Firm suspends sales of raw milk
WORCESTER _ Autumn Valley Farm of Worcester has voluntarily suspended all raw-milk sales to consumers after a state Department of Agriculture and Markets test confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, according to a media release from the state agency.
Listeria is one of six pathogens tested for in raw milk and naturally occurs in the environment, according to the release.
The farm holds a department permit to legally sell raw milk, and to date no illnesses are known to be associated with the product. It has been sold without any violations for eight months, the release states.
Suspect waives extradition
SIDNEY _ A Sidney Center man wanted as a fugitive from justice in a 2004 Los Angeles murder signed a waiver of extradition Friday, said Delaware County Court Clerk Allison Barnes.
Majid Abbaszadeh, 41, was arrested Thursday for two counts of murder, for allegedly strangling Irma Aguilar, 22, a homeless woman who was eight months pregnant, state police at Sidney said.
Barnes said that as soon as Los Angeles police arrive, Abbaszadeh, who was sent to Delaware County jail without bail after being arraigned, will be turned over to them.
Man charged with rape
COOPERSTOWN _ A 25-year-old Cherry Valley man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly having sexual relations with a minor, Otsego County deputies said.
Michael Stannard was arrested for third-degree rape, third-degree criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child for incidents that happened last spring and involved a 15-year-old girl, deputies said.
He was arraigned in Roseboom Town Court and released on his own recognizance, deputies said.
Sex-abuse charge filed in Otsego
COOPERSTOWN _ A Cooperstown man was arrested Wednesday for having inappropriate contact with a child younger than 11, Otsego County deputies said.
James H. Nichols, 66, was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, a felony and endangering the welfare of a child after an investigation into the incident that happened in April in the town of Maryland, deputies said.
Nichols was released on his own recognizance to return in Otsego Town Court in August, deputies said.
House fire under investigation
WALTON _ The cause of an early Friday morning house fire in Walton is still under investigation, said Walton Fire Chief Jimmy Jacobs. His information on the fire was incomplete as he was waiting for a report from investigators.
The house at 140 Left Pines Brook was fully engulfed when the department was called to the scene, he said. The fire was stopped but the house was a destroyed because of smoke, water and fire damages, he said. He did not have the owner’s name and he did not know if the house was insured.
The owner and caretaker who were home at the time were probably staying with friends or family in the area, Jones said. Walton received mutual aid from the Trout Creek Fire Department while the Downsville, Masonville and Sidney fire departments were on standby, he said.
