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Judge Offers Creative Sentence To Keene Pumpkin Fest Wrongdoers

KEENE, N.H. (CBS/AP) — Three young men convicted of disorderly conduct after violence broke out near last year's Keene Pumpkin Festival have been offered a chance to reduce their $1,000 fines by explaining their actions to elementary school students.

Keene police Sgt. Jason Short says a judge told the three college-age men that they could reduce their fines by $200 for each Keene elementary school classroom they visit to explain how their behavior led to the festival's cancellation.

Held in Keene since 1991, the pumpkin festival tries each year to set a record for the number of carved and lighted pumpkins. After alcohol-fueled parties nearby led to injuries, property damage and more than 100 arrests last year, the Keene City Council rejected its permit for 2015. Laconia plans to host it next fall instead.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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