New Hampshire
‘Deep sadness': NH school district mourns loss of 17-year-old student killed in crash
A New Hampshire high school is offering counseling services and other therapy resources to students as they grieve the loss of a 17-year-old classmate who died in a crash Friday in Dublin, as well as the loss of an 18-year-old former student who died in a different crash about 12 hours later in New Ipswich.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Ann Forrest and Principal Heather McKillop announced with great sadness Friday that a ConVal High School student had died as a result of a motor vehicle accident, in which two other students in the car sustained injuries and were brought to the hospital.
“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this tragedy,” Forrest said. “This is a profound moment for our school community, and it’s essential that we come together to support one another in the days ahead.”
The district said it will have support resources available at the high school beginning Monday morning, including counseling services and a team of therapy dogs from Cold Springs Healing Paws in New Ipswich.
School officials and police have not identified the 17-year-old Antrim boy who was killed in the single-vehicle crash around 12:30 p.m. Friday on Perry Pasture Road. Dublin police said they responded along with fire personnel after a 16-year-old girl from Peterborough called and said the car she was in was off the road into a tree, and there were two others in the vehicle who were trapped and unconscious.
The driver was pronounced dead on scene, police said. The other teen — a 16-year-old boy from Antrim — was injured and was removed from the vehicle by fire personnel. Both 16-year-old passengers were taken from the scene by ambulance. Police are still investigating the cause of the crash but say speed appears to be a contributing factor.
On Sunday, ConVal school officials issued another statement about the significant support that will be provided to high school students and staff beginning Monday following the fatal crash, this time also acknowledging the recent untimely death of former student James Barna, who was one of two people killed around midnight Saturday in a two-car crash in New Ipswich. That crash remained under investigation but speed also appeared to be a factor there, police said.
21-year-old Devin Lundgren, of New Ipswich, and his passenger, 18-year-old James Barna, of Sharon, were both pronounced dead at the crash scene, New Hampshire State Police said.
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District officials say they are focused on supporting students, staff and families through this difficult time.
“The loss of a friend or classmate can be deeply traumatic, and we recognize that students may return to school on Monday carrying a range of emotions, questions, and concerns,” said Principal McKillop, who is encouraging parents and guardians to talk with their children about their emotions and experiences, and to help them access the support they may need during this time.
Not only will there will be ConVal High School counselors, student support counselors and social workers available to any student or staff member starting Monday, but the district will be supported by counselors from the Disaster Behavioral Response Team under the direction of the state Department of Health and Human Services.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Forrest added that supporting the ConVal community is their top priority right now, and they are planning support for across the week, already in touch with family resource centers — The Grapevine and The River Center — to coordinate that.
Additionally, the district said it will be reaching out to their community partners at Monadnock Family Services and Monadnock Community Hospital for added support to the many communities that make up the ConVal School District.
Lastly, both Forrest and McKillop thanked the numerous members of the ConVal community, as well as individuals from around the state, who have reached out to offer assistance and support during this difficult time.
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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