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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.

DNA nabs Willete for burglary

crime kenneth willete-webKenneth WilleteGUILDERLAND — A man who left a blood trail after breaking into a Heartland Drive home in 2010 pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary, a Class C violent felony, in Albany County Court on Tuesday.

Currently a prisoner in New Hampshire State Prison for an unrelated crime, Kenneth Willete, 36, kicked in a basement window of a Guilderland home to steal jewelry, electronics, money, and sports memorabilia in June of 2010, according to a press release from the district attorney’s office.

When the homeowner returned, Willete confronted him before driving off, the release said.

Willete was identified by his DNA, taken from a blood sample left after breaking the window.

The sentencing will be on March 25. Willete could serve nine years in New York State prison and five years of post-release supervision as a second felony offender.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf of the Major Offenses Unit, and the plea was heard by Judge Stephen Herrick.