CONWAY, N.H. (AP) – Northern New Hampshire businesses say they’re hoping for strong revenues after the area received several inches of snow this month.

The upcoming week could break records and optimism is running high, said Bonnie MacPherson, a spokeswoman for Waterville Valley and Cranmore and Loon mountains.

Local hotels are booked solid and the weather has gotten people thinking about skiing again, she said.

David Abraham, general manager for North Conway’s Red Jacket resort, also said he’s expecting an exceptional week. He called February a busy month for vacationing families.

Police are expecting traffic to pick up and officers will be out in force, Conway Police chief Sean Billert said.

“I’m hoping the weather can stay pretty much like this – dry – so no one has any travel difficulties,” he added. “If the weather cooperates, we’ll reap a very good week.”

Ex-offender steals $5,000

NORTHFIELD, N.H. (AP) – A Northfield man charged with sexual assault and theft is still on the run, police said.

Scott Nash, 46, molested three young girls who are members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Tilton and took more than $5,000 from the church, police said.

The girls’ ages weren’t disclosed. Nash is facing three felony sexual assault charges, two of them aggravated, along with a felony theft count.

He was last seen in Laconia on Tuesday.

Nash was a youth minister and has been with the church for about five years, church officials said.

Video arraignments

DOVER, N.H. (AP) – Strafford County has proposed spending $85,000 on a system to let courts conduct arraignments with video cameras.

The equipment would be installed in the county’s jail and four courts, including the superior court building in Dover.

The system would streamline arraignments and save towns thousands in transportation costs, county administrator Ray Bower said.

Some law-enforcement agencies spend hours transporting inmates back and forth to court daily, officials said. Officers also have to stay with inmates waiting to see judges.

Rochester Police captain Paul Callaghan said his department would be “ecstatic” if the system goes online.

Courts in Nashua and Concord already have installed similar equipment.

The county’s budget comes up for a vote March 19.

Student Charity

BERLIN, N.H. (AP) – Community college students in Berlin are raising money for two charities as part of a course at their school, New Hampshire Community Technical College.

Their work will benefit two charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire and the Lancaster Humane Society.

The students have planned several activities through March 22, including promotions through local businesses, candy bar sales and bake sales. The college is managing an account for the donations until the fund-raisers end.