WMWV – 93.5

Memorial Hospital Interim CEO Lee Myles. Photo courtesy of Memorial Hospital

NORTH CONWAY, NH –   Memorial Hospital will bring in a highly regarded Northern New England Hospital leader to be its interim chief executive officer.

Lee Myles, who for many years was the leader of St. Mary’s Health System in Lewiston, Maine, prior to his retirement in 2015, has agreed to take on the interim assignment starting on Oct. 22. He will step in for Scott McKinnon, who previously announced his retirement, effective Oct. 31.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Lee’s caliber stepping into this interim role, and it will be helpful that he will have some time with Scott to ease the transition,” said Laura Jawitz, chair of the Memorial Board of Trustees. Jawitz said Myles is not a candidate for the CEO role on a permanent basis, adding that the search for a permanent hospital leader is well under way and on track to be completed in March.
“Lee is ideally suited for this assignment. He is adept at community outreach and knowledgeable about all aspects of hospital management,” said Jawitz.

Myles began his career 40 years ago at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bangor, Maine, and held successive positions of increasing responsibility for 14 years before joining St. Mary’s – which is an affiliate of Memorial’s parent organization, MaineHealth -­ as its vice president and chief operating officer. He assumed the role of CEO at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in 2006 and in 2010 was named president and CEO for St. Mary’s Health System until his retirement at the end of 2015. Myles holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., and a master’s in health administration from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Myles has been involved in community and hospital industry volunteer organizations throughout his career, including an active role with the Maine Hospital Association and as a fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives. His community and volunteer involvement includes a number of local and national organizations, including as a member of the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council Future Forum and as the Clinical Committee chair with the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation Board of Directors.

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.        

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.

~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.

BERLIN, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Department of Corrections is investigating the death of a prisoner who was serving a life sentence for murder.

The Corrections Department says 65-year-old Joel Smith was found unresponsive at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility in Berlin. Corrections officers and medical personnel attempted life-saving measures on Smith. The state’s medical examiner is investigating the death and Smith’s next of kin have been notified.

In 1979, Smith was convicted of murder in Maine and given a life sentence. He was sent to New Hampshire in 1995 as part of an Interstate Compact process with Maine.