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76-Year-Old Found Safe After Getting Lost On South Moat Mountain

CONWAY, NH – A 76-year-old man was found after getting lost on south moat mountain last night. Fish and game authorities said that marvin schwartz of Conway went hiking on moat mountain trail yesterday (Thursday) at around 10 am with the expectation of being home around 1 that afternoon.

When he hadn’t returned home by 5pm his wife reported him overdue and conservation officers responded. Officers found his car at the moat mountain trailhead parking area and were able to follow his tracks locating him at around 9:30pm in the red eagle brook drainage less than a mile from Passaconaway Road.

He was in good spirits and unharmed. Conservation officers walked him to Hammond Lane where he was driven back to his vehicle.

He told conservation officers that he hiking to south moat mountain and he slipped on a slab of ice taking him off trail. He attempted to self-rescue by following a drainage that eventually lead to Passaconaway Road but became disoriented when it became dark.

Fish and Game officials said this is a good reminder to hikers to always carry appropriate equipment for unexpected situations and be prepared to spend the night if necessary.

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Governor Sununu To Senators “Do Your Job”

 

CONCORD, NH – New Hampshire’s Governor sent a message to Washington today in reference to the possible Government shut down titled “Do Your Job”.

In his letter Governor Chris Sununu said that the Senate has the opportunity to reauthorize the Childrens Health Insurance Program, which provides health coverage to eligible children, through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs.

The program insurance close to 15 thousand young Granite Staters.

Governor Sununu said “Now is the time to put politics aside so that we can work towards a solution that gives New Hampshire’s children access to the healthcare they need, especially during their most vulnerable and formative years,”

The Governor continued “The Senate has the opportunity to reauthorize CHIP for six years – the longest reauthorization of health insurance for American children in history. I implore Senators Shaheen and Hassan to vote for today’s continuing resolution.”

He ended the letter saying “DACA is a serious issue that should be addressed, but not at the expense of shutting down the federal government and jeopardizing children’s healthcare. “

 

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Hiker Carried Off Of Boulder Loop Trail

 

ALBANY, NH -A hiker had to be carried out after being injured on an Albany trail. New Hampshire Fish and Game Officials said 71-year-old Kenneth Kolano from New Jersey was hiking the Boulder Loop Trail Wednesday afternoon when he fell injuring his leg.

He was with seven other hikers and they were able to call 911 for assistance.

The trail is a 2.8 mile loop and Mr. Kolano was about 1.2 miles from the trailhead when he was injured. He attempted to continue walking but his injury coupled with very icy trail conditions required rescuers to place him in a litter and carry him out to the trailhead.

Mr. Kolano reached the trailhead shortly after 6:00 PM and left with members of his group to seek medical attention.

Personnel from the US Forest Service, NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers and students currently enrolled at a SOLO EMT course participated in the rescue.

Fish and Game Officials cautioned hikers saying Trail conditions throughout the White Mountains are extremely icy after the warm weather and rain the area received last week. Recent snowfall covered the ice and made trail conditions more difficult. Microspikes and or crampons are a necessity. Also, in higher elevations or if hikers find themselves off trail snowshoes are also a must.

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Governor’s Recommended 10 Year Transportation Plan Includes Reconstruction Of Conway Village

 

CONCORD, NH – Governor Chris Sununu has submitted his recommendation for the ten year transportation improvement plan and it includes a lot of work on many Mount Washington Valley roads.

The ten year transportation plan is the culmination of multiple meetings between the Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation with additional input from over 20 public hearings throughout the state.

The Governors draft included plans for roundabout improvements in Conway at the intersection of route 16 and 153 as well as at the intersection of route 16 with construction starting in 2019.

Plans also include a reconstruction of Route 16 in the Conway Village stretching from Olympic Lane to Village Lane set to begin in 2019.

Valley bridge repairs and replacements are also in the drafted plans including Washington Street bridge in Conway, the Route 16 bridge over the Ellis River in Jackson, and three red listed bridges in Ossipee on Routes 16 and 25.

For a full look at the newest draft of the ten year transportation plan Click Here.

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Transgender Protection Bill Going Before House Committee

Advocates for HB1319 gathered at the State House Legislative Office Building on January 17 to show their support for the bill. ~ Photo Courtesy of Freedom New Hampshire’s Facebook page.

 

CONCORD, NH -A bill seeking to protect transgender Granite Staters from discrimination is being heard by a House Committee.

House Bill 1319 would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity for employment, access to housing, and public spaces like restaurants, shops, and government buildings throughout New Hampshire.

Advocates gathered at the State House Legislative Office Building for a news conference today to show support for the bill.

“We’ve always valued freedom and opportunity here in New Hampshire,” said the bill’s lead sponsor Representative Ed Butler (D-Hart’s Location). “HB 1319 isn’t about creating new or special protections for anyone – it’s simply about updating our state’s laws so that our transgender friends and loved ones have the same protections as everyone else. Our state is at its strongest when we’re all free to work hard, earn a decent living, and go about our lives without fear of discrimination. That’s all HB 1319 is about.”

“The Business and Industry Association is constantly seeking new ways to make New Hampshire more competitive and make it the best place in the nation to live, work, and raise a family. In our view, transgender freedom is an issue of economic competitiveness,” said David Juvet, Senior Vice President of Public Policy for the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association. “New Hampshire has a significant workforce shortage. We believe that our legislature should do all it can to position the state as being welcome to all, including those who are transgender.”

“At the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation we take women’s safety and privacy very seriously. Nothing in HB 1319 would change the fact that it is already illegal to threaten or assault a woman in a public bathroom,” said Sarah Mattson Dustin, Director of Policy at the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation. “Transgender people face disproportionate rates of discrimination, harassment, and violence in all areas of their lives. Transgender women are women, and like all women, we want them to be safe, to have equal opportunity, and to be treated fairly. That is what HB 1319 offers.”

All of the other New England states and multiple other states across the nation have similar protections in law.

New Hampshire provides protections already based on race, religion, sexual orientation and several other factors.

A similar measure passed the House Health and Human Services Committee in last year 15-2 but was then tabled by House leadership last year.

The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a bill hearing on Jan. 31.

 

 

 

Story written with contributions from Barbara MacLeod
(207) 752-0484, barbmacleod@comcast.net
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Take One, Leave One Coat Rack In Conway

Lisa and Mike O’Keefe created a take one leave one coat rack to help Conway residents who are without a winter jacket this season. ~ Photo Courtesy of Lisa O’Keefe

CONWAY, NH – A local family is helping to make sure every one in the Mount Washington Valley has access to a winter coat.

Lisa and Mike O’Keefe put up a coat rack where generous residents could leave a winter jacket and those without could grab one.

Lisa said she was inspired by the kindness of another across the country. “We saw an article on the news about a woman in Dallas Taxes who put a coat rack on her side walk with a sign reading Are you cold? Take one… Do you want to help? Leave one. Knowing how kind and generous the MWV is, we thought – Why can’t we put up a rack like Dallas?”

She continued saying “The reason I wanted it out in the open is because most people who need help are too proud to be seen taking items. This way it’s accessible 24/7!”

Lisa and her husband built the coat rack and Conway Selectmen Carl Thibodeau, owner of Conway Marketplace and J & D Tool Repair, gave them permission to place the coat rack in his plaza.

The rack was put up Sunday morning and by that evening Lisa was getting messages saying it was filling up fast. In fact the rack was such a success that she is considering putting up another one somewhere in the Mount Washington Valley.

If you would like to help either provide the next Take One/Leave One Coat Rack location, building materials, or funds contact Lisa O’Keefe on Facebook