North Country Briefs
Greig woman is facing
another count over crash
LOWVILLE — The Lewis County Sheriff's Department has added a felony count to charges lodged in February against a woman in connection with a personal injury accident.
Penny S. Tucker, 36, Schoolhouse Road, Greig, was charged Tuesday with first-degree reckless endangerment. Also cited with aggravated driving while intoxicated and driving at a speed not reasonable or prudent, she is free awaiting court action.
The accident occurred Feb. 19 on Pine Grove Road in the town of Greig, where her vehicle overturned and struck trees. Two of her passengers, Michael Gudridge, 23, and Danny Gudridge, 21, were taken to Lewis County General Hospital.
Ms. Tucker and another passenger, Justin Waldron, 21, were treated at the scene.
Her breath test reading was 0.18 percent blood alcohol content. A BAC level of 0.08 percent or more is considered proof of intoxication under state law. Aggravated DWI is charged when the BAC is 0.18 percent or more.
City woman is accused
of having sex with teen
Watertown police allege that a 31-year-old woman had sex with a teenager while a 12-year-old boy was sleeping on the floor in the same room.
Tammy L. Sprague, 31, of 140 High St., Apt. 5, was arrested Thursday morning on charges of third-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child. She was released without bail by City Judge James C. Harberson, and awaits grand jury action.
Police said the activity occurred between March 3 and March 5 at a residence on the east side of the city. The juvenile was awakened by her involvement with a 16-year-old boy, police said.
Police investigated with the child protective services unit of the Jefferson County Department of Social Services.
Ms. Sprague is the divorced mother of at least two children, according to birth notices that appear in the Times.
Storage barn destroyed
by blaze in Pinckney
BARNES CORNERS — A Thursday night fire destroyed an old barn being used for storage in the town of Pinckney.
Copenhagen firefighters at 10:54 p.m. were called to 439 Waterman Road and requested mutual aid from Rodman and Tylerville fire departments.
The approximately 50-by-50-foot structure was a total loss, according to Lewis County Fire Coordinator James M. Martin.
"When the fire department got there, it was already on the ground," Mr. Martin said.
Raymond Hatch, who rents the property from owner James Davis, reported the blaze.
Mr. Hatch had changed a tire on a van inside the barn about a half-hour before the fire broke out, Mr. Martin said. He was able to get the vehicle out of the burning structure but did lose some tools and other assorted items, the fire coordinator said.
The cause remained under investigation Friday.
Watertown man charged
with having stolen bicycle
Edward L. Whitfield III, 44, of 518 W. Main St., Apt. 1, was charged late Thursday by city police with fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
He is accused of possessing on Oct. 30 a sport bicycle owned by Amy L. Powell, 549 W. Main St., Apt. 2, according to police.
Woman accused of failing
to secure child in vehicle
LOWVILLE — A Copenhagen woman was charged Wednesday with failing to secure her child Friday, when she was involved in a one-vehicle crash on Number Three Road in the town of Lowville.
Lewis County sheriff's deputies charged Shannon Bigda, 30, of 10171 Washington St., with endangering the welfare of a child and failure to restrain a child in a safety seat, answerable in Lowville Town Court.
Ms. Bigda was driving northwest at 7:46 p.m. Friday when she skidded off the road, causing her vehicle to roll over several times. Three adults, including Ms. Bigda, and two children were taken to the hospital with injuries suffered in the accident.
Deputies said her 5-year-old was not properly restrained and was injured in the accident.
Man accused of providing
alcohol to 7 young teens
SACKETS HARBOR — A village man was jailed Wednesday on allegations that he provided alcoholic beverages Saturday night to seven youths ages 13 to 15, according to Sackets Harbor police.
David R. Fernandez, 19, of 123 General Grant Circle, is facing seven counts of unlawfully dealing with a child. Hounsfield Town Justice Sherry Derouin set bail at $1,000, sending him to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building, Watertown.
Police said Mr. Fernandez and three juveniles also are being investigated in connection with car intrusions the night of March 5 at Madison Barracks Apartments. Chief Richard G. Coseo said at least 15 vehicles are known to have been entered, and he asked that people who suspect they were victims of the spree contact him.
Police say man assaulted
deputy during his arrest
LOWVILLE — A Glenfield man was charged Wednesday with assaulting a deputy during a disorderly conduct arrest.
Lewis County sheriff's deputies said they initially charged Thomas E. Peebles, 30, Pine Grove Road, with disorderly conduct stemming from an early-morning incident at Watson Inn, 6832 Pine Grove Road.
He additionally was charged with second-degree assault on a police officer, attempted escape and obstruction of governmental justice after he allegedly tried to get away from deputies while being taken into Lowville Village Court for arraignment on the initial charge. Further specifics were not provided.
Mr. Peebles was arraigned on all four charges and sent to Lewis County jail on $10,000 bail.
Watertown resident cited
with slashing car's tires
A man who allegedly slashed all the tires of a car in broad daylight Thursday was apprehended in about five minutes, according to Watertown police.
Matthew L. Yates, 23, of 109 N. Meadow St., was arrested at his residence at 10:45 a.m. and charged with felony criminal mischief. He was released on $500 bail and awaits grand jury action.
His arrest occurred after witnesses described the man who slashed tires on a 1992 Honda, owned by Jordan S. More, LaFargeville, which was parked at Old Jail Antiques, 300 Coffeen St.
Mr. Yates was given a three-year conditional discharge in January 2008 after he was convicted of third-degree burglary in Jefferson County Court.
Police say Carthage teen
provided alcohol to minor
CARTHAGE — A village teen-ager was jailed briefly Thursday on allegations that she provided alcoholic beverages to another underage person in January at a residence near her home on Alexandria Street, according to Carthage police.
Andrea N. Grove, 17, of 622 Alexandria St., was arrested on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and unlawfully dealing with a child. She was sent to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building, Watertown, with bail set at $1,000 by Village Justice S. Lucille Shettleton, but later was released on bail.
Police say city woman lied
about estranged husband
A city woman is facing criminal charges for allegedly making a false claim to police about her estranged husband, according to Watertown police.
Dorinda L. Baker, 25, of 217 Central St., Apt. 2, is summoned to City Court for arraignment on charges of making a punishable false written statement and third-degree falsely reporting an incident.
Police said her claim that William J. Baker II had violated stay-away terms of her order of protection was proven to be unfounded.
Police say city man stole
case of 22 CDs from car
A man was apprehended in the 200 block of Stone Street early Thursday after witnesses identified him as an intruder who stole a case of 22 compact discs from a vehicle in a parking lot at Mercy of Northern New York, according to city police.
Theodore G. Smith Jr. 22, of 120 Duffy St., is charged with petit larceny, unauthorized use of a vehicle and disorderly conduct.
Police said the theft occurred shortly before 1:20 a.m. from a vehicle owned by Melissa M. Redford, Carthage. The witnesses also saw him urinating against another auto in the lot, police said.
Cape Vincent teen cited
with having pot at school
CAPE VINCENT — A student was found possessing a pipe containing marijuana in his vehicle at Thousand Islands High School about 8:30 a.m. Thursday, according to state police.
Schuyler A. Merchant, 16, Bedford Corners Road, is ordered to appear in town of Cape Vincent Court to answer to a charge of unlawful possession of marijuana.
Watertown man accused
of damaging apartment
Watertown police charged a man early Friday with causing $875 in damage to his apartment.
William B.M. O'Brien, 22, of 736 W. Main St., Apt. 1, faces a felony count of third-degree criminal mischief. Police allege that on the night of Feb. 21 he caused damage to a refrigerator, a wall and a door.
A complaint was filed by the property owner, Perry F. McIntosh, Adams Center.
Pierrepont Manor woman
facing conduct charge
PIERREPONT MANOR — Elizabeth A. Slade, 45, of 15697 County Route 91, was charged with disorderly conduct Thursday afternoon as a result of a disturbance outside her home, according to state police.
Troopers said she was shouting profanities. She is ordered to appear in town of Ellisburg Court.
