Man killed in home ambush shooting

HORTONVILLE — Sullivan County Sheriff’s deputies and state police early Wednesday morning were said to be conducting a manhunt for an assailant who shot and killed a Hortonville man in the late evening of August 28, after laying in wait for him in the basement of his Beechwoods home.

According to one early and unofficial report, the assailant shot the victim, Gary Kays, 30, twice, in the back and arm. The shooting took place in a bathroom at about 10:45 p.m., after the part owner of a local trucking firm arrived at his home. Local emergency services were called and Kays was rushed to Community General Hospital where he later died of his wounds.

Police were reportedly seeking a gray Oldsmobile, driven by a Ronald Caruso, who is wanted for questioning about the shooting. Caruso was said to be a military serviceman, and a nephew of the victim.

Other than to confirm an ongoing investigation, Sheriff’s Department and state police spokesmen declined comment early Wednesday.

Police investigate pike head-on

GREELEY — State police charged a Lackawaxen man with DUI following a two-car collision on the evening of August 24.

William Crellin, 34, of Lackawaxen was charged after he failed to signal before he turned into the path of a car driven by Salena Marsh, 21, of Greeley.

Firefighters had to extricate Marsh, whose injuries are unknown, from her vehicle following the accident on Lake Road. The accident investigation reportedly is continuing and additional charges are pending.

Class separation

WESTFALL — Delaware Valley school officials are going to let impressionable aged students gather their impressions from a smaller circle this year.

As the new school year started on August 27 the district began a new class separation program. Newly completed buildings at the high school-middle school campus will allow three separate programs for sixth through eighth grade students, ninth and 10th graders and 11th and 12th graders.

Top cop is still a cop

BETHEL — He may be the boss and behind a desk most of the time, but Sullivan County Sheriff Dan Hogue last week demonstrated that he still keeps an eye out when he’s on the road.

Driving on Route 17B on the evening of August 22, Hogue spotted an erratic driver in front of him. Spotting a patrol car shortly thereafter, he radioed a call for the deputy to make a traffic stop.

As a result, Nancy Toogood, 44, of Bethel, was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. Toogood was released pending a September 5 appearance in Bethel Town Court.

State takes over Frontier

ROCK HILL — The New York State Insurance Department reportedly took control of operations at the troubled Frontier Insurance Company on August 27.

Some 300 remaining Frontier employees were to keep their jobs pending a state review of operations and Frontier insurance policies and other contracts will also remain in effect.

The company had posted losses of more than $500 million in the past two years.