New Hampshire
Manchester, Salem Men Arrested For DWI During Saturation Patrol: NH State Police Roundup
CONCORD, NH — Four people were arrested during a New Hampshire State Police saturation patrol in the Bedford area Friday.
State police stopped 101 vehicles while conducting “high visibility patrols to deter and detect impaired drivers,” according to Tyler Dumont, a public information officer for state police. Troopers also focused their directed patrols and enforcement on apprehending “impaired and aggressive drivers” as part of the Office of Highway Safety. The effort is part of a national “Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, he said.
Charles Sibanda, 26, of Salem and Mario Coleccia, 33, of Manchester were both arrested on driving while intoxicated charges and open container violations. Nyaja Gilchrist, 20, of Peterborough was arrested on operating after suspension and speeding charges as well as a failure to yield to an emergency vehicle violation. Marissa Anderson, 38, of Boston, Massachusetts, was also arrested on operating after suspension and transporting drugs in a motor vehicle.
Find out what’s happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Troopers will continue conducting similar enforcement efforts throughout the state,” Dumont said.
Also Read
Mass. Man Injured In Motorcycle Crash
A man from Chicopee, MA, was injured on Wednesday during a motorcycle crash in Dover.
Find out what’s happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Around 8:45 p.m., troopers were sent to the area of Exit 7 for a motorcycle crash report. When they arrived, they found Yorky Acosta Hernandez, 20, the rider of the 2004 Yamaha YZF-R6 motorcycle, had crashed into a guardrail and was thrown from the bike. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Dumont said it was unknown why Hernandez crashed the motorcycle, but it appeared he “lost control while negotiating a curve.”
Assisting at the city were Dover Fire and Rescue teams and Eddie B Towing and Recovery. The Spaulding Turnpike was closed for about an hour.
Trooper Kevin Ledoux of the Troop A barracks is investigating all aspects of the crash. Anyone with information was asked to email him at kevin.p.ledoux@dos.nh.gov.
Travus S. Barnes Credit: NHSP
Sex Offender Charged With Soliciting A Minor
A man from Winchester faces felony charges after being accused of an inappropriate online relationship with a child.
State police received a report in late July accusing Travus S. Barnes, 47, of using a mobile device and Snapchat to “facilitate inappropriate online sexual contact with a person under 16 years of age,” Dumont said. Barnes is a registered sex offender due to a 2014 sexual assault conviction. State police detectives, assigned to the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, investigated the incident and issued a warrant against Barnes. He was arrested Aug. 13 on endangering the welfare of a child-solicitation of a child to engage in sexual activity and failure to comply with sex offender requirements. He was arraigned in Keene District Court on Wednesday.
“Detectives are concerned there may be additional victims who have not yet made reports to police,” Dumont said.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation was asked to contact Det. Edward Horton at 603-931-0660 or edward.j.horton@dos.nh.gov.
Troop A Blotter
Michael Anthony Francisco, 32, of Peabody, Massachusetts, was arrested at 2:33 a.m. on Aug. 4, 2024, on aggravated driving under the influence-30-plus mph and DUI in North Hampton.
Tristan Wyatt Young, 18, of Topsfield, MA, was arrested at 1:10 a.m. on Aug. 4 on a reckless operation charge in Hampton.
Christopher B. Parks, 46, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was arrested at 2:33 p.m. on Aug. 1 on driving after revocation or suspension, operating without a valid license, and disobeying an officer charges as well as an unsworn falsification and emergency vehicles; failure to move right violations in Newington.
Zachary Joseph Castellanos, 21, of Rochester was arrested at 3:31 a.m. on Aug. 1 on aggravated-DUI-collision with serious injury, DUI, and operating without a valid license charges in New Durham.
Thomas Walter Winward, 34, of Derry was arrested on a bench warrant at 2:45 a.m. on July 31 as well as a driving after revocation or suspension charge in Seabrook.
Thomas Higgins, 64, of Rochester was arrested at 6:57 p.m. on July 30 in a felony operating after certified as a habitual offender in Rochester.
Joseph Michael Kavarnos, 29, of Brentwood was arrested at 1:26 a.m. on July 20 on aggravated DUI-30-plus, DUI, DUI-second offense, possession of a controlled drug, controlled premises, speeding-25-plus mph over the 65 limit, and transport drugs in a motor vehicle charges in Exeter.
Jason A. Griffin, 38, of Belmont was arrested at 1:23 a.m. on July 16 on aggravated DUI-30-plus mph and DUI charges in Portsmouth.
Troop B Blotter
Javon Isaiah Griffin, 21, of Manchester was arrested on a reckless operation chargs at 9:46 p.m. on Aug. 4 in Londonderry.
Marcos Isaac Sarmiento Castro, 19, of Manchester was arrested on a bench warrant at 10:57 a.m. on Aug. 4 as well as driving after revocation or suspension charge and unsafe lane change, yellow-solid line, and suspension of vehicle registration violations in Nashua.
Carlos David Mendoza, 29, of Lawrence, MA, was arrested at 2:29 a.m. on Aug. 4 on DUI, speeding-21 to 24 mph over 65 limit, and DUI-adult more than 0.08; minor more than 0.02 charges as well as lane control, yellow-solid line, and traffic control device violations in Londonderry.
Jessica C. Hamel, 33, of Derry was arrested at 1:03 a.m. on Aug. 4 on a DUI charge as well as driving on divided way; crossing a median, lane control, yellow-solid line, and fail to maintain minimum speed violations in Salem.
Mikela Tock, 36, of Rowey, MA, was arrested at 9:23 p.m. on Aug. 3 on a DUI charge in Windham.
Donald E. Jennings, 38, of Merrimack was arrested at 3:44 a.m. on Aug. 3 on a DUI charge as well as lane control, yellow-solid line, and tail lamp and reflectors violations in Merrimack.
Kiya Benoit, 29, of Northbridge, MA, was arrested at 1:41 a.m. on Aug. 3 on a domestic violence-simple assault charge in Windham.
Michael David Gruette, 46, of Center Barnstead was arrested at 11:20 p.m. on Aug. 2 on reckless conduct-deadly weapon, disobeying an officer, reckless operation, negligent driving, and driving after revocation or suspension charges as well as lane control, emergency vehicles; failure to move right, driving on a divided way; crossing a median, traffic control device violation, failure to use required turn signal; yellow-solid line, and stop signs; yield signs violations in Manchester. At 12:13 a.m., he was also charged with speeding-26-plus mph over 55 or less limit, disobeying an officer, reckless conduct, operating with an expired license, two reckless operation, and two reckless conduct-deadly weapon charges as well as misuse of plates and yellow-solid line violations. Also arrested was Joseph G. Cote, 34, of Laconia on a possession; residual amount charge. Read more about this case here: 4 Arrested After Trooper Chase From Concord Through Bow, Dunbarton, Goffstown, And Bedford
Richard John Soltes, 27, of Danvers, MA, was arrested at 2:45 a.m. on Aug. 2 on two reckless conduct charges as well as flammable material and dropping lighted matches violations in Bedford.
Meagan M. Irving, 40, of Strafford was arrested at 2:02 a.m. on Aug. 2 on a DUI charge as well as open container, lane control, and yellow-solid line violations in Manchester.
Christian Scott Yianakopolos, 31, of Manchester was arrested at 4:34 p.m. on Aug. 1 on five domestic violence-simple assault and two criminal threatening charges in Francestown.
Haily Marie Siverhus, 32, of Atkinson was arrested on a DUI charge at 12:57 a.m. on Aug. 1 in Nashua.
Luke Barrett Maczynski, 19, of Middletown, MA, was arrested at 10:59 p.m. on July 31 on speeding-25-plus mph over 65 limit, unlawful possession-intoxication, and transport alcohol by a minor charges as well as an open container violation in Manchester.
Justin T. Simmons, 37, of Seabrook was arrested on a warrant at 3:24 a.m. on July 30 in Windham.
Marc Coels, 31, of Groton, Vermont, was arrested at 9:20 p.m. on July 29 in a DUI charge in Merrimack.
Robert L. Radcliff, 45, of Manchester was arrested on a bench warrant at 2:43 p.m. on July 29 in Manchester.
Paul Joseph Descar, 40, of Manchester was arrested at 2:27 p.m. on July 29 on a bench warrant in Manchester.
Troop D Blotter
Paul A. Pinheiro, 46, of New Hampton was arrested at 8:56 p.m. on Aug. 4 on a DUI charge in Canterbury.
Shane Oryan Chase, 29, of Andover, was arrested at 5:50 p.m. on Aug. 4 on two domestic violence-simple assault charges in Andover.
Voeun S. Oum, 38, of Lynn, MA, was arrested at 6:57 p.m. on Aug. 3 on a felony operating after certification as a habitual offender charge in Hooksett.
Aidan Joseph Sleeper, 21, of Tilton was arrested on a reckless operation in Loudon at 6:02 a.m. on Aug. 2.
Daniel O’Neil, 34, of Warner was arrested without a warrant-domestic violence at 2:34 a.m. on Aug. 2 in Warner.
Nick T. Skidmore, 29, of Northfield was arrested on a DUI charge at 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 1 in Tilton.
Nathan L. Greene, 31, of Laconia was arrested on a bench warrant at 1:26 p.m. on Aug. 1 in Hooksett.
Sherry Lynn Fox, 57, of Laconia was arrested at 1:26 p.m. on Aug. 1 on driving after revocation or suspension and felony drug possession charges in Hooksett.
Brett M. Miller, 29, of Chelmsford, MA, was arrested on a warrant at 10:42 p.m. on July 30 in Sanbornton.
Riley Rebecca Harris, 30, of Manchester was arrested on a warrant and a bench warrant at 12:13 a.m. on July 30 in Manchester.
Juan Morocho-Chimbaina, 33, of Lowell, MA, was arrested at 8:01 p.m. on July 29 on driving after revocation or suspension-subsequent, speeding-21 to 24 mph over the 65 limit, obstructing government administration, operating without a valid license, and two driving after revocation or suspension charges in Bow.
Torre S. Walls, 32, of Hooksett was arrested on a warrant at 6:24 p.m. on July 29 in Hooksett as well as driving after revocation or suspension, driving after revocation or suspension-subsequent, operating without a valid license, conduct after an accident-death or injury, DUI, and aggravated DUI-collision with serious injury charges and a lane control violation in Hooksett.
Abdou-Karim B. Taal, 26, of Nashua was arrested at 3:10 a.m. on July 29 on aggravated DUI-30-plus mph, DUI, and speeding-25-plus mph over 65 limit charges in Concord.
Rebekah Marie Padua, 28, of Barnstead was arrested at 1:21 a.m. on July 18 on disobeying an officer, reckless conduct, DUI, reckless operation, aggravated DUI-attempt to elude police, and two driving after revocation or suspension charges in Chichester.
Do you have a news tip? Please email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella’s YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel. Follow the NH politics Twitter account @NHPatchPolitics for all our campaign coverage.
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New Hampshire
Meet Garret, Your Newest Morning Show Host on 97.5 WOKQ
Are you ready for your mornings reimagined?
Hi! I’m Garret Doll (like Ken, but less hair and not as handsome), and I’m teaming up with Katie Killourhy for 97.5 WOKQ’s new morning show, Garret & Katie in the Morning!
You ready to join us?
So, Who Is Garret Doll?
I’ve learned something about myself… I don’t like clutter. Unless it’s my clutter. Then it’s not clutter, it’s a system.
That’s probably a pretty accurate starting point for who I am. A little self-aware, a little stubborn, and definitely someone who knows what he likes. I like tacos, steak tips and lobster rolls. (Fun fact: I’ve never had a lobster roll until moving here.)
How It All Started
This whole radio thing started for me when I was 15. My mom helped me land a job at a radio station in my hometown (cause she worked there), and I fell in love with radio. I’ve never left this career.
I’ve spent my entire adult life doing this job, and I still feel like I lucked into the best job in the world. No two days are the same. One minute you’re talking about life, the next you’re playing your favorite songs, then suddenly you’re out in the community meeting people who feel like friends you’ve known forever.
Most of my career took me to places like Denver, Charleston, and Richmond. Now, somehow, it’s brought me here to New Hampshire.
Honestly, I look at it like a “this is exactly where I’m supposed to be” moment. It’s a new start on life, so to speak. You will learn more about that as we get to know each other and you listen to the show on 97.5 WOKQ.
Why WOKQ Matters to Me
WOKQ is one of those stations you hear about in radio. It’s got history. It’s got heart. And it’s built around a community that actually cares about local connection and country music throughout New England.
That matters to me.
I don’t want to just “be on the radio.” I want to be part of what’s happening here. The towns, the events, the random conversations at a bar, the places you tell your friends they have to check out.
That’s the fun part of all of this.
What I’m All About
I’m a pretty simple dude:
I’m the guy who would give you the shirt off my back
Glass half full (even when it probably shouldn’t be)
Always smiling
Authentic… sometimes too authentic
And yeah, there are definitely moments where I say something before thinking it all the way through.
So if you ever hear me and think, “Did he really just say that?” There’s a decent chance the answer is yes.
Some Quick Hits About Me
Coffee order: Americano
Drink Order: Old Fashioned or just a good local beer
Favorite food: Tacos (not even close)
Guilty pleasure show: The Big Bang Theory
Pet peeve: Close talkers… and people who are late
Random fact: I once got a tattoo of Dopey from the Seven Dwarfs because a girl I was dating wanted one. We got them together. (Don’t worry, it’s been covered up by a microphone and a rose… and I haven’t heard from her in about 20 years)
Let’s Do This Together
I’m new to town, which means I could really use your help.
Where’s your go-to spot when you just want to get outside? Best place to hike? Kayak? Local bar? Just disappear for a few hours?
READ MORE: Hidden Gems in New Hampshire: 5 Secret Places Worth Discovering
Drop me your favorites, because if there’s one thing I know, it’s that the best recommendations don’t come from Google… they come from you! The ones who actually live it.
And I’m ready to start exploring and getting to know you. So make sure to tune in to Garret & Katie in the Morning! See you there.
BankNH Pavilion: Summer Show Lineup, 2026
Gallery Credit: Sarah Sullivan
New Hampshire
2 Hudson, NH, residents arrested after cats found abandoned
HUDSON, N.H. — An animal cruelty investigation led to the arrest of two former tenants who police say left three cats behind in the apartment they were evicted from.
The Hudson Police Department said officers responded to 19 Oliver Drive on Nov. 25 after the town’s animal control officer received a report that multiple cats had been left behind in an apartment previously occupied by Faith Byers, 48, and Kevin Greene, 57.
The pair had reportedly been evicted a week earlier, on Nov. 18.
Police said that attempts to reach Byers and Greene by phone were unsuccessful, and the property owner later confirmed that the two had moved out without taking the cats or arranging for their care.
With the owner’s permission, police entered the apartment and found three cats alone inside the unoccupied residence.
Police said they determined the cats had been left unattended for several days in conditions lacking adequate airflow, sunlight, litter and consistent access to food or water. Police added that no care plan had been made for the animals, and neither former tenant indicated any intention to return for them.
The animals were safely removed and transported to the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire in Bedford, where they are now receiving care.
Arrest warrants were issued for Byers and Greene, who are each charged with one count of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor. They were arrested on Friday and released on personal recognizance bail.
They are scheduled to appear in 9th Circuit Court Nashua District Division at 1 p.m. April 28.
Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.
New Hampshire
Pakistan hosts diplomatic discussions on ending war
Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will meet in Islamabad today in an attempt to come up with a plan to de-escalate the Iran war.
The meeting comes as several thousand more U.S. troops arrived in the region and after another group got involved in the expanding conflict: Yemen’s Houthis.
The Iran-backed Houthis launched missiles towards Israel, and there’s concern their involvement could threaten another vital global shipping lane in the Red Sea.
Here are more updates on day 30 of the Iran war.
Diplomacy Push in Pakistan
The four foreign ministers from regional powers will meet in Islamabad today and Monday for a push towards diplomacy to end the war.
In a statement ahead of the meeting, the Egyptian government said: “Discussions are expected to focus on recent developments related to regional military escalation and ongoing diplomatic efforts to contain tensions and promote de-escalation.”
“The talks come amid heightened concerns about regional stability, with participating countries seeking to coordinate their stances and support political solutions to emerging crises,” it added.
Whether whatever consensus the countries known as “the quad” come up with will be accepted by the US, Israel, and Iran is another question.
Pakistan has emerged as a possible peace-broker in the conflict, passing messages between the U.S. and Tehran. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Saturday that “dialogue, diplomacy, and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward.”
Dar also welcomed the fact Iran has agreed to allow 20 Pakistan-flagged ships – or two a day – through the Strait of Hormuz.
Houthis enter war
Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen launched the first missile they have fired since the war began toward Israel on Saturday. Israel’s military successfully intercepted it but the Houthis’ attack opens another front in a war that has now moved into its second month.
Up until Saturday’s missile launch the Houthis had stayed out of this war. But a Houthi spokesman said attacks will continue until “the aggression on all resistance fronts stops.”
Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs / AP
/
AP
The Yemen-based rebels were active during Israel’s war in Gaza, firing on cargo ships in the Red Sea and disrupting global commercial traffic.
With Iran essentially blockading the Strait of Hormuz, driving up global oil prices, there are concerns that if the Houthis start attacking ships in the Red Sea again global shipping will be even more disrupted.
Iran also hit multiple sites around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Saturday and Israel’s military says Iran is increasingly using cluster bombs.
Designed to detonate at high altitude the munition disperses dozens of smaller bombs that are more challenging for Israel’s multi-layered air defense system to intercept and can cause damage over a wider area.
Dozens of countries have signed onto a cluster munitions treaty banning the weapons – except Iran, Israel and the U.S.
Iran threatens U.S. universities in region
Iranian authorities and residents say more airstrikes hit them overnight. Social media videos from across Iran showed strikes hitting all over the country.
Israel’s military said it had completed what it called a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting weapons production and storage sites.
Iran claims U.S.-Israeli strikes hit a Tehran university over the weekend and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened American university campuses in the Middle East in retaliation.
“We advise all employees, professors, and students of American universities in the region and residents of their surrounding areas” to stay a kilometer away from campuses, the statement, carried by Iranian media, said.
Several US universities have campuses in the Gulf, including New York University in the United Arab Emirates and Texas A&M University, among others, in Qatar.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to fire drones and missiles at Gulf countries, with Kuwait saying it was intercepting missile and drone attacks early Sunday. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed ten drones.
Iran also claimed it had attacked two major aluminium sites in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Emirates Global Aluminium confirmed an Iranian attack wounded several and caused significant damage to its plant.
U.S. Troops injured, more arrive
At least 15 U.S. service members were wounded Friday in an Iranian strike on a Saudi air base that hosts American troops, according to the Associated Press, including at least five in serious condition. The missile and drone strikes targeted Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan air base, located outside the capital Riyadh.
Iran has targeted U.S. service members at bases throughout the region since the war began a month ago, in retaliation for the U.S. attacks and seeking to drive troops out of the region. Overall, the Pentagon has put the U.S. casualty toll at 13 killed and more than 300 injured.
On Saturday, troops from the Japan-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, made up of around 3,500 sailors and Marines, arrived in the Middle East, according to U.S. Central Command.
The U.S. military will not say where and how they might be deployed. Thousands more soldiers from the U.S. military’s 82nd Airborne Division are also expected to be deployed.
Journalists killed in Lebanon
Three Lebanese journalists covering the Israeli invasion of the country’s south were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Jezzine.
One of them worked for a TV channel affiliated with Hezbollah and Israel accuses him of being a militant rather than a journalist – but has not provided evidence. The journalist Israel says it targeted was Ali Shaeb, a veteran TV correspondent and household name in Lebanon. After killing him, Israel’s military issued a statement accusing him of exposing the locations of Israeli troops.
The other two journalists killed were siblings, TV correspondent Fatima Ftouni and her cameraman brother, Mohammed Ftouni. Afterward their father appeared on TV, saying he was proud of his children.
All three had been covering Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon.
Lebanese officials called the attack a flagrant violation of international law, and said they’re complaining to the UN Security Council. Hundreds of fellow journalists marched at a protest vigil in Lebanon’s capital.
The three journalists were among at least 47 people killed Saturday in Israeli attacks, according to Lebanese health officials.
Nine of those killed were paramedics, which the head of the World Health Organization called “a tragedy,” noting health workers are protected under international law.
Israel has intensified its attacks across Lebanon, mostly in the South, where Israeli ground troops are moving northward to try to oust Hezbollah militants.
Another Israeli soldier was also killed in Lebanon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing his condolences on X over the weekend.
Developments in Syria, Iraq
The war is spreading to more parts of the Middle East. On Sunday, Syria said it had intercepted a drone strike from Iraq targeting a U.S. military base. Pro-Iran Iraqi groups have claimed responsibility for some attacks on US interests.
Separately, the Syrian and UAE governments condemned an attack targeting the residence of the Kurdish region’s president Nechirvan Barzani.
French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the attack saying: “The sovereignty of Iraq, and of Kurdistan within it, is essential to regional stability. Everything must be done to prevent Iraq from being drawn into the ongoing escalation.”
On Sunday, the Israeli army said it had launched its “first” attack into Lebanon from Syria.
Jane Arraf in Amman, Emily Feng in Van, Turkey, Lauren Frayer in Jezzine, Lebanon, Carrie Khan in Tel Aviv, and Kate Bartlett in Johannesburg contributed to this report.
Copyright 2026 NPR
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