LEBANON, NH – The major issues facing families and children impacted by the nation’s opioid crisis – and solutions to those issues – will be the topic of an all-day forum presented by Dartmouth-Hitchcock on Friday, Oct. 5, in Concord, NH.

U.S. Surgeon General VADM Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH, will deliver the keynote address at the forum, “Our Families, Our Children, Our Future,” to be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. The forum is open to the public. Representatives from community, family, and children’s organizations; elected officials; school leaders; and others who are actively engaged in finding solutions to the opioid crisis are expected to attend.

This is the first forum in Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Solutions to Opioid Addiction & Recovery (SOAR) Opioid Collaborative Series, a series that will focus on critical issues surrounding the opioid crisis in New Hampshire. Through the series Dartmouth-Hitchcock, along with a broad group of community partners, regional health care organizations, and individuals, will lead important discussions share information and inform the public about evidence-based and innovative solutions and programs that are happening locally, regionally and nationally.

The October 5 forum is hosted by Dartmouth-Hitchcock, with sponsorship by Northeast Delta Dental, Hypertherm’s Hope Foundation, New Futures, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, New Hampshire PBS, and the AdCare Educational Institute of New England.

Dartmouth-Hitchcock CEO and President Joanne Conroy, MD, and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu will offer opening remarks and frame the day’s discussion, which includes a series of panel discussions and Dr. Adams’ lunchtime keynote address. A broad range of speakers, including top clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and representatives of community groups, have been invited to present at the forum.

“The people of New Hampshire are looking to Dartmouth-Hitchcock for help in finding effective solutions to this crisis. Everyone who serves our communities – health care providers, educators and researchers, social service organizations, elected officials, and others – recognize what’s at stake” said Conroy. “I believe that the SOAR Collaborative Series is a next step in a strong statewide effort to pull together the wide-range of work that’s already being done. By utilizing and strengthening the existing resources that are in place to address the epidemic, we can focus on collaborating with our partners to find additional interventions and solutions.”

Morning sessions will focus on clinical and community support for affected families, children, and communities. Presentations will include “The Impact of the Opioid Crisis on New Hampshire Families, Communities, and Child Welfare Systems,” “Nurturing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)-Affected Infants and Moms,” “Addressing the Social and Emotional Well-Being of Children and Youth Traumatized by OUD,” and “Supporting Recovering Families and Children Over Time.”

At noon there will be a working lunch with remarks from NH Union Leader correspondent Shawne Wickham, who since last spring has been chronicling the many faces and stories of the opioid epidemic in New Hampshire in her ongoing series, “Beyond the Stigma”, and journalist and film producer Sarah Holt of the PBS program “NOVA,” who has just completed production on a new program about the science of addiction that will premiere nationally October 17 on PBS.

Dr. Adams’ keynote address will begin just after 1 p.m. As Surgeon General, Dr. Adams oversees the operations of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, which has approximately 6,500 health officers who serve in nearly 800 locations around the world to promote, protect and advance the health and safety of our nation and our world. Dr. Adams is committed to maintaining strong relationships with the public health community and forging new partnerships with non-traditional partners, including business and law enforcement.

He has pledged to lead with science, facilitate locally led solutions to the nation’s most difficult health problems, and deliver higher quality healthcare at lower cost through patient and community engagement and better prevention.

Following Dr. Adams’ address, afternoon sessions will address public policies and support for families, children, and communities affected by the opioid crisis. Topics include “The Federal View: Federal Policies and Funding to Support Affected Children, Youth, and Families,” and “The State View: How New Hampshire Systems Are Working to Meet the Rising Needs of Families and Children.” Confirmed speakers include: DHHS Commissioner Jeff Meyers, Executive Director of NH High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Jay Fallon, NH Drug czar Dave Mara and City of Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig.

Advanced registration for the forum is required. Registration is $45 and includes continental breakfast and buffet lunch. For more information about the forum, visit https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/classes_events/opioid-forum.html

Lebanon NH – On August 26, 2018, the Lebanon Police Department responded to The Fort restaurant on Heater Road for a report of a burglary that occurred overnight. A large safe, around the size of a mini refrigerator, containing an undisclosed amount of cash and a large quantity of rolled coin was stolen from the restaurant during this incident.

A suspect is featured in surveillance video during the commission of the crime. The white male appears to have a thin build with facial hair, wearing a trucker style hat and hoodless sweatshirt.

The Police Department is asking anyone who may have information about the identity of this subject to call the Lebanon Police Department Detective Bureau at 603-448-1212. Information can also be submitted anonymously to our Tip Line, 603-448-CLUE, or online at LebanonNH.gov/CLUE.

Keene NH – During the Labor Day holiday weekend, Troopers from the New Hampshire State Police – Troop C and Officers from the Keene and Claremont Police Departments will partner to conduct dedicated DUI Saturation patrols. These patrols are approved and sponsored by the NH Highway Safety Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which provides federal funds to support these operations.

The New Hampshire State Police, Troop C Commander Lieutenant Michael Kokoski, Keene Police Chief Steven Russo and Claremont Police Chief Mark Chase, as well as the Troopers and Officers of their respective departments consider the detection and apprehension of impaired drivers to be a top priority.
According to the NHTSA, in 2016 there were 10,497 traffic fatalities that resulted from crashes where a driver had a BAC of .08 or higher. As such, saturation patrols are a valuable tool in deterring, detecting and apprehending impaired drivers from our roadways. New Hampshire has some of the most aggressive DUI laws in the Country and the New Hampshire State Police, along with their local partners will continue utilizing them to their fullest extent to ensure the safety of the motoring public.

Concord NH – Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Christopher J. Wagner, and Woodstock Police Chief Ryan Oleson are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing adult female, Trish Haynes. Ms. Haynes was last seen in the Grafton/Danbury, New Hampshire area in late June or early July, 2018.

Ms. Haynes is 26 years old, stands 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighs 110 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. Photographs of Ms. Haynes are attached to this press release.

Anyone with information about Ms. Haynes should contact the New Hampshire State Police at (603) 271-3636.

Lebanon NH – On August 28, 2018 the Lebanon Police Department took a report from a Lebanon resident regarding credit card fraud that had occurred at Best Buy on July 26th. The department is seeking to identify a person-of-interest who was seen on camera using the credit card to purchase several electronic items worth in excess of $6,000. The individual is a white male, approximately 5’9, husky build and middle age. The male was wearing a white shirt with black stripes, tan shorts, and a black baseball hat. The individual left the store in a light-colored sedan.
The police department is asking anyone who may have information about this male to call the Lebanon Police Department at 603-448-1212. submit an anonymous crime tip by phone at 603-448-CLUE (2583) or online at LebanonNH.gov/CLUE.

Lebanon NH – On August 18, 2018, the Lebanon Police Department was dispatched to 21 Romano Circle for a report of a male suspect who was seen climbing through a window into an apartment he had been previously trespassed from.

When officers arrived, they were met by Ashley Montgomery, who is the wife of the suspect, Aaron Montgomery. Ashley gave consent for officers to search the apartment. Aaron was located hiding in a closet. When officers attempted to take Aaron into custody for criminal trespass, Aaron began actively resisting and fighting with officers. Officers were able to gain control of Aaron and place him in the cruiser. As officers began to transport Aaron to the police department for processing, Ashley ran up to the cruiser’s rear door, where Aaron was sitting, and opened the door.

Ashley was arrested and taken into custody for Obstruct Government Administration, a Class A Misdemeanor. Aaron was charged with Criminal Trespass and Resisting Arrest or Detention, both Class A Misdemeanors. Ashley’s bail was set for $1,000 Personal Recognizance. Ashley was released with a court date of October 15th in the New Hampshire 2nd Circuit Court, District Division Lebanon. Aaron’s bail was set at $1,000 cash which he could not post. Aaron was transported to the Grafton County House of Corrections until his arraignment on August 19th.

Lebanon NH –  On August 18, 2018, Officers from the Lebanon Police Department stopped a vehicle on Plainfield Rd for motor vehicle violations. The operator, Jennifer Somero, age 27, of Rhode Island, showed signs of impairment. There were open alcoholic beverages and Marijuana in plain view in the vehicle. The passenger was identified as Jeffrey Eastman, age 28, of Claremont, NH. Eastman was highly intoxicated and became belligerent with officers and interfered with the ongoing investigation. When officers attempted to arrest Eastman, he became combative and resisted those efforts. Officers had to utilize pepper spray to take him into custody.

Both Eastman and Somero were transported to the Police Department for processing. Somero was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, a Class B Misdemeanor, Possession of Marijuana, and Open Container, both Violations. Eastman was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Possession of Marijuana, both Violations, and Resisting Arrest, a Class A Misdemeanor. Somero’s bail was set at $1,500 Personal Recognizance and Eastman’s bail was set at $2,000 Personal Recognizance. Both parties were later released with a court date of October 22, 2018 in the New Hampshire 2nd Circuit Court, District Division Lebanon.

Lebanon NH – On August 18, 2018 the Lebanon Police Department received a report from a female victim who stated an ex-boyfriend pulled a knife and threatened to kill her, then threatened to drive his vehicle off a cliff.

Lebanon Officers met with the victim in the area of Main Street in West Lebanon. During the investigation it was learned that her ex-boyfriend, Devin Dubois, age 21, of Canaan, NH, became upset with her when she tried to break up with him, and began driving his vehicle erratically, stating he would drive off a cliff. During this time, Dubois was holding a knife, and told her he would kill both of them. The investigation revealed Dubois had grabbed her by her shoulders and would not let her out of the vehicle, while continuing to drive recklessly at high speeds. Officers located Dubois and took him into custody.

Dubois was charged with Criminal Threatening with a Deadly Weapon, a Class B Felony, and Domestic Violence Simple Assault and Domestic Violence False Imprisonment, both Class A Misdemeanors. Dubois was released on $2,500 Personal Recognizance Bail and will be arraigned on August 30th at Grafton County Superior Court.

Lebanon NH – Between Friday, August 17, 2018 and Sunday, August 19, 2018, the Lebanon and Hartford Police Departments responded to near fatal opioid overdoses. As a result, the Lebanon Police Department, assisted by the Hartford, VT Police Department, investigated the source of the drugs involved in these overdose incidents.
On Sunday, August 19, 2018, the Lebanon Police Tactical and Containment Team, assisted by Lebanon Patrol and Detective Units, executed a search warrant at 15 Pinetree Lane.
As a result of evidence seized during the search, Evan Antonellis, age 24, of West Lebanon, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled or Narcotic Drug, a Class B Felony. He was later released on $2,000 Personal Recognizance bail. He is due to appear in the Grafton County Superior Court on August 30, 2018.
These incidents are still under investigation; anyone with information should contact the Lebanon Police Detectives at 603-448-8805, or may submit information anonymously at LebanonNH.gov/CLUE or by calling 603-448-CLUE.