WNTK Local News

Health officials in New Hampshire have discovered the first batch of mosquitoes to test positive for the West Nile Virus this season, reports WCAX.

West Nile is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites.

According to State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan, the best way to prevent it, and other mosquito-transmitted infections, is to use repellent, avoid being outdoors between dusk and dawn when they are most active, and remove standing water from around your home.

The first detection of the virus in NH was in August 2000, with the most recent case in an adult was in 2017.

This batch was found recently in Manchester. 

The Hanover, New Hampshire town select board has voted unanimously to pass a town wide ordinance limiting gatherings to 10 people or less, reports WCAX.

In addition to prohibiting gathers of more than 10, all residents are being asked to log guests that enter their homes, in case contact tracing becomes a necessity.

The report states that fines for those that do not adhere to this ordinance are a possibility, and that anyone wishing to hold a gathering of larger than 10 will need a permit.

According to officials, this applies to all residents of Hanover, not just students at Dartmouth College. Dartmouth students are set to return to campus on September 8th, and will have their own strict set of rules to follow.

On the decision to pass this ordinance Hanover’s Director of Code, Planning, and Zoning explained, “We have 900-plus seniors living in care facilities, we are adjacent to the largest medical center in the state. We are trying to do everything possible to prevent the spread of COVID.”

Officials have found, and captured, one of the three black bear cubs that were orphaned last week when their famous mother, Mink, was found dead, reports Patch.

Since last Tuesday, officials have been searching for the three orphaned cubs.

According to Andrew Timmins, the bear project leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, the male cub was captured near Route 10 in West Lebanon. He stated, “We’re getting further reports of the other two being in the area.”

Last week, Ben Kilham told the Valley News that, although Mink was originally thought to have died from injuries due to a car crash, a necropsy revealed that the bear had died of natural causes. Kilham will reportedly take care of the captured bear cub through the winter before releasing him in the spring.

The bear’s siblings have been spotted near the Hanover-Lebanon line on Saturday, and authorities are hopeful that they are traveling back to their den near the Mink Brook Nature Preserve. 

Those with print disabilities who are legally allowed to vote by absentee ballot in New Hampshire can now use their computers to mark their choices on an electronic ballot, reports the Associated Press.

This news was passed down by the NH Secretary of State’s Office on Monday. The electronic ballot would be emailed to the voter’s city or town clerk’s office, before being hand counted on election day. According to the office’s release, the voter’s choices would not be transmitted over the internet. A typed name will reportedly be considered a valid signature for those with print disabilities.

This option will be available for disabled voters for the upcoming September 8th primary election.

Applications are available on the Secretary of State’s website. 

A drunk driver was arrested driving the wrong direction on Interstate 91 Sunday morning, reports WCAX.

According to police, multiple officers responded to reports of a vehicle driving south in the northbound lane on I-91 in Norwich, Vermont. Officers from the Hartford, Norwich, Thetford, and Vermont State Police departments responded to the reports.

Officers were able to pull over the vehicle, and arrest 25-year-old Curtis Emerson of Hartford at approximately 1 AM.

Emerson has been charged with DUI and Careless and Negligent Operation. He is scheduled to appear in Windsor County Superior Court. 

A body was found in the Contoocook River in Henniker, New Hampshire on Saturday night, reports WMUR.

According to police, they were called to the area of 1057 Western Avenue in Henniker at approximately 6:50 PM. A fly fisher had called 911 after reportedly seeing a body in the river. Also arriving at the scene were the Henniker Fire and Rescue teams, along with a Medical Examiner.

Upon arrival, the body was retrieved from the river and a preliminary examination was performed on site.

The incident remains under investigation, and the report states that more information will be provided upon the completion of an autopsy.

At this time, police do not believe there is any risk to public safety. 

New Hampshire has purchased 25 rapid COVID-19 test machines, reports WMUR.

According to state health officials, NH has ordered 25 Sofia test machines, which will be distributed to community health centers around the Granite State.

On Wednesday, school nurses told state officials that rapid testing is crucial to identifying students who may have the virus. Sofia test machines can generate results in as little as 15 minutes.

NH Governor Chris Sununu stated, “”And it will allow for community access to rapid antigen testing for students, teachers and the general community, and the vast majority of these centers are located in our community hospitals or hospital-affiliated medical practices.”

State Health Commissioner Lori Shibinette says that the 25 machines cost the state $50,000 and they will hopefully be in place between October and November. 

The Claremont Police Department have announced that the mental health crisis, which led to a day long stand-off, has been peacefully resolved.

According to their press release, at approximately 9:55 AM on Thursday authorities were alerted to a potential mental health crisis involving the resident of an apartment building in the North/Chellis Street area of the city. Upon arrival, officers located the individual in crisis, and opened a dialogue.

Several nearby homes were evacuated, and a childcare center was asked to shelter in place, before being evacuated later. A “Code Red” was sent out to the community, and citizens were warned to avoid travel through this area.

At approximately 5:30 PM, the situation came to an end as the citizen agreed to obtain further help from a mental health team. The area was then made safe for residents to return, and for travel to resume.

The Claremont PD has extended thanks to members of the New Hampshire State Police Crisis Intervention Team, local State Troopers, and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.

Due to the nature of the situation, the citizen’s identity has not been revealed, and the incident remains under investigation. 

The Barre, Vermont Police Department are now offering a $5,000 reward for information on a local man who has been missing since April, reports WCAX.

38-year-old Ralph “Rizz” Jean-Marie was last seen on April 13th, and was reported missing by friends two days later. In June, police told WCAX that Jean-Marie was staying at Barre’s Hollow Inn, and had a fight with his partner. After the fight, he left, leaving behind his glasses, ID, medications, and wallet. According to police, this was highly unusual, especially considering his numerous underlying health conditions.

Now, police have stated that they can no longer confirm that information and believe that he has been the victim of foul play. Officers reportedly believe that one to two people had a hand in his disappearance, and that people with secondary knowledge are not coming forward.

Police have conducted 14 interviews, 15 searches, and investigated countless social media comments since Jean-Marie’s disappearance. Potential evidence has been submitted to the state lab for investigation.

If you have any information, please contact the Barre Police Department at 802-476-6613 or VTIPS at 844-848-8477. 

Mink the Bear has passed away, reports the Valley News.

Mink garnered attention throughout the Upper Valley by traveling and raising several litters of cubs over the years.

In 2017, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu had her cubs relocated to an isolated area in northern NH.

A few years ago, NH Fish and Game Officials equipped Mink with a tracking collar. Officials noted that no activity had been recorded in multiple days, leading to them searching for the bear.

She was found on the edge of the Mascoma River near Old Pine Tree Cemetery Road in Lebanon. After an examination, it was found that she most likely succumbed to injuries after being struck by a vehicle and breaking her foreleg.

Fish and Game is hoping to locate and keep her cubs at the bear preserve and rehab center in Kilham this winter.