WNTK Local News

Beginning on Tuesday, December 29th, vaccinations for New Hampshire first responders and high-risk healthcare workers, who do not work in hospitals, will begin.

According to the Associated Press, the state is set to open 13 vaccination clinics for first responders and ambulance care workers. In high population density areas, these locations will be open five days per week, with others in lower populated areas operating two or three days a week.

State health officials reported on Monday that individuals who are eligible to receive the vaccine will be notified by their professional associations, licensing boards, and other organizations. Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette stated, “We are making great strides in deploying the COVID-19 vaccine to people working on the front lines and at highest risk of exposure.”

Vaccinations for NH’s first group, which includes hospital workers, nursing home residents and staff, first responders, and ambulatory care workers, are expected to be completed by mid-January 2021. 

The Lebanon Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects involved in a motor vehicle theft.

According to their press release, on Thursday, December 24th, one man and one woman were captured on camera in the parking lot of Lebanon’s Key Nissan.

The man was wearing a plaid jacket, dark jeans, and had shoulder-length hair. The woman was observed wearing a blue hoodie, black jacket, leggings, and had dark hair. She is suspected of removing keys from inside the closed dealership before driving off the premises with a blue 2019 Nissan Pathfinder.

If you have any information regarding the identities or whereabouts of the suspects, you are encouraged to contact Officer Brandon Conlon at 603-448-1212. You may also submit information anonymously via the Lebanon PD’s Tip Line at 603-448-CLUE or online at LebanonNH.gov/CLUE. 

One Townshend, Vermont man is in custody following a violent Christmas Eve altercation, according to a press release from the Westminster VT State Police Barracks.

At approximately 9:30 PM on December 24th, the VSP took a call reporting that 34-year-old Oscar Cruz had kicked a woman down the stairs before assaulting a second member of the household. When Troopers arrived on scene, Cruz had left the property.

Initial discussions with the victims yielded that Cruz had physically assaulted two women before leaving. He was also in violation of conditions of release from a prior domestic assault incident. Cruz returned to the property while Troopers were still on the premises.

He was then arrested and transported to the Westminster Barracks for processing, and then lodged at the Southern State Correctional Facility.

Cruz is scheduled to appear in VT Superior Court, Windham Criminal Division on December 28th at 12:30 PM. At this time he will answer to charges of 2nd Degree Aggravated Domestic Assault, Aggravated Assault, and Violation of Conditions of Release.  

The Hanover Police Department is investigating the shooting of Dartmouth College’s menorah as a possible hate crime, according to NBC 5.

At approximately 8 PM on Tuesday, December 15th, an individual shot out seven of the nine lights on the menorah with what is believed to have been a pellet or BB gun.

According to Detective Michael Benson, one witness has stated that, “They observed two white males who appear to be high school-aged and one of them was carrying a BB gun or a pellet gun and they were shooting it at the menorah and damaged one of the lights.” Reportedly, the witness also told police that the two walked north on Main Street and continued shooting at random objects. None of which, according to police, contained any religious significance.

Police have obtained surveillance video from the Hanover Inn that depicts the two possibly involved.

At this time, police are investigating the shooting as a possible hate crime. They state, “Hate crimes affect the community in a big way and we’re investigating this as a hate crime based off the fact that the menorah on the Dartmouth Green was shot and we are giving all of our information to the Attorney General Office’s Civil Rights unit.”

A family fight in Bethel, Vermont has led to a Domestic Assault arrest, according to the VT State Police-Royalton Barracks.

At approximately 5:50 AM on Wednesday, December 23rd, troopers from the VSP-Royalton Barracks were dispatched to investigate a family fight, which allegedly occurred in a moving vehicle, in the town of Bethel.

Upon an initial investigation, it was discovered that 32-year-old Ryan Adams, of Bethel, had physically assaulted a family member in the vehicle they were riding in. Adams was then located and placed under arrest for Domestic Assault in the Presence of a Minor.

He was transported to the Royalton Barracks where he was processed and cited to appear in Windsor County Superior Court at 12:30 PM on the same day. 

The Vermont State Police-Westminster Barracks have provided an update on Monday’s accidental shooting in Rockingham.

On Monday, December 21st, the VSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation began an examination of the report of a man who had been admitted to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound.

The investigation yielded that Donald E. Willson II, 40, of Rockingham had accidentally discharged his 9 MM caliber pistol outside his home. The investigation also discovered that no other individuals were involved in the incident. As a result of the shooting, Willson sustained non-life threatening injuries to his right thigh and calf.

He was later transported to Lebanon, New Hampshire’s Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where he is currently in stable condition. 

According to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge will be receiving repairs at the start of the new year.

NHDOT is planning to replace multiple worn-down deck planks on the ends of the bridge beginning on January 4th, 2021.

For one week, from 7 AM to 3 PM, the bridge will be closed to all traffic. Following this, for four weeks, drivers will be forced to use one lane of alternating traffic. At the end of operations each day, the bridge will reopen to traffic. Work on the bridge is expected to be completed in February.

The bridge, which “bridges” the gap over the Connecticut River between the towns of Cornish, NH and Windsor, Vermont, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The Vermont State Police’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation have launched an inquisition into a late night shooting in Rockingham, according to a release from the VSP-Westminster Barracks.

At approximately 10:30 PM on Monday, December 21st, an individual was admitted to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital with what the release described as, “a non-life threatening gunshot injury.”

An initial investigation revealed that this was an isolated incident, and there is no current threat to the public.

At this time, the VSP are not identifying any of the individuals involved in the shooting.

The investigation is considered to be ongoing, and further details will be released at a later date and time.  

A Saturday afternoon fire in Hartland, Vermont is currently under investigation, according to a press release from the VT State Police-Westminster Barracks.

At approximately 4:45 PM on Saturday, December 19th, a neighbor of Stephen (age 63) and Marlene (age 63) Murray saw flames rising from their home at 17 Independence Drive and contacted the authorities.

Upon the fire department’s arrival, the home was fully engulfed in flames. Reportedly, several local fire departments arrived on scene and, after relaying water from a nearby pond, were able to get the blaze under control. At this time, Hartland Fire Chief John Sanders requested assistance from the Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit.

On Sunday, December 20th, members of the unit responded to the scene of the fire and conducted their investigation. However, due to the extensive damage and total loss of the structure, the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Based on eye witness accounts, the origin of the fire appears to have been in the basement.

While the owners of the home, the Murray’s, were not home at the time of the incident, their six German Shepherd dogs were. All six were lost.

If you have any information regarding the fire, please contact Detective Sergeant Todd Ambroz at 802-878-7111 or by email at todd.ambroz@vermont.gov. 

A Sharon, Vermont man has been charged with DUI and Disorderly Conduct following an incident Friday afternoon, report the VT State Police-Royalton Barracks via press release.

At approximately 4:30 PM on Friday, December 18th, the VSP received a call reporting a dispute at Tracy’s Midway Station on Route 14 in Sharon. Upon troopers’ arrival, all participants in the dispute had left the premises.

Douglas Jones, 70, was then located at his residence. Upon initial investigation, it was determined that Jones had committed the offenses of Disorderly Conduct and DUI #2. He was taken into custody and transported to the VSP-Royalton Barracks for further processing.

Jones was then released with a citation to appear in Windsor County Superior Court on January 12th, 2021 at 1:30 PM to answer to these charges.