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🌱 Patch AM: Why prosecutors want nearly 20 years for this former West High teacher

Make time for New Year's Eve Online Service! on the Manchester Patch calendar

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Hi Manchester! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why prosecutors want nearly 20 years for this former West High teacher
  • What a $14M shortfall could mean for Manchester schools by 2027
  • How a tiny mustard seed inspired Manchester’s 2025 Kwanzaa celebration

Also on today's calendar: New Year's Eve Online Service!.

Find out what's happening in Manchesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Manchesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Monday: A little morning rain; cloudy, with a high of 41 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Tuesday: Windy with clouds and sun, temps: high: 23, low: 16.
  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and not as cold, with a high of 31 and low of 11 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Prosecutors seek 19 1/2 years for West High teacher caught in sex sting (unionleader.com) — A former Manchester High School West teacher faces a potential 19½-year federal sentence after being convicted in a sting involving attempted sex trafficking of a minor. Prosecutors argue his actions are especially serious because he worked daily with Manchester students and was trained to report suspected abuse, yet never alerted authorities. Sentencing is scheduled for January 12.
   

• Year in Review: Funding for city schools a hot topic in 2025, looms large again in 2026 (unionleader.com) — Manchester’s ongoing fight over school funding dominated 2025 and will shape 2026, with a $14 million shortfall looming in 2027. City leaders, school officials, and union representatives are sharply divided over whether the latest $238 million budget is a cut or an increase, and public budget forums are planned this spring as rainy-day funds run out.
   

• Kwanzaa 2025: Celebrating self-determination in the context of community and culture » Nashua Ink Link (inklink.news) — Manchester residents gathered at the downtown YWCA for a lively Kwanzaa celebration featuring a community meal, African market, music, and speakers focused on culture and unity. Organizers highlighted the seven principles of Kwanzaa and sent attendees home with tiny bottled mustard seeds as a reminder that even small acts of faith and self-determination can strengthen community ties in the year ahead.
   

📸 Around Manchester

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    Tuesday December 30
  • Holiday Shopping at the Anheuser-Busch Biergarten & Gift Shop
    Greater Manchester Chamber , 221 Daniel Webster Highway , Merrimack
    11:00 am
    • Thursday January 8
  • Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles
    The Rex Theatre , 23 Amherst St , Manchester
    6:00 pm

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Busy day today, I started my morning in Hooksett assembling a heavy duty workout station.
    Then off to Pelham to mount a TV above a fireplace! Call or text Rusted Wrench Assembly today for availability 603-361-6075 (Nextdoor Goffe's Falls)
  • Attn METAL SCRAPPERS ;
    I have a small load of FREE metal ( Old stove ) with the heater in it- I need picked up here on vally st in Manchester N.H- let me know....... Your… (Nextdoor Piscataquog)
  • PepsiCo posted a job opening for Merchandiser (Part-Time / Evenings) in Manchester. Apply here.
  • Dave & Buster's, Inc. posted a job opening for Janitorial Maintenance in Manchester. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Manchester here.

🗞 Nearby News

Bedford

  • Fireball seen from many New Hampshire communities Saturday night (wmur.com)
  • New Hampshire businesses adapt to growing holiday weekend crowds (wmur.com)
  • Illinois at Purdue; 11 a.m., Sunday (news-gazette.com)

Merrimack

Concord

Ok Manchester! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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