NASHUA, NH — A Hillsborough County grand jury indicted the following people recently.
Brandon Fernandez, 30, of Lock Street in Nashua on a felony sale of crack cocaine charge to a cooperating individual of the Nashua police between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31, 2023, in Nashua.
Daniel Ganley, 26, of Kinsley Street in Nashua on burglary, attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault, attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault-extended term, aggravated felonious sexual assault-extended term, and aggravated felonious sexual assault charges, all felonies. He was accused of burglarizing a home to commit sexual assault on Dec. 30, 2023, in Nashua.
James Hepburn Jr., 47, of Appleton Street in Lowell, MA, on two theft by deception and two forgery charges, all felonies. He was accused of presenting two fraudulent checks, valued at $2,887.11 and $2,211.11 to defraud Millyard Cabinetry and St. Mary’s Bank between Sept. 13 and Sept. 14, 2023, in Nashua.
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Nathan Hill, 40, of Chandler Street in Nashua on first-degree assault and second-degree assault charges, both felonies. He was accused of stabbing another person in the chest with a knife on Jan. 4 in Nashua. Learn more about this case here: Man Stabbed During Alleged Assault In Nashua Parking Lot
Brandie Jones, 33, of no fixed address in Nashua on a felony controlled drug act; acts prohibited-fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl mix charge on Dec. 20, 2023, in Nashua. Previously, she was convicted on a control of premises charge in Rockingham County Superior Court in November 2023.
Keith Lafond, 35, of no fixed address in Manchester on a felony controlled drug act; acts prohibited-methamphetamine charge on July 4, 2023, in Nashua. The offense, according to the indictment, occurred after one or more offenses under the alias of “Kevin Lafond.”
Jamie Lesmerises, 49, of Fox Hollow Drive in Hudson on a felony possession of buprenorphine charge on Nov. 7, 2023, in Hudson.
Joanne Levigne, 40, of no fixed address in Nashua on a felony controlled drug act; acts prohibited-heroin and-or fentanyl charge on Nov. 20, 2023, in Nashua.
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Heather Lewis, 32, of Souhegan Drive in Merrimack on a felony attempted taking a firearm from a law enforcement officer charge. She was accused of grabbing the firearm holster of a Nashua officer and pulling it toward herself on July 10, 2023.
Calla Walsh, 19, of Decatur Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on burglary, riot, conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, and conspiracy to commit falsifying physical evidence charges, all felonies, after an incident at Elbit Systems of America in Merrimack. Read more about this case here: Pro-Palestine Protesters Face Riot, Sabotage Charges; Pols Denounce and here: Accused NH Rioters Arraigned, 2 Given $20K Bail Due To Prior Arrests
Do you have a news tip? 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.
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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