Latest news with #Sprague
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘Worst I've ever seen;' Over 30 dogs, several ferrets found in area home with ‘feces inches deep'
Four people are facing over 100 charges in relation to the welfare of dozens of animals found in what officials say were 'squalid conditions.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The four people lived in a home at 300 Campbell Lane in Bethel, according to a release by Clermont County. Those facing charges are Terri Sprague, the owner of the home, and Sprague's son, Christopher Davis. Husband and wife, Anthony and Vicki Miller, are the other two defendants. TRENDING STORIES: Steeple collapses after fire rips through historic Catholic church US Marshals take 1 in custody after nearly 12-hour standoff' Area police chief placed on paid leave pending misconduct investigation Investigators found 34 dogs confined to a room. The dogs included a mix of breeds and ages, but mostly Chinese Crested. Dog wardens got a search warrant for the house after one of the dogs was picked up by a passerby who asked the wardens to investigate why the dog was in such poor condition. 'The conditions we saw are hard to describe, but they were the worst I've ever seen,' Deputy Dog Warden Sarah Steele said. 'The smell of feces and urine were overpowering. The floor was covered inches deep in feces and the dogs were matted in feces and urine. None of the animals had fresh food or water. Their bowls were even filled with feces.' The Clermont County Animal Shelter took the animals after they were recovered by the wardens. The defendants lost possession of the animals when they failed to post bond to cover the cost of their care at the shelter. The court set the bond at $29,250 per month. All but one dog has since been adopted or placed in foster care. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Four charged after 38 dogs, 7 ferrets found inside Bethel home filled with feces, urine
Four people have been charged in Clermont County after dozens of dogs and several ferrets were found living in "squalid" conditions in a house earlier in May. The Clermont County Dog Warden announced that four Bethel residents – Terri Sprague, Christopher Davis, Vicki Miller and Anthony Miller – are facing animal cruelty charges after 38 dogs and seven ferrets were seized and impounded from Sprague's Campbell Lane home on May 5. The warden launched an investigation on May 2 after Deputy Dog Warden Sarah Steele came into possession of a dog whose fur was stained with urine and heavily matted, according to a criminal complaint. The dog had been picked up as a stray by a local resident, who then posted about it on social media in an attempt to locate its owner. Davis, who is Sprague's son, responded to the post, identifying himself as the owner. Steele contacted Davis over the phone and coordinated a time for her to take the dog to his mother's house, where he also lived. Steele went to the house and met with Sprague, who court documents say had "feces on her clothing and reeked ofurine." She also told Steele that she had 11 other dogs inside the house. More: 'Beyond disturbing': 11 more people indicted in 'animal crush videos' case Chief Dog Warden Tim Pappas wrote in the complaint that officials were able to obtain a search warrant, which they served on May 5, based on Steele's observations and interaction with Sprague. While executing the search warrant, 34 dogs − mostly Chinese Crested but including a mix of breeds and ages − were found confined to a single room. Seven ferrets were found in a cage. Steele described the conditions as "the worst I've ever seen." More: Thousands of Ohioans are attacked by dogs each year. How to avoid bites, protect yourself 'The smell of feces and urine was overpowering," Steele said in the release. "The floor was covered inches deep in feces and the dogs were matted in feces and urine. None of the animals had fresh food or water. Their bowls were even filled with feces.' Additionally, according to the complaint, the ammonia level due to the urine was eye-watering and made it difficult to breathe. Garbage, rotting food with bugs and clothing stacked close to the ceiling were also seen in most areas of the house. Sprague, Vicki Miller and Anthony Miller were all present while the search warrant was being served. Four additional dogs were found in another room that was occupied by both Millers, who are married, according to the release. The Clermont County Animal Shelter took possession of the animals after they were recovered by the wardens. The defendants lost possession of the animals when they failed to post bond to cover the cost of their care at the shelter. The court set that bond at $29,250 per month. All but one dog has since been adopted or placed in foster care, the release said. Sprague and Vicki Miller were arraigned on May 28, the release said. Sprague is facing 41 counts of cruelty to a companion animal, a first-degree misdemeanor, with her trial date set for June 26. Vicki Miller is facing four counts of cruelty to a companion animal and 34 counts of complicity, and her trial date is set for June 12 Davis and Anthony Miller are slated to be arraigned in Clermont County Municipal Court on June 4, with Davis facing one count of cruelty to a companion animal and 34 counts of complicity. Miller faces four counts of cruelty to a companion animal and 34 counts of complicity. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 4 charged after 38 dogs, 7 ferrets found inside Clermont County home
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Moriah volunteers create Community Garden
PORT HENRY — The town of Moriah has its first vegetable-filled Community Garden on the edge of Witherbee Park. 'It's exciting for the community,' garden volunteer Cathy Sprague said. 'So many people have contributed to make this happen.' People can take what they need from the garden, especially senior citizens, and they're planting vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers, Sprague said. Community gardens are popular in other towns like Keene and North Elba, but so far Moriah has been left out of the fray. Not anymore, Sprague said. She said James Curren of Jimmy's Lawn Care brought in topsoil for the garden, Michelle Budwick of Sprout's Greenhouse donated plants, and volunteers Patty Gallagher, Carol Chiarella and co-organizer Jackie Viestenz have been tending it. 'Jackie and the others have been down there planting and watering,' Sprague said. 'Now we're waiting while everything starts growing.' Sprague said co-organizers Nicole Van Buren and Jackie Viestenz developed the concept of a Moriah Community Garden. 'Nicole brainstormed this,' Sprague said. 'We all loved the idea and everyone got to work.' Van Buren said the garden is fully planted. 'There will be two different kinds of tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, zucchini and summer squash, lettuce and Swiss chard,' she said. 'This is open to all community members and we are looking for anyone who would like to volunteer for weeding and watering.' The garden is sponsored by the Moriah Chamber of Commerce, and chamber President The Rev. Ric Lewis said the project could help a lot of people who don't have access to fresh produce. 'It came to be in one of our chamber meetings,' he said. 'We decided to put it into play. Jimmy (Curren) did all the digging and he brought in all the soil.' The soil was donated by a Dan White of Westport and Spaulding's Farm, he said. The garden is located in front of the Town Hall, in Witherbee Park, off Park Place behind the Amtrak Train Station. Volunteers who are interested should call the chamber at 518 250-1050.
Edmonton Journal
7 days ago
- Climate
- Edmonton Journal
Blue Jays farm team in Buffalo feeling absence of Canadian fans
Article content That's a worrying trend, and the situation has been compounded by weather woes that resulted in a handful of postponed games and contributed to a serious drop in attendance. Through 21 home dates, as of May 19, the Bisons averaged about 4,300 fans per game at Sahlen Field, their beautiful downtown ball yard. Last year, the Bisons attracted an average of 6,232 fans per game, while the full-year number was 7,165 in 2023 and 6,846 in 2022. 'The weather has been beyond atrocious,' said Sprague. 'I can't remember a worse start weather-wise. We haven't had a stretch where it's been 80 degrees. Just rain and cold.' Who are the Buffalo Bisons and why do they usually have so many Canadian fans at their games? The Bisons are a Triple-A, minor league baseball team competing in the 20-team International League, along with the likes of the Durham Bulls, who were made famous by the movie Bull Durham. In 2013, the Bisons became the top minor league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, and as such, have been the launching pad for Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and other members of Canada's only Major League Baseball team.
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
4th Generation driver displays skill up north
A fourth-generation Timaru racing driver is continuing to add to his family's motorsport legacy. At 18 years old, Corban Sprague is following in the wheel tracks of his great-grandfather Ernie, grandfather Wayne and dad Peter after completing his first race of the Toyota TR86 Trophy Series. To compete in the series Sprague outperformed 40 applicants and won a hotly-contested eight-man shootout last month to secure himself a scholarship and a seat in the CareVets TR86 car. The series opener took place on May 9-10 at Hampton Downs and Sprague quickly demonstrated his ability. He finished fourth in qualifying, followed by a third place finish in race one which was then promoted to a second due to a jump start up front and an unfortunate fifth place in the final race after his car was used as a "brake marker" by a fellow driver leading to him spinning out. Sprague said that racing was just in his blood. "I've grown up around it since I was a toddler, so it was always going to be a matter of when I start, not if. "It's pretty special to carry the family name in motorsport and there's not many people that can say they are a fourth-generation racer in New Zealand. It's pretty cool." He said there was a bit of pressure from his family name but it did not really bother him. "I'm a pretty relaxed person to be fair and I just get on with the job that's at hand." Before receiving the scholarship for the Toyota series, Sprague had made a name for himself racing in the Mazda Pro 8 New Zealand series. He said heading into the first round of the Toyota series, it was the least prepared he had been for a race meeting. "The scholarship was really late in the piece, which didn't leave us any time to get up there and do some testing in the car. "My first proper go in the car was the Friday of the meeting and it was raining." He said his first dry run in the car was Saturday's qualifier. "I did all my preparation outside the car with the fitness side but on the driving side I was a little less prepared than I would have liked but it is what it is. "I just kept chipping along and got on with it." It was a positive start to the series, he said. "I think going forward I learned a lot over the weekend. "I've got a great crew coaching and mentoring me through it and I'm happy with how I went. "I enjoyed it, I'll just keep working behind the scenes and we'll do the best we can going into Taupo in five weeks." He said he did go into it with high expectations, but he felt getting a podium in his first race was pretty good. "I just thought if I could be in the top three, top five I'd be happy and we did that. "It's all time and mileage, I think we're looking pretty good." The goal was to win the series, he said. "There's quite a big prize up for grabs, which is a potential opportunity to jump up to the inaugural GR86 championship next season. "Whoever wins the series will have the same scholarship deal that I've got for this series getting into the GR86. "You can't win it in the first round, so I've just got to keep chipping away and putting my best foot forward and hopefully we'll come out with a good result." He said his ultimate goal was to get over to Australia and make it into the V8 Supercars competition. "But at present time I'm just going to keep doing th best I can in the series and car that I'm racing and see where I end up." Sprague said he was very appreciative of everyone who had helped him get to this point. "I'm just very grateful for this opportunity and I can't, can't thank everyone enough that's helped me get to this point. "It doesn't happen without the help of those people." The four round series continues with round two at Taupo International Motorsport Park on June 21-22, followed by a trip to Manfeild on July 5-6 and a return to Taupo for the final round on July 26-27.
