PORTSMOUTH — To Gillian Robidas and Deanna Scruton, being American means being able to hold an impromptu potato sack race in the pouring rain while others scramble for shelter.

PORTSMOUTH — Badria Khaliel moved from Sudan to the United States for the freedom of religion — and a certain inalienable right.“The pursuit of happiness is very nice,” said Khaliel.

PORTSMOUTH and#8212; Here it is, folks: a chance to be in the movies without leaving the comforts of home.

July 1

New Castle

CONCORD (AP) and#8212; New Hampshire soldiers will be among 3,000 troops heading to Afghanistan next year to help train Afghan forces.

EXETER and#8212; Thomas Michael Howard, 55, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Exeter Hospital. He was born June 6, 1954, in Everett, Mass., son of Marjorie (Rogers) Howard...

HAMPTON and#8212; Who knew using a slingshot to throw an egg at a neighbor's home and allegedly dumping weed killer on her lawn could cost $20,000?

I still remember an interview I did for this outlet earlier this decade, in the visiting locker room of the St. Louis Blues as they concluded their morning skate in...

HAMPTON and#8212; A federal judge ruled a Hampton Falls campground was not negligent during a 2004 windstorm that downed trees and injured a couple who were trapped in their trailer...

PORTSMOUTH and#8212; Vietnam War veteran Joseph Francis of Manchester served in the U.S. Marine Corps and earned a Bronze Star. He was not even a U.S. citizen during the time,...

We're not a meteorologist (although we are sensing a certain weather pattern), and we're certainly not ready to cast aspersions on Saturday's weather forecast, so we'll be positive here:

PORTSMOUTH and#8212; Some in the audience leaned forward in their chairs as author Simon Van Booy read from his recently released story collection, "Love Begins in Winter." Others leaned back...

YORK, Maine and#8212; Police are warning York area businesspeople to be alert after a flim-flam team made off with $400 from a cash register at Eldredge Lumber and Hardware on...

John Edmond Guy, 86 of 133 State Road, Kittery Maine, died on Thursday, July 2, 2009, comfortably at his home after a period of failing health.

By Jeb Bradley

RYE and#8212; Rich Riley is not the typical size of most 12-year old kids standing at over 6-feet tall.

The preamble, summation and conclusion of the Declaration of Independence.

BOSTON and#8212; Rob Johnson doubled home two runs in the 11th inning and the Seattle Mariners beat the Boston Red Sox 7-6 on Friday night.

July 1 and#8212; To the Editor: