The parents of a missing woman whose body was found in Ossipee Lake sent a message of thanks to those involved in the search. People throughout the region took a keen interest in the case, hoping for a better result. Sinead Lyons disappeared while walking her dog and it appears the animal went through the ice and she died trying to save it.
“Sinéad and her dearly loved dog Flossie have been found. They suffered a tragic accident and both sadly passed away. We, her family, are heartbroken.
“We would like to offer our heartfelt gratitude and eternal thanks to the officers of the New Hampshire State Police, Fish and Game Search and Rescue, the County Attorney, the Irish Consulate, and a special thank-you to the Lead Detective on Sinéad’s case.
“We would also like to take a moment to extend our deepest thanks to the Ossipee community and all the people that reached out to help from the surrounding areas. As well as our extended Facebook family. You were all beacons of light in the darkness.
“Thank you all for NEVER giving up, for your compassion and commitment in finding Sinéad. Especially the officers that, despite the dangers of the ice, were able to bring Sinéad home to us.
“Sinéad was an Irish American and proud of it. She loved Ireland but her home was here in Boston; and you all have done her proud. Boston Strong.
“We will miss Sinéad every minute of every day for the rest of our lives.
“May Sinéad and Flossie Rest In Peace.
“We would now ask at this difficult time that you respect our privacy and the privacy of our extended families.
“Thank you and God bless.”
Forensic Audit of Windham Election
Governor Chris Sununu has signed legislation approving a forensic audit of Windham ballots after a recount showed a 400-vote discrepancy in one race.
Democrat Kristi St. Laurent, who was running for state representative, lost by 24 votes in the machine ballot count. A recount gave 300 additional votes to the four Republican candidates, while St. Laurent lost 99 votes. The other three Democrats on the ballot gained between 18 and 28 votes. While the recount did not change who was elected, the large discrepancy led to an appeal to The New Hampshire Ballot Law Commission, which upheld the election results.
In signing the bill to authorize the audit of ballot counting machines and hand tabulations in the election, Sununu said, “New Hampshire elections are safe, secure, and reliable. Out of the hundreds of thousands of ballots cast this last year, we saw only very minor, isolated issues — which is proof our system works. This bill will help us audit an isolated incident in Windham and keep the integrity of our system intact.”
Biomass Gets A Second Chance
Maine-based Stored Solar LLC has purchased four New Hampshire biomass plants that had shut down after Governor Sununu vetoed a bill that would have kept them and the forest industry viable by subsidizing the operation of the wood-burning power plants. Both the House and Senate had recognized the far-reaching benefits to New Hampshire, not only in terms of jobs but also in the care of the forests, providing a way to dispose of low-grade forest waste.
Stored Solar of West Enfield, Maine, purchased plants previously owned by EWP Renewable Corporation in Whitefield and Springfield and Pine Tree Power’s plants in Bethlehem and Tamworth. Stored Solar already owned two biomass plants in Maine, one in Ryegate, Vermont, and one in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
Both Jasen Stock, executive director of the Hampshire Timberland Owners Association and Stacey Thomson, owner of Thomson Timber Harvesting & Trucking in Orford, said they were grateful to see a company that planned to reopen the plants. Thomson noted that Stored Solar will not be paying the former rate for wood chips.
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