CONCORD, NH — Concord police are investigating an early morning hit-and-run crash in the West End on Saturday.
Just before 1 a.m., residents of Little Pond Road reported hearing a loud boom and then squealing tires, and suspected there may have been a crash. Dispatch sent officers to the area. One officer who heard the call told dispatch they saw a car with front-end damage drive by them.
“A vehicle just went past me on North State Street,” the officer said. “It was all banged up and was screeching real loud.”
Another officer headed to the area while the first officer began to try to track down the car. They reported it turning onto Court Street, Washington Street, or Centre Street.
Advertisement
“It had heavy damage on the driver’s side,” the officer said. “It also had a headlight out.”
Dispatch asked if it was a white car and the officer said it was. The dispatcher reported fire dispatch heard and saw the vehicle earlier. The fire dispatchers are located at the intersection of Penacook and North State streets and Horseshoe Pond Lane.
A third officer headed to the area to check side streets and parking lots in the downtown area after the first officer lost track of the car, thinking it may have been “tucked away.”
An officer found debris on Auburn Street near Penacook Street and Little Pond Road. The officer continued driving west and, just after Pond Place Lane, found more debris and mud tracks where the car drove east into a fire hydrant. Dispatch then received a call reporting the car was on North Spring Street.
“It was someone that heard it going by,” the dispatcher said.
Advertisement
An officer found the Toyota Corolla parked just off the intersection of North Spring and School streets unoccupied.
Officers searched the area for a man matching the description of the owner of the car — late 20s, about 6 feet tall, 204 pounds, with dark hair and eyes, but did not find anyone (dispatch did not offer a racial or ethnic description of the man). Dispatch said Concord police had “a lot of history with him.” According to posts on Patch, the owner of the vehicle was charged with drug possession about 10 years ago when he was 17 and driving while intoxicated, drug possession, and marijuana possession in May 2016, at 19. He was reportedly found passed out behind the wheel of a Prius at a McDonald’s drive-thru. According to the arrest report, police accused the suspect of failing a field sobriety test, and possessing beer, a smoking device, a jar of marijuana, and a digital scale.
An officer visited the man’s apartment, which was nearby, while other officers made contact with local cab companies to see if anyone was picked up in the area. The officer at his apartment reached the vehicle owner by cellphone and said he agreed to step out and meet with him, but after waiting, he did not appear.
“I’m still working on getting a hold of him,” the officer said.
According to scanner chatter, the officer who found the debris also arrived to assist, but the suspect did not respond to them either. Around 2 a.m., that officer went to headquarters to file a report.
Schultz said she “highly respects” Aspell, too, but there was a “dissonance between reality” when eyeing what the public and city employees were earning.
Ward 6 City Council Aislinn Kalob, too, would not be voting for the increase, saying it had been “heavily on my mind since we’ve had our nonpublic sessions,” which lasted about six hours of work. She appreciated Kretovic clearly outlining the job of city manager. But people were frustrated with the city manager, and she saw that in the comments in online forums.
“I do feel, after really digging into this, and learning about his job,” she said, “and thinking toward the future when, eventually, at some point, somebody new will be sitting in that seat, we are the ones who direct policy and he is the one that implements it… there is anger out there that should be directed more toward us.”
Kalob said, too, a room full of firefighters, upset about their contract, also made voting for the wage increase something she could not consider.
Advertisement
Michele Horne of Ward 2 echoed similar concerns to Schultz, saying there was significant “wage disparity” between the public and staff and the city manager. She also agreed with Kalob’s point that previous councils created this contract.
Sunflowers are my absolute FAVORITE flowers. I truly feel like they have magical uplifting abilities. Hence, why I’ve always kept fresh sunflowers in my house, brightening up my kitchen table or even my TV stand.
Obviously, it was a dream of mine to have my maternity photos taken in a sunflower field. They reflect sunshine and exude happiness.
Not to mention, one of my favorite quotes is about sunflowers! “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” Helen Keller
A beautiful reminder to keep an optimistic outlook on life and not dwell on the negative.
Advertisement
So, you can imagine the joy I felt when I learned that New Hampshire had its very own Sunflower Festival at Coppal House Farm in Lee!
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
About the Sunflower Festival:
During the summer, the farm transforms into a sea of golden blooms, giving visitors the chance to wander through thousands of sunflowers, snap photos, enjoy local food vendors, artisan crafts, listen to live music, and experience one of New Hampshire’s most beautiful summer traditions.
Other unique activities on the itinerary? Sip-n-snip! Guests can enjoy a cocktail or mocktail of their choice and cut their own fresh bouquet of flowers.
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
Or maybe you’re a yoga fan? You can join a 60-minute sweat session from Lee, New Hampshire yoga instructors right in the heart of the flower field.
And because the farm grows oilseed sunflowers for culinary oil (which they harvest in the fall months), the flowers only stay at their peak for a brief window, making the festival a limited-time experience, according to the festival organizers…
Advertisement
What makes this event even more special is the reason behind it. The festival started as a way to share the beauty of the sunflower fields, but it has grown into something much bigger. Organizers say the event has raised more than $90,000 for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire over the years and now shares a portion of its proceeds with several local nonprofit organizations serving the Seacoast community.
Anyone who knows me knows that paying it forward is something that’s incredibly important to me. It’s right up there with my love of sunflowers because both fill my cup in the best way. So, when I found out this festival celebrates my favorite flower and gives back to the community, I knew I had to share it.
Sunflower Festival Details:
This festival only runs from Saturday, July 25th until Sunday, August 2nd. You can get the full list of activities and more on the Coppal Farm website.
Daily Field Hours
Advertisement
10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last admission at 6PM because fields close at 6:30) Weekend Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free Weekend Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm): $16 per person ages 13 & older $14 per person ages 5-12 $14 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free includes: access to sunflower fields, craft fair, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, farm animals, & live music
Weekday Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $8 per person ages 13 & older $6 per person ages 5-12 $6 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
Weekday Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
What tickets include: Access to sunflower fields, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, and farm animals
READ MORE: A Classic Fairy Tale Comes To Life At Portsmouth’s Prescott Park This Summer
Advertisement
This festival might just leave you smiling long after you leave the fields!
What Flowers Thrive in New England
See what flowers thrive in New England weather: Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Gallery Credit: Logan
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering Locally Grown Strawberries
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering PYO Strawberries
Ed. Note: If this was you and you are interested, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP.
“Dear PoPville,
I was biking home from a doctor appointment a little before noon on Friday, and stopped at a red light on New Hampshire & L st nw. There was a woman across the street who was looking fine in her dark blue (I think they were) scrubs. I might be crazy, but it felt like we kept checking each other out. By the third time,
if we were in a romcom, one of us would have waved. Sorry I didn’t, but if you are reading this and date men, reach out to the Prince if you are interested in that man on the bike. Have a great weekend!”
Ed. Note: If this is you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. PoPville is not affiliated with either party, please proceed with any potential connection at your own risk using caution as you would any online encounter. For those curious about past missed connections, many have been made and when possible I’ll try to update when/if more are made.
