It comes at a time when the U.S. House is reviewing a budget that may remove as much as $900 billion from key programs that millions of Americans rely on, among them Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.
City fire department takes over 911 emergency calls

1 week ago | conwaydailysun.com | Lisa D. Connell

BERLIN — In the days since the city’s fire department took over EMS/ambulance services on April 1, 67 calls for ambulances have been fielded, said Fire Chief James Watkins at a council meeting work session Monday night. “We’ve been able to cover all the calls ourselves,” Watkins said, adding that the department has not had to go to mutual aid. kAm%96 56A2CE>6?E 92D E9C66 A2C2>65:4D[ @?6 25G2?465 6>6C86?4J >65:42= E649?:4:2?
School board considers reimbursement policy for teachers who break contract

1 week ago | conwaydailysun.com | Lisa D. Connell

By Lisa D. ConnellTHE BERLIN SUNkAmqt#{x} — %96 q6C=:? $49@@= q@2C5 :D 4@?D:56C:?8 C6BF:C:?8 7:?2?4:2= C6:>3FCD6>6?E E@ E96 D49@@= 5:DEC:4E 3J 2 E62496C H9@ =62G6D E96:C ;@3 367@C6 E96 6?5 @7 E96 D49@@= J62C]k^AmkAm%96 3@2C5 H:== =@@< 2E 9@H @E96C D49@@= 5:DEC:4ED 92?5=6 E96 :DDF6 2?5 5:D4FDD:?8 H92E E96 5@==2C 2>@F?E H@F=5 36 2D A2CE @7 2? @?8@:?8 C6G:6H @7 D49@@= 5:DEC:4E A@=:4:6D 36:?8 5:D4FDD65 2E C646?E 3@2C5 >66E:?8D]k^AmkAm%96C6 92G6 366?
Engineering for Berlin rehabilitation project approved

2 weeks ago | conwaydailysun.com | Lisa D. Connell

BERLIN — The federal highway department has given the city of Berlin the go-ahead to “engage engineers for the downtown infrastructure project,” Pamela Laflamme, director of strategic initiatives, told the council on Monday night.
Food producers, managers await an uncertain future

2 weeks ago | conwaydailysun.com | Lisa D. Connell

LITTLETON — The mission of farmers and agencies such as the New Hampshire Food Bank is to feed people. It’s a straightforward approach to agriculture and one that is being complicated by rapid federal government changes that involve funding for this mission. All of it boils down “to uncertainty for the people you serve,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) on a March 19 visit to the Littleton Food Coop. kAm$92966?
City takes another step forward on downtown project

2 weeks ago | conwaydailysun.com | Lisa D. Connell

BERLIN — The federal highway department has given the city the go-ahead to “engage engineers for the downtown infrastructure project,” Pamela Laflamme, director of strategic initiatives, told the council on Monday night. Laflamme, who also is the assistant city manager, served in that role at the April 7 meeting in the absence of City Manager Phillip L. Warren Jr. The news regarding the infrastructure project came shortly before the night’s meeting ended.
City budget requests are for people behind numbers

2 weeks ago | conwaydailysun.com | Lisa D. Connell

BERLIN — A gamut of city department programs and services, plus non-profit entities that help residents with all kinds of needs made their case for funding from the fiscal year 2026 budget. These include the Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce ($1,500), Northern Human Services ($10,097), A. V.