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Pulling For History

img 7714-webThe Enterprise — Michael Koff
Just like the old days: The restored grader is put to work during a demonstration at the Altamont Fair. It was made by Climax Road Machine in Marathon, N.Y., north of Binghamton, a factory that ran from 1887 to 1890. Andrew Tinning plans to display the horse-drawn grader in June at the Gas-Up in Gallupville, and in August again at the Altamont Fair.

img 7717-webThe Enterprise — Michael Koff
Period piece: “Little Winner,” the antique road grader restored to its former glory by Andrew Tinning, looks right at home in front of the also restored village train station, now home to the Altamont Free Library. The grader will be at the station at least through April 9 when, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Judith Wines will give a presentation called “Tours and Trains in Altamont.”

img 7712-webThe Enterprise — Michael Koff
Rallying round the antique grader restored by Andrew Tinning, second from left, holding a whip, are, two grandsons of Casper Wagner, the grader’s original owner — Merlin E. Wagner at far left, and Bernard H. Wagner, at far right. The grader, which Tinning discovered, forgotten and neglected, on property behind his house on Dunnsville Road, was originally used to groom Guilderland’s roads before it was used for ditching at the Wagner farm. At center, is Steve Oliver, Guilderland’s current highway superintendent. Next to him is Judith Wines, the director of the Altamont Free Library, now housed in the village’s historic train station. The grader originally arrived in Altamont by train.

Turner pleads guilty to 2nd DWI

GUILDERLAND — An Altamont man who was arrested for drunk driving in December pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, a Class D felony, in Albany County Court on Tuesday.

On Dec. 15, Elijah Turner, 29, was observed speeding on Western Avenue, and, when an officer tried to initiate a traffic stop, Turner turned into a nearby golf course, eventually leaving his car and fleeing into the woods, according to a press release from District Attorney David Soares’s office.

Turner was found a short distance from his car and showed multiple signs of intoxication; he refused to submit to a breath test, and a check showed he was on probation for driving while intoxicated in 2008.

Turner will be sentenced on Feb. 16, and faces one to four years in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Peluso of the Vehicular Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

— Anne Hayden