Just after 3:45 PM on Friday, the Lebanon Police Department received a call from a concerned parent regarding a possible threat to the Lebanon Middle School from a 13-year-old male student. The parent advised that her child had heard that this male student was going to “shoot up” the Middle School with a firearm and that a picture of this individual holding a gun was sent via Snapchat.
The Lebanon School District was notified and officers from the Patrol Bureau have been investigating this matter. This investigation has included a review of digital communications and social media along with interviews of potential witnesses and involved parties. The Lebanon Police Department continues to gather information and investigate this incident. At this stage of the investigation we have determined that the threat as reported was not credible. Out of an abundance of caution, and with the assistance of the Grantham Police Department, a firearm was voluntarily turned over for safekeeping.
The Lebanon School District has taken steps to ensure the safety of the Middle School and students. The Lebanon Police Department will have an increased presence in and around the schools this coming week.

Claremont’s Alumni Parade is this Saturday
The Annual and Oldest Alumni Day Parade is this Saturday in Claremont. The parade will stage on Broad Street and start at 10:30 AM. The parade will go from Broad Street to South Street and onto Pleasant Street to Opera House Square and onto Broad Street, ending in the area of Stevens High School.
Prior to and during the parade, streets around the parade route will be closed to traffic. Claremont’s downtown area will be affected most. Traffic flowing north and south through the City should use Mulberry Street to North Street to avoid the downtown area during the parade.
The Claremont Police Department reminds the spectators that the throwing of water balloons or spraying floats with garden hoses is not allowed. Injuries from water being thrown at the floats have occurred in the past. If you have any questions about traffic through Claremont during the parade please call Claremont Police Department 603-542-9538.
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Springfield VT Water Shut Off on Monday
Springfield VT residents will be without water for a time on Monday. The Springfield Water Department is replacing a fire hydrant at the intersection of Olive and Furnace Streets and the water main will be shut off for an extended time starting about 8:00 AM. The Water Department will complete the job as quick as possible and the water will be turned on as soon as work is completed. If you have any questions call the Water Department at 802-886-2208.
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Sunapee Swap Shop will Open on Monday
The Swap Shop located at the Sunapee Transfer Station will be open on Mondays, starting June 12th. Any questions please call the Transfer Station at 763-4614.
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Springfield Graduation Moved

Springfield VT High will have their graduation tonight at 6:00 PM in the Drexel Gymnasium at Riverside Middle School. The inclement weather forecast and conditions of the field have caused the ceremonies to be moved. Graduates will be receiving 10 tickets today at rehearsal. Call 802-885-7900 if you have any questions.
Ludlow VT Bridge Closure Starts Saturday
A 35-day bridge closure for the Ludlow VT 103 Bridge number 25 begins on Saturday at 6 AM. The Ludlow VT 103 Bridge 25 project will replace the existing two-span superstructure with a new single span structure that meets current design standards. Contact Public Outreach Hotline, 802-496-3376 with questions.
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Missing VT Teen Found Safe in CT
A missing VT teen was found safe in Connecticut just after 3:30 PM yesterday. Vermont State Police said William Smith’s vehicle was located a Wal-Mart parking lot in Lisbon Connecticut and CT State Troopers positively identify the car as William Smith’s. Shortly afterward the officers made contact with Smith and Mackayla Lozell. Lozell appeared in good health and police took her into protective custody. Officers arrested Smith on multiple charges stemming from active arrest warrants out of the State of Vermont. Vermont State Police thanks the public for all their assistance in this investigation.

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On June 7, 2017, Lebanon Police dispatch received a call from a male reporting a male on a motorcycle had accused him of cutting him and another motorcycle off. The caller told police the male had yelled at him and his father in traffic, accusing them of cutting him off. While stopped at a traffic light, the male pulled up next to the caller and told him that if he continued to drive like an idiot, he had a gun.
Officers were able to locate the male based on a description of his motorcycle and no firearms were located on his person. Kevin Hardy, age 29, of Lebanon, NH was arrested and charged with an A Misdemeanor of Criminal Threatening. Hardy had previously been arrested on May 24, 2017 for Criminal Threatening where he had also mentioned a firearm and a replica semi-automatic handgun was located in his car on that date.
Hardy was released on $2,500 cash bail and is due to appear in the Lebanon District Division, New Hampshire Second Circuit Court on July 24, 2017.

Missing VT Teen May Be with Sex Offender

Vermont State Police continue to search for missing 16-year-old Mickayla Lozell who left her mother’s home on June 4, in Alburgh VT. Police believe that Lozell may be with William Smith a 47-year-old register sex offender in VT. Police say Smith is currently out of compliance and has no known address and that law enforcement is actively seeking an arrest warrant for Smith.
On Tuesday, Lozell phoned an acquaintance and said she was ok and was in New Hampshire. Investigators believe that Lozell may be in New Hampshire with Smith, possibly in the Concord or Hampton Beach areas. Investigators are working with local, state and federal authorities in New Hampshire in an attempt to locate Lozell.
There is no indication of foul play or that Lozell is being held against her will, however, investigators want to check on her welfare. An Investigation found that Lozell was previously acquainted with Smith in recent weeks. Police believe Smith is operating a gold colored Dodge Intrepid with VT license plate GST 814. If you see, this vehicle and/or Smith and Lozell contact the police immediately.
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Rotary Awards Five Mini Grants to Newport School District
The Newport Rotary awarded five mini-grants to support new programs and services in the Newport School District. Each award is $1000 and supports the programs and services listed below.
The Washing Machine Project: Award will go toward the costs of a new washer and dryer for cleaning and sanitizing towels used by the cosmetology program. The old machines will be available for homeless student to wash their clothes.
VEX Robots: Award will purchase supplies to jumpstart an afterschool program to foster awareness and excitement in the fields of engineering, computer science, and manufacturing.
Moss garden and wetlands feature: Award is to create a moss garden and water feature in the Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center greenhouse and incorporated it into the school curriculum.
Have a Great Weekend Project: Award to expand on the food pantry delivery of food that goes home on the weekends for children in need.
Expansion of Media Center Graphic Novel Collection: Award will allow students who read below grade level to find materials that are of high interest and visually appealing to them.
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Vermont to Establish Racial Disparities Advisory Panel
Vermont will soon have a Racial Disparities in Criminal and Juvenile Justice System Advisory Panel. VT’s Attorney General Thomas J. Donovan, Jr. announced Wednesday that he will name members of Advisory Panel within 30 days. The law provides for the Attorney General to appoint five members, drawn from diverse backgrounds to represent the interests of communities of color throughout the State, who have experience working to implement racial justice reform.
The Attorney General asks interested Vermonters to submit a statement of interest by Monday, June 19th, to Assistant Attorney General David Scherr. You can reach Assistance Attorney General Scherr by calling (802) 828-3189.

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Sullivan County Health Center Receives High Marks
Sullivan County Health Care received no deficiencies in its 2017 Health Recertification Survey. The annual survey, conducted by the NH Department of Health and Human Services is a comprehensive assessment of the center’s compliance with the Federal Requirements of Participation for Long Term Care Facilities.

The survey focuses on the environment of care, including resident rights, quality of life and quality of care. Ted Purdy, the Administrator of Sullivan County Health Care thanks the staff for their dedication and commitment to resident care. This is the second consecutive year that Sullivan County Health Care had no deficiencies during the survey.

Sullivan County Health Care is a 156-bed nursing facility in Unity, New Hampshire. Licensed by Medicare and Medicaid, the facility provides post-acute nursing and rehabilitation, along with long-term care services to the elderly.

Day and Overnight Camps Bring Dollars Into NH and VT
Overnight and day camps give NH and VT an economic boost. A recent study shows NH and VT along with seven other northeast states receive a direct financial benefit of $3.2 billion annually from the youth camping industry. Consulting Economist Charles Lawton, Ph.D. conducted the Economic Impact Report for the American Camp Association, Northeast Region. Other states benefiting financial gain are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
Camps spend more than $2.5 billion on goods and services in the Northeast including food, supplies, fuel, marketing, banking, maintenance and repair in small, local communities who rely on this income.
In addition, trips surrounding camp drop-off day, pick-up day, visiting day, and prospective camper visits add to the indirect economic contribution in the Northeast for a total of $8 billion dollars.
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VSP Arrest Whitingham VT Man for Aggravated Sexual Assault
Vermont State Police arrested a Whitingham VT man for Aggravated Sexual Assault on a Child on Monday. Police said they arrested Gary Dix Sr. for offenses that occurred from 1982-1994. Dix Sr. was lodged at the Southern State Correctional Facility on $10,000 bail. Dix was scheduled for arraignment in Windham County Criminal Court yesterday.
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Celebrate Ausbon Land Trust 30th Anniversary
The public is invited to the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust this afternoon. The event starts on the New London Town Common at 1:00 pm. There will be refreshments and a performance by the Kearsarge Community Band. The Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust serves the towns of Andover, Bradford, Danbury, Goshen, Grantham, New London, Newbury, Springfield, Sunapee, Sutton, Warner, and Wilmot.

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VT Installing Baffles to Combat Beaver Problems
The VT Fish and Wildlife Department is installing water control devices on beaver dams. The department expects to install more than a dozen additional beaver baffles throughout the state this year. The baffles are one of many techniques the department uses or recommends to landowners to minimize beaver damage to property or trees. Other techniques include using culvert fences or placing wire mesh or special paint around the base of trees.
While effective, the baffles are not cheap and have limitations with each device costing roughly $1,000 to install. The baffles are only effective on smaller streams.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife has installed 291 beaver baffles in Vermont since the program started in 2000. Landowners with beaver problems can contact the Fish and Wildlife Department for assistance at http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com.
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VSP Explosive and Clandestine Lab Team Called into Weathersfield
Weathersfield and Springfield Police officers called in VSP Explosive Ordinance Unit and Clandestine Lab Team while executing a search warrant on Monday. VSP said the warrant was for 2164 Weathersfield Center Rd in Weathersfield when officers located suspicious materials. The materials were consistent with materials used to manufacture a regulated substance. Troopers from the Clan Lab and Explosive Ordinance Unit and personnel from the Vermont State Hazardous Materials Team assessed the materials and determined they posed no health or safety risk.

Old Newspaper Photo of Crash

70th Anniversary of B-29 Crash in Perkinsville VT
The 70th Anniversary commemoration of the B-29 crash on Hawks Mountain in Perkinsville VT will take place on June 17th. The ceremony will remember the lives of the 12 airmen who perished in the crash on June 17th, 1947. The plane was on a training mission flying from Arizona to Bedford MA but lost its way in a heavy rainstorm. At about 1000 feet, the B-29 circled Perkinsville it was flying so low the engines shook windows and aroused the residents. Moments later the plane crashed and sent up eerie flashes of light. Springfield firemen, and townsfolk raced up Hawk’s mountain, but it took hours to reach the tragic scene. There was no sign of life and victims were severely burned. All that could be done was to move the bodies.
The ceremony will take place at 2:00 pm on the Perkinsville Green followed by a hike to the crash site. A documentary video of the dedication of the historical marker placed on the green in 2007 can be viewed in the vestry of the Perkinsville Church for those not taking the hike and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 802-885-9517.
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Work Starts on Bridge and Main in Hartford VT
Work has begun on the Bridge and Main Building Construction Project in Hartford VT. The project is expected to last for 8 months and changes to traffic patterns along Bridge and North will affect all those who travel in vehicles or on foot around Hartford.
On North Main Street, existing parking spaces on the north side will be used for construction operations and a row of Jersey barriers will be at the outboard edge of the parking spaces. Traffic flow will remain the same.
On Bridge Street, Jersey barrier will be along the centerline of the street from North Main to the entrance of Railroad Row. Traffic will be one way only from the north to the south (Railroad Road to North Main Street). The pedestrian sidewalk along Bridge Street will be temporarily closed during initial months of construction. The walkway will be relocated to the closed portion of Bridge Street.
Please contact the construction manager of Estes and Gallup, Inc. with any questions at 603-795-4400.
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Sunapee Continues to Work on Roads
Sunapee Highway Department continues to work on the roads that were impacted by a May 31st rainstorm. North Road from Sargent Road to Hill Top Drive will be closed through Thursday during the day to repair that section of road. During the evening North Road will be single lane.
Ryder Corner Road will remain closed until the road is stabilized and suitable for traffic.
Perkins Pond Road will have one lane of traffic, but may need to close periodically for repairs can be completed.
Highway Director, Scott Hazelton thanks everyone for their patience and asks that you call the Town Office at 763-2212 with questions or him at 763-5060.
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Springfield VT Woman Arrested on Warrant
A Springfield VT woman arrested on a warrant is now facing charges of resisting arrest. Springfield Police said shortly after 8:30 PM on Saturday they made contact with 24-year old Amber White at Village Pizza in Springfield. As the officers tried to handcuff White, she began to resist arrest. White was transported to Southern State Correctional Facility where she is being held on $25,000 bail. White was cited for the alleged Resisting Arrested to appear in Windsor Criminal Court on a later date.
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