EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA--New Hampshire

Derry man arrested after police chase

Sat, 17 May 2008 01:42:00 EDT

DERRY — A local man was arrested yesterday after leading police on a chase through downtown Derry on his motorcycle.
An officer running radar on High Street attempted to pull over Jason Pecci, 30, of 5L Mills Farm Circle for driving too fast on his Kawasaki 1000, but he wouldn't stop, police Capt. Vernon Thomas said.

Load width restricted at Exit 1

Sat, 17 May 2008 01:39:00 EDT

SALEM, N.H. — Vehicles with loads wider than 10 feet 6 inches can't use Exit 1 on Interstate 93.
Yesterday, workers on I-93 shifted traffic to a temporary southbound ramp at Exit 1. The traffic shift is designed to allow for the reconstruction of the existing Exit 1 ramp, including the replacement of seven bridges.

State panel reviewing Windham tax dispute

Sat, 17 May 2008 01:37:00 EDT

WINDHAM — The owner of an Indian Rock Road strip mall and the town are at odds over the property's assessed value, with their projections millions of dollars apart.
A tax abatement was requested for The Commons at Windham Inc., an 11.7-acre site with two buildings of retail businesses. An appeal is being considered by the state Board of Tax and Land Appeals, which has about a 1,000-case backlog.

Londonderry High School named tops in the state

Fri, 16 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

LONDONDERRY — Londonderry High School Principal James Elefante is leaving the best high school in New Hampshire.
During his final pep rally yesterday, Elefante delivered the news to the students and staff: Londonderry High was named New Hampshire's 2008 High School of Excellence.

Coca-Cola mum on possible expansion

Fri, 16 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

LONDONDERRY — Coca-Cola Bottling Co. is buying up land behind its plant off Interstate 93, fueling speculation about expansion.
But company officials refused to comment when asked about expansion plans this week, even though U.S. Sen. John Sununu visited the Londonderry plant on Monday to talk with employees and discuss "a $32 million expansion project," according to a press release announcing his work schedule.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Sheila LaBarre Trial

Wed, 14 May 2008 13:19:00 EDT

Two years ago, Sheila LaBarre of Epping was arrested for the murder of her boyfriend, Kenneth Countie, 24, of Wilmington, Mass. Soon afterward, police discovered that LaBarre had killed a previous boyfriend months earlier on her horse farm. Now, a jury is being asked to decide if she is guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, of if she is criminally insane, as she claims.

More than 30 motorists get help on the highway

Fri, 16 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

A new program to help drivers stranded on Interstate 93 already has helped more than 30 people.
Between May 1 and 5, the New Hampshire service patrols responded to 31 incidents, according to Bill Boynton, spokesman for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

Water main break closes street, leaves customers dry

Fri, 16 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

SALEM — A water main break around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday sent 150,000 gallons of water up through Main Street and forced emergency workers to reroute traffic Wednesday night and into yesterday afternoon.

Planners weigh, reject new rule on site visits

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

SALEM — Landowners who want approval for a development, but don't want crowds of people traipsing across their land during the application process, might just get their wish.
That's because the town's Planning Board Tuesday rejected a strict new rule that would have given the board the right to reject applications from uncooperative landowners.

Second man charged with selling OxyContin

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

PELHAM — The second person in two weeks has been arrested and charged with selling the prescription pain medication OxyContin in town.
Douglas Chambers, 21, of Chelmsford, Mass., was arrested on the felony charge yesterday. Eighteen-year-old Matthew Perrotti of Pelham was charged two weeks ago with selling the drug. Police expect to arrest several more people in the coming months, Lt. Gary Fisher said.

Children want to green up the state

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

Going green could make local students famous.
This weekend, environmentally aware children from different areas in the state are invited to film a public service announcement that encourages recycling.

Students get a taste of career possibilities

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

PLAISTOW — Joey Coye wants to be a private investigator.
A Febreze bottle with a hidden camera, a device for tracking cars all over the country and other gadgets were part of what sold him on such a career yesterday. But Joey, 13, also learned what he has to do to prepare to be a private investigator.

Police search area after mailman mistaken for burglar

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

PELHAM — Nine police officers yesterday were involved in a search for a would-be burglar who turned out to be a letter carrier on his delivery route.
After a resident reported an attempted burglary in the area of Mammoth and Burns Roads, police mobilized to search the area. The effort involved pulling some police officers off paid details to help, Lt. Gary Fisher said.

A real family affair Mobile home park has changed a lot in 50 years

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

HAMPSTEAD — Emerson Village has come a long way since it opened in 1958.
When Glendon and Grace Emerson first proposed the trailer park, there were just eight lots and a 500-foot road to be developed. Fifty years later, there are 148 mobile home sites — with 14 more planned — more than a mile of roads and 25 campsites.

Man held on $25,000 bail for posing as solicitor

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

PELHAM — A Lowell, Mass., man charged with posing as a solicitor for a nonprofit group is being held on $25,000 cash bail pending a June 4 trial date in Salem District Court.
Jamie Simard, 32, was arrested Tuesday after he went to Hannaford Supermarket twice this week to seek a donation for the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, a nonprofit organization.

Windham adult, student bands to perform

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

WINDHAM — The Windham Community Band will team up with the Windham Middle School Honors Band tomorrow to present a concert in the school gymnasium.
The concert, which starts at 5:30 p.m, includes "Pirates of the Caribbean," "You Can't Stop the Beat," "Lord of the Dance," and selections from "Wicked."

Check it out Retailers hope to cash in on stimulus payments

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:37:00 EDT

Get ready to stretch and spend that stimulus check.
As the last of direct deposit checks arrive in bank accounts this week and paper checks start to go out in the mail, many large retailers are offering spending incentives because they want their piece of the pie and are offering extra gift card cash to get it. Other retailers plan to increase promotions and sales through July, when the last of the paper checks will arrive in mailboxes.

AUDIO SLIDESHOW: Primping for the prom

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:58:00 EDT

Getting ready for prom night is an event itself. We followed five friends from Londonderry High School as they primped and prepared for their big night. We began at the Water's Edge Salon and Spa in Londonderry where we met up with Aleah Hart, Haley Iarocci, Taylor Natella, Gia Puopolo and Samantha Sfameni. Then it was on to Aleah's house where the girls put on make-up and changed into their gowns. Their dates, Nick Marquis, Kyle O'Connor, Chris Gagnon, Adam Bardwell and Tyler Peterson, arrived with corsages and soon the place was full of family and friends taking photos of the group. Then it was off to the prom at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester.

LaBarre tapes filled with anger, violence, sex; Second day of insanity trial focuses on 1,000 hours of tapes

Thu, 15 May 2008 10:37:00 EDT

BRENTWOOD — Sheila LaBarre recorded death threats she made to her boyfriends and arguments she had with people in her everyday life.
They included angry calls to a car dealership about a bad transmission in her Mercedes-Benz, and to United Airlines about a flight leaving too early.

House rejects school funding plan

Thu, 15 May 2008 10:36:00 EDT

CONCORD — Despite support from leadership on both sides of the aisle, the state House of Representatives rejected a constitutional amendment designed to fix school funding yesterday.
"You had the ultra-right conservative movement against it and you had the ultra-liberal Democrats against it and, combined, it was lethal," said Rep. Anthony DiFruscia, R-Salem, who voted in favor of the measure.

No ordinance would likely ban controversial sign in Windham

Thu, 15 May 2008 10:35:00 EDT

WINDHAM — Tinkering with rules that regulate signs for adult businesses is a slippery proposition. But that's just what some people in town would like to happen.
Some people are looking for action after a controversial sign for the XXXPosed adult video store, featuring a silhouette of a scantily clad woman, was installed on Rockingham Road last month.

Need a safe ride home after Pelham's prom? Call police

Thu, 15 May 2008 05:40:00 EDT

PELHAM — To help ensure a safe prom night for Pelham High School students, police will be on call tomorrow to give any student who may have had too much to drink a ride home.
This is the sixth year of the No Questions Asked campaign. Police will give any student a ride home after the prom. It could be a student who has been drinking or a classmate who has lost his ride home, Lt. Gary Fisher said. Police won't ask any questions and the student won't be in trouble with the law, he said. They will be picked up and returned to their parents, he said.

Bone marrow recipient urges others to register as donors

Thu, 15 May 2008 04:38:00 EDT

DERRY — Leigh Buckley, 33, of Derry relaxed in the shade of a patio umbrella yesterday and did something that may seem ordinary to other people. She watched her children play.
"No, Clara," she said, as her 22-month-old mischievously filled a shovel from the sandbox and sprinkled sand on the deck.

Six caught selling alcohol to minors in Derry

Thu, 15 May 2008 04:37:00 EDT

DERRY — Police caught six store clerks selling alcohol to an underage person working undercover during a compliance check last week.
All six were charged with prohibited sales, a misdemeanor, and are due in Derry District Court on June 3. Police said the undercover operation, conducted May 9, was timed to send a message before the prom and graduation season is underway. It was conducted with help from New Hampshire Liquor Enforcement.

Sandown students show off their artwork

Thu, 15 May 2008 04:36:00 EDT

SANDOWN — Sandown students are showcasing their artwork this week and next, displaying a school year's worth of work that is the first of a four-year artistic endeavor.
Photographer Tim Gaudreau was an artist in residence for two days in October. He introduced artistic concepts the art teachers followed throughout the year. The plan is to continue the artist-in-residence program for three more years.

Atkinson police chief says thefts could be pranks

Thu, 15 May 2008 04:33:00 EDT

ATKINSON — A number of lawn statues — including a few religious figures — have disappeared from local yards this week, police said.
Five statues were taken from yards early this week, and a number of potted plants were reported stolen from the cemetery, police Chief Philip Consentino said. He thinks it's likely a prank done by high school seniors, and hopes the items are returned.

Plaistow selectmen close to choosing new town manager

Thu, 15 May 2008 04:32:00 EDT

PLAISTOW — The interim town administrator's contract ends tomorrow, but Jason Hoch is sticking around.
The former town manager was under a new agreement with the selectmen to work full time on an interim basis through May 16. But Hoch said yesterday the selectmen informally decided to wait until a start date for the next town manager is established before changing his status.

School district may head out on its own

Thu, 15 May 2008 04:31:00 EDT

WINDHAM — A committee will help the Windham School District decide whether to split from the Pelham School District and hire its own superintendent.
Such a split would mean two separate administrations and two separate offices.

Windham considers need for more affordable housing

Thu, 15 May 2008 04:31:00 EDT

WINDHAM — The time is right for affordable housing but can residents be convinced that affordable housing is right for the town?
The public affairs director of New Hampshire Housing told Planning Board members last night that to convince people of this they need to see how good workforce or affordable housing looks.

Salem Charter Reform Committee appointments made

Thu, 15 May 2008 04:30:00 EDT

SALEM — The town's new Charter Reform Committee has taken shape.
The group, which will begin meeting soon and deliver a report in late summer, is looking at whether the town's 10-year-old governing document is working well, needs amendments or could use a major overhaul.

Salem man indicted in connection with three bank robberies

Thu, 15 May 2008 04:30:00 EDT

BRENTWOOD — A Salem man charged earlier this year with robbing five banks in Salem, Plaistow and Londonderry has now been indicted on robbery and theft charges.
John Wilder, 25, was indicted in Rockingham County Superior Court this week in connection with a string of robberies that began in December and ended when he was finally identified in February.

Trial underway; LaBarre's 'obsession with pedophiles' focus of insanity case

Wed, 14 May 2008 10:17:00 EDT

BRENTWOOD — Sheila LaBarre had a "hypersexualized" appetite and targeted mentally impaired men for years before finally killing two of them, prosecutors said.
LaBarre's insanity trial began yesterday in Rockingham County Superior Court, with prosecutors saying jurors will hear disturbing firsthand accounts of her need to control men.

Owners seek to demolish Coke plant in Salem; plan to build restaurant, shops

Wed, 14 May 2008 10:10:00 EDT

SALEM — After two years of planning how to preserve it, the owners of a century-old Coca-Cola bottling plant on South Broadway want to tear it down.
Dennis Metara and Joseph Scott bought the plant and the 6.8 acres it sits on three years ago. Since then, they have been to several meetings with the town's Planning Board trying to obtain approval for a plan to redevelop the property.

Home invaders charged with intent to murder; Atkinson, Danville suspects wanted money, drugs, court documents say

Wed, 14 May 2008 06:01:00 EDT

Five men carrying handguns who invaded a Haverhill, Mass., home Monday, including two from Atkinson and Danville, intended to take money and cocaine, according to police reports.
Instead, they pistol-whipped and shot a man, and then ran off after the invasion. The Atkinson and Danville men were captured along with another during a search that included dogs and a helicopter, but the other two are on the run, police said.

Danville driver accused of brandishing gun in road rage incident

Wed, 14 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

DANVILLE — Police charged a motorist with threatening another driver with a handgun in an apparent road rage incident on Main Street at 6:20 a.m. yesterday.
The incident ended a short time later when Danville resident Dennis Bieniecki, 24, of 66 Diamond Drive was taken into custody by police. He was charged with a class B felony, police Chief Wade Parsons said.

Born free, but looking for new home Federal wild horse adoption event coming to New Hampshire

Wed, 14 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

DERRY — Hans Shull of Derry loves the cowboy ways and stories of the Wild West. He's a regular at The Great Nor'easter, the New England single-action shooting tournament every summer at the Fish & Game Club in Pelham. So when opportunity knocked to move up a notch and test his skill at mounted-shooting tournaments in New Boston, he started looking for the right horse.

Windham opts for single-stream recycling

Wed, 14 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

WINDHAM — Let single-stream recycling begin — Jan. 1.
Selectmen Monday approved a timetable for the all-inclusive recycling method. They also extended the transfer station's Saturday hours, effective in September, and set station staffing at six workers.

Sandown selectmen want meetings to end before midnight

Wed, 14 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

SANDOWN — Selectman Brian Chevalier wants to be home by midnight and he suggested the board take steps to keep the length of meetings under control.
He suggested no new business be entertained after 10 p.m.

Windham seeks to control erosion near bridge

Wed, 14 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

WINDHAM — The Conservation Commission wants to know if there's a better way to limit erosion when the Castle Hill bridge replacement project gets underway.
The work is to begin later this year.
Four members of the commission recently spent about 45 minutes touring the site before sending their comments on the project to the state Department of Environmental Services. The only remaining permit the town needs for the bridge replacement is a dredge-and-fill permit from the department's Wetlands Bureau.

Danville school stresses importance of healthy eating, fitness

Wed, 14 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

DANVILLE — A grant from the Healthy New Hampshire Foundation is helping Danville Elementary School staff encourage healthy eating and stress the importance of regular exercise to its students.
The grant, in its third year, has already made an impact on the students.

Bartender alleges age discrimination against Kingston restaurant

Wed, 14 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

CONCORD — A recently terminated 58-year-old bartender at the Pond View Restaurant in Kingston has filed a federal lawsuit alleging age discrimination.
Linda Harris claims in her lawsuit that her dismissal from the restaurant came after her bar manager said the restaurant "should hire sexier and younger bartenders and waitstaff."

SALUTE TO SENIORS: Class of 2008

Wed, 14 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT

Complete coverage of the class of 2008. The section includes class photos, multimedia, highlights, messages, a list of graduates and more. Check back for more stories as the seniors attend their proms and graduate.

Ethics training begins next month in Sandown

Wed, 14 May 2008 03:45:00 EDT

SANDOWN — Selectmen have started rolling out ethics awareness training, part of the ethics policy approved by voters in March.
Three members of the original Ethics Task Force — Russ Collins, Lorna Walker and Ed Sullivan — were at the selectmen's meeting Monday to talk about the policy.

VIDEO: Jurors in LaBarre case view murder scene

Tue, 13 May 2008 16:35:00 EDT

Jurors in the Sheila LaBarre insanity trial toured the former Epping horse farm today where her two murdered boyfriends, Michael Deloge and Kenneth Countie, spent their final days. LaBarre accompanied jurors on the tour, which lasted most of the morning. Opening arguments in the case were heard this afternoon. The entire trial is expected to last about a month.

LaBarre trial begins today Jurors to view Epping horse farm

Tue, 13 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

BRENTWOOD — The Sheila LaBarre trial begins today with the 49-year-old accompanying a jury to her former Epping horse farm.
There, prosecutors are expected to show where her two murdered boyfriends, Michael Deloge, 37, of Portsmouth and Kenneth Countie, 24, of Wilmington, Mass., spent their final days.

Lawrence man dies of injuries from Derry dirt bike crash

Tue, 13 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

DERRY — A Lawrence, Mass., man died yesterday of injuries suffered in a dirt bike accident off Warner Hill Road on Sunday, only a day after becoming a U.S. citizen.
Jonathan Garcia, 21, of 157 Bennington St., a newlywed and native of the Dominican Republic, died at 11:46 a.m. at Massachusetts General Hospital, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Windham selectmen to seek school access road

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

WINDHAM — The second access road for the new Windham High School is back on track.
That announcement came last night as the selectmen said they want to petition the court for permission to host a Special Town Meeting vote on the road's funding.

Donor will match $2,000 for food pantry

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

SANDOWN — An anonymous donor will match up to $2,000 in donations to the Sandown Food Pantry.
Eleanor Bassett, who runs the pantry, said they are about three-quarters of the way toward that goal, which much be reached before June 1.

Pit bull bites Derry woman

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

DERRY — Derry police killed a dog yesterday that had attacked a woman and was feared to have rabies.
Cheryl William, 37, of 160 Bypass Route 28, found a stray pit bull and Rottweiler mix near where she works in Malden, Mass., and decided to bring it home last Friday, said police Capt. Vernon Thomas.

Salem High Knitting Club plans open house

Tue, 13 May 2008 05:55:00 EDT

SALEM — There's a hot new pastime among teens at the high school — knitting.
Don't believe it? The roughly 30 members of the Salem High School Knitting Club will prove it to you at their open house Friday.