POTSDAM — St. Lawrence County sheriff’s deputies on Monday charged Timothy M. James, 39, of 1 Bernard Ave., Norwood , with felony third-degree grand larceny.
Deputies charge that on May 17, at the Norwood Volunteer Fire Department, located at 2 Bernard Ave., Mr. James, while a member of the department, sold property belonging to the department valued at $3,200 to a local business.
Mr. James was arraigned in Norfolk Town Court and was released under probation supervision.
WATERTOWN — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has charged a Glen Park man for allegedly punching an autistic 22-year-old in the village of Glen Park on June 13.
Joseph A. Brown, 21, has been charged with second-degree harassment and was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Town of Brownville Court.
Cody W. Searchfield, who lives in Glen Park with his mother, Lisa A. Searchfield, was out walking on June 13 in front of Suburban Propane, 23191 White Road, sometime between 5:30 and 9 p.m. when he was allegedly punched and knocked by Mr. Brown. He suffered cuts and bruises to his face and head.
Community members later rallied in support of Mr. Searchfield, with locals organizing a “Walk with Cody” event June 16 in Watertown.
CONSTABLEVILLE — The village has revised its all-terrain vehicle law to accommodate the loss of a participating landowner, leaving the status of a nearly four-year-old challenge to the prior law in question.
“We had to reopen it in another form,” Mayor Robert Greene said, noting a farmer was changing his operation and no longer wished to have a trail on his property.
Village trustees recently rescinded the April 2013 law that opened 0.6 of a mile of James and High streets to ATVs and adopted a new law opening 0.8 of a mile of the two streets, and signs are now up showing the new route.
Riders from the Nice N Easy and Alpine Restaurant had been directed to ride from the Alpine parking lot across Route 26 to a short trail on the Miller property that led to James Street, which then runs into High Street and then Crofoot Hill Road.
With the Miller property removed earlier this year, the new law instead directs riders to exit the Alpine from its side parking lot onto James Street, then cross the intersection at Route 26.
The new law states it provides ATV access to several specific stops along the village streets — Markham’s Automotive, the village band stand and park, Blue Silos Bed and Breakfast — and ultimately connects to an off-road trail on the Todd Daniel and Brian Mueller property off Crofoot Hill Road.
Mr. Greene said the village worked with the Highmarket Wheelers ATV Club and Lewis County trails department to revamp the law, went through needed environmental review and held a public hearing, at which nobody spoke in opposition.
After the 2013 law was passed, village resident Bernadette M. DeSantis and long-time all-terrain vehicle detractor Bruce R. Krug, who lives 1.5 miles outside the village, filed a legal challenge in state Supreme Court. Judge Charles C. Merrell ruled that Mrs. DeSantis, a past village trustee, had legal standing to seek nullification of the law but Mr. Krug did not.
Little has since happened in the case, filed “pro se,” meaning Mrs. DeSantis would represent herself in court. However, since that time, Kevin M. McArdle retired as principal law clerk to Judge Merrell and now serves as village attorney for Constableville, while former village attorney Steven A. Smith is now clerk for Judge Merrell.
Mr. Krug said the case was recently transferred to Jefferson County Surrogate’s Court Judge Peter A. Schwerzmann, serving as an acting Supreme Court justice, due to the conflict and a conference has been scheduled in a few weeks.
However, with the village rescinding the 2013 law, Mrs. DeSantis’ lawsuit could end up being dismissed unless it may be altered to seek annulment of the new law.
The mayor said he was uncertain where things stand but is to discuss it with his attorney in the near future.
Mr. Krug said his and Mrs. DeSantis’ original concerns remain with the new ATV law.
“If anything, it falls farther short of being legal as far as the DMV standpoint than the old law,” he said.
Municipalities may open roads to ATVs “when in the determination of the governmental agency concerned, it is otherwise impossible for ATVs to gain access to areas or trails adjacent to the highway,” according to state law.
A 2005 informal opinion from the state attorney general’s office to Lewis County said roads should not be opened to ATVs simply to connect with other roads or commercial parking lots. However, they may be opened to connect actual trails or other riding areas.
Mr. Krug contended the law allows ATV traffic from “street to street and road to road for miles” and it is not impossible to get to the two businesses, as ATVs could be taken there by trailer.
OGDENSBURG — A trio of downstate residents face felony drug charges following a U.S. Border Patrol stop in the city of Ogdensburg that allegedly uncovered more than a pound of marijuana sealed in plastic bags.
The arrest took place Monday at approximately 1:45 a.m., according to a press release from Ogdensburg Police, who were also involved in the arrest.
The vehicle was being operated by Nicholas J. Carusone, age 21, of Parish, according to the city police statement. Two others who were in the vehicle at the time of the stop were Meghan N. Abold, 25, of West Monroe, and Jordan M. Perkins, 23, of Fulton.
A Border Patrol drug dog was used during a search of the vehicle and alerted authorities to the potential presence of a controlled substance. As a result, police said they found a sizeable quantity of marijuana that was packed inside a pair of large plastic bags.
“While investigating, patrols discovered two gallon-sized Ziploc bags containing marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle and weighed over one pound,” Ogdensburg Police said in a statement.
All three of the occupants were charged with one count each of second-degree criminal possession of marijuana, a class D felony.
In addition, Ms. Abold was charged with seventh degree possession of marijuana, a class A misdemeanor.
The three were arraigned in Ogdensburg City Court before Judge William R. Small and released to the supervision of probation.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating multiple incidents involving the unauthorized use of debit card information and is requesting assistance from the public in identifying the individuals in the above photos.
Anyone able to assist in the investigation is advised to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 315-786-2676 or send a private message to the office’s Facebook page. Tips can be kept confidential.
WATERTOWN — Two additional people have been charged in connection to the shooting death in of Tyler Johnson in May.
State police on Tuesday said they charged Taylor I. Beckstead, 20, formerly of 1620 Huntington St., apt. K8, Watertown, and Devin Hunter Davis, 22, of 238 Lakeview Drive, Colonial Beach, Va., with second-degree murder.
Troopers said they have worked with multiple departments in Virginia throughout their investigation and received support from the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department, the King George County Sheriff’s Department, and the Virginia State Police.
Once located, warrants were issued for Beckstead and Davis in Pamelia Town Court, which were filed with the Westmoreland department, located about 60 miles north of Richmond, Va., where they were being held as fugitives of justice.
The pair will be returned to Jefferson County for arraignment, pending extradition from Virginia. If the pair do not waive their extradition rights and contest it, a hearing would be held to force them to be brought back to Pamelia to face the charges. That process would take a few weeks.
Troopers said their investigation into the shooting remains active.
Those with information are asked to contact state police at 315-366-6000 and make reference to the Tyler Johnson Homicide Detail.
Others charged in connection to the shooting are Jamaal K. Carr, of Watertown, and Sammy L. Brown, of Philadelphia.
On July 17, 2017, State Police in Watertown arrested Taylor I. Beckstead, age 20, formerly of 1620 Huntington St, apt K8, Watertown, NY, and Devin Hunter Davis, age 22, of 238 Lakeview Drive, Colonial Beach, Virginia. Both were charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree. This arrest stems from the shooting death of Tyler Johnson that occurred on May 18, 2017, in the Town of Pamelia, Jefferson County, New York.
Since the onset of this investigation, State Police have been supported by law enforcement agencies in the Colonial Beach, Virginia area, to include the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department, the King George County Sheriff’s Department, and the Virginia State Police. The cumulative effort and support of these agencies resulted in today’s arrest.
After Beckstead and Davis were located, arrest warrants from Justice Anthony J. Casselman, Town of Pamelia Court, Jefferson County, were filed with the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department, where both Beckstead and Davis are being held as fugitives from justice, pending their respective extradition proceedings. Beckstead and Davis will be returned to Jefferson County to be arraigned on these charges at a later date.
This remains an active investigation. Any person that desires to provide additional information is asked to contact the New York State Police at 315-366-6000, and make reference to the Tyler Johnson Homicide Detail.
WATERTOWN — The city is in negotiations to purchase more than 60 acres of the Watertown Golf Club in Thompson Park.
The golf club currently owns nine of the holes of the golf course at Thompson Park and leases the remaining holes from the city.
If the deal proceeds, the city would acquire the remaining portion of golf course, while the Watertown Golf Club would continue to operate the facility as “a franchisee,” according to a press release.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect the Olmstead legacy of Thompson Park,” according to the press release. “The expansion of park land will ensure future generations are able to enjoy the park without the encroachment of other development.”
The Olmstead company, the same firm that designed Central Park, designed the historic park during the early 1900s.
City Council members discussed the proposed deal during executive session on Monday night. Several city officials declined to comment earlier in the day when asked about the city possibly being involved in a land deal.
The city would acquire more than 60 acres, which would include holes one to six and 16 to 18.
City Councilman Stephen A. Jennings said the deal has been in the works for a few months and came up during this spring’s budget deliberations.
“The issue, as far as I’m concerned, is that Thompson Park would stay whole,” he said Tuesday, stressing that the acquisition would protect from someone else purchasing the golf club’s property.
The gold club has leased the 66 acres — holes seven through 15 — from the city since it expanded from nine to 18 holes in the early 1960s.
Mayor Joseph M. Butler Jr.’s father Joseph M. Butler Sr. serves on Watertown Golf Club’s board and is one of its principal stockholders. Mayor Butler has decided to recuse himself from any part of the negotiations, Councilman Jennings said.
Mayor Butler and City Manager Sharon A. Addison could not be reached for comment.
WATERTOWN — The following students have been named to the dean’s list at Jefferson Community College for the spring semester:
Adams
Trisha Mae Ackerman
Cheyenne M. Dukes
Jason Matthew Eggleston
Laryssa Ann Fowler
Liam Carl Mallan
Kayla M. O’Riley
Adams Center
Timothy Andrew Bodah
Marisa Christin Violet Clark
Kierstynn Renee Heasley
Cierra Rose Lucas
Logan Daniel Rogers
Chandler Telego
Jade Olina Young
Alexandria Bay
Molly Katherine Aznoe
Altmar
Karigan Ann Shawcross
Black River
Jillian Rose Bendle
Courtney Grace Benson
Hunter Caleb Birchenough
Meaghen Catlin
Shannon Marie Messier
Brooke Lynne Reustle
Boonville
Heather Marie Hayes
Brownville
John Milton Buzyniski
Kennady Diantha Eager
Adam Michael Haley
Haley Helen Saiff
Allison Lee Tyo
Calcium
Kandice Marie Gregory
Brooke Simeon Minnick
Joan E. Peck
Freshta Sharifi
Cape Vincent
Kali Eyles
Aaron Edward Richardson
Carthage
Yisely Dominguez
Kyle Eavin Michael Drew
Sarah Margaret Fowler
Patrick Scott Jenkins
Ashlynn Paige Kelley
David Lee Kitzelman
Graham Vincent Miller
Michael Jeffrey Nevills
Seraphine Ange Nga Belinga
Stephen Howard Rose
Joshua James Sanders
Andres J.R. Velazquez
Darci L. Weaver
Tanner Ray Wilson
Tameka Shante Woodward
Castorland
Theresa Marie McLear
Calla A. Morrison
Heidi Moshier
Katherine Helen Russell
Chaumont
Noah Matthew Crandall
Hannah Mackenzie Smithers
Candy May Snyder
Clayton
Jennifer Marie Brown
Anna Kathryn Coene
Amber Leighanne Dibble
Kia Maria Morgia-Horning
Colton Dennis Spies
Copenhagen
Nathaniel G. Aubin
Nicole Noel Tanner
Cranberry Lake
Cory Edward Trembley
Croghan
Dylan Thomas Updike
Depauville
Leah C. Gilchrist
Dexter
Megan Elizabeth Biggs
Jillian Rose Cavellier
Derek Michael Evans
Lorri Ann Evans
Melissa Sue Hall
Jeremy Nathaniel Machia
Amanda Nicole Mullins
Nicole Marie Rowe
Tonya Marie Schmitte
Emily Lucille Thomas
Kennedy Alexis Thruston
Stephen A. Wilson
Evans Mills
Brighton Allen Bernard
Savannah Cannon-Sablan
Corey Andrew Grill
Nicholas O. Perkins
James Porter Shaw III
Erik Joe Stevens
Kendall Brianne Sutera
Alexander Justin Wiseman
Fishers Landing
Joanne B. Goldkopf
Fort Drum
Franzel Abratique Arive
Susan Elizabeth Baker
Jason Dassa Barajas
Zaina Barrera
Staicey Mary Bou
Jaimielynn Boone Braden
Caleb Andrew Colton
Marcos Cruz
Courtnee Nicol Denton
Rochelle D. Douglas
Travis L. Froehlich
Efua Akyinba Ghanney
Andrew William Johnson
Helen Ethel Cecelia Miskovsky
Amber Noel Nix
Hector Perez
John C. Rodriguez
Tea Smith
Joel Desjesus Vasquez
Glen Park
Anthony Joseph DiStefano
Glenfield
Debra Jolene Plemons
Gouverneur
Rebecca Edith Dixson
Cailey Grace Roberts
Nikolaus A. Simione
Greig
Kelly Marie Fox
Hammond
Courtney Elizabeth Bova
Harrisville
David Michael Huston
Tori Lynn LaParr
Kimberly Marie Meilleur
Savana Logan Salisbury
Henderson
Noah Floyd Harold Chapman
Mersadies Layne Morris
Hermon
Nathan Jeffrey McCoy
La Fargeville
Kacy Lou Appleton
Taylor Christina Davis
June Lucille Desormeau
William Andre Foisy
Del Jesse Rodriguez III
Michaela B. Ross
Breanna Leigh Winkel
Lowville
Jonathan Ralph Bush
Ian Patrick Collins
Matthew Thomas Fayle
Hannah Elysabeth Gebo
Jason A. Gould
Paul Alexander Jennings
Laura Beth Little
Sarah Gabrielle Nellenback
Brian J. O’Connor
Clara Bawn Schaab
Ashley Ann Stocking
Michael Scott Sundquist
Whitney Logan Waugh
Paeton Elizabeth White
Erika Sayuri Wilson
Lyons Falls
McKayla Rose West
Mannsville
Jordan A. Lashway
Martinsburg
Shania M. Pierce
Natural Bridge
Leisel Ann Gunderson
Zoe Jane Kitiara Offley
Norwood
Joshua Wesley Cook
William W. Jackson
Ogdensburg
Rowena M. Casciaro
Philadelphia
Kenneth Brennan
Kortni Elizabeth Derouin
Haley M. Prudhomme
Darcie J. Twomey
Vasilios Valtadoros
Plessis
Carissa Ann Purtell
Cassandra Jon Purtell
Pulaski
Natalie Brook Marquez
Redwood
Hunter Barbara Beach
Jordan E. Felicia
Maurice Daniel Gionet IV
Talon James Parker
Emily Leann Thomas
Harley E. Wood
Richland
Kristy Lynne Lavere
Rodman
Cheri Ann Backus
Heather Christine Petrie
Sara Bernice Pignone
Alec Andre Yepez
Sackets Harbor
Brenda L. Bockus
Erin E. David
Emily Morgan Haynes
Alec Scott Myers
Theresa
Sidney Layne Bartlett
Chelsea Marie Broughton
Tiffanie Eppolito
Theresa Jane Henault
Ryan Wesley Loar
Jessica Roach
Three Mile Bay
Tiffany Marie Randall
Watertown
Kikelomo Beatrice Adenekan
Alicia Nicole Albro
Marc L. Augliano
Kali Ann Becker
Aubrey Anne Bieniek
Isabella Kaye Bleau
Angel Marie Bridge
Joel Patrick Carbone
Nico Chiappone
Victoria A. Ciarfella
Amy Marie Clarke
Allison Constance
Jodi Anne Countryman
Louise Cathryn Sibug Cruz
Jessica Cushenberry
Chloe Elizabeth Davis
Michael Bogdan Day
Madison May Draper
Roman Ruiz Espinoza
Morgan Exford
Nathan Brian Freeman
Lee Walter Frostad
Cynthia Liz Fultz Martinez
Thomas J. Gerstenschlager
Roman E. Hall
Steven Robert Hatchell II
Caroline Olivia Hefferon
Morgan Mae Howard
Elizabeth Lee Hulbert
Melinda Kampnich
Bronislava Komar
Rayanne Gentile Kuhner
Andrea Marie Lettiere
Katelyn Marcy Leveto
Tiffanny Lynn Lutzen
Angela Marie Makuch
Joshua Phillip Manson
Torrie A. Marino
Jacob Tyler McConahay
Logan Marie Miller
Ethan P. Mitchell
Michael Ryan Montgomery
Danielle Rae Morrow
Curtis Lamont Mosely
Eric Daniel Mullin
Tobias David Noll
Hannah Marie Peters
Christopher Michael Petty
Emily N. Plante
Julia Ashley Pomeroy
Karolyne Ramos
Aisha Rapant
Casey R. Rogers
Arthur Thomas Salisbury
Derek Saucedo
Christian Lee Seymour
Priscilla Ann Smith
Anna Katharina Stacy
David Joseph Talbot
Defrance Lavette Taper
Vanessa Marie Teamoh
Rebekah Michelle Townsend
Amber Dianne Walston
Matthew Chase Ward
Julian F. Warren
Abigail Rachel Widrick da Silva
LOUISVILLE — St. Lawrence County sheriff’s deputies on Tuesday charged a 16-year-old male with second-degree criminal mischief.
Deputies charge that some time during the month of May in the town, the teen shot out windows of a camp with the use of a pellet gun.
The teen was arraigned in Louisville Town Court and is scheduled to appear at a later date. An order of protection was issued in favor of the camp owners.
WATERTOWN — The city is in negotiations to purchase more than 60 acres of the Watertown Golf Club at Thompson Park.
The golf club currently owns nine holes of the golf course at the city-owned park and leases the remaining holes from the city.
Consultant David L. Mosher, who owns a financial management company, said Tuesday he was brought in by the golf club’s board about a year ago to assist with its business issues. The board also has asked Mr. Mosher to act as its spokesman during the negotiations.
“We’ve agreed to negotiate with the city,” he said. “There’s not much else I can say at this point.”
If the deal proceeds, the city would acquire the remaining portion of the public golf course, while the Watertown Golf Club would continue to operate the facility as “a franchisee,” according to a news release.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect the Olmsted legacy of Thompson Park,” according to the press release. “The expansion of park land will ensure future generations are able to enjoy the park without the encroachment of other development.”
The Olmsted company, the same firm that designed Central Park, mapped out the historic Watertown park during the early 1900s. It is named for park designer Frederick Law Olmsted.
City Council members discussed the proposed deal during an executive session on Monday night.
The city would acquire more than 60 acres, which would include holes one through six and 16 to 18 and is adjacent to Thompson Park. It’s not clear on Tuesday night how much the city would pay for the club’s portion of the golf course, which is assessed at $239,000.
City Councilman Stephen A. Jennings said the deal has been in the works for a few months and came up during this spring’s budget deliberations.
“The issue, as far as I’m concerned, is that Thompson Park would stay whole,” he said Tuesday, stressing that the acquisition would protect the golf club’s property from purchase by someone else.
But P.J. Simao, who owns the other golf club in the city, has major problems with the deal, saying he had interest in purchasing the public golf course about a year ago but the city asked him to back off from a potential deal.
Mr. Simao, who owns Ives Hill Country Club, questioned the ethics of the city buying out the Watertown Golf Course, then turning around and leasing the facility back to the same group of people.
“The city should not be in the business of bailing out a business,” he said, adding that he was told the golf club was going to close if the city acquired it.
“I can’t compete with government,” he added.
Mr. Simao insisted he has no problem with the city wanting to preserve Thompson Park from development, but it should stay out of trying to save a business.
The golf club has leased the 66 acres — holes seven through 15 — from the city since it expanded from nine to 18 holes in the early 1960s. In 2006, the city and the club extended the original lease through 2029, with the club making annual payments starting at $8,668 until 2014 and gradually increasing to $10,768 during the last four years of the agreement.
Mayor Joseph M. Butler Jr.’s father Joseph M. Butler Sr. serves as Watertown Golf Club’s board president and is one of its principal stockholders. Mayor Butler has decided to “appropriately” recuse himself from any part of the negotiations, Councilman Jennings said.
“I have not been involved in the negotiations and can’t discuss it,” Mayor Butler said. “Obviously, there’s a conflict of interest and I can’t discuss it.”
Mr. Mosher also declined to discuss the golf club’s current membership levels, whether its board approached the city with the deal, why it is being proposed now and anything about its history, saying it “would not be appropriate to discuss.”
In 2013, golf club officials said the club had about 215 members and its board was made up of about 30 stockholders. Formed in 1926, the club built and owns the clubhouse, pro shop and maintenance building.
City Manager Sharon A. Addison could not be reached for comment.
Council members have scheduled to meet again on Wednesday to discuss the proposal. The adjourned meeting will begin at 5 p.m.
OGDENSBURG — A trio of downstate residents face felony drug charges following a U.S. Border Patrol stop in the city of Ogdensburg that allegedly uncovered more than a pound of marijuana sealed in plastic bags.
The arrest took place Monday at approximately 1:45 a.m., according to a press release from Ogdensburg Police, who were also involved in the arrest.
The vehicle was being operated by Nicholas J. Carusone, 21, of Parish, according to the city police statement. Two others who were in the vehicle at the time of the stop were Meghan N. Abold, 25, of West Monroe, and Jordan M. Perkins, 23, of Fulton.
A Border Patrol drug dog was used during a search of the vehicle and alerted authorities to the potential presence of a controlled substance. As a result, police said they found a sizeable quantity of marijuana that was packed inside a pair of large plastic bags.
“While investigating, patrols discovered two gallon-sized Ziploc bags containing marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle and weighed over one pound,” Ogdensburg Police said in a statement.
All three of the occupants were charged with one count each of second-degree criminal possession of marijuana, a class D felony.
In addition, Ms. Abold was charged with seventh-degree possession of marijuana, a class A misdemeanor.
The three were arraigned in Ogdensburg City Court before Judge William R. Small and released to the supervision of probation.
POTSDAM — The play area that Rosemaria Rivezzi had planned to build in honor of her mother-in-law Kathryn I. Trithart at Ives Park could be in the building stage soon.
Ms. Rivezzi was at the Village Board meeting Monday to describe her newest plan for the nature-inspired play area.
Originally, Ms. Rivezzi had planned to have four play areas spread across the park.
Now, the play areas will be all in one place at the most southern part of the park.
“I think we are at a place where we can start with this,” she told trustees, while passing around an architect’s diagram of the plan.
The center of the play area will consist of a 6-foot-high mound that will be accessed by stone steps, a rope ladder and a climbing wall.
Around the mound will be other nature-based structures such as balance beams, stepping stumps and monkey bars.
The first step will be to construct the mound and place a culvert that will be used as a tunnel. Once the mound is constructed, there will be a period of time to wait while it settles and sod is allowed to establish.
The mound will be built by Sheehan Construction, Potsdam.
Then weather and volunteer time will have a large factor in a finishing date.
Work will likely begin to dig holes for in-ground features such as the balance beams, and stepping stumps in the fall. If weather cooperates, the play area could see its first use in the early spring.
Monkey bars are the one new feature that has been added to the project.
“They are made from cedar logs that have metal bars that kids can swing from,” Ms. Rivezzi said.
The money that Ms. Rivezzi has provided for the play area is limited to the play area, but there are plans for extras if additional funding or donations can be found.
Additions could include signage, a forged metal entrance portal and bike racks.
Still needed for current plans include a source for cedar logs more than 4 feet long and about 15 stones that have a height of about 6 to 8 inches.
A question about maintenance from Trustee Abigail Lee brought the assurance from Ms. Rivezzi that a budget item already exists for playgrounds in the joint recreation committee budget and should be adequate to maintain this play area.
People who want to donate to the project can send checks made out to Northern NY Community Foundation to the Foundation at 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY, 13601.
Ives Park Play Space should be written in the memo line. Donors will receive an acknowledgement to be used for tax purposes.
MASSENA — The Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce is hosting a new event today that’s designed to get local business owners mingling with each other.
The first “Cocktails and Cards” networking event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Coach’s Corner, 191 Park Ave., Massena.
Chamber Events Coordinator Lindsey Breitbeck said this is the first of the networking opportunities that will be held monthly.
“In an effort to drive membership and better serve our current members, we’re hosting a monthly event. We’re calling it Cocktails and Cards. We’re basically just providing a location and an area for local business members in the community to come in and discuss their business,” she said.
Ms. Breitbeck said the event is “very casual.”
“People can just come and relax and talk about things,” she said.
All that’s required is to show up and bring plenty of business cards to share with others.
“Show up with your business cards and be ready to mingle,” Ms. Breitbeck said.
Hors d’oeuvres will be served courtesy of Coach’s Corner, and a cash bar will also be available.
Admission is $3 for members and $5 for non-members.
“That also takes care of the door prize that we’ll be raffling off at the end,” Ms. Breitbeck said.
For more information, call the chamber at 315-769-3525.
MASSENA — Massena’s town supervisor officially announced on Tuesday that he’ll seek another term.
Joseph D. Gray made the announcement via a Facebook page, “Re-Elect Joe Gray Massena Town Supervisor.”
“My second term as Massena Town Supervisor will end Dec. 31, 2017. I am seeking a third term and hope to be on the Republican line of the November election ballot,” he wrote.
He was last re-elected in November 2013 when he ran unopposed, and he’ll be asking for support again when the Massena Republican Party holds its caucus this year.
“I’m enjoying the job. I think there are some interesting things coming down the pike,” he said during an interview.
Among them are the redevelopment of the former General Motors site, where cleanup is expected to be completed in 2018. Mr. Gray said he’s also hopeful there will be significant improvements at the St. Lawrence Centre mall under new ownership.
“Just ways to diversify our economy and get stronger is a challenge,” he said.
Mr. Gray said he chose this week to make his announcement because it coincides with the Bassmaster Elite fishing tournament being held from Thursday to Sunday in Waddington.
“The Bassmaster Elite is here because of an effort that started in the supervisor’s office in 2010,” he said.
He said two meetings were held in February 2010 to talk about how Massena could capitalize on its resources. Mr. Gray recalled that, on a stormy winter night, 35 to 40 people were at the Massena Town Hall to give their input. Among them was Donald Meissner, who now serves as the town’s sport fishing promotion director.
Mr. Gray said another key player in FISHCAP’s birth was then-St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Patricia McKeown. With financial support from the town of Massena and others, they were able to bring Mr. Meissner in to be part of the effort.
“Pat and I were able to raise over a quarter-million dollars over three years to support it,” he said.
Mr. Gray said Mr. Meissner was the key to bringing the Bassmaster tournament to Waddington, by inviting representatives from Bassmasters up to scout out locations in Ogdensburg, Massena and Waddington.
“He had the connections,” he said. “Don Meissner brought people here that had connections to Bassmaster. Don Meissner is here because of the meeting in the supervisor’s office in 2010. It was something that I thought we could capitalize on.”
Mr. Gray said they also needed to look at other initiatives besides fishing, something he would do with another term in office.
He plans to list on his Facebook page areas where there has been significant progress in the town, such as improvements to the town’s infrastructure, the transition to a new cultural center and museum, and a high level of support for the Massena Public Library.
He pointed to his background as one of the reasons why he was the person for the job, including nearly 12 years working with the New York state Senate and time with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.
“I learned a lot about how government works in Washington and in Albany,” Mr. Gray said.
He said he’d also like to remain in the position to provide continuity in other areas like the transfer of Massena Memorial Hospital from a municipal facility to a nonprofit.
“The hospital is an interesting challenge. That transition will be complete hopefully in the next six to 12 months. We need to have some continuity,” Mr. Gray said. “I don’t plan to be here forever. I expect it will be my last term if I’m reelected. It will be up to the voters to decide if I deserve to be here for another term.”
POTSDAM — The village had planned to spend $60,000 to do spot repair work to the Clarkson Water tower to stave off a bigger complete rehabilitation of the structure. Monday the board learned that the cost will be closer to $94,000 and not include all the work originally planned.
Development Authority of the North Country Project Engineer Manasseh Burt told the board Monday that the previous estimate was based on a three-year-old inspection.
When Atlanta Testing Laboratories, the firm that will do the inspection of the painting, and Global Contracting, the firm that will do the painting got on the tank last week to investigate the tank’s condition, they found that the damage had gotten worse.
“The original contract called for 640 square feet of work that needed to be done,” Mr. Burt said.
Last week’s inspection revealed almost triple that amount of square footage now needs to be addressed, he said.
“We put the brakes on it right there and discussed what needs to be taken care of — critical — what can be taken care of, and what you guys have for funds,” Mr. Burt said.
The original contract awarded to Global Contracting called for, in addition to the exterior spot repair, about $24,000 worth of work to the interior of the tank.
Mr. Burt explained that the Global was willing to change the contract to focus on the more critical repair to the outside of the tank and use the money for the interior repair for that purpose.
The bare minimum repairs that need to be done to protect the integrity of the tank so that a full rehabilitation can be done in three to five years would bring the cost of the project up to $81,600, Mr. Burt said. To complete all the work to the exterior that is recommended, the cost goes up to $94,000.
Potsdam Administrator Gregory Thompson said because bids on the work planned on the crosstown canal had come in under budget the village can do the work.
“The money is there,” Mr. Thompson said. “It is in the budget to do the full $94,000 worth of work. Doing it now will be a lot cheaper to do it now than it will be in three years.”
The board agreed to the change in the contract and Mr. Thompson said work on the tank will likely begin next week.
That coincides with work being done to repair the village’s underground crosstown canal.
The work on the canal will mainly affect Clinton, Leroy and Pleasant streets and Mr. Thompson wants the work finished before school starts in September.
He wants both projects completed before an even bigger project gets going later this year and that is the rebuilding of the village’s wastewater treatment plant.
CANTON — Opening statements are expected to begin today in the trial of a Colton man charged with more than a dozen counts in connection to the rape and sexual assault of a child.
Keith D. Sharlow, 35, of 639 Wilson Road, a Level 3 sex offender, is charged with three counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, three counts of first-degree criminal sexual act, four counts of first-degree rape, three counts of third-degree rape, one count of second-degree rape and first-and third-degree incest, all felonies, and a misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child.
The grand jury charges that in the spring and summer of 2010 in St. Lawrence County, Sharlow had oral sex by touching his mouth to the vagina of a 10-year-old. The indictment also charges that during the summer and fall of 2015 and again on July 26, in the county, Sharlow had sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion with the same girl, who was less than 17 years old.
On July 27, Sharlow allegedly had sex by forcible compulsion with a 15-year-old.
On Aug. 30, 2004, Sharlow was convicted of the first-degree sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl on May 16, 2004, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services. He was sentenced to three years in prison.
As of the start of the court day today, 10 jurors have been picked. Jury selection began on Monday and Sharlow’s attorney, Edward F. Narrow, of Dumas & Narrow P.C., said as part of the continued jury selection this morning, two alternate jurors will be added to the 12.
Opening statements are expected to begin by no later than this afternoon with a total of 21 witnesses on call for both the defense and the prosecution, Mr. Narrow said. He added that it wasn’t likely that all witnesses would be used at trial.
Conclusion of the trial is expected to be reached, with a verdict, by Monday, Mr. Narrow said.
Massena Attorney Efstathia S. Kyriakopoulos has been appointed special prosecutor in the case. Sharlow continues to be free on $100,000 bail.
WATERTOWN — Two additional people have been charged in connection to the shooting death of Tyler Johnson in May.
State police on Tuesday said they charged Taylor I. Beckstead, 20, formerly of 1620 Huntington St., Apt. K8, Watertown, and Devin Hunter Davis, 22, of 238 Lakeview Drive, Colonial Beach, Va., with second-degree murder.
Troopers said they have worked with multiple departments in Virginia throughout their investigation and received support from the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department, the King George County Sheriff’s Department, and the Virginia State Police.
Once located, warrants were issued for Beckstead and Davis in Pamelia Town Court, which were filed with the Westmoreland department, about 60 miles north of Richmond, Va., where they were being held as fugitives of justice.
The pair will be returned to Jefferson County for arraignment, pending extradition from Virginia. If the pair do not waive their extradition rights and contest it, a hearing would be held to force them to be brought back to Pamelia to face the charges. That process would take a few weeks.
Troopers said their investigation into the shooting remains active.
Those with information are asked to contact state police at 315-366-6000 and make reference to the Tyler Johnson Homicide Detail.
Others charged in the shooting are Jamaal K. Carr, of Watertown, and Sammy L. Brown, of Philadelphia.
MASSENA — A Nigerian man who was discovered to be in the country, while on a bus in Massena, faces 10 years in prison. Chukwudi Olisemeka, 48, a citizen of Nigeria, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to illegal re-entry into the United States.
On May 7 in Massena, Mr. Olisemeka was found by a U.S. Border Patrol Agent on a bus destined for New York City. A fingerprint check of Mr. Olisemeka resulted in the discovery of the prior removal.
Mr. Olisemeka was removed from the United States to Nigeria on June 19, 2008, following a 2006 embezzlement conviction in California.
Mr. Olisemeka admitted that he returned to the United States without permission following the 2008 removal, according to statement from Acting-United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.
As part of his plea, Mr. Olisemeka faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 18 by Senior United States Judge Frederick J. Scullin Jr.
A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors, according to the statement.
The case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.
CANTON — The human resources director at Massena Memorial Hospital will be leaving that job to work for St. Lawrence County.
County legislators Monday night voted unanimously to hire Jonnie Dorothy as the county’s human resources director.
She is supposed to start by Aug. 21 at an annual salary of $94,317. Her appointment is for six years.
Legislator Joseph R. Lightfoot, R-Ogdensburg, chair of the selection committee said Ms. Dorothy was selected from a pool of roughly 16 candidates.
She was among four finalists who were interviewed by legislators serving on the search committee.
“She rose to the top,” Mr. Lightfoot said. “She has experience in the things that are necessary in that position.”
That includes 20 years in the human resources field and experience with civil service rules, unions and health care.
Ms. Dorothy replaces Paul M. Smith, who in May returned to the Syracuse area. Mr. Smith worked as the county’s human resources director for two years after receiving a six-year appointment. He was paid $74,205 a year.
“She comes to the table with more than 20 years experience as a human resources director. I believe the (county) salary is at or near the salary she is receiving from Massena Memorial,” Mr. Lightfoot said. “We were looking for someone who is willing to make a long-term commitment.”
The county’s Human Resources Department handles labor relations, administers civil service laws and runs the county’s health benefit program. The county’s human resources director is also involved with negotiating contracts for eight other unions.