Auburn
Left to die?
By DEVON CORMIER
Staff Writer
dcormier@yourneighborhoodnews.com
Police have no leads about a male pit bull
found tied to a tree about 100 feet into the woods near the Londonderry
Turnpike in Auburn on Tuesday, June 24.
Animal Control
officer Jarlene Cornett said she's never had a case of a dog
tied to a tree, although she finds abandoned dogs that were let
loose often.
"Abandonment and tying in the woods is the ultimate cruelty,"
Cornett said.
The dog was found by a jogger. Cornett thinks the dog had not
been there long, but is thankful it was found at all.
"There aren't usually joggers on the turnpike," Cornett
said.
The brindle-colored dog is healthy, appears to be about 3 years
old, and is extremely playful and smart, said Cornett.
He will be boarded at Candray Pet Care Center in Candia until
further information about the dog is found and he can be adopted.
"He's a real nice dog," Cornett said. "He is very
smart and fun-loving. Hopefully people can identify him and we
can find out who did this."
The unneutered male pit bull had a black studded collar with
a long black rope tied to it. If you have any information regarding
the dog, you can call Candray at 483-8591. |
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IN GOOD HEALTH This young pit bull
dog was in good spirits after being rescued. The dog was tied
to a tree about 100 yards from the Londonderry Turnpike. He was
being held in a horse stall at Animal Control officer Jarlene
Cornett's home, but is now being boarded at Candray Pet Care
Center in Candia. (Devon Cormier Photo)
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Auburn
Auburn girl dies in boat accident
By DEVON CORMIER
Staff Writer
dcormier@yourneighborhoodnews.com
A holiday boating accident has left Auburn
mourning the loss of 8-year-old Samantha Smith.
Samantha died on Saturday, July 3, at about 6 p.m., after falling
out of and being struck by an 18-foot boat. Daughter of Dan and
Kim Smith, the Auburn family was on vacation for the Independence
Day holiday when the incident occurred.
The boat was driven by her aunt, Michelle Smith, of Framingham,
Mass., who was towing a skier. The family was boating on Lake
Wicwas in Meredith for the holiday.
When Michelle Smith turned the boat, the little girl fell out
of the bow of the boat, getting hit by the propeller. Samantha
was rushed to shore, where she was taken to Lakes Region General
Hospital. She died there as a result of her injuries, which included
severe lacerations to the abdomen.
Although the incident is still under investigation, Capt. Mark
Gallagher of the Marine Patrol said nothing in the investigation
suggests that there was any illegal activity.
Back in Auburn, the community is coming together to mourn. The
Auburn Fireman's Association will plant a tree in Samantha's
memory on July 31. Fire Chief Bruce Phillips said it is hard
for the whole community, especially her classmates at Auburn
Village School.
"We heard, and it touched a lot of people," Phillips
said. "We will try and plant it at the town playground.
We just need town and community spirit."
Phillips' son had been in Samantha's class at the Village School
for a few years. "It's hard to explain to an 8-year-old
that their school friend won't be going back," Phillips
said.
Gallagher stressed boat safety to prevent accidents. About the
tragedy involving Samantha, Gallagher said, "We don't see
a lot of these accidents, but one is too many.
Auburn/Candia
K-9 rounds them up
Roscoe the dog helps Auburn and Candia
police capture suspects in several thefts
By RUSS CHOMA
Staff Writer
rchoma@yourneighborhoodnews.com
In separate incidents two days apart, Auburn's
K-9 unit successfully nabbed two suspects who led police on lengthy
footchases.
Roscoe, the canine half of the unit, and his human partner, Auburn
Police Sgt. Roy Pelton, were instrumental in tracking down and
cornering a suspect who fled from Candia police on June 29, and
then repeated the feat two days later in Auburn.
The pair of captures was sparked on June 29 when Candia police
officer Kevin Bowen attempted to make a routine traffic stop
after a vehicle nearly clipped his cruiser.
According to Candia Police Chief Michael McGillen, Bowen was
driving on Route 43 when a car driven by Kevin Clement, 19, of
Fremont, pulled out of North Road and nearly collided with his
cruiser. Bowen pulled the car over and while interrogating Clement,
a passenger in the front seat fled into the nearby woods.
That passenger, Douglas Green, 21, of Portsmouth, successfully
evaded police until he was spotted on Route 27. At that point,
McGillen said, Roscoe was brought in and tracked Green.
"Green ran back into the woods but the dog started getting
really excited and was onto him," McGillen said. "And
a couple minutes later they found the guy."
Roscoe tracked Green to a nearby auto body shop, where Candia
police were able to apprehend him after a brief struggle. Green
was charged with resisting detention and prowling, both misdemeanors.
A search of the car Green fled revealed several drug syringes
and a marijuana pipe. Candia police charged Clement, the driver,
with transporting drugs, a misdemeanor. Clement was also wanted
by the Epping police who had an outstanding warrant narcotics
charge for him.
Two days later, a similar chase ensued after Auburn police attempted
to pull over a suspicious vehicle in their town.
This time, the suspect cornered by Roscoe was Billy Boutilette,
23, of Portsmouth. Boutilette, who was a passenger in the car
involved in the Candia chase, was charged by Auburn police with
resisting arrest.
That chase began when an Auburn resident reported to police that
a car with several strangers drove up her driveway and asked
for directions.
According to Auburn police officer Charles Chabot this is a typical
ploy used by burglars.
"Looking for directions is a common burglar trick,"
he said. "And (the resident) said these kids were real flustered
when she was home."
Several units were in the area, including motorcycle patrol officer
David Fletcher, who quickly found and pursued the vehicle.
Fletcher eventually chased the car into a nearby parking lot,
where he was able to corner the vehicle before it could escape.
At that point Boutilette fled into the woods.
Roscoe was once again called in for backup, and followed Boutilette
for nearly seven miles.
Boutilette eventually turned up in Londonderry, where he was
spotted at a Honey Dew Donut shop by a Londonderry police officer.
Roscoe was used to corner Boutilette and drive him into the waiting
hands of Londonderry police, who arrested him and turned him
over to Auburn police.
In addition to the misdemeanor resisting arrest charge, Auburn
police also charged Boutilette and the other two passengers with
felony burglary charges. Also arrested were: Travis Weeks, 28,
of Raymond, and Amanda Marchione, 18, of Hooksett.
Auburn police say all three are facing the felony burglary charges
as well as charges of conspiracy, possession of burglar tools
and receiving stolen property.
Hooksett
Shaw's attacker admits needing money for
drugs
By DEVON CORMIER
Staff Writer
dcormier@yourneighborhoodnews.com
John F. Benninghove appeared in the Hooksett
District Court for a probable cause hearing on Friday, July 2.
Benninghove, 46, of Allenstown, attacked a Hooksett woman with
a knife in the Shaw's parking lot on June 24 after she finished
unloading her groceries.
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The woman screamed, beeped the horn and
kicked him, drawing the attention of others. Benninghove was
pinned down by two bystanders who chased him down until police
arrived and arrested him. A kitchen knife was found near the
scene in a sock.
Benninghove is being charged with three felonies criminal
restraint, reckless conduct and attempted armed robbery.
Benninghove waived his right to a hearing, and his attorney,
Manchester Public Defender Stephen Kasmar, asked the judge to
lower bail.
Mainly because Benninghove has a lengthy criminal record dating
back to 1979, including two prior simple assault convictions,
a history of motor vehicle violations that show continual noncompliance
and a rap sheet of other offenses, the judge denied the request
and left bail at $30,000 cash.
The judge also showed concern about lowering
bail because of Benninghove's heroin addiction. Benninghove confessed
to the police that he was attempting to rob the Hooksett woman
for money to support his habit.
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COURT DATE John F. Benninghove
is escorted into the courthouse by Merrimack County Deputy Sheriff
James Campbell. Benninghove is accused of attacking a woman in
Hooksett with a knife. (Devon Cormier Photo)
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Although Kasmar will not be representing Benninghove in the future,
he said the defense will include questioning whether the confession
was valid.
No further court date has been set.
Hooksett
Hooksett library to be headed by Goffstown
woman
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By AMY FORTIER
Correspondent
GOFFSTOWN The Goffstown Public
Library said farewell to Assistant Director Amy Lapointe on June
3 and hosted a party in Lapointe's honor. Lapointe, of Goffstown,
is now the new director for the Hooksett Public Library.
Accepting this career advancement was not an easy decision for
Lapointe. She worked at the Goffstown Public Library for four
years and has developed many friendships.
"I am certainly excited about my new position, but it was
a hard decision to leave because I have really enjoyed my time
here and I will miss many people," said Lapointe.
Lapointe's position at the Goffstown Public library is especially
dear to her as it was her first full-time position in a library
after finishing her degrees. Lapointe grew up in Bedford and
studied for her undergraduate degree in American studies at Mt.
Holyoke College in Massachusetts. Lapointe has a master's degree
in library science from Simmons College.
During her four years at the Goffstown
library, Lapointe has become an important presence. Lapointe
has employed many new programs such as an Independent Film Night.
On the first Wednesday of every month, the library shows a current
independent movie. These events have been well attended and the
films can be borrowed after the viewing.
Lapointe also started a daytime book group.
The group congregates on the fourth Wednesday of the month to
discuss their books and pick up their new books. Lapointe led
the discussion group that she defines as a "very social
event" for its participants.
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BANNERS AND BOOKS Amy Lapointe
stands under a banner made for her farewell party held at the
Goffstown Library on June 3. Many well-wishers attended to say
their goodbyes to Lapointe. (Amy Fortier Photo)
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Typically 15 people gathered for Lapointe's
book group for light discussion, personal opinions and reviews.
Lapointe said she is looking forward to the challenge of being
the director of the Hooksett library. She has many ideas of ways
she can improve the library, but she plans to first listen to
what Hooksett wants.
"I plan to listen to what the community wants and then figure
out which programs to implement based on what I hear and gather,"
Lapointe said.
Lapointe's move to the Hooksett library will offer her new challenges,
but many things will stay the same. For one thing, both Hooksett
and Goffstown libraries are part of GMILCS, or the Greater Manchester
Inter-Library Consortium System, meaning that they share an automation
system and participate in inter-library loans. Marilyn Borgendale
of Henniker is the systems administrator for GMILCS and is very
glad that Lapointe is staying within the consortium.
"It is sad for many that Amy is leaving Goffstown because
she is a true treasure, but we know it is a great opportunity
for her and Hooksett. I am very excited that she is staying in
the consortium," Borgendale said.
Erica Hamel of Goffstown has worked as a page in the Goffstown
library for two years and is also sad that Lapointe is leaving.
"I didn't get to work with her for as long as I would have
liked to. Amy is a really great person and we will miss her,"
said Hamel.
Lapointe's farewell party was populated by the many people she
has touched through her work at the Goffstown library. Many came
to say farewell and wish her luck in her new job in Hooksett.
Marilyn Dibello, a volunteer at the Goffstown library, said "Amy
sas been a really nice addition here. There was this sense that
she was always someone the staff could go to."
With all of this warm praise for Lapointe, the Hooksett library
certainly has something to look forward to when Lapointe begins
her new job as director in a few weeks, but those in Goffstown
should not be too sad for they will still see Lapointe around.
"The Goffstown library is still my home library. I will
still have a library card here," said Lapointe.
Hooksett
Huttig Products gets planners' OK
By DEVON CORMIER
Staff Writer
dcormier@yourneighborhoodnews.com
A new business will be coming into town
soon, since it was granted approval by the planning board.
Huttig Building Products, which does mill work and manufactures
doors and windows, has gotten approval to build its New England
headquarters at the end of Lehoux Drive behind the General Electric
plant. The approval came at a planning board meeting on June
21.
The area on Industrial Drive and Lehoux Drive is an industrial
zone, so the Huttig proposal was approved quickly. ProCon Construction
will be constructing the building in the near future.
Town Planner Charles Watson said the business should be great
for Hooksett, although there are traffic issues in Hooksett that
need to be resolved.
"We have to address these traffic problems," Watson
said. "The solutions are very closely related to the town's
overall economic well-being."
The hope is that a stronger tax base will allow the town to fix
the gridlocked traffic that collects on Route 3, Watson said.
He also said he doesn't believe the state will provide any money
and the town will need to step up and find a way.
"It's always a plus for the town to be able to help the
tax base," Watson said. "I think Huttig is a real good
thing."
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