MEREDITH, N.H. (AP) – If there are no appeals, boaters who gather in popular Black Cove on Lake Winnipesaukee will have to find somewhere else to congregate.

In response to complaints, Safety Commissioner Richard Flynn has ordered that rafting be banned from the cove. Rafting is the practice of tying boats together and anchoring offshore.

The Safety Department held a public hearing in Meredith, and the chief hearing officer recommended the ban. Curtis Duclos said rafting boaters had little or no consideration for others and caused a hazard by blocking safe passage to and from the cove.

Those who testified for the ban said the boats also are a hazard to loons that nest in the cove.

Former director of parks charged with theft in N. H.

PELHAM, N.H. (AP) – The former town parks and recreation director has been charged with stealing more than $1,500 from a recreation group

Police said Robert Tryon, 53, is charged with theft, accused of transferring the money into his own checking account from a group called Friends of Recreation.

Manchester teachers reject contract

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — The city’s public school teachers overwhelmingly have rejected a proposed contract that included a 2 percent raise.

Many teachers called the proposal disrespectful. Nearly 800 of the 1,300 teachers attended a meeting on the contract Tuesday. Of them, 116 supported the contract.

Mayor Robert Baines, who called the vote unfortunate, said negotiations start over.

New Hampshire gets $500,000 grant for jobs

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – The government is giving New Hampshire $500,000 to help disadvantaged, 225 young people get jobs.

Deputy U.S. Labor Secretary Steven Law was in Manchester on Wednesday to announce the grant to the New Hampshire Community Technical College System and Workforce Opportunity Council.

Those organizations, working with faith-based groups, anticipate helping about 225 people.

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Homeland Security

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DURHAM, N.H. (AP) – The University of New Hampshire and Keene State College have received $2 million in federal grants to develop a nationwide system to help protect police and firefighters from hazardous materials.

The schools expect to develop a computer program to allow first responders to get information about hazards stored at sites of potential disasters, such as high schools and universities.

Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., said that information frequently is unavailable or limited.

Four pilot sites in New Hampshire will be used during development and testing, expected to last 12 to 18 months and be on line and available nationally within two years.

AP-ES-10-06-04 1806EDT