Monticello man sentenced for police chase

MONTICELLO, NY — Joshua Vanduser, 35, of Monticello, was sentenced in Sullivan County Court on August 21 to three to six years in state prison for a high-speed chase that occurred in the Towns of Liberty and Bethel in November 2017. Vanduser entered a guilty plea to reckless endangerment for his actions in the high-speed chase.

Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell said that Vanduser was operating a van on State Route 55 in the Town of Liberty when he was stopped by a sheriff’s deputy who was aware that Vanduser was wanted on an outstanding court warrant.

After advising Vanduser he was under arrest, Vanduser took off, fleeing the traffic stop at speeds in excess of 90 mph, and at one point he drove his vehicle directly at a marked Bethel constable vehicle that was assisting in the pursuit.

Civil lawsuit underway in Frein attack

SCRANTON, PA — Four years after a convicted killer ambushed a police barracks in Blooming Grove, state police troopers were scheduled to testify about their actions in the manhunt that followed.

The attack resulted in the death of Cpl. Bryon K. Dickson II, and trooper Alex Douglass suffered severe injuries. Jeffrey Hudak of Clarks Summit claims that hours after the attack, he was unlawfully arrested and detained by state troopers, who held him against his will and denied him an opportunity to speak to a lawyer. He said he was handcuffed and questioned for hours by troopers.

State troopers at the time reportedly were interested in Hudak because Douglass, the wounded trooper, had recently begun dating Hudak’s ex-wife.

Daniel Mulcahey, Hudak’s lawyer, said that troopers violated the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects people against unreasonable search and seizure.

The attorney for the troopers, Jessica Davis, countered that the troopers did their jobs effectively and treated Hudak with respect, and that Hudak was exaggerating the treatment he received while in custody.

State police did release to the media a mug shot of Hudak, but he was released several hours after he was handcuffed and he was never charged with a crime. Eric Frein was eventually arrested and convicted of the crime.

Woman drowns in Lake Wallenpaupack

HAWLEY, PA — A 71-year-old woman drowned in Lake Wallenpaupack on August 25, according to the Wayne County coroner. She has been identified as Anne Webster of Malvern, which is a suburb of Philadelphia.

The incident occurred during the three-day Wally Lake Fest, and occurred at about 3:30 in the afternoon, in Paupack Township near Overlook Road.

Webster was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital and declared dead. The drowning is considered to be accidental.

Sullivan 180 Healthy Living Festival

FERNDALE, NY — Sullivan 180, a non-profit organization born out of a grassroots effort to build a healthier Sullivan County, has announced its first annual Healthy Living Festival: “Building a Healthy Community, One Degree at a Time.” The event will be full of ways to learn about good health in an environment that includes music, local food, workshops, educational presentations, children’s games and more.

The Healthy Living Festival will be held on Sunday, September 23 at SUNY Sullivan from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. There is no admission fee; everyone is welcome. Free shuttle service to and from the festival will be available in Fallsburg, Monticello and Liberty and will run throughout the day.

“Healthy Living Through Movement,” a keynote presentation by Dr. Lee W. Jones, will be held at the SUNY Sullivan Seelig Theatre at 12 noon. Jones is a renowned speaker and exercise scientist from Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital. He will give practical advice on becoming physically active for a healthier and longer life.

There will be activities for all age groups from children through seniors. Attendees will be able to choose from an assortment of workshops including financial literacy, cyber-bullying, cooking demonstrations, meditation, dance fitness, sound healing, community acupuncture, martial arts demonstrations, tai chi, a youth basketball clinic and more. Health screenings and wellness education will be provided by more than two dozen exhibitors. Healthy food options will be available for purchase from local eateries.

Pre-registration is required for workshops and keynote presentation. Residents can register online at Sullivan180.org or by calling 845/295-2682.