Checkpoint results in four impaired- driving arrests in Brunswick
BRUNSWICK, N. Y. » State police from Albany and Rensselaer county stations conducted a sobriety road check in the town of Brunswick on Saturday night, making six arrests.
The most- serious charges were assessed against Bethanie Wark, 25, of Troy, who troopers said was driving under the influence of drugs and in possession of cocaine, Xanax, Adderall and marijuana. She was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, fifth- degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of seventh- degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of marijuana,
Wark was arraigned in the Brunswick Town Court and sent to the Rensselaer County jail with bail set at $ 2,000.
Troopers also reported these arrests:
• Jacklynn Evans, 22, of Wynantskill, was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated after, troopers said, a breath test indicated a blood- alcohol content of 0.18 percent. She was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after being found with a glass smoking pipe containing the drug. Evans was released on tickets to appear Oct. 4 in Brunswick Town Court.
• Clifton Houle, 47, of Troy, was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated after a breath test indicated a blood- alcohol content of 0.18 percent, troopers said. Houle was released on a ticket to appear Oct. 3 in North Greenbush Town Court.
• Christian Ozack, 31, of North Greenbush, was charged with driving while intoxicated, troopers said, after a breath test indicated a blood- alcohol content of 0.11 percent. Ozack was released on a ticket to appear Oct. 4 in Brunswick Town Court.
Two other people were ticketed for being in possession of small quantities of marijuana, troopers said.
Troopers said they were pleased to see several designated drivers and several other people using taxis to get home safely after drinking.
Grape stomp returns to The Hill at Muza
TROY, N. Y. » The Hill at Muza, 379 Congress St., will host its second annual vineyard grape stomp, this year featuring an even bigger vat, from 5 to 10 p. m. Thursday.
The Polish bar and beer garden will unveil its fall wine list during the grape stomp and speed- tasting event.
Guests are invited to jump into a 400- gallon steel vat to stomp on thousands of ‘ crushable’ sangiovese grapes provided by the Musto Wine Grape Co. of Connecticut. Patrons can stomp the grapes barefoot — there will be a foot- washing station available — or with rubber boots provided by the bar.
“Last year, we had three small wooden barrels large enough for one person at a time. This year, everyone is going to be in one great big vat together,” said Adam Siemiginowski, owner of The Hill at Muza. “You can’t help but laugh and have a good time squishing grapes with your feet.
Some of the best Champagne producers still use this technique. You’ve got to try it.”
The evening will also feature “speed tasting” of 17 wines being poured by the glass this fall, including three sparkling, six white, two rose and six reds.
“Speed tasting is just like portfolio wine tasting, which usually only wine industry professionals get to experience,” Siemiginowski said. “You’ll get to understand the subtle differences between all the wines, side by side“
Admission and stomping grapes are free, the cost for speed tasting is $ 10 for as many as 10 1- ounce tastes. No one younger than 21 will be admitted.