Pelham News : Salem

Upsets punctuate NHFFL playoffs

Salem Editor — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:55:00 GMT

Spectators at the New Hampshire Flag Football League’s early-round playoffs watched some stunning developments in games played Friday, June 19, and Sunday, June 21.

In the 12- to 15-year-old division:
The previously winless and eighth-ranked Browns handed the top-ranked Ravens their first loss in a 15-14 final, despite fine play from a hungry Ravens’ squad. Jacob Diaz scored for the Browns, while Matt DiPoto nabbed an interception.

The second-seeded Bears received star efforts on offense from Jeff Barry and quarterback David Bronson to emerge with a 22-20 victory. John Homsey and Tom Anderson led the seventh-ranked Raiders.

The No. 6-ranked Colts upset the third-seeded Jets, 43- 10. Noah Swiderski made two interceptions, and Dylan Swiderski scored a touchdown. Tom Collins pulled in a TD catch for the Jets, and Matt Noel contributed solid all-around play.

The Texans, ranked No. 4, held off the fifth-seeded Steelers, 18-15. Eric Nystrom scored twice, and Kevin Deangelo ran the game well at QB. Nick Johnson and Adam Wentzel’s all-around play led the Steelers.

In the 6- to 8-year-old division:
AFC Conference’s A Division games The No. 1-ranked Steelers won their elimination contest against a solid Cowboys group, 20-6. Eric Thibodeau tossed three touchdown passes to Zach Colvin.

With a 20-0 victory, the No. 2 Bills secured their place in the championship game. Jack Drolet scored three touchdowns, and Anthony Snyder was tough on defense. Ian Morganstern and Bobby Charrette put in fine all-around performances for the Cardinals.

In the AFC championship- game thriller, the Steelers edged the Bills, 28-26. The Bills scored with three seconds left, but the Steelers prevented the ensuing two-point conversion to hold on. Brandon O’Grady scored a pair of touchdowns for the Bills.

NFC Conference’s A Division games The top-ranked Colts won, 24-8. Connor Matthews and Cory Eyring were solid on both sides of the ball. Mason Belsky and Matthew Scaccia both played inspired defense for the No. 4-ranked Dolphins.

The third-ranked Panthers shut out the No. 2 Packers, 8-0, with big all-around contributions from Danny Dickey and Jeffrey Andon. Drew Brown led the Pack on offense and Noah Lynch spurred the defense.

Tommy Emerick scored on a long TD run, Cody Stevens returned an interception for the game-winning touchdown, and the Colts edged the Panthers, 12-6, for the conference crown. The Panthers received fine allaround games from Cameron Homsey and Daniel Dickey.

AFC Conference’s B Division games The No. 5 Ravens defeated the eighth-ranked 49ers, 34-6.

Brandon Mercier scored in the win, and Jack Herling was a force throughout the game. Salihah Bogner was solid for the 49ers’ defense, and Katie Chaisson played well on both sides of the ball.

The sixth-seeded Chargers clamped down on defense to beat the no. 7 Broncos, 19-6. Tyler Larsen scored for the victors. Lincoln Lessard tallied for the Broncos, and Eddie Shilimon turned in a good game on both sides of the ball.

The Ravens moved to the B Division championship round following a 40-6 win. Aria O’Connel played well in all departments, and Jacob Dorman sparked the offense. Olivia Gagnon and Dreke Crowley put forth excellent all-around efforts for the Chargers.

NFC Conference’s B Division games Kyle Keenan and Nicholas Mueller each scored as the No. 5-seeded Patriots won, 32- 6. Nicholas Pereira scored the lone TD for the Titans, and Colin Marconi was effective on offense and defense.

The No. 6 Vikings moved on following a 14-10 win. AJ Pereira ran for six points, and Nick Wood played stellar D. Owen Haskins led the No. 7 Falcons’ defense, and Madelyn Shea was an all-around star.

A late-game TD reception from Kyle Hoglund helped the Vikings advance, 14-8. Zach Luongo scored the other touchdown off an interception. The Patriots’ Cameron Burns scored the team’s TD, and Ashley Daniels was stellar on defense.

In the 9- to 11-year-old division:
AFC Conference’s A Division games The No. 4-ranked Packers edged the previously unchallenged and top-ranked Patriots, 8-6. Tyler Longo chalked up multiple sacks, and Tim Anderson snatched a pick in the end zone with less than a minute to play to help seal the win over the never-say-die Pats.

The second-ranked Chiefs advanced, 30-6. Johnny Granfield was a key cog in the defense, and Matt Drolet turned in a fine all-around game. The No. 3 Buccaneers received stellar games from Zach Demmons and Tanner Bogner.

NFC Conference’s A Division games Trevor Longo returned an INT for six points and reeled in a reception for a score as the No. 1-ranked Lions won, 27- 6. Andrew Durango threw for a couple of touchdowns. The fourth-ranked Jaguars scored on a Lillian Shilimon-to-Jack Frey pass.

The second-seeded Redskins shut out the No. 3-ranked Rams, 7-0, thanks in large part to Collin Loring’s defense and Cameron Holdsworth’s interception. Patrick Collins contributed everywhere for the Rams, and Ryan O’Grady’s defensive play was exceptional.

AFC Conference’s B Division games The eighth-ranked Seahawks earned their first victory of the season, 15-12, upsetting the No. 5 Bengals. Kyle Rembis was efficient at quarterback, and Andrew Dorman provided excellent play. Johnny Bartose keyed the Bengals’ offense, and Royce Belsky led the D.

The seventh-ranked Eagles knocked off the No. 6 Raiders, 8-0. Joe Halpin was a strong presence on both sides of the ball, and Tommy Costa was a rock on defense. Jacob Yirrell turned in a fine defensive performance for the Raiders, and JJ Wrobel was an all-around star.

NFC Conference’s B Division games Austin Wentzel scored a pair of safeties on quarterback sacks in the fifth-ranked Cardinals’ 4-0 win against the eighth-seeded Panthers. Matt McLaughlin was a force on defense in the win. Max Faro and Michel Haas played very well for the Panthers.

With touchdowns from Kevin Bolio and Patrick Barry, the sixth-seeded Saints moved on with a 25-14 win. The Cowboys’ Connor Rouse returned a pick for a TD, and David Tello was effective on both sides of the ball.

I’Anson, Vadala head to Virginia and national meet

Salem Editor — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:58:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Chelsea I’Anson and Leeann Vadala won’t need much time to introduce themselves when they leave for Virginia Beach representing New Hampshire in the Senior National Gymnastics Invitational.

Though I’Anson and Vadala competed at different high schools, they have also trained together since sixth grade.

I’Anson, a member of the Pelham High School team, and Vadala, a Salem High gymnast, were among three Granite State athletes chosen to travel to the May 22 competition.

Python head coach Amanda Iwanicki has coached I’Anson for three years at the high school level.

“I couldn’t have thought of someone who was more deserving for it,” said Iwanicki. “It was big because this is a kid that three years ago was fighting to get the program into the school. People were wondering what the big deal was with the team, and now she can show that she took the program to a national level.”

Both gymnasts began the sport at a young age following advice of family members.

At the suggestion of her grandfather, I’Anson tried the sport and loved it immediately.

For Vadala, there was little doubt that she would end up tumbling her way to a successful gymnastics career.

“She had three sisters to pave the way, so she’s been around gymnastics since she was so young,” said Salem head coach Ginnie Lavallo. “When you’re the younger one, you fall into it much better. Her parents were both athletes that instilled that kind of mindset for striving to be her best.”

The bar was set high for Vadala; her oldest sister, now the head coach at Andover High School in Massachusetts, was one of the top gymnasts in the state during her high school career.

“I had to live up to my sisters,” said Vadala. “I always wanted to keep getting better so I could keep up with the rest of my family.”

Entering the national competition, Vadala said she hopes to place in the top 15 on the bars.

The SHS senior said she has often been her biggest critic, but that has helped her find success.

“I am really hard on myself,” she said. “If I wasn’t as successful as I wanted to be, people had to remind me that even if I didn’t do as well as I had wanted to, I was still doing better than most gymnasts.”

I’Anson also prepares to leave for the event with realistic expectations and a relaxed outlook.

“I know I won’t be the best person there,” she said. “I am really just looking forward to having some fun while I am down there.”

Pelham officer solves Mass. hit and run

Salem Editor — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:22:00 GMT

A Salem man was arrested for a Massachusetts hit-and-run crash after a Pelham traffic officer noticed heavy damage to the front of the man’s car.

Traffic officer Matt Keenliside was helping the Pelham Fire Department direct traffic on Windham Road when he observed a car attempting to turn into the Pelham Terrace. The car appeared to have fresh heavy front-end damage.

Upon conducting a license check, the driver was identified as John P. Flanagan Jr., 54, of Salem, and he was arrested after his license was determined to be suspended.

When asked about the damage to the front of his vehicle, Flanagan said his car had been stolen earlier in the day. He said it was involved in a crash and he recovered the car himself.

Police sent a message to surrounding police departments regarding the fresh damage and the possibility that Flanagan may have been involved in a hit-and-run accident.

Massachusetts State Police contacted Pelham, saying the car fit the description of a hit-and-run that took place on I-93 north in the area of Exit 45. Flanagan was subsequently charged with operating to endanger and leaving the scene of an accident.

According to police, Flanagan seemed to be under the influence of drugs during the arrest process. While being evaluated, Flanagan admitted to have snorted heroin prior to getting into the accident. He was charged with operating after suspension and driving under the influence of drugs.

Flanagan is scheduled to appear in the Salem District Court on Feb. 9.

Pelham soldier talks about life in Iraq

Salem Editor — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:05:00 GMT

By Darrell Halen

For more than a year, Army 1st Lt. Barry Couture “chased bad guys” and helped Iraqis rebuild their lives – a stark contrast to life in his relatively quiet hometown of Pelham.

Couture, 25, led an armored platoon of about 24 men in eastern Baghdad. One man was killed, another seriously injured.

“The Iraq experience especially makes you grow up fast, just because you’re literally ... in charge of these guys lives,” said Couture, who recently returned home after completing a 15-month tour in Iraq.

While there, his men fought the Mahdi militia, the paramilitary force of the Iraqi Shi’ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

At the same time, Couture was in charge of starting civic projects – working on sewage systems, electricity, water and doing trash cleanup. Working with local leaders, he tried to make life better for the Iraqis and gain their trust.

“I did a lot of work with the schools,” he said. “That was my biggest focus. A lot of them had shattered windows. We’d replace the windows, get their plumbing straight. Make sure their bathrooms worked. Made sure the teachers are getting paid.”

Couture, a 2001 Pelham High School graduate, was only about two weeks into his first-year studies at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point when the 9/11 terrorist attacks took place.

“You sort of had the idea that the peacetime army was shattered on that day,” he said. “Everyone had that tangible feeling, especially the seniors. Those few seconds it took the planes to hit, we all watched it on TV. We went quickly from a peacetime army to an army of war.”

Time magazine, in fact, dubbed Couture’s class the “Class of 9/11.” They were cadets, according to the magazine, who entered West Point shortly before the world changed and were prepared for a new kind of war.

Death and destruction

In the spring of 2007, while serving in Iraq, Couture’s Humvee was hit by an armor-piercing roadside bomb known as an explosively formed projectile or EFP.

The EFP ripped through the Humvee’s trunk and tore off its spare tire. The blast’s force cracked two windows and flattened the vehicle’s tires.

“My ears were ringing for two days,” Couture told the newspaper Stars and Stripes.

A band that Couture wears on his wrist honors the memory of one of his men, Specialist Charles Leonard of Monroe, La., who was killed in a firefight, leaving behind a wife and child.

“But luckily that was the only (casualty),” said Couture. “We had a lot of close calls, but we were really, really fortunate.”

Another man, Couture’s senior noncommissioned officer, suffered burns to his face and hands when an EFP ripped through a tank. The man eventually recovered and returned to the platoon.

“He didn’t have to,” Couture said. “You sort of become a family when you’re over there. He felt strongly that he needed to come back and finish what we all started.”

“He helped run the show with me so it was great having him back,” he added. “It was an uplift for everyone when he got back because it kind of represented to us a really dark and bad time when he got hurt, and then him coming back and things started getting better – it made life a lot more bearable and easier.”

Tour extended

As Gen. David Patraeus took over command of the coalition forces and the military’s surge in Iraq began, Couture learned his year-long tour, which began in October 2006, was extended to 15 months. His platoon moved from Rustamiyah Forward Operating Base to combat outposts – first to an abandoned potato chip factory, and later to an Iraqi bunker Saddam Hussein had built when he was in power.

During their tour, Couture’s platoon patrolled at least eight hours a day, with the men moving in tanks and Humvees. With his uniform, protective gear and ammunition on him, Couture carried about 85 extra pounds on his 175-pound frame.

Back in Pelham, his parents worried for his safety.

“Our faith helped me, our friends helped me,” said his mother, Maureen. “You just get through every day. It’s really, really hard.”

What Couture learned in Iraq is that he and his men had to resist falling into habits, that doing the uncomfortable helped keep them safe.

“The insurgents pick up that you take the same route every day. That you do certain things the same way all the time,” he said.

“Things start becoming routine, and the biggest thing is, the entire time, you have to fight complacency,” he added. “Iraq is really weeks and weeks of boredom, followed by a couple of seconds of terror, sheer terror.”

Couture described his platoon as a cohesive unit, whose members pulled for each other. Each one protected the soldier next to him.

“My noncommissioned officers were just amazing at just keeping the soldiers aware, making sure they all had all their protective gear on, just kicking them in the butt when they needed it,” Couture said. “That’s the biggest reason why most of them got through, I think.”

“There was kind of a tension all the time,” he added. “But at the same time, we laughed a lot. You’re never having a good time, but you make the most of your situation.”

Coming home

When Couture attended Pelham High, he had a classmate who would make the ultimate sacrifice to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Daniel Gionet, who graduated the same year as Couture, was an Army medic when he was killed in June 2006 after a bomb hit his tank.

Couture was still in the U.S. at the time, and his father, Bruce, called him to deliver the news.

“Just like all the other ones, it’s sad, and you wish it didn’t have to happen,” Couture said. “But that’s the situation over there. That’s the way things work. I think it hits when it was somebody from your hometown.”

Couture came home on Jan. 19 and spent time with family and friends before returning to Fort Hood, Texas, where he is stationed. His tour of duty in Iraq, he said, seemed to pass quickly.

“You’re so focused on what you’re doing and there’s so much to do, it actually goes by quick,” Couture said. “I didn’t feel like we were there 15 months. Your days are so full. The days feel long, but the weeks and months fly by.”

Pelham hosts tourney,wins three titles

Salem Editor — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:36:00 GMT

The Pelham Holiday Tournament, from Dec. 27 to 29, included more than 50 teams playing in separate boys and girls divisions for third- through eighth-graders.

Though welcoming to their many guests before and after play, the hosts were particularly inhospitable on the court, winning three of the nine division championships available.

The fifth-grade girls, as well as the sixth-grade and eighth-grade boys, won crowns, while the third- and fourth-grade girls reached the division finals before falling in overtime.

Third- and fourth-grade girls

After losing their first game to Groton-Dunstable by 13 points, the girls beat Hudson at the buzzer, then edged Windham, which finished without a victory. Both were two-point victories. In a rematch with Groton-Dunstable, the Pelham group of eight third-graders and four fourth-graders took the champions into OT, despite having just two experienced players.

The team, coached by Lisa Brown, included Hillary Faust, Sarah Benjamin, Abigail Conway, Rachel Alexander, Caitlin Ernest, Rachel Marion, Shannon Morin, Baylee Duarte, Abigayle Lachapelle, Morgan Walsh, Sarah Brown and Jessica Lessard.

Third- and fourth-grade boys

The Pelham boys ran into tough opponents in the first two games, losing in overtime to Bedford, 27-25, then falling to the eventual division champions, Lowell.

Tenacious defense from Collin Loring and Trevor Longo kept Pelham in the contest with Bedford. Other standouts included Cameron DeLoreto and Lukas Raza. Kyle Frank, Tim Walkup, Steven Jackson, and Tim Anderson playing well against Lowell.

But the locals earned a hard-fought 17-12 victory against Dracut to wrap up their tourney outing. Standouts on both ends of the floor for coach Craig Loring included Keith Brown, Jack Krzeminski and Tony Mantia.

Fifth-grade girls

Defense led Pelham to a title. The girls allowed 36 points in four lopsided wins. The locals moved through the opening round with a 40-7 drubbing of Dracut, a 20-10 victory over Lowell, and a 32-9 decision over Tyngsboro that featured 14 assists.

Chelmsford finally challenged the champs in the finals. Pelham, coached by Jim Philipson, led 9-6 at the half. But some aggressive man-to-man pressure defense held Chelmsford scoreless for 15 minutes of the second half in a 17-10 win.

Fifth-grade boys

Following a 53-45 win over previously unbeaten Wakefield on Dec. 22, fueled by Bryce Brown’s scoring and Nick Francoeur’s rebounding, Pelham had trouble early in the tourney opener and trailed Dracut by nine points at the break.

But Ryan Cloutier poured in eight second-half points, and Joe Costa sank two late-game free throws in the team’s 26-23 comeback win. Zach Masiello and Nick Wolfrom led a defense that allowed Dracut just four points.

Pelham then edged Hudson, 32-31, as Eric Guinasso want 3-for-4 from the line and Ryan Rondeau chipped in six points from inside the paint. Cloutier’s eight points included the game winner.

Despite strong efforts from Nolan Duffy, who scored nine points and grabbed several rebounds; Dylan Sylvestri, who it two free throws; and Ryan Nystrom, who added six second-half points, Pelham fell to Derry, 28-27.

Sixth-grade girls

Pelham opened the tourney with two convincing wins, 33-20 over Chelmsford and 26-14 over Tyngsboro.

The team’s lone blemish was a loss to the division champions from Hudson.

“How can you summarize heart and determination?” said coach Pattie Parece. “Every player did what was asked of them.”

Each of the girls said the team turned in a sterling defensive effort. The roster included Jordan Parece, Brianna Duarte, Hannah Paitchel, Minta Notini, Elissa Mogauro, Katie Haghdan, Niki DelSignore, Shelby Bedard, Michelle Langlois and Kaelyn Walsh.

Sixth-grade boys

Pelham proved its mettle, winning blowouts and tight games alike in winning the division crown.

James Sullivan, Chris Benjamin and Joe Slattery led a smothering press as the locals jumped to a 29-12 halftime lead, then cruised to a 45-38 win over Dracut in the tourney opener. Mike Coupal and Joe McArthur controlled the boards.

Windham then fell to Pelham, 39-20. Zach Conway led the attack with 10 points and eight rebounds. Derek Sage chipped in six markers.

The boys used a ferocious press to bolt to a 23-11 halftime lead over Hudson, then held off their foes’ comeback with a few key foul shots for a 39-36 victory.

Pelham’s Mike Pelletier helped the team to a 29-26 lead over Litchfield in the division final, but the rough-and-tumble visitors wouldn’t quit. Thanks to Ryan Frank and Jake Vaiknoras, who each took an offensive charge from a larger Litchfield opponent, and a solid team effort on both ends of the floor, the locals won, 60-50. Vaiknoras led the team with 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Pelletier finished with nine points and Kevin Sabine chipped in six for head coach Mike Larson.

Windham won once in three contests, crushing Dracut, 37-18.

Seventh-grade girls

Pelham won two of three contests at the holiday tournament, edging Hudson, 37-36, and Merrimack, 28-23. Only a loss to Billerica kept the locals from the division finale.

Seventh-grade boys

Pelham went 2-1, as did Windham, in a strong division.

Pelham lost only to eventual champion Lowell before handling Dracut, 34-30, and Hampstead, 38-26.

Windham’s only setback was to division runner-up Merrimack. The team defeated Groton-Dunstable, 32-24, and Tyngsboro, 39-27.

Eighth-grade boys

Pelham A rolled to the title with double-digit wins over Hampstead, Dracut West and Dracut East. The only potential stumbling block, Hudson, fell to the locals, 48-46.

Pelham B went winless, though the team played well against the division runner-up, Dracut East, falling 48-45.

Trying on their future – Internships give hands-on experience in students’ fields of interest

Salem Editor — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:25:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

Several times a week, while dressed in hospital scrubs, Salem High School senior Courtney Morgan is busy helping people at Parkland Medical Center in Derry – preparing rooms, making beds, walking with patients, getting them something to drink.

She’s not getting paid. But Courtney, who watches nurses at work in the hospital’s surgical vascular unit, is earning school credit and learning about the nursing field.

Courtney, who wants to study nursing in college, is one of dozens of area high school students who are interning in the field they are thinking about pursuing a career in.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the students to see what real nurses do,” said nurse Carol Dabrowski, one of Courtney’s mentors. “Not what you read in a book or see on ‘ER.’ She’s gotten to know what we’re doing on the floor, what our practice is, how we communicate with each other.”

Courtney spends three days a week at Parkland, and two days a week at the special care nursery at Lawrence General Hospital.

Courtney and approximately 73 other Salem High students are currently participating in semester-long internships. So, too, are 10 Pelham High School students.

At Beau Monde, a beauty salon in Salem, junior Shana Vandecasteele is getting a full picture of how the business runs – from cleaning brushes to quarterly tax filings.

That’s important to the Windham teenager, who plans to go to cosmetology school and aspires to open her own salon.

“We’re just trying to incorporate every aspect of cosmetology – as much as we can in that semester,” said co-owner Peggy Stark.

Licensing requirements prevent some interns from getting full hands-on lessons. Shana, for example, can’t work on clients. But she watches the beauticians in action and practices on a pair of mannequin heads.

And she’s doing other tasks, such as booking appointments.

Through their experiences, interns learn the values of teamwork, organization and time management. They learn from their mistakes. They must abide by company rules and act professionally. Some endure first-day jitters.

“We ask the site to treat them as an employee as much as possible,” said Linda Michalczyk, Salem High School’s community liaison.

Salem students are graded on their internships. They must keep journals and maintain time sheets, complete assignments, and are evaluated by their mentors.

Every two weeks they attend a class where they learn about important factors such as safety, confidentiality, work ethics and teamwork.

Sometimes internships can lead to a paying job. That’s what happened to Lynne Resendes, 17, who is interning at Northeast Rehab Outpatient Center in Pelham because she wants to be a physical therapist.

Impressed with the Pelham High senior’s interest and ability to catch on quickly, Clinic Manager Gerriann Samowski hired her as a rehabilitation aide one night a week.

Her tasks when she’s interning include getting hot and cold packs for patients, setting up machines, answering phones and filing.

“It’s really interesting. I’m glad I have this opportunity to do this,” said Lynne. “I’m a hands-on person, so being here has made me learn so much.”

Lynne and other PHS interns must work 135 hours at a site. They have to keep a weekly journal, complete other assignments, write a final reflection paper and be evaluated by their mentors. The school wants them to have at least a 2.5 grade-point average before taking on an internship.

“They are getting a feel for what these people do, what skills are needed in that particular field,” said Louise Paulauskas, Pelham High’s school-to-career coordinator.

Students in the school’s Academy of Finance program work paid summer internships as part of their program.

Companies that bring on interns say they do so not for the free help but to be a good community partner and give opportunities to young people. Many mentors say they wish the same opportunity was available to them when they were in school.

“Bringing a student like this in is like a breath of fresh air for the company because they come in with a lot of enthusiasm,” said Joanne Carbone, office manager at Signature Mortgage Consultants LLC, in Salem.

That’s where Pelham High senior Scott Cloutier is interning. Cloutier, whose tasks include putting together loan packets and updating lists of lenders, wants to study business in college.

“I love coming to a business every day and I love learning how a business works altogether, and learning new things, especially with a computer,” said Cloutier.

Michalczyk said that some of her former interns are now working professionally at the local police and fire departments, and in schools – places where they gained experience as students. It’s evidence, she said, that internships pay off.

Not all interns, however, discover that the field they’re working in is the best fit for them.

Paulauskas recalls a couple of students who interned in physical therapy but decided that wasn’t the career they wanted after discovering how much math and science is involved.

Michalczyk said it’s better for the students to discover now that a particular field isn’t right for them than when they’re juniors in college.

For some students, their internship is boosting their career interest. Cloutier is excited about going into business. Hilary Barlow, who is interning at Landry Architects in Salem, is enthusiastic about studying architecture.

“I think I’ve learned a lot here that will help me,” said Barlow, a Salem High senior. “Getting hands on experience like this has been awesome.”

Her mentor, senior architect Thomas Duff, has welcomed several interns over the years and is happy to give them more responsibilities as they work through the program.

“I gave them every freedom,” Duff said. “They have access to all our resources. They can ask anyone here questions. If they’re really serious about the field, then the sky’s the limit in terms of what they can do here.”

Police standoff ends in arrest of man, 68 – Pelham man was involved in similar incident in 2004

Salem Editor — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:34:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

A five-and-a-half hour standoff ended peacefully after a Pelham man who had refused to come out of his house surrendered to police.

George Labonte Sr., 68, of 4 Jones Road, was charged with domestic simple assault and resisting arrest after he finally surrendered to members of a police SWAT team around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 1.

Pelham police officers were called to the house around 11 a.m. and were met by a woman living there who claimed she was assaulted by LaBonte during an argument.

LaBonte refused the officers’ request to come out of the house to speak with them about the incident and retreated further into his house, according to police.

LaBonte was no stranger to police. He had been arrested the day before on a charge of reckless conduct with a firearm. And in February 2004, police had engaged in a standoff with him that ended peacefully. It had begun with a well-being check that escalated to the standoff, according to Pelham Police Chief Joseph Roark.

Due to those past experiences with LaBonte, and believing he may have firearms, Pelham officers and New Hampshire State Police Troopers set up a perimeter around his residence to contain the area.

After Pelham officers and LaBonte’s relatives and friends were unsuccessful in getting him to come out of his house, the Southern New Hampshire Regional Special Operations Unit, a police SWAT team, was called in.

SOU tactical officers took charge of the perimeter while negotiators began to talk with LaBonte over his home phone and cellular phone. Salem Police Lt. Fred Rheault served as lead negotiator.

After several hours of negotiations, LaBonte surrendered. Police complied with his request that he not be handcuffed when he surrendered, Roark said.

The woman, whom Roark did not identify, was at the police station during the standoff.

“She was interviewed,” said Roark, adding that investigators were looking for helpful background information. “We obviously gathered intelligence about the interior of the house, any issues going on with Mr. LaBonte.”

Roark said the previous standoff and arrest and the information from the victim led to the level of force that police brought to the house.

The atmosphere, he said, was intense.

“It was daunting to think we might have to enter that house,” Roark said. “You are clearly putting officers in harm’s way.”

Following LaBonte’s arrest, police seized a handgun, two rifles and a pair of shotguns from his home.
LaBonte was arraigned in Salem District Court the next day.

Pelham woman faces more than a dozen drug charges

Salem Editor — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:20:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

A Pelham woman who four years ago was convicted of selling drugs at a Salem day care center faces a variety of new drug charges in Pelham.

Kimberly Danahy, 45, of 36 Woekel Circle, Pelham, allegedly was using equipment to manufacture powder cocaine into crack cocaine to use and sell.

The equipment, along with drugs and drug paraphernalia, was discovered by Pelham police when they executed a search warrant of her home on Thursday, June 14.

During a two-month investigation, undercover officers bought crack cocaine and powder cocaine from Danahy in large and small amounts, according to police.

They purchased approximately 60 grams of cocaine, valued at $6,000, from Danahy, police said. Prior to her arrest, Danahy sold one ounce of powder cocaine to an undercover officer at Pelham Plaza on Route 38, according to police.

The day after her arrest, Danahy was arraigned in Derry District Court. She had been held at the Pelham Police Station on $500,000 cash bail.

Danahy faces charges of possession of crack cocaine, sale of crack cocaine, transporting crack cocaine, six counts of selling cocaine, six counts of transporting cocaine and manufacturing crack cocaine.

When police carried out their search warrant, they arrested William Harnish, 53, of 36 Woekel Circle, Pelham, for possession of marijuana.

Prior to the search, Shane Morrison, 26, also of 36 Woekel Circle, was arrested for driving after suspension. He was later charged with possession of marijuana and possession of prescription pills.

According to police, Danahy could face enhanced penalties of up to 40 years in prison due to her previous convictions for selling drugs and because of the large quantities of drugs that were sold during the Pelham investigation.

Danahy was convicted of nine narcotics charges four years ago for selling drugs out of the Wee Rascals Day Care Center in Salem.

State’s best meet at UNH; some earn regionals

Salem Editor — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:26:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

On Saturday, June 2, the state’s best track and field athletes converged upon the University of New Hampshire’s oval to compete in this year’s Meet of Champions.

The final results yielded strong finishes and secured spots in the New England High School Track and Field Championships at Fitchburg State in Fitchburg, Mass., for several Neighborhood athletes.

Salem High School

Junior Nicole Duarte represented the Lady Blue Devils, placing third in the discus with a throw of 104 feet, 9 inches.

For the boys, Michael Marshall took third in the high jump with a leap of 6 feet; Andrew Dickie placed fourth in the javelin with a toss of 163-01.

Pelham High School

Class I javelin champion Chris Fournier took 12th with a throw of 147-08.

Bishop Guertin High School

Pelham native Emily Standish earned herself a ticket to New Englands with a first-place finish in the high jump. The senior cleared a height of 5-4 as a member of Bishop Guertin’s track and field team.

One-two – Pelham wins Class I; Salem is second in Class L

Salem Editor — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:52:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

A little more than a month after coming in second to rival Pembroke Academy at this year’s Kiwanis cheerleading competition, Pelham High’s spirit squad climbed back to the top of the Class I mountain.

On Feb. 25, the Lady Pythons used four weeks of extra practice to propel them to the state title at this year’s NHIAA spirit championship at the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore Center.

“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves because we want to win so badly,” said Pythons head coach Michelle Parisi after Kiwanis. “It’s my last year, and this team has been the best I’ve ever seen. To win again at states would be the ultimate way to go out – for me and the seniors.”

Parisi’s Pythons blew the competition away, scoring 170.5 points and coming out 6.5 points in front of second-place finisher Monadnock and 12 points in front of Pembroke Academy, which finished third.

In Class L competition, defending Kiwanis and fall spirit champion Salem took home second behind reigning winter spirit champion Pinkerton Academy. The Blue Devils scored 181.0 points, 2.5 behind the Astros.

After final scores were announced, Salem learned it would have won the competition but was given a five-point safety violation when one cheerleader stepped her foot off the mat during their performance.

“I knew when I saw it happen during the routine,” said Salem coach Tracy Berube. “She was upset, but no one else was. We all make mistakes and things happen. We know we would’ve won, and we did well enough to take it and that’s enough.”

The standings allowed both Pelham and Salem to earn a spot in this year’s New England Regional competition on March 17. Berube, who helped lead the Blue Devils to the New England title last winter, said their routine and pre-competition schedule won’t differ from last season.

Cutting back on practices to give the girls some much-needed rest, the Blue Devils will begin training the week before the competition, a formula Berube said worked well in minimizing injuries last year.

Salem loses six seniors in Giana Armano, Stephanie Smith, Ari Wheaton, Chelsea Haegle, Paige Dewhirst and Karissa Hallaran.

“Every year there are teams that can come out and take it,” said Berube. “There’s no guarantee we’re going to be at the top or near it. We’re completely fine with second place because we know we looked great and really had a strong season."

Where the gaps are – Area schools review test scores to improve learning

Salem Editor — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:13:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN & MATT HERSH

School officials in Salem, Pelham and Windham are reviewing the results of New England Common Assessment Program scores. Last fall, the test was given to students in grades 3 through 8 throughout New Hampshire.

NECAP, which was first used in 2005, is designed to measure student performance on grade level expectations – known as GLEs – used by New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Results are used for school improvement and accountability, and to comply with requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Students are tested in reading and math, while students in grades 5 and 8 are also tested in writing.

They were tested in the fall of 2006 on content they had learned through the end of the previous grade.

Test-takers place at one of four levels in each subject: proficient with distinction, proficient, partially proficient or substantially below proficient.

Some Salem scores need improvement

After receiving scores, Salem officials are discussing ways to improve learning in coming years.

Though most of Salem’s scores are on par with the state averages or better, there are also areas which are better and others which need improvement.

The district’s math scores were most notable, with 71 percent of students achieving a proficient or proficient with distinction score. This number beats the state average of 65 percent.

Assistant Superintendent Marilyn Woodside said she was also pleased to see the number of students who achieved reading scores of proficient or proficient with distinction. Salem’s students beat the state averages in all grade levels.

Still, within these high scores, there were some drops as students moved from grade to grade.

Since NECAP is an annual test, Woodside said it can be valuable in tracking the progress of each group of students as they grow.

In analyzing these patterns, officials found a few groups whose scores declined over time.

As grade 6 students moved to the next level, their scores dropped slightly in reading. A similar decrease was seen from grade 7 to grade 8.

Woodside and other members of the school board also said they were concerned with the writing scores of their fifth- and eighth-graders.

While both groups scored higher than the state average, the discrepancy between the number of fifth-graders who scored in the top two levels and the number of eighth-graders who did the same is alarming, Woodside said.

Sixty-six percent of fifth-grade students scored in the top two rankings, while only 45 percent of eighth graders did. This means 55 percent of eighth-grade students scored as partially proficient or below proficient.

The state showed similar averages with 58 percent of eighth-grade students in the bottom two categories.

“It’s amazing how low the scores are,” said school board member Pamela Berry. “That just screams the state is in trouble.”

Though Woodside is still looking into the results to find patterns and analyze them further, Superintendent Michael Delahanty said he’d like to see Salem’s scores improve in the future.

“We want to be better than just average,” he said.

Delahanty cited the success of the district’s math program as a model for making strides in the right direction.

“We have something that’s working,” he said. “We just have to move that model to our other programs.”

Pelham scores encouraging

“I think, overall, we were encouraged by the results,” said Roxanne Wilson, assistant superintendent for the Windham and Pelham school districts.

Pelham students are making incremental improvements in mean scaled scores and in the percentage of students demonstrating proficiency, according to Wilson.

Since 2005, Pelham had growth of 4.5 percent of its total students, or about 46 more students, who met proficiency. Pelham improved its scaled score points for a total average increase of 1.5 percent, according to Wilson.

In some areas, Pelham students did better than the statewide results. Data indicates that 86 percent of Pelham third-graders are proficient in reading, compared to 75 percent of the state.

Among grade 7 students, 82 percent of Pelham kids were proficient in reading, compared to a state average of 67 percent.

In some areas, they are on par: grade 6 math (67 percent, both Pelham and state), grade 7 math (63 percent in Pelham, 62 percent state) and grade 8 math (56 Pelham, 57 state).

Comparing the percentage of students who placed at proficient last fall against those who did so in 2005, improvements were made in almost all subjects of all grades.

Wilson said she was disappointed by writing test results of Pelham’s fifth- and eighth-graders. Only 41 percent of fifth-graders scored at the proficient level, while 54 percent of grade 8 test-takers were proficient.

Windham doing well

Results indicate that all grades scored higher than the state in mean scaled scores and the percentage of students demonstrating proficiency, according to Wilson.

“Windham had had some great scores,” Wilson said.

In some areas, Windham students scored significantly higher than the state in the percentage of students placing at proficient levels.

In math, 89 percent of third-graders demonstrated proficiency, compared to 69 percent of the state.

Of the grade 7 students tested in math, 88 percent demonstrated proficiency, compared to 62 percent of the state.

The percentage of children who are meeting proficiency rose roughly 5 percent from the previous year.

The only grade that did not improve in the percentage of proficient students and in mean scaled scores was in grade 4.

The percentage of proficient students dropped from 83 to 80 percent in reading, while the percentage went from 82 to 80 percent in math. Mean scaled scores remained constant.

Driver sentenced in fatal crash

Salem Editor — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 18:56:00 GMT

Salem man gets 7 to 18 years in prison

BY DARRELL HALEN
A Salem man was sentenced to spend seven to 18 years in prison for his role in a drunk-driving crash in Windham that claimed the life a young woman and injured her two passengers.

Jack Webb, 54, pleaded guilty to three felony charges, including negligent homicide, during an emotional three-hour hearing in Rockingham County Superior Court on Nov. 15.

Webb’s blood alcohol level was almost three times the legal limit when his pickup truck crossed the center line on Route 111 in Windham on Oct. 30, 2005, and struck the car being driven by Katelyn Contraros head-on.

Contraros, a 19-year-old Derry resident, died from severe injuries the following day.
“I never knew Katelyn, but those of you who knew her and loved her have painted me a picture of a young woman whose vibrant spirit was even more beautiful than her photograph,” Judge Patricia Coffey told her family and friends. “Just as she loved her sunshine bear, it is clear to me she was your sunshine. And that evening just over a year ago, your sunshine was eclipsed by a terrible tragedy.”
Coffey sentenced Webb to five-to-10 years in prison on the negligent homicide charge. In addition, Webb received a sentence of one to four years each on two counts of second degree assault for injuring the two passengers.

As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped three charges of reckless conduct.
Assistant County Attorney Patricia Conway said that according to a forensics report, Webb consumed between eight and 12 beers before the crash.

“There is simply no excuse for drinking and getting behind the wheel of a car, and there is absolutely no excuse for being as drunk as you were,” Coffey told Webb when the judge gave him the maximum sentence under a capped plea agreement. “There has to be a message of deterrence sent not just to you but to the community at large. People in New Hampshire don’t drive drunk and get a slap on the wrist.”

Many people in the packed courtroom wore pink ribbons that said, “Katelyn we miss u.” Several cried or wiped tears from their eyes during the hearing.

Friends and relatives of Katelyn described the young woman as a fun and caring person who made people feel special.

“She was a loving person,” said Katelyn’s mother, Debbie Contraros.

“Katelyn’s smile was infectious and her vitality and her zest for life was obvious to all,” said Francis Russell, Katelyn’s former boss, who managed a carousel in a Salem mall at which Katelyn worked.

Several people said Katelyn saved the life of her passengers, Marcel Morel and Peter Giuffre, because she jerked her steering wheel when Webb crossed into her path. Morel said Katelyn “will always be my angel.”

Throughout the hearing, people told Coffey of the pain and suffering Webb had caused. Giuffre said he is still haunted by the crash.

“My family is changed now, changed forever,” said Paula Jarek, Katelyn’s aunt, who pleaded for Coffey to give Webb the maximum sentence. “Every day we think of Katelyn. We cry often. Every day there is pain and sorrow mere words can not describe.”

Several friends of Webb described him as charitable and goodhearted. Steve Shepard told Coffey that Webb’s good works in the community included helping send underprivileged kids to camp and providing food baskets to needy families.

“He thinks not of himself but of those around him who need help,” Shepard said. “Doesn’t matter if its family, a friend or even a stranger.”

Before being sentenced, Webb expressed remorse for the pain he had caused.

“It’s something I think about every day … I made a horrendous decision,” Webb said. “As much as I would like to make it go away, to make it to have not happened, I know that’s not possible … I am deeply, deeply sorry for what I’ve done.”