Local and regional news

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WHO Says Test, Despite CDC’s Recent Flip Flop

LONDON (AP) —The World Health Organization says countries should actively test people to find coronavirus cases, even if they are mild or don’t show symptoms. That’s despite the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recently switched guidance to say asymptomatic contacts of cases don’t need to be tested. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead for the coronavirus, says when officials are investigating clusters of COVID-19, “testing may need to be expanded to look for individuals who are on the more mild end of the spectrum or who may indeed be asymptomatic.” She says testing and tracing is “really fundamental to breaking chains of transmission.”

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Update: Fatal Accident in Conway – Victim Identified

On Monday, August 24, 2020, at approximately 10:30 pm officers from the Conway Police Department, along with Conway Fire and Rescue and Conway Ambulance, responded to a report of a pedestrian who had been struck by a motor vehicle on East Main Street near the intersection of Odell Hill Road.  When officers arrived, they observed a male lying in the eastbound breakdown lane.  The male, a 59 year-old from Conway, was found to be deceased as a result of injuries sustained from being struck by a vehicle.  The victim’s name is Phillip Martin, known by his friends as Phil or PJ. He was an aspiring chef who loved photography and has a daughter named Megan who is a sophomore at Plymouth State University.

The vehicle that struck Martin was identified to be a 2016 Buick SUV operated by a 58 years-old female from Florida named Susan-Rachel Hebert.  Hebert did not suffer any injuries in the collision.  The Conway Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team was called out to investigate the crash.  The preliminary investigation revealed that the male pedestrian was struck in the eastbound travel lane of East Main Street a short distance east of the intersection of Odell Hill Road.  It appeared that Hebert attempted to avoid the collision by swerving into the opposite lane of travel but was unable to avoid Martin who was in her lane of travel.  Martin’s bicycle was found on the opposite side of the roadway in the breakdown lane of the westbound lane.  The bicycle was not involved in the crash.  This portion of East Main street is not serviced by street lights and it was raining with low level fog in the area.     

Immediately following the crash, this portion of East Main Street was shut down for approximately 3 hours to allow the Conway Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team to document the scene.  The road was re-opened at approximately 1:40 am.  This accident remains under investigation but speed and driver impairment and/or distraction do not appear to be a factor in the crash.  Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Conway Police Department at 603-356-5715.  

The Conway Police Department would like to offer their condolences to Martin’s family and friends for their loss.

Christopher Mattei

Lieutenant

08/25/20

Source: Conway Police Department Press Release

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New Hampshire Launches “Save Your Breath” Anti-Vaping Campaign

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program has launched a year-long social media campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the health impacts of vaping among young people. The campaign, Save Your Breath, urges youth to make the right choices by providing information on the negative consequences of vaping such as physical and mental health, money and time.

In 2019, 34% of New Hampshire high-school aged youth reported using an electronic tobacco vapor product (including e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pipes, vaping pens, e-hookahs, and hookah pens), as compared to 20% nationally.

“Vaping is putting a whole new generation of New Hampshire youth at risk for a lifetime of tobacco use addiction. Tobacco use, including vaping, is unsafe for youth and young adults and can harm their developing brains,” said Dr. Sai Cherala, Bureau Chief of Population Health and Community Services in the DHHS Division of Public Health Services. “The campaign encourages young people to look past the flavors, choose not to vape, and save their breath.”

Save Your Breath will run for a year reaching youth, young adults and families in New Hampshire through several social media channels including Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Spotify, and the website https://saveyourbreathnh.org/.

New Hampshire also offers My Life, My Quit, a tobacco cessation service for teens who want to quit using any tobacco product. My Life, My Quit, provides free and confidential services to answer any questions and to help teens quit. Participants can enroll online at https://mylifemyquit.org/ or by calling or texting “Start My Quit” to 1-855-891-9989.

The DHHS Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program is here to provide resources and education on vaping products to anyone. For more information, contact the NH Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program at TPCP@dhhs.nh.gov or (603) 271-6891.

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New Hampshire Joins $85 Million Multistate Settlement Agreement with Honda For Concealment of Defective Airbags

Concord, NH – Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announces that New Hampshire has joined an $85 million multistate settlement with American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and Honda of
America Mfg., Inc. (collectively “Honda”), over allegations Honda concealed safety issues related to defects in the frontal airbag systems installed in certain Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the United States. The systems were designed and manufactured by Takata Corporation, a long-time Honda supplier, and were first installed in Honda vehicles in the 2001 model year.

The settlement, reached between the attorneys general of 48 states and jurisdictions and Honda, concludes a multistate investigation into Honda’s alleged failure to inform regulators and
consumers that frontal airbags installed in certain Honda and Acura vehicles posed a significant risk of rupture, which could cause metal fragments to fly into the passenger compartment. The ruptures have resulted in at least 14 deaths and over 200 injuries in the United States alone.

The states have alleged that Honda engineers suspected that ammonium nitrate, which was used as a propellant in the airbags, could burn aggressively and cause the inflator to burst. Despite
these concerns, Honda delayed warning consumers or automobile safety officials, even as it began partial recalls of affected vehicles in 2008 and 2009. Further, despite these concerns,
Honda continued to represent to consumers that its vehicles, including its airbags, were safe. Since 2008, Honda has recalled approximately 12.9 million Honda and Acura vehicles equipped
with the suspect inflators.

The states have alleged that Honda’s actions, and its failures to act, as well as its misrepresentations about the safety of its vehicles, were unfair and deceptive, and that Honda’s
conduct violated state consumer protection laws, including New Hampshire’s Consumer Protection Act, RSA 358-A.

Under the terms of the consent judgment, which will be filed in Merrimack County Superior Court, Honda has agreed to strong injunctive relief, including:

~ Taking steps to ensure that future airbag designs include “fail-safe” features to protect passengers in the event the inflator ruptures;

~ Adopting changes to its procurement process for new frontal airbags to ensure that its suppliers have the appropriate industry certifications and satisfy key industry performance standards, as well as improve record-keeping and parts tracking;

~ Implementation of recurrence prevention procedures designed to prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again, such as requiring that Honda approve all new frontal airbag designs before the company will consider them for use in new Honda vehicles;

~ Prohibitions on misleading advertisements and point of sale representations regarding the safety of Honda’s vehicles, including the airbags;

~ Making improvements in critical areas such as risk management, quality control, supplier oversight, training and certifications, and implementing mandatory whistleblower protections.

Honda has agreed to pay the participating states more than $84 million, of which New Hampshire’s share is $1,013,119.81. Honda has also agreed to pay $1 million to the National Association of Attorneys General, which facilitated and assisted in this multistate investigation.

Consumers who own a Honda or Acura vehicle are strongly encouraged to visit Honda’s airbag recall website at https://hondaairbaginfo.com, or call its Customer Service toll-free number at
(888) 234-2138, to see if their vehicle is subject to a recall. Consumers may also check for open recalls by going to Safercar.gov. All safety recall repairs are free at authorized Honda dealers.

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3 Saturday Incidents for NH Fish and Game

Bartlett: On Saturday, August 22, at approximately 10:40 a.m. 911 Dispatch received a call for assistance for an injured hiker on the Table Mountain trail in Bartlett NH.  The hiker was identified as Mark Burzynski from Campton NH.  Mark was hiking with his wife and two other hiking companions.  The group was hiking down from the summit of Table Mountain when Mark slipped and injured his knee.  He was unable to bear weight.  His hiking companions called 911 for assistance.  NH Fish and Game responded along with member of the US Forest Service and Lakes Region Search and Rescue.  The rescuers arrived at Mark’s location at 1:05 p.m.  Mark was loaded in a litter and carried to the trailhead parking area arriving at approximately 3:00 p.m. No further information is available at this time.

Berlin: During the late morning of Saturday, August 22, 2020, A Rhode Island man sustained significant injuries after rolling his rented UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) on a trail in Jericho Mountain State Park.  At approximately 11:15 AM, authorities received a call for help in reference to a crash that had occurred on the Buford’s Way Trail.  Personnel from Berlin Fire and Berlin EMS subsequently responded to the scene and located Salvatore Guido, 49, of Westerly, Rhode Island suffering from multiple serious but non-life-threatening injuries.  Guido was transported from the scene via a specially equipped off road rescue vehicle provided by the Berlin Fire Department and subsequently taken to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin by Berlin EMS for further evaluation and treatment.

This incident was investigated by a responding NH Fish and Game Department Conservation Officer.  Guido was found to be wearing a helmet, eye protection and safety restraint at the time of the incident.  Guido was found to be a novice rider as it related to UTV operation, and the crash was precipitated by hitting a rock while negotiating a downhill slope.

Bean’s Purchase: On the afternoon and evening of Saturday, August 22, 2020, rescue personnel worked to assist a hiker out of the woods who had injured himself during a fall on the Appalachian Trail. Shortly after 5:00 PM, Conservation Officers from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department were alerted to a rescue call placed for a hiker who had slipped and sustained a significant arm injury during a fall.  The patient, Alan Harzewski, 47, of Meriden, Connecticut was reported be in significant pain and requesting medical aid to assist him in getting out of the woods. Upon receiving the call, authorities worked to pinpoint Harzewski’s location and formulate a plan for his extraction. Conservation Officers were able to speak with Harzewski and a hiking companion and determined them to be in the area of Mount Carter, approximately 5 miles from the nearest road.  Harzewski was given directions on slinging and immobilizing his injured arm, as well as a route to take to get out to Route 16 in Gorham.  Harzewski was then directed to begin hiking toward the road while additional resources were obtained.

Conservation Officers called on the assistance of several members of the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team (AVSAR) to provide medical expertise and assistance to Harzewski.  These volunteers assembled in Gorham and hiked up the Stoney Brook Trail, making contact with Harzewski and his hiking companion at approximately 9:40 PM.  Harzewski was subsequently evaluated and provided with additional aid before being escorted out to Stoney Brook Road.  The rescue party arrived safely roadside at approximately 10:15 PM.  Following the rescue, transportation was arranged to get Harzewski to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin for further evaluation and treatment of this injuries.

Harzewski was found to be a well-prepared and experienced hiker who had been the victim of an unfortunate injury sustained during a common hiking accident.

Source: NH Fish and Game Press Release

 

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Tamworth Firefighters To Receive Federal Grant

BOSTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today $42.4 million in direct assistance grants to 221 fire departments nationwide through the agency’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Additional phases will soon be announced.

The Tamworth Fire Department in Tamworth, New Hampshire will receive $179,937 from FEMA for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The grant will be used to purchase a brush fire truck for Tamworth’s firefighters.

Since 2001, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

This grant is funded through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Eligible applicants include local fire departments, fire districts, nonaffiliated EMS organizations, tribal fire departments and State Fire Training Academies. The grant applications are submitted from each agency directly to FEMA, where the applications are reviewed and scored by fire service personnel from throughout the nation.

FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the recipient agencies. It is the recipient agency’s responsibility to manage their grant award within federal guidelines with technical assistance and monitoring provided by FEMA Fire Program Specialists.

Additional information about FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters grant program(s) may be found at https://www.fema.gov/firegrants.

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Consumer Alert- Internet Pet Sale Scams are on the Rise in New Hampshire

Concord, NH — Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald warns New Hampshire consumers about several recent reports of internet pet sale scams. The scams involve puppies or kittens that are advertised for sale online. The animals will typically be advertised on a website that appears legitimate and offers purebred puppies and kittens for sale at a low price. The scammers always claim that animals need to be shipped and do not provide on option for in person pickup. Once a consumer sends money to purchase a pet, the scammer will then demand additional money in order to complete the transaction. The most common justifications for the additional payments include specific requirements of the shipping airline (such as a temperature controlled crate), the cost of shipping insurance, and additional paperwork or shots. Consumers never receive the pet they paid for. Scammers will typically insist the consumer pay for the animals and the additional fee using a money transfer service such as Zelle or with gift cards. Most internet pet sale scams operate using a seemingly legitimate website featuring pictures of available dogs. The photos are usually taken from other legitimate websites. Victims of the scam are at high risk of losing their money because most of these scammers are located overseas.

Attorney General MacDonald offers the following advice to avoid falling victim to this scam:

~ Avoid buying a pet online unless you are using an established rescue group.

~  Be suspicious of any long-distance breeder who will need to ship the animal to you.

~ Be extra cautious when buying a rare or expensive breed being sold at a discount price. Some examples of breeds that have been identified in scams are Bernese Mountain Dogs, Pomeranians, and Maine Coon Cats. If the price appears too good to be true, it is likely a scam.

~Consumers should never transfer or wire money to people they do not know. Legitimate breeders will never ask for payment by gift card.

~  Be on the lookout for emails or messages containing misspellings or grammatical errors.

~ Ask to speak to the seller over the phone. Ask detailed questions and thoroughly verify a seller before deciding to purchase a pet. If possible, ask for references that can verify the legitimacy of the breeder and contact those references.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to this scam, report it to your local police department and the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau of the Attorney General’s Office. You can file a complaint by calling the Consumer Hotline at (603) 271-3641.