Caruso murder trial begins

MONTICELLO — Nineteen-year-old Ronald Caruso, the AWOL Callicoon man accused of first-degree murder in the August 28 shooting death his step-uncle, Gary Kays, went on trial March 18.

Kays’ mother, Linda Kays, was the first prosecution witness, describing finding her dying son at his home after the shooting.

In opening remarks, defense attorney Stephan Schick of Legal Aid conceded the shooting of Kays, but reportedly characterized it as unintentional, the act of a scared youth on the run from military service.

In his opening, District Attorney Stephen Lungen reminded the jury that the murder weapon was a pump-action rifle, which required three complete cycles to deliver the three fatal shots.

Sullivan to form drug court

MONTICELLO — Sullivan County Family Court Judge Mark Meddaugh announced plans last week to begin a new court that would promote rehabilitation of drug-addicted parents to reduce their children’s time in foster care.

Meddaugh and Sullivan’s Family Drug Treatment Court Coordinator Sandra Heck attended an initial training recently in Saratoga Springs, and three additional training sessions through the summer and fall. Meddaugh has set an October 4 target date for the opening of the new county court.

Feds fund new technology center

EAST STROUDSBURG — Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) has announced $500,000 in federal funding to be allocated for East Stroudsburg University (ESU).

The funds are earmarked for programming and laboratory equipment to be used for degree programs in biotechnology and chemical biotechnology in a planned new university science and technology center. The federal funds are separate from the $13.6 million commitment of Commonwealth capital budget funds.

The present design for the ESU Science and Technology Center calls for a 100,000-square-foot facility with 66,000 square feet of laboratory, classroom and office space at an estimated cost of $26,000,000.

ESU will be responsible for the balance of the construction funds for the estimated $26 million building through the raising of private, corporate, and federal dollars.

Cited motorist attacks trooper

ROSCOE — Things went from bad to worse for a Town of Rockland motorist after she hung her car up on a guide rail during a March 12 accident near the Hazel Rest Area on Route 17.

After she was subsequently cited for driving while intoxicated, state police said Rhonda K. Murphy, 38, of Roscoe became combative and struck the trooper.

Murphy was arrested for numerous charges resulting from the accident, including DWI, resisting arrest, harassment and disorderly conduct.

The trooper was not injured. Murphy, who was operating a 1991 Chevrolet station wagon, was arraigned before Town of Rockland Justice Madison, committed to the Sullivan County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail and scheduled to reappear at a later date.

ECS budget up five percent

ELDRED — All new costs are not yet in, but the draft spending plan for the Eldred Central School (ECS) 2002-03 school year is already showing a 5.56-percent increase.

ECS Superintendent Candace Mazur said the third draft of the plan, distributed on March 13, does not include late arriving Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) budget costs or special education increases. Mazur said the district has been hard hit this year by insurance increases, stemming from the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.

With the state’s education aid package still incomplete and no word from the state on the latest ECS effort to form a certified assessment district, the impact of new spending on new taxes is unclear, she said.

SCCC to offer evening/weekend
degree programs

LOCH SHELDRAKE — Beginning this fall, Sullivan County Community College  will offer select courses on weekends.

Course leading to degrees in Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts-Elementary Education may be completed in as few as five semesters. Business Administration and Surveying “career track” degrees will be offered over a five-year program. Other non-degree programs include Geographical Information Systems (GIS), a program leading to a sports coaching certificate, real estate and insurance licensing and golf club management.

For more information, call the admissions office at 845/434-5750, ext. 4287.