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Body Of Missing New Jersey Man Found In White Mountain National Forest
CUTTS GRANT, NH – The search For a Missing New Jersey man came to tragic conclusion yesterday. The New Jersey Sierra Club confirmed that the body of 63-year-old Gregory Auriemma, of Brick, New Jersey, was found. According to reports Auriemma’s body was located by the appalacian mountain club in the Dry River Wilderness in Cutts Grant.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department initially worked off his last known location (North Conway), and later in the week developed information that he had stayed in the area of the Mizpah Spring Hut in Bean’s Grant on or about June 28.
Further information was then obtained linking Auriemma to an abandoned campsite near the Dry River Trail in Cutts Grant. A Fish and Game search and rescue team confirmed on Saturday (July 15) that the abandoned campsite was Auriemma’s.
A ground search of the Dry River drainage was conducted by that search team and the area was also searched by air with a New Hampshire National Guard Blackhawk helicopter. Hikers in that area were interviewed by Fish and Game Conservation Officers to try to obtain additional information.
Authorities are asking the public for any information available from hikers who have been in this area and may have met up with Auriemma; if you have any information, please call (603) 271-3361.
Fish and Game Conservation Officers were assisted in the search by the Upper Valley Wilderness Search and Rescue, New England K-9 Search and Rescue, Pemigewassett Valley Search and Rescue, the Appalachian Mountain Club, US Forest Service, a NH State Police search team, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, and NH State Forest Rangers.
Lt. Bradley Morse and Lt. Heidi Murphy from New Hampshire Fish and Game Contributed to this report.
Sununu Signs Bill Decriminalizing Marijuana Possession
HB 640 Takes Effect in 60 Days
It was one of 28 bills the Republican signed Tuesday, his office said in a news release.
House Bill 640 was passed by the Senate in a bipartisan 17-6 vote in May; it sailed through the House, 318-36, on March 8.
At the time, Sununu said he would sign the measure into law, calling it “common sense marijuana reform.”
Sen. Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, worked with stakeholders to engineer a compromise which he fought to protect against amendments proposed by decriminalization opponent Sen. Bill Gannon, R-Sandown.
“The reason I am supporting this bill is personal,” Bradley said in May. “A lot of us have kids. I do. Every parent knows kids are what we used to be when we were kids. They try things. I don’t want my kids facing one strike and you are out, because I’ve been there.”
Opponents of the bill said it would send the wrong message to youth, especially with the state deep in a drug addiction crisis.
Story provided by Union Leader
Note: Not included in the above story, HB 640 is described as follows…
Any person 18 years of age or older who is convicted of possessing up to three-quarters of an ounce of marijuana or five grams of hashish would be guilty of a violation, punishable by a fine of $100 for the first or second offense, or up to $300 for any subsequent offense within a three-year period. A fourth offense would result in a Class B misdemeanor charge.
Any person younger than 18 who is convicted of less than the threshold amounts of marijuana or hashish would be subject to a delinquency petition.
The bill takes effect in 60 days.
Search Continues for Missing New Jersey Man in the White Mountains
Lt. Heidi Murphy: (603) 271-3127
Conway Police Seeking Public’s Help In Locating Missing NJ Man
Conway, NH – Conway Police are looking for the publics help in locating a missing man who is believed to be hiking. According to Conway Police Lt. Christopher Mattei 53-year-old Alexander “Gregory” Auriemma from Brick New Jersey was reported missing after he failed to return to White Mountains Hostel on July 5th.
Auriemma was last seen at the White Mountains Hostel in Conway on June 24 wearing a large backpack meant for hiking. He was due to return back to after hiking various locations within the White Mountain National Forest. He is described as a white male with gray hair around 5-feet, 11 inches tall and between 180 – 200 pounds.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Conway Police Department at 603-356-5715.
U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen Talks With News Director Christian Mower About The American Health Care Act
Conway, NH – United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen will be in the Mount Washington Valley Friday. The Senator and former two term New Hampshire Governor will be visiting Memorial Hospital this morning at 10:30 to talk about the impact the Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal bill will have on rural hospitals.
Shaheen will then head up to Berlin to the St. Vincent de Paul Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. There the Senator will host a 1:45pm round table discussion with nursing home administrators and staff focusing on the impact Medicaid cuts proposed in the bill will have on the services and care in the Granite State.
News Director Christian Mower got a chance to speak with Senator Shaheen this morning about H.R. 1628 The American Health Care Act, renamed the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, better known as the Affordable Care Act. You can listen to the entire interview below.
If the Audio above fails to play Click Here.
Mount Washington Valley Bicycling Club Seeks To Help Riders Stay Safe This Summer
Conway, NH – A local group of cyclists are looking to help keep those who bike to work every day in the Valley safe. The Mount Washington Valley Bicycling Club is offering free helmets and lights to those who ride to work every day.
Todd powers the president of the club became concerned last summer for the number of workers riding bicycles erratically and more importantly without helmets or lights. That concern turned into action after a young woman from Mongolia, who worked in the valley, died due to brain trauma she suffered after falling off of her bicycle.
The program began late last August with help from the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber got the word out to members and held helmets and lights for their members employees.
For 2017 the club expanded the program to all the business owners who have foreign and local employees that use bicycles as their main form of transportation. The major employers of foreign workers were contacted and some have already distributed helmet and lights to them. Not yet enough.
Powers said their goal is to have local business owners make it known to their employees that the MWVBC will provide a helmet and blinking lights to any worker who commutes by bicycle.
“Business owners, chat with your employees. You know who is riding a bicycle to work. Ask them if they need helmets and lights, and the club, me personally, will deliver those helmets and lights to the business owner.” Said Powers.
Any Valley employers interested in the program is asked to get a list of employees that need helmets and lights and then email mwvbc@mwvbicyclingclub.org or visit mwvbicyclingclub.org
Correctional Officer Indicted After Allegedly Bringing Meth To Jail
Ossipee ,NH – A Correctional Officer has resigned after allegedly bringing drugs into the Carroll County Jail. According to the Carroll County Sheriffs Department Former Correctional Officer 28-year-old Zina Ryan, of Wakefield NH, is under investigation for allegedly bringing Methamphetamine into the Carroll County House of Corrections on June 4th.
Shortly after the investigation got underway Officer Ryan resigned from her position. Authorities said that there is currently no indication that any of the substance was given to any inmates.
She was indicted by the Carroll County Grand Jury for Acts Prohibited a Class B felony.
In a statement Sheriff Domenic Richardi and County Corrections Superintendent Jason Henry said “While this is a serious offense, it highlights the substance abuse crisis. This addiction is indiscriminate and affects people in all walks of life. It is important to strike a balance between holding people accountable and getting them the help they need”
Stolen Boat Crashed Into Ossipee Home
Ossipee, NH – A Boat crashed into a house in Ossipee early Monday morning. According to New Hampshire State Police-Marine Patrol Sergeant Seth Alie, he responded to a report of a vessel that had crashed into a home on Deer Cove Road in Center Ossipee at 12:11 am.
When Additional assisting agencies including the Ossipee Police Department, West Ossipee Fire Department, and Center Ossipee Fire Department arrived they found the 22-foot Black Four Winns still running with no one on board.
The boat was approximately 75 feet from shore of lake Ossipee, across a beach, and over a road. It was resting on the porch and partially through the side of the residence. No one inside the house was injured during the crash.
Members of the Ossipee Police Department, West Ossipee Fire Department, Center Ossipee Fire, New Hampshire State Police and New Hampshire State Police – Marine Patrol searched for anyone injured or involved in the accident but no one was found. Investigators determined that the vessel was stolen from a mooring at Bluffs Beach in Center Ossipee.
This incident remains under investigation. Anyone who may have further information related to this accident or who may have witnessed this crash is encouraged to contact Sergeant Seth Alie at 603-293-2037 or by email at seth.alie@dos.nh.gov
Records and Cars Broken At 2017 Climb To The Clouds
Pinkham Notch, NH – Records and cars were broken this weekend on the Mount Washington Auto Road. The three day Climb to the Clouds race, considered one of the oldest hill climbing event in North America, saw 80 drivers race up the 7.6 mile Auto Road in hopes of making it up the fastest.
(Right) Former record holder David Higgins and new record holder Travis Pastrana (Left) head down the Mt. Washington Auto Road after a trial run up on Saturday. ~ Photo by Christian Mower
Returning racer and x-games gold medalist Travis Pastrana broke the record set by his teammate David Higgins in 2014 by 23 seconds with a time of 5 minutes and 46 seconds. Higgins unfortunately was out of the race after his first Sunday run when he collided with some rocks going off the edge of a dirt section of road.
Dave Wallingford rolled his 2016 Ford Fiesta R2T coming into a corner on the Mt. Washington Auto road during a trial run up the mountain Saturday ~ Photos by Christian Mower
Another notable accident happened during Saturdays practice run when number 78 Dave Wallingford’s Ford Fiesta flipped coming into a corner on a section of road. Luckily Wallingford and his co-driver were ok, however the damage to their vehicle prevented them from competing on Sunday. A full list of Sundays results can be found Here.
For more Photo’s from Saturday’s trial runs check out our Facebook page by Clicking Here.
Mount Washington Valley Businesses Report Successful 4th Of July Weekend Despite Rocky Start
North Conway, NH – Despite Mother Nature’s attempt to ambush the key July 4th start-to-summer weekend, Mt Washington Valley tourism-related businesses reported increases over last year in traffic, sales and bookings. After the storm, glorious weather highlighted the region, and visitors flocked to Mt Washington Valley from throughout the country and beyond. It was all topped off with festive parades on both ends of the Valley with music and fireworks in-between. In fact, Greg Fisher, VP of Marketing for Peak Resorts, told the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, “The fact you can make it to two parades on opposite ends of the valley and then meet in the middle for live music and fun is fantastic. It’s what makes this region great.”
Janice Crawford, Executive Director of the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, characterized the July 4th weekend as a sparkling spectacular with the exception of Saturday’s rains which luckily moved out quickly. Janice noted, “Fourth of July festivities filled Schouler Park and the west facing sidewalks of the village from Grove Street to Kearsarge. Cars were parked all the way to Muddy Moose on 16 and North/South Road from Kearsarge to Artists Falls with the rail yard packed and all other available parking lots full. Demand from crowds was so high, non-profit vendors actually sold out of food and drink by 8:00pm”. In addition, throughout the day, walking traffic was strong in North Conway village from 1:00pm on and, the Conway July 4th Parade attracted a record crowd of viewers.
In an informal survey of Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce (MWVCC) members, businesses throughout the Valley reported strong sales, particularly at the attractions. Beth Scrimger, Owner, Mystery NH Escape Rooms, told the chamber that over the five day weekend (Fri, June 30-Tuesday, July 4), Mystery NH was booed at 75-percent capacity, which was up over the same time last year. Scrimger believes as interest and familiarity with Escape rooms grows, their business will continue to succeed.
Bob Tupper of White Lake Speedway in Tamworth reported that they did lose one day to rain, yet despite that, July 4th weekend business was still up over last year for the fun center. Tupper gave kudos to his great staff for a job well done over the long weekend.
At the Conway Scenic Railroad, the storms raised havoc with phones and computers, but didn’t seem to impact ridership, according to Susan Logan, Director of Marketing. “Passenger counts were up over last year for all four days, and there were more international visitors, especially South Asians. We even had some Australians here on Sunday,” commented Logan. In addition, ridership on the Conway Scenic Railroad’s “Firecracker Express” from Conway to Schouler Park for the July 4th festivities, was up 35-percent over last year Logan told the chamber. “The word is getting out that our shuttle is an easy way to get into the Village to enjoy the festivities without having to sit in traffic once the fireworks are over. We received lots of enthusiastic “thank yous” from people who took advantage of combining the train ride with everything going on in Schouler Park,” finished Logan. In fact, advance reservations for the week are up over last year for Conway Scenic Railroad, indicating a strong end to the week too.
Rebecca Metcalf, Mount Washington Cog Railway Marketing Director, told the chamber that the Saturday storms did not impact the train ride at all. In fact, Cog Railway owner, Wayne Presby told the chamber, “The railway has experienced an increase in 2017 over 2016 on the first three days of July of almost 50 percent. We accredit this increase to a few factors; increased capacity with additional trains and an extended schedule, as well as streamlining our customer service to create a smoother experience. We expect this trend to continue throughout the season.”
Greg Fisher, VP of Marketing for Peak Resorts shared that the storms hurt both Wildcat Mountain and Attitash Mountain Resort’s business on Saturday as both resorts ended up closing early due to the heavy rains. However, making lemons from lemonade, Fisher also noted, “But on a flip side the storms also affected hiking trails, river access, and other things into the day on Sunday and Monday which probably steered business to attractions like ours. Overall it was and continues to be a great start to the month of July at our resorts.”
The lodging properties who responded to the MWVCC July 4th business survey were enthusiastic about the weekend. Jennifer Kovach, who describes herself as the Snowvillage Inn Chief Bottle washer, hostess and negotiator, told the chamber that the inn and restaurant were up over last year by about 20-percent. In fact, she reported that the storm resulted in additional bookings from those at campgrounds looking for shelter. Kovach believes that the chamber newsletters also helped to boost July 4th business, saying “When they receive the Mt Washington Valley Chamber newsletter with all the local activities including music at Tuckerman Brewing, Arts Jubilee and highlights of the Auto Road and Cog Railway, folks book.”
Charlie Mallar, co-owner of the 1785 Inn, told the chamber it was the busiest July 4th weekend for the inn. “For us, this is the busiest Fourth of July that I can remember in our 34 years here. We were sold out Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday and were busy on Tuesday too.” Mallar also shared that domestic visitors were way up yet international visitors were off a bit due to what he calls the “Trump effect”. Mallar finished by telling the chamber that advance-reservations from visitors throughout the U.S. are also up over last year for the summer.
Campgrounds took the brunt of the storm, with varying impacts depending upon their location, but all were re-opened and fully functioning now. Marilyn O’Boyle from Beach Camping Area along the Saco River in Conway, said they lost business on Saturday and Sunday due to the storm, but the campground is fully up and running. Representatives from Danforth Bay Camping and RV Resort, Woodland Acres Campground, Glen Ellis Family Campground, and Saco River Camping Area all concurred that the campgrounds are up and running. For more information about the impact of the storm and subsequent re-opening of campgrounds, click here.
Marianne Leberman, Recreation and Wilderness Program Leader at the White Mountain National Forest, told the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce that all the camping sites and day use picnic areas are now open in the National Forest after Saturday’s storm. While a few of the natural swimming holes were closed over the weekend due to high water from the rain, they have now been re-opened.
On beautiful weather days, stores, outlets and shops compete with attractions and outdoor recreation for visitors. Yet over the July 4th weekend, summer shoppers were both in the village and at Settlers Green’s outlets. Laura Tuveson, Assistant Director of Marketing & Events for Settlers Green and Settlers Crossing, polled the stores at the mall and reported that 85-percent of their stores saw shoppers from the Canadian market and 70-percent reported shoppers from the Boston market. She also shared, “There were so many bargains to be had with many stores hosting sidewalk sales and specials for the holiday weekend. Monday stands out as the best sales day for the majority of our stores and many reported that traffic within the mall was steady all days.”
Heather Letarte White Gates Farm Office Manager, reported that business at the farm stand was actually down 15-percent, saying that it seemed like shoppers were spending less at the market and they didn’t see as much traffic at the self-serve stand as in past years. And while the storm forced an alteration to the farm’s Farm to Table dinner on Saturday, it was still a huge success.
Bud Selmi, owner of Margarita Grill in Glen said that 4.5 inches of rain in less than two hours defiantly hurt the restaurant’s business on Saturday, resulting in sales being down by 25-percent for the day on Saturday and 12-percent on Sunday. Yet Monday was up by 26-percent, helping to pull out a decent the weekend, according to Selmi.
With lodging properties and attractions reporting advance reservations up over last year, the remaining weeks of the summer look strong for the tourism outlook in Mt Washington Valley. To learn more about planning a vacation in the Valley, visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org or call 800-367-3364. To plan a New Hampshire summer getaway, visit www.VisitNH.gov.
Contributed by:
Marti Mayne
PR Manager, Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce
207-846-6331
PR@mtwashingtonvalley.org