pLOWVILLE — A Deer River couple were arraigned Friday in Lewis County Court on murder and manslaughter charges in connection with the death of a 3-year-old Deer River girl in July./ppDerrick W. McDermid, 21, of 10492 East Road, is facing charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child, while his live-in girlfriend, Shelby Poore-McIntosh, 23, East Road, is facing charges of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a child./ppThe charges, included in a seven-page indictment handed down Friday morning, stem from the July 12 death of Kyralea K. Poore-McIntosh, Shelby’s daughter./pp“This is not an accident,” Lewis County District Attorney Leanne K. Moser said during a press conference Friday morning in the county legislative chambers. “This was an act.”/ppBoth defendants pleaded not guilty, and Judge Daniel R. King sent both back to Lewis County Jail, with bail set at $150,000 cash or $250,000 bond for McDermid and $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond for Poore-McIntosh./ppMcDermid is to appear in court next on Dec. 2, with a trial tentatively set for Feb. 6, while Poore-McIntosh is to reappear Sept. 23./ppAccording to the indictment, McDermid repeatedly struck the child on the head, face and body, stomped on her leg and slammed her head into walls, causing a cut lip, a broken tibia and sub-acute brain injury. This “course of physical contact” took place from May 1 through July 12, the indictment says. /ppOn July 12, he allegedly hit her in the head “with blunt force trauma causing a brain injury which resulted in her death.” McDermid was initially arrested on a second-degree assault charge a couple of days later./ppHe was additionally accused, in alleged incidents between July 2 and 7, of throwing the girl across the back seat of a car, causing her to hit her head on the opposite door and suffer contusions and brain injury. Meanwhile, Poore-McIntosh was accused of failing to prevent the alleged fatal assault by her boyfriend on July 12, refusing to seek medical attention, covering up the manner in which her daughter was assaulted and knowingly allowing the prior alleged mistreatment./ppAt the conference following the County Court arraignments, Ms. Moser, flanked by members of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and state police, thanked members of the two police agencies for their work in jointly investigating the case. “Any time a young individual is involved, it is certainly difficult for everyone involved,” she said./ppMs. Moser also acknowledged members of Lewis County Search and Rescue and Carthage Area Rescue Squad for their work in caring for Kyralea, who died from her injuries at Carthage Area Hospital, and the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s office for its study and reports./ppMs. Moser said investigators “learned a lot initially” but needed to wait for the more detailed medical findings before lodging the more serious charges against the couple. /pp“We don’t rush to judgment,” she said. “We don’t rush to decisions. That takes some time.”/ppThe district attorney declined to discuss further specifics in the case, including whether the county Department of Social Services had been involved with the couple prior to the child’s death, stating that all charges remain just accusations and “everyone is entitled to a fair trial.”/ppDuring McDermid’s arraignment, his attorney, Gary W. Miles, requested time to review the indictment, calling it “very complicated” and saying McDermid was being accused of “every kind of homicide on the books.”/ppHe also said that due to all the details it may be difficult to be ready for a February trial; Judge King said the Feb. 6 date would stand, “subject to request for adjournment.”/p
↧
Deer River couple charged with murder, manslaughter over child’s death
↧
Fort Drum marks 15th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks, events planned through the weekend (VIDEO)
pFORT DRUM — A memorial event on post Friday was a reminder for many that the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 still resonate 15 years later./pp“It’s important for everybody to remember,” said Fort Drum Police Chief Todd M. Julian. “It’s changed how we live our lives.”/ppThe brief a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6wsiNB9e9g"ceremony Friday morning/a included the placement of a wreath at the post’s 9/11 memorial, which featured pieces of steel and stone from the World Trade Center towers. Moments of silence were timed to coincide with the attacks that day in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, which killed nearly 3,000 people./ppThe attacks have had a direct impact in the north country, as the 10th Mountain Division has been one of the most deployed units in the Army since that day./ppFor post firefighter Michael P. Walton, the events that day are “something that will always be engraved in my memory.”/ppMr. Walton, who was only 15 years old at the time, recalled the look of people’s faces on television and the activity around the day./ppHis previous service in the Air Force and his current work have given him the opportunity to meet first responders who were working in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001 — meetings which he said gave him an appreciation for their service./ppMany observers have noted that youths entering high school this year didn’t yet exist when the attacks took place. /ppThat reality, Chief Julian said, made him feel old. As he spoke with soldiers in formation before the event about where they were that day, he said, many told him they were still in elementary school./pp“One made a joke, said they weren’t born yet,” he said./ppChief Julian said it may be difficult to convey the feelings of that day to future generations./pp“It’s kind of hard to explain to some of these younger people what we all felt as a nation, that sick feeling we all had in our stomachs,” Chief Julian said./ppThe Fort Drum ceremony is one of multiple events in the next few days remembering the people killed during the 2001 attacks./ppOther events include:/ppspan class="bullet"n/span The Potsdam Public Museum will hold a Remembrance Day event from 2 to 4 p.m. today. The event will include the unveiling of a new collection of 9/11-related books./ppspan class="bullet"n/span A two-hour silent reflection event will take place at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at the World Trade Center Memorial Sculpture, 8 Clarkson Ave., Potsdam, across from Rowley Laboratories building./ppspan class="bullet"n/span A memorial observance will take place Sunday in St. Regis Falls, including a parade at 4 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the St. Regis Falls Central School./ppspan class="bullet"n/span A parade will be held in Clayton at 11 a.m. Sunday, beginning at Clayton Lions Field, with a ceremony following the parade at Frink Park./ppspan class="bullet"n/span The SUNY Canton Criminal Justice Student Association will hold a remembrance ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Roselle Academic Plaza, by the Richard W. Miller Campus Center./p
↧
↧
Calcium woman gets prison for crack cocaine possession attempt
pWATERTOWN — A Calcium woman was sentenced Friday in Jefferson County Court to three years in state prison for trying to possess crack cocaine./ppMartie J. Elliott-Ohara, 42, was also ordered to undergo two additional years of supervision upon her release from prison after pleading guilty Aug. 12 to third-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance and driving while ability impaired by drugs./ppShe had been charged with driving under the influence of drugs in May after her vehicle struck a parked vehicle in the 100 block of East Division Street. It had also been alleged that she had 18 individually wrapped packets of crack cocaine and 57 tablets of Alprazolam in her vehicle at the time./ppIn other court activity:/ppBridget L. Prashaw, 31, Watertown, admitted violating probation and was resentenced to one to three years in prison. She was serving a five-year term of probation imposed in County Court in March 2015 after fourth-degree grand larceny and fifth-degree conspiracy convictions, having been charged with stealing more than $1,000 worth of jewelry from Square Lion Coins and Jewelry, 91 Public Square, in June 2014 and with helping another woman steal merchandise from a town of Watertown business. Information about what led to the probation violation was not available from the court./ppRobert J. MacMillan, 32, was sentenced to three years’ probation and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty July 6 to misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and endangering the welfare of a child. Further information about the charge was not available. He also had his driver’s license revoked and was ordered to install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he owns or operates./ppJohn B. Chairs Jr., 26, address not available, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He had been charged in a grand jury indictment handed up in July with having and selling heroin and cocaine in April. He is expected to be sentenced Oct. 14 to two years in prison, followed by two years’ post-release supervision./ppAmos R. Goodwin, 39, Norwalk, Conn., was arraigned on three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and a single count of fourth-degree conspiracy. The charges were contained in two separate indictments unsealed in court./ppIt is alleged in one indictment that he possessed cocaine with the intent to sell the drug in mid-July and that he conspired with one or more people to do so. /ppIt is further alleged that he sold the drug twice in later June. /ppHe pleaded not guilty to the charges and was sent to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building on $10,000 bail./p
↧
Hogansburg man arrested after allegedly attempting to flee from Border Patrol officers
pMASSENA — A U.S. Border Patrol officer was in danger of being dragged under a boat while attempting to stop a Hogansburg man who was allegedly trying to flee from police on the St. Lawrence River./ppIn a release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, officials said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York would prosecute Abraham Lazore, 37, of Hogansburg, for the felony offense of obstruction of boarding. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000./ppLazore was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Swanton Sector who were patrolling the St. Lawrence River in a marked U.S. Customs and Border Protection vessel about 12:25 a.m. Sunday. The patrol observed a camouflaged Crestliner johnboat cross the international border and enter the United States near Hogansburg without its navigation lights illuminated. Federal law requires vessels traveling at night to illuminate their navigation lights./ppThe agents activated their emergency lights and commanded the vessel operator to stop near a boat landing near Racquette Point Road. Instead, they said, the vessel operator steered back toward the shipping channel in an attempt to flee. The agents used their vessel loudspeaker to again command the vessel to stop, which they said the operator did./ppOfficials said that, after Border Patrol agents pulled alongside Lazore’s vessel, one agent questioned him while the second attempted to tie the vessels together before boarding the johnboat. While the agents called in the boater’s name for a records check, Lazore allegedly attempted to flee again. The johnboat’s bowline wrapped around one Border Patrol agent’s arm as Lazore first lurched his vessel toward and then away from the agents./ppThey said the tangled agent was in jeopardy of being pulled into the river and dragged under Lazore’s boat when the second Border Patrol agent used his collapsible steel baton to strike Lazore’s hand. The Border Patrol agent’s baton strike forced Lazore to release the throttle and permitted the agents to regain control of Lazore and his vessel./ppLazore was arrested and taken to the Massena Border Patrol station, where a records check revealed that he was a U.S. citizen with a criminal record in both the United States and Canada./ppThe Border Patrol is processing the johnboat for seizure./p
↧
Police net 12 in Malone-area drug sweep
pMALONE — Twelve people have been arrested and four more are still being sought as a result of a six-month investigation into drug use in the village and surrounding area./ppPolice Chief Chris Premo said village police and the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation into “street-level drug activity” involving drugs including heroin and cocaine laced with fentanyl and suboxone./ppAll were held in lieu of $10,000 bail. /ppThose arrested were:/pp Ann Cook, 52, of Malone. Charged with fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; Tony J. Cook, 32, of Malone. Charged with fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; Darlene M. Cox, 48, of North Bangor. Charged with fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; John E. Deragon, 47, of Malone. Charged with fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; Elana C. Garman, 26, of North Caldwell, N.J. Charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; Jeffery W. Holcombe, 30, of Malone. Charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; Curtis W. Kendrick, 30, of North Bangor. Charged with two counts each of fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; Brianna Maldonado, 29, of Malone. Charged with fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; Eric M. Paquin, 25, of Malone. Charged with fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; Jordan S. Reynolds, 28, of Malone. Charged with fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Also charged with a parole violation; Carl D. Shattuck, 49, of Malone. Charged with three counts each of fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; Brian L. Waite, 48, of North Bangor. Charged with two counts each of fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance./p
↧
↧
Governor signs bill expediting job licensing for military spouses
pNewly approved state legislation will allow military spouses at Fort Drum to have an easier time transferring their job licensing into New York./ppThe bill, signed Friday by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, allows spouses with standing licenses in other states to receive a temporary six-month permit, and up to a six-month extension to receive a New York equivalent license./ppNew York is the last state in the country to approve such a measure for military spouses./pp“This common sense legislation breaks down artificial barriers that caused undue burdens on military families and opens the door for more career opportunities for military spouses in New York,” Gov. Cuomo said, in a statement./ppThe licensing change applies to all professions overseen by the State Education Department, including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, engineers and mental health practitioners./pp“It is great to see New York state demonstrate this level of support to our soldiers and their families,” said Maj. Gen. Jeffrey L. Bannister, commander of the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum, in a statement. “The ability for our spouses to find employment that matches their level of experience and expertise is a critical element of financial security for military families.”/ppState Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, sponsor of the new law, said the change helps military families./pp“Members of our military and their families sacrifice so much, and this is truly a way to make things easier for them by creating more — and better — opportunities so they succeed in the new communities where they are assigned,” she said, in a statement./ppOther local lawmakers supporting the bill are Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, along with Assembly members Kenneth D. Blankenbush, R-Black River, and Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa. /ppU.S. Rep. Elise M. Stefanik, R-Willsboro, said the legislation was “a step in the right direction to ease the unnecessary burden that our military spouses face.”/ppShe is a href="http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/federal-bill-would-help-secure-licensing-for-relocating-military-spouses-video-20160708"sponsoring a federal bill that would require the Department of Defense/a to reimburse up to $500 for license fees and study ways to improve spouse employment rates./ppNationwide, the societal costs of military spouse unemployment and underemployment could total as much as $1.07 billion annually, according to the advocacy group Blue Star Families. The group also reported military spouses have higher unemployment compared to civilian peers./p
↧
Takedown of drug dealers reflects police cooperation in Massena, officials say
pMASSENA — Several agencies worked together to take down two criminal organizations that were dealing drugs in the Massena community, according to officials./ppAs a result, 17 people were convicted and sentenced, some to as many as 300 months in prison, and others to as little as time served (five days)./ppPatrick “Problem” Lloyd received the latest sentence on Thursday morning. Appearing before Senior U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe, he received 300 months in prison, followed by 120 months of supervised release for distributing crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin in the Massena area, and for possessing guns while distributing drugs./ppMr. Lloyd was the last of 17 defendants to be prosecuted and sentenced as a result of a long-term investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations, the Massena Police Department, the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and state police./pp“Today is a great day for Massena. Justice was served. I want to thank all of law enforcement who worked together to make this happen,” Massena Central School Superintendent Patrick H. Brady said Thursday night before the showing of “Chasing the Dragon,” a 45-minute documentary produced by the Department of Justice that showed the impact of drug abuse on individuals and families./pp“For us to be successful, it takes all of us working together,” Mr. Brady said./ppOthers who had been sentenced from Mr. Lloyd’s organization included Michael Spencer (180 months imprisonment, 60 months supervised release), Jon Garcia (49 months imprisonment, 36 months supervised release), Justin Brailsford (30 months imprisonment, 36 months supervised release), Zach Huto (time served — 12 months and 36 months supervised release), Ginelle Gardner (time served — six days and 36 months of supervised release), and Codi Burke (60 months imprisonment and 48 months supervised release)./ppAlso sentenced from Mr. Lloyd’s organization were Travis Moore (120 months imprisonment and 60 months supervised release), Jessica Monaghan (51 months imprisonment and 60 months supervised release), Leslie Moore (time served — 89 days and 60 months supervised release), Catherine Berry (time served — 21 months and 28 days, and 48 months supervised release), Kimberly Jandrew (18 months imprisonment and 60 months supervised release), and Bernie Russo (30 months imprisonment and 36 months supervised release)./ppWhile Mr. Lloyd’s organization was bringing drugs into the Massena area and selling them, another drug organization operated by Matthew Malu also operated in Massena, and the Lloyd and Malu organizations became “violent rivals,” according to officials. Four members of the Malu organization were also convicted and sentenced./ppMatthew Malu was sentenced to 63 months in prison and 48 months of supervised release, while Tremel Rosario received 65 months imprisonment and 48 months supervised release, Ian Hendricks received 24 months imprisonment and 24 months supervised release, and Star Perrin received time served — five days and 36 months supervised release./ppSpeaking at a Thursday afternoon news conference and later at the evening’s anti-drug presentation, both held in Massena, officials said the joint work by several organizations brought the two rival gangs down./ppAssisting in the investigation were the district attorneys of Clinton, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the New York Attorney General’s Office, the Oneida Indian Nation Police and U.S. Border Patrol./ppGrant C. Jaquith, first assistant U.S. attorney, credited the work of agencies at all levels who came together to stop the Lloyd and Malu organizations. He said that joint effort not only led to the appropriate penalties for those who were convicted, but also helped reduce the flow of heroin./ppMichael Kennedy, deputy special agent in charge at Homeland Security Investigations, said the arrests and convictions couldn’t have come without a collaborative effort from all the law enforcement agencies./ppMr. Kennedy said Homeland Security Investigations had launched the Border Enforcement Security Team in 2005, and the investigation was conducted through that organization. BEST, he said, brings together international law enforcement agencies./pp“BEST leverages the individual expertise and assets of international as well as HIS resources,” he said. “We are pleased to join our partners to announce the results of this investigation.”/ppBrooks J. Bigwarfe, St. Lawrence County undersheriff, said a melding together of all the organizations is important in the battle against drugs./pp“This is not a village of Massena problem. This is not a city of Ogdensburg problem. This is a St. Lawrence County problem,” he said./ppMassena Police Chief Adam Love recalled how former police chief and now Massena mayor, Timmy J. Currier, had said they wouldn’t be able to arrest their way out of the problem. But resources could be brought together like they were in this case to address the problem. Efforts also need to include other areas such as education, prevention, enforcement and support services./pp“It will take time, but we as a community are going to win this battle,” Chief Love said./ppMr. Currier said Thursday was a prime example of what could be accomplished when resources came together. Eighteen members of those organizations stood next to him as he addressed the crowd during Thursday’s news conference./ppBut it was more than just law enforcement coming together, according to the mayor. He said the Massena community also stepped up to help./pp“This community continues to be driven to work together to solve this problem,” he said./pp“Understand you all play a very important role,” Chief Love said./ppThat effort stretches into the school system, too, according to Cashlyn Jaggers, who was one of last year’s initiators of “Raiders Committed,” which encourages fellow students from the elementary up to the high school level to set the example for the rest of the student body. The effort was started after she and other students attended an informational camp in the summer of 2015 in Lake Placid, where they learned about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse./pp“When we got back, we decided to start something in Massena,” Ms. Jaggers said./ppThrough Raiders Committed, which she said wasn’t a club, but rather a lifestyle, their goal is to help students find more positive outlets instead of turning to negative outlets such as drug or alcohol abuse./p
↧
Ribbon cutting Sunday to celebrate Gouverneur’s new community center
pGOUVERNEUR — Residents in Gouverneur will gather Sunday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of the new community center./ppThe facility was finished this spring and events have already been held there, but Sunday’s event will celebrate completion of the facility, which cost an estimated $1.6 million./ppOrganized by the community center’s board of directors, the event runs from noon to 4 p.m. with the ribbon cutting scheduled for 1 p.m. at the center, in Riverside Park, 4673 Route 58. /ppLocal and state officials have been invited to speak and light refreshments will be served. /pp“This is a milestone. It’s something this community has needed for a long time and I think it’s going to serve the community well,” said Gouverneur Town Supervisor Robert R. Ritchie. /ppThe facility is a joint project launched by the town and village and funded mostly through grants and donations. /ppThe center was primarily funded by two Community Development Block Grants, one for $600,000 awarded to the village and one for $400,000 received by the town./ppThe 6,900-square-foot building houses a large community room with seating for 200, a lounge with a fireplace, a full kitchen and a multi-purpose media room that seats 48 people. /ppIt also has several smaller rooms that can be used for classrooms, office space or storage./ppIt can be rented out for catered events such as wedding receptions, auctions, bridal showers, banquets, reunions and other private functions./ppVillage Mayor Ronald P. McDougall said besides celebrating the community center, a few words will be spoken to mark the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks./ppAn announcement is also expected to be made about additional funding that may be forthcoming for the project, he said./pp“Although we want to remember 9/11 we also want to remember there are some positive things happening in the United States and here in Gouverneur,” Mr. McDougall said. “This is something that’s been in the works for three-plus decades.”/ppMr. Ritchie said several functions have been held at the community center including an orchestra performance, an auction held by the Gouverneur Rotary Club and some meetings by local civic organizations./p
↧
Local paragraphs
pn COPENHAGEN — The village of Copenhagen is asking its water customers to conserve water until further notice due to low levels in its wells./ppn EVANS MILLS — The village Planning Board has canceled its Wednesday meeting because board members had no business presented to them for consideration. /ppn LOWVILLE — A free residential household hazardous waste collection event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon today at the Lewis County transfer station, 7956 Route 26. For a list of items that will be accepted, visit www.NorthCountryRecycles.org or call 661-3234./p
↧
↧
Thousands ticketed in north country during impaired driving crackdown
pThousands of north country motorists were ticketed by state police from Aug. 19 to Sept. 5 during a statewide crackdown against impaired driving./ppTroop D, which covers Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego and five other counties, issued 4,185 tickets, including 73 for driving while intoxicated, 161 for distracted driving and 175 for child restraint issues./ppTroop B, which covers five counties including St. Lawrence County, reported 3,121 tickets issued, including 60 for driving while intoxicated, 54 for distracted driving and 174 for child restraint issues./pp“Our message is very simple: Drive sober, put on your seat belt and put down your smart phone,” said State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II, in a statement released by the governor’s office. “Making these smart choices each time you get behind the wheel will help avoid needless tragedies.”/p
↧
Correction
pn Due to a reporter’s error, Friday’s story about the Watertown Fire Department incorrectly listed the title of demoted captains. They are referred to as firefighters./ppn Due to reporter’s error, a story in Tuesday’s Times gave an incorrect name for the optician owner of Eyecrave Optics. Jody A. Shuler is the name of the owner. /p
↧
Food drive keeps 68 busy
pIt was a busy morning on Friday in the parking lot of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, which saw a steady stream of people with canned veggies and jars of peanut butter and jam in hand./ppThe United Way of Northern New York’s annual food drive ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church on Arsenal Street. Volunteers, flush from the afternoon heat, divided the donations evenly into rows for each of all 18 food pantries in Jefferson County and two from St. Lawrence County./pp“There’s a lot of need here and in the surrounding areas,” said Denise P. Brownell, who was happily working the event for the first time. /ppThe United Way often partners with local businesses and organizations to put on events including the food drive. Ms. Brownell is one of five volunteers from Watertown Savings Bank, which also donated a truckload of goods./ppA total of 68 volunteers came out to help. Tobi M. Darrah, campaign director for United Way of Northern New York, said the need is ever increasing, especially around the start of the school year. Summers can be tough on parents without the help of school-provided lunches for their children./pp“It really makes us feel good to see the community come together for the food drive,” said Ms. Darrah, “I love (the United Way) because I believe in it.”/ppAmong the largest food panties in the county is the one run by the Watertown Urban Mission, which feeds, on average more than 500 families per month. Food pantry Coordinator Anita D. Ciulo said she’s thankful for food drives for providing more variety in goods the agency can’t always stock. Drives also help fill gaps in grant funding in the summer./pp“I think the best part is the people coming together,” Mrs. Ciulo said. “It lets us know that our community is trying to help.”/p
↧
State police warn of phone scam claiming threat to loved ones
pState police said they are investigating multiple complaints of a telephone scam in which the caller threatens to harm a loved one if the recipient of the call does not send the caller money./ppTroopers said the scam involves unknown people calling a victim to say a loved one of the victim has been involved in a vehicle crash. The callers have reportedly demanded money be sent outside the United States, or else the loved one will be arrested./ppAmong the advice offered by troopers is to ask for details that a stranger would not know, such as the date of the loved one’s birth or the city the loved one was born in./ppPolice also said people receiving scam calls should report the incidents to their local law-enforcement departments./p
↧
↧
Tests of raccoon, skunk in Jefferson find rabies
pJefferson County Public Health reports that two animals, a raccoon and a skunk, have tested positive for rabies in Jefferson County. /ppThe raccoon was found near the town of Henderson, while the skunk was found in Watertown near Gotham Street. Two dogs exposed to the skunk are believed to be the only exposure cases. Both dogs are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations and are free of the disease, according to Stephen A. Jennings, public information officer for Jefferson County Public Health./pp“It really underscores the need to make sure pets are vaccinated,” said Mr. Jennings. “Folks need to be vigilant with their children and to not approach wild animals. Animals with the disease can look rabid, but they can also be very calm.”/ppThere have been 23 reported cases of rabies in the county this year. Early treatment can prevent rabies in pets and people, but symptoms may take several weeks or months to appear./p
↧
New commercial kitchen celebrated at St. Lawrence County’s Cornell Cooperative Extension farm
pCANTON — The new commercial-sized kitchen at Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County’s farm was touted Friday as a modern facility that can help boost the region’s economy by spurring development of value-added food products./ppMore than 50 people gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new demonstration and teaching kitchen that’s equipped with specialized processing equipment such as dehydrators, vegetable processors, large stoves, a flash freezer and many other devices./ppThe mood was festive as officials, extension staff and others listened to remarks, ate cinnamon rolls and fruit and then toured the new 750-square-foot facility adjacent to the extension’s main classroom. /ppThe occasion was also used to dedicate the kitchen to Anita R. Figueras, a Russell resident who served as the agency’s personnel and financial manager from 2001 to 2014 before retiring. She was credited with her dedication to the agency and her hard work which helped make the facility possible./pp“I’m filled with joy every time I visit and see the continuous changes,” Ms. Figueras said. “Long may this kitchen be a valuable resource, serving extension and community programs and long may this association survive and thrive.”/ppPatrick T. Ames, the extension’s executive director, said for years the agency has lacked the platform to teach valuable skills such as farm food safety planning, certification and best practices approach for value-added production./pp“We couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome when we conceptualized this three years ago. It’s just incredible,” Mr. Ames said. “This kitchen is going to impact and touch every one of our extension programs, whether it’s 4-H youth development, nutrition or whether it’s agriculture.”/ppHe announced that the extension’s volunteer board of directors has decided to create a local food coordinator position in the agency’s 2017 budget. The person hired will oversee the kitchen and assist users in obtaining required permits from state agencies./ppThe kitchen will also be a teaching facility for area high school seniors enrolled in the new North Country Agriculture Academy that opened last week in cooperation with St. Lawrence-Lewis Board of Cooperative Extension Services. College students enrolled in St. Lawrence University’s sustainability semester will also use the kitchen. /ppThe kitchen will also be rented out to local producers looking for a place to develop value-added food products, so that it can be more marketable for sale to colleges and other institutions. /pp“When you see this, you’ll realize this is not a church basement kitchen. This has very specialized equipment in it so they can bring value to their product,” Mr. Ames said./ppState Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, said many farmers across the state are looking to grow their businesses by creating value-added products but don’t have the resources to invest in costly equipment themselves. The commercial kitchen provides a facility for producers to try out their ideas. /pp“St. Lawrence County is really at the cutting edge with this kitchen,” Mrs. Ritchie said. “This is something I think can be duplicated across the state.”/ppState Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said, “The kitchen really embodies a lot of the pieces of the puzzle coming together very quickly to really impact the north country economy all with a big punch. Everything we need to grow our economy and jobs here we really have here in the north country. We just have to put everything in place.”/ppCounty Administrator Ruth A. Doyle and Jerry Manor, president of the extension’s board of directors, also spoke./ppFunding for the $136,400 kitchen and equipment was provided by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant, the New York State Workforce Development Institute and the Sweetgrass Foundation./p
↧
Edwards boy charged with sexual misconduct
pSTAR LAKE — State police on Sept. 1 charged an 11-year-old Edwards boy with misdemeanor sexual misconduct./ppTroopers charge that about Aug. 27, in the Star Lake area, the child had inappropriate sexual contact with a 9-year-old female./ppThe boy was issued a ticket returnable to St. Lawrence County Family Court./p
↧
Canton man charged with criminal mischief, arson
pCANTON — State police on Tuesday charged William P. Simmons, 28, of 1335 Northwoods Road, with felony third-degree criminal mischief and the misdemeanors of fifth-degree arson and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was also cited with second-degree harassment./ppTroopers charge that about 4 p.m. on Sept. 6, at his residence, Mr. Simmons was engaged in a domestic dispute with a 31-year-old female in the presence of three children ages 10, 8, and 6, when he set fire to documents belonging to the children and woman. Mr. Simmons then kicked a car belonging to the victim, which broke the passenger side mirror and pushed a door into the woman, causing a broom hanger to strike her left bicep. /ppMr. Simmons was arraigned in Canton Town Court by Justice James L. Monroe and was released under probation supervision./p
↧
↧
Ogdensburg man charged with having stolen piggy bank
pOGDNENSBURG — State police on Tuesday charged Nathan A. Angel, 21, of 1005 South Water St., with misdemeanor fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property./ppTroopers charge that about 4:01 p.m. on Aug. 8 Mr. Angel was in possession of a piggy bank belonging to the 28-year-old male complainant of Ogdensburg. /ppMr. Angel was arraigned in Ogdensburg City Court by Judge William Small and was released under probation supervision./p
↧
Deer River couple charged with murder, manslaughter over child’s death
pLOWVILLE — A Deer River couple were arraigned Friday in Lewis County Court on murder and manslaughter charges in connection with the death of a 3-year-old Deer River girl in July./ppDerrick W. McDermid, 21, of 10492 East Road, is facing charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child, while his live-in girlfriend, Shelby Poore-McIntosh, 23, East Road, is facing charges of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a child./ppThe charges, included in a seven-page indictment handed down Friday morning, stem from the July 12 death of Kyralea K. Poore-McIntosh, Shelby’s daughter./pp“This is not an accident,” Lewis County District Attorney Leanne K. Moser said during a press conference Friday morning in the county legislative chambers. “This was an act.”/ppBoth defendants pleaded not guilty, and Judge Daniel R. King sent both back to Lewis County Jail, with bail set at $150,000 cash or $250,000 bond for McDermid and $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond for Poore-McIntosh./ppMcDermid is to appear in court next on Dec. 2, with a trial tentatively set for Feb. 6, while Poore-McIntosh is to reappear Sept. 23./ppAccording to the indictment, McDermid repeatedly struck the child on the head, face and body, stomped on her leg and slammed her head into walls, causing a cut lip, a broken tibia and sub-acute brain injury. This “course of physical contact” took place from May 1 through July 12, the indictment says. /ppOn July 12, he allegedly hit her in the head “with blunt force trauma causing a brain injury which resulted in her death.” McDermid was initially arrested on a second-degree assault charge a couple of days later./ppHe was additionally accused, in alleged incidents between July 2 and 7, of throwing the girl across the back seat of a car, causing her to hit her head on the opposite door and suffer contusions and brain injury. Meanwhile, Poore-McIntosh was accused of failing to prevent the alleged fatal assault by her boyfriend on July 12, refusing to seek medical attention, covering up the manner in which her daughter was assaulted and knowingly allowing the prior alleged mistreatment./ppAt the conference following the County Court arraignments, Ms. Moser, flanked by members of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and state police, thanked members of the two police agencies for their work in jointly investigating the case. “Any time a young individual is involved, it is certainly difficult for everyone involved,” she said./ppMs. Moser also acknowledged members of Lewis County Search and Rescue and Carthage Area Rescue Squad for their work in caring for Kyralea, who died from her injuries at Carthage Area Hospital, and the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s office for its study and reports./ppMs. Moser said investigators “learned a lot initially” but needed to wait for the more detailed medical findings before lodging the more serious charges against the couple. /pp“We don’t rush to judgment,” she said. “We don’t rush to decisions. That takes some time.”/ppThe district attorney declined to discuss further specifics in the case, including whether the county Department of Social Services had been involved with the couple prior to the child’s death, stating that all charges remain just accusations and “everyone is entitled to a fair trial.”/ppDuring McDermid’s arraignment, his attorney, Gary W. Miles, requested time to review the indictment, calling it “very complicated” and saying McDermid was being accused of “every kind of homicide on the books.”/ppHe also said that due to all the details it may be difficult to be ready for a February trial; Judge King said the Feb. 6 date would stand, “subject to request for adjournment.”/p
↧
LaFargeville man charged with DWI after driving into a ditch
pLAFARGEVILLE — State police charged Michael D. Rainville, 66, of 30724 state Route 180, LaFargeville, with driving while intoxicated at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday along state Route 180. /ppPolice said Mr. Rainville lost control of his vehicle and slid off the road into in a ditch. They said he had a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 percent; state law defines intoxication as at least 0.08 percent./ppMr. Rainville was given an appearance ticket to town court. /p
↧
