illegal gambling alleged in State Street Saloon

The owner of State Street Saloon faces felony charges related to allegations of illicit gambling within the premises. A Rockingham County Grand Jury recently indicted 60-year-old Eli Sokorelis on two felony counts of gambling. Two additional counts of gambling/entertainment have been brought against the saloon. The offense dates for the two crimes are listed as Sept. 1, 2006 and April 1, 2007, according to the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office.

Portsmouth Police Capt. Janet Champlin said the charges stem from a lengthy investigation conducted by the police department in conjunction with the N.H. Liquor Commission. “This was an ongoing investigation that has been ongoing for the better part of the year into illegal gambling operations that we are alleging occurred out of State Street Saloon,” Champlin said.

Although Champlin could not provide details of the nature of the alleged gambling at the downtown bar and restaurant, located at the intersection of State and Pleasant streets, she said the charges involve gambling machines. Police seized some machines during a recent search of the premises, she said.

“A search warrant was conducted a couple of weeks ago, and evidence was seized from the State Street Saloon,” Champlin said. “We’re still looking at some of that evidence, and there could be other charges.”

Sokorelis could not be reached late last week, but an employee at the saloon said the owner has no comment on the case. Sokorelis had not officially been arrested as of June 15, but Champlin said she expected him to turn himself in sometime this week. The owner could face significant prison time if convicted, and the Liquor Commission could impose additional penalties on the saloon.
Champlin said illegal gambling is not unheard of in the Port City. “There have been pockets of it,” she said. “It is not entirely uncommon. However, we don’t think that it’s rampant. We are definitely aware that it does occur.” 

get the lead out

In an effort to keep lead and other harmful metals out of the environment, a ban on disposing of televisions and computer monitors in New Hampshire landfills and incinerators goes into effect next month.

New Hampshire joins Texas, Oregon and Connecticut as states that recently passed legislation imposing bans on the disposal of certain electronics. Televisions and computer monitors have cathode ray tubes, which typically contain up to six pounds of lead, as well as other hazardous heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium. Such metals can cause brain and kidney damage and can release toxic fumes if burned.

According to the N.H. Department of Environmental Services, most communities in the state already have electronics recycling programs in place. In Portsmouth, residents can bring television sets and computer monitors to the recycling center on Peverly Hill Road or call the Department of Public Works at 427-1530 to schedule a curbside pickup. The DPW charges a small fee to dispose of the waste properly.

Staples recycles some types of electronic waste at its stores, and a list of commercial recycling centers in the state can be found at www.des.nh.gov/SWTAS/comp_recyclers.htm.

The Electronic Industries Alliance, which includes 1,300 member companies, has proposed national legislation that would include an industry-sponsored organization for recycling televisions and reusing computers and related equipment, according to the DES.

new National Guard headquarters slated for Pease

The Pease Air National Guard base recently moved one step closer to constructing a new Wing Headquarters Operations and Training Facility, which would replace a building that is more than 50 years old.

U.S. Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu announced on June 14 that the Senate Appropriations Committee had approved a request for $8.9 million in federal funding for the new facility. The funding is included in the fiscal year 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, which now must be approved by the full Senate and the House of Representatives.

The facility would be used to accommodate a wide range of functions, including wing command, support group commander and financial management staff, the education and training office, family support services, chaplains, legal staff, public affairs, wing safety and environmental management.

In a statement released last week, Sununu said the funds are necessary to keep the 157th Air Refueling Wing operating in peak form. “The Wing’s leaders have identified this project as critical to the unit’s ability to function efficiently and safely,” the statement reads. “Members of the 157th have answered a call to help defend our nation, and deserve ongoing gratitude and support for their service.”

N.H. National Guard Adjutant General Ken Clark said the funds would help guardsmen at Pease continue to protect the state against acts of terrorism. “With the nation’s increased emphasis on security, and the recent uncovering of terrorist plans to attack U.S. bases, this is indeed good news for the 157th Air Refueling Wing,” Clark said in the statement.

Gregg also stressed the importance of the National Guard in the fight against terror, noting that 1,500 N.H. Guardsmen have served in operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries since Sept. 11, 2001. The base’s current headquarters was constructed in 1954 and is no longer adequate to accommodate the wing, according to a statement from Gregg’s office.

Star Island shut down for fire code violations

The opening of Star Island’s 2007 season has been delayed by fire code violations that temporarily shut down several of the island’s historic buildings. Rye Fire Chief Richard O’Brien recently visited the island for a routine annual inspection and determined that a number of changes had to be made in some buildings, according to Amy Lockwood, executive director of the Star Island Corporation.

Lockwood said most of the problems involved wiring issues in the buildings, the oldest of which date back to the 18th century. The Star Island Corporation’s Web site states that additional work is being done on fire escapes, staircases, banisters and railings. Several different contractors are already at work on the buildings, Lockwood said, and the corporation hopes to reopen on June 23. Additional work of a non-urgent nature will be conducted in the fall, according to the site.

Lockwood noted that the island’s hotel, which was constructed in 1870, was not scheduled to open until June 16, meaning the fire code violations will only set the island’s schedule back by a week. She stressed that fire safety is one of the staff’s top priorities. The Star Island Conference Center is located on one of the Isles of Shoals, off the coast of Rye. Although the Portsmouth Fire Department recently acquired a fireboat that can go to the island, an emergency response from the mainland would take at least 30 minutes, Lockwood said. Employees, therefore, receive extensive fire safety training and conduct frequent drills.

“We are prepared, in the event of a fire, to bring everybody out of buildings, get them down to a central location where they’re safe, and then we rely on the fire department to come and give backup after that,” Lockwood said.

O’Brien could not be reached for comment late last week. Lockwood said the Star Island Corporation anticipates a quick return to normal operations. “We’re looking forward to opening next weekend,” she said.