News Headlines for March 21, 2023

New Hampshire is part of a nine-million-dollar multi-state settlement with Google.  The state’s attorneys general alleged the company violated consumer protection laws by misleading people regarding location tracking practices since at least 2014.  Attorney General John Formella says the settlement goes a long way to ensure Granite Staters have transparency and control over how Google tracks and maintains their location data.  New Hampshire’s share in the settlement is one-point-eight-million-dollars.  

NH State Police are investigating a multi-vehicle crash yesterday morning on the Everett Turnpike in Merrimack.  Four vehicles were involved and the crash scene stretched across all four southbound lanes near exit 11.  An initial investigation determined that 19-year-old Samra Hasanovic of Merrimack, lost control and hit the other vehicles causing an SUV to roll over.  The drivers of two of the vehicles were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.      

Zachary Gunther of Gorham was seriously injured in a crash late yesterday morning on I-93 south in Woodstock.  State Police said he was passing vehicles at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his car and it rolled over. Troopers said Gunther was not wearing a seatbelt and that alcohol and speed may have been factors.  He was airlifted from Speare Memorial Hospital to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.  

Crews responded Sunday to a fire at a homeless camp under an I-393 overpass in Concord.  Patch.com reported a police officer reported seeing a man trying to extinguish the flames.  Firefighters found a pile of debris burning and the flames were quickly put out.  Concord officials have recently been voicing concern about the number of homeless encampments citywide. 

The Maine woman who is accused of calling in two hoax threats has made an appearance in front of a judge. Yesterday, 38-year-old Meghan Leavitt was in court after prosecutors say she called in the threats to a Walmart in Seabrook over the weekend that led to the store being evacuated. Leavitt allegedly made the calls to try and prevent police from arresting someone she knew. She was later taken into custody and has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges. 

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation is giving drivers a heads up about some temporary toll lane closures that are going to be in effect the next couple of days. The toll lanes on Interstate 95 in Hampton will be shut today from six a-m until three p-m. There will also be lane closures tomorrow on Interstate 93 in Hooksett from six a-m until three p-m. Crews will be out doing maintenance work at both locations and travelers should expect delays in those areas 

Portland Maine police are issuing a warning to Asian American families in their city that they may find themselves being targeted by burglars.  Officials say that a small group of Hispanic men have recently burglarized the homes of at least two Asian American families.  The suspects have been known to do things such as posing as food delivery drivers so they can get a close look at the houses they want to rob.  Anyone who sees suspicious activity around their home contact police immediately. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is sending millions of dollars to Maine to help cover the cost of responding to the COVID-19 crisis.  Over two-point-five million dollars will reimburse the state for the personal protective equipment that was purchased and distributed to state workers during the pandemic.  More than three-million-dollars is also going to Maine Medical Center in Portland for the expense of testing employees and hiring temporary staff.  Nearly three-thousand Mainers have died during the health crisis.