CHATHAM—State Police from Livingston charged Jodi Kittle, 42, of Chatham with criminal obstruction of breathing, resisting arrest, third degree menacing and endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors, September 22 at 12:45 a.m.
Columbia County 911 dispatched State Police to a Chatham home for a reported altercation. An investigation revealed that Mr. Kittle allegedly engaged in a physical fight with the victim and allegedly choked her. The incident occurred in the presence of children. While Mr. Kittle was being taken into custody, he physically resisted being placed under arrest.
He was arraigned in Chatham Village Court and was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $1,500 cash bail.
Livingston
Claire Wieland, 26, of Catskill was charged with second degree possession of a forged instrument, a class D felony, by Livingston State Police investigators, September 18 at 5:45 p.m.
In April, troopers investigated a fraud case reported by the Livingston Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. An investigation revealed that Ms. Wieland, an employee at the nursing home, had allegedly taken a check that was made payable to the victim and forged the victim’s signature on the rear of the check before cashing it.
Ms. Wieland was arraigned in Livingston Court and released on her own recognizance. She is scheduled to reappear in Livingston Court October 16.
Kinderhook
Edward A. Proper, 28, of Valatie was charged with first degree possession of a forged instrument by Deputy Louis Bray, September 19 at 8:36 a.m.
Mr. Proper is accused of using counterfeit money at the Hannaford Supermarket in Kinderhook.
He was arraigned in Stuyvesant Court and released on his own recognizance to appear in Kinderhook Town Court at a later date.
Blaze contained
A fire at 238 Allen Street, Hudson broke out just after 11 p.m., September 30 and caused some anxious moments for firefighters, according to newsman Lance Wheeler, who was on the scene. A neighbor from across the street heard smoke detector alarms, saw flames coming from the second story and called police. Four fire companies were able to contain the blaze to two houses. Hudson Fire Chief Craig Haigh said no cause has been determined. The house was recently renovated. No injuries were reported.
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug- and/or alcohol-related charges:
*Sarah L. Hampton, 24, a homeless person of Hudson, according to police, was charged with second degree criminal trespass and criminal possession of a controlled substance by Hudson Police Officer Mishanda Franklin Cox at 514 State Street, Hudson, September 1 at 9:32 a.m.
Ms. Hampton was allegedly found in a vacant State Street apartment. The apartment was locked and she did not have a right or permission there. She also was allegedly found to be in possession of crack cocaine. She was arraigned and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $3,000 cash bail or $5,000 bond pending a return Hudson City Court date.
*Samuel C. Wright, 46, of Claverack was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated (previous conviction) and first degree aggravated unlicensed operation, both class E felonies, by State Police from Livingston, September 9 at 6:32 p.m. Troopers stopped the vehicle Mr. Wright was operating after seeing him use a cellular phone while driving. An investigation revealed that he was operating the vehicle while his New York State driving privileges were revoked due to a previous alcohol-related offense. Mr. Wright provided a breath sample that revealed a .25% blood alcohol content. He was arraigned in Claverack Court and released on his own recognizance. He was scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
*Ruben F. Castro, 39, of Lebanon Springs was charged with driving while intoxicated, third degree aggravated unlicensed operation and unlawful possession of marijuana by State Police from New Lebanon, September 26 at 11:42 p.m. Troopers stopped the car Mr. Castro was operating when he failed to dim his high beams to oncoming traffic. While troopers interviewed Mr. Castro, he exhibited indications that he was intoxicated. He was also found to allegedly possess marijuana. His breath sample that yielded a blood alcohol content of .14%. He was issued tickets ordering him to appear in New Lebanon Court October 2.
*Jovan J. Lewis, 26, of Hudson was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second degree aggravated unlicensed operation, both misdemeanors, by State Police from Livingston, September 26 at 9:41 p.m. He was also charged with possessing a controlled substance, not in its original container under public health law, a violation. Troopers stopped the vehicle Mr. Lewis was operating on Atlantic Avenue, Stottville for failure to maintain his lane of travel. An investigation determined that Mr. Lewis was driving while his New York State driving privileges were suspended. He was also found to unlawfully possess hydrocodone pills. He was issued tickets ordering him to appear in Stockport Court at a later date.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.
State Police release crackdown results
ALBANY—During the National Drunk Driving, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign from August 15 through September 1, New York State Police issued 46,584 tickets.
During the crackdown, State Police targeted impaired and distracted driving, speeding, move over violations and those not buckled up.
Of the tickets issued, 18,350 were for speeding, 1,937 for distracted driving, 2,667 for child restraint and seatbelt violations and 850 move over tickets.
Troopers conducted sobriety checkpoints through which more than 19,000 vehicles passed. Seventy-two of the motorists stopped were arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
Troopers arrested a total of 663 people for DWI during this crackdown enforcement.
During the Labor Day weekend from August 29 through September 1, State Police issued more than 9,000 tickets:
3,904 for speeding; 497 for not wearing a seatbelt; 153 for violating the move over law and 310 for being a distracted driver. Troopers arrested 168 people for DWI during this holiday period. They investigated a total of 590 accidents during that time frame, compared to last year’s 317. In these accidents, 171 people were injured and 3 people were killed.
Firefighters complete spring training
GREENPORT—The Columbia County Fire Coordinator congratulates the following county volunteer firefighters for successful completion of the spring training semester.
Kinderhook Fire Company hosted and annual HazMat ops refresher led by Instructor Louis Godfroy. Attendees included: David Johnson, Larry Eisen, Arthur Haddick, Chevett Ortiz, Christopher Corbin, Christopher Fitch, Peter Hunter, Dennis Kinnicutt, Mary Carr-Pere, Keith Beebe, Charles Rothermel, Matthew Cohn and Raymond Lauster.
Joseph Laviano taught a water rescue awareness level course April 30 at Germantown Hose Company. Participants were: Victoria Besterman, Scott Brundage, Roy Brown, Jon Cesternino, James Drost , Frank Dingman, Jr., Nathaniel Dingman, Michael Dutcher, Matthew Distin, Evan Decker, Dennis Gawron, Fred Gooderham, Judy Gawron, John Hoey, Christopher Hoffman, James Lawlor, Jr., Michael Lawson, James Maruniak, Stefania Maruniak, Michael Mortenson, Douglas Pearson, Berkley Pirrone, Matthew Pirrone, David Shea, Daniel Sutera, Jacqueline Therrian and Margaret White.
Stottville Fire Company was the scene of an accident victim extrication course taught by Mr. Godfroy and Mike Stelling. Learning the art of emergency dismantling were: Victoria Besterman, Robert Reinig, Joshua Schuster, Paul Beaumont, David Parlman, Daniel Lamarre, Rodney Pulver, Andrew Powell, Frederick Goodnow, Courtney Haner, William Wendelken, Roger Cramer, Ariel Pellegrino, Jonathan Decker, John Mabb, John Lonsdale, Justin Elliott and Jason Detzel.
Germantown Hose and Instructor Wayne Gearing combined forces to prepare volunteers for firefighter survival training, graduates were: Christina Brusakos, Russell Corcoran, Douglas Garrison, Kyle Hoffman, John Hoey, Michaela Lawson, Cody Lewis, John Mabb, Michael Mortenson, David Haughton, Rodney Pulver, David Shea, Daniel Sutera, Mark Taylor and Jake Thomas.
Joint graduation ceremonies for the Firefighter I classes held recently at Stockport and ending September 17 in Chatham will be held at Columbia-Greene Community College, Saturday, October 11 at 9 a.m. All county firefighters and community members are urged to attend to congratulate the successful graduates of this 29-session training course. Keynote speaker for the ceremony will be Sherriff and Kinderhook volunteer firefighter David Bartlett.
