A woman’s sudden death in Ludlow, Vermont is under investigation by police, reports 7 News Boston.
Late on Thursday, February 20, 2020, police were called to a home on North Hill Cross Road, where they found a woman’s dead body. The woman has been identified as 49-year-old Bonnie Lapointe of Windsor, VT. Lapointe was reportedly house-sitting at the residence and had not been heard from since Wednesday morning.
An autopsy was conducted on Friday, and authorities are still waiting on the reports.
Two have been arrested following an incident on Interstate 89 in Warner, New Hampshire Friday, reports The Union Leader.
At approximately 7:20 AM, police received reports of gun shots at a home in Warner. Soon after, reports were received of two drivers heading south toward Concord, later to be named as the suspects firing shots. Two men were arrested later that day; 37-year-old Daniel Bernard of Wilmot and a homeless John Miller, also 37. Bernard has been arrested for reckless conduct and is being held in Merrimack County Jail. Miller has been charged with criminal threatening and is scheduled to appear in court on March 5.
Police state there is no threat to the public and that nobody was injured.
A fire broke out in the Warner, New Hampshire Market Basket, confirms the Warner Fire Department via their Facebook page.
On Thursday, February 20, 2020, a fire began in the store’s frozen food section shortly after 5 PM. The Warner, Hopkinton, and Bradford FD’s all arrived on scene, and all shoppers were evacuated from the store. According to the post, the fire was contained within an hour and shoppers were permitted back inside as clean-up continued in the store.
At this time the cause has not been reported, neither have any injuries.
The sheriff of Merrimack County in New Hampshire has announced his resignation, reports WMUR.
Scott Hilliard’s resignation comes on the heels of him being found guilty of an aggravated DUI in January 2020. Hiliard was convicted and sentenced to 17 days in prison for the charge, spending only five as 12 days were suspended. He will also lose his license for 18 months, with a possible reduction to 12 if he participates in the program.
According to Hiliard, his last day will be March 31.
The Croydon, New Hampshire voted Tuesday night to dissolve the town’s one-man police department, leaving Police Chief Richard Lee in an interesting predicament, reports The Union Leader.
According to the report, Lee was ordered to hand over his weapon, cruiser keys, and uniform immediately following the decision. Lee, who says he had no spare clothes, thus began to walk home during Tuesday night’s snowstorm in his hat, boots, and underwear. “I did as ordered,” stated Lee. He made it almost a mile before being picked up by his wife.
The one request Lee did not follow was orders to turn over evidence and police records, as he is also the town’s lone prosecutor and it is unclear whether criminal investigations will continue after his firing.
In May 2019, the citizens of Croydon voted to dissolve the department 121 to 51, in part because the position costs the town $40,000 a year. Lee, who has been with the town for around 20 years, says he is discussing the situation with an attorney.
No town selectmen responded to the Union Leader’s request for comment.
The Newbury, New Hampshire Fire Department’s Smokey the Bear has reportedly been stolen, reports 7 News Boston.
This past Sunday, the Smokey the Bear that sits outside the station, telling passerby of forest fire danger levels, disappeared. In a Facebook post fire officials stated, “the department is hoping that someone has seen the large cut-out that was securely bolted to the fire danger sign, and will bring it back to the fire station, no questions asked.”
The sign is of large importance, becoming a local landmark. It has stood at it’s spot for 75 years after being made by a local boy scout.
Kyle Meade of Newport, New Hampshire has been named the Sullivan County Fugitive of the Week.
Meade, 25, is described as a white, five foot eight inch male, weighing approximately 135 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. His last known address was at 43 Sunapee Street in Newport. While he is now wanted for failure to appear, his original charge was felonious Forgery.
On January 28, 2020, Meade was arrested for the crime of forgery. On February 6, he failed to appear in court, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
If you have any information as to his whereabouts please contact your local police department or the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office at 603-863-4200.
Springfield Hospital in Springfield, Vermont is likely to cut ties with medical and dental clinics, reports the New Haven Register.
As part of Springfield Medical Care Systems bankruptcy plan, will sever ties with nine clinics across VT and New Hampshire. This move is due to Springfield Hospital’s plan to join a three-prong hospital system that includes Mount Ascutney Hospital in Windsor, VT and Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, NH. This plan prohibits the hospital from continuing it’s other partnerships.
The hospital plans to submit the bankruptcy claim to court in spring.
The Newport, New Hampshire man who was accused of shooting his caregiver last summer has been deemed incompetent, reports The Union Leader.
On July 1, 2019, 81-year-old Kenneth Rickard reportedly fired multiple shots at a woman who he paid to be his caregiver. She stayed in his basement, and was paid in beer and cigarettes. In 2018, the woman accused Rickard of sexual assault, according to an affidavit.
In late 2019, Rickard was moved out of jail when his attorney raised concerns about his physical and mental health. At this time, the attorney filed a motion stating that Rickard was showing signs of delusion. Now, following a mental competency test, he has been ruled incompetent and will not see trial.
Prosecutors now want tests to decided how much of a risk Rickard is to society.
A car went through the ice of Lake Sunapee in Newbury, New Hampshire, reports the Newbury Fire Department via their Facebook page.
The incident, which happened in the early Saturday morning hours, saw a Subaru fall through the ice near Blodgett Landing. Firefighters found the vehicle partly through the ice in shallow water. Thankfully, the driver of the vehicle was out of the car and speaking with local law enforcement, and uninjured.
Incidents on lakes are considered jurisdiction of the NH Fish and Game Department, so the car was not removed until Conservation Officers could survey the situation.
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