Some Upper Valley Counties Receive Disaster Designation for Drought

Concord — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack on Friday granted a “drought disaster” designation to several New Hampshire counties, meaning farmers and related businesses affected by crop losses may be able to apply for federal assistance.

The designation declared Hillsborough, Merrimack and Rockingham counties as “primary natural disaster areas,” and Grafton, Sullivan, Belknap, Cheshire, and Strafford counties as “contiguous disaster counties.”

Farmers in all eight counties now can apply for Farm Service Agency emergency loans and other assistance.

Gov. Maggie Hassan asked for the disaster declaration on Aug. 5.

Driver Indicted in Fatal Claremont Crash

Claremont — The driver of a van that struck and killed a Claremont woman on Charlestown Road last September has been indicted by a Grafton County Grand Jury on one count of negligent homicide while driving under the influence.

Christa Osgood, 44, was killed in the crash on the night of Sept. 4 and Kenneth Lavigne, 45, of Newport was injured.

According to the indictment, 24-year-old Aaron Moeller, of Unity, was under the influence of oxycodone and/or clonazepam when his 2008 GMC Savana allegedly van veered off Charlestown Road (Route 12) northbound and into the breakdown lane, where it struck Osgood and Lavigne. Osgood was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lavigne suffered a fractured vertebra, fractures of both legs, ribs and right arm, and a lacerated liver. The accident happened near Harmony Lane, which is close to the New Hampshire Community Federal Credit Union.

Moeller also was indicted on a three other Class B felonies: reckless manslaughter, driving under the influence of drugs or liquor and reckless conduct.

Claremont Woman Indicted on Negligent Homicide Charge

Claremont — Amber King, 36, of Claremont, has been indicted by a Sullivan County grand jury on one count of negligent homicide in the death of Amanda Grasso in an April 23 crash on Main Street in Claremont.

King also was indicted on a second-degree assault charge related to injuries suffered by Jody Metcalf and two counts of aggravated driving while intoxicated.

According to police, King was traveling east on Main Street at a high rate of speed around 1:30 p.m. when she lost control of her Jeep Grand Cherokee just before the Tractor Supply store.

The vehicle went off the road on the westbound side, hit an embankment and rolled over, ejecting Grasso, who was thrown into the Sugar River. The vehicle came to rest on its roof against the guardrail in the eastbound lane.

King, 37-year-old Metcalf, and a fourth passenger, 35-year-old Jacob King, had to be extricated from the vehicle. Grasso was transported to Valley Regional Hospital, where she died from her injuries. Metcalf’s injuries included a fractured skull and vertebrae fracture, according to the indictment.

King’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by, but not limited to, morphine, the affidavit says.

— Staff reports