Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A man accused of driving drunk in a motorcycle crash that killed his wife has pleaded not guilty in Cattaraugus County Court. 51-year-old Michael Baker of Machias, who was critically injured in the crash, is charged with vehicle manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and related offenses in connection to the accident that killed 43-year-old Dianne Baker on August 11, 2013. Police say Michael Baker failed to negotiate a curve on McKinstry Road in Machias and lost control of the motorcycle. Both of the Bakers were thrown from the bike. Dianne was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Baker was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC in Buffalo. His case has been adjourned for motions. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A person died in a house fire in Cattaraugus County Thursday morning. The county fire investigation team and state police say the person was found on the ground by the door of the house on Potter Road in Machias. They have not identified the person yet. Firefighters got the call at just before noon and say the house was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire yet, but say there is nothing to indicate foul play was involved. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

After stuff started flying out of a Cattaraugus County man’s pickup truck, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated. State police were called to a complaint of debris in the road on Route 16 in Machias on Sunday and, when they arrived on the scene, they found a volunteer firefighter directing traffic around items that had fallen out of a pickup truck. They didn’t say what the items were. They did say the driver of the pickup, 57-year-old Patrick Paugh of Machias, had a blood alcohol content of .09 percent. He is scheduled to appear in Town of Machias Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A two-month investigation has led to the arrest of a woman who illegally used checks and a credit card belonging to two other people. 43-year-old Kimberly Levergood of Machias allegedly committed the crimes in three counties – Cattaraugus, Erie and Wyoming. State police say she illegally obtained checks belonging to an 80-year-old victim and a credit card belonging to a 61-year-old victim. Levergood is in the Erie County Holding Center pending court appearances. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Police believe they’ve solved the case of a string of church burglaries in Cattaraugus and Wyoming counties. 18-year-old Thomas Archer and 18-year-old Christopher Rose, both of Machias, 18-year-old Danae Chiarilli of Cuba and 20-year-old Christopher Boilard of Franklinville, are accused of stealing case, two safes, musical equipment and other smaller items over a period of three days. They are all charged with burglary, conspiracy, possession of burglary tools, grand larceny and criminal mischief. All four are in Cattaraugus County Jail on $10,000 cash bail each and have been scheduled to appear in Court on Thursday. State Police photos The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Cattaraugus County woman is in jail for choking and punching her child. State police say 28-year-old Patricia McConnell of Machias caused visible facial and back injuries to the child, who had to be taken to a hospital for treatment. Police did not release the age of the child. McConnell is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, endangering the welfare of a child and assault. She’s jailed on $30,000 bail. County Child Protective Services have been notified about the investigation. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A burglary and theft spree has led to charges against a Cattaraugus County man. State police say they were investigating a theft complaint on Tuesday in the Town of Machias and discovered that several other crimes, including two burglaries, had taken place during the overnight hours. They later found the stolen property in a vehicle on Franklin Street. Jarrett Richardson of Machias was charged with burglary, petit larceny and criminal mischief, and sent to jail in lieu of $10,000. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947