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Drugs dropped off at takeback event a record
GORHAM – The semi-annual DEA Drug Takeback was a resounding success, Gorham Police Lieutenant Jennifer Lemoine said. The most recent takeback was held Saturday, April 27, and 33.5 pounds of medications were collected.
The takeback events, sponsored by the DEA, are held twice a year, in April and October. In Coos County Gorham, Lancaster and Colebrook held events. Gorham's is held at the town hall. The DEA requires a police officer monitor the drop offs at all times.
The 33.5 pounds is the most collected since Gorham began participating. This is the fifth event the town has participated in. Likewise, statewide, the amount collected, 5,682 pounds at 82 collection sites, was a record as well.
The medications collected, which can be prescription or over the counter medications, are brought to a regional collection center where it is picked up by the DEA. The medications are ultimately incinerated.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 May 2013 20:12
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Long-time Milan Village School first grade teacher retiring in three years
By Debra Thornblad
MILAN – First graders will only have three more years to learn what school is all about from long-time Milan Village School first grade teacher Claudia Daniels.
Tuesday night the school board accepted a notice of retirement from Daniels, who has been a teacher at the school for 23 years. She will be retiring in June 2016.
In another personnel related issue, the board accepted the list of support staff recommended by the administration. The list of paraprofessionals is down significantly this year from past years. Both Principal David Backler and Superintendent Paul Bousquet said they believe strongly that paraprofessionals should be tied to students' IEPs (Individual Education Plans). Fewer are needed for the coming year.
The board also approved a change in the terms of employment for the support staff. According to the new health care law, employees working 30 or more hours must be offered insurance. The school district is offering insurance to employees working 30-35 hours at their cost. In the past the district did not have to offer these employees insurance.
Business Administrator Pauline Plourde said for the first time this year the Milan School qualified for the program that offers fresh fruit and vegetables for snacks. The snacks are offered to all students, whether or not they qualify for free or reduced lunches.
The board reviewed a letter from parents who were just moving to Berlin from Milan. They asked permission for their daughter to finish the school year in Milan. The board agreed to allow that.
Special Education Co-Director Steven Gordon spoke about the transition from Milan into Berlin Middle School. Milan has a resource room to help students who need help, Berlin Middle School doesn't. Gordon said he has spoken to Gloria Caouette, a special education teacher at Berlin High School who is moving to the Middle School. She said she would look out for any Milan children who seemed to be having trouble with the transition and contact him if there were issues.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 May 2013 20:42
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Two Berlin Police Officers will receive state Hero Award
Written by Barbara Tetreault
BERLIN – Two Berlin police officers will be honored as heroes and will receive a Union Leader Hero Award next week in Concord.
Sgt. Nathan Roy and Officer Matthew Carter are being recognized for entering a burning Western Avenue home in the early morning hours of Sept. 16, 2012 and rescuing Cynthia Gagnon.
City Manager Patrick MacQueen Monday night reported the city has been notified Roy and Carter will each receive a Hero Award in a ceremony at the state house next Wednesday that will be attended by Gov. Maggie Hassan.
The award is given annually to residents who have risked their lives to save or attempt to save the life of another during the previous year. MacQueen called it a great honor for Roy and Carter and the city.
In an interview with The Berlin Daily Sun the day after the fire, Carter said the back of the building was engulfed in flames when the officers arrived at the scene. Knowing Gagnon lived in the building, the two immediately went to see if she was in the building.
Carter said he went to the front door while Roy kicked in a side entrance. Once in the building, Roy could hear Gagnon yelling for help. She was on the floor but Carter said the heavy smoke in the building prevented Roy from being able to see her clearly. Gagnon stuck her hand out and Roy grabbed it as Carter came over to help drag her from the building. Minutes after the two men pulled Gagnon to safety, the front part of the house where she was found caught fire.
The actions of Carter and Roy were noted by the Berlin Fire Department, which sent a letter to the city council following the fire.
"The two officers made a split second decision to enter the structure and rescue the occupant. They most definitely saved this individual's life. Sometimes it is easy to forget that the first responders in our community face difficult challenges on a daily basis. But this morning Sergeant Roy and Officer Carter answered this challenge heroically," the letter stated.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 May 2013 20:15
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Indictments include two incidents of trying to get drugs to prisoners
By Debra Thornblad
A Coos County Superior Court grand jury last Friday returned indictments involving two separate incidents of trying to get drugs to prisoners at the state prison in Berlin.
Shelly Bonham, 41, Goffstown, was indicted on three counts of delivery of articles to prisoners, one count of conspiracy to commit delivery of articles to prisoners and one count of possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute.
According to the indictments, between Dec. 9 and 17, 2011, she had the drugs suboxone and marijuana in her possession with the intent to deliver these drugs to a prisoner at the state prison, Freeman Cavarretta.
Cavarretta, an inmate at the state prison at the time, was indicted on three counts of delivery of articles to prisoners, one count of conspiracy to commit delivery of articles to prisoners and one count of attempted possession of controlled drugs.
According to the indictments, Cavarretta made phone calls to and arranged for Bonham to purchase and deliver marijuana and suboxone to the state prison.
The second incident involved two inmates at the state prison working together to get suboxone delivered to the prison.
Nicholas O'Neil, 29, an inmate, was indicted on one count each of attempted possession of controlled drug, conspiracy to commit delivery of articles to prisoners, and delivery of articles to prisoners.
Adam Maksou, 27, an inmate, was indicted on one count each of accomplice to possession of controlled drug, conspiracy to commit delivery of articles to prisoners, and delivery of articles to prisoners.
Melissa Sullivan, 29, Salem, was indicted on one count each of possession of a controlled drug, conspiracy to commit delivery of articles to prisoners, and delivery of articles to prisoners.
According to the indictments, from Aug. 10-11, 2012, the two men, working together contacted Melissa Sullivan and another woman to arrange for Sullivan to come to Berlin and deliver the drug suboxone.
Mark Aubin, 35, Berlin, was indicted on two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault, two counts of felonious sexual assault and one count of attempted felonious sexual assault.
According to the indictments, the alleged incidents occurred in 2009 and involved a juvenile female who was 15 at the time.
Wendi Marshall, 35, Gorham, was indicted on one count of habitual offender. According to the indictment, Marshall operated a motor vehicle on March 16 knowing she was not permitted to do so.
Other indictments in other areas of the county include the following.
Gary Vermette, 21, Lancaster, was indicted on one count each of aggravated felonious sexual assault and felonious sexual assault. According the indictments, in January of this year, he assaulted a 15-year old juvenile in Lancaster.
Lewis Hedberg, 44, Groveton, was indicted on two counts of possession of child pornography, which he allegedly had in his possession in May 2011.
Mark Haskins, 42, Lancaster, was indicted on three counts of aggravated driving while intoxicated. According to the indictments, Haskins was operating an OHRV, a Ski-Doo snowmobile, in Jefferson while under the influence of alcohol and caused a collision with another OHRV resulting in serious bodily injury.
Gregory Mountford, 43, Thompson, Conn., was indicted on four counts of conduct after an accident. According to the indictments, in February 2013, Mountford was operating a snowmobile in Dix's Grant and was involved in an accident that caused property damage and injury and failed to stop or report the accident.
David York, 63, Groveton, was indicted on three counts of felon in possession of a deadly weapon. The indictments allege on April 16, he had in his possession a knife intended to be used as a deadly weapon after having been convicted of a felony.
Timothy Adjutant, 21, Beecher Falls, Vt., was indicted on a charge of burglary. According to the indictment, this March 22, Adjutant, in concert with Jasmine Braley, Amanda Lampron and/or Brexton Boudle entered a residence in Colebrook with the purpose to commit theft.
Brexton Boudle, 29, Columbia, was indicted on a charge of burglary in connection with the incident above.
Zacharia Dambrosia, 23, North Stratford, was indicted on a charge of assault by prisoners. According to the indictment, on April 5, Dambrosia, an inmate at the House of Corrections, pushed a corrections officer.
Timothy Lanciani, 24, Columbia, was indicted on a charge of second degree assault. According to the indictment, on March 2, he picked up another male and dropped him causing a fractured wrist.
Joseph Desrochers, 42, Whitefield, was indicted on a charge of issuing bad checks. According to the indictment on Dec. 28, 2012 he issued a check for over $1,500 drawn on the account of American All Tire and Auto Repair LLC, knowing there wasn't sufficient funds in the account to cover it.
Suzanne Brown, 47, Conway, was indicted on a charge of issuing bad checks. According to the indictment, on July 31, 2011, she wrote a check for over $1,500 drawn on the account of New Hampshire Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, knowing there wasn't sufficient funds in the account to cover it.
Suzanne Brown, 47, Conway, was indicted on a charge of issuing bad checks. According to the indictment, on July 31, 2011, she wrote a check for over $1,500 drawn on the account of New Hampshire Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, knowing there wasn't sufficient funds in the account to cover it.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 May 2013 20:38
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