Opinion: Understanding the child behind the homework battle

Without an instructor, John Stark's welding classes on hold

At John Stark Regional High school, more than 200 students — or about one in three — tried to sign up for a welding class this year. Seventy-two of them got a spot. None of them are currently able to take it. In July, the Weare school found itself without an instructor. It hasn’t been able to hire anyone to fill the role, let alone add a second welding teacher as administrators had hoped. “It’s not a class just anyone can teach,” Principal Gary Dempsey said. With the level of student interest, Dempsey began advertising for a second welding teacher in […]

Concord tech program adds welding to curriculum

When students arrive at the Concord Regional Technical Center in a few weeks, sparks will fly inside its newly installed welding shop. The career and tech education center, or CRTC, added a welding course to its bouquet of offerings this year. It filled up fast. “When we went out to recruit students, they would always […]

Opinion: Consider this before running for office

Retired school counselor Rebecca Schaefer urges political candidates to focus on national healing, inclusive progress, and constructive policy details rather than divisive rhetoric.

Suncookin' with Rob Azevedo: Letting go of a lost career

After being laid off from a job of more than 20 years, Rob Azevedo reflects on the emotional challenges of unemployment and decides to pursue a bold new chapter in his professional life.

Vintage Views: Before there was Sunset League

An author reflects on his childhood friendship with Donald "Shammy" Angwin, a former Sunset League baseball player who shared firsthand accounts of the historic league's origins at White Park in Concord.