Mass. Skier Found Dead Off-Trail At Cannon Mountain

Franconia, n.h. — New Hampshire officials say a skier who left a trail and went into a wooded area at Cannon Mountain was found dead Sunday morning.

Fish and Game officials say 29-year-old Trevor Hennessey of Holden, Mass., died of injuries he sustained when he left the trail.

Lt. James Kneeland says mountain staff, Franconia police officers and conservation officers searched throughout the night, after receiving a report Saturday of an overdue skier. Officials say Hennessey’s car was located in the ski area’s parking lot.

His body was found in the woods off the Upper Ravine trail.

Officials are reminding skiers and riders that there are spring conditions at most New Hampshire ski areas and they change throughout the day.

Bill Would Allow Return of Heroin Through Takeback Programs

Concord — A bill before Senate lawmakers would give people immunity if they return illegal drugs through drug take back programs.

Existing law confines drug take back programs to pharmaceutical and prescription drugs. But a bill that has passed the House allows illegal drugs to be returned as well, specifically mentioning heroin and cocaine, and gives anyone who returns them amnesty from criminal prosecution. It would also allow people to return drug paraphernalia.

The Senate Health and Human Services committee will hold a public hearing on the plan Tuesday. The bill also encourages such programs to have an employee who can help people returning illegal drugs to find treatment and recovery programs.

Forest Service to Burn Overgrown Areas to Improve Habitat

Rutland — Green Mountain National Forest officials say they will be using prescribed fire to thin 200 to 300 acres of forest land in the coming weeks.

The Forest Service will be working with local fire departments to reduce heavy accumulations of grass and brush, to cut back on the potential for large uncontrolled wildfires and to restore wildlife habitat.

Forest Service officials say prescribed fire restores declining wildlife habitat and improves watershed conditions.

They say the areas where the burns are planned are overgrown with thick brush and have been identified as critical wildlife habitat.

The Forest Service will announce more details on burn locations in the coming weeks.

Group Donates Hunting, Fishing Licenses to Veterans in Need

Concord — A New Hampshire foundation aims to donate hunting and fishing licenses to veterans facing financial struggles.

Deerfield state Rep. James Spillane, a Republican, started the foundation to ensure veterans can still afford to enjoy their outdoor sports, WMUR-TV reported.

The first recipient of a combined hunting and fishing license — Joe Brandl, of Henniker — said he thinks it’s a great idea and hopes it takes off.

Brandl, who served in the Navy from 1968 to 1972, said he gave up hunting and fishing last year to save money.

With his license and fees covered, Brandl said he’s eager to back to some of his favorite spots.

“The solitude is nice, even if you’re just sitting in a boat rocking around,” he said.

Spillane said he formed the foundation after failing to come up with a legislative solution to provide licenses to vets. He said the Fish and Game Department doesn’t have the resources to cover the state’s large population of veterans.

“When they have to face prescription costs and housing costs and everything else that’s rising, that might be one of the first things they give up, and we shouldn’t be asking that,” Spillane said.

— Wire reports