WMWV – 93.5

Durham, NH – A News Study released by UNH shows that residents Of Coos County are optimistic about the future of their area, but remain concerned about the lack of job opportunities and drug abuse. The Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire conducted a phone survey in four North Country counties—Coös and Grafton, New Hampshire; Oxford, Maine; and Essex, Vermont. Many of the questions had also been asked in previous Carsey surveys done in 2007 and in 2010.

Researches found that in Coos County lack of job opportunities stood out as the top problem across all three surveys, with 96% of respondents agreeing it was the most important concern in 2010. That number decreased greatly in the 2017 survey to 86%, but remained the most important problem on the list.

Not surprising with the recent opioid epidemic hitting the state concern about illegal drugs throughout Coos county jumped significantly, going from 55% in 2010 to 75% in 2017. A new item we added in 2017 to reflect the opioid epidemic, substance abuse and overdose, ranked even higher: 80 percent of respondents said this is an important problem in their county.

When asked about the future 80% of those surveyed said they planned to stay in Coos county for 5 or more years with 79% saying they believe their communities will be a better place to live or about the same within 10 years.

The study concluded that “most people living in these North Country counties continue to be optimistic about their communities and their own situations. The profound economic transformation of this previously manufacturing-dominated region over the past several decades has not shaken this community confidence, but it does drive the ongoing concerns about job and economic growth opportunities.”

For a look at the full study click here.

65-year-old Nelson Brown, of Fryeburg, is accused of driving his SUV into a parked truck that then crashed into a garage in Fryeburg ~ Photo courtesy of Fryeburg Police

Fryeburg, ME – A Fryeburg man was arrested after he allegedly caused a vehicle to crash into a garage. According to Fryeburg Police at around 6:40 Wednesday evening they were called to a motor vehicle crash into a building at 82 Lovewell Pond Road.

When officers arrived on scene they found that a vehicle had crashed into a parked Toyota SUV launching it into the residents garage, shifting it from its foundation. The suspect, later identified as 65-year-old Nelson Brown of Fryeburg, fled the scene in a Chevy Pickup truck after causing extensive structural damage to the building. Police said that they believe speed and driver impairment were contributing factors in the crash.

65-year-old Nelson Brown of Fryeburg faces faces multiple charges for allegedly hitting a parked SUV and then fleeing the scene. ~ Photo courtesy of Fryeburg Police

 
Thursday (November 30th) Officers located and arrested Brown for Aggravated Criminal Mischief (Class C Felony) and Leaving The Scene of a Property Damage Accident (Class E Misdemeanor). He was transported to the Oxford County Jail where his bail was set at $500 cash. Brown is scheduled to be in court for his initial arraignment on January 9^th 2018.

Fryeburg Police Chief Joshua Potvin said “Fortunately no one was seriously injured in this crash. Anytime a vehicle unintentionally leaves the roadway it is a recipe for disaster.” Adding “This is our department’s 117^th crash this year which is slightly higher than the 99 reportable crashes we investigated by this time last year.”