By Guy Page
An Island Pond woman who admitted to using heroin within the previous 24 hours was sentenced Tuesday to four months in prison for the 2022 crash that killed two high school students, the Caledonian-Record reported this morning.
Katelyn Deslandes, now 25, was driving a car that on February 16 crossed the center line on Rte. 105 in Charleston and crashed head-on into a car occupied by Taylor Warren of Lunenberg and Logan Cota of Charleston, both 18.
The sentence followed a plea deal on charges of negligent operation, death resulting. Although the car was littered with empty Twisted Tea cans, and Deslandes admitted to using heroin within 24 hours, not enough evidence was available to prove driving under the influence, court records said. The charges were downgraded from felonies to misdemeanors because of the lack of proof of impaired driving.
Warren attended Lyndon Institute, Cota attended North Country Union High school. Neither were wearing seat belts.
Home improvement fraud – Luke Perry Jr., 35, of Newport, faces felony charges for home improvement fraud following an investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. The incident, which occurred in Albany, was first reported on June 9, said police cited in a Newport Dispatch report today.
After an in-depth investigation, the department says it was determined that Perry had entered into a contract with the victim, accepted payment, but did not complete the services as agreed. Perry has been issued a citation to appear in the Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Criminal Division, on February 27, to respond to the charge of Home Improvement Fraud.
As incidents of home improvement fraud continue to rise, homeowners are urged to take proactive measures to protect themselves from falling victim. To safeguard your investment, always research contractors thoroughly, obtain multiple quotes, check references, and insist on a written contract with clear payment terms and milestones.