Author Archives | Karina Barriga Albring

KSC grounds crew member dies of electrocution

A Keene State College employee died Saturday, April 19, near the Owl’s Athletic complex. The Keene Fire Department confirmed 46 year-old Nate DeMond was electrocuted by a hanging power line near Martell Court in Keene.

Officials said when emergency responders reached the scene, the male had already died.

Keene Fire units arrived to the area near the Owls Stadium around 2:20 p.m. and saw an adult male near a high voltage line. They also confirmed there was an active brush fire near the body. Crews were unable to safely reach the patient at first because he was close to high voltage, stated a press release by the Keene Fire Department.

Brian Cantore / Photo Editor

Brian Cantore / Photo Editor

A campus alert notification by KSC President Anne E. Huot stated the accident, “appears to have occurred while he [DeMond] was working outdoors on campus, as part of our Physical Plant staff.”

Campus Safety Director Amanda Guthorn said KSC officers responded to the scene of the accident and confirmed that no students were injured.

Officials said when they found out about the incident the Fire Department dispatch notified Public Services of New Hampshire (PSNH). At press time, The Equinox has not been able to reach anyone from PSNH for comment.

Residents of Keene stated they experienced a power cut around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. KSC junior and resident of Monadnock Court Olivia Chichia said her home had no electricity that afternoon. “The power went down, but we didn’t know why, we didn’t call the Public Services either,” Chichia said.

KPD Lieutenant Todd Lawrence said the incident remains under investigation by the Keene Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit, KPD, New Hampshire Medical Examiner and the New Hampshire Fire Marshal.

Brian Cantore / Photo Editor

Brian Cantore / Photo Editor

KSC senior and softball player Ellissa Coburn was at the Owls Stadium when the incident occurred. “We didn’t see anything because we were playing, but we found out when the first game ended,” Coburn stated. She said her coach gathered the players, parents and public on the field and informed them about the incident. “The Athletics director [John Ratliff] had approached our coach and told him what happened. When he told us, everyone was really touched,” Coburn said.

Coburn said the second softball game against the University of Southern Maine scheduled for Saturday was postponed.

DeMond was a member of the Grounds crew and had worked for the college for 14 years. According to the Keene State College website, DeMond was a KSC alumni -class of 2009.-

President Anne E. Huot expressed her condolences through an email. “Speaking on behalf of the College, we extend our deepest condolences to Nate’s [DeMond] family and friends during this very difficult time,” read a campus-wide notification by the president. Huot stated college officials will share information about planned services to remember Nate with the campus later on.

Brian Cantore / Photo Editor

Brian Cantore / Photo Editor

Bud Winsor, Assistant Director of Physical Plant stated, “Nate was an amazing employee and person – he was truly one of a million. It is hard to imagine how we will move forward without him. Nate will be greatly missed.”

Counselors are available to assist employees starting at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 21.

 

More information will be provided when available.

Karina Barriga Albring can be contacted at kbarriga@keene-equinox.com

 

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on KSC grounds crew member dies of electrocution

Graduating field hockey players reflect on careers

Just like athletes dread the last minutes of each game, Keene State College seniors are experiencing mixed feelings as graduation day gets closer and closer. “It’s really great to look back at all the good times we’ve had here, and it’s sad to think about leaving,” KSC senior and member of the field hockey team Katlyn Simula said. 

The Field Hockey Owls ended their last season on a high note. The team won the Little Eastern Conference and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Coach Amy Watson said winning this year created a special feeling for the team. “Last season we just missed it. We lost the conference in the finals by one goal, so them being able to come back and do that this season was a very big deal,” Watson said.

Watson said the seniors played an important role guiding the younger Owls. “They were all very close and they always reached out and helped the younger players on the team,” Watson said. This year the team is graduating six seniors: Aimee Donaruma, Leddy Gallagher, Stephanie Morse, Julia Forgione, Mary DeMatteo and Katlyn Simula. Watson said all but one of the women came to KSC as freshmen. “They have grown together, they get to be pretty close — we are like a family,” Watson stated.

Brian Cantore / Photo Editor: Leddy Gallagher had a successful senior year at KSC, culminating in a goal in the Little Eastern Conference championship game.

Brian Cantore / Photo Editor:
Leddy Gallagher had a successful senior year at KSC, culminating in a goal in the Little Eastern Conference championship game.

Team captain and senior Donaruma agreed the seniors’ guidance contributed to the team’s chemistry. “We tried to lead by example and we all [the seniors] played a big leadership role. The freshmen had six leaders to look up to. I think that was a big game changer,” Donaruma said.

According to senior player Gallagher, these achievements make it tough to think about graduation. “We had a great season, we all worked very hard to earn this, and then it is time to move on and it’s definitely bittersweet because it has been such a great time,” Gallagher said.

Donaruma agreed, “Our team bonds really well on and off the field. We worked very hard and we all wanted to win.”

Simula, Donaruma and Gallagher stated winning the LEC and making the NCAA “Sweet Sixteen” in both their sophomore and senior years was one of their favorite memories of KSC athletics.

Donaruma went on, “Being an athlete really changed my college experience. It would have been so much different. I spend all my time with the team. I don’t know what I would have done [if I didn’t play field hockey].”

The seniors said leaving KSC after defending the Owls’ colors for four years seems tough yet exciting. “I’ll never forget my time with the team, but I also am excited for new things to come,” Gallagher said.

New and great things will come for the field hockey seniors, coach Watson said. “I know all of them are going to do really well in whatever they decide to do. They are all really hard workers,” Watson stated.

Yet, two of these senior Owls will still be part of the team next semester. Seniors Donaruma and Simula will be walking on May 10 with the class of 2014, however they are not leaving the locker room of the Spaulding Gym quite yet. According to Watson, Donaruma and Simula are coming back in the fall to help her coach the team.

Donaruna, who is majoring in nutrition, said she is interested in making a career in coaching. Still, she said putting the competitive level behind her is a challenge. “Leaving the competitive level is definitely going to be the hardest part because I love to be a competitor. It is already weird to think about being in the coaching side instead of being a player,” Donaruma said.

As a piece of advice for younger players, Simula said, “Always play hard but mostly, really enjoy the time you have with your teammates and coaches and friends because it flies.”

 

Karina Barriga Albring can be contacted at kalbring@keene-equinox.com

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Graduating field hockey players reflect on careers

Keene State College improves fire safety

Keene State College has already taken a stand to improve fire safety on campus by installing photoelectric smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in some residential halls. 

“At KSC, they are very safe. They have modern alarm systems and they closely follow the safety code and inspection procedures,” Captain of Fire Prevention for the Keene Fire Department, Gary Lamoureux, said.

In February, a fire occurred at St. Michaels College in Colchester, Vt. Vermont WCAX-TV reported there were no fatalities or injuries.  According to an article published on Feb. 17 on the news organization’s website, Vermont fire investigators said smoke detectors using photoelectric technology saved the students’ lives.

Physical Plant Electrician at KSC, Tim Garland, stated that  KSC has 52 fire alarm systems. Garland noted that most of the alarm system is directly wired to the Keene Fire Department. Garland said there are ionization smoke detectors and photoelectric smoke detectors installed on campus facilities. “The preference, now, is towards photoelectric ones. Some states have started to mandate them,” Garland stated.

Residential halls like Huntress Hall, Fiske Hall, Pondside III and Butler Court have photoelectric smoke detectors.

Technology, Design and Safety lecturer at KSC and retired captain of the Keene Fire Department, Jeffrey Morel, explained photoelectric works while a beam that detects when small particles goes past a barrier and activates the alarm along with ionization detectors. As the smoke enters, there is a radioactive piece that gets charged and sets off the alarm. “Photoelectric are more modern, but both systems are pretty secure,” Morel said.

Allie Norman / Equinox Staff: Statistics and information provided in the above graphic can be found on the U.S. Fire Administration website and the official National Fire Protection Association website.

Allie Norman / Equinox Staff:
Statistics and information provided in the above graphic can be found on the U.S. Fire Administration website and the official National Fire Protection Association website.

Garland said the state of New Hampshire has mandated the implementation of monoxide detectors in any building that could produce carbon monoxide. According to Garland, currently there  are carbon monoxide detectors in Carle, Holloway, Fiske, Pondside I, Randall and Monadnock Hall. He stated his department is working to have all residential halls equipped with these detectors by the end of this year.

Morel said these detectors are a significant improvement. “Carbon monoxide is actually a tasteless, colorless, very poisonous gas and it’s anesthetic. It puts you to sleep. You won’t wake up, and you could die. You need that detector,” Morel said.

Garland stated that carbon monoxide was detected in Carle Hall this year, indicating, “It was just a problem with the heater, but we evacuated the entire building.”

Campus Manager of Environmental Health and Safety, Sylvie Rice, said in addition to the detectors, every room in all residential halls on campus have sprinklers.

A fire alarm contractor tests every device over the summer, Garland stated. KSC’s  current contractor is R.B. Allen Co. “They give us a report on how everything is working,” Garland said.

In addition, several inspections are done every summer by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Lamoureux said. Furthermore, Campus Safety Director, Amanda Guthorn, said a committee formed by staff of the Keene Fire Department, the State Fire Marshall, Campus Safety officers and residential life meets on a monthly basis to go over safety procedures on campus.

The Keene Fire Department responds to every call, Garland said, whether it is a real fire emergency or a case of a burnt dinner. “We don’t want to risk anything. Once an alarm goes off, the fire department sends a squad. We send Campus Safety officers to help at the scene as well,” Garland stated.

Residents of Owl’s Nest, like KSC sophomore America Rojas, have indicated that the effectiveness of the alarm systems has become an issue. Rojas said the fire alarms in her residential hall, Owl’s Nest 3, activates when students cook their meals. “Even when we boil water, it causes a lot of steam and the alarms goes off,” Rojas said.

Garland indicated the devices installed on campus are not overly sensitive.  “There is quite a big amount of steam that would come out of a bag of popcorn. The detectors do not activate for no reason,” Garland stated.

Rojas, however, said she believes the stoves in the Owl’s Nest need to be checked, because of the amount of smoke produced. Rojas noted, “It is really annoying.”  However, having a modern fire system does not always guarantee that safety will prevail. KSC’s staff members have expressed that their main concern comes down to educating students about the importance of taking a potential fire situation seriously.

“A wired, modern system is a big plus, but the fire education aspect is also huge. If the alarms go off, there is a need get out immediately — not just here on campus, but wherever you are. I don’t care if it has gone off ten times, getting out could save your life,” Morel stated.

Assistant Director of Residential Life and Housing, Michael Pulju, said some efforts made by Residential Life to create fire safety awareness are to give the residential assistants training and to provide first-year students safety information during orientation. “We do not expect RAs to act on a fire, but they are trained to guide students out and they know where all the emergency exits are located.” Residential assistants communicate this information to the residents during monthly floor meetings, Pulju said.

Campus Safety conducts fire drills in every residential hall at least once a semester, according to Guthorn. During the drills, students are not only tested on how quickly they can exit the building and get to a designated area, but whether they know where the closest emergency exit is located, Guthorn indicated.

Guthorn expressed the importance of taking part in every fire drill and exiting a building whenever an alarm goes off. She said following the procedures makes a difference. “Would you rather call your parents in the morning complaining about how cold it was to stand outside at night, or would you rather me call them to come to the hospital and identify a body?” Guthorn said.

Guthorn said fire drills are put on effectively, even in large residential halls. Currently, Carle Hall houses around 360 students, Randall Hall has 375 and Holloway Hall is home for around 360 students, Associate Director for Facilities and Housing Operations, Jim Carley, said. He stated none of the residential halls on campus “are considered overpopulated.”

Guthorn said, “Students might have a different perception regarding comfort and personal space. Currently, the number of residents living on campus is not up to the point it would be a threat for safety.”

Some residents of these halls said they feel confident about how to act in case of a fire emergency. KSC freshman and Randall Hall resident, Courtney Cullen, said, “They [Campus Safety officers] have told us what to do and where to go. I know that the closest exit I should take from my room is a stairway, not the main entrance of the building.”

Cullen’s roommate KSC Christina Connor said she knows the safe area they should go to, in case of an emergency, is the Fiske parking lot. “Even though we were both in class when the fire drill happened, our RA has told us about it,” Connor said.

Residential Assistant of Monadnock Hall, Emily Reed, said sometimes fire drills can feel like an inconvenience for students, but it is very important that they participate in them.

“I haven’t had problems with my residents taking part of fire drills, sometimes they might not love it, but they know it’s something that needs to be done for their own safety,” Reed said. In fact, Pulju said, “Knowing what to do, where the closest exit is in case of an emergency can really save your life.”  Pulju said, “Even if it’s not a real situation, even if it’s burnt popcorn, you need to get out. We don’t want to take the chance.” Moreover, Guthorn said the college, “Takes it very seriously when we find a student inside the building that just decided not to take part in a fire drill.”

Pulju similarly stated, “It is a serious violation because they are jeopardizing their safety.” Some suggestions school officials gave both on and off-campus students was to not leave their stoves unattended and to be careful when burning candles or incense. Students should create designated outdoor smoking areas in case they host a party, make sure to change the batteries in the smoke detectors and be familiar with all the emergency exits.

Rice said she believes overall, the residential halls and academic buildings on campus are well prepared to face a potential fire situation. For her, a bigger concern is students’ safety once they move out of the KSC campus. “Sometimes students may remove the batteries from the smoke detectors, because they don’t want to get woken up at night by the alarm if someone burns their pizza,” Rice said. For Rice, safety must come before comfort.

Deactivating a fire system is not only dangerous but it is unlawful. Keene Police Department Sergeant, Thaddeus Derendall, stated that if the police find out someone deactivated a smoke detector, they could be fined or even go to jail. “It is a crime to do this. The charges might differ depending on the place and the consequences of the situation,” Derendal said.

Rice and Morel both said students should prioritize safety and act responsibly. They said the college has given them the tools to be ready to face an emergency situation. Morel said, “Fire gives no time,” and can start with a candle, incense or a ripped wire.

However, these KSC officials have assured the college has taken action to reduce the risk of a fire emergency, while minimizing the impact and damages in case one occurs.

 

Karina Barriga Albring can be contacted at kbarriga@keene-equinox.com

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Keene State College improves fire safety

Environmental outing trip at risk

After discussing for over an hour, the student assembly members decided to deny the funding request for the Environmental Outing Club’s spring break trip to California during their weekly meeting Tuesday, December 3, 2013.

The club members will receive a total of $1,156 to help them fund the trip.

The club president, Velvet Young, and the treasurer, Mike Staron, hoped to walk out of the meeting with $7,056.

The finance committee of the assembly had recommend to allocate the club the amount of $5,256.

However, the student representatives did not seem to be able to reach an agreement on the amount the club should get.

Junior and member of assembly, Sean Ballard said, “I wouldn’t want to fund the trip if it would be a first-come, first- serve thing.”

Young explained the e-board members do consider attendance and senior priority when they decide who will be part of the trip.

Senior and Student Body President, Eric Grady, suggested the club should receive the total amount they had originally requested. “I don’t see why we can’t fund a trip that could be a life-changing experience,” Grady said.

In other business, the assembly approved a budget request of $4,200 for the crossfit club.

 

Karina Barriga Albing can be contacted at kbarriga@keene-equinox.com

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Environmental outing trip at risk

KSC loses DC icon and friend

As Keene State College students came back from Thanksgiving break, sad news hit the community. Gordon (Gordi) Davis, a Sodexo staff member who served at the dinning commons and a KSC Alumn, passed away.

Davis was a memorable part of  student’s dinning experience.

KSC sophomore Emily Bouffard said she remembered the time when Davis told her, “Girl, your future is so bright, make sure you wear sunglasses.”

Brian Cantore / Photo Editor: A sign in the memory of Gordi Davis is placed at the entrance of the Zorn Dinning Commons on December 2, 2013.

Brian Cantore / Photo Editor: A sign in the memory of Gordi Davis is placed at the entrance of the Zorn Dinning Commons on December 2, 2013.

Early Monday, December 2, when the news about Davis’s passing spread through campus, social media activity about the loss began. On Facebook, many KSC students and alumni expressed their condolences.

“RIP Gordi from the DC. You will be missed greatly. Much love,” a KSC junior wrote. A senior said, “RIP Gordi, one of the best Dining Commons hosts that Keene has ever had!”

On Monday, a tribute poster with Gordi’s photo was placed at the entrace of the Zorn Dinning Commons.

The picture stood a few feet away from the desk where Davis once sat for the past seven years to greet students as they rushed into to the DC between classes.

According to an email sent by KSC Director of Human Resources, Kim Harkness,  Davis died on November 30.

An email sent by Vice President of Student Affairs, Andy Robinson, stated KSC officials will notify the community regarding  memorial services when more information becomes available.

 

For Gordi’s last Equinox interview, see online video. For full story, see next issue on December 12, 2013.

  

Karina Barriga Albring can be contacted at kbarriga@keene-equinox.com

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on KSC loses DC icon and friend

Assembly elects representatives

During their weekly meeting, Student Assembly members elected two class representatives. Alex Monteforte was elected as a freshman class representative and David Draper was elected as a senior class representative.

 

Karina Barriga Albring can be contacted at kbarriga@keene-equinox.com

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Assembly elects representatives

Red Sox victory ends with KSC Riot

Property damage and aggressive behavior set the tone for the World Series victory celebration around the Keene State College campus early Thursday morning, Keene Police Department said.

A female student was injured when she was struck with a rock and another student’s car was flipped as a crowd of students amassed on campus after the Red Sox won game six of the World Series.

Around 1000 students concentrated around the Student Center to celebrate, police estimated. This area was the starting point for the vandalism activities that developed later in the night, according to a press release by KPD.

Police described the students’ behavior as,  “riotous and aggressive,” and said this lead to the use of pepper spray.

Brian Cantore/Photo Editor: Police presence on and off campus as crowds fill the area.

Brian Cantore/Photo Editor: Police presence on and off campus as crowds fill the area.

Police  indicated, “The crowd of students threw many items at police and at each other. Some of the items thrown were rocks, glass bottles and ice.”

A KSC student said, “It was crazy, it was everywhere. People split in groups and they were just throwing things to each other and the cops.”

KSC senior Kristen Shea said she saw a crowd of students, “yelling and throwing signs” as they walked down Winchester Street at around 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday night.

KPD Lt. Steven Stewart said police efforts intended to keep the students inside the campus. “It is just safer to everyone than if they would be running down Main Street.”

Police said the crowd of students attempted to gain access to Main Street. Police used pepper spray to contain them on campus. “The crowd of students became belligerent and destructive, attempting to damage property on the campus,” the press release read.

Shea said she witnessed how KPD blocked the streets around the college. “The cops turned on lights and were telling everyone to get off the street, everyone started sprinting. The police had blocked both ends of Main Street, so people were clustered around the rotary,” Shea said.

Shea said then the vandalism incidents start to unfold. “Davis [Street] and Blake [Street] were blocked, everyone ended up on campus.”

Police said  the crowd was held to campus for the rest of the incident.

“That’s when things started happening, the car that was flipped,” Shea said.

A KSC freshman who requested to remain unnamed said a few minutes after the game ended, a group of students tried to flip a Campus Safety van that was parked in the Science Center parking lot. “They couldn’t do it, so they flipped this red suv […] It was around six to eight people. Then this kid came and smashed the windows.”

The flipped car belonged to KSC senior Samuel Murray. Murray’s car was parked in the faculty’s parking lot in front of the Tisdale Apartment on Elliot Street. Police said the vehicle had significant damages.

The anonymous freshman stated that when the car was flipped, no police officers were at the scene. “They got there like a minute later, and everyone just ran away,” he said.

The student said he didn’t expect things to unfold as they did. “People are crazy. I think they tried to have a good reckless time with no consequences, that’s what they did.”

However, Vice President for Student Affairs, Andy Robinson, told The Keene Sentinel there might be consequences. “The college will review video camera footage to try to find the students responsible for flipping over the car, and if they’re identified, he expects they’d be suspended,” the article stated.

Lt. Stewart said around 30 officers were on campus. He stated there was an increased police presence because, “We had seen similar circumstances in 2004 and 2007. We didn’t expect things to go as they did, but we wanted to be prepared for the worst.”

College officials wanted to be prepared as well. On Tuesday, October 29, an e-mail was sent to the KSC community encouraging the students to be safe when celebrating the World Series as well as Halloween. The e-mail alerted students about an increased police presence on campus and stated that, “the KSC Student Code of Conduct can and does apply off-campus. Incidents that occur in-town can be adjudicated through the Conduct Office.”

Brian Cantore/Photo Editor: The car of KSC senior Samuel Murray flipped and vandalized after the riot at KSC, The Equinox confirms.

Brian Cantore/Photo Editor: The car of KSC senior Samuel Murray flipped and vandalized after the riot at KSC, The Equinox confirms.

According to the Keene Sentinel, KSC Vice President for Student Affairs said that aside from a small group, about 50 students or so that were causing the problems, many other students celebrated responsibly.

KSC senior Shea said she didn’t agree with how some KSC students celebrated the victory of the Red Sox. “I am from Boston, I am a huge Red Sox fan and I understand people were overwhelmed and really excited. I don’t get the whole flipping cars and stuff. Some things were just really unnecessary,” Shea said.

Unlike what happened at UNH, where five students were arrested, Stewart said no arrests were made during the incidents at KSC. KPD stated they encourage anyone who has information related to to the damaged vehicle to contact them.

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Red Sox victory ends with KSC Riot

Keene man faces DUI charges after hitting KSC students

A truck hit two Keene State College seniors as they walked to their homes early Friday, November 1. Police said the driver of the truck was allegedly drunk when the incident occurred.

The driver, Randall Evan Daniels, from Keene, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of drugs or liquor after injuring the two KSC females on Main Street, according to the KPD report.

Melissa Gattilia, one of the seniors who was injured, said she and a friend were crossing Main Street from Cumberland Farms to Dominos pizza when they were hit.

“We were walking back home from Scores [Sports Bar and Grill]. We were walking in the middle of the road and the guy just ran us over,” Gattilia said.

Photo Illustration by Brian Cantore / Photo Editor: A Keene man was charged with DUI early Friday, November 1. Keene Police Department responded a call that reported a car had hit two pedestrians, KSC students, as they crossed Main Street.

Photo Illustration by Brian Cantore / Photo Editor:
A Keene man was charged with DUI early Friday, November 1. Keene Police Department responded a call that reported a car had hit two pedestrians, KSC students, as they crossed Main Street.

A KSC student who asked to remain anonymous witnessed the accident and said, “Everyone came out of Cobble [Cobblestone Ale House] and Dominos to see what was going on. It was a huge scene.” He went on, “We called 911 and tried to help the girls until the ambulance got there.”

The student said before police got to the scene, a female passenger in the vehicle that hit Gattilia and her friend tried to take responsibility for the incident.

“The girlfriend of the driver told him to get out of the car to make it seem like she was driving. He did it and when the cops came she was behind the wheel,” the source said. He said a second passenger was yelling at the crowd which gathered around the accident scene and was “freaking out.”

The witness also stated the driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The student indicated that the  female attempted to leave the scene.

“Also, she was trying to go, but a bunch of college students and people stood in front of the truck to stop them.”

KPD officers and an ambulance responded to the scene within minutes. The student said he was interviewed by a KPD officer. He noted after police interviewed the witnesses, they arrested Daniels, the driver.

“In the end, the police took the guy away in handcuffs. They believed what we said,” the student said.

The two seniors received minor injuries and were not taken to the hospital. The students were treated at the ambulance.

“We are both just sore, we have bruises from the accident,” the senior said.

Still, Gattilia said the incident had a rather emotional impact on her.

“It all seems like a blur now. It was very scary and shocking,” Gattilia stated. She went on to say she no longer felt safe as a pedestrian in Keene.

“Not only at night, during the day I have been crossing [the road] around campus and people haven’t stopped. When it happened [the accident], I couldn’t believe it. It is a little nerve racking.” The student witness said, “It’s dangerous to cross on Main Street now. All the kids don’t even pay attention when they walk around, so it will probably happen again.”

 

Karina Barriga Albring can be contacted at kbarriga@keene-equinox.com

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Keene man faces DUI charges after hitting KSC students

Keene State College Community mourns the loss of KSC Student

Campus Safety notified the college community Friday afternoon that a KSC student, 21-year-old Kyle Nolan, has died. Keene State College records state Nolan was from Concord, N.H.and according to his Facebook page, he graduated from Concord High school and lived in Northfield, N.H.

According to KSC’s liaison officer from the Keene Police Department Kyle Mazie, the incident did not occur in Keene. Mazie stated Nolan died in Northfield, N.H. The officer said Northfield Police Department is handling the investigation. “Our department [KPD] has no connection to the incident other than that he [Nolan] was a Keene State [College] student,” Mazie said.

At press time, the Northfield Police Department couldn’t provide any information on the investigation.

No further details have been released.

More information will be provided when available.

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Keene State College Community mourns the loss of KSC Student

KSC student arrested after assault in Randall Hall

Karina Barriga Albring

News Editor

 

Authorities arrested a Keene State College student early on Thursday morning, March 28 after he allegedly bit another student on the lip in Randall Hall. Angel Melendez was charged with simple assault and one count of criminal contempt, Keene Police Department Lieutenant Shane Maxfield said.

According to the police report, at the moment of the attack, Melendez appeared to be intoxicated. “We don’t know if it was alcohol or some type of drug he had consumed, but his behavior indicated he was impaired,” Maxfield stated. KPD did not find any drugs at the scene of the assault.

According to the police report, KPD received a call from Randall Hall around 4:30 a.m. “We responded to the call and talked to the victim. Apparently, the boy tried to initiate a romantic encounter and the girl rejected him. Then he bit her and ran away,” Maxfield said.

The victim was taken to the hospital for injuries.

Melendez then ran out of the freshmen residential hall and entered a house on Winchester Street, according to the KPD report. He was arrested on Thursday morning and taken to the Cheshire County Jail. Melendez is due in court on April 4.

Melendez has had previous encounters with KPD. Prior to this assault, he was charged with possession of drugs and receiving stolen property. He was out on bail by the District 8 Court in Keene. “We are charging him with one count of criminal contempt because he was out on bail and was supposed to behave and not commit any more crimes,” Maxfield said.

Randall Hall Residential Director, Casey Wilson said she was not the RD that responded to the call on Thursday. She chose not to comment on the assault. Wilson said, “Due to privacy reasons, we cannot provide any information.”

More information will be provided when available.

Karina Barriga Albring can be contacted at kbarriga@keene-equinox.com 

Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on KSC student arrested after assault in Randall Hall