Press Releases/What’s New

COP

Portsmouth & Pease Drinking Water Supply Update 2025 Q1

May 13, 2025

The City of Portsmouth NH water supply sources have been resilient to the effects of drought conditions that have persisted since late summer of 2024. The Bellamy Reservoir surface-water source has recovered from the low levels observed in October due to snowmelt and late winter to early-spring precipitation.

COP

DPW Offers Spring Clean-up Reminders and a Battery Disposal Update

May 13, 2025

The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works (DPW) marked the arrival of spring with Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, which served 254 participants, and with the annual Earth Day, and Arbor Day celebrations. DPW offers suggestions and reminders for the seasonal yard and garden cleanup and notice of a rechargeable battery disposal update.

COP

Arts and Culture Commission Reports on First Year’s Advocacy and Accomplishments

May 5, 2025

The US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported recently that arts and cultural enterprises contribute $1 trillion to the national economy and, in New Hampshire, arts and culture make up 3.1 percent of the State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Since coming through the pandemic, Portsmouth has turned a spotlight on ways to protect, preserve, and foster the arts.

PD

Individual Last Seen on Sarah Mildred Long Bridge

May 2, 2025

On April 30th at approximately 10 P.M. the Portsmouth Police Department took a report of a missing person.  An investigation into the individual’s whereabouts started at that time. On May 1st at approximately 10 A.M. the Police Department was notified by the Department of Transportation that video surveillance showed an individual matching the description of the missing person jumping off the Sarah Long Bridge on April 30th at approximately 8:49 P.M.  A search of the Piscataqua river began immediately after discovering this video.  

COP

City Manager Presents the Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget

May 2, 2025

The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Proposed Budget for all appropriated City funds was distributed to the City Council on April 28, 2025. This budget document and accompanying interactive user guide are posted to the City website.

The release of the FY26 Proposed Budget marks the start of presentations to the City Council and the public. The City offers multiple opportunities for the public to comment on the budget, including:

COP

City Joins NH Firefighters Association in Honoring Fallen Firefighters

May 1, 2025

Portsmouth Fire Chief William McQuillen has enlisted the City’s help in the "Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters" program. The Memorial Bridge is illuminated with red lights during the week of April 27 - May 4, 2025 to honor the fallen and their families. Local firefighter Charles A. Gallant, a firefighter from the Rye Fire Department, was added to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Roll of Honor this year.