LEBANON (AP) – A woman has been charged with using a dead woman’s credit card for a shopping spree at a sex shop and other stores in Maine and New Hampshire.

Police say Barrie-Jean Watson, 24, of Lyman first used the card in May at an adult entertainment shop in Portsmouth, N.H., then at a lingerie shop and other stores in Maine.

Officials began investigating after Merton Gerrish, 73, noticed activity on his deceased wife’s account.

Watson faces a variety of charges, including receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of property and forgery.

Chronic wasting

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – New Hampshire’s deer population has shown no evidence of chronic wasting disease, according to state Fish and Game officials.

Using 2004 hunting season data, the agency analyzed the state’s herd and found no sign of the fatal neurological disorder known to infect deer and elk.

Chronic wasting disease was first identified out West in 1978. This spring it was found in both wild and captive deer in New York.

Horses seized

HOOKSETT, N.H. (AP) – Authorities have seized two emaciated horses from a woman and are considering whether to bring criminal charges.

The New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals said police investigated the woman in May, but she was given a month to rehabilitate the horses on her own.

Yesterday, the SPCA found the woman had not properly cared for the horses since May and removed them from her property. The group said it hopes to have animal cruelty charges brought against her.