"Power is cut, a woman dies, and furor follows; Her oxygen pump stopped. Now, N.H. officials press utility for an explanation" by Brian R. Ballou, Globe Staff | June 26, 2010
SALEM, N.H.— The National Grid worker showed up at Kay Phaneuf’s beige, Cape-style home on Charles Street at 9 a.m. Monday with an order in hand to shut off her electricity. He saw no car in the driveway. He knocked on the door and rang the doorbell, just inches away from a red sign stating “No smoking, oxygen in use.’’ When he got no answer, he cut the power and left.
But Phaneuf, who relied on an oxygen machine because she suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, was inside. By the time her husband, Stephen, arrived home an hour later, she was unconscious. The machine, a plug-in, had stopped working. Stephen Phaneuf called 911. Two days later, his 54-year-old wife was dead.
As a result of her death, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, the regulatory body for utility companies in the state, has launched an investigation and Governor John Lynch yesterday called on the commission to conduct a broad review of the shut-off policies of all utility companies operating in the state....
But this government can pay war-looters billions in cost overruns and fork over millions in bonuses for such work.
I guess the old lady is lucky she didn't end up here:
"N.H. seeking $37m for women’s prison" by Norma Love, Associated Press | June 29, 2010
CONCORD, N.H. — Corrections Commissioner William Wrenn asked the state for $37 million yesterday to build a new women’s prison and halfway house that advocates say is long overdue....
That big of a problem up there, huh?
In making his renewed pitch, Wrenn said a new prison is needed regardless of a new state program to release inmates early and provide intensive supervision and treatment for those at high risk of offending again. Wrenn said the new women’s prison might not need to be as large if that program is successful and the inmate population grows more slowly....
And they are planning on sticking more of you ladies in there.
--more--"
But if you are a man(?): N.H.’s Old Man gets new life
Related:
"N.H. court reduces guards’ $2m award" by Lynne Tuohy, Associated Press | July 1, 2010
CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Supreme Court rolled back a $2 million award yesterday to two prison guards who were fired based on false reports, saying state law caps the amount of money they can recover....
So much for juries.
--more--"
Your tax loot at work, New Hampshah!
Time to head out for the highway then....
"Governor signs 10-year state highway plan
Governor John Lynch has signed into law a new 10-year highway plan for New Hampshire that makes a priority of replacing Memorial Bridge, which carries US Route 1 between Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine. The new law includes $45 million in federal revenue-backed bonds and $30 million in state bridge funds for the bridge project. The state is also pursuing $20 million in federal grants to complete the project (AP)."
But no money so a woman's power is not shut off and so she won't suffocate.
Related: 1 killed, 2 hurt in motorcycle-car accident
Toddler hurt after slipping under mower
N.H. chief justice will leave post for private sector work
Update:
"N.H. man accused of hitting driver in road rage incident" by Sydney Lupkin, Globe Correspondent | July 1, 2010
NEWBURYPORT — “It’s an unusual incident,’’ said Lieutenant Rick Siemasko of the Newburyport police. “You don’t have someone driving a car, swinging a baseball bat at another car every day.’’
*******
The driver ordered an iced coffee at the Dunkin’ Donuts off the Route 1 traffic circle before police arrived to arrest him.
“I don’t know that he was aware we were looking for him,’’ Siemasko said.
Neil J. Christophersen, a 39-year-old Derry, N.H., man, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (baseball bat), assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (motor vehicle), leaving the scene of a personal injury, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and assault with a dangerous weapon (blunt object).
The penalty for the motor vehicle assault alone is imprisonment for up to 10 years, according to court documents.
Yeah, you need to THINK before you go THREATENING PEOPLE -- unless, of course, you happen to be an occupier of foreign lands via invasion or Israel.
Then it is PART of the JOB!
Christophersen’s bail was initially set at $25,000, but a judge ordered him held without bail until his next hearing, July 2. Until then, he will be at the Essex House of Correction, according to court filings.
I wouldn't want him on the road, either.
Christophersen had no prior driving record in Massachusetts and just one ticket in New Hampshire, a $150 speeding ticket in January 2006 for traveling less than 25 miles per hour over the speed limit.
“There’s not much here compared with some of the ones we see,’’ said Rick Bailey, the director of the Division of Motor Vehicles in New Hampshire.
Usually these types of citizens are allowed to walk.
The other driver, Joseph Toscano, 69, answered his home phone yesterday and said he would rather not discuss the matter.
Same thing I would say to the Globe.
Christophersen’s lawyer was unavailable for comment.
That is what they are there for: to run press interference.
I guess he struck out in a fit of rage, huh?
