Man Travels North in Southbound Lanes

August 27, 2010

New Hampshire State Police and 911 operators received dozens of calls yesterday afternoon at about 5:34 PM, regarding a wrong way driver. According to reports, a 2008 Chevy Silverado pickup truck was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes from the 293-101 exchange towards Exit 5 in Manchester, NH.

As the truck traveled in the wrong direction, dozens of vehicles were able to evade hitting the oncoming vehicle head on. Just north of Exit 4 southbound, the truck struck three vehicles. The first was able to continue without sustaining major damage. The second vehicle, a minivan, was struck along the driver’s side, which dislodged the left rear tire. The third vehicle, a white Mercedes Benz, was hit in the left rear quarter pane, also dislodging the rear tire.

After hitting the three vehicles, the truck spun around and hit the jersey concrete barrier. The pickup truck rolled onto its roof, slid across the highway, and came to a final stop in the southbound breakdown lane.

Fortunately, none of the drivers or passengers in any of the vehicles were injured in the accidents. The operator of the truck, Kenneth Seaburg, was transported to Elliot Hospital in Manchester, New Hampshire for non-life threatening injuries. He is being charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Felony Reckless Conduct. He is scheduled to be arraigned on October 4, 2010, at the Manchester District Court.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is being asked to contact Trooper Chad Lavoie or Trooper Brian Viglione, of New Hampshire State Police Troop B at 603-223-8685.

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By Jacklynn Weeks | Posted in Around Nutfield, Fire & Police Logs | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Audubon Hosts Annual Garden Festival

August 14, 2010

Just minutes away, the Massabesic Audubon Center will host its annual New Hampshire Common Ground Garden Festival. From 10 AM until 3 PM, on Saturday, August 14, people are invited to take a tour of the gardens. The gardens are maintained by over 150 local 4-H youth and their adult mentors.

With the help of the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, the youth have planted, tended, and will harvest the gardens. Once harvested, the fruits and vegetables will be donated to the NH Food Bank. In the year 2009, more than 1,800 pounds of food was donated. This year, they are hoping to exceed 3,000 pounds.

The festival will include exhibits, workshops by local and master gardeners, live music and dancing, children’s activities and more. Special guests like puppeteer Lesley Smith with Sammy the Snail, Helen Costello of the NH Food Bank, and Heidi Bennett of the UNH Cooperative Extension Nutrition Connections Program will also be at the festival.

Children will be able to participate in a special hands-on workshop for children called “Dragonfly: Friend of the Garden.” Adults will be able to enjoy a workshop on cooking herbs, as well as music, dancing, and a special talk on the magic of composting and mulching basics.

The Audubon is encouraging visitors to bring picnic baskets and enjoy the beauty of the garden. The day is free with a suggested donation of $5 per family to help support this “fundraiser” for the garden. The Audubon Center is located at 26 Audubon Way in Auburn, NH near Lake Massabesic.

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By Jacklynn Weeks | Posted in Around Nutfield, Outdoors | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Local Towns Check Their Sobriety

August 11, 2010

Local police departments are making an effort to stop impaired drivers this weekend. As drinking and driving incidents continue to increase, police have asked for, and received, permission to conduct a “Sobriety Checkpoint.” Checkpoints like these not only force drivers to think twice before drinking, but also gets those already impaired off the road.

Records show that impaired drivers have caused an alarming number of deaths and accidents. In 2008, a total of 53 alcohol related fatalities occurred in New Hampshire alone. 45 of those 53 deaths involved persons with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher. These statistics have moved police to conduct these Sobriety Checkpoints.

Take Note DWI Checkpoints

Both Londonderry and Manchester Police will be conducting checkpoints beginning Saturday evening, August 14. Manchester’s will run into Sunday morning, August 15, but Londonderry’s will continue through to Monday, the 16th.

The purpose will be to detect and apprehend impaired drivers. Manchester Police Chief Mara has taken an aggressive stance to prevent drunk driving. New Hampshire has some of the most aggressive impaired driving laws in the country and local law enforcement intend to use these to their fullest extent.

Police departments must apply for permission to conduct checkpoints. The Superior Court must then grant the department permission to run the checkpoint. These programs were approved by the New Hampshire Highway Safety Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It provides funds to support the checkpoints.

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By Jacklynn Weeks | Posted in Around Nutfield, Around Town, Fire & Police Logs | Tagged , , , , , | Comment (1)

Yes You Can, Can, Again!

August 10, 2010

A recent canning presentation, called “Yes You Can!”, proved to be a huge success for the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. A total of 61 people showed up for a night of canning fruits and vegetables back in June, setting a new record for the Extension’s canning demonstrations. In an effort to keep the interest peeked, the Extension has scheduled two more canning demonstrations.

On Tuesday, August 10, Claudia Boozer-Blasco will host a demonstration in Derry. Much like the first, it will include proper canning equipment use, techniques for canning acidic fruits and vegetables safely, and up-to-date recipes. This demonstration will be held at J & F Farms at 124 Chester Road from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM. For more information, contact the farm at 603-437-0535.

The second demonstration will be held at the Rockingham County Nursing Home Hilton Auditorium on Wednesday, August 25. Similar canning techniques, recipes, and demonstrations will be given at this presentation. The demonstration is scheduled for 6:30 PM until 8 PM. The nursing home is located at 117 North Road in Brentwood, NH. For more information, contact Lynn Harrison at 603-679-5616, or lynn.harrison@unh.edu.

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Debris Caused Delays on 93 Last Thursday

August 9, 2010

Police are asking for information about a crash that occurred on Interstate 93 near Exit 2. Troopers from New Hampshire State Police Troop B, Troop G and Salem Fire and Police responded to accident at about 1:15 PM, which caused major delays on I-93 south on Thursday. The initial investigation revealed a Chevy Suburban that was towing a camper was traveling in the left lane of the highway when it lost control.

The Suburban spun, crossed into the travel lane, and struck the guardrail. As the vehicle was striking the guardrail, a Kenworth tractor-trailer unit collided with the camper. The collision caused the camper to break apart and spread debris across the highway.

The driver of the Suburban, Faith Hanney, 70, along with the passenger, John Hanney, 77, both from Meredith, NH, were transported Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence, MA. They both were suffering from non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Kenworth, Thomas Darcy, 56, of South Boston, MA, was uninjured and did not require medical attention.

Mr. Darcy attempted to avoid the vehicles by braking and moving his truck towards the passing lane, however, he was unable to do so. Drugs and alcohol have been determined to not be a factor in the crash. Speed and unsafe lane change were factors, however. No charges are being brought forward at this time.

If anyone has more information or witnessed this accident, they are urged to contact Trooper Jeffrey Tenczar at 603-271-1154.

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By Jacklynn Weeks | Posted in Around Nutfield, Fire & Police Logs | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Manchester Man Violates Move Over Law

August 4, 2010

On August 4, 2010, at about 9:24 AM, New Hampshire State Police responded to an accident on the northbound side of the Everett Turnpike near Exit 6.

Upon arrival, police found that Robert Moreau of Manchester, NH, had collided with the rear end of an orange pick up truck. Moreau was driving a Chevrolet Impala and the truck was operated by Jeffrey Reindeau of Milford, NH.

Initial investigations reveal that it appears Reindeau was sitting in the work truck in the left lane in a lane closure. Moreau had traveled into the closure lane, and subsequently struck the work truck.

The Nashua Fire Department transported both men to Southern New Hampshire Regional Medical Center to check for injuries. Both were later released. Moreau has been issued a summons for violating the Move Over Law.

The cause of the accident is still being investigated by Trooper Tom Forsley of the New Hampshire State Police Troop B. Please call 603-271-3636 with any information.

Ironically, Londonderry Hometown Online News recently published an article regarding the “Move Over Law.” The articled highlighted an effort made by New Hampshire State Police and Nashua Police to enforce the law. To read this article and learn more about the law, go to Officers Reinforce the Move Over Law.

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By Jacklynn Weeks | Posted in Around Nutfield, Fire & Police Logs | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Brentwood Gardens Open to Public

August 2, 2010

All are welcome to join UNH Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners as they plan, plant, weed, and tend trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables in the display and test gardens on Mondays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through September. Come tap the knowledge and expertise of highly-trained Master Gardeners who are ready to answer home gardening and lawn care questions. They bring many years of experience and are well-prepared to guide their fellow home gardeners.

The Demonstration and Instruction Garden is a multi-acre site sponsored by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program. Its mission is to promote environmental awareness through education, demonstration, conservation, and research. The gardens include a children’s garden, butterfly garden, trial garden, and many other theme gardens. The Masters Gardeners welcome visitors of all ages who would like to join in the gardening or just stroll the grounds.

Located across from the Rockingham County Complex at 113 North Road in Brentwood, the garden is in the meadow, at the bottom of the hill, behind the maintenance buildings. Please park in the lot directly across from the complex at 113 North Road and walk down the dirt road to the garden

UNH Cooperative Extension provides New Hampshire citizens with research-based education and information, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions that strengthen youth, families and communities, sustain natural resources, and improve the economy. For more information about the Master Gardener Program, or to learn about educational programs in Rockingham County, call (603) 679-5616 or visit http://bit.ly/rockingham

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Londonderry, The New Tourist Destination

July 20, 2010

Watching the internet for news stories we often stumble upon interesting pieces about the region.  Imagine yourself in New York City, looking for a place to go visit where you can walk in the orchards instead of on the sidewalks of the city.

The state has been running a contest to draw others in the country to New Hampshire.  “You’re going to love it here” with a challenge to take pictures of yourself and submit them.  You need to hold a sign with “I love it here” on it somewhere in New Hampshire.  We considered a similar contest but our budget just is not as large as the states travel and tourism account.

If you are interested in winning a Vacation here in New Hampshire for 2011 all the rules and entry forms are available at the New Hampshire Dream Vacation website.

Kate Moser Miller of New York Press visited after being inspired by a story about Sarah Silverman in the New York Times.  While Sarah went to Bedford, New Hampshire and shot herself on the stoop of Woodbury Cottage at the Bedford Village Inn.  Kate selected Londonderry!

I visited Londonderry, a stone’s throw away from Silverman’s hometown of Bedford. During my stay, we drove curvy roads worthy of car commercials, hiked through apple orchards and sunned ourselves on the beach. (OK, the beach we went to was actually in Maine, but we had to drive past New Hampshire beaches to get there, and they were beautiful.) The 2010 New Hampshire Dream Vacation contest slogan “You’re going to love it here,” which is admittedly really lame, proved true for me. Maybe it will catch on as a fresh-air escape for city dwellers.

Read the full story by Kate Moser Miller in the New York Press, “New Hampshire: The New Tourist Destination” for a peak at what others see when the come to our Londonderry paradise.

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Rockingham 4-H Hosts Annual Auction

July 19, 2010

The Rockingham County 4-H Foundation is holding its annual benefit auction and is asking for donations including gift certificates and new merchandise. The foundation holds the benefit auction each year to raise money for the youth that participate in 4-H activities. The auction is the foundation’s biggest fundraising event, and tax deductible donations of any size are greatly appreciated.

The live auction will take place on Saturday, July 24 at the Stratham Fair. It is set to begin at 5 PM. New this year, a “penny sale” will also be held for smaller items and baskets of items that were put together by local 4-H clubs. The “penny sale” drawing will be held at noon on Saturday.

For over 40 years, the Rockingham County 4-H has been an active part of the Stratham Fair. This year, the 4-H members will be participating in a number of activities. These include Animal Exhibits like the Beef Cattle Show, the Dog Show, the Swine Show, and the Working Steer Show. 4-H members will also be participating in Baking Competitions, Forestry and Tractor Driving Competitions, and more.

Over $4,000 was raised from last year’s auction, thanks to the many generous donations. The money was used to send local youth to county, state and national events, as well as support 4-H youth development programs and provide higher education scholarships and recognition of 4-H youth and volunteer leaders.

To make a donation for this year’s auction, or for more information, contact the Rockingham County 4-H Foundation at rc4hfoundation(at symbol)gmail.com or call the 4-H office at 603-679-5616. Donations can also be mailed to the 4-H office at 113 North Road, Brentwood, NH 03833. To learn more about the Rockingham County 4-H Foundation, go to their website. For more information about the Stratham Fair, visit their website.

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By Jacklynn Weeks | Posted in Around Nutfield, Outdoors | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)