2 • May 12, 2018 | The BG/NC Sun
www.suncommunitynews.com
Published by Denton Publications, Inc.
Chazy ‘Strides for James’ returns this weekend
The 6th annual Stride for James will return to the Miner Institute in Chazy on May 12. Pictured here, a scene from last year’s event. Photos courtesy Strides for James, via Facebook
Sixth annual fun run raises money for student scholarships
By Elizabeth Izzo STA FF W RITER
CHAZY | Known for his giving spirit and unwavering support for those he loved, James Wilson, a Chazy native, was always willing to help others.
Six years ago, he passed away in a motorcycle accident. He was 26. In his memory his family puts on an annual “Strides for James” fun run, 5K and 10K race. This year’s run, slated for May 12 at 8 a.m., marks the event’s sixth year. “This event is really a lot of fun,” said Rachel Dutil, public relations and marketing coordinator for the Miner Institute, where the event will be held for the fifth time. The proceeds benefit the James Dean Wilson Memorial Scholarship, which doles out funds to students at Clinton Community College and area high schools. “The James Wilson Memorial Scholarship is very meaningful to our family,” the Wilson family said in a statement. “James would be so happy to give the same opportunity he had at Clinton Community College to someone else.” This year five students, one each from Clinton Community College, Northern Adirondack Central School, Chazy Central Rural School, Northeastern Clinton Central School and Beekmantown Central School, will be awarded funds at the tail end of the event. The awards ceremony is set for 11:15 a.m. Registration for the race starts at 8 a.m. and ranges from $0 — for the Children’s Fun Dash, ages 5 and under — to $20 for the 5K and 10K races. “It really is such a great event, it’s a lot of fun and it’s a great time to come to the Miner Institute,” Dutil said. For those not interested in running but still wanting to participate, the Miner Institute dairy farm, horse barn and historical exhibit will be open throughout the event. Learn more at runsignup.com/race/ny/chazy/stridesforjames. ■
Plattsburgh man suspected of kidnapping arrested Alleged kidnapper found with six pounds of marijuana By Elizabeth Izzo STA FF W RITER
PLATTSBURGH | A Plattsburgh man has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping an unidentified 22-year-old, threatening him
and stealing his phone. Plattsburgh City Police arrested Austin Okolonji, 25, of Clinton Street, on April 16. He was charged with kidnapping in the second degree, a class B felony; menacing in the third degree, a class B misdemeanor; petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor; and criminal possession of marijuana in the second degree, a class D felony. “This is an example why dealing in a drug like marijuana can quickly escalate into a dangerous and life-threatening activity,” Mayor
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Colin Read said in a statement. “Our detectives and officers demonstrated some excellent police work in what could have easily turned into an escalating violent incident. We must remain vigilant in deterring such crime.” Okolonji was arraigned at Plattsburgh City Court on April 17, with bail set at $5,000 cash or $25,000 bond. As of Thursday afternoon, he’d been released by court order and was listed as “Out of Custody” by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office. An order of protection has been issued for the victim, according to City Police Chief Levi Ritter. Okolonji was due back in court on April 26.
KIDNAPPED
The victim of the alleged kidnapping told police on April 10 that he was forced into a car on Oak Street by several masked people. In the car he was asked about the location of a package, according to a news release from city police, and threatened with bodily harm. When the vehicle came to a stop at a residence on William Street, his cellphone taken from him, the 22-year-old escaped and called for help at Zuke’s Deli on Brinkerhoff Street, according to Ritter. Six days later, as a result of an extensive investigation by city police and the Adirondack Drug Task Force, Okolonji’s vehicle was identified and found. Six pounds of marijuana was found in his car, Ritter told The Sun, an amount with an estimated street value of $15,000. Okolonji was tracked down, and police executed a search warrant of his Clinton
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Street apartment. More evidence was found there. Ritter declined to disclose what that evidence was. The investigation is ongoing, and according to a news release from Plattsburgh City Police, more arrests are expected. The Adirondack Drug Task Force is comprised of members of the Plattsburgh City Police Department, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Homeland Security Office of Air and Marine, New York State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, Clinton County District Attorney’s Office and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. ■
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