WNTK Local News

The Vermont Principals’ Association has cancelled all spring season high school sports, reports WCAX.

The decision was made due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With schools moved to online instruction for the school year, it was only a matter of time before spring sports were axed. The VPA stated that the delayed the decision as long as possible, but it is now too late. They hope that these precautions make it possible for high school sports to be played in the fall.

New Hampshire cancelled the spring season back on April 16.

Another large shipment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is on its way to New Hampshire, this time including masks for the VA, reports CBS Boston.

The shipment, arriving Thursday afternoon, brings 110,000 pounds of PPE to the state from Shanghai, China. Included in this shipment is 4.5 million masks which the state purchased to donate to the VA, according to NH Governor Chris Sununu. The shipment was secured with help from Dean Kamen, who also helped on the previous PPE shipments.

NH will be reimbursed by the VA for the purchase.

Six new COVID-19 related deaths in New Hampshire were confirmed by Governor Chris Sununu Wednesday, reports WMUR.

In addition, two more COVID-19 outbreaks have been identified in long-term care facilities. There are now 2054 confirmed cases in the state, and there have been 66 deaths. As of now, 259 residents have been hospitalized due to the virus.

The new numbers come along with Sununu stating that stay-at-home restrictions may be lessened when the order ends on May 4. He stated that his office is working on a “flex order”, which will continue some aspects of the current order but will allow hospitals to perform elective procedures along with possible easing of restrictions on other sectors.

Sununu finished by stating that if there appears to be little spread after the easing of restrictions, the state may attempt to bring back other industries in time for summer.

Police have identified the suspect who allegedly shot an Arizona man in Royalton, Vermont two weeks ago, reports WCAX.

Investigators named 47-year-old Jason Farina, who lives at the home where the shooting of 23-year-old Nicholas Schultz, took place. Schultz was taken to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center to treat the gunshot wound to his leg.

The Vermont State Police did not release the details explaining what led to the shooting.

A Claremont, New Hampshire man who has been convicted of sexually assaulting a developmentally disabled teenager is getting his sentence reduced, reports The Union Leader.

47-year-old Barrett Hodgdon plead guilty in 2017 to one count of aggravated felonious sexual assault, which garnered him a five to fifteen year prison sentence. This sentence is being reduced by six months off the minimum five year sentence. Last week, Sullivan Superior Court Judge Brian Tucker ruled that due to Hodgdon completing sexual offender treatment, his sentence should be partially reduced. Judge Tucker also pointed towards the inmate’s good behavior.

In 2017, Hodgdon agreed to a plea deal that had no incentives to complete the treatment program. In the deal, the state agreed to drop additional aggravated felonious sexual assault and felonious sexual assault charges.

The ruling could make Hodgdon eligible for parole as early as next month.

The Laconia, New Hampshire City Council has postponed the 2020 Bike Week due to COVID-19, reports News Center Maine.

The event, originally scheduled for the week of June 13-June 21, brings thousands of bikers and tourists to the Lacona-Weirs Beach area every year. The Laconia City Council held a vote Monday, postponing the event to the week of August 22-August 30. Laconia Motorcycle Week Association Executive Director Charlie St. Clair said that if the COVID-19 situation has not improved by August, the organization will need to reassess when or if to hold the rally.

The postponement follows weeks of optimism that it would not be moved.

The Granite State Pro Stock Series have announced the delay of their second event of the season, reports 22 News.

The races, scheduled to take part at Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire, were set to take place on Saturday, May 9 but COVID-19 has forced the event to be moved. Series President Mike Parks stated in a release, “We would really like to be able to hold races scheduled at Star. As we hear what the Governor of NH has to say over the next few weeks, we will look at both schedules and see what can be made to work.” The event has yet to find a new date.

The Series’ first event was set to be held at Claremont Motorsports Park this past weekend, but also had to be moved.

An event scheduled for MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) distribution to Springfield, Vermont has been delayed due to a supply shortage, reports WCAX.

The event originally set for Monday was pushed to Wednesday when the supply of MRE’s ran out. The event is organized by the VT Food Bank, FEMA, and the National Guard. Springfield was one of first three locations set for deliveries, with supplies running out at each of the first two.

According to the VT Food Bank, the delay will not affect future distribution events. People will reportedly still be allowed to grab food for others in need, and supplies will not be rationed.

When picking up food, those in the car will tell personnel how many people they are receiving food for, and the VT National Guard will load their vehicle.

Longtime Dartmouth College Men’s Hockey Coach Bob Gaudet has announced his retirement, reports AP News.

Gaudet’s 23-year-long coaching stint for the Big Green will end on June 30th. Gaudet graduated from Dartmouth in 1981, where he played goalie for the last Big Green men’s squad to reach the NCAA tournament. He leaves with both the school’s all-time record for games coached (752) and wins (331). Gaudet also coached at Brown for nine years prior to his Dartmouth hiring.

He finishes with a career 424-482-112 coaching record.

Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire has announced the hiring of a new Athletic Director, Mitch Capelle.

The announcement comes via Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students Robin Burroughs Davis. Capelle is currently the Associate AD at Manchester’s Saint Anselm College, but will now take over the reigns in New London.

While at Saint Anselm, Capelle was a member of the school’s senior leadership team, and also oversaw external relations, athletic communications, marketing and branding for the school’s 17 Division II programs. He also helped lead multiple initiatives which resulted in increased revenue for the school. Prior jobs include being the Associate AD for Media Relations at UW-Stevens Point for eight years, as well as a stint as Colby-Sawyer’s Sports Information Director from 2006-2008.

Capelle takes over for former AD Bill Foti.