CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Former New York State Governor Mario Cuomo campaigned for 2nd Congressional District candidate Paul Hodes on Sunday.

Hodes, a Concord lawyer and a Democrat, is running against U.S. Rep. Charles Bass, a five-term Republican incumbent.

Cuomo headlined a fundraiser for Hodes at the Capital Center for the Arts. Campaign officials said about 200 people were expected to pay $50 or more apiece to attend.

Cuomo served three terms as governor of New York before he was defeated in 1994. He was widely praised for his keynote speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention. The speech raised his profile nationally and led him to consider a run for the presidency, but he never followed through.

He is now a lawyer in private practice. Recently, he lobbied to get a PG-13 rating for Michael Moore’s anti-Bush film, “Fahrenheit 9/11.”

Legion members will not hold raffle

BELMONT, N.H. (AP) – Members of the American Legion hoped to turn out the vote next month by raffling turkey dinners.

But organizers said they found out their plan was illegal. Federal election laws forbid rewarding people for voting – or not voting – by offering them something of value.

Members of the Charles Kiburn American Legion Post said they hoped to improve turnout, especially after so few people voted during the state primaries last month.

Several local businesses donated money and gift certificates for the turkey dinners, but the Legionnaires ended up returning them.

N.H. men charged with dealing cocain

NASHUA, N.H. (AP) – A former Nashua nightclub and restaurant operator and five other men have been charged with dealing cocaine.

Carlos Gonzalez, 45, and another man were arrested on state drug charges during a raid on the Latino Club on June 25. His wife, Judith Ocasio, was listed as the club’s owner. The club has since closed.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph LaPlante said the six-month investigation resulted in four arrests that day. Angel Gonzalez, 35, who’s no relation to Carlos, was the other man arrested at the Latino Club.

Reinaldo Rodriguez, 58, was arrested the same day at his home. He is accused of buying cocaine from Carlos Rodriguez, then re-selling it at the nearby Polish American Club.

Another suspect, Luis Hernandez, 35, was arrested on state drug charges after the raid, then arrested again on federal drug charges Friday. Federal arrest warrants were issued Friday for two other suspects – Angel Baez and Juan Seary Medina, both 35.

All the men now face federal charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Medina’s hometown is unknown, but the other five men are from Nashua.

N.H. man charged with assault

NASHUA, N.H. (AP) – A city man has been arrested on charges of assaulting a 14-year-old boy with a cattle prod.

Authorities say Roy Roach, 42, used the cattle prod to punish the boy in 2001. The boy suffered a minor injury, but didn’t report the abuse until recently.

Roach was arrested last month on a simple assault charge. Authorities said he hit the boy in the mouth and broke one of his teeth.

Police who interviewed the boy then learned of the cattle-prod assault. Police said they found the cattle prod in a search of Roach’s home Friday and charged him with felony assault.

Roach is free on $5,000 cash bail. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. Police said he has no access to the boy, who’s 17 years old now.

Police searching for stabbing perpetrator

NORTHFIELD, N.H. (AP) – Police were searching for a man who stabbed a Northfield man in the back during a fight early Saturday.

Micah Donovan, 19, was stabbed three times. Police said he was taken to Franklin Regional Hospital. His injuries weren’t considered life-threatening.

Police went to Donovan’s apartment at 1:15 a.m. yesterday to check on a 911 hang-up call. They found Donovan and the weapon, a folding pocket knife.

Police said Donovan hasn’t told them who stabbed him and they’re still investigating.