Motorcyclists Hurt When Car Crosses Center Line in Newport

Motorcyclists Hurt When Car Crosses Center Line in Newport

Newport — Newport Police said four people on motorcycles sustained serious injuries when they were struck by a car that crossed the center line on John Stark Highway (Routes 11-103) on Sunday afternoon.

According to a news release from the Newport Police Department, the injured riders were identified as John Browne, 47, and his passenger, Christina Browne, 47, both of Pembroke, N.H., and David Goupil, 47, of Manchester, and his passenger, Susanne Fournier, 43, of Bow, N.H.

Police said they did not believe the injuries were life threatening. The accident occurred around 3:30 when a 2004 Kia driven by Brittany Tubman, 26, of Allenstown, N.H., crossed the center line just west of Unity Road and hit the motorcycles. The injured were airlifted by DHART helicopter and the road was closed for about two and a half hours. The accident remains under investigation.

Vermont’s Largest Ever Emergency Drill Starts This Week

Montpelier — Vermont’s largest emergency response drill is starting this week.

About 5,000 emergency responders are expected to participate in the nine-day exercise beginning today.

The drill will be occurring in 50 locations, including at state agencies, 16 hospitals, the Burlington Airport and the Vermont National Guard.

The goal, officials said, is to figure out if and where gaps exist in how the state responds to a catastrophic event.

Christopher Herrick, director of the state’s emergency management division, said the exercise is designed to pose as many real challenges as possible. He said urban search and rescue teams will work with the National Guard to clear tons of debris; the Health Department will receive and distribute medicines and supplies; and actors will inundate hospitals and shelters needing assistance.

Vermont Activists Heading to DNC For Demonstrations

Montpelier — More than a dozen members of the Vermont activist group Rights & Democracy are headed to Philadelphia for demonstrations outside the Democratic National Convention. They say they want to promote and continue the political revolution that Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., made the centerpiece of his unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic nomination.

Group leaders said they plan to join in demands for $15-per-hour minimum wage, universal health care, abolishing for-profit prisons, a ban on fracking and stopping the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

N.H. State Liquor Store Sales Up $36 Million in Record Year

Concord — New Hampshire Liquor Commission officials say they saw a record $678 million in sales in the fiscal year that ended June 30. They say that sales figure is more than $36 million more than the previous year and represents a 5.6 percent increase. Net liquor profits transferred to the general fund amounted to more than $155 million. NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica said the record sales were due largely to relocating and renovating a number of the existing 79 liquor outlets, innovative marketing and partnerships that bring unique products to the stores. Since the first state liquor store opened in 1934, liquor and wine sales have generated more than $3 billion in revenues.

More Help Available in N.H. to Buy Wood Pellet Boilers, Furnaces

Concord — New Hampshire homeowners and businesses interested in installing wood pellet boilers and furnaces will be eligible for more financial help.

The Public Utilities Commission has approved increases in incentive levels to 40 percent of the total heating system and installation costs, up to $10,000 for homeowners. The level for the commercial and industrial bulk fuel-fed wood pellet heating system program will also increase to 40 percent, with installation costs up to $65,000. Prior levels were 30 percent of the system and installation costs up to $6,000 for residential customers and up to $50,000 for commercial and industrial customers.

Vermont Warns About ‘Poison Parsnip’

Montpelier — Officials are warning Vermonters about an “innocent looking flower” found along roadsides that can cause painful rashes and blisters.

The wild parsnip, or “poison parsnip,” produces a sap that reacts to sunlight. Officials say it could take several hours after skin has come in contact with the sap for burns to develop. But casual contact or brushing up against the plant is unlikely to cause a reaction. The plant has small yellow flowers that resemble Queen Anne’s Lace. If the sap touches skin, the agency recommends washing skin with soap and water and protecting the exposed skin from sunlight for at least 48 hours.

— Staff and wire reports

If a skin reaction develops, the agency recommends calling a health care provider.

— Wire reports