Title: New Jersey man killed in snowmobile accident

A 64 year old man was killed in a snowmobile accident that occurred at around 2:10 p.m. yesterday afternoon on the Big Moose Road, approximately 1.5 miles north of Eagle Bay. Town of Webb Police report that a snowmobile operated by Patrick Naughton of Old Tappan, New Jersey was southbound when he failed to negotiate a curve, went off the roadway, & struck a large birch tree. Naughton & his passenger, 7 year old Shannon Garrity, were both ejected from the machine. Garrity was transported by Inlet Ambulance to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for treatment of a knee injury. Naughton was transported by Inlet Ambulance, but was pronounced dead enroute to St. Elizabeth’s. The cause of death is unknown pending an autopsy. The cause of the accident is believed to be driver inexperience & unsafe speed. Inlet Police, Old Forge & Inlet Ambulance personnel assisted at the scene.

Title: 2 injured in snowmobile accident

2 people were injured in a snowmobile accident that occurred at around 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon on the Potter Road in the Town of Osceola. Lewis County Sheriff’s Deputies report that 28 year old Gregory Muratore of Rochester was ejected from his snowmobile after he went over a series of moguls. As he was attempting to stand up on the trail to regain his footing, he was struck by a snowmobile driven by 51 year old Michael Perry of Webster, who was operating behind him. Muratore was transported by Redfield Firemen & Camden Ambulance members to a landing zone, where he was flown by Onondaga Air-1 to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, where he is listed in critical condition. Perry was taken by Redfield Firemen & Camden Ambulance members from the scene & then transported by Northern Oswego County Ambulance to a Crouse-Irving Hospital in Syracuse. The accident investigation is still continuing.

Title: Oriskany woman killed in snowmobile accident

A 22 year old Oriskany woman was killed in a snowmobile accident. Town of Webb Police report that Nicole Robertello was traveling in the Channel Area of the Fulton Chain at around 9:15 p.m. Saturday night along with Clayton Knutti of Ava when they encountered open water. Knutti accelerated & made it across. When he looked back, he saw Robertello in the water. Knutti jumped into the frigid water in an attempt to rescue her, but was unsuccessful. He went to a nearby house & called for help. With the assistance of the Old Forge Fire Department, Robertello’s body was recovered nearly 2 hours later & was pronounced dead at the scene by Herkimer County Coroner Danforth Rivet Jr. Knutti was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, where he was treated for hypothermia.

Title: Fire damages house in Forestport

Fire damaged the home of the Forestport Fire Department’s 2^nd Assistant Chief. Emergency officials report that a chimney fire was reported shortly before 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning at David Fenton’s residence on the North Lake Road. Forestport & Holland Patent Fire Departments responded. Flames had spread into the ceiling & the fire was declared under control at 10:42 a.m. Minor fire damage was reported to the residence. Chief Fenton was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.

Title: Jamesville teen charged after snowmobile accident

A 17 year old Jamesville man was charged following a personal injury snowmobile accident that occurred at around 5:25 p.m. Saturday afternoon on the West Road in the Town of Turin. Lewis County Sheriff’s Deputies report that Fraser Duffy was operating a snowmobile on a snowbank in front of the Snow Ridge Ski Area when he lost control & struck a parked vehicle. A passenger on the snowmobile, identified as 37 year old Robin Duffy of the same address, was taken by Turin Ambulance to Lewis County General Hospital for treatment of a leg injury. Fraser Duffy was charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury snowmobile accident, reckless operation, & failure to provide proof of insurance. All charges are returnable to Town of Turin Court at a later date. The Sheriff’s Department Snowmobile Patrol was assisted at the scene by Turin Fire & Ambulance Personnel.

Title: Firemen save barn from damage

Quick work by firemen saved a dairy barn in the Town of Croghan. The Lewis County Fire Coordinator’s Office reports that dispatchers received a call at around 1:24 p.m. Friday afternoon of a barn fire at the Carl Hoppel farm on the Swiss Road. Croghan Firemen responded along with mutual aid from Beaver Falls & Castorland. Fire Chief Joe Aucter reports that electrical wires shorted out in an area where bedding was stored & was smoldering the bedding mow area of the barn. No damage was reported to the building or it‘s contents & the cause of the fire was listed as an electrical short. No injuries were reported. Assisting firefighters at the scene were Fire Coordinator Jim Martin & Deputy Fire Coordinator Randy Roggie.

Title: Lewis County considering discount ATV fee

ATV riders that buy multiple permits for Lewis County’s trail system may get a break this year. Currently. Trail permits cost $40 per ATV for members of any club in the Tug Hill ATV Association & $80 per ATV for non-members. Lewis County officials are considering changing the price structure where the rates will remain the same for the 1^st ATV & then charge $20 per additional ATV from the same household. A public hearing on the proposed rate change has been scheduled for 5 p.m. on March 2^nd.

Title: Fort Drum headquarters headed to Afghanistan

The headquarters of the 10^th Mountain Division has been ordered to Afghanistan. Fort Drum officials report that they were notified by the Defense Department that the unit will be deploying in the fall. Division Headquarters was deployed to Afghanistan in 2001, 2003, & 2006 where it comprised the core of Combined Joint Task Force-76. The unit was most recently deployed to Iraq in 2008, where it served as headquarters for Multi-National Division South & returned to Fort Drum in May of last year. Currently, 3,500 members of Fort Drum‘s 2^nd Brigade Combat Team are currently serving in Iraq with 1 battalion of the 1^st Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan & the rest of it‘s units heading there this Spring as part of President Obama‘s authorizing of 30,000 additional troops for the region.