Press Releases/What’s New

The Portsmouth Fire Department has just received word from the North Pole that Santa Claus is making a special trip to Portsmouth on Saturday, December 19 (rain/snow date: Sunday, December 20) to help plan his route through the neighborhoods for the big night.

Santa also learned that Portsmouth residents are making a special effort to decorate with Holiday Lights this year, so he wants to check out all the decorations.

On December 4th at approximately 12:10 AM, Portsmouth Police and Fire Departments responded to a motor vehicle crash at 495 Ocean Road. A vehicle travelling on Ocean Road left the roadway, struck a mailbox, continued through the front lawn of a residence and then struck a legally parked vehicle in the driveway of 495 Ocean Road. The lone occupant of the vehicle was not injured. Both vehicles involved in the crash sustained heavy damage.

As is their annual holiday tradition, the City’s Welfare Office is collecting gift cards for families who have older kids who are not typically served by other Christmas programs in town.

Applications for the seasonal boat slips at the Prescott Park docks will be accepted at the City of Portsmouth City Clerk’s Office starting December 1, 2020, through 4:30pm on Thursday January 7, 2021. To download the application click here. .

Portsmouth Citywide Neighborhood Committee Organizes
Mayor’s Holiday Lights Contest

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – At the November 16 City Council meeting, Mayor Rick Becksted announced the return of the Neighborhood Holiday Lights Contest for 2020, to give residents a way to celebrate together this holiday season. Now the Portsmouth Citywide Neighborhood Committee is announcing the details.

On November 16th, shortly before 11:00 PM, Portsmouth Police and Fire Departments responded to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of the Route 1 By-Pass South and Greenleaf Avenue. A vehicle travelling southbound on the Route 1 By-Pass left the roadway first striking a utility pole then striking two parked vehicles in a car dealership parking lot before coming to rest. All three vehicles sustained heavy damage.

When the Citizen Response Task Force (CRTF) was formed in early June, its members from all aspects of the Portsmouth economy was to help Portsmouth find its way through the pandemic. Keeping the public informed was, and remains, key to that mission.

On November 12th, 2020, the Portsmouth Police responded to 90 Brewery Lane to investigate what appeared to be a bullet hole in and through an apartment on the 4th floor. Detectives processed the scene and determined that a .45 caliber round came through the wall from an abutting apartment sometime overnight. A search warrant was executed on the apartment for which the round came from where further evidence was collected. As a result of the investigation, the following individual was arrested: