Dante Altieri is facing a felony charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Syracuse, NY -- A judge has rejected arguments by a Salina driver who wanted his charges dismissed in a fatal hit-and-run crash last September.

Dante Altieri, 19, 4045 Marlton Circle, claimed that he was scared after the 12:15 a.m. crash and went home to tell his parents what happened. Together, they headed back to the scene along Oswego Road.

Altieri had no criminal intent to flee the scene, was sober and admitted responsibility, his lawyer, John Cirando, argued.

But County Court Judge Thomas J. Miller cited Altieri's admissions to Onondaga County sheriff's deputies in upholding the felony criminal charge.

Altieri turned his head to see if the defroster was working. When he turned around again, Alteri told police:

"(I) saw someone in front of me. The person was walking on the shoulder of the road just over the white line maybe a foot or so. I was going right at the person and swerved to avoid the person but hit them. I only saw one person. It all happened so fast, I really tried to avoid hitting the person. I panicked and didn't know what to do. So I went him and woke up my parents..."

Joseph Roderka, 54, was walking to a bar with his daughter when he was struck and killed in September. (Photo provided by Nicole Roderka.) 

The pedestrian was Joseph Roderka, 54, who was walking with his daughter to do karaoke at the Gathering Lounge. Chief Assistant District Attorney Chris Bednarski said his daughter, Nicole, 21, would be "devastated" if Altieri's charges were dismissed.

The prosecutor also questioned letting a driver off just because he was scared. What about someone who had been drinking or texting?

In his decision, the judge noted the "seriousness of this offense and the strong evidence of the defendant's guilt" in upholding the charges.

But that doesn't mean the judge turned a deaf ear to Altieri's plight. The judge noted the driver's upstanding "history, character and condition," as well as the "unique circumstances of this case."

Those factors -- which could play a role in how Altieri's case is settled -- did not warrant dismissing the charges altogether, the judge ruled.

The judge also rejected Altieri's argument that not enough evidence was presented to the grand jury to be indicted on the felony hit-and-run charge.

Referring to Altieri's police statement, Miller said it was clear Alteiri knew -- or should have known -- that he hit a person.

Altieri is due back to court Friday.

The federal aid is from a competitive grant program run by FEMA.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Emergency responders in Baldwinsville and Fayetteville will receive federal grants totaling almost $300,000 through FEMA to help pay for new equipment, U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei said today.

The Greater Baldwinsville Ambulance Corps received approval of its application for $57,600 in federal aid to buy four chest compression devices.

The Fayetteville Fire Department will receive $212,268 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to buy 42 self-contained breathing apparatuses.

It was the third big federal grant award for Fayetteville in the past year. In February, the department received $74,200 from the same program to help pay for the recruitment, hiring and retention of volunteer firefighters.

"This funding is a huge help for us," Fayetteville Fire Chief Paul Hildreth said in a statement. "It provides safer equipment for our first responders and is just one more thing to help our fire department provide better service to the community."

Greater Baldwinsville Ambulance Corps Director Jim Hogan said the four chest compression devices "will help save lives when we are responding to cardiac arrest emergencies and support our first responders in doing their jobs."

Maffei, D-Syracuse, and U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., wrote letters of support for the grants and advocated for their approval. The money is from the Assistance to Firefighters competitive grant program run by FEMA.

Contact Mark Weiner at mweiner@syracuse.com or 571-970-3751. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWeinerDC

South Bay Road runs through the towns of Salina, Clay and Cicero, and the village of North Syracuse.

North Syracuse, NY -- Onondaga County Department of Transportation will host a meeting tonight to discuss improvements to South Bay Road.

The public informational meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the auditorium of St. Rose of Lima School, which is located at 411 S. Main St., in North Syracuse.

South Bay Road runs through the towns of Salina, Clay and Cicero, and the village of North Syracuse.

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@syracuse.com or 470-2298. Follow @SarahMoses315

Infinit Technology Solutions said it's hiring again after a major change in its business strategy.

DeWitt, N.Y. — Infinit Technology Solutions has moved to bigger quarters and is expanding its work force after a major change in its business strategy.

Infinit has added five people to its sales force since moving to 16,000-square-foot offices at 7037 Fly Road on Jan. 31, said company President Thomas A. Klink Jr. It previously was in a 6,000-square-foot office on Widewaters Parkway.

Klink said the company expects to hire 20 more people, mostly for sales positions, though it has set no time period for hiring that many. It currently employs 32 people.

"We want the community to know we're always looking for the right people," said Klink.

Infinit sells and installs new voice and data network hardware and software from 45 manufacturers. That's a change from just a few years ago when the company bought used networking equipment and telephones, refurbished them and re-sold them.

Klink, who joined Infinit in 2009 as director of sales, said he switched the company to selling only new equipment because he believed that had the biggest potential for sales growth.

Initially, the switch resulted in a decrease in jobs at Infinit because it no longer needed a staff to refurbish used equipment. But as sales of new equipment have increased, the company has begun expanding its staff again, he said.

Infinit is privately owned by entrepreneur Phil Taurisano and does not disclose profits or revenues.

Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148

"Time travelers or beings from another dimension" were also "likely," according to nine percent of Americans.

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared two months ago, and a new poll finds 1 in 11 people think "space aliens" may be to blame.

A new national poll conducted by CNN/ORC International found that 79 percent of Americans think none of MH370's 239 passengers survived the March 8 incident. Most respondents said they think a search should continue, though half questioned whether investigators have been looking in the right place.

NBC News reports no wreckage or evidence has been found from the Boeing 777 that was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The U.S. Navy will continue to support the search for the next four weeks, focusing on the southern Indian Ocean where Australia's unmanned submarine called Bluefin 21 has been surveying the ocean floor.

But the new poll found 46 percent of the public believes we'll never know what truly happened to Flight 370. Respondents were also asked how likely or unlikely they believed some potential causes of the flight disappearance was if an accident or mechanical failure wasn't responsible.

According to The New York Times, 66 percent thought a pilot or flight crew member could be to blame, and 57 percent said a terrorist attack was plausible.

Nine percent said "space aliens, time travelers or beings from another dimension" were "very likely" or "likely" to have caused Flight 370 to vanish.

Aliens? Time travelers? If you're scratching your head, keep in mind speculation has run wild with conspiracy theories about hijackings, life insurance scams, meteor strikes, cloaking technology or even supernatural phenomenon.

Seven weeks ago, Mediaite reported ABC affiliate KETV in Omaha, Nebraska, used a graphic based on the TV show "Lost" to ask viewers what they think caused the plane to vanish. The popular ABC series that ran from 2004 to 2010 revolved around fictional Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 passengers that were stranded on a mysterious island.

The poll was conducted as a phone survey of 1,008 adult Americans from May 2 through May 4.

.@CNN Actually Asked People In A Scientific Poll If They Thought Space Aliens Abducted MH370 http://t.co/wZFaz9Qq4s pic.twitter.com/rW9YWSTYIR

— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) May 8, 2014

Gov. Andrew Cuomo calls Duffy a true partner and friend.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- It's official: Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy will not join Gov. Andrew Cuomo as his running mate in this fall's election.

Duffy, in a three-page letter to the governor, said he did not arrive at the decision lightly. The former Rochester mayor and police chief promised to campaign for Cuomo this year.

But Duffy said the leg and back pain he suffered while traveling throughout the state grew too severe to commit to another four years. "While I do not like to offer excuses for anything, I would be disingenuous if I did not state that the pain of travel has increased to the point that I cannot commit to a second term," Duffy wrote in the letter, dated Wednesday.

Duffy said he intends on serving the remainder of his term, through Dec. 31. He writes that will be his last job in public service.

Cuomo issued this statement this morning, noting the miles and hours Duffy has logged on his travels throughout the state:

"From bringing new focus to the Upstate economy to leading the Regional Economic Development Councils, few people have traveled more miles, heard from more New Yorkers, or had a greater impact on this State than Bob Duffy. My administration and all of New York owes him a tremendous debt of gratitude," Cuomo said in a statement.

"Bob has not just been a great partner in governing our state - he has also been a true friend. I have said repeatedly that asking Bob to be New York's lieutenant governor was the first and best decision I made since running for governor, and that statement remains true today. I am deeply grateful for his service and friendship and I look forward to working together in the years ahead. I wish him and his family all the best."

Read Duffy's letter in full here:

Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy

Contact Teri Weaver at tweaver@syracuse.com, 315-470-2274 or on Twitter at @TeriKWeaver.

District Attorney William Fitzpatrick is looking into possible charges in the case of money missing from Jordan-Elbridge's athletic ticket sales.

Jordan, NY -The Onondaga County District Attorney's Office is gathering information that could lead to possible charges in the case of a Jordan-Elbridge athletic director who resigned after the district found about $12,000 missing from athletic ticket sales.

Wednesday night, Jordan-Elbridge School Board President David Gallaro read a statement at the meeting saying that since former assistant principal/athletic director Eric M. Varney, 44, of Clay, had repaid the missing money state police advised that they considered the case closed.

This morning, however, the Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick opened an investigation into the matter.

"District Attorney Fitzpatrick is the only person, by law, who can confer immunity on someone, and it will be him, and him alone, who will decide whether or not Mr. Varney will be prosecuted, not the superintendent and not the school board," said First Chief Assistant District Attorney Rick Trunfio.

The office is in the process of gathering information that could lead to possible charges, he said.

Gallaro's statement, however, said "the state police have advised the district that they consider this matter closed because restitution was made." The district did not say how much money was missing or how long it had gone on. ( Jordan-Elbridge's Superintendent James Froio Thursday afternoon said the amount missing over a two-year period was $12,729, which Varney repaid.)

The amount missing over two years was "in the neighborhood of $10,000," State Police Investigator Scott Russell said this morning.

The district became aware of the missing money on April 24. It conducted an investigation, including interviewing employees with access to the money and filed a report with the state police.

Varney made full restitution for the missing funds and resigned April 25, the district said. The district also notified the state Department of Education about the investigation and its conclusion.

Whether to file charges in the case, "that's not a decision that we make," Russell said. It would have been up to the victim, in this case the school district, to bring charges in the matter, the investigator said.

"It was handled as a civil matter," Russell said.

It is not unusual for a victim not to press charges in such cases, he said, adding "it happens all the time."

Syracuse.com has not been able to reach Varney. He received a salary of $98,517 in 2013, according the website SeeThroughNY.

Contact Charley Hannagan by voice or text at 315-470-2161, by email at channagan@syracuse.com, on Facebook at Neighbors West or on Twitter @charleypost

Watch a video showing one of the Hotel Syracuse's 'coffin doors.'

Syracuse, N.Y. — One of the odd features of the historic Hotel Syracuse is the unusually thick guest room doors that have curved wooden surfaces resembling the tops of coffins.

The "coffin doors" are original to the hotel, which opened in 1924. The hotel closed in 2004, but the coffin doors are still on almost all of its guest rooms. Only a handful of hotels in the country still have such doors.

The doors are unusually thick because they contain an interior space for guests to hang clothes they wished to have washed or dry-cleaned in the hotel's laundry overnight.

Guests would open a compartment on the "room" side of the door and hang the clothes they wanted washed. Without disturbing the guests, hotel employees would come around at night and remove the clothes through a compartment on the side of the door facing the hallway.

After the clothes were washed, they were placed back inside the door, where the guests could get them in the morning.

The doors have another odd feature. They contain a louver at the top. Guests could open the louver by pushing a button on the doors, allowing cool air from the hallway to enter the room. It was a rudimentary form of air conditioning.

Ed Riley, a hotel industry executive who has proposed a $57 million renovation of the Hotel Syracuse, said he would save as many of the doors as he could as part of the rescue project.

In the video above, Riley demonstrates how the coffin doors operate.

Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-314

Syracuse, NY -- Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick took 50 questions from readers during a noontime chat today on Syracuse.com. Many of the questions focused on his political aspirations and the recent dismantling of the Moreland anti-corruption commission. Amidst the banter, the DA provided newsworthy updates to a few cases pending in his office. Off-duty cop at scene of...

Syracuse, NY -- Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick took 50 questions from readers during a noontime chat today on Syracuse.com.

Many of the questions focused on his political aspirations and the recent dismantling of the Moreland anti-corruption commission.

Amidst the banter, the DA provided newsworthy updates to a few cases pending in his office.

Off-duty cop at scene of hit-and-run crash that killed Robert BeVard: The DA briefly addressed reports that a cop witnessed the crash that led to charges against Alicia Alampi in December. No other charges are pending in the case.

Guest: How come we never hear about the off duty police officer who also hit Robert BeVard? are charges going to be brought up against him? So far we only heard about Alicia Alampi striking him.

Bill Fitzpatrick: Fair question. In reality, there is no Good Samaritan law in New York State. A person can witness an accident, even a fatal accident, and if they did not cause it, they can legally drive away. I would ask you to be patient until all the facts come out at trial.

Guest: In regards to good Samaritan and the off duty cop, didnt he ALSO HIT Robert?

Fitzpatrick: There's no evidence that the off-duty cop struck Robert.

*****
Butt-slapping doc did not commit an assault: Fitzpatrick said that he could not charge Dr. Michael T. Clarke with assault despite finding proof that the St. Joe's doc slapped sedated patients during surgery.

Casey: You said in order to prosecute Dr. Michael Clarke you needed proof of sexual motive and identified victims to come forward, and that you had neither. Why was the proof of sexual motive necessary? Wouldn't proof of assault be sufficient?

Fitzpatrick: We never really considered this as an instance of sexual assault. And one reason I say that is because he did it, allegedly, to both male and female patients. You need to understand that in New York, unlike 49 other states, a slap is not an assault. It is considered harassment, which is considered a violation. Again, I hope people understand that Dr. Clarke has not been charged with anything and he is making demonstrable efforts to improve his behavior.

Joanne: Good Afternoon Mr. Fitzpatrick, In the Dr. Clark investigation, would it have made a difference in the outcome if you knew specifically the victims names. I think a lot of people think he should have at least been charged with something, why couldn't a lesser charge of assault apply?

Fitzpatrick: First of all, as you properly point out, we have no victims' names. Secondly, the most serious charge that could have been brought was the violation of harassment. And finally, any competent defense lawyer would have raised a viable defense that although crude, Dr. Clark was simply checking to make sure each patient was out.

*****
DA's office to investigate alleged $10,000 theft by former J-E school district athletic director: The prosecutor said his office -- not state police -- will have final say if anyone will be criminally charged.

That mirrors comments First Chief Assistant District Attorney Rick Trunfio gave to Syracuse.com earlier today.

Guest: Jordan-Elbridge School District decided not to pursue charges against an administrator who tool $10,000. Isn't that up to you to decide?

Fitzpatrick: Yes, absolutely. How would you feel if a young minority male stole $5 from a store with a water gun, and was sentenced to state prison for five years and some guy in Elbridge allegedly steals $10,000 and doesn't even get arrested? My office is currently reviewing this case, and we'll keep you posted.

*****
Support for a police "stop, question and frisk" policy:

M: Thank you for your thoughtful answers to all these questions. Could you please, however, expand a bit on what you mean by an "intelligent stop, question and frisk policy?"

Fitzpatrick: Great question. It would be similar to the policy advocated by New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton. The stops would be for clearly constitutional reasons. There would be communication between the officer and the person stopped. There would be explanation to the individuals -- why the stop was made -- assuming no contraband was found. And other steps that I'm a little constrained in this forum to detail. Again, these were all positions that were advocated by most at the recent symposium in D.C.

You can read the entire chat below:

View live updates on mobile app or RSS reader »

Federal prosecutors say a Pennsylvania woman has agreed to plead guilty to stealing more than $520,000 in Social Security checks over the span of 30 years.

CARLISLE, Pa. -- Federal prosecutors say a Pennsylvania woman has agreed to plead guilty to stealing more than $520,000 in Social Security checks over the span of 30 years.

Investigators say 71-year-old Susan Stock, of Carlisle, continued cashing the checks following her mother's death in 1983.

The Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General said it discovered the fraud when trying to arrange an interview last year with Stock's mother, who died in April 1983.

U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith said Thursday that Stock has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of theft of government funds. She faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. She has also agreed to repay $523,000 to Social Security Administration.

The From the Earth Arts & Crafts Festival will be held Saturday.

Onondaga Nation Territory -- The Onondaga Nation School's annual craft show will feature Native American art, food and entertainment.

The From the Earth Arts & Crafts Festival, which is open to the public, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Onondaga Nation School, which is located on Route 11A on the Onondaga Nation.

The craft show benefits the parent-teacher-student organization at the school. The festival will feature artists and craftsman representing all six Haudenosaunee nations. Items for sale will include silver jewelry, beaded jewelry, pottery, soapstone sculpture, leather work, weaving and paintings.

Traditional Native American food will also be for sale.

Theresa Bear Fox and Akwesasne Women Singers will perform at 1 p.m.

Free parking will be available at the school and at the Onondaga Nation Health Center. Admission is free, but donations for the parent-teacher-student organization will be accepted.

Sarah Moses covers the northern suburbs of Onondaga County and Oswego County. Contact Sarah at smoses@syracuse.com or 470-2298. Follow @SarahMoses315

The virus that resulted in a baby pig ban from the New York State Fair will push all pork products to record high prices.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The deadly virus that forced the New York State Fair to ban piglets this summer is also driving up the cost of bacon to record highs.

Pork prices hit a new high for March: $3.83 a pound. By summer, expect the average price per pound to be over $4, said Steve Meyer, an agricultural economist who consults for the National Pork Producers Council.

The problem is a virus with a nose-wrinkling name: Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea. It was first found on a U.S. pig farm in April 2013. This week, the New York State Fair decided to ban the popular mommy and piglet exhibits from the swine barns because of fears about spreading the virus.

PED, spread through small amounts of pig feces, quickly made its way across the country and has now been found in 29 pork producing states, including New York, according to information from the USDA.

It's possible that the disease is in more states, said Dr. Robert Baker, a veterinarian and director of Iowa State University's Pork Industry Center. That's because the USDA just last week required farms whose herds test positive for the disease to report it.

While Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea sounds awful, and is for the pigs, it poses no threat to people, Baker said. In pigs, the virus is nearly 100 percent fatal for piglets. They dehydrate and die from the diarrhea, Baker said.

He estimated that between 5 million and 7 million pigs have been killed by the virus since last year. This could cut pork production by as much as 10 percent, said Meyer, the economist.

Meyer said consumers should avoid drastic measures.

"They should never buy turkey bacon," said Meyer, who is based in Iowa. "They shouldn't be allowed to call it bacon."

Contact Marnie Eisenstadt at meisenstadt@syracuse.com or 315-470-2246.

Fitzpatrick says he thinks part of the Safe Act is unconstitutional, talked to the federal prosecutor looking into the Moreland Commission this morning and why he (and other DAs) can't endorse Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick thinks County Executive Joanie Mahoney would make a great lieutenant governor.

But Fitzpatrick is not interested in the job. The prosecutor answered a wide range of questions from readers and reporters on syracuse.com earlier today. Here are some excerpts:

Politics:
Q: Now that Lt. Gov. Duffy has announced he won't run for re-election, do you think Gov. (Andrew) Cuomo will ask Joanie Mahoney to run as his lieutenant governor?

Fitzpatrick: She'd be a great choice, but I hope she stays as our county executive. How come nobody wonders if I'm going to run, or if I'm going to be asked?

Q: Do you have any interest in pursuing the newly vacant Lt. Governor position? Do you have political aspirations outside of your present office?

Fitzpatrick: Being Lt. Governor in New York is kind of like being a baby changing station in a Hooter's Men's Room. It's very useful, but you just don't get a lot of work. In terms of other office, I have been asked, and my reply has been consistent for the last 20 years, which is, I have the greatest job in the world, so why would I leave?

Q (from me): You've developed a good working relationship with Gov. Cuomo during his first term. Will you endorse him this fall?

Fitzpatrick: Teri, you should know, that as I explained earlier, DA's cannot endorse candidates. But you are right, I do have a good relationship with the governor and think highly of him.

By the way, Duffy responded with this tweet this afternoon:

@TeriKWeaver Teri: It is hard to respond to Bill Fitzpatrick's quote as I have never been inside of a Hooters Restaurant. (LOL)

— Robert Duffy (@LtGovDuffyNY) May 8, 2014

Moreland Commission
Q: I'd be curious to know if the DA thinks that any of the commission's files will lead the feds to investigate (Assembly Speaker) Sheldon Silver or Cuomo.

Fitzpatrick: We turned over about two dozen potential investigations to the U.S. Attorney. None of them involved the speaker directly, and none of them involved the governor. I'd still like to know what the speaker does for his $400,000 retainer.

Q: Mr. Fitzpatrick, I've read that the U.S. attorney subpoenaed your phone records and the phone records of other Moreland Commission members to see if the governor or his staff exerted influence over what the commission investigated. Is that true? Have you turned over your phone records?

Fitzpatrick: I've been in contact with the U.S. Attorney in the Southern District as recently as this morning. Their plan is to, as the New York Times reported, to subpoena various documents. I will turn over all my records, regardless of whether or not I receive a subpoena.

Q: What will Mr. (Preet) Bharara learn from subpoenaing the Moreland Commission that he doesn't already have access to from the cases handed over to him and other prosecutors throughout the state?

Fitzpatrick: The U.S. Attorney has publicly stated he is not only investigating potential criminal charges against legislators, but he has expanded his inquiry to determine if political pressure was exerted on the Moreland Commission and its staff.

Q: If it was up to you, would the Moreland Commission have continued to investigate public corruption in NY? Did you argue at all with the governor over his decision to shut down the commission?

Fitzpatrick: I did not argue with him about that issue. I understand his reasoning. I'm hopeful that whomever he appoints to head the Board of Elections enforcement wing will in effect be a new "Moreland Commission."

Q: Where did the Moreland Commission send their investigations prior to U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stepping in? Southern District, Northern District?

Fitzpatrick: Myself and co-chair Milt Williams were contemplating sending the files to state prosecutors. After Milt and I talked, we decided the best forum would be Preet in the Southern District, and it may turn out that the U.S. Attorney will refer those cases to other state and federal prosecutors as he sees fit.

Q: Does Bharara have the authority to investigate the Governor and his office with meddling with the commissions ongoing investigation? As per reports, did any of Cuomo's aides interfere with who to send a subpoena to?

Fitzpatrick: In terms of authority, I obviously defer to the U.S. Attorney on that. In terms of interference, nobody interfered with my ability to do my job as co-chair.

Q: What did the grand jury subpoena ask for specifically?

Fitzpatrick: I actually haven't read the grand jury subpoena, because it technically has not be served on me individually. My attitude is that I'm going to just voluntarily provide everything I have to the U.S. Attorney.

Q: Did Silver have an input in ending the Moreland Commission?

Fitzpatrick: None to my knowledge, other than the fact that the governor has publicly indicated he got what he wanted legislatively and Silver had to agree with that.

Q: Did the governor or his staff edit the Moreland Commission's report before it was published?

Fitzpatrick: The bulk of the report, which I think was excellent, was written Danya Perry, who is just an outstanding attorney. All kinds of people on the Moreland staff had input in the final report, but ultimately, it had to be approved by the 25 commissioners, myself included.

NY Safe Act
Q: What are your dislikes about the NY Safe act?

Fitzpatrick: The seven-shot maximum capacity clip. In my opinion, that is unconstitutional. Military weapons should not be in the hands of civilians, which has been the law in this country for over 100 years. Certain other aspects of the SAFE act need to be revisited.

Q: Do you agree that we need to loosen up the gun laws in NY?

Fitzpatrick: No. Gun violence is, frankly, the No. 1 public health issue affecting minority residents in this city and the last thing we would need to do would be "loosen up" gun laws. However, I would refer you to my earlier comments regarding the SAFE Act.

Contact Teri Weaver at tweaver@syracuse.com, 315-470-2274 or on Twitter at @TeriKWeaver.

Christopher J. Billings, 41, of Parish, was a passenger in the pickup truck when it crashed in the town of Mexico. State police said he later died.

At about 5:30 a.m. Thursday Casey C. Billings, 29, of Parish, was driving a 2012 Ford F-150 pickup truck south on state Route 69 in the town of Mexico.

State police said he failed to negotiate a left curve and that his truck went off the west shoulder of the highway. The truck went through a large ditch, hit two utility pole guard wires and then two trees.

The pickup truck continued moving south until finally coming to rest in a yard at 4297 state Route 69.

Casey Billings was taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse in critical condition. His passenger, 41-year-old Christopher J. Billings, of Parish, was rushed to Oswego Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

State police said an initial investigation has identified "apparent alcohol consumption as a potential factor" in the crash.

An investigation is continuing, state police said.

Edward L. Atkins Jr. is wanted by the New York State Police on a bench warrant issued out of Madison County Supreme Court.

WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. -- Authorities are looking for a convicted felon who was scheduled to go on trial on charges of owning more than 60 guns.

Edward L. Atkins Jr. in 2012  

Edward L. Atkins Jr., 56, is wanted by the New York State Police on a bench warrant issued out of Madison County Supreme Court.

In October 2012, troopers from the state police Special Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at Atkins' Black Creek Road home in the town of Sullivan. They seized several handguns as well as nearly 60 assorted rifles, shotguns and black-powder rifles. A large quantity of ammunition was also seized.

Atkins was indicted on charges of both felony and misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon.The misdemeanor was a charge of possessing a rifle after having previously been convicted of a felony.

He was scheduled to go to trial on the charges on Monday, state police said. But he didn't appear in court.

Atkins is described as a 6-foot-1-inch man weighing about 240 pounds. He has gray and black hair and hazel eyes.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Atkins is asked to contact the New York State Police at 315-793-2531.

Indictments released May 8.

Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man accused of killing one victim and injuring another Oct. 5 was caught after fleeing to Philadelphia, on his way to Puerto Rico, police said.

Juan Cirino, 27, of 233 Fitch St., was indicted today on murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon charges in the 2013 shooting outside Calcano's Tavern on North Geddes Street.

Cirino confessed to the shooting of Alex Xavier Rivero Rosa, 20, who was found around 2 a.m. unconscious in the parking lot. Airstedes Lopez, 28, was also injured, leading to the assault charge, Police Chief Frank Fowler has said.

After the shooting, police discovered that Cirino had taken a flight to Philadelphia. He was arrested there hours later.

Here are other indictments returned May 8 from Onondaga County grand juries, reported by the District Attorney's Office. (All charges are felonies, unless otherwise noted.)

Toni Albright (Courtesy of the sheriff's office) 

Toni Albright, of 7506 Plum Hollow Circle, Clay: Predatory sexual assault against a child, course of sexual conduct against a child, use of a child in a sexual performance (four counts), criminal sex act (two counts), rape and endangering the welfare of a child (misdemeanor). Arrested April 9 in Clay. Conduct between spring of 2009 and March 2014.

Wayne Baker, of 128 Fairview Ave., Syracuse: Burglary (three counts). Arrested Jan. 7, 15 and 16 in Syracuse.

Michael Miller, of 209 Wildwood Ridge, Frankfort, NY: Assault (two counts, one of them misdemeanor), attempted assault, criminal contempt (two counts, one of them misdemeanor), menacing (misdemeanor), criminal obstruction of breathing (misdemeanor), unlawful imprisonment (misdemeanor), resisting arrest (misdemeanor), criminal mischief (misdemeanor) and aggravated harassment (two counts). Arrested March 1 in Syracuse.

Shaun Robinson, of 875 Pennsylvania Ave., Brooklyn: Criminal possession of a forged instrument (four counts), grand larceny and petit larceny (misdemeanor).

Robert Sobles, of 130 Mather St., Syracuse: Burglary (two counts). Arrested Jan. 7 in Syracuse.

See previous Onondaga County indictments

A commuter heading into Boston had a real dummy along for the ride.

QUINCY, Mass. -- A commuter heading into Boston had a real dummy along for the ride.

State Trooper John Carnell was working a paid detail in Quincy on Thursday morning when he saw a vehicle enter the carpool lane on Interstate 93 north with a suspicious-looking passenger.

Carnell pulled over the vehicle and found that indeed, the driver had propped up a jacket with a mannequin head on top in the passenger seat. The fake head even had a little mustache drawn on.

Vehicles using the lane must have at least two occupants.

The driver, whose name was not made public, has been issued a citation for operating on an excluded way.

Federal prosecutor would be second woman appointed to federal bench in Syracuse.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Barack Obama today nominated a federal prosecutor in Syracuse to serve as the next U.S. District Court judge in the Northern District of New York.

Obama asked the U.S. Senate to confirm Brenda K. Sannes, 55, of Skaneateles, for the Syracuse-based position. If confirmed, Sannes would be only the second woman to serve on the federal bench in Syracuse, and the third in the history of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.

"I am proud to nominate Brenda K. Sannes to serve on the United States District Court bench," Obama said in a statement. "She has a long and distinguished record of service, and I am confident she will serve on the federal bench with distinction."

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., asked Obama to appoint Sannes in a February recommendation. The senior senator of each state recommends judicial appointments to the White House.

At the time, Schumer said he was impressed by what Sannes had accomplished over two decades, and said he has always had a goal to elevate more women to the federal bench. Schumer said today he will do everything in his power to make sure Sannes is confirmed by the Senate.

"Brenda Sannes is a legal professional of the first-order with decades of experience as a federal prosecutor," he said. "She is uncommonly thorough, fair, and has a passionate commitment to an impartial application of the rule of law. It is no wonder she has such deep respect within, and beyond, the legal community."

Sannes has worked in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Syracuse for about 15 years, most recently as chief of the Appellate Bureau since 2005. She previously worked as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's office in the Central District of California (Los Angeles). In that post, she handled narcotics and money laundering cases.

As a prosecutor, Sannes has handled criminal cases involving narcotics, child exploitation, corruption, and health care fraud offenses, including an 11-week cocaine conspiracy trial.

If confirmed by senators, Sannes would fill the opening for a federal judge in Syracuse created when U.S. District Judge Norman Mordue switched to senior status. The judge's post pays $199,100 per year.

Contact Mark Weiner at mweiner@syracuse.com or 571-970-3751. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWeinerDC

Sheriff's investigators say that four people found dead in a Florida home that burned down had been shot.

TAMPA, Fla. -- A man, his wife and their two teenage children were shot before the million-dollar home they were renting burned down in what investigators called arson, a fire perhaps exacerbated by fireworks and gasoline, authorities said Thursday.

Autopsies were still being completed to determine how they died, but investigators have said they are looking into the possibility of a murder-suicide. Authorities recovered a gun at the home registered to Darrin Campbell and he bought an "exceedingly large amount" of fireworks and gas cans days before the fire, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Col. Donna Lusczynski said.

Authorities still have not positively identified the bodies, but the family has not been accounted for and a relative said they were inside the home when it burned.

As flames shot through the roof Wednesday morning, neighbors reported explosions, presumably hearing fireworks go off inside. Authorities have not indicated who may have started the fire or why.

Campbell bought $650 of fireworks on Sunday and authorities said fireworks were found throughout the five-bedroom home. Still, it wasn't clear what role the fireworks might have played, though Lusczynski said they could've been used to ignite the fire or keep it going.

Campbell had been an executive for several high-profile businesses. He was currently working at a records management firm and volunteering as treasurer at his children's private school. His wife, Kimberly, was a stay-at-home mom, according to her father, Gordon Lambie.

The family moved to Tampa more than a decade ago. They sold their home in 2012 for $750,000 and signed a two-year lease for the 6,000 square-foot home owned by former tennis pro James Blake. He bought the home in the Avila community in 2005 for $1.5 million, according to property records.

Avila is known for its mansions, heavy security, country club and golf course. Many well-known athletes have called the community home over the years.

Lambie said the family wanted to move closer to the children's school, Carrollwood Day School.

Nineteen-year-old Colin Campbell was a talented baseball player who planned to graduate high school next month. His teenage sister, Megan, was a ninth-grader who made an honor roll and took dance lessons.

"I've lost my entire family," Lambie said from his Michigan home. "It's very tough right now because I'm 1,500 miles away."

Campbell bought six packages of firecrackers and about the same number of fireworks designed to shoot into the air, said William Weimer, vice president of Ohio-based Phantom fireworks. He described them as backyard fireworks someone might set off on the Fourth of July.

He said the fireworks could have started a fire but it would have spread slowly. The amount of powder inside each one was smaller than an aspirin, he said.

A store manager, Rocky DiRoma, said there was nothing unusual about the $650 purchase.

"He was just an average Joe," DiRoma said.

Neighbors described hearing the fireworks.

"Geez. What is that popping noise?" a man said on a 911 call.

Another 911 caller, a security manager for the gated community, told dispatchers the fire was in the garage.

Darrin and Kimberly met in Lansing, Michigan, when they both worked as aides in the state legislature, her father-in-law said. Kimberly Campbell had graduated from Central Michigan University and Darrin Campbell had an MBA from the University of Michigan.

They lived in San Antonio, where Campbell was an executive with Pearl Brewing Company, before moving to Tampa.

At some point, he became senior vice president at PODS, the mobile storage company, and left in 2007. He was currently chief operating officer at Vastec, where he worked for the past six months.

Friends of the teens gathered Wednesday and released balloons with messages on them as a remembrance.

A former neighbor, George Connley, said Kimberly Campbell was "sophisticated and classy."

"We know nothing of any problems," Connley said. "The kids were outstanding children. This is very difficult to put our arms around."

Schneider reported from Orlando.

William A. Hansen, 64, was charged with probation violation and felony possession of a sexual performance by a child.

William A. Hansen 

William A. Hansen, 64, of 200 N. Onondaga Road, Apartment 8, Syracuse, was charged with probation violation and felony possession of a sexual performance by a child.

The sheriff's office said Hansen was arrested in conjunction with the county Probation Department and the District Attorney's Office.

Authorities began investigating during a routine visit by a probation officer. Hansen is listed as a Level 2 sex offender on the state Sex Offender Registry. During the probation visit, the officer noticed "some questionable images" on Hansen's computer, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office was notified. An examination of Hansen's computer by members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force revealed many images of children engaged in sexual activity, the sheriff's office said.

Hansen was arraigned in Camillus Town Court and ordered held at the Onondaga County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail or bond.

The sheriff's office said it is continuing to investigate.