Local and regional news

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Veterans Day Parade in Conway

Conway residents turned out to watch the procession of Veterans, a Humvee, the Kennett High school Marching Band, and Scouts as they made their way from John H. Fuller Elementary school to Schouler Park today. The ceremony in North Conway included a flag presented on an empty seat dedicated to those Prisoners of War or Missing in Action that remain unrecovered but never forgotten and a fitting volley-fire salute to taps. Prayers and comments from the American Legion were also part of the ceremony but the most notable part of all this year was perhaps the attendance of retired four-star Air Force General Lori Robison who previously headed up the United States Northern Command and NORAD among other commands.

 

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Failure to Yield: Fryeburg

Fryeburg police have identified and charged a 72-year-old Maine resident for failing to yield the right of way at a crosswalk. Police say William Layman of Augusta drove his 2019 GMC Sierra recklessly when he allegedly failed to yield the right of way to two pedestrians and caused property damage, hitting a crosswalk sign. Authorities are charging Layman with Driving to Endanger, Criminal Mischief, and Failing to Yield to Pedestrian in Crosswalk. Fryeburg Police Chief Joshua Potvin says the incident is a reminder, “that in the absence of traffic control devices, drivers are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks who have shown visible intent to enter a marked crosswalk.” He also says pedestrians should make eye contact with the drivers in both directions to make sure the vehicle is stopping before crossing.

 

 

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Together With Veterans

In February of this year, the US Department of Veterans Affairs issued what they called the, “Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.” Former Army Captain and Valley Resident Ray Gilmore just returned from training in Colorado stemming from that challenge. They call the program “Together With Veterans.” He refers to the effort as a ‘center of gravity.’ He says that while they’re currently working on a plan to address Veteran Suicide, the hope is that methods developed from this program will be used towards preventing suicides in other communities beyond veterans. Gilmore notes that they’re still in the planning phase for the Mt. Washington Valley but that they will be making their first moves before the end of the year and significant moves to set up new support tools for the Veteran Community of New Hampshire over the course of 2020.

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Fatal crash in Randolph this past Saturday

 

A fatal crash occurred in Randolph, New Hampshire this past Saturday. New Hampshire State Police say they responded around 2:44 am Saturday morning to an accident on Route 2. 23-year-old Anthony Ortega of Massachusetts was pronounced dead at the scene after he collided head on with a tractor-trailer being driven by 50-year-old Mark Mellish of Vermont. Traffic had to be detoured through Durand Road to avoid the scene. Police say the incident is still being investigated and the cause of the crash is not yet determined.

 

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Four Arrested on Drug Trafficking

Four men have been arrested in a case involving a naked man, kidnapping, firearms and drugs. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s office say they’ve arrested four men after a 39-year-old male victim was taken from his Naples residence at gunpoint. He was then allegedly put into the trunk of a car, driven to another location, and told to strip. Fearing for his life, the victim alleges he ran through the woods as the suspects shot at him. Police say they arrested the four suspects in Windham, Maine on charges of trafficking in scheduled drugs. Additional charges are possible. The victim was taken to CMMC in Lewiston for gunshot wounds where he remains in a stable condition.

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Fryeburg Domestic Disturbance Arrest

Police in Fryeburg say they’ve arrested an armed suspect following a domestic disturbance. Sidrick Thurlow of Chocorua was arrested following a domestic disturbance call. Police say the 54-year-old New Hampshire man arrived at the residence of a 50-year-old female, had a loaded gun, and was threatening the life of a 56-year-old man from Brownfield. Fryeburg Police say they seized a 38 caliber handgun from Thurlow at the scene. Thurlow is currently being charged for Aggravated Reckless Conduct, Criminal Threatening with a Dangerous Weapon, Threatening Display of a Dangerous Weapon, and terrorizing. Fryeburg Police Chief Joshua Potvin said he was pleased that the incident was ended peacefully, giving credit to his officers for the resolution. He says, “Whenever weapons are involved in emotionally charged events such as domestic violence situations it poses additional risks to all those involved.”

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September 11th, 2001

The Attack and Reaction

18 years ago a coordinated attack by al Qaeda took the lives of 2,977 people and changed the American landscape forever. A week later, then-President George W. Bush signed into law a joint resolution authorizing military force against unspecified nations, organizations, or persons involved in the attack. The result was the War in Afghanistan after the Taliban refused to surrender Osama Bin Laden and other leaders of al Qaeda involved in the terrorist attack.

Motivations behind the attack remain debated. Bin Laden had been responsible for a number of attacks against the United States with, according to al Qaeda, a specific goal of coaxing America into war with the Middle East. Separate reports cite Bin Laden’s goal as wanting to make the United States less supportive of its allies in the Middle East. Whether we believe that Bin Laden wanted to weaken American resolve and get the nation to withdraw support, or we believe that the purpose of the attack was to create a common “crusader” enemy to unite the Middle East’s Islamic population against, al Qaeda failed. The United States became more involved in the region and terrorist factions of the middle east continue to have infighting including the creation of the infamous Islamic State group. Lesser known affiliates of al Qaeda, such as al Nusra, also continue to splinter off despite fighting common enemies.

Local Events

A Commemorative Service was conducted in Schouler Park at 8:46am, the moment the first hijacked plane crashed in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

The “America Supports You – Freedom Walk” will be at 5pm starting at the Jackson Covered Bridge off Rt. 16.

“Putting 9/11 into Perspective,” will be a talk presented by American Legion Post 95 Commander Jim Lefebvre at the Lobster Trap Restaurant off West Side Road at 5:30pm.