Two Plainfield residents were arrested on Wednesday in a murder for hire investigation.  NH State Police and Plainfield Police took Maurice Temple 63 and Pauline Chase 83, both of 455 County Road into custody.  They were charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Solicitation to Commit Murder, and Attempt to commit Murder.

An extensive investigation and cooperative effort by the following agencies lead to the above arrest:  Plainfield Police Department, NH Attorney General’s Office Drug Task Force, State Police Troop C, State Police Major Crime Unit, and Sullivan County Attorney’s Office.

State Issues Warning for Two Henniker Ponds
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services issued warnings for two ponds in Henniker yesterday (Tuesday). Keyser and French Ponds each have an elevated cyanobacteria cell concentration above the state’s threshold. The current bloom for each pond appears as dark green and brown water throughout the water. NHDES advises lake users to avoid contact with the water in areas experiencing elevated cyanobacteria cell conditions. NHDES also advises keeping pets and small children out of any waters that have green turbid water, surface scum or blue-green or bright green flecks in the water column. Toxins can cause acute and chronic health effects that range in severity. Acute health effects include irritation of skin and mucous membranes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Chronic effects include liver and central nervous system damage.
The warnings will remain until additional samples show that cyanobacterium levels have diminished.
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Bridge in Georges Mills Closed
The Cooper Street Bridge in Georges Mills will be closed this Friday to all traffic from approximately 7 AM – 5 PM. A new approach guardrail will be installed on both sides of the bridge. The existing concrete barricades will be removed in the morning in preparation for this work.
Bridge Closed and Detour signs for access to the Georges Mills boat launch will be installed on both sides of the bridge that morning.
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Accident in Meriden
Meriden units responded to a motor vehicle crash last night just before 10:00 PM. The operator escaped without injuries from the accident that occurred on Rte 120 at Croydon Turnpike after they swerved to avoid a crossing deer. Police and First Responders remind all drivers to obey the posted speed limits and be aware of wildlife on the roads, especially at night.
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NH Fish and Game Turkey Survey
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is looking for help in surveying turkeys. They are asking the public to report sightings of hen turkeys, with or without young on the Department’s online survey on their website.

The survey continues through August 31 and provides data that helps Fish and Game biologists determine the distribution and abundance of wild turkeys throughout the State. Last summer’s survey (2016) yielded a record number of 2,926 brood observation reports.
Observations made in late July and August are especially important since the young who have survived into August are likely to become adults and these sightings provide the best index to summer breeding productivity.
The Department also reminds everyone to report sightings of any adult turkeys that have wart-like growths around the head/eyes, which is indicative of the Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus (LPDV).

http://www.wildnh.com/surveys/turkeybrood.html.

NH Towns and Cities to Receive Funds for Roads
Governor Chris Sununu announced on Monday the return of $30 million to towns and cities for road improvements and bridge repairs. The funds are a result of signing SB 38, making an appropriation to the department of transportation for local highway aid and aid for municipal bridges. A list of towns in WNTK’s listening area and the amount of money each will receive is on the WNTK’s Web and Facebook pages.

BRADFORD $76,730.84
CANAAN $135,406.88
CHARLESTOWN $133,664.36
CLAREMONT$277,379.33
CORNISH $85,333.36
CROYDON $33,002.10
CROYDON $33,002.10
DANBURY $74,654.37
ENFIELD $122,160.33
FRANKLIN $176,447.66
GOSHEN $26,532.71
GRAFTON $76,764.90
GRANTHAM $57,836.53
HANOVER $248,393.71
LEBANON $273,615.37
LEMPSTER $57,185.66
LYME $82,896.45
NEW LONDON$116,424.76
NEWBURY $100,501.82
NEWPORT $153,815.88
PLAINFIELD $99,290.51
SPRINGFIELD$50,713.24
SUNAPEE $104,429.79
SUTTON $95,299.14
TILTON $54,428.79
WALPOLE $119,999.51
WARNER $111,248.88
WASHINGTON$53,479.93
WILMOT $71,639.23

Clothing Drop Off for United Way is Thursday
United Way of Sullivan County is holding a Clothing Drop Off Day on Thursday, July 27th, at their office at 169 Main St., Claremont.
Anyone can drop off gently used warm clothing, blankets, boots, etc., at the back entrance of the building. Staff will be on hand to collect the donations from 9:00 AM. -3:00 PM
If you are looking to have a yard sale, cleaning out the storage area or just need extra room, please consider donating to Coats for the Community. All clothing will be distributed to Sullivan County residents in need during our Free Coat Friday events in Newport and Claremont in October.

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Keene Man Sentenced for Child Porn
A Keene NH man was sentenced to over 7 years in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of possessing child pornography in April. Court records showed that the Hinsdale Police Department obtained a search warrant for a Hinsdale residence in February of 2015 and during the search found evidence that Pless had downloaded child pornography. A forensic review of Pless’ hard drive confirmed that images of known minor children.
Pless must also register as a sex offender and complete ten years of supervised release after release from prison.
The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hinsdale Police Department led the investigation.
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Vermont Teen Arrested on Multiple Charges after Car Crash
A Vernon VT teen was arrested on multiple charges after a single car accident on Route 12 in Walpole NH Saturday night. NH State Police said Jonathan L. Grady of Vernon VT fled during a traffic stop while an officer was giving verbal commands. Grady continued to drive northbound on the road. After a short distance, Grady failed to negotiate a turn, causing his 2002 Nissan to go down an embankment and crash. Grady and passenger Tanner Walden 18, of Brattleboro, fled on foot into a wooded area.
A State Police K-9 was deployed to the scene and a Walpole officer spotted the teens in the woods. Walpole and State Police apprehended and detained the two teens. Police charged Grady with Disobeying an Officer, Conduct After an Accident, Misuse of Plates and Unregistered Vehicle. Walden was found to have sustained a minor injury from the crash. He was released without charges and was transported to Cheshire Medical Center.

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On July 22, 2017 at approximately 3:43 PM, the New Hampshire State Police responded to a single vehicle collision on Route 123 in Walpole in the area of the Walpole Transfer Station.

The initial investigation revealed that a 1977 Chevrolet Corvette was traveling north on Route 123 when it failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway.  The vehicle left the roadway and impacted a large tree.  Raymond J. Gosetti 19, of Langdon NH was the driver.

Gosetti was transported to the Cheshire Medical Center in Keene for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

A passenger in the vehicle, Zachary Ledrew 19 of Walpole NH was taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon via air ambulance.  Ledrew  suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

Alcohol and speed appear to be factors in the collision.  Gosetti has been charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated and was released on personal recognizance bail pending arraignment in Cheshire County Superior Court.

Route 123 was closed in this area for several hours while the scene was investigated.  The NH State Police were assisted on scene by the Walpole Police Department, the Marlow Police Department, the Bellows Falls, VT Police Department, the Walpole Fire Department, and Diluzio Ambulance Service.

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Trooper Aramus Caraballo at (603) 223-8494.

On July 19, 2017 at approximately 5:05PM, Lebanon Police Officer Dan Gaspard was traveling south on Plainfield Road when he observed a black Ford Mustang exit a plaza parking lot recklessly at a high rate of speed, then slide sideways across two lanes of traveling while accelerating rapidly.
Officer Gaspard activated his emergency lights and attempting to stop the Ford Mustang, but the vehicle began to flee. The vehicle turned off Plainfield Road momentarily in an attempt to elude the officer, then traveled back onto Plainfield Road before turning onto the I89 southbound on-ramp. The vehicle spun out and side swiped another vehicle on the on-ramp before fleeing once again, this time with a flat rear tire.
The Ford Mustang continued to flee from the officer on the highway until losing control at the I89 SB rest area, where it crashed through the fencing in front of the State Weigh Station. Michael Polito, age 28, of Chelsea Vermont, was taken into custody outside his vehicle in the lot of the Weigh Station.
Polito is charged with Reckless Conduct, a Class B Misdemeanor, Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, Disobeying an Officer and Conduct after an Accident, all Class A Misdemeanors. He is also charged with Reckless Operation, a Violation. His bail was set at $10,000 cash and he was transported to the Grafton County House of Corrections pending arraignment.

On 7/16/17 at approximately 1:10AM, the Lebanon Police Department took a report of a female lying in the roadway, unconscious, on Mechanic Street bleeding from the face. Several witnesses reported a black Saab fleeing the scene with a male subject in the vehicle.
Officers arrived and located the injured 26 year-old female victim. Several witnesses reported that a male subject in the black Saab had dragged her out of the vehicle and struck her in the face, causing her to lose consciousness, and left her lying in the roadway.
The suspect vehicle was located on Mechanic Street as it was traveling back toward the area where the victim was found. A Lebanon Officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over. The vehicle and suspect then stopped at the scene where officers attempted to detain him, but he resisted and was taken into custody after a brief struggle.
After a subsequent investigation, Eric Briggs, age 27, of Lebanon, NH was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Assault and Possession of the Controlled Drug Suboxone, both Class B Felonies, Driving While Intoxicated, a Class B Misdemeanor along with Resisting Arrest/Detention and Reckless Conduct, all Class A Misdemeanors. The female victim was treated at the hospital for a broken nose and lacerations to the face.
Briggs was subsequently held on $5,000 cash bail and transported to the Grafton County House of Corrections where he will await arraignment in the Grafton County Superior Court on July 17th, 2017.

Employee Dies in Townshend Horse Farm Fire
An employee of Friesians of Majesty Horse Farm in Townshend VT died in a fire that ravaged a barn and two apartments early Sunday morning. Upon arrival, Townshend Firefighters found the large barn and attached two unit apartments fully engulfed in flames shortly after 12:30 am. Townshend Fire Chief Douglas Winot immediately activated the mutual aid system and were sounded for a 5-Alarm.
While fighting the blaze firefighters learned an employee was not accounted for, and the fire department was unable to locate the employee during the firefight.
The Department of Public Safety Fire Investigation Unit was called to conduct an origin and cause investigation and to assist with locating the body. The name of the victim is not being released pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.
All of the horses were able to escape to safety. The estimated cost of the uninsured buildings is estimated at $1 million dollars. The horse farm was the largest Friesian breeding farm in the US.
The fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature at this time, however; the fire is still under investigation by the Department of Public Safety Fire Investigation Unit. Anyone with information concerning this fire is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police

Newport Man Arrested for Croydon Crash
More details were learned this weekend about a single car crash in Croydon on Thursday. Croydon Police Chief Richard Lee said Brandon Callum of Newport was arrested for Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The accident happened after Springfield NH Police sent out a Be on the Lookout for a 2013 Toyota Rav 4 driving erratically on Route 114 driving towards Grantham. Shortly after 3:30 pm, Lee received a call of a single car rollover in the woods off Route 10 South.
The heavily damaged Toyota was towed from the scene and driver, Brandon Callum was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs after he failed a field sobriety test. Callum was taken to New London Hospital for drug tests but results won’t’ be known for 45 days. Callum will appear in Newport District Court on August 1 to answer the charge.

Westminster VT Man Arrested on NH Warrant
A Westminster VT Man was arrested Friday for an outstanding NH arrest warrant involving a stolen firearm. Bellows Falls Police and Vermont State Police arrested Raymond Monty Jr. on a warrant that alleged Monty stole a firearm from an NH residence and took it to Vermont where he traded it for money and Heroin.
Bellows Falls’ officers located the stolen firearm previously at a Bellows Falls residence and have been working with NH State Police – Troop C on the case. In a separate incident on June 10, Monty allegedly stole money from a person in Bellows Falls and fled.
Monty was already on conditions of release from Windham County Superior Court on another unrelated matter. Monty was ordered held without bail at the Southern State Correctional Facility pending his arraignment today in Windham County Court on charges of being a Fugitive from Justice (NH Warrant); Larceny from the Person; Violation of Conditions of Release and Receiving Stolen Property.

Fire At Blackwater Junction Restaurant
A fire broke out at Blackwater Junction Restaurant on Rt. 11 in Andover shortly after 8:30 pm on Sunday. Smoke and fire were coming from the rear of the one and a half story building when firefighters arrived and a 2-Alarm was called. Mutual aid fire companies assisted with the fire. The fire was under control about 9:45 pm but crews were still at the scene as of 12:15 am this morning. WNTK will bring you an update on the fire when we receive more information.