WNTK Local News

September will now see the trial of a man charged with kidnapping a woman and child from a mall in New Hampshire before bringing them to Vermont, after it was postponed on Tuesday, reports Westport News.

The trial has reportedly been delayed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. After leaving a drug abuse rehabilitation center in 2019, 42-year-old Everett Simpson traveled to Manchester, NH, and allegedly kidnapped a woman and her child before bringing them to a White River Junction, VT hotel. He then allegedly sexually assaulted the older woman. He is facing both kidnapping charges, and a separate sexual assault charge.

Simpson received new judges in January 2020, who stated that they lost three months that they could have used to prepare for the trial due to limitations created by the coronavirus.

Simspson has not entered a plea on the state charges, but has plead not guilty to the federal charges against him. 

Colby-Sawyer College in New London has announced an increase in deposited nursing students for the Fall 2020 semester, via their website.

According to the college, they have received deposits from 90 students for what is the “top-ranked nursing program” in New Hampshire. This is a 34% increase from the Fall 2019 semester, and a 64% increase from the nursing program’s Class of 2020.

According to RegisteredNursing.org, Colby-Sawyer’s program is ranked first in the state, with over 80% of it’s students accepting positions in the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health system post-grad. Graduates from the program surpass the national pass rate of the National Council Licensure Exam, with a four-year average of 99%.

Colby-Sawyer President Susan D. Stuebner says of the program, “Whether being ranked number one in the state for undergraduate nursing, or our 99% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN professional certification exam, our students benefit from the powerful combination of committed faculty at the college and clinical experiences at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. These elements make our program highly attractive to prospective and current students wanting to enter a career that is in dire need in New Hampshire and beyond.”

The Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon is creating a virtual center aiming to better Crohn’s Disease treatment across Northern New England, reports the New Haven Register.

Using a grant from the Leona M and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, DHMC plans to expand its telemedicine program for inflammatory bowel disease. The virtual center will reportedly serve patients in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.

Officials report that there is currently a nationwide shortage of Crohn’s Disease specialists, which is especially acute in rural communities. 

Vermont health officials have released the state’s COVID-19 statistics for the date of May 18, 2020, via WCAX.

As of today, the state has seen 940 confirmed COVID-19 cases, which have been linked to 54 deaths. To date, nearly 24,000 tests have been administered. There are 20 people currently being monitored for symptoms, while 860 have completed the monitoring process. So far, 815 people have recovered from the coronavirus.

As of today, child care facilities in the state can begin re-opening. Governor Phil Scott has extended the state’s “state-of-emergency” until June 15th. 

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu encouraged childcare facilities to begin re-opening at a press conference Monday, reports WMUR.

According to Sununu, approximately 250 childcare facilities remained open during the pandemic, and he encouraged others to follow course. This is largely due to other businesses beginning to open, making childcare a greater need.

Under the guidelines, it is encouraged that childcare centers ask adults dropping off children to wear face masks when they are in the facility or in public spaces near children. The state is asking children not to wear face masks while at the facility, for safety reasons.

Staff members will be required to wear face masks while at the facility. 

At a press conference Monday, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu issued guidelines for the re-opening of outdoor recreational activities, reports WMUR.

These activities include driving ranges, mini golf, paintball, and shooting ranges. Sununu stated that these activities can be performed individually or in groups of less than 10. Businesses such as these can begin operations immediately, as long as strict guidelines are followed which include; staff members and customers wearing face masks, screening customers for risk factors, and limiting capacity. 

The new rules apply to centers for biking, canoe and kayak rentals, mini-golf, outdoor driving ranges, outdoor shooting ranges, small fishing charters, paintball, outdoor guiding services (such as fishing, hunting, hiking) and other small group outdoor activities that are able to follow the guidance.

Large group activities and tourist attractions remain closed under the new guidelines. 

On Friday, Vermont Governor Phil Scott extended the state’s “state-of-emergency” until June 15th, reports NBC 5.

This extension reportedly will not change planned easements on the state’s “stay-at-home” order. According to Scott, the state has the lowest three-day and seven-day COVID-19 growth rates in the country, which he described as “promising”. Scott also stated that if these numbers stay consistent, the re-opening of close contact businesses such as restaurants and salons may be imminent.

Retail operations are set to open on Monday.  

A Manchester man has been arrested in connection with a January home invasion in Bow, reports WCAX.

On January 29, 2020, a man was reportedly attacked inside his home on Woodhill Hooksett Road in Bow. He was not injured in the incident. On Sunday, police arrested 18-year-old Duncan Holley, and he has been charged with felony theft, burglary, and robbery.

According to Bow police, three men were involved in the invasion, and they expect to make more arrests connected to the incident. 

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu recently announced relief funds are on their way for the state, reports WCAX.

Sununu announced that he is committing $595 million in COVID-19 relief funds, which will go to areas and industries that have been most affected. The state’s legislative advisory committee has recommended that; $400 million go towards Main Street relief, $50 million for healthcare relief, and $25 million for childcare.

NH has previously committed approximately $250,000 in relief funds. 

Vermont Health Officials have released Thursday’s COVID-19 statistics, via WCAX.

As of today, there have been 932 coronavirus cases in VT, with 53 deaths related to the virus. To date, 22,505 tests have been conducted. There are currently 27 people being monitored for symptoms, while 851 have completed the monitoring process. 792 have recovered from COVID-19.

The state’s stay-at-home order is set to expire on Friday, but Governor Phil Scott has said he is likely to extend it with looser restrictions.