Press Releases/What’s New

Extreme cold temperatures are continuing well into 2018, and the Portsmouth Water Department wants to remind residents of the importance of protecting their pipes. Please review this page to understand your responsibilities and helpful tips to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Good evening, and happy New Year!

Welcome family, friends, neighbors, city councilors, police and fire commissioners, City Manager John Bohenko, City Clerk Kelli Barnaby, City staff and department heads, and all special guests.

To facilitate a safe and entertaining First Night, the following traffic and parking changes will occur on December 31st

TRAFFIC AND PARKING:

With the exception of Pleasant Street from State Street to the Square, Church Street (next to the North Church) and Parrot Avenue (from Richards to Junkins - no entry from Rogers), streets are open Downtown to vehicular traffic and parking.

The Portsmouth Police Department has been investigating several recent mail fraud and identity theft cases involving an organized crime enterprise operating in the Portsmouth area.  These organizations have been targeting local neighborhoods, and more specifically the south end of Portsmouth.  These individuals are obtaining personal identities such as names, DOB’s, social security numbers, and addresses and using that information to go online and order items, specifically newly released smart phones such as the IPhone 10 and Samsung Note 8 through several differ

On December 18, 2017, at approximately 8:37 PM, the Portsmouth Police Department was called to the Salvation Army Thrift Store located at 2458 Lafayette Rd for a report of an armed robbery.  Upon arrival officers located two employees who reported while exiting the store after closing they were approached in the parking lot by a white male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a ski mask pointing a gun at them asking for the money bag.  The suspect obtained the bag and fled on foot towards Lafayette Rd.  The two employees returned to the store and called pol