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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.

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Bartlett’s Gene Chandler Up For Speaker Of The NH House

 

Concord, NH – Today the New Hampshire House is electing its new speaker to replace Shawn Jasper, who is leaving to become the state agriculture commissioner. Jasper’s resignation takes effect at 9:59 this morning, a minute before the House session begins.

Republicans, who hold a majority in the House, on Tuesday picked Deputy Speaker Gene Chandler from Bartlett as their nominee. Chandler, who is in his 18th year in the House, previously served as speaker from 2001 to 2004.

Governor Chris Sununu Released a statement about the nomination saying “Representative Chandler is a strong, principled conservative, and I applaud the Republican House Caucus’ decision today to support him as House Speaker….I look forward to working with Representative Chandler in the upcoming legislative session and over the course of the next year, so we can continue to make New Hampshire the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

On the Democratic side, Rep. Steve Shurtleff of Concord is the only candidate, and Rep. Jim McConnell of Swanzey was nominated as a Libertarian.

The voting gets underway Thursday morning.

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NBC Today Show Anchor Matt Lauer Fired Over “Inappropriate Sexual Behavior” Complaint

Former NBC Today Show Anchor Matt Lauer was fired this morning after a complaint was filed alleging inappropriate sexual behavior ~ Photo Courtesy of Wikipeia.com

Long Time Today Show Anchor Matt Lauer has been fired from NBC News. NBC Announced earlier this morning that Lauer was fired after an employee filed a complaint about “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace,” Savannah Guthrie made the announcement at the top of the “Today” show, where Lauer has been an anchor for over twenty years.

Guthrie said she was told of Lauer’s firing just moments before going on the air.

During the show she said “This is a sad morning at ‘Today’ and NBC News,” she continued “As I’m sure you can understand, we are devastated. I’m heartbroken for Matt.”

Guthrie also said she was heartbroken for the woman who accused Lauer of misconduct, noting “it’s long overdue” that women feel comfortable coming forward against abusive men.

NBC News chairman Andrew Lack sent out a memo to staff that it was the first complaint lodged against Lauer in his career at the network. But he said “we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.”

Lauer is the most recent high profile person in the media to be fired or suspended after allegations of sexual misconduct. CBS News Morning Anchor Charlie Rose was fired last week after claims of years of sexual misconduct was reported by The Washington Post.