New Hampshire
Contoocook Motorcyclist Indicted On 4th OUI Charge: Court Roundup
CONCORD, NH — A Merrimack County grand jury indicted the following people recently.
Jonathan E. Ball, 63, of Academy Road in Pembroke, on two felony possession of child sexual abuse images charges. He was accused of possessing videos of a boy being raped on Feb. 13 in Pembroke. Ball was previously convicted of possession of child sexual abuse images in August 2011 in Merrimack County Superior Court.
Skylar Bennett, 41, of Snow Street in Concord, on motor vehicles; penalties and controlled drug act; acts prohibited charges, both felonies. He was accused of possessing cocaine while driving on Fisherville Road in Concord on June 23 after the NH DMV certified him as a habitual offender.
Alexander Sakovits, 33, of Timberwood Drive in Lebanon, on criminal threatening and three reckless conduct charges, all felonies. He was accused of forcibly taking ahold of the steering wheel of a vehicle twice on Route 3A, causing an intimate partner to lose control of the vehicle and drive off the road, and firing a gun in the direction of an intimate partner in Hooksett on June 16.
Anthony “Andy” M. Sanborn, 62, of Eagle Drive in Bedford, on theft by deception and theft by unauthorized taking charges, both felonies. He was accused of misrepresenting gross receipts from Win, Win, Win, LCC, and-or the Draft receiving more than $1.5 million from the Main Street Relief Fund that he was not qualified to receive on June 9, 2020, in Concord.
Shawn S. Smith, 52, of North Main Street in Franklin, on a felony second-degree assault-domestic violence charge. He was accused of strangling an intimate partner on Aug. 24 in Franklin.
Mary Smolinsky, 32, of Country Land Drive in Haverhill, on possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl, and possession of crack cocaine charges, all felonies, in Bow on April 18.
Matthew Stark, 36, of Revere Place in Franklin, on a felony controlled drug act; acts prohibited-methadone charge on Dec. 7, 2023, in Franklin.
Jennifer Sullivan, 55, of Batchelder Street in Laconia, on a felony possession of methamphetamine charge on Aug. 7 in Northfield.
John H. Tracey, 61, of Main Street/Route 103 in Contoocook, on motor vehicles; penalties and driving-operating under the influence of drugs-liquor-fourth offense charges, both felonies. He was accused of riding a motorcycle on Route 103 in Warner on July 12 after being deemed a habitual offender by the NH DMV.
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The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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