DOVER — The body of Garrison City native Capt. Jack Casey, one of five U.S. Marines who died in a California helicopter crash this month during a training exercise, will be returned to New Hampshire Tuesday, according to city police.
A funeral procession for Casey, 26, will be held following a U.S. Marine Corps service at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth, the Dover Police Department announced on Monday. Assisted by New Hampshire State Police and Dover police, Casey’s family will ride along for a funeral procession from the base to Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion funeral home following the military honor guard at Pease.
The service at Pease is not open to members of the public, an announcement from Dover police Chief William Breault states. The procession is expected to begin around noon Tuesday and can be viewed by members of the public.
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“The procession – which will include members of the Casey family – follows a route that specifically drives past local schools that Captain Casey attended,” Breault’s announcement states.
Previous story: Capt. Jack Casey of Dover one of five Marines killed in helicopter crash
Casey graduated from Saint Mary Academy and was a 2015 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
According to the city, the procession will follow this route:
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From Pease, Newington Street east to Exit 1 of Route 16
Route 16 north from Newington to Dover, to Exit 7
Central Avenue (Route 108) north to Stark Avenue / Dover Point Road
Dover Point Road south to Saint Thomas Aquinas H.S., 197 Dover Point Road (loop around school and reverse direction)
Dover Point Road north to Central Avenue north (Route 108)
Central Avenue north past Saint Mary Academy, 222 Central Avenue
Central Avenue north past Dover City Hall, 288 Central Avenue
Left (west) on Washington Street
Washington Street from Central Avenue to Prospect Street, right on Prospect Street
Prospect Street to Snows Court to Fourth Street, right on Fourth Street
Fourth Street east to Central Avenue (Route 108), left on Central Avenue
Central Avenue north to Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Avenue
“Members of the public who wish to pay tribute are welcome to position themselves anywhere on the funeral procession route – preferably wherever it is safe to park without impeding traffic,” Breault’s statement adds. “The only exception is that motorists are requested not to stop or park anywhere on the Spaulding Turnpike.”
The Dover and Newington fire departments are expected to pay tribute at the Spaulding Turnpike overpasses between Exit 3 in Newington and Exit 7 in Dover.
Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 23 from 3 to 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, according to Casey’s obituary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church at 820 Central Road in Rye.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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