WNTK Local News

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer Hotline has received an increase in reports of Social Security-related scams targeted largely at elders, reports the Associated Press.

Many residents have called the hotline reporting that they have received an automated message stating that there has been “fraud” associated with their Social Security number. The message then asks the listener to press “1” and/or to stay on the line until someone can assist them. The recipient of the call is then connected with someone who requests their name, date of birth, and Social Security number.

Consumers reported that the scammers use fear tactics and in some cases, threaten them over the phone. When calls go unanswered, they leave messages asking the consumers to call them back.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the Social Security Administration will never threaten citizens, suspend Social Security numbers, or make unsolicited phone calls asking for ID.

If you or someone you know receive one of these calls, you are encouraged to report the scam to the Office of the Inspector General in the Social Security Administration and to the NH Consumer Protection Hotline. 

On Thursday, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu announced that he is planning to request money from the state Drinking Water and Groundwater Advisory Commission to go towards an emergency fund for citizens who’s wells have dried up, reports the Associated Press.

Sununu stated, “We don’t want anyone to go without drinking water,” while reporting that he will be seeking several million dollars for this fund.

A report from the US Drought Monitor released on Thursday states that 22% of NH is now under extreme drought conditions.

This marks a nearly 12% increase since last week’s report.

There are now two COVID-19 cases involving students in the Lebanon School District, reports the Valley News.

On Thursday, school officials reported that they had been informed of two cases in the district, forcing them to cancel practices, games, and other extracurricular activities through Monday. They also made the decision to close the city’s four schools on Friday.

Superintendent Joanne Roberts announced in an email to families that one case involved a Lebanon High student. However, this student does not ride the bus, and has not been seen at school in several days while awaiting COVID-19 test results. Prior to this information, Roberts had already sent home an email regarding a positive test in Lebanon’s middle school.

She stated, “We are actively working with and following guidelines from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.”

Lebanon will be providing DHHS with people who came into close contact with the two infected parties. DHHS will then contact these families and advise them to self-quarantine at home. They will also be directed to get COVID-19 tests.

Roberts commented, “We will work with these families to provide educational instruction and support during this time. We will certainly keep you informed if further steps or actions need to be taken.”

Police are searching for a group of individuals involved in the vandalizing of a Randolph, Vermont car wash, reports WCAX.

Vermont State Police state that they received notice of suspicious activity occurring at Randolph’s South End Auto early Monday morning. Upon arriving at the scene, troopers found the area to be quiet and devoid of people.

A further investigation of the surrounding area found that the self-pay car wash stations at the dealership had been vandalized. Two of the coin-operated machines in the wash bays were forced open and heavily damaged, as well as an exterior vacuum machine.

According to a Facebook post from the small business, they are closed until further notice, and the small amount of change stolen from the machines has led to thousands of dollars in damage. 

The state of New Hampshire is offering $12 million in pandemic relief funds to live arts venues statewide, reports nhpr.

The large sum will be coming from NH’s share of the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Program.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the state’s entertainment industry has suffered, leading to many venues cancelling or postponing shows, or attempting to run events at a limited capacity.

Governor Chris Sununu stated that live venues are the “lifeblood of many communities.” He continued to comment that losing these art centers could have a “negative ripple effect” for years to come. 

Vermont Governor Phil Scott has vetoed a bill that focuses on updating Act 250, reports vpr.

Act 250 is VT’s now 50-year-old development review law. Scott originally backed a compromise proposal that was supported by many VT environmentalists. The bill aimed to provide extra protections for upper elevation areas, as well as lifting Act 250 reviews in designated downtown locations.

In the past few months, the bill was reportedly slimmed down as lawmakers struggled with details while working remotely amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In his veto message on Monday, Scott stated that the final bill added new regulatory hurdles for recreational trails.

The governor also issued an executive order that addresses trail issues in the short term. 

A New Hampshire man has been arrested following a fatal motorcycle accident Sunday in Andover, reports WCAX.

According to the NH State Police, at approximately 9 PM, 42-year-old Dennis Boucher was traveling east on Route 4 when he lost control of his motorcycle while attempting to turn. Both he and his passenger, 41-year-old Tonya Boucher, were thrown from the vehicle and off the shoulder of the road.

The report states that Tonya died from her injuries at the scene. Dennis was airlifted to Lebanon’s Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Police allege that alcohol was a factor in the accident, and Boucher was later arrested and charged with negligent homicide.

Traffic on Route 4 had to be shut down for three hours. 

New Hampshire is set to receive a large grant from the Department of Justice to assist former adult and juvenile inmates transition back into society, reports the Associated Press.

The grant, as announced by US Attorney Scott Murray, is part of the department’s over $92 million in funds for reentry efforts across the country. NH is set to receive more than $600,000.

The grant was awarded by the department’s Office of Justice Programs, which aims to help communities create strategies that address challenges created by reentry and support reentry efforts for juveniles and parents with children. The grant will also reportedly help fund research and evaluation programs to advance understanding about re-offending.

In a statement, Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine Sullivan said, “I’m very pleased to make these resources available to help them get back on their feet and contribute to the prosperity of their communities and the betterment of our nation.”

A Plainfield, New Hampshire man will have to serve 17 more years in prison due to a 2007 incident at his home, reports MyChamplainValley.com.

78-year-old Edward Brown was originally sentenced to 37 years in prison, due to an armed standoff with US Marshals at his home back in 2007. The standoff was reportedly in protest of his tax evasion conviction, and led to the discovery of booby traps and explosives littered across his property.

Brown recently requested that a judge re-sentence him to time served, but was denied.

His wife, Elaine Brown, was originally sentenced to 35 years in prison, but in January her sentence was re-evaluated to time served. She is now free, and seeking a divorce. 

A Lebanon, New Hampshire man was reportedly killed Saturday night in Old Orchard Beach Maine, reports WMUR.

According to reports, police responded to reports late Saturday night that a man had been struck by a northbound Amtrak in Old Orchard Beach. Upon arriving at the scene, police found William Grizzaffi, 52, of Lebanon. He was pronounced dead on scene.

An initial investigation revealed that Grizzaffi had been walking with a wife and friend when he was struck, and that nearby signal devices appear to have been working properly.

Police believe alcohol may have been a factor, but state that the incident does not appear to be suspicious at this time.

Nobody else was injured during the incident.