🌱 Premature Baby Born, Left In Woods + Litchfield PD Chief Arrested

Hello, neighbors. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Manchester Daily — here to tell you everything that's fit to print about what's happening in our community today.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, a shower in the p.m.. High: 57 Low: 48.

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Here are the top three stories in Manchester today:

1. Police are investigating a shooting which occurred early Friday morning at Yee Dynasty on Willow Street. Police responded to the call at the Chinese restaurant where a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Police learned the shot was a result of an argument between a group of people that escalated. As of Friday afternoon, no arrests has been made. (NBC 10)
2. Alexandra Eckersley, daughter of Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley, gave birth to a premature baby in a tent in Manchester woods earlier this week. The woman called 911 for help and did not reveal the baby's true location in the woods for about an hour. The baby boy was found alive but was having trouble breathing. Alexandra Eckersley was treated at a hospital and was arrested on an unrelated warrant, in addition to charges of endangering the welfare of a child. (NECN)
3. A police chief in nearby Litchfield was arrested on Thursday. Benjamin Sargent, 43, was arrested on charges regarding the sexual harassment of a subordinate. The affidavit stated Sargent was accused of being intoxicated last New Year's Eve and calling a female employee and expressing feelings toward her. Sargent denies expressing any romantic or sexual feelings towards the employee. (Fox News)

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Today in Manchester:

• Martin And Kelly At Bonfire Restaurant & Country Bar (10:00 AM)
• Recycled Percussion At The Palace Theatre (3:00 PM)
• Celebrate The New Year EARLY! At Dave & Buster's (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Manchester Police Commission will be holding their regular monthly meeting next week. The meeting will be on Jan. 4 at 9:00 a.m. at the Manchester Police Department Community Room. (Manchester NH Police via Facebook)
• In case you missed it: The Overnight winter parking ban is still in affect through Apr. 15, 2023. Details about the parking specifics can be found at the link. (Manchester NH)
• The Manchester School District has released the latest edition of their monthly newsletter. Get in the know here. (Manchester School District via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday. Happy New Year!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.