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Conway Police Searching For Suspect In Christmas Tree Assault At Lowes

Police suspect that this man assaulted an elderly woman at Lowes in North Conway On Sunday (December 3) ~ Photo courtesy of Conway Police

 
 

***UPDATE*** The Conway Police posted on their Facebook page that a suspect has been identified. However they did not release the name of the suspect or if any arrests have been made.
 
Conway, NH – The Conway Police are looking for the public’s help in identifying two people related to an assault at the North Conway Lowes this past weekend. Conway Police posted on their Facebook page that on Sunday Officers responded to the store for a report of a man assaulting an elderly female customer in the store. According to the police log the assault happened over the last Christmas Tree in the store.

This woman  allegedly accompanied the suspect in the North Conway Lowes when the assault took place ~ Photo courtesy of Conway Police

 
The male suspect is described as a middle-aged medium build man standing at around 5’ 10”, with brown and gray facial hair wearing a hat and glasses. He was accompanied inside the store by a middle-aged female with blond hair. Police said the suspect left the store in a full size white pickup truck or SUV type vehicle.

 

 

 

Anyone with information about the identity of the two people is asked to contact Conway Police at (603) 356-5715. 

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New Study Says Coos County Residents Hopeful For Future But Concerned About Jobs

Durham, NH – A News Study released by UNH shows that residents Of Coos County are optimistic about the future of their area, but remain concerned about the lack of job opportunities and drug abuse. The Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire conducted a phone survey in four North Country counties—Coös and Grafton, New Hampshire; Oxford, Maine; and Essex, Vermont. Many of the questions had also been asked in previous Carsey surveys done in 2007 and in 2010.

Researches found that in Coos County lack of job opportunities stood out as the top problem across all three surveys, with 96% of respondents agreeing it was the most important concern in 2010. That number decreased greatly in the 2017 survey to 86%, but remained the most important problem on the list.

Not surprising with the recent opioid epidemic hitting the state concern about illegal drugs throughout Coos county jumped significantly, going from 55% in 2010 to 75% in 2017. A new item we added in 2017 to reflect the opioid epidemic, substance abuse and overdose, ranked even higher: 80 percent of respondents said this is an important problem in their county.

When asked about the future 80% of those surveyed said they planned to stay in Coos county for 5 or more years with 79% saying they believe their communities will be a better place to live or about the same within 10 years.

The study concluded that “most people living in these North Country counties continue to be optimistic about their communities and their own situations. The profound economic transformation of this previously manufacturing-dominated region over the past several decades has not shaken this community confidence, but it does drive the ongoing concerns about job and economic growth opportunities.”

For a look at the full study click here.

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Weekend Avalanche On Mt. Washington

Gorham, NH – Authorities are warning hikers and skiers on the highest peak in the northeast to be cautious after a human-triggered avalanche over the weekend. WMUR- TV reports that officials with the Mount Washington Avalanche Center said No one was injured in the Huntington Ravine avalanche, but it was a close call.

Officials reminded outdoor enthusiasts that even minimal snow on the mountain can produce an avalanche. The Avalanche Center’s website advises those looking to explore Mount Washington that the Summer Lion Head Trail has a very low avalanche risk and is currently a safer route than Tuckerman or Huntington Ravine Trail. Adding that The Lion Head Winter Route will be the preferred route when enough snow falls on the Lion Head summer route to create a bed surface and avalanche concerns.

Officials said hikers should get proper training in avalanche safety and check for snow dangers at the avalanche center’s daily update. For the most up to date advisories and avalanche danger on Mt. Washington Go to https://mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.com/

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Fryeburg Man Arrested For Causing Crash Resulting In Damage To A Garage

65-year-old Nelson Brown, of Fryeburg, is accused of driving his SUV into a parked truck that then crashed into a garage in Fryeburg ~ Photo courtesy of Fryeburg Police

 

Fryeburg, ME – A Fryeburg man was arrested after he allegedly caused a vehicle to crash into a garage. According to Fryeburg Police at around 6:40 Wednesday evening they were called to a motor vehicle crash into a building at 82 Lovewell Pond Road.

 

When officers arrived on scene they found that a vehicle had crashed into a parked Toyota SUV launching it into the residents garage, shifting it from its foundation. The suspect, later identified as 65-year-old Nelson Brown of Fryeburg, fled the scene in a Chevy Pickup truck after causing extensive structural damage to the building. Police said that they believe speed and driver impairment were contributing factors in the crash.

65-year-old Nelson Brown of Fryeburg faces faces multiple charges for allegedly hitting a parked SUV and then fleeing the scene. ~ Photo courtesy of Fryeburg Police

 
Thursday (November 30th) Officers located and arrested Brown for Aggravated Criminal Mischief (Class C Felony) and Leaving The Scene of a Property Damage Accident (Class E Misdemeanor). He was transported to the Oxford County Jail where his bail was set at $500 cash. Brown is scheduled to be in court for his initial arraignment on January 9th 2018.

Fryeburg Police Chief Joshua Potvin said “Fortunately no one was seriously injured in this crash. Anytime a vehicle unintentionally leaves the roadway it is a recipe for disaster.” Adding “This is our department’s 117th crash this year which is slightly higher than the 99 reportable crashes we investigated by this time last year.” 

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New Hampshire’s Senators And Congresswomen Ask President Trump For Disaster Declaration Following October Storm

 

Washington, D.C. – New Hampshire’s representatives have joined Governor Chris Sununu in asking for the President’s help after the October Storm that ravaged parts of the state.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen led a letter with Senator Maggie Hassan, Congresswomen Carol Shea-Porter, and Annie Kuster to President Trump in support of Governor Sununu’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of New Hampshire following the damage and costs incurred by severe rain and flooding during a storm on October 30th.

“As a result of the October 2017 storm, New Hampshire communities experienced a dangerous combination of heavy rainfall, wind and flash flooding that imposed significant property damage and strained state, municipal and county budgets. The magnitude of the damage caused by this storm is such that an effective response is beyond the capacity of New Hampshire’s state and local governments, justifying federal assistance,” the delegation wrote. “We urge you to grant a Major Disaster Declaration for New Hampshire as soon as possible in order to ensure that our state and towns have access to the resources and assistance they need to fully recover from this emergency.”

The letter said the cost associated with the October storm is approximately $6 million statewide. Earlier this week Governor Chris Sununu sent a letter to Congress asking for a major disaster declaration.

You can read the full letter here.

 

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Gene Chandler Elected Speaker Of NH House Again

 

Concord, NH – Bartlett representative Gene Chandler has been elected as the New Speaker of the House.

Chandler won on the second round of votes due to being 2 votes short of the 184 vote threshold in the first vote. House Clerk Paul Smith said 22 Republican protest votes went to “scatter” with over a dozen for deceased Rep. Steve Vaillancourt, while the others were left blank. During the second round of voting Chandler received 192 of 360 ballots cast, 11 more than he needed to win, while Democratic nominee Steve Shurtleff received 152 votes, Libertarian Nominee Jim McConnell got 11, and only five were in the “scatter” category.

Chandler will serve the remaining year of former speaker Shawn Jasper’s term. Chandler promised not to seek a full, two-year term when the House next chooses its leader, in December 2018.

Chandler previously served as speaker for two terms, from 2001-2004, but did not seek a third consecutive term after becoming embroiled in a fundraising scandal.