🌱 Patch AM: City Of Portsmouth: Property Tax Rate Set At $11.51

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In today's newsletter:

• Portsmouth sets new property tax rate at $11.51
• What’s at stake in the Portsmouth parking garage death sentencing fight?
• How Portsmouth donors are keeping Seacoast families warm this winter

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Periods of snow, 1-3", with a high of 34 and low of 31 degrees.
• Wednesday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 35, low: 21.
• Thursday: Clouds and breaks of sun, with a high of 37 and low of 25 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. City Of Portsmouth: Property Tax Rate Set At $11.51 (patch.com) — Portsmouth residents are being notified that the city has set the new property tax rate at $11.51, affecting local homeowners and businesses. The announcement, issued as an official city press release, signals what taxpayers can expect on upcoming bills and underscores ongoing municipal budget decisions that shape local services and priorities.
   

2. Lawyers debate sentencing terms for man convicted in fatal fall from garage (wmur.com) — A sentencing dispute is unfolding in the case tied to a 2023 fatal fall from a Portsmouth parking garage, with prosecutors and defense attorneys arguing whether multiple charges against Vincenzo Panetta should all carry sentences. The confrontation began at the Portsmouth Gas Light Co., and a judge plans to issue sentencing orders by New Year’s Eve, ahead of Panetta’s Jan. 2 sentencing.
   

3. Gift of Warmth funds help couple to care for their granddaughter (seacoastonline.com) — Portsmouth-area residents are helping neighbors stay warm this winter through the Gift of Warmth campaign, which channels donations directly to local Community Action Partnership offices, including Rockingham County’s Portsmouth location. A Rochester couple caring for their granddaughter describes how fuel and electric-bill assistance eased financial strain, while a long list of Seacoast donors has already pushed this week’s total to $12,718 for heating and emergency needs.
   

4. ‘Are you a prostitute?': Poetry book penned by Democratic candidate Kiper uses derogatory language, sexual references (wmur.com) — New Hampshire gubernatorial hopeful Jonathan Kiper is facing scrutiny over a 2013 poetry book filled with sexual references and slurs, which he now says he views differently but still defends as art. For Portsmouth residents, the story also matters because Mayor Deaglan McEachern has said he’ll seriously consider entering the 2026 governor’s race, potentially putting a local leader in a high-profile statewide contest.
   

5. Home For All brings pop-ups to Seacoast people in need (seacoastonline.com) — Home For All is partnering with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth to bring Pop-Up Care Villages directly to unhoused and housing-insecure neighbors, bundling meals, health care, legal aid, and more in one place. Organizers plan monthly events around the Seacoast and are urging residents to join their Shift the Seacoast effort, speaking up for affordable housing at local planning and zoning meetings.
   

📸 Around Portsmouth

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Portsmouth

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday December 24

• Nichinan Nights Happy Hour
  Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce , 15 Middle St. , Portsmouth
• No-cost business growth education program for small businesses and non-profit leaders accepting applications now through November 27
  Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce , 500 Market St #16A , Portsmouth
• 35th Annual GINGERBREAD House Contest and Exhibition
  Portsmouth Historical Society , 10 Middle Street , Portsmouth
  10:00 am
• FOOD & BEVERAGE: Happy Hour at Toscana
  Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce , 3 Pleasant Street , Portsmouth
  4:00 pm
• Live Piano at The Rosa
  The Rosa Restaurant , 70 State Street , Portsmouth
  5:00 pm
• MUSIC Live Music Wednesdays at the Water View Grill Lounge!
  Water View Grill Lounge , 37 Bow St , Portsmouth
  6:00 pm
• Cribbage for a Cause
  WHYM Craft Pub & Brewery , 853 Lafayette Rd , Hampton
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Nichinan Nights Happy Hour
  Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce , 15 Middle St. , Portsmouth

📣 Portsmouth Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 23

• 35th Annual GINGERBREAD House Contest and Exhibition
  Portsmouth Historical Society , 10 Middle Street , Portsmouth
  10:00 am
• Junior Science: The Wonders of Water
  Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce , 6 Washington Street , Dover
  2:00 pm
• FOOD & BEVERAGE: Happy Hour at Toscana
  Toscana , 3 Pleasant Street , Portsmouth
  4:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Live Piano at The Rosa
  The Rosa Restaurant , 70 State Street , Portsmouth
  5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• GRATITUDE FOR MOMENTS FROZEN IN TIME.
  Taking some time to look through some captured moments in time. Each with its own unique story and location. It is a gratitude lesson to remind… (Nextdoor Sagamore/Little Harbor)
• December 21st.!
  First day of Winter - Days beginning to get longer (Nextdoor Little Harbor)

• McDonald's posted a job opening for $18.50 Experienced Shift Manager in Portsmouth. Apply here.
• HCA posted a job opening for Medical Office Specialist in Portsmouth. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portsmouth here.

Ok Portsmouth! 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: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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