WNTK Local News

The 2020 New Hampshire American Legion baseball season has officially been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reports the Sentinel Source.

On Sunday night, states that play legion baseball during the summer were informed of the season’s termination by an e-mail from the national office. In addition to the cancelled season, American Legion baseballs scholarships were cancelled. They were due to be sent to the national office by July 15th.

In the official statement, Americanism Commissioner Richard Anderson stated, “These times are unparalleled. And while it is distressing to think of all those youth across the nation who are disappointed to learn of the cancellation of American Legion programs this year, it would be a much, much greater tragedy if even just one of those (SIC) youth were to fall ill during a program. The Americanism Commission feels this is the right thing to do.”

Vermont Health Officials have announced the state’s latest COVID-19 statistics, reports WCAX.

As of Sunday, the state has 927 coronavirus cases, with 53 deaths related to the virus. Over 20,000 tests have been conducted. Right now there are 24 people being monitored for symptoms, while 845 have completed the monitoring process. 777 citizens have made a full recovery from COVID-19.

The state’s stay-at-home order is currently set to last until May 15. 

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced 61 new COVID-19 positive cases and two deaths on Sunday, reports WMUR.

The 61 cases bring NH’s total to 3071, with several citizens still under investigation. The two deaths were attributed to two cisgender male men over the age of 60. Five of the new positive cases were in people under the age of 18. Two new hospitalizations were also reported, bringing the hospitalization total to 315.

The state saw 71 new cases and 10 deaths on Saturday. 

Police are investigating the death of a motorcyclist last Thursday afternoon in Walpole, New Hampshire, reports WCAX.

At approximately 3:25 PM on Thursday, May 7, 2020, a UPS truck collided with a motorcycle carrying two passengers when leaving a driveway. The motorcycle reportedly lost control before crashing into the UPS truck. The driver, 34-year-old Alexander Wrobel of Marlborough, NH was not seriously injured but his passenger, 23-year-old Jennifer Washburn of Keene, NH was killed. Police state that speed is thought to be a factor but the incident is still under investigation.

The truck driver was uninjured. 

A recent traffic stop in Bellows Falls, Vermont ended in a suicide, reports WCAX.

At approximately 8 PM Tuesday night, a police officer pulled over a driver for driving erratically at the intersection of Route 5 and Summer Street. According to police, the driver took his own life after coming to a stop. The driver was identified as Ethan Matthews, 25, of Bellows Falls.

VT State Police Spokesman Adam Silverman stated of the incident, “Before the officer even got out of his cruiser he heard what sounded like a gunshot coming from inside the SUV that he just pulled over along the side of Route 5. So, the officer called for backup. They approached the vehicle and discovered a male inside the vehicle deceased.”

Police are not aware of Matthews having any outstanding warrants, and the incident is still under investigation. 

Opioid-related deaths in the state of Vermont have declined for the first time in five years, reports MyChamplainValley.

According to a report from the Department of Health, the total of deaths decreased from 130 to 111 last year, the first time this number has dropped since 2014. Among the causes for this decline in deaths, the report lists; medication-assisted treatment, increased distribution of Narcan, and prescription monitoring programs.

Officials are worried that the COVID-19 pandemic will reverse this trend, as addicted citizens will have less access to the things that helped turn the death toll around.

VT Help Link is available to help find treatment options over the phone at 802-565-5465.

The person found dead following a Claremont, New Hampshire fire has been identified, reports WZID.

The woman has been identified as 29-year-old Mia Follensbee. According to the medical examiner’s office, the cause of death has been deemed as carbon monoxide toxicity from smoke inhalation. She was found dead in the cottage-style home by fire officials after the fire had been extinguished.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. 

Springfield Hospital in Springfield, Vermont is suing the US Small Business Association, reports WCAX.

The hospital, along with its parent company, are bringing the SBA to federal bankruptcy court in hopes of gaining permission to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program. The hospital’s attorney claims that without over $3 million from the PPP, they would be forced to close by June, “without sufficient funds for an orderly wind-down.”

The hospital’s non-profit parent company is also seeking $2 million from the PPP. 

High school rowing teams in New Hampshire set to compete online, reports WMUR.

Some teams around the state are able to compete over the video call website Zoom, with these events being hosted virtually by the Upper Valley Rowing Foundation. Competitors row on a machine at home, and they start rowing at the same time. After the races, scores are tabulated and reported, and a winner is announced.

The NHIAA cancelled all other spring sports for the season in April due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

One person has been announced dead following a fire in Claremont, New Hampshire, reports WCAX.

At approximately 10 PM Tuesday night, the Claremont Fire Department received a call reporting a fire on Myrtle Street. Firefighters reportedly arrived to flames coming out of the windows. Following an investigation of the fire at the cottage-style home, one person was identified as dead. Their identity has not been released, and will not be until family is notified.

The fire is still under investigation, and an autopsy was scheduled on Wednesday.