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Beer, but no beer signs, at Muskrat games this summer
LACONIA — Laconia Muskrats General Manager Noah Crane last night updated the city's Parks and Recreation Commission on changes which will be taking place at Robbie Mills Field as the team enters its fourth season in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
Crane said that as soon as weather permits work will start on completing a 48 foot by 42 foot deck atop and behind the 17 foot high replica of Fenway Park's Green Monster in left field. The 2,000-square-foot deck will house the park's food and beverage concession, which will include the sale of beer, and will be the only place at the park where alcohol will be allowed.
He said that the Muskrats will outsource the food and beverage concession at the deck while retaining its own concession stand in its current location behind the stands.
Crane said the vendor will be someone with restaurant experience who will be able to offer quality food and is experienced in alcohol sales.
Commissioner George Hawkins wondered if the Muskrats will be able to realize additional funds from the new deck concession as part of its local fundraising effort and Crane said that the contract will provide either a flat fee for each of the 22 home games or a percentage of the sales. He also said that funds may also be realized from selling a sponsorship for the deck, which would most likely be a multi-year contract.
He said there would be no signs or banners advertising the alcohol sales as the field is also used by high school baseball teams.
Commissioner Hawkins said that he hoped that attendance would rise at the games and asked who would get the ultimate say as to who the vendor, who would need to be licensed by the city, would be.
Crane said that the decision on the vendor would be made by the board of directors of the Muskrats.
Crane said that another change would be the addition of about 60 to 75 seats directly behind home plate, which he said will see a lot of use by scouts from major league teams when the Muskrats host the NECBL All-Star game on Sunday, July 21.
''They like to set up their radar guns in that area behind home plate and we expect that the All-Star game will be heavily scouted,'' said Crane.
He estimates attendance at the All-Star game will be at least 1,200 and perhaps half again as much if the weather is good. Attendance at NECBL All-Star games has reached as high 2,200 in Newport, R.I., and 1700 in Lynn, Mass.
He said that the best players in the league will be coming to Laconia for the game, which he said will showcase not only the quality of the facility but also the close relationship that the Muskrats have with the city of Laconia.
''It will be a big test for the Muskrats and the city,'' said Crane.
Kevin Dunleavy, director of Parks and Recreation, said that the department has an existing set of bleachers, 10 feet deep by 27 feet long, which can be relocated behind home plate and that he is looking at either a cement slab underneath them or blue stone or ledge pack.
Hawkins said that he hoped the choice would be a cement slab, because it provides a secure anchor and makes cleanup much easier.
Commissioners expressed support for the changes to the park and said that they expected that the new concession area will help boost attendance at Muskrat games this coming season.
Crane said that as soon as weather permits work will start on completing a 48 foot by 42 foot deck atop and behind the 17 foot high replica of Fenway Park's Green Monster in left field. The 2,000-square-foot deck will house the park's food and beverage concession, which will include the sale of beer, and will be the only place at the park where alcohol will be allowed.
He said that the Muskrats will outsource the food and beverage concession at the deck while retaining its own concession stand in its current location behind the stands.
Crane said the vendor will be someone with restaurant experience who will be able to offer quality food and is experienced in alcohol sales.
Commissioner George Hawkins wondered if the Muskrats will be able to realize additional funds from the new deck concession as part of its local fundraising effort and Crane said that the contract will provide either a flat fee for each of the 22 home games or a percentage of the sales. He also said that funds may also be realized from selling a sponsorship for the deck, which would most likely be a multi-year contract.
He said there would be no signs or banners advertising the alcohol sales as the field is also used by high school baseball teams.
Commissioner Hawkins said that he hoped that attendance would rise at the games and asked who would get the ultimate say as to who the vendor, who would need to be licensed by the city, would be.
Crane said that the decision on the vendor would be made by the board of directors of the Muskrats.
Crane said that another change would be the addition of about 60 to 75 seats directly behind home plate, which he said will see a lot of use by scouts from major league teams when the Muskrats host the NECBL All-Star game on Sunday, July 21.
''They like to set up their radar guns in that area behind home plate and we expect that the All-Star game will be heavily scouted,'' said Crane.
He estimates attendance at the All-Star game will be at least 1,200 and perhaps half again as much if the weather is good. Attendance at NECBL All-Star games has reached as high 2,200 in Newport, R.I., and 1700 in Lynn, Mass.
He said that the best players in the league will be coming to Laconia for the game, which he said will showcase not only the quality of the facility but also the close relationship that the Muskrats have with the city of Laconia.
''It will be a big test for the Muskrats and the city,'' said Crane.
Kevin Dunleavy, director of Parks and Recreation, said that the department has an existing set of bleachers, 10 feet deep by 27 feet long, which can be relocated behind home plate and that he is looking at either a cement slab underneath them or blue stone or ledge pack.
Hawkins said that he hoped the choice would be a cement slab, because it provides a secure anchor and makes cleanup much easier.
Commissioners expressed support for the changes to the park and said that they expected that the new concession area will help boost attendance at Muskrat games this coming season.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 February 2013 04:08
Hits: 231
Bristol indictments include 1 for meth making & another for employee theft
BRISTOL — Police said yesterday that a Grafton County grand jury has indicted a local man on charges on manufacturing methamphetamine.
Acting on a tip, police said Christopher Corum, 36, who last known address was 229 Pleasant St. was arrested at noon September 4 after police and members of the N.H. State Police Clandestine Drug Team surrounded his former home.
Police evacuated the Pleasant Street building and arrested Corum "without incident," said Police Chief Michael Lewis at the time.
Police spent eight hours at the scene and said they defused a single pot of methamphetamine.
Police also said a former Rite Aid employee was indicted for theft by unauthorized taking for allegedly taking money from her employer.
Det. Sgt. Timothy Woodward said Naomi Ames, 33, whose last known address was 61 Spring St. Apt. 3 was allegedly using made-up items to scan as returns and pocketing the cash.
Woodward said Rite Aid's internal operations detected the alleged theft and brought it to the attention of the Bristol Police and the Grafton County Attorney.
Acting on a tip, police said Christopher Corum, 36, who last known address was 229 Pleasant St. was arrested at noon September 4 after police and members of the N.H. State Police Clandestine Drug Team surrounded his former home.
Police evacuated the Pleasant Street building and arrested Corum "without incident," said Police Chief Michael Lewis at the time.
Police spent eight hours at the scene and said they defused a single pot of methamphetamine.
Police also said a former Rite Aid employee was indicted for theft by unauthorized taking for allegedly taking money from her employer.
Det. Sgt. Timothy Woodward said Naomi Ames, 33, whose last known address was 61 Spring St. Apt. 3 was allegedly using made-up items to scan as returns and pocketing the cash.
Woodward said Rite Aid's internal operations detected the alleged theft and brought it to the attention of the Bristol Police and the Grafton County Attorney.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 February 2013 03:52
Hits: 176
Franconia Notch camp for underprivileged kids hopes to host 50 from Laconia this summer
LACONIA — Representatives from the Copper Cannon Camp and the Laconia Lodge of Elks told the School Board last night that their goal for the upcoming summer is to send 50 area students to camp.
Executive Director Peter Christnacht told the board that Copper Cannon is used exclusively for needy students who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to go to summer camp.
He all all students need to do to qualify is to be eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch at school.
"In Laconia that's more than 600 kids who are eligible," Christnacht said.
He said Copper Cannon Camp, which is just outside Franconia Notch and is celebrating its 50th year, gets about 20 percent of its funds from the Elks and "begs, borrows or steals" the balance of its operating costs. They get money primarily through grants, donations, fundraisers and any other thing they can think of.
Christnacht said Copper Cannon allows children from ages 9 through their teens to forge lasting relationships and gives a different opportunity for many needy children.
He also said it supports the N.H. 5, 2, 1, 0 program that means five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, no more than two hours of screen (television or computer) time, one hour of vigorous exercise and zero sweetened sports or fruit drinks.
He said it was about eight hours of exercise a day and no screen time however campers get one-half hour daily of reading time and counselors read to campers each night.
He said campers get three meals a day, friendship, outdoor experiences, and a "chance to be a kid."
Those interested in Copper Cannon Camp should contact the Elks at 603-823-8107 or go online to www.coppercannon.org.
In other School Board news, Malcolm Murray said the first open house for the Huot Regional Technical Education Center was better attended than the Joint Building Committee expected. He said five local businesses came to the open house, including delegations from Eptam Plastics and N.H. Ball Bearing.
Murray said the automotive center, the building and construction trades and the engineering department are all now operating in new and approved facilities.
The building and construction trades have finished building a house boat and a bob house for the Great Rotary Ice Fishing Derby and are starting work on the football concession stand.
Superintendent Bob Champlin said Health Services and the Multi-Media Facilities will be relocated in April and then work begins on the science labs that should be open for the next school year.
The next open houses are planned for sometime in May, after the addition is finished, and in early August when Bank of New Hampshire Stadium will be finished.
All of these facilities are on the LHS campus.
Executive Director Peter Christnacht told the board that Copper Cannon is used exclusively for needy students who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to go to summer camp.
He all all students need to do to qualify is to be eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch at school.
"In Laconia that's more than 600 kids who are eligible," Christnacht said.
He said Copper Cannon Camp, which is just outside Franconia Notch and is celebrating its 50th year, gets about 20 percent of its funds from the Elks and "begs, borrows or steals" the balance of its operating costs. They get money primarily through grants, donations, fundraisers and any other thing they can think of.
Christnacht said Copper Cannon allows children from ages 9 through their teens to forge lasting relationships and gives a different opportunity for many needy children.
He also said it supports the N.H. 5, 2, 1, 0 program that means five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, no more than two hours of screen (television or computer) time, one hour of vigorous exercise and zero sweetened sports or fruit drinks.
He said it was about eight hours of exercise a day and no screen time however campers get one-half hour daily of reading time and counselors read to campers each night.
He said campers get three meals a day, friendship, outdoor experiences, and a "chance to be a kid."
Those interested in Copper Cannon Camp should contact the Elks at 603-823-8107 or go online to www.coppercannon.org.
In other School Board news, Malcolm Murray said the first open house for the Huot Regional Technical Education Center was better attended than the Joint Building Committee expected. He said five local businesses came to the open house, including delegations from Eptam Plastics and N.H. Ball Bearing.
Murray said the automotive center, the building and construction trades and the engineering department are all now operating in new and approved facilities.
The building and construction trades have finished building a house boat and a bob house for the Great Rotary Ice Fishing Derby and are starting work on the football concession stand.
Superintendent Bob Champlin said Health Services and the Multi-Media Facilities will be relocated in April and then work begins on the science labs that should be open for the next school year.
The next open houses are planned for sometime in May, after the addition is finished, and in early August when Bank of New Hampshire Stadium will be finished.
All of these facilities are on the LHS campus.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 February 2013 03:47
Hits: 126
Meredith man with long record charged with intent to sell oxycodone & being a felon in possession of a firearm
MEREDITH — A local man was ordered held on $25,000 cash-only bail in circuit court yesterday morning after being arrested Friday afternoon for possession of narcotic with intent to sell and having a firearm in his possession.
Complaints filed in the 4th Circuit Court show Jeremie A. Simmons, 32, of 15 Northview Ave. Apt. U2 is charged with possession of an unknown amount of oxycodone — a narcotic painkiller — with intent to sell and being a felon in possession of a Smith and Wesson .40 semi-automatic caliber handgun.
At the request of Meredith Lt. Prosecutor Keith True, the affidavits supporting Simmons's arrest were sealed.
According to clerks in N.H. Circuit and Superior Courts, Simmons has a lengthy criminal record, including a 2000 felony conviction for possession of drugs with the intent to distribute them, and 2006 and 2007 convictions for being a felon in possession of a weapon.
In November of 2006, Simmons engaged in a standoff with Laconia Police and the Belknap County Special Operations Group while he sat in his car on Court Street waiving a handgun with a laser pointer and threatening to commit suicide.
During the standoff and according to news accounts at the time, Simmons refused to communicate with police and repeatedly sent text messages to his wife, mostly about his impending suicide.
City police had been called to the Simmons home at 8:20 p.m. on November 4 after he had threatened to kill himself. They found him in his car that had been backed into a corner of the parking lot at Stafford Oil Company.
After he failed to respond to them using phone calls, cell phone calls, text messages and a loudspeaker, police deployed tear gas.
After Simmon's arrest, police found a fully-loaded handgun in the center console of his car. He was charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon and convicted in 2007 of two counts of being a felon in possession of a weapon in Belknap County Superior Court.
Department of Corrections spokesman Jeff Lyons said Simmons was sentenced on September 10, 2007 to serve two-to five years on one count and a suspended sentence of 3 1/2 to seven on the second charge.
As to his latest arrest for possession of narcotics with the intent to sell and for being a felon in possession of a handgun, Meredith Police said only that they are continuing their investigation.
Complaints filed in the 4th Circuit Court show Jeremie A. Simmons, 32, of 15 Northview Ave. Apt. U2 is charged with possession of an unknown amount of oxycodone — a narcotic painkiller — with intent to sell and being a felon in possession of a Smith and Wesson .40 semi-automatic caliber handgun.
At the request of Meredith Lt. Prosecutor Keith True, the affidavits supporting Simmons's arrest were sealed.
According to clerks in N.H. Circuit and Superior Courts, Simmons has a lengthy criminal record, including a 2000 felony conviction for possession of drugs with the intent to distribute them, and 2006 and 2007 convictions for being a felon in possession of a weapon.
In November of 2006, Simmons engaged in a standoff with Laconia Police and the Belknap County Special Operations Group while he sat in his car on Court Street waiving a handgun with a laser pointer and threatening to commit suicide.
During the standoff and according to news accounts at the time, Simmons refused to communicate with police and repeatedly sent text messages to his wife, mostly about his impending suicide.
City police had been called to the Simmons home at 8:20 p.m. on November 4 after he had threatened to kill himself. They found him in his car that had been backed into a corner of the parking lot at Stafford Oil Company.
After he failed to respond to them using phone calls, cell phone calls, text messages and a loudspeaker, police deployed tear gas.
After Simmon's arrest, police found a fully-loaded handgun in the center console of his car. He was charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon and convicted in 2007 of two counts of being a felon in possession of a weapon in Belknap County Superior Court.
Department of Corrections spokesman Jeff Lyons said Simmons was sentenced on September 10, 2007 to serve two-to five years on one count and a suspended sentence of 3 1/2 to seven on the second charge.
As to his latest arrest for possession of narcotics with the intent to sell and for being a felon in possession of a handgun, Meredith Police said only that they are continuing their investigation.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 February 2013 03:41
Hits: 307
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