WNTK Local News

The Sunapee Police Department are warning local residents of a new phone scam, reports E-Ticker News of Claremont.

Police received notice last Friday from a resident about the possible new scam. According to Police Chief David Cahill, “The citizen reported receiving a letter in the mail from a research company requesting the recipient’s participation in a survey. The letter explains that the survey can only be accessed by a computer or smart phone.”

He goes on to state that the letter tells recipients they will be sent $5 if they participate in the survey. Police research revealed that this does appear to be a scam, which looks to trick citizens into divulging their personal information. They ask citizens to discard the letter if it is received.

Cahill thanked the citizen for reporting the incident, and ask others to do the same when met with something that seems suspicious. 

J.C. Penney in West Lebanon is set to close as part of the company’s downsizing efforts, reports WCAX

According to the report, the Plano, Texas-based retailer will begin closing 154 stores next week, as it attempts to reduce its footprint. The company stated that it could take 10 to 16 weeks to completely close all 154 locations.

J.C. Penney filed for bankruptcy protection last month. This made the company the largest retailer to do so since COVID-19 forced non-essential businesses to close down temporarily.

The West Lebanon location is one of four in NH that will close during the downsizing. The others being in North Conway, Keene, and Rochester. 

The body of a man recently found in Chester, Vermont has been identified, reports WCAX.

According to police, the body has been identified as Joshua Webster, 39, of Springfield, VT. Webster was reported missing to the Hartford Police Department in March. Webster was found in a creek near Wyman Falls Road in Chester.

An autopsy was performed on Saturday, although the cause and manner of death are still pending the completion of the toxicology report. 

A member of the New Hampshire National Guard has been identified as the victim who drowned last week in the Merrimack River, reports CBS Boston.

21-year-old Spc. Pamela Anne Usanase was a senior at Plymouth State College and a culinary specialist in the 3643rd Brigade Support Battalion. Usanase drowned on May 30th in the river at Pebble Beach in Canterbury, NH when she became overwhelmed by the currents and deep water, according to the National Guard. A second person also died, but the individual was not identified by CBS Boston.

NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities stated, “Pamela was a focused and dedicated soldier with a promising future in our organization. She was admired and respected by her fellow guardsmen. Please keep Pamela’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

According to a tweet by Governor Chris Sununu, Usanase had been working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, distributing food to those in need. He went on to say he is “deeply saddened” by her loss. 

The state of New Hampshire has explained the process for people to register to vote in elections this fall, reports nhpr.

According to new state guidance, prospective voters, wishing to register, would request an absentee ballot from their city or town clerk’s office, or from the NH Secretary of State. Along with filling out a registration form, voters will need to provide a current photo ID and a proof of residency (e.g. a bank statement, bill, or other document with person’s address). Also needed will be a witness, standing six feet away or behind a window, to watch the voter sign their form and to attest via affidavit to the voter’s identity.

Forms will need to be returned, by mail or by hand, to local clerk’s.

The annual NASCAR race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon has been postponed, reports WMUR.

The race was originally scheduled to take place on July 19th, but delays due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have pushed the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 Cup Series race, which will now take place on August 2nd.

It is not yet known at this time if fans will be allowed to attend the race, although officials for the track are optimistic. Ticket-holders for this event have the choice to either receive a full refund, or receive an event credit for the full amount paid plus 20%. Requests need to be made within 30 days. Those with questions can call 833-4LOUDON or email FansFirst@NMHS.com.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race for that weekend has been cancelled. 

Multiple Upper Valley businesses are being forced to close due to effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, reports NBC 5.

One of these businesses, Salt Hill Pub in Hanover, announced their closing Tuesday via Facebook by stating, “given the well-documented challenges associated with COVID-19, we have decided to close our restaurant at 7 Lebanon Street in Hanover.”

Also closing is Morano Gelato, a Massachusetts based company who will be closing their Hanover location.

Aero Med Essentials, a business that sold CBD products, is reportedly closing down their Allen Street location.

And finally, according to the Skinny Pancake, they did not renew their lease at their current location. They had the intent to find another building, but as of now will not be opening at all due to COVID-19 making finding a new location difficult. 

A large vigil in memory of George Floyd and other victims of police brutality took place in Manchester Tuesday night, reports WMUR.

Approximately 700 protesters gathered at Stark Park to protest racial injustice. Beginning at 8 PM, protesters raised candles, sang songs, and prayed for victims such as George Floyd. Floyd was killed last week when Derek Chauvin, a police officer who placed his knee on Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes while he asserted “I can’t breathe”, was in custody.

Chauvin has since been fired and charged with second-degree murder. Three other officers at the scene were also fired, and are facing charges of aiding and abetting.

The event was organized by Black Lives Matter Manchester, who stated that the vigil was not only about remembering Floyd, but about mourning the lives of many POC (people of color) who have lost their lives due to systemic racism.

This was another in a string of vigils and protests that have taken place throughout the state since Floyd’s passing. 

The 2020 Hopkinton Fair has been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, reports WMUR.

Officials for the fair announced the cancelling of the event on Wednesday. According to the officials, they made a “difficult decision” after talking to multiple groups including fire, health, and police officials. Via a Facebook post they stated, “The health and safety of everyone takes precedence during this unprecedented time.”

So far, eight state fairs in New Hampshire have been called off. 

The Dartmouth College Big Green hockey team have found their replacement for longtime coach Bob Gaudet, reports the Boston Globe.

On Monday, Dartmouth Athletic Director Harry Sheehy announced the hiring of Reid Cashman as the 22nd head coach in program history. Cashman had spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the NHL’s Washington Capitals. Cashman is a graduate from the Quinnipiac Class of 2007, where he later returned to coach them to two Frozen Fours in 2013 and 2016.

He will take over for Gaudet, who coached for 23 seasons at Dartmouth prior to his recent retirement.