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Motorist Killed And Two Students Injured In Collision With Bus In Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, NH – Authorities say a driver has crashed into a school bus and died, and two students and the bus driver suffered minor injuries. The accident happened yesterday shortly before 7:30 a.m on Route 116 in Bethlehem.
The road was closed in both directions at Wing Road but has since reopened.
WMUR-TV reports authorities say the driver crossed lanes, crashed into the oncoming bus, and died. The driver’s name was not released.
The bus was taking students from Lin-Wood High School in Lincoln to White Mountains Regional High School in Whitefield.
An SUV also was involved in the accident, luckily the driver was uninjured.
Authorities said they are still investigating the cause of the crash.
The Results Are In, Keno Is Out, And The Rec. Center Will Be Moving
CONWAY,NH – The Conway Recreation Department and Town Hall will be moving. Tuesday Conway residents hit the polls to decide on 34 warrant articles, several local leadership positions, and the operating budget.
According to the official results 31 of the 34 articles as well as the town operating budget passed.
Article 21 which asked to allow the electronic Bingo like gambling game Keno, was rejected by the people of Conway by just 40 votes (679-719).
Article 22 failed 408-989 at the polls, the article would have given tax break for new industrial development.
Article 35 was rejected by voters 168-1,189. The article sought to give commercial development a 50% tax exemption for 5 years .
Article 7 which proposed to lease unused space at Kennett Middle school to act as the new Recreation Department for Conway passed by over 200 votes (834-605). The bill for the move is $700,000 half of which is covered thanks to a generous donation by Margaret L. and Charles S. Marshall.
Another somewhat controversial warrant article, Article 8, which proposed moving the Town hall to the Bank of New Hampshire Building in Conway costing the town $160,000 passed by over 500 votes (982-439).
Article 23 which asked to donate $10,000 to the Eastern Slopes Regional Airport was passed by voters 744-630.
Article 35 which sought to give commercial development a 50% tax exemption for 5 years was rejected by voters 168-1,189.
When it comes to town positions the new Town Clerk tax Collector will be Louise Inkell who defeated Cynthia Shirley 1099 to 247.
In the race for two seats on the Board of Selectmen the two John Colbath and Steve Porter will be keeping their positions. Colbath received 1067 votes and Porter got 979 votes. Challenger John Greenleaf Whittier received 222 votes.
In the race for library trustee positions Hans Hildebrand, Peter Innes, and Alison Memoli will have seats.
When it comes to the School system ballot the largest question at hand was Article 2 which asked for a $1.2 million, 20 year bond for electrical and mechanical upgrades to Pine Tree Elementary School. The article passed by the skin of it’s teeth receiving 866-575, just 1.5 votes above the 3/5 threshold it required.
According to the Conway Daily Sun a request for a recount has been submitted but school officials, however a date for the recount has not been announced.
All 11 Articles were approved by the town which included:
Articles 5 and 6 which all sought to add money to the Kennett Middle School ($17,086 ) and Elementary schools’ ($9,900) facilities maintenance fund.
Article 7 which agreed to a Three-year collective bargaining agreement between the school board and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, calling for an increase in salaries and benefits from July 1, 2018 till June 30, 2021.
The proposed school budget, Article 8, of $37,139,445 for the 2018-2019 school year.
Project SUCCEED (Schools Under Contract Creating Enriching Extended Days) at John Fuller, Pine Tree and Conway Elementary for will be funded $47,473 thanks to Article 9.
The school system will also be purchasing two full-size school buses due to the approval of Article 10, costing $182,000, $45,000 of which will be withdrawn from the Capital Reserve Fund.
Article 11 asks voters to authorize the School Board to enter into a lease agreement with the Town in order for the Conway Recreation Department to lease space at Kennett Middles School, a measure that was also approved on the Town ballot.
15th Annual Mount Washington Valley Chili Cook Off Results
NORTH CONWAY, NH – Hundreds of chili-tasters roamed North Conway Village while celebrating the 15th Annual Mt Washington Valley Chili Cook-off and 2nd Annual Feelin’ Good 5K run/walk. While the temps started out cool, the festivities and the chili were hot-hot-hot, and a great time was had by all who enjoyed chili tasting along with special discounts and a themed escape event.
Winners of the Professional Division were judged by members from the American Culinary Federation White Mountain Chapter, headed by Bryant Alden, Chef from the Wildcat Tavern in Jackson. Winners of the Professional Division included:
North Conway Country Club for Best Chili, 1st Place
Big Dave’s Bagels for Best Chili, 2nd Place
Centerplate catering for Best Chili, 3rd Place
Inn at Thorn Hill for Best Vegetarian Chili, 1st Place
In addition, Chili Cookoff-goers were given the opportunity to vote for their favorite in the Professional Division. Winners of the People’s Choice Awards in the Professional Division were:
Inn at Thorn Hill for Best Chili
Big Dave’s Bagels for Best Cornbread
Those attending the Chili Cookoff also voted on their favorites from among the Home Chefs division. Winners of the People’s Choice Awards for Home Chefs were:
Eastern Propane & Oil for Best Chili, 1st Place
Steve Celani for Best Chili, 2nd Place
White Mountain Dental for Best Chili, 3rd Place
M&D Playhouse for Best Cornbread
Eastern Propane & Oil for Best Display
For more information about upcoming events and visiting Mt Washington Valley, go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org or call 800-3670-3364. To learn more about visiting New Hampshire, go to www.VisitNH.gov.
Story contributed by:
Michelle Cruz,
MWVCC Events Manager,
events@mtwashingtonvalley.org
Conway Town Voting Day, Know Before You Go To The Polls
CONWAY, NH – Residents of Conway will be deciding if the Conway Recreation center will be moving, who will be the new town clerk, and other issues when they head to the polls today.
The polls at the Conway Community Building in Conway will be open from 8a.m. till 7p.m.
Of the more contentious issues is Article 7, which asks the town to approve the relocation of the Conway Recreation department to an unused section of the Kennett Middle school, costing an estimated $700,000 half of which would be donated by Margaret and Charles Marshall. The board of selectmen recommend the article, however the budget committee does not.
Article 8 asks for the town’s approval to relocate the town hall to the Bank of New Hampshire building in Conway, which is estimated to cost around $160,000 for remodeling and renovation costs. If approved the town would sign a lease that would run 36 years broken into three 12 year options. The proposed rent would equal the bank’s annual property tax bill. Both the board of selectmen and Budget Committee recommend the article.
Other things up for discussion at the meeting include the towns recommended budget for the year, excluding special warrant articles. As stated in Article 4 the requested budget is $11,078,998. If not approved the budget would be set at 2017 budget amount of $10,951,370.
Not included in the budget is a new proposed agreement with the Conway Police Department. Article 5 asks to go into a new agreement with the Police for 2018 and 2019 which would include a $65,063 increase in costs over the current agreement to cover salaries and benefits over two years.
Article 19 asks to appropriate $2 million to construct a 2.8 multi-purpose path from Cranmore Mountain Resort to Hemlock Lane. The project is a part of Mount Washington Valley Recreation Path project. Those funds would be attained similarly to Article 17, with no money coming from local property taxes.
In Article 20 the Conway Town Library seeks to raise no more than $7,500 to create and design a new website. The funds for this would come from the Library Trustee Donation Account.
One proposal which many towns across the state will be discussing is Article 21 which asks whether or not the town wishes to allow the electronic gambling game Keno. The game has been approved in several towns across the state including in Berlin. A portion of the proceeds from the game go towards funding full-day kindergarten in the state, though a town does not need to allow the game in order to benefit from it.
Article 23 is sure to be something many will question at the Wednesday night meet. It asks the town to give $10,000 to the Eastern Slopes Regional Airport located in Fryeburg.
On petition that was originally rejected by the town but has since been added is Article 25 which seeks to give the Conway Area Humane Society $10,000 for medical care.
When it comes to town positions up for election, the town will be looking to fill the role of Town Clerk tax collector, as 5 term town Clerk Rhoda Quint announced earlier this year she will not be running for reelection. The town will be deciding between Louise Inkell and Cynthia Shirley.
John Colbath and Steven Porter are running to keep their seats on the board of selectmen. John Greenleaf Whittier is also running for a seat on the board of selectmen.
The town will also have to decide on the library trustees, of the four up for election resident will have to choose 3 between Hans K. Hildebrand, Peter Innes, Alison Memoli, and Linda Fox Phillips. Trustees Donna Dolan and Debbie Cross are not running for re-election.
There are also several write in campaigns in town for various positions up for election.
Click for a full look at all of the warrant articles and operating budgets, and a sample ballot.
Commuters Prepare, Repairs Begin on Route 3 Bridge In Meredith Monday
MEREDITH, NH- Bridge repair work is about to tie up commuters on a key route in Meredith. The bridge deck repair project is scheduled to start today on the U.S. Route 3 bridge over Mill Stream.
Traffic on Route 3 near the bridge will be restricted to one lane northbound and one lane southbound, with periodic temporary lane shifts.
The turning lanes on NH Route 25 at the traffic signals, left hand turns on to US 3 be reduced to one left hand turn lane only.
Normal traffic patterns are expected to resume by June 9th when the project will be suspended for the summer months, resuming on Sept. 4.
This project includes roadway and intersection improvements on US Route 3 and NH Route 25 from NH Route 104 to the Meredith/Center Harbor town line. It include traffic signals, drainage, guardrail and sidewalk work, as well as a new signalized crosswalk on US Route 3.
R.M. Piper, of Plymouth, New Hampshire is the contractor for the $2.58 million which is expected to be completed on November 2.
Officials Warn Of Avalanche Danger On Mt. Washington
SARGENT’S PURCHASE, NH 1 – The Mount Washington Avalanche Center said there is Considerable avalanche danger in Huntington and Tuckerman Ravine. The cautions come after there were three avalanches triggered by skiers recreating on the highest peak in the north east.
The first was in Lobster Claw with no reported injuries and then minutes later a second one was triggered on Hillman’s Highway that caught and carried at least 5 people, with one injury reported.
On Sunday another skier triggered avalanche occurred in Center Bowl, luckily no one was reported caught, carried, or injured.
The centers said that there is considerable avalanche danger in central gully and moderate avalanche danger on Yale, Pinnacle, Odell, South, and Escape Hatch, all in Huntington ravine.
In Tuckerman Ravine Sluice, Lip, and Center Bowl have Considerable avalanche danger.
The center advises all of those looking to recreate on the mountain said careful snowpack evaluations, cautious route finding, and conservative decision making are essential. They added that anyone looking to be on the mountain should carry a beacon, a shovel, and a probe and know how to use them.
For the most up to date avalanche danger level on Mount Washington and for more information about the avalanche safety go to mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org
Granite Back Country Alliance Permitted To Create Ski Projects In White Mountain National Forest
NORTH CONWAY, NH – Granite Backcountry Alliance (GBA) is excited to announce the approval of two backcountry ski projects by the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF), Saco Ranger District, on Bartlett Mountain in Bartlett, New Hampshire and Baldface Mountain in Chatham, New Hampshire. These two projects are the first authorized tree skiing projects in the WMNF. The Decision Memo, issued on March 30, 2018 and executed by Jim Innes, District Ranger of the WMNF’s Saco District, addresses the substantial rise in public demand for tree (or glade) skiing and to protect forest resources from unauthorized tree cutting.
The Decision Memo stated, “The purpose of the backcountry ski trail project is to provide high quality experiences in backcountry ski areas, while protecting wildlife habitat and other resources. In addition, the WMNF will work collaboratively with GBA to promote partnerships and stewardship of public lands.”
GBA, a New Hampshire nonprofit organization, was formed in 2016 to develop human-powered backcountry skiing opportunities in New Hampshire and western Maine. Tyler Ray, GBA’s Granite Chief, remarked “We are incredibly excited to partner with the WMNF in implementing these historic backcountry skiing projects. We commend the WMNF for recognizing the surge in skier demand for backcountry terrain and look forward to working with the National Forest on these projects and others in the future. Today’s decision marks a new-normal in how public lands are managed for glade skiing – through a thoughtful, transparent and candid partnership. This decision will provide a significant boost to our community of backcountry skiers”.
Long-time skier and outdoors advocate United States Congresswoman Anne McLane Kuster (2nd CD – NH), who provided support in connecting GBA and WMNF, stated “New Hampshire has some of the most interesting and challenging ski terrain in the East and expanding access to glade skiing is a great way to boost tourism and grow our outdoor recreation industry. This partnership between Granite Backcountry Alliance and the Forest Service brings a new and unique recreational outlet to the WMNF and will help support our economy and protect our forests. I was proud to support this effort and commend the hard work of everyone who has helped make this possible. I look forward to working with the Alliance and the Forest Service to explore more opportunities for glade skiing throughout the White Mountains.”
Bartlett Mountain stands at 2,661 feet tall and was formerly the home of the Maple Villa Ski Trail, cut by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1933, which descended from the summit over 2,000 vertical feet in two and one-half miles. The initial popularity of the trail waned as the in- troduction of automated chairlifts became a more convenient option at nearby ski resorts. According to the Decision Memo, this 410 acre zone on Bartlett Mountain’s north-slope authorizes GBA as the responsible entity for “vegetation removal, and installing and maintaining signs for the backcountry ski zones.”
The Decision memo also authorizes development of up to fifteen percent of the approved area as glade skiing terrain (with the balance remaining wild), with the revival of the Maple Villa Ski Trail as a main corridor for traveling uphill. The gladed ski terrain will follow a braided ski line design, where intersecting ski lines protect habitat and wildlife.
Baldface Mountain, located in New Hampshire just over the border from Maine in an area known as Evans Notch, will be a big draw for Maine skiers. The top of the authorized zone is known as “Baldface Knob” standing at 3,025 feet tall and hosting a unique alpine zone. The authorized area for developing glade skiing terrain is 600 acres and the vertical drop is 2,500 to the bottom. “Baldface Knob will be a thrilling ski with its alpine and gladed terrain, uncommon conditions outside of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range. It has the potential to be a classic glade, a slightly smaller scale yet modern version of Tuckerman Ravine flowing into the John Sherburne Ski Trail,” said Ray. “We expect this zone to appeal broadly to all ability levels and incorporate an existing on-mountain lean-to. It also checks the box on trying to diffuse high traffic zones focused on Pinkham Notch, north of North Conway (NH).”
GBA hired Sustainable Trailworks, LLC out of Vermont to perform the glade skiing terrain design, all of which must be reviewed and approved by the WMNF before implementation. GBA anticipates commencing development in late summer through late fall and will announce glade days later this spring in coordination with the WMNF. HEB Engineers and other local businesses and volunteers also provided technical assistance and man-power to scout these areas, find the CCC trail after decades of non-use, and recommend the best backcountry experience for approval.
GBA, a New Hampshire nonprofit organization developing backcountry skiing in New Hampshire and western Maine, will host the 2 nd annual Wild Corn Shindig on Saturday, April 7 th , at Black Mountain in Jackson, New Hampshire. All proceeds benefit Granite Backcountry Alliance and its many projects, including the Bartlett and Baldface projects.
More information about GBA and its ski projects can be found on its website www.granitebc.org.
Story contributed by:
Tyler Ray,
Granite Chief Granite Backcountry Alliance
603-356-5439
Casco Man Seriously Injured In Harrison Car Crash
HARRISON, ME – A Maine man had to be extracted from his vehicle after serious car accident in Harrison.
According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s office at around 8:40 Wednesday night 23-year-old Noah Goodness was headed into Harrison from Bridgton on Main Street, when he crossed the oncoming lane, leaving the roadway and striking large tree. Luckily a passing motorist saw the accident and reported it to authorities.
Rescuers pulled Goodness from the totaled truck and immediately Life Flighted him to Central Maine Medical Center with traumatic leg injuries and multiple broken bones. His injuries were described as serious but non-life threatening.
Authorities said that the crash remains under investigation but they do believe speed and alcohol were factors in the crash.
Police Arrest Bridgton Man After High Speed Chase In Stolen U-Haul
BRIDGTON, ME – A Bridgton man is under arrest after leading police on a high speed chase in a U-haul Truck. According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office a Bridgton Officer attempted to stop a pickup truck on Route 107 in Bridgton at around midnight last night, when the driver sped off at a high rate of speed.
After the officer discontinued the pursuit Police learned that the driver, 25-year-old George Sproul, was wanted in connection with an active burglary investigation being conducted by the Maine State Police.
Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office located the truck driving on Route 107 by of Long Hill Road in the town of Sebago, but Sproul allegedly continued to attempt to evade authorities. The Deputies continued to chase Sproul at high speeds, as other deputies set up spike mats at an upcoming intersection at Boundary Road and Pequaket Trail, Route 113. The spike mat flattened three out of the four tires and Sproul pulled over and surrendered.
Police identified the vehicle that Sproul was driving as a 2017 Dodge Ram U-Haul truck that had been rented by an acquaintance of Sproul’s but was never returned and had been reported stolen. Upon recovery of the vehicle, Police said they found that someone had attempted to spray-paint the white truck black.
Sproul was taken to the Cumberland County Jail with a NO BAIL status.
Sproul faces multiple charges including Eluding class C, Reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon class C, Driving to endanger class E, Criminal speed class E, Probation revocation warrant.
Authorities also said that other charges will be forthcoming after an investigation.
The 2018 Local Song Of The Year Winner Is……
!Riley Parkhurst!
After the largest voting turn out 93.5 FM WMWV has ever had for this contest Riley Parkhurst has been named the 2018 Song Of The Year Contest Winner!
You can listen to her song below.
Riley wins A LIVE lunchtime performance of her song on 93.5 WMWV FM! Nowhere will be added to the 93.5 WMWV FM on-air rotation for the rest of 2018 and recognized as the WMWV LOCAL SONG OF THE YEAR, and she will be receiving a check for $1,000!
Also Riley will be invited to do an encore performance at a local venue to celebrate her win.
Riley’s song Nowhere was chosen by you the listeners among the four finalist. Coming in second place was The Fake News with their song “Keira’s Love”, third place was “Erik Grant Band with “Who Would You See”, and fourth place was Carlos Olmeda with his song “Willamena”
Be sure to check out Riley Parkhurst and her band The Riley Parkhurst project on their website www.rileyparkhurst.com