Jan. 16, 2012

Samuel A. Smith, 22, of Woodman Road, Eaton, was charged with second-degree harassment (physical contact) and criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation, a class A misdemeanor.

Pamela A. Charland, 34, of Lake Shore Road, Cicero, was charged with third-degree assault (intent to cause harm), a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 18

Karl E. Smith, 52, of Radnor Lane, Morrisville, was charged with a violation of probation on a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 19

Christine Mason, 54, of Madison Street, Oneida, was charged with failure to appear.

Jan. 21

Archer D. McFall, 20, of Exeter Road, Marietta, Ga., was charged with driving while intoxicated, an unclassified misdemeanor; refusal to take a breath test and speeding.

A 16-year-old Route 26, North Pitcher, resident was charged with third-degree assault (intent to cause harm), a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 22

Joshua P. Torres, 27, of Dyke Road, Chittenango, was charged with an unspecified order of the Family Court Act.

Nicholas K. Roe, 22, of Williams Road, Hamilton, was charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater, all unclassified misdemeanors; drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with obstructed vision, unsafe turn/failure to signal and operating a motor vehicle without a license.

Jan. 23

Joshua P. Torres, 27, of Dyke Road, Chittenango, was charged with petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 25

Michael P. Lowell, 21, of Jones Road, Nelson, was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief (intent to damage property), a class A misdemeanor.

Stephen E. Shuler, 36, of Leonard Street, Oneida, was charged with a violation of probation on a class E felony.

Jan. 26

Peyton L. Amato, 20,of Red Lake Road, Theresa, was charged with underage possession of alcohol and an open container violation.

Robert E. Widger, 37, of North Main Street, Stockbridge, was charged with third-degree assault, a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 27

Christopher J. Centro, 20, of Tudman Road, Westmoreland, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Jan. 28

Alfred Thomas, 26, of Elk Street, Syracuse, was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, all class A misdemeanors; unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to obey a police officer, failure to stop at a stop sign, speeding and an equipment violation.

Tanaia M. Allen, 26, of Bruce Road, Lenox, was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, an unclassified misdemeanor; unlawful possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance in non-original container and an equipment violation.

Jason M. Wade, 33, of Route 13, Chittenango, was charged with driving while intoxicated, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, all unclassified misdemeanors; and speeding.

Andrew L. Kinney-Allen, 21, of Route 12B, Lebanon, was charged with petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.

A 17-year-old Pleasant Valley Road, Morrisville, resident was charged with second-degree disobeying a judicial mandate, a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 29

Scott M. Carpenter, 21, of Quaker Hill Road, Brookfield, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and an equipment violation.

Emily S. Skinner, 21, of Hawthorne Way, Chittenango, was charged with disorderly conduct.

Timothy S. Dady, 58, of Route 80, Georgetown, was charged with petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.

(Wampsville, NY – Feb. 2012) A Public Hearing was held Monday, Feb. 6, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers in the Madison County Office Building in Wampsville to discuss the proposed Agriculture and Renewable Energy Business Park in the town of Lincoln.

The public hearing was held to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the completed State Environmental Quality Review and the draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the project.

The dGEIS describes the project and potential impacts this project may have on the environment and proposed measures to mitigate potential impacts. The dGEIS and all of its appendices are available online for review and comment at madisoncounty.org.

Written comments regarding issues to be addressed in the dGEIS will be accepted until 1 p.m. March 14. Submit written comments to the Madison County Planning Department, 38 N. Court St., P.O. Box 606, Wampsville, N.Y. 13163, Attention: Proposed ARE Business Park.

Comments may also be emailed to planning@madisoncounty.ny.gov; indicate “Proposed ARE Business Park” in the subject line of the e-mail message.

Out of the Dust

By Bob Betz

(Wampsville, NY) The front page of the Lyons Republican for June 20, 1919, had an interesting article on the current advances being made in world transportation.

Fly From New World to Old By Airplane in 16 Hours

Dream of Aviation Realized

The final goal of all the ambitions which flying men have ventured to dream since the Wright brothers’ first rose from the earth in a heavier-than-air machine, was realized Sunday morning when two young British officers, Captain John Alcott and Lieutenant Arthur W. Brown, landed on the Irish coast after the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

Their voyage was without accident and without unforeseen incident, so far as can be learned. It was a straight away clean-cut flight achieved in sixteen hours and twelve minutes – from Newfoundland to Cliften, Ireland, a distance of more than 1,900 miles.

But the brief and modest description which comes from the airmen at Cliften tells of an adventurous and amazingly hazardous enterprise. Fog and mist hung over the North Atlantic and the Vickers-Viny biplane climbed and dived, struggling to extricate herself from the folds of the airplane’s worst enemies. She rose 13,000 feet, swooped down almost to the surface of the sea and at times the two aviators found themselves flying upside down only ten feet above the water.

In landing, the machine struck heavily and the fuselage plowed itself into the sand. Neither of the occupants was injured.

Enthusiasm over the success of the trip, it is commented, has not been accompanied by any minimizing of the great danger the aviators encountered. Once, the airmen said, they barely escaped being plunged into the sea when the machine went onto a flat spin. Early in the flight the half gale in which they took off from St John’s tore off the propeller that drove the wireless dynamo and made radio communication impossible. At the same time, Lieutenant Brown says, a stay wire had broken, but of this he did not speak of to his companion until they landed. Captain Alcott said he would have turned back had he known this.

The aviators said that they did not feel hungry during the flight, but were extremely thirsty.

The Viny bomber, in its flight across the Atlantic, carried a number of mascots, including a dog and cat, but the real one was an American flag belonging to Lieutenant Brown, the plane’s navigator. It was a symbol of citizenship that is American, despite his birth in Scotland and the fact that he is still on the active duty list of the Royal Air Force. The flight was truly a British-American project, and the colors of both nations were aboard, as well as two gallant representatives of the nations.

It is a report that seems to have a bit of embellishment. I cannot visualize the plane upside down let alone ten feet above the water.

Bob Betz is an independent historian who volunteers in the Madison County Clerk’s Office Archives. While working there, Betz has recaptured stories of Madison County’s past ‘out of the dust.’ His columns are taken from historic documents and written in the language of the era. He can be reached at history@m3pmedia.com.

Healthy Communities

By Jennifer McGohan

(Wampsville, NY – Jan. 2012) Anyone who has not already been vaccinated for flu is urged to get their annual shot to reduce their risk for flu. During the last few flu seasons, flu activity increased in January, peaked in late February or early March and continued into May.

This means it is not too late to get your flu shot! Immunity against the flu develops two weeks after vaccination, providing protection against the flu for the rest of the flu season and during spring vacation!

Each year, 30 to 40 percent of all children are infected with the flu, and those with chronic medical conditions like asthma are more likely to develop serious complications. In addition, children are often responsible for spreading the flu to family members and others in the community more than any other group.

Other populations at high risk of flu complications include:

* Pregnant women

* Adults 50 years of age or older

* People with certain chronic medical conditions

* People in nursing homes, assisted living or other long-term care facilities

* People who live with or care for those at high risk for flu complications

* Healthcare workers

“Don’t let a routine visit to a health care provider be a missed chance for a flu vaccination,” said Public Health Director Eric Faisst. “Now is not too late to get vaccinated and to protect yourself this flu season.”

Symptoms of influenza can include fever, chills, severe headache and muscle aches, as well as cough or sore throat. Symptoms of influenza may be similar to cold symptoms, but come on stronger and more quickly.

Although getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with the flu, make sure to wash your hands regularly and disinfect surfaces like desktops and telephones. Eating healthy foods, getting enough rest and exercise can also help protect against the flu.

View the Health Department clinic schedule online and get more information about the flu at healthymadisoncounty.org.

Jennifer McGohan is Public Health Educator for the Madison County Department of Health. She can be reached at madnews@m3pmedia.com.

(Wampsville, NY – Feb. 2012) The Madison County Department of Mental Health announced last week its meetings for February.

The Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee will meet Thursday, Feb. 2, at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s Restaurant in Oneida; the Alcohol & Substance Abuse Subcommittee will meet Thursday, Feb. 9, at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s Restaurant in Oneida; the Mental Health Subcommittee will meeting Thursday, Feb. 16, at 9 a.m. at Cedar House, 1099 North Side Shopping Center, Oneida; and the Community Services Board will meet Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 5:30 p.m. at Cedar House, 1099 North Side Shopping Center, Oneida.

Healthy Communities

By Chrystal Johnson

(Wampsville, NY – Jan. 2012) Did you know that more than 1,000 households are served by the network of food pantries in Madison County each month? The food that our neighbors receive at the emergency food pantries helps supplement their diet by stretching food dollars when they need it most.

A lot of people are helping by organizing or donating to food drives. Food pantries and the people who use them appreciate the help and even rely on those who donate. But have you ever thought about the nutritional quality of the food you donate? Paying attention to the nutritional value of what is purchased for donation can help in a healthier way by offering nutrient-rich foods that are essential for good health.

To make it easier for people to donate healthy foods, the Madison County Living Well Partnership has developed a Top 20 Healthy Food Donation Ideas list, and is asking all food drive sponsors and donors to use this list for food drives. The list contains staples such as canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain pasta, crackers, canned fish or chicken, peanut butter, canned beans, low-sodium soup or broth, 100-percent fruit juice and powdered or low-fat evaporated milk.

Organizations and groups who make a commitment to use this list for all future food drives can become a Healthy Food Drive Sponsor by completing and returning the form found on the Madison County Health Department’s web site at healthymadisoncounty.org.

The Top 20 Healthy Food Donations Idea List may also be found there.

The Living Well Partnership is collecting pledges from organizations such as schools, churches, civic and volunteer groups and worksites. Send in your organization’s pledge and be listed on the Madison County Health Department’s website with the other Healthy Food Drive Sponsors.

What we eat should be bolstering our health, but it’s actually contributing to several hundred thousand premature deaths from heart attack, stroke, diabetes and cancer each year. Donating healthy foods to emergency food pantries is just one way we can help in a healthy way.

As much as 50 percent of the foods donated to pantries are already expired. This is a problem because food pantries are not allowed to give out expired food, and it is costly for the pantries to dispose of. Be sure to check the expiration date before donating.

Donating money is another healthy option to consider. Food pantries can buy seven pounds of healthy food from the Food Bank of Central New York for every dollar donated.

For a listing of Madison County food pantries, visit Community Action Partnership’s website at capmadco.org.

The Living Well Partnership is a community coalition promoting local changes that make it easier for people living and working in Madison County to eat well and be physically active.

For more information on this campaign, contact the Madison County Health Department at (315) 366-2361. Thank you for investing in the health of the people in your community!

Chrystal Johnson, MS, is a public health educator II, a certified health education specialist and certified child safety seat technician with Madison County Health Department.

Monday, January 30, 2012

2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Impact Committee – Madison County Promise January 17

3:02 p.m. and 8:02 p.m.: Oneida Rotary Club Meeting with Rich Vindigni “Ireland”

3:31 p.m. and 8:31 p.m.: Town of Sullivan Board Meeting of January 18

3:52 p.m. and 8:52 p.m.: Oneidas Club with Pat Albaugh – OPL Budget Vote

4:11 p.m. and 9:11 p.m.: Oneida Common Council Budget Meeting of January 17

Tuesday, January 31

2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Oneida Public Library Presents:  John Taibe “Oneida’s Third Rail”

3:29 p.m. and 8:29 p.m.: Oneida Public Library Presents:  Cheryl Pula “The Children’s Crusade”– The 8^th Army Air Force in World War II

Wednesday, February 1

2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Canastota Central Schools Board of Education Meeting of  January 24

3:54 p.m. and 8:54 p.m.: Oneidas Club Meeting with Elise Allen: “The Market Place”

4:16 p.m. and 9:16 p.m.:  City of Sherrill Commission Meeting of January 23

Thursday, February 2

2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: CAC Series:  Oneida County Office for the Aging: “ Services and Programs for Seniors”

2:51 p.m. and 7:51 p.m.: Oneida Rotary Club Meeting, with Mike Healy “Oneida   Healthcare Web Site”

3:10 p.m. and 8:10 p.m.: Village of Vernon Board Meeting of January 23

Out of the Dust

By Bob Betz

(Wampsville, NY – Jan. 2012) I have collected a large number of newspapers over the years, some back to the late 1800s. Many interesting events are recorded in them, so I decided to pass on some of the events I thought worth repeating. This is from the Utica Observer Dispatch, dated Wednesday, April 17, 1935, and should be of interest to sports fans, since it concerns Babe Ruth.

After a long career with the New York Yankees, he was now with the Boston Braves, playing their first game of the 1935 season.

Bambino Upsets Giants by Homer for his New Bosses

The 1935 baseball season rode in on a cold wave that slashed attendance by thousands and furnished a drab setting for the gateway of the major league pennant races. But the old warrior Babe, spindle-shanked, with the expansive waist-line of middle age, rose above the handicap.

He rose above strange surroundings and the weather. He rose above younger, more brilliant players to open his National League career with a tremendous Ruthian wallop. It was No. 1 for the Babe.

While his former mates, the New York Yankees, playing without him for the first time in 15 years, lost to the Boston Red Sox, 1 to 0, the Babe hit a single besides his homer, drove in three runs and furnished the power that gave the Boston Braves a 4 to 2 victory over the New York Giants.

He also made a running one-hand catch that brought a roar of approval from his new admirers.

The Babe’s homer, with Urbanski on base, came in the fifth inning when he parked one of Carl Hubbell’s screwballs in the right field stands before 20,000 attracted to frigid Braves field for his debut.

At New York, the Ruth-less Yankees could have used that homer, and Lefty Vernon Gomez prayed for one as he held the Red Sox to six hits but lost to the two-hit pitching of Wesley Ferreli, nicked only by George Selkirk, Babe’s successor in right field, and Lou Gehrig, who hit a double.

Bob Betz is an independent historian who volunteers in the Madison County Clerk’s Office Archives. While working there, Betz has recaptured stories of Madison County’s past ‘out of the dust.’ His columns are taken from historic documents and written in the language of the era. He can be reached at history@m3pmedia.com.

Jan. 10, 2012

Gary J. Perkett, 32, of Green Street, Herkimer, was charged with violation of probation on a class A misdemeanor.

Britney N. Johnson, 23, of North Lake Street, Oneida, was charged with an unspecified violation of the Family Court Act.

Shane Adams, 27, of Tuscarora Road, Erieville, was charged with violation of probation on a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 11

William Reamy, 56, of Spring Street, Fayetteville, was charged with driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater.

Jan. 12

A 13-year-old North Brookfield resident was charged with first-degree rape, a class B felony; and forcible touching and acting in a manner injurious to a child under 17 years old, both class A misdemeanors.

Jan. 13

Keith R. Staley, 28, of Utica Street, DeRuyter, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Jan. 14

Jessamyn R. Harter, 30, of Spring Street, Hamilton, was charged with second-degree offer to file false instrument, a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 15

Marlon I. Pickerd, Jr., 36, of Hill Road, Madison, was charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated driving while intoxicated, imprudent speed and improper use of farm plates after an accident on East Lake Road in the town of Madison.

Gloria A. Card, 28, of East Garden Street, Rome, was charged with third-degree assault and criminal obstruction of breathing, both class A misdemeanors.

Monday, January 23, 2012

2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Oneida Common Council Meeting of November 15

3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.: Town of Sullivan Board Meeting of November 15

3:23 p.m. and 8:23 p.m.: Oneida Rotary Club Meeting of November 15

3:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.: Madison County Board of Supervisors Meeting of November 29

4:05 p.m. and 9:05 p.m.: Oneida Common Council Budget Meeting of November 29

Tuesday, January 24

2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: City of Oneida and Madison County Inductions of January 1

2:14 p.m. and 7:14 p.m.: Town of Vernon Officer Inductions of  January 1

2:18 p.m. and 7:18 p.m.: Town of Vernon Board Meeting of January 2

3:56 p.m. and 8:56 p.m.: City of Sherrill Officer Inductions of January 2

4:04 p.m. and 9:04 p.m.: Oneida Common Council Meeting of January 3

Wednesday, January 25

2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Madison County State of the County Address of January 3

3:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.: Town of Sullivan Board Meeting of January 4

3:47 p.m. and 8:47 p.m.:  City of Sherrill Commission Meeting of January 9

4:01 p.m. and 9:01 p.m.: Town of Lebanon Board Meeting of January 9

5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.: Congressman Bill Owens’ Town Hall Meeting of January 9

Thursday, January 26

2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Oneida rotary Club Meeting of November 29

2:20 p.m. and 7:20 p.m.: Canastota Schools Board Meeting of January 10

3:02 p.m. and 8:02 p.m.: Oneida Rotary Club Meeting of January 10

3:36 p.m. and 8:36 p.m.: Oneidas Club Meeting with PSC Doug Lippert, January 12