Week of April 27-May 3

The sex abuse scandal rocking the Catholic Church again sent shock waves through Carroll County this week as the pastor of St. Cecilia's in Wolfeboro was charged with aggravated felonious sexual assault for allegedly molesting a boy in 1985 in Sanbornton. In a civil lawsuit, the Rev. George H. Robichaud is also accused of molesting another teen-ager after getting him drunk in front of other priests.Conway officials did not spare popular programs from budget cuts made by voters. Police commissioners eliminated traffic control entirely, saying it is not an essential public safety duty. Selectmen cut swim lessons at Echo and Conway lakes despite pleas from parents.Conway residents told their school board members to go ahead and make plans on their own to renovate or rebuild Kennett High. School board members from other towns at the public forum on secondary education expressed interest in exploring tuition agreements with Conway to replace the AREA agreement.The trial of former Bartlett Police Chief Bob Snow on charges of extorting and embezzling $47,850 was rescheduled from June to October.Madison's police chief and administrative assistant were suspended with pay pending an investigation into an undisclosed "personnel matter."Saturday, April 27 The Rev. George H. Robichaud, pastor of St. Cecilia's in Wolfeboro, is charged with aggravated felonious sexual assault. He is released $55,000 bail, and ordered to stay at least 50 yards away from all children. Hikers and bikers on Ossipee Lake Trail will be able to cross the route 16-25 intersection more safely. N.H. Transportation Enhancement Advisory Committee approved $104,468 for an underpass. A Massachusetts man who had made Jackson's Iron Mountain House his home away from home wants to establish a museum and education center here to celebrate mountain culture. Jackson residents ask the school board to explore all secondary education options, including tuitioning students to Gorham High, Fryeburg Academy and Kennett High, not just a Bartlett Jackson high school. One hundred fewer moose permits will be issued this year. N.H. Fish and Game officials say they've met their goal of thinning the herd by 10 percent, so only 485 names will be picked in the moose lottery. Last Saturday's earthquake in New York shakes out memories of the December 1940 quakes centered in Tamworth. The 5.5 magnitude quakes were the largest ever recorded in New England.Monday, April 29 A bishop tells parishioners at St. Ceclia's that "we need to face our problems and admit them" as a first step toward preventing them in the future. Rev. George Robichaud, priest at the Wolfeboro church, was placed on administrative leave after being charged with sexually abusing a teenage boy in 1985. Bartlett-Jackson Cooperative Planning Board members will review the proposed $200,000 budget for the new school district in the wake of citizens' suggestions to slow down. The bottom line could be reduced to $45,000. Angry parents are petitioning selectmen to restore swimming lessons at Echo and Conway lakes, which fell victim to budget cuts. Few parents and students are among the three dozen attending a forum to discuss results of Teen Assessment Project survey. Teen suicide and driving while intoxicated are among topics covered.Tuesday, April 30 Conway police commissioners eliminate traffic controllers, deciding to cut more than $50,000 from that budget in order to maintain the department's primary purpose: public safety. The Wolfeboro priest already charged with molesting a boy in 1985 is also accused of molesting another teen-ager after getting him drunk in front of other priests. School board members from surrounding towns accept Conway's invitation to attend a forum to explore options for secondary education in the wake of Conway's withdrawal from the AREA agreement. Students plead with Conway School Board to reinstate music teacher Brad Hagen, who resigned after violating policy by allowing a student to enter grades into the school's secure computer system. The local Red Cross chapter considers providing swim programs at Conway and Echo lakes this summer. The town swim program was eliminated by budget cuts. Bob Thompson is appointed to Jackson School Board to serve 11 months in Bruce Hill's seat. Hill resigned last month to spend more working directly in the school. Poland scores three runs in the top of the seventh to rally for a come-from-behind 7-5 victory over Fryeburg Academy on Friday. The loss drops the Raiders to 1-4 in Western Maine Class B while Poland improved to 5-2. The only thing that can slow the Kennett High girls tennis team down right now is Mother Nature. The Eagles rolled to their seventh victory of the season Friday, handling ConVal easily, 9-0, at North Conway's Fox Ridge Resort. The Fryeburg Academy track team is in top form in its home-opener. Both the girls and boys score impressive wins over Poland and Yarmouth in a three-school meet on the Fryeburg oval. In a week of big meets for the Kennett High track team, the Eagles compete in the 17 school Merrimack Invitational on Saturday and square off off against eight teams in Wolfeboro. The Kennett High boys tennis team scores its first victory of the season, topping ConVal 6-3. The Kennett High softball team runs its record to 9-0 on the season and remains atop the Class I standings by sweeping a doubleheader at ConVal (17-3 and 16-1). Wednesday, May 1 The trial of former Bartlett Police Chief Bob Snow on charges of extorting and embezzling $47,850 has been rescheduled from June to October because assistant attorney general is scheduled to try a murder case in June. Grammie's Restaurant is the latest casualty at Mountain Valley Mall. Edna Anthony will be closing her doors on Thursday, May 2, because there aren't enough people coming through the mall. RLR Enterprises, a Conway construction company, is recognized by the Safety and Health Council of New Hampshire for its "outstanding achievement and commitment in workplace safety." Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts a gubernatorial debate at Mount Washington Hotel focusing on north country business. Martha Fuller Clark, Democratic candidate for Congress, stumps in Mount Washington Valley, eager to draw attention to her candidacy and build grass roots support. The Mount Washington Valley Eagles win their second straight lacrosse contest, topping the Brewster Academy JV's 6-0. Thursday, May 2 Conway School Board is urged to quit studying and start renovating or rebuilding Kennett High. Residents urge the board to go it alone while school board members from surrounding towns express interest in tuition agreements. Madison Police Chief James Basinas and his administrative assistant, Debra Noyes, are on administrative leave with pay pending investigation of an undisclosed personnel issue. Twenty-five residents ask selectmen to restore swim lessons, but the board refuses to budge on the budget cuts recommended by town staff. The board of the local American Red Cross chapter meets to consider providing swim lessons at Conway and Echo lakes, which were eliminated by town budget cuts. The search is on for a new multi-age classroom teacher in Jackson. With the resignation of one 4-5-6 class teacher and the other planning to be on maternity leave, the next school year will begin with two new faces at the grammar school. Adelphia acknowledges problems with cable modem service but says Internet connections have been restored. Conversion to a new system begins in North Conway.Friday, May 3 The local Red Cross chapter throws a life preserver to the summer swim program at Conway and Echo lakes, rescuing it from selectmen's budget cuts. Three climbers caught in two avalanches in Tuckerman Ravine escape serious injury. Avalanche danger is expected to be high. Steve Pelletier plans to build a car wash in Bartlett this fall. He'll start with four self-service bays at the Woodland Pines site and expand to a fully-automated wash next spring. Wolfeboro selectmen support residents in their opposition to extending no parking signs along Lake Wentworth. More than 500 signed a petition. State officials will make the decision. Madison Selectman Eileen Crafts says the town is adequately protected even with Police Chief James Basinas on administrative leave. She expects the personnel matter under investigation to be resolved in a week or so. The Kennett High girls tennis team continues its winning ways and turns in another impressive performance topping the Lady Sachems of Laconia, 9-0. A Rhodesian ridgeback is rescued from a ledge on Mount Stanton. Mountain Rescue Service lowers the dog 200 feet to safety. The Fryeburg Academy softball team drops its fourth straight close ball game, falling 4-2 to arch-rival Lake Region in a game in which they out-hit the visitors 12-5. Kennett High's flame thrower Brit Ames records her 500th career strikeout, a mark few have ever accomplished, in a 12-0 victory over Pembroke Academy.