WNTK Local News

An update has occurred in the Weathersfield, VT crash that took the life of 22-year-old Norwich, VT resident Keanan Thompson.

Patricia Whitcomb, 65, of Charlestown, NH went to the Westminster State Police Barracks and told officers that she believed that she may have hit Thompson. Upon investigation her gray 2004 Honda Civic, it was decided this was the vehicle involved.

The matter remains under investigation, and troopers are speaking to members of the Windsor County’s State Attorney’s Office to determine whether charges will be pressed pertaining to the incident.

Thompson was an ROTC student at Norwich University, and a member of the Vermont National Guard. He is remembered by fellow cadet Braiden Cairo as “someone who wants to see those around him succeed,” and being a strong force in his community. 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released their report for 2019, and it displays a troubling trend for New Hampshire’s Sullivan County.

The number of teen pregnancies per 1000 15-19 year old’s is rising. Sullivan County has an average of 19 pregnant teens per 1000, up from 17, which is higher than all but Coos County in the state (www.countyhealthrankings.org). New Hampshire’s state average has fallen with this report, as the last release had the average at 15, but it is now 11 per 1000.

The Eagle Times quotes local early child resources specialist Samantha Paradis Torres’ reasoning for the trend. ” It’s not always a problem of poverty. Sometimes it’s the lack of a parent with knowledge and experience to teach the adolescent about the reproductive cycle and how to prevent or reduce the risk of pregnancy.” 

A West Lebanon, NH man has been injured in a crash in Rockingham, VT, reports the Westminster State Police Barracks.

At approximately 1:30 AM on Monday, September 16, troopers were came across a single car with major damage on Interstate 91. Police determined that the vehicle had been traveling at high speed, hit the guard rail, and rolled three to four times before coming to a rest.

The driver, 23-year-old Ezra Gilbert of West Lebanon was transported to a medical facility and treated for minor injuries.

Troopers are investigating the crash for potential criminal activity. Any residents who witnessed the crash or have information are encouraged to call Trooper Dave Powers of the Westminster Barracks at 802-722-4600. 

A routine traffic stop in Brattleboro, Vermont turned into a wild chase through the state and into New Hampshire, reports the Walpole, NH Police Department via Facebook.

At approximately 10:30 AM, authorities were told to be on the lookout for a Silver Mercedes, as it had fled the scene of a traffic stop in Brattleboro. The driver was identified to be Zachariah A. McAllister, 28, of Westminster, VT.

Soon after, an officer from the Walpole PD spotted the vehicle traveling in excess of 100 MPH. Then, while attempting to take a right turn, McAllister’s vehicle collided with another car driven by a Walpole resident. At this time, McAllister fled the scene on foot. The Village of Walpole was put on lockdown while law enforcement attempted to find the suspect. At 2:30 PM, the search ended without incident, and with McAllister still at large.

Any citizen with information on the suspect or pertaining to the incident is encouraged to contact the Walpole Police Department at 603-445-2058 or walpolepd@walpolenh.us. 

The U.S Border Patrol has confirmed the number of undocumented immigrants arrested in Lebanon, NH this past week, reports WCAX.

Reportedly, 24 were arrested during operations in the area. Four were arrested through the checkpoint on Interstate 89, while 20 others were arrested during other Border Patrol operations in the area from September 3 to the 6th.

Those taken into custody were turned over to immigration and Customs enforcement to be deported. Supposedly, seven had been deported previously as well. 

Lebanon, New Hampshire has reached an agreement to construct solar PV arrays on multiple city properties, they state via press release.

The contract for this deal is between the city and ReVision Energy. The company will be constructing solar panels on the following propertis; the Kilton Library, Landfill Recycling Center and Maintenance Garage, DPW Administration and Maintenance Buildings, the Police Station, a ground-mounted array at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and on a shed roof at the same plot.

The project will produce approximately 900,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, or about 23% of the city’s yearly electricity consumption. This will reduce green house emissions in Lebanon by 1.1 million pounds each year.

The first of the arrays will begin being built September 9, and all are scheduled to be in place by the end of 2019. For more information go to LebanonNH.gov/Solar. 

The elderly man who allegedly shot at a caretaker in July has been released to a nursing home, reports The Union Leader.

Kenneth Rickard, 81, of Newport, New Hampshire was arrested on July 1, 2019 for an altercation in which he allegedly shot at a woman who he called his caretaker. It is stated that this woman lived in the house with he and his wife for four years, and Rickard would pay her with cigarettes and beer. Upon arrest, Rickard was charged with one count of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, and one count of criminal threatening with a deadly weapon.

Until this time he has been housed at the Sullivan County House of Corrections. According to his attorney Gary Apfel, Rickard is in failing health and has been hospitalized multiple times since being arrested. “I’m convinced that if he is not transferred he’s going to die in that facility,” stated Apfel at a bail hearing Monday.

The judge is allowing Rickard to be transferred to a nursing home adjacent to his current facility, but he is not allowed to possess firearms or come in contact with the alleged victim. The case will go to trial in December 2019.  

A Westminster, Vermont man has been arrested for domestic assault, reports the Vermont State Police.

On Saturday, September 7, 2019, the Westminster State Police Barracks received a distress phone call from a family member within a Westminster home. The report was of an ongoing family fight.

Upon responding to the scene, it was determined that Gary S. Elliot, 64, had unlawfully restrained a household member to prevent them from calling the police, as well as assaulting them. He was arrested and transported to the barracks for processing.

Elliot has been charged with Domestic Assault, Unlawful Restraint, and Interference with Access to Emergency Services, and is scheduled to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Windham Criminal Divison, on Monday, September 9 to answer to these charges. 

A Border Patrol checkpoint was set-up on Interstate 89 in Lebanon, New Hampshire on Thursday, reports The Hill.

Allegedly, the Lebanon Police Department were informed by agents last week of the checkpoint, although they were not involved. The Concord Monitor has reported that this appears to be the closest checkpoint to Dartmouth College since checkpoints began being set up in 1953.

At this time, it is estimated that the number of arrests range anywhere from zero, to over 20.

This border check comes on the heels of the 18 people arrested between July 29 and August 1, 2019 for not having the proper immigration documents. 

The Lebanon, New Hampshire Police Department have arrested a sexual predator following a months long investigation, they announce via release.

On May 25, 2019, a 27-year-old female victim reported being sexually assaulted by a man who was known to her. The investigation into the case lasted until Thursday, September 5, 2019, ending with the arrest of Anthony Fish, 30, of Lebanon, NH.

He has been charged with Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault, a Class A Felony. Fish has been released on personal recognizance bail, and is scheduled to appear in Grafton County Superior Court on September 23.