An Oneida County jury has returned a verdict in the case of the Trenton Town Supervisor. Following a day of deliberations and read-backs, the jury found Mark Scheidelman guilty of sexual abuse yesterday afternoon. Scheidelman was accused of inappropriately touching a child during a sleepover at his home. Scheidelman, who must now step down as Town Supervisor, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17th in Oneida County Court. He faces up to 7 years in prison.
An 18 year old Rome man is facing charges following a domestic dispute. New York State Police in Lee Center report that Dustin Pardy was arrested stemming from a domestic dispute Troopers investigated on Wednesday in the City of Rome. Pardy is alleged to have threatened and menaced a female with a wood splitting maul. He was taken into custody and charged with menacing 2nd degree & was arraigned in the City of Rome Court, then committed to the Oneida County Jail on $500 bail.
A 26 year old Rome man was charged following a 2-vehicle accident that occurred at around 12:41 a.m. yesterday morning on Elmer Hill Road near the intersection of Route 26 in the Town of Lee. Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol reports that a vehicle operated by Adam Little was intending to make a left turn onto Route 26 from Elmer Hill Road & crossed over the centerline before reaching the intersection, striking an Oneida County Sheriff's patrol vehicle head-on. The patrol vehicle was operated by Deputy John Cusack, who was attempting to make a right turn onto Elmer Hill Road from Route 26. Neither driver was injured and they were both examined at the scene by Am Care Ambulance. Little was ticketed for failure to keep right, driving without a license and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. All charges are returnable to the Town of Lee Court at a later date.
A 21 year old Turin man was in Lewis County Court to answer DWI charges. According to the Court Report from the Johnson Newspapers, Cody Amidon pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment 1st degree and DWI. Sentencing was set for July 12th. Also in Lewis County Court, 21 year old Lee Souva of Copenhagen pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal sale of marijuana 4th degree. Sentencing was also set for July 12th. 27 year old Josh Janczewski of Lee Center pleaded guilty to charges of criminal mischief 4th degree and harassment 2nd degree. Sentencing was again set for July 12th. 41 year old Jeffrey Ward of Lowville pleaded innocent to a charge of criminal contempt 2nd degree and his case was adjourned to June 14th. 39 year old Luis Pabon Jr., who is formerly of Lowville, had his case of three counts of criminal sale of marijuana 3rd degree, two counts of criminal possession of marijuana 5th degree and one count of criminal possession of marijuana 4th degree adjourned to June 7th. 37 year old Patrick Elliott of Watertown had his case of rape 1st & 2nd degree and endangering the welfare of a child adjourned to June 7th, with a possible trial date set for September 9th. 29 year old Daniel Rounds of Port Leyden had his case of two counts apiece of sexual abuse 1st degree and endangering the welfare of a child and single counts of criminal sexual act 1st degree and forcible touching adjourned to June 14th. 38 year old Thomas Hanno Jr. of Lowville had his case of criminal sale of a controlled substance 4th degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th degree adjourned to June 7th. 38 year old Jody Wetmore of Glenfield had her case of two counts apiece of criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance 3rd degree adjourned to June 7th.
As motorists take the road this Memorial Day holiday, Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol is urging everyone to drive with care, buckle up, and have an enjoyable time during your travels. Since Monday, the Oneida County Sheriff's Office has been taking part in the 2013 national "Click It or Ticket" seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted. In 2011, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 52% of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash. Locally in Oneida County during 2010, an average of nine motorists per month who did not wear their seatbelts were injured severely enough to require hospitalization; two of whom sustained injuries severely enough to require inpatient hospitalization. In addition in 2010 in Oneida County, the treatment of those 113 injured people who did not wear their seatbelts resulted in $1.1 million in emergency department and hospitalization charges. Almost 5% of those charges were charged to public funds.
The Third Annual Black River Watershed Conference will be held on June 4th at the Lowville Fire Hall. Registration will begin at 8:45 am with speakers starting at 9:00 am and ending at 4:00 pm. Speakers will cover a range of topics including invasive species, recreation, economic development, storm-water and current and ongoing Black River Watershed projects. The $15 fee for the conference will cover lunch and refreshments provided by the Lowville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. The conference is open to anyone interested in attending. The annual Black River Watershed Conference stems from the completion of the Black River Watershed Management Plan produced in 2010. The conference will also highlight local, community based efforts on stewardship and development in Black River Valley. A registration form can be obtained online at www.tughill.org or by calling Lewis County Soil and Water Conservation District, at 376-6122. RSVPs are required by Tuesday.
