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Bill To Tighten Animal Cruelty Laws Follows Great Danes Case

The Humane Society of the United States works with the Wolfeboro Police Dept. to rescue approximately 70 Great Danes from a suspected puppy mill on Friday, June 16, 2017, in Wolfeboro, N.H. Photo courtesy of ~ Meredith Lee,The HSUS

CONCORD, NH (AP)- Supporters of a bill aimed at preventing animal cruelty and sparing towns from spending a fortune on seized animals say it will protect both animals and taxpayers. But opponents worry it will harm hobby breeders and violate defendants’ rights to due process.

Republican Sen. Jeb Bradley sponsored the bill after a breeder in his hometown of Wolfeboro was accused of keeping dozens of Great Danes in filthy conditions last year. Among other things, it would allow a judge to determine the reasonable cost for caring for seized animals. If a defendant doesn’t pay, the animals can be adopted rather than being held as evidence.

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire opposed that provision, saying it would allow animals to be forfeited without any finding that animal cruelty has occurred.

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Campton Home Dating Back To The 1800’s Ravaged By Fire

 

CAMPTON, NH – A Campton home dating back to the 1800 was ravaged by fire last night. According to Campton-Thorton Fire Rescue they were called to a structure fire at a home on route 175 near Hogback Road at around 7:40 last night.

Authorities said that the residents were awoken up by their smoke detectors to discover that their attic was on fire. They were able to escape the home uninjured.

When crews arrived the fire was quickly raised to a second alarm bringing in crews from as far away as Wentworth, Meredith and Bristol. Center Harbor provided a cover engine to Campton.

According to the Campton-Thornton Fire Rescue they used a deck gun attached to one of the fire trucks to knock down a substantial amount of fire. A crew on the inside began aggressively attacking the fire, but were hampered by severely damaged stairs leading to the attic.

 

Authorities said that mutual Aid crews assisted with suppression, limiting the fire damage mainly to the attic and 2 rooms of the second floor. The rest of the house suffered significant smoke and water damage, but was untouched by the fire.

A crew remained on scene overnight to monitor for rekindles.

Campton-Thornton Fire Rescue, Campton Police and the NH Fire Marshals Office returned to the scene this morning, to investigate the cause of the fire.

 

Photo’s courtesy of Campton-Thornton Fire Rescue’s facebook page
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Red Parka Pub Challenge Cup Bumps It Up With New Fundraising Goal And Strategies

~ Photo courtesy of Laura Lemieux, photo from the 2017 race.

BARTLETT, NH- The Red Parka Pub Challenge Cup Committee is setting a tone this year for the running of the 45th Annual Challenge Cup Race, taking place on March 16, 2018. The committee is looking to shatter its fundraising goal of $10,000 and “bump it up” to $15,000 this year. The race, which is held at Attitash Mountain Resort, is the second largest fundraising event for the Eastern Slope Ski Club, a nonprofit that provides ski equipment and helps in ski development programs in the Mt. Washington Valley.

The committee plans to reach its goal through new fundraising strategies including a PledgeReg, where racers can raise additional funds beyond the racing fee to compete for prizes. The race fee is $65 in advance and registration takes place online at skireg.com. Racers can opt-in for the PledgeReg and those that raise $300 or more will have their race fee waived. Individuals or teams are both eligible to compete for separate grand prizes for raising the most money.

Keeping with its theme, “Bump It Up” will be the race slogan this year and the committee is working on new race swag for spectators and racers to purchase during the event. Proceeds from merchandise sales would go to the cause.

In addition, the Bib Draw Night which takes place on Thursday, March 15 at 6 p.m. is open to the public and includes a ton of raffles. All pub patrons are eligible to enter the raffle.

“We want to make it accessible for everyone to experience the fun of the Red Parka Race, and a lot of that happens off the hill,” said Terry O’Brien owner of the Red Parka Pub and Event Director. “So, even if you can’t race this year, you can stop by the pub on the night before The Cup and contribute to the cause!”

The Red Parka Pub Challenge Cup Race is a 21+ race. The registration fee is $65 and includes a lift ticket, guaranteed two runs on the course, an official race hat, a raffle ticket and a free dinner at the Awards Ceremony served by the Red Parka Pub in Ptarmigan’s Pub after racing concludes. Registration is now open and a link can be found on redparkapub.com. Race day registration is $75.

Story contributed by Laura Lemieux
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Riders Face Tough Tail Conditions On Tri-State Reciprocal Snowmobile Weekend

~Photo Courtesy of Craig Oesch

CONCORD, NH – Thousands of snowmobilers from Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and beyond descended upon the trails of the North Country despite poor trail conditions to enjoy the Tri-State Reciprocal Snowmobile Weekend.

Reciprocal weekend allows snowmobiles legally registered in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont to operate on trails in all three states from January 26th through the 28th.

Captain Dave Walsh, who oversees enforcement and safety education for Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle activities in New Hampshire said “Due to recent warm weather, trail conditions were reported to be marginal in most places in Coos County, with little to no riding throughout the rest of the state.”

The annual Tri-State Reciprocal Snowmobile Weekend is a boost to businesses in northern New Hampshire and throughout the state. The event is considered one of New Hampshire’s largest snowmobiling weekends.

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Vermont Man Injured In North Country Snowmobile Accident

 

PITTSBURG, NH (AP) – New Hampshire conservation officers say excess speed appears to be the cause of a snowmobile crash that injured a Vermont man.

Officers say the 48-year-old man from West Topsham, Vermont, was operating a snowmobile on the Waterfall Brook Road in Pittsburg Saturday afternoon when his sled rolled over while he was trying to make a right-hand turn at an intersection. His riding partners found him injured and went to summon help.

First responders from Pittsburg and conservation officers found the victim riding on a snowmobile. He was taken to the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Officials did not release his condition.

Officials say the crash is still under investigation, but unreasonable speed appears to have been a primary factor in the crash.

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Conway Woman Named To Union Leader’s 40 Under 40

28-year-old Jessica Wright of Conway was nominated to the Union Leader’s 40 under 40 ~ Photo courtesy of Greta Rybus

CONWAY, NH – A local woman has been named to the Union Leaders 40 under 40.

28-year-old Jessica Wright of Conway was nominated to the program, which recognizes some of the state’s brightest young achievers who have a record of professional and volunteer accomplishments in New Hampshire. This year’s class honors 28 women and 12 men from across the state.

Past honorees include Bode Miller, Kelly Ayotte, Frank Guinta, Jodi Piccoult, and John E. Sununu.

Wright, who grew up in the Valley, works at the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust, a local land conservation non-profit focused on “preserving land for community benefit”. Her work at the Land Trust draws on both her Master’s degree in Environmental Law and Policy and her undergraduate degree in Business Management. She is a founding member of the agricultural collaborative, Mt. Washington Valley Eaters & Growers (MWVEG) and chairs the young professionals group, STAY MWV. She also sits on the UNH Cooperative Extension Advisory Committee for Carroll County and Governor Chris Sununu’s Millennial Advisory Council.

A reception and awards program, sponsored by Citizens Bank, will be held on March 14 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit unionleader.com/forty.

For the full profile of all the members of this year’s 40 Under 40: www.unionleader.com/section/news0202. For more information on the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust: www.usvlt.org, Mt. Washington Valley Eaters & Growers: www.facebook.com/MWVEG/, STAY MWV: www.staymwv.com, UNH Cooperative Extension: extension.unh.edu/Carroll-County, or the Millennial Advisory Council: www.governor.nh.gov/millennial/index.htm.