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Jefferson County's Undersheriff, the focus of a State Police investigation, is reportedly ready to retire. Two media reports this morning say that Andrew Neff plans on retiring from the department, possibly as soon as this week. Neff is currently under investigation on allegations that he had a relationship with a convicted felon and sent sexually charged images and texts to the woman. Forty two year old Michelle Bowens of Adams Center went public with the allegations last fall. The results of that investigation were expected this week, although it's not known if that will occur.

10:14 AM

Allegations of sexual abuse against a child has led to charges against a Gouverneur man. State Police on Wednesday arrested 23 year old Joshua Bristol is alleged to have had sexual contact with a child under the age of 11 back in the summer of 2010. Bristol is charged with first degree criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child. He was arraigned and ordered held in the St. Lawrence County Jail on $10,000 cash bail.

9:54 AM

A multi-vehicle crash on I-81 last night claims the life of a Pulaski woman. State Police say the accident occurred in the northbound lane of 81 at the Oswego/Onondaga County line just before 10:30 pm. Nineteen year old Liberty Tanner of Pulaski was in a disabled vehicle in the center lane and calling 911 on her cell phone when she was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by 17 year old Alex Mills of Altmar, NY. That started a chain reaction crash that involved several other vehicles. Tanner was pronounced dead at the scene. Several others were taken to a Syracuse hospital where they were treated for their injuries and released. The investigation into the accident is continuing.

9:53 AM

An Adams Center man is facing charges after allegedly trying to flee police following a traffic stop Wednesday. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department pulled over a vehicle operated by 41 year old Steven Buckingham of Adams Center just before 1 pm on I-81 in the Town of Adams. Police allege he gave a fictitious name to authorities in an effort to avoid being arrested on active warrants out of Syracuse. Buckingham is also alleged to have sped away from the scene and would not pull over for police. He was eventually apprehended at his residence. Buckingham is charged with unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree, second degree reckless endangerment, second degree criminal impersonation, unlawful possession of marijuana, and multiple vehicle and traffic charges. He was ordered held in the Jefferson County Jail on $500 bail.

9:53 AM

A former Jefferson County resident who moved to California to become a police officer has died in the line of duty. Thirty one year old Kevin Tonn died late Tuesday morning near Sacramento. Reports say he was shot by a burglary suspect who then took his own life. Tonn served locally with the 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Drum. He was also a volunteer with the Philadelphia Fire Department and was also the chief of emergency medical services for the village.

9:52 AM

State Police have charged a former union treasurer in St. Lawrence County with embezzling funds. Forty two year old Phillip Jessmer of Wadington was charged earlier this week on allegations that he took over 7 thousand dollars from CSEA Local 185, where he served as treasurer from 2009 to February of last year. He is charged with one count of third degree grand larceny, and several counts of second degree possession of a forged instrument. He was arraigned and released under probation supervision. CSEA Local 185 represents civilian employees at the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility.

9:51 AM

The former elections commissioner in Lewis County has been formally charged for allegations that cost her job over a year ago and became the focus of a lawsuit. Earlier this week, Elaine McLear was charged with authorizing payments to her daughter for elections work that was allegedly not done. McLear is charged with three counts of offering a false instrument for filing, petit larceny, and official misconduct. She is alleged to have authorized payments of $347 that were not legit. She won a court case against the county last fall, fighting her suspension from the job.

9:51 AM

A Texas official is attempting to lure New Yorkers upset over Governor Cuomo's gun control legislation to move to the Lone Star State. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has launched a Google web ad campaign telling New Yorkers who are fearful that their gun rights are threatened by the new law to move to Texas. Abbott says New Yorkers can feel safe knowing they will have the right to bear arms in Texas. The web ads will appear as pop-ups on several media websites, including the New York Times.

9:50 AM

Governor Cuomo's campaign contributions in recent years have, for the most part, come from well-heeled donors. An analysis of Cuomo's latest fundraising figures found that nearly 40 percent of Cuomo's donors have given his 2014 re-election campaign 40-thousand dollars and more over the past two years. Cuomo announced his latest fundraising numbers earlier this week, saying he has over 22-million dollars in the bank for his re-election run.

9:49 AM

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