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Settlement Reached In Fatal Maine Hayride Accident Lawsuit

 

Mechanic Falls, ME – The lawsuit over the death of a Maine teen involved in a hayride crash has been settled.

A lawyer representing the family of 17-year-old Cassidy Charette who died in a 2014 hayride crash at Harvest Hills Farm says they have settled their lawsuit against the farm owner who operated the attraction. The settlement amount in the wrongful death lawsuit wasn’t disclosed.

The family says the money from the settlement will support the charity they established two years ago in honor of Cassidy. The ShineOnCass Foundation encourages young people to get involved in volunteering in their communities.

Charette lost her life and more than a dozen others were injured when the hay wagon on went out of control after a brake failure, causing the jeep towing the hayride to jack-knife and flip over. Prosecutors said the 1979 had numerous safety problems. The farm has since filed for bankruptcy and been sold at auction.

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Keeping Your Dog Safe During The Dog Days Of Summer

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com



As hot temperatures and sunny weather continues so do the increase in calls to local authorities, social media misinformation, and in some case the loss of beloved pets. News Director Christian Mower looked to separate fact from fiction when it comes to how to keep canine friends safe as well as when and when not to act when you see a car in a vehicle on a hot day.

He spoke with local experts Lt. George Walker from the Conway Police Department, Dr. Rachael Kleidon and Dr. Amanda Flagg from North Country Animal Hospital, and Brian Ahearn from Four Your Paws Only.

If the above audio fails to play Click Here.

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Wolfeboro Man Arrested For Allegedly Leaving A Child Alone In A Vehicle

27-year-old Jonathan Lopez was arrested for allegedly leaving his child in a running vehicle unattended. ~ Photo Courtesy of Wolfeboro Police



Wolfeboro, NH – A Wolfeboro man was arrested after leaving his child in a car Sunday. According to Wolfeboro Police an officer was flagged down while on patrol in downtown by two citizens at Hunters Shop and Save.

The citizens reportedly told the officer about a toddler age child found left unattended inside a running vehicle. After several minutes, the owner of the vehicle 27-year-old Jonathan Lopez returned.

Following an investigation into the matter, Lopez was later taken into custody and charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Unattended Vehicle. The child was turned over to the custody of a family member.

Lopez was taken to the Wolfeboro Police Department for processing and later released on $500.00 PR bail.

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Cost Of Caring For Seized Great Danes Expected To Hit Half A Million Dollars

Photo by Meredith Lee/The HSUS



Wolfeboro, NH – The Cost of taking care of the seized Great Danes from a Wolfeboro mansion is expected to reach half a million dollars. According to NH-1 News the cost for caring for the dogs is estimated at $500,000 if the case is wrapped up by Oct. 25 as scheduled. If it goes on for months or even years, which is a possibility, it could be over a million dollars.

The Humane Society for the United States created a temporary emergency shelter until the case goes to trial in October, which is standard practice during cases like this. Lindsay Hamrick, state director of the HSUS told NH-1 that a large amount of the cost is due to how much the large dogs need to eat.

Officials said that the animals are improving after being removed from what was described as squalid conditions. Six of the dogs are recovering after having surgery to treat cherry eye. The dogs were all treated for Giardia, Papilloma virus, and many suffer from untreated orthopedic issues.

Unfortunately Doctors cannot treat any ailment that is not more or less life-threatening, because dogs are seen as property of the defendant in the eyes of the law, and they cannot legally alter her property until after the case is decided.

HSUS is accepting donations to help with the cost of care, to donate Click Here.

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Group Of Hikers Safe After Getting Lost On Mt. Washington


Thompson & Meserves Purchase, NH – A group of Adults and their children got lost on Mount Washington During Saturday’s heavy rainstorm. According to New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers said that at around 9 o’clock Saturday night they received a call from a group of three adults and two children who took a wrong turn on Jewell trail and ended up lost off trail while still above tree-line. After several hours of working through the tough vegetation and blowdowns and enduring the heavy rains and approaching darkness, the group decided to call for help.

The call came in via 911, but an attempt to pinpoint the lost hikers was unsuccessful. The group reported that they were on a brook and they were advised to continue following the brook down.

While plans for a search were being initiated, a second call to 911 by the hikers stated that two of the adults were too exhausted to continue, but one adult and his two young sons decided to continue trying to find their way out. This time the call did give authorities their location, which placed the three on Jefferson Brook, approximately a mile from the Jewell Trail, but less than a ¼ mile from Jefferson Notch Rd.

Shortly after 9:45pm the adult and his 2 sons, later identified as Patrick Ford, and his two minor children from Brewster, NY made it to Jefferson Notch road and met up with conservation officers.

Two Conservation Officers hiked in and located the other two hikers, identified as Edward Stivers and his son Andrew Stivers from NJ, approximately ¾ of a mile from Jefferson Notch Road. They were evaluated and assisted out of the woods, back to the road arriving at approximately 2:00a.m. The hikers were cold, wet, and tired, but otherwise uninjured.

New Hampshire Fish and Game reminds Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts that being prepared with essential gear, such as a headlamp or flashlight, maps and understanding how to follow a trail could mean the difference between making it out of the woods by yourself or calling for help. For safe hiking tips and a list of essential gear, visit hikesafe.com.

Outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to purchase a Hike Safe card at wildnh.com/safe.  The card helps support Fish and Game search and rescue efforts.

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NJ Man Hurt In UTV Accident


Berlin, NH – A New Jersey man has been seriously injured in a utility task vehicle crash. New Hampshire Fish and Game Officials said at around 4 p.m. Thursday19-year-old Mosher Weissler, of Lakewood, New Jersey, rolled a UTV to its side while driving with a group along Brook Road Trail in Berlin.

After a 911 call was made by a member of his party, a NH Forest Ranger and Berlin EMS responded to the scene of the crash. Weissler was subsequently taken by Berlin EMS to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin for further evaluation and treatment for serious but non-life threatening injuries.

A NH Fish and Game Department Conservation Officer responded to the call as well and conducted a follow up investigation on this incident. Authorities said the operator was wearing a helmet and eye protection at the time of the incident. Inexperience is considered a primary factor in the cause of this crash.