By Dave SolomonGranite State News CollaborativeView CommentsNew Hampshire State Trooper Michael Arteaga was parked in an unmarked cruiser on the north side of the Hampton tolls on a clear spring evening in 2018, when he noticed two men driving north in a late model Cadillac sedan with Connecticut plates.Arteaga would later testify that he decided to follow the vehicle, with Jose Melendez driving and Brian Perez as the passenger, because, according to court records, “Perez, the passenger, was reclined far back in his seat … the driver had his hands at ‘ten and two’ on the wheel … and neither...…By Dave SolomonGranite State News CollaborativeView CommentsNew Hampshire State Trooper Michael Arteaga was parked in an unmarked cruiser on the north side of the Hampton tolls on a clear spring evening in 2018, when he noticed two men driving north in a late model Cadillac sedan with Connecticut plates.Arteaga would later testify that he decided to follow the vehicle, with Jose Melendez driving and Brian Perez as the passenger, because, according to court records, “Perez, the passenger, was reclined far back in his seat … the driver had his hands at ‘ten and two’ on the wheel … and neither...WW…

Staff and wire reportView CommentsThe University of New Hampshire is testing students for the coronavirus in a new lab on campus that uses self-swabbing home kits developed at the school.UNH says the Durham lab can screen for COVID-19 on at least 4,000 samples a day. Tests results can be generated in under 48 hours.The testing procedure uses what is known as pooled testing where individual samples are combined and tested together to allow for faster results. The test is a less invasive nose swab that students can perform, put in a test tube with a specially created barcoded label and drop...…Staff and wire reportView CommentsThe University of New Hampshire is testing students for the coronavirus in a new lab on campus that uses self-swabbing home kits developed at the school.UNH says the Durham lab can screen for COVID-19 on at least 4,000 samples a day. Tests results can be generated in under 48 hours.The testing procedure uses what is known as pooled testing where individual samples are combined and tested together to allow for faster results. The test is a less invasive nose swab that students can perform, put in a test tube with a specially created barcoded label and drop...WW…

 YORK, Maine — The state’s public health officials have been voicing concern in recent weeks about the upward trend in COVID-19 cases and outbreaks, especially here in the state’s southernmost county.Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Nirav Shah announced several new investigations this week in York County, including multiple in Sanford. But these incidents should not be viewed as isolated pockets, he said, adding community transmission could easily spread the virus to neighboring communities."It's important for everyone to note that York County is not an island,"...… YORK, Maine — The state’s public health officials have been voicing concern in recent weeks about the upward trend in COVID-19 cases and outbreaks, especially here in the state’s southernmost county.Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Nirav Shah announced several new investigations this week in York County, including multiple in Sanford. But these incidents should not be viewed as isolated pockets, he said, adding community transmission could easily spread the virus to neighboring communities."It's important for everyone to note that York County is not an island,"...WW…

 DOVER – The Dover Police Department announced it is conducting an "internal investigation" into the conduct of one of its officers in connection with an incident at his Rollinsford home late Friday night.Rollinsford police arrested Sarah Letendre, 34, and charged her with domestic violence simple assault, obstructing report of crime and resisting arrest.Her husband is a Dover police officer.She was arrested at about 11 p.m. Friday at the couple’s home, Rollinsford police said.But in a Facebook post, Sarah Letendre claimed her husband, "who is a Dover police officer and former MMA...… DOVER – The Dover Police Department announced it is conducting an "internal investigation" into the conduct of one of its officers in connection with an incident at his Rollinsford home late Friday night.Rollinsford police arrested Sarah Letendre, 34, and charged her with domestic violence simple assault, obstructing report of crime and resisting arrest.Her husband is a Dover police officer.She was arrested at about 11 p.m. Friday at the couple’s home, Rollinsford police said.But in a Facebook post, Sarah Letendre claimed her husband, "who is a Dover police officer and former MMA...WW…

Jeff McMenemyView CommentsROLLINSFORD – The wife of a Dover police officer “attempted to jump off a second-story deck” after she was told she was being arrested for allegedly assaulting her husband, according to a police affidavit.The police affidavit filed by Rollinsford Sgt. William Hancock describes what police report happened when they responded to the family’s home late at night on Friday, July 10. The document also contains very different versions of what happened before officers arrived, citing statements from both Sarah Letendre and R.J. Letendre.Sarah Letendre, 34, was charged with...…Jeff McMenemyView CommentsROLLINSFORD – The wife of a Dover police officer “attempted to jump off a second-story deck” after she was told she was being arrested for allegedly assaulting her husband, according to a police affidavit.The police affidavit filed by Rollinsford Sgt. William Hancock describes what police report happened when they responded to the family’s home late at night on Friday, July 10. The document also contains very different versions of what happened before officers arrived, citing statements from both Sarah Letendre and R.J. Letendre.Sarah Letendre, 34, was charged with...WW…

 DOVER — Ben Troy, co-owner of The Far Out Diner, announced Thursday on social media that he and his wife Jessica were walking away from the business due to a dispute with landlord and co-owner Sean LaRose over Black Lives Matter signage. The move resulted in the immediate closure of the neighborhood eatery and fueled a social media tirade.LaRose said he asked the Troys to take down three Black Lives Matter signs that had been in front of the Hot Rod City building on Oak Street for three weeks after receiving complaints about them and a threat of a boycott."I support the Black Lives...… DOVER — Ben Troy, co-owner of The Far Out Diner, announced Thursday on social media that he and his wife Jessica were walking away from the business due to a dispute with landlord and co-owner Sean LaRose over Black Lives Matter signage. The move resulted in the immediate closure of the neighborhood eatery and fueled a social media tirade.LaRose said he asked the Troys to take down three Black Lives Matter signs that had been in front of the Hot Rod City building on Oak Street for three weeks after receiving complaints about them and a threat of a boycott."I support the Black Lives...WW…

Rachel ForrestView CommentsLast week, Evan Hennessey, chef and owner of Stages at One Washington in Dover, posted on his Facebook page about what 100% and 50% capacity means for restaurants under current state guidelines, especially for restaurants like his. It struck a chord with many of his followers, diners and restaurateurs.Seating capacity is limited to 50% in Rockingham, Hillsborough, Strafford and Merrimack counties and 100% in the rest of the state, but with 6 feet social distancing rules.Hennessey stated: “I think that customers and restaurants alike need to understand the reality...…Rachel ForrestView CommentsLast week, Evan Hennessey, chef and owner of Stages at One Washington in Dover, posted on his Facebook page about what 100% and 50% capacity means for restaurants under current state guidelines, especially for restaurants like his. It struck a chord with many of his followers, diners and restaurateurs.Seating capacity is limited to 50% in Rockingham, Hillsborough, Strafford and Merrimack counties and 100% in the rest of the state, but with 6 feet social distancing rules.Hennessey stated: “I think that customers and restaurants alike need to understand the reality...WW…

Hadley BarndollarView CommentsKITTERY, Maine — A cluster of 18 coronavirus cases identified at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has prompted state officials to open an outbreak investigation related to the workplace.Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Nirav Shah said all 18 cases have been lab-confirmed, with workers coming from three different states.Thirteen of the workers live in Maine, four live in New Hampshire, and one lives in Massachusetts, Shah said.Contact tracers are looking into the shipyard workers’ links to Sanford, Maine, where state officials are already...…Hadley BarndollarView CommentsKITTERY, Maine — A cluster of 18 coronavirus cases identified at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has prompted state officials to open an outbreak investigation related to the workplace.Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Nirav Shah said all 18 cases have been lab-confirmed, with workers coming from three different states.Thirteen of the workers live in Maine, four live in New Hampshire, and one lives in Massachusetts, Shah said.Contact tracers are looking into the shipyard workers’ links to Sanford, Maine, where state officials are already...WW…

Jeff McMenemyView CommentsDOVER — Merrimack County Attorney Robin Davis has decided to drop the assault charge filed against the wife of a former Dover police officer in connection with a July 10 Rollinsford incident.Her office also decided not to file any charges against former officer Ronald “R.J.” Letendre in connection with the incident at their home in Rollinsford, Davis said Monday.Sarah Letendre, 35, received an outpouring of support on social media following the domestic incident between her and her estranged husband.Rollinsford police arrested Sarah Letendre at the time and charged...…Jeff McMenemyView CommentsDOVER — Merrimack County Attorney Robin Davis has decided to drop the assault charge filed against the wife of a former Dover police officer in connection with a July 10 Rollinsford incident.Her office also decided not to file any charges against former officer Ronald “R.J.” Letendre in connection with the incident at their home in Rollinsford, Davis said Monday.Sarah Letendre, 35, received an outpouring of support on social media following the domestic incident between her and her estranged husband.Rollinsford police arrested Sarah Letendre at the time and charged...WW…

Jeff McMenemyView CommentsDOVER – The wife of a Dover police officer claims her husband assaulted her on several occasions during the past two years, threatened her and said he would take their two young children away from her.Sarah Letendre, 34, states in a domestic violence petition that her husband, R.J. Letendre’s “demeanor and threats during arguments have become increasingly aggressive.”“He regularly makes verbally abusive and derogatory statements to me, including in front of our children,” Sarah Letendre stated in the petition filed Tuesday in the Third Circuit Family Court in...…Jeff McMenemyView CommentsDOVER – The wife of a Dover police officer claims her husband assaulted her on several occasions during the past two years, threatened her and said he would take their two young children away from her.Sarah Letendre, 34, states in a domestic violence petition that her husband, R.J. Letendre’s “demeanor and threats during arguments have become increasingly aggressive.”“He regularly makes verbally abusive and derogatory statements to me, including in front of our children,” Sarah Letendre stated in the petition filed Tuesday in the Third Circuit Family Court in...WW…