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Hotel Construction Starting At Former Home Of Fandangle’s

NORTH CONWAY, NH – Construction has begun on a hotel in North Conway it was in limbo for years. The Conway Daily Sun reports that work on the new 80-room Home2Suites by Hilton off of Route 16 next to the Verizon Store is set to begin next month and continue through till summer. The site is the former home of Fandangle’s restaurant which burned down in 2007.

Ashtok Patel, vice president of development for Jamsan Hotel Management of Lexington, Mass., told the Sun that the project is targeted for completion by next summer, however plans to build the extended stay hotel were finalized with the Conway Planning Board in 2014.

Patel said the delay in construction was due to the company working on other projects. 

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Man Arrested For Allegedly Throwing Coffee On Conway Gas Station Employee

61-year-old Geffrey Sundgren of Lovell, Maine stands accused of assaulting a Conway gas station employee. ~ Photo Courtesy of Conway Police

A Lovell man was arrested after throwing coffee on a Gas Station employee. According to Conway Police, Officers were called to the Conway Irving Saturday night for a domestic dispute.

When the Officer arrived the victim said that a customer later identified as 61-year-old Geffrey Sundgren was upset that the gas station was out of creamer for his coffee. After a brief exchange of words with the male employee, Geoffrey Sundgren threw the hot coffee at him and left the establishment traveling northbound on Route 16.

The employee suffered burns to his neck and was treated on scene by Conway Ambulance, but was not transported to the hospital.

Sundgren was arrested and taken into custody a short time late and charged with simple Assault. The charge holds a maximum penalty of a $2000.00 fine and up to one year in jail.

Police said that Sundgren has a prior conviction of simple assault from 2015.        

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Cowboy Of the Mountains Al Risch Passes Away

Tuckerman Ravine a location near and dear to Al Risch’s heart so much so that he founded an organization to preserve the location.

CONWAY, NH – A skiing legend in the Mount Washington Valley has passed away. The Conway Daily Sun Reports that the Cowboy of the Mountains Al Risch passed away Saturday at the Merriman House at Memorial Hospital at age 85. Risch had been living at the Merriman house for the past year do to declining health.

He was the founder of the Friends of Tuckerman Ravine, the Professional Ski Patrol Association, and the Mount Washington Valley Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

He leaves behind quite the legacy including many humorous stories of adventures shared with friends on the mountains he loved so much. One such story told to the Sun from Al’s son Jake was the creation of the Al’s Folly, a trail at Wildcat that Al created without the approval of the Forest Service. The story highlighting Al’s ask for forgiveness rather than permission attitude that garnered him the nickname of the Cowboy of the Mountains.

Al’s legacy is a great one not just affecting the Valley but also the nation as standards he helped develop for paid ski patrollers remain in use to this day.

Risch leaves behind his loving wife, Alison, sons Jake and Matt, and granddaughter Naomi.

His family said that at Al’s request there will be no visiting hours but a celebration of life will be announced at a future date.

 

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Maryland Couple Rescued After Getting Lost Hiking Near Diana’s Bath

BARTLETT, NH – A couple of hikers are home safe after getting lost in Bartlett. Fish and Game Conservation Officers were called to Moat Mountain at around 7pm Monday (10/8/18) after 73-year-old Allen Burdette and his wife 60-year-old Roberta, from Aberdeen Maryland, got lost.

Authorities said the pair were hiking near Diana’s Bath when they became disoriented and ended up on the Moat Mountain Trail. The couple called for help saying that they were unsure of their location and were unable to continue due to the darkness, wet slippery terrain and they had no lights.

The 911 coordinate placed them approximately 0.5 miles north of the summit of North Moat Mountain and 5 miles from their vehicle at Diana’s Bath trailhead parking area. Rescuers found the hikers at 11 pm, They were cold, hungry and tired but otherwise unharmed. After receiving warm clothing food, water and headlamps they were escorted back to their vehicle at Diana’s Bath parking area, arriving at 4:00 a.m Tuesday.

Fish and Game Officials said this incident is a good reminder to all people recreating in the outdoors to plan appropriately when hiking.  When hiking in the mountains always monitor the weather forecasts and alter or delay you hike if necessary.   The weather suddenly and frequently changes in the mountains; hikers should carry appropriate equipment for unexpected situations and be prepared to spend the night if necessary. Having appropriate gear aides in safety. Please visit www.hikesafe.com for a list of recommended hiking equipment.

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Police Investigate Woman Found Dead In Rochester Storage Locker

 

ROCHESTER, NH – New Hampshire law enforcement officials are investigating a suspicious death in Rochester.

Police officers discovered the body of 45-year-old Jessica Purslow inside a self-storage unit after being alerted by a caller around midnight Sunday.

New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jennie V. Duval conducted an autopsy and determined that Purslow died of a single gunshot wound. Authorities said the manner of her death has not been determined and is pending further investigation. The attorney general’s office has described Purslow’s death as suspicious.

WMUR-TV reports the manager of Rochester Self Storage confirmed that Purslow had rented a unit there for a few years.

Police are asking anyone who saw Purslow at the Rochester Self Storage to contact the Rochester Police Department at 603-330-7127.

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Rochester Fair Will Be Back For Another Year

~Photo courtesy of Rochester Fair Facebook page

ROCHESTER,NH (AP) – Organizers of a more than 100-year-old New Hampshire fair that was shut down over finances say it will return for the second year in a row. Foster’s Daily Democrat reports officials announced Tuesday they have set Sept. 12, 2019 as opening day for the 143rd Rochester Fair.

The fair was canceled in 2017 due to debts and lower attendance. It was revived this year.

The Rochester Agricultural and Mechanical Association board says they made close to $118,000 in revenue at this year’s fair. Association clerk Don Whittum says about 20,000 people attended.

Fair staff coordinator Mark Perry says the fair’s success hinged on the fact that more than 100 staff members gave up their stipends. Still, Whittum says he believes the association can keep the fair going another 100 years.