Boy meets Sununu about windmill plan

A 13-year-old boy who has proposed a windmill for the new high school in Windham met this week with US Senator John Sununu, who says he likes the idea. Sununu, who has a background in science and engineering, decided to meet David Hutchings of Windham after learning about the teenager's proposal for a wind and solar electric system for the school that is slated to open in August 2009. David's idea has been gaining steam since he presented it to the School Board in January, telling them it would help reduce dependence on foreign oil and slow global warming. Superintendent Frank Bass is considering a $300,000 wind/solar system that could be in place when the new high school opens. Sununu met David and his parents Monday and toured the construction site of the high school, which is about half built. (AP)

A judge has ruled that a lawsuit against Rhode Island Hospital over a free hospital bed can move forward. Children's Friend and Service, a charitable organization, is suing the hospital over a 1912 will that endowed a bed for permanent free medical care. Louisa Lippitt left $4,000 to the hospital on the condition that the charity would be able to nominate patients for the bed. The charity found the will in its archives several years ago and sued last November after negotiations broke down. The hospital sought to have the case dismissed, arguing that Children's Friend and Service is a different entity than the charity Lippitt named in her will. Superior Court Judge Patricia Hurst denied the hospital's request yesterday. (AP)

Motorists can expect night highway closings this week because of work on the Interstate 195 relocation project. The state Transportation Department said the ramp connecting I-195 west to I-95 south would close from yesterday through tomorrow between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. The department has established a detour to reroute drivers around the construction. It also plans lane closings in both directions on I-95. (AP)

A Hamden woman and her brother have pleaded not guilty in the death of a friend's toddler who authorities say died of dehydration after being deprived of fluids for at least week as punishment for bed wetting. Sharon Patterson, 39, and Robert Patterson, 31, appeared briefly yesterday in New Haven Superior Court. Their cases were continued to May 12. Both remain jailed on bond. Hamden police say that 23-month-old Amari Jackson died in February while in the couple's care. Sharon Patterson is charged with manslaughter, cruelty to persons, and risk of injury to a minor. Robert Patterson is charged with cruelty to persons and risk of injury to a minor. The boy's mother, Sara Hicks, has said her friends were caring for him while she was sick with a fever and tending to her 8-month-old daughter. (AP)

A coalition of government employee groups is suing the New Hampshire retirement system over a medical subsidy account. Associations representing firefighters, police, state workers, and teachers argue that the retirement system board broke the law when it voted last year to stop paying the subsidy, which reduces some retirees' health insurance costs. They say the board's vote conflicts with state law requiring the payments. (AP)

The New Hampshire Supreme Court has left prosecutors with little evidence to use against a former jail superintendent charged with pointing a gun at a police officer. Joseph Panarello, former head of the Belknap County jail, was charged with criminal threatening and marijuana possession in May 2006 after allegedly pointing a gun at a Hillsborough officer who entered his home to check on his welfare. Last July, a judge agreed with Panarello that evidence gathered in his home could not be used against him because the officer did not have a search warrant. But in a ruling yesterday, the state Supreme Court disagreed, saying that if a new crime is committed after the unlawful entry, any evidence gathered can be used against the homeowner. The ruling does not help prosecutors, because they did not raise the issue early enough. The Supreme Court does not consider issues on appeal that were not presented in the lower court. (AP)