Springfield Police Seek Help with Driver ID

Springfield VT Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a driver who fled the scene of an accident Tuesday evening. Police say shortly before 7:30 PM a white car struck another vehicle on Summer Hill Street and then fled the scene. The white car is thought to have damage on the front-left quarter and possibly the side view mirror and tire. A photo of the car running a red light and turning onto Park from Summer Hill Street around the time of the accident. Anyone with information should call Sergeant Gregory Molgano at 802-885-2113.
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Rededication Service for Hoyt Community Care Center
The Newport Area Association of Churches announced a Rededication Service for the Hoyt Community Care Center will be on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 11:00 AM. The Rededication will mark the twentieth anniversary of the completion of the building. The Hoyt Center houses the Newport Food Pantry, the oldest and most important element of the Newport Area Association of Churches.
Over the past two decades, hundreds of compassionate volunteers based at the Hoyt Center have offered food, amounting to hundreds of thousands of meals, to thousands of food-insecure individuals and families living in and around Newport in southern Sullivan County.
All are invited to attend the Rededication Ceremony that starts with a brief program at 11:00, followed by prayers of rededication, recognition of volunteers and refreshments. Donations would be appreciated since the Food Pantry also will be starting their fundraising season. The Hoyt Center is located at 95-97 Main Street in Newport, NH. For more information, call 603-863-3411.

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One Credit Union Receives Excellence Award
One Credit Union of Springfield VT won the 2017 CUNA Excellence Award. Brett Smith President and CEO of One Credit Union made the announcement on Tuesday that the One CU team received the honor for their unwavering commitment to member service – Together we are One. The Excellence Award recognizes a noteworthy achievement that demonstrates a new, innovative solution to a common challenge.
The award was presented at the CUNA Operations & Member Experience Council’s 20th annual conference held October 1-4 in Phoenix, AZ.
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Local Towns Ban Burning
Two VT towns have issued no burning warnings due to dry conditions. There will be no burning in the town of Weathersfield VT until further notice. Anyone with questions should call Fire Chief Spaulding at 802-296-1888. In addition, Thetford VT is not permitting outdoor burning due to conditions.
Both Vermont and NH fire dangers are in Class 3 Fire Danger.
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September 25, 2017, West Lebanon, NH: at 1325 hours the Lebanon Fire Department received a report that the building above was filling with smoke and that there might be a fire in the kitchen. While en-route Lebanon Communications provided an update that there was now a report of three people with unknown injuries. Upon arrival of Lebanon Car 1, Chief Christopoulos reported a light smoke condition in the building and all occupants had evacuated. Employees reported that there was a grease fire in the kitchen. Upon further investigation, the fire was found to be extinguished by the range hood fire suppression system. The fire was declared under control at 1333 hours.
One occupant, a 33-year-old female was evaluated on scene by Lebanon and Hartford Firefighters for smoke inhalation and transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center by the Hartford, VT Fire Department ambulance.
The fire was contained to the unit if origin and personnel assisted with smoke evacuation. There were no other injuries. Burger King will remain closed until further notice while they work to restore the fire protection systems and clean the area involved.
Questions related to this incident should be directed to Chief Chris Christopoulos at the Lebanon Fire Department at (603) 448-8810.

Two Killed in Head-On Collision in Croydon

Two Vermont residents lost their lives on Route 10 in Croydon Flat just before 11:15 pm on Friday. Police say Michelle J. Fenimore 20 of Brownington VT and Nicholas Carpenter 18 of Coventry VT were pronounced dead at the scene after being hit head-on by Kristina Lake 22 or Sharon VT. An investigation showed Lake was traveling on Route 10 North when she drifted into the southbound lane and hit Fenimore’s Volvo head-on. Both cars landed on a mound off the southbound lane.
Lake received minor injuries and arrested on two counts of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, and Negligent Homicide. Lake was released on $50,000.00 personal recognizance and will be arraigned in Newport District Court on Oct. 3rd to answer the charges.
The State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit (C.A.R. Unit) are handling the crash investigation. Anyone that has further information related to this collision is encouraged to please contact Trooper Michael McLaughlin at (603) 419-0130.

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Claremont Man Arrested and Another Injured in Fiery Crash in VT

One Claremont man was arrested and another man injured on Friday, after a fiery crash in VT. The Windham Sheriff’s Department said they received several calls reporting a Toyota Pick-Up truck driving erratically just missing a small child in the beach area of the Mt. Vernon dam.
The driver of the Toyota, Christopher P. Lessard left the area and went south on Fort Bridgeman Road. Lessard then lost control crashing near the Vernon Town Highway Department and causing the pickup to burst into flames.
A witness pulled Lessard from the truck, but passenger Evan J. Kennett was trapped behind flames. Deputy David Upton used his fire extinguisher to extricate the Kennett to safety.
Kennett was taken to the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital before being airlifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon New Hampshire. During the crash, it appeared that Kennett received serious injuries but they were later determined to be non-life threatening.
Lessard was arrested for DUI, gross negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and reckless endangerment. Lessard was released on $1,000 bail. He will appear in Windham Court on Nov. 7th to answer the charges.

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Paving in Lebanon

Lebanon Public Works will be conducting minor repairs and general maintenance to isolated sections of Mill Road on Monday, September 25th and Tuesday, September 26th between the hours of 7 AM and 3 PM. Travelers should use caution while traveling in the work area. Any questions regarding this Notice should contact Bruce Temple, Assistant Director of Public Works at 603-448-3112.
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Rehabilitation of Sunapee Harbor Parking Lot and Boat Launch
The rehabilitation of the Sunapee Harbor Parking Lot and Boat Launch Ramp begins today. Those who use the facility should be aware that the Harbor parking lot will be closed starting today through Friday, Oct. 13th. There is parking available adjacent to Main Street above the Harbor Parking Lot and above the Gazebo.
The Harbor boat launch will be open through Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. It will be closed from Tuesday, Oct. 2nd, – Friday, Oct. 13th. Please use the George’s Mills boat launch for boating access to the lake between Tuesday, Oct. 2nd – Friday, Oct. 13th.
Pedestrian access to and from the MV Mount Sunapee II Tour Boat and MV Kearsarge Restaurant Ship will be maintained via the sidewalk located in front of the Harbor bathrooms.
The Harbor bathrooms will remain open, as well as the picnic area below and behind the bathrooms.
Contact Scott Hazelton, Highway Director, and (603) 763-5060 Ext. 11 if you have any questions.

The Lebanon Police Department has been conducting investigations through a social media provider, targeting individuals looking to victimize children.
Recently, Lebanon Police Officers engaged in a conversation via social media with a male who was later identified as Joseph Norko, age 51, of St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
The conversation was sexual in nature and led to Norko arriving at a local residence to meet whom he believed to be a 15-year-old female, for the purpose of sexual contact.
Joseph Norko was arrested and charged with Attempted Felonious Sexual Assault, Class B Felony, and Certain Use of Computer Services Prohibited, Class B Felony. Norko’s bail was set at $20,000 cash and he was transported to the Grafton County House of Corrections pending arraignment in the Grafton County Superior Court on September 22, 2017.
The Lebanon Police Department was assisted by the Portsmouth Police Department, Vermont Attorney General’s Office and the United States Department of Homeland Security, all of whom had active investigations involving Norko.
All participating agencies are affiliates of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC).

Hanover Police Warn of Scam
The Hanover Police Department is alerting residents of a phone fraud after reports of a caller claiming to be from the Hanover Police department. According to the complaint, the caller’s ID shows the Hanover Police telephone number of (603)643-2222, but the originating number is hidden.
In these scam calls, the caller claims the recipient owes outstanding fines and demands payment. If the recipient is suspicious or attempts to disconnect the call, they may be told an arrest warrant would be issued.
In recent weeks, similar scams have been ongoing in the area, with parties posing as or claiming to be from the Grafton County Sheriff’s Office or the Internal Revenue Service.
If you are suspicious of a call or believe you have been defrauded, please contact the Hanover Police Department at 603-643-2222.
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Town of Hanover Reminds Residents to Be Careful During Deer Hunting Season
The town of Hanover reminds residents to wear bright colors when going into the woods since the deer-hunting season has begun. The trails of Hanover’s Conservation lands, including the Trescott Water Company Lands, are open to hunters and hikers alike so be aware of your surroundings and know the dates for hunting deer.
Archery Season – Sept. 15th – Dec.15th (any deer: doe, buck or yearling)
Muzzleloader Season: Oct. 28th to Nov. 7th (any deer: Oct 28 – 31 only)
Firearm Season: Nov. 8th to Dec. 3rd (any deer: Nov 8 – 11 only)
If a landowner is concerned about the number of deer in Hanover and you have enough land for hunting, please consider inviting hunters onto your property. You can instruct them when to hunt, where to hunt and you can require them to take doe to help reduce the deer population.
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Governor Sununu to Establish Sunapee Boat Launch Commission
Governor Chris Sununu issued an Executive Order on Tuesday to establish a Lake Sunapee Public Boat Access Develop Commission. The fifteen-member commission will include members from the towns of Newbury, New London and Sunapee with the Chair being appointed by the Governor. The Commission will meet at the call of Chair at least once a month.
The Commission is charged with making a report by evaluating the following: Potential for expansion of existing Lake Sunapee public access points, traffic and boating safety, construction and development costs, input from public and private stakeholders, environmental concerns, safety, aesthetic and lifestyle impacts to residents on Lake Sunapee, and any other factors the Commission deems relevant to the evaluation.