By NICOLE M. REOME, Staff Writer, The Palladium Times

OSWEGO - More than three years after a West Second Street blaze killed a SUNY Oswego student, the investigation continues. As opposed to local law enforcement, however, the magnifying glass now appears to be in the hands of lawyers.

The Oswego City Police Department was one of the city departments recently ordered to respond to a subpoena for its complete file related to the 1998 fire on Oswego's West Second Street that killed 18-year-old Caryn VonHoltz.

VonHoltz died April 10, 1998, in the upper apartment of the two-story building at 119 W. Second St. The blaze leveled the apartment, Cam's New York Pizzeria on the first floor and four neighboring businesses. Investigators concluded that the most likely cause of the fire was arson.

Legal papers were filed last year with the State Supreme Court in Oswego County accusing Oswego businessman Anthony V. Calascibetta, the owner of the building in which the fatal blaze occurred, with "negligence and carelessness." The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Caryn VonHoltz's father, Charles VonHoltz of Sterling, seeks $3 million in damages.

Hard-hitting claims

The lawsuit contends that Calascibetta contributed to Caryn VonHoltz' death by not obtaining a rental permit for the second-floor apartment in which she died, not installing smoke detectors in the apartment and not equipping the apartment with a suitable fire escape.

Oswego Deputy Police Chief George Lundy Jr. said the department was directed to submit its case file on its investigation of the fire and VonHoltz's death to the Oswego County Supreme Court Clerk by July 30.

"They are looking for our complete records," Lundy said. "It is a huge case. We probably have four or five file boxes full of documentation related to the investigation."

According to Lundy, the arson investigation is still open, although police are not pursuing any active leads. He said, perhaps, the directive from the subpoena could prove helpful to the case.

Persistent approach

"We have been over and over this case and while we don't think we have missed anything, it is always good to review," he said. "As we prepare the information for the court, we will be reviewing everything page by page. This type of case is something you never give up on until it is solved."

The 1998 fire is reportedly the city's only unsolved fatal arson case.

Capt. Michael Dehm said the information the police prepare will be reviewed by Assistant District Attorney Donald Dodd before it is turned over to the court.

Robert Lahm, the lawyer representing the VonHoltz family, was in court this morning and was unable to be reached for comment. Calascibetta and his attorney, Edward Mervine, were also unable to be reached this morning.

By DAVE TAYLOR, Staff Writer, The Palladium Times

OSWEGO - The fire that tore through a downtown block last month has been ruled arson, city officials confirmed this morning.

Oswego police and fire personnel responded at about 11:15 a.m. May 7 to a call about a fire above Oompa's Pizzeria, 61 W. Bridge St. The blaze quickly spread to surrounding structures, leaving nearly 30 people homeless, four businesses displaced and leading to the demolition of six buildings.

City officials have estimated the cost of the fire in overtime and equipment maintenance at nearly $50,000.

Capt. Mark McManus of the Oswego Fire Department said the fire was intentionally set, but would not say where or how the fire started. He said the investigation is now in the hands of Oswego Police Department. "That's where their expertise and training come into play," he said.

Investigation continues

Police Capt. Michael Dehm Jr. said the investigation will continue as it has since the days immediately following the fire.

"We're interviewing all potential witnesses and any people that were affected by the fire," Dehm said. "We do know it's incendiary. There are no other possible causes."

Fire Chief Ed Geers called on the public to come forward with any information about the fire. "If any member of the public was in the area of the fire between 10:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on May 7, we are interested in talking to you," Geers said in a statement. "If you saw anyone entering or leaving the building at 61 W. Bridge - that's the western-most door of the Oompa's Pizzeria building - we ask that you come forward."

Anyone with information on the fire may call police at 342-8120. Dehm said video evidence, especially from the fire's onset, is particularly valuable.

McManus declined to say whether any potential suspects in the fire have been identified.

"We thought we were close one time," he said. "It's a big puzzle, we're just missing a couple of pieces."

McManus said the original investigative team on the fire once numbered 24, with representatives from the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the Oswego County Cause and Origin Team and the local fire and police departments.

By DAVE TAYLOR, Staff Writer, The Palladium Times

OSWEGO - Four weeks after a devastating fire wiped out almost an entire Oswego city block, displaced business owners and residents are still picking up the pieces and trying to put their lives back together.

One month ago today, city fire and police personnel responded to a call about a structure fire at 58 W. Bridge St. In the hours that followed, as many as 13 fire departments tried to control the blaze, which was spread by high winds to adjoining buildings.

Within a week of the fire, only four structures were left standing on the block, with more than 20 people left homeless and several businesses lost.

Investigators are still sifting through mounds of evidence to determine a cause for the fire, according to Oswego Fire Department Capt. Mark McManus. He said an investigative team that started out as 24 individuals is viewing hundreds of photographs, hours of videotape and boxes of evidence collected from the fire scene.

"As of right now, it's open-ended," McManus said Wednesday. "As we've said all along, we want to do this right. This is a very significant incident."

McManus said the Bridge Street blaze is one of the most devastating he's seen in his 16 years with the department, overshadowed only by the 1998 fire that claimed the life of 18-year-old SUNY Oswego student Caryn VonHoltz.

"It seemed to run a little bit smoother this time," McManus said in comparing last month's fire to the one that tore through the 100 block of West Second Street in 1998. "You hate to say it, but it gets better with practice."

For Mali Dorsey, whose 63 W. Bridge St. apartment building was razed following the fire, the shock is still there.

"It doesn't feel like it's been a month," Dorsey said. "It feels like a week. I feel like everything is flowing along, but everything still feels fresh."

Dorsey said she has begun to put her life back together, beginning with moving into a new apartment this week after spending the bulk of the past three weeks with her parents.

Still, she said, the borrowed air mattress she sleeps on is a reminder of what was lost one month ago. "It's a strange feeling. I've moved before but this is not like moving," Dorsey explained. "It's a whole different feeling, because you're usually excited about moving into a new place.

"But it's hard because I don't have any of my stuff. It's a reminder."

Dorsey said she is still hopeful for the successful recovery of her beloved cat, Marzipan, who was originally feared dead in the fire. She said a nearby resident said she had been feeding a black cat matching Marzipan's description up until about a week ago.

"We're 99 percent sure he got out, but we think he's traumatized and hiding," she said.

The support from strangers, family and friends, Dorsey added, has been "overwhelming."

"I expected that people would be supportive, but I could never imagine how much people have done," she said, citing phone calls, letters, e-mails and stops by strangers on the street. Dorsey said a benefit at Coleman's Authentic Irish Pub went a long ways toward helping her get back on her feet.

The benefit, however, meant more than just the money raised, Dorsey said. "The money was important, but I just wanted to be cheered up and have a good time, and I did that," she said.

Another benefit to help the fire victims will be held this weekend. MoJo's Restaurant and Cam's New York Pizzeria will hold the event at their lot on West Second Street from 2-9 p.m. Saturday. Live music will be performed by the Road Classics and Sundogs bands.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Oswego American Red Cross to help repay the disaster team for its efforts during and after the fire. A 50/50 raffle will also be held to raise money.

During the event, at 4 p.m., the Oswego Central Business District, Inc., will present several plaques to the fire and police departments, as well as the departments of water, public works and traffic.

Certificates will be presented to the Red Cross, Oswego County Fire Coordinator John Hinds and the 14 volunteer units that were on the scene or on standby.

For business and property owners affected by the fire, the recovery process is still ongoing. Thomas Tesoriero, who owned property at 53 and 55 W. Bridge St., said dealing with insurance companies and coping with lost information and equipment have been the biggest obstacles.

"It's pretty shocking," said Tesoriero, the city's water commissioner. "You never realize the full impact of it at the moment. Every time you go to look for something, you say, 'Oh, that was lost in the fire.' You're reminded of it on a daily basis."

Don Wahrendorf said he is fortunate his West Bridge Street tavern, The Sting, survived the fire. His properties at 57, 59 and 61 W. Bridge Street were torn down due to fire damage, however.

Wahrendorf said he had under-insured the three buildings, failing to carry insurance to cover the costs of demolition and removal of debris. He said the razing of the three buildings, which housed Oompa's Pizzeria, four apartments and four rooms, cost him $37,000.

Wahrendorf said the city may have been hasty in tearing the structures down. "The city overreacted a little bit," he said, " but I realize what they had to do. I understand that there was a problem."

Wahrendorf added that he had to pay $46,000 to reinforce the outer wall of The Sting, which forced him to close half of the tavern. He said he hopes to reopen the back part of the bar next week, but said he has lost significant revenue from the fire.

Mayor John Gosek said the city is willing to help displaced business owners in any way possible. Gosek said a representative from Gov. George Pataki's Office of Small Cities will be in Oswego next week to meet with property owners.

"Any time you lose three businesses and some rental property, it has an effect," he said. "The city wants to help. We want to see what we can do to soften the blow for them."

Gosek said the cost to the city in overtime and related costs for the fire is in the $50,000 range. "That's why you have contingency, that's why you have emergency funds," he said.

According to McManus, each of the department's four shifts has met individually to "critique" the fire.

"Even though a lot of buildings were damaged, nobody was injured," McManus noted. "We are satisfied we did everything we could that day and did it to the best of our ability."

OSWEGO - Members of the public may be the key to solving the massive West Bridge Street fire that consumed a good portion of a downtown block four weeks ago, Oswego Fire Chief Ed Geers said this morning.

Officials continue to investigate the cause of the May 7 fire, which displaced 26 residents and destroyed several businesses. The blaze appears to have started in an apartment above Oompa's Pizzeria at 59 W. Bridge St. at or around 11 a.m.

Geers said investigators are particularly interested in anyone who has photos and/or videotape between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day. "We have had some people come forward with stuff, and we appreciate that," he said.

"If anyone's heard people talking about it, or if they saw (anybody or anything suspicious) on that day, we would appreciate it if they came forward," Geers told The Palladium-Times. "Any information we get would be kept anonymous."

Geers said investigators have sifted through a lot of information already, although there is nothing that has given them any definite indicators. "Before we make any announcement one way or the other, we want to make sure everything is covered," he said. Because of this thorough approach, Geers said, officials have not set up any timeline on when they plan to announce results of the investigation.

Those with photos, videotapes or helpful information on the fire are encouraged to stop by the Oswego East Side Fire Station, 35 E. Bridge St., or call the station at 342-8769 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

By JESSICA LYONS, Intern, The Palladium Times 

OSWEGO - The community of Oswego pulled together to give an Oswego resident a boost on Saturday at Coleman's Irish Pub.

Mali Dorsey lost everything in the Bridge Street fire that consumed most of a block on May 7. Some friends of hers saw that she could use assistance, and organized "Mali-Polooza" to raise money on her behalf.

"We figured that we could help her out, throw a party and have a good time," said Pete Coleman, owner of Coleman's and one of the people responsible for the event. Also instrumental in promoting the event was the Dave Thomas family of Oswego.

Money was raised through two kegs that were donated to Coleman's Irish Pub by Onondaga Beverage and Eagle Beverage. Any profits made from selling drinks and food at "Mali-Polooza" were also to benefit Dorsey. More funds were raised through raffles of items donated by local businesses including Staples, Canale's Restaurant, Dunkin' Donuts, Oswego Speedway, Wal-Mart, Cam's New York Pizzeria, AAA Travel Agency and Crisafulli's 1850 House.

"We're just going to do it and see how much we can raise," Coleman said.

The day was filled with entertainment from musicians including Betty Lee and Steve Wescott, Aaron Stark and the band Los Diablos from Boston.

"They've really been incredible pulling this together," said Dorsey.

Although raising money was a main objective of "Mali-Polooza," Dorsey also had another goal.

"My main objective is for everyone to have fun because I need to be cheered up," Dorsey said. "I think the only way you can get through something like this is to have a positive attitude and keep the humor."

The event, which started at 3 p.m., had many people coming to show their support.

"We had quite a few people coming and going," said Coleman. "It was a good turnout."

The support from the community at "Mali-Polooza" brought in around $1,000.

"Everyone was very generous," Coleman said.

"It's great," Dorsey said of the support. "It makes me proud of Oswego."

By NICOLE REOME, Staff Writer, The Palladium Times

OSWEGO - Investigators will spend today sifting through piles of debris to determine what caused a fire that raged for several hours on Monday, leveling nearly an entire Oswego block in the process.

Oswego fire and police personnel responded at 11:13 a.m. Monday to a call from a residence at 58 W. Bridge St., according to Capt. Mark McManus of the Oswego Fire Department. The fire, which is believed to have started in an apartment above Oompa's Pizzeria, 59 and 61 W. Bridge St., quickly spread to adjacent structures and required the help of 12 area fire departments to get under control.

While the fire was mostly in check by early evening Monday, two flare-ups occurred in the Oompa's building during the night, McManus said. He said the fire was completely out by this morning, with two engines and six firefighters on the scene through the night to fight any potential problems.

The fire led to the demolition of buildings at 53, 55 and 57 W. Bridge St. by 10 p.m. last night, with 59 and 61 W. Bridge slated for demolition sometime today following an investigation by the Oswego County Cause and Origin Team and the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

The demolition was performed by J.W. Pritchard Construction. Oswego Chief Code Enforcement Officer Neal Smith, who determined the structures were a safety hazard along with City Engineer Anthony Leotta, said insurance should cover the cost of the demolition.

No time to rest

According to McManus, a hose line crew went up the stairs but discovered heavy flames at the top floor when they responded to the fire. "We immediately withdrew and went into defensive action," he said.

While firefighters began to attack the blaze through windows and from the roof, McManus said the fire immediately began to spread to 55 and 57 W. Bridge St. through common walls. From there, flames were carried west and caught the roof and eaves at 63 W. Bridge St. Comforted by friends and American Red Cross volunteers, the tenant of the upper apartment at 63 W. Bridge St. watched in tears as the fire spread to her home.

McManus said rescue workers from approximately a dozen fire departments were on the scene and waiting in the wings to help efforts to extinguish the flames. Oswego City firefighters were assisted at the fire by crews from Minetto, Oswego Town and Fulton city. Volunteers from Alcan, Central Square and Mexico were also at the scene to help with water while Scriba and Volney trucks were standing by at the city's stations. Granby and New Haven were also on stand by to assist.

McManus said while the city's water department was helpful in bringing water to the scene, the size of the fire had overwhelmed the city's municipal water system. An Alcan tanker truck was stationed at the Oswego River and began feeding river water to the scene at approximately 12:30 p.m.

"I would compare this to the downtown fire from 1998," McManus said. "Approximately the same number of structures were involved." He pointed out that the age of the buildings in the city's downtown area plays a factor when fires break out.

While firefighters attacked the front, two crews were lifted to attack the blaze from the roof. Rivers of water were dumped in an effort to keep the fire from spreading from rooftops. In all, McManus estimated between $800,000 and $900,000 in property was damaged.

There to help

Red Cross disaster action teams were immediately on site providing assistance to homeless residents and tired rescue workers. Volunteers from the Salvation Army were also at the scene, helping to keep rescue workers hydrated.

Ed Kaish of the Oswego Chapter of the American Red Cross said those left homeless Monday were all given shelter through the Red Cross' emergency assistance program. Last night, students who were living in the apartments eaten by fire were given shelter at the college while non-student residents were housed at the Econo Lodge Riverfront.

Though several firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion at the scene, no serious injuries were reported. One resident, Melissa Knopp, 33, of West Bridge Street, reportedly awoke to find smoke in her room. Assisted by off-duty firefighter Gary Richardson and bystander Erik Ziverts, she was able to escape the building through a rear window.

"She was treated by EMS workers and then transported to Oswego Hospital," McManus said. A pet cat was also rescued from one of the buildings. Though soaked from water, the animal was reportedly uninjured.

McManus compared the blaze to one that raged through the city's downtown April 10, 1998.

Oswego State University student Caryn VonHoltz, 18, died in the two-story building at 119 W. Second St. The blaze leveled the apartment, Anthony Calascibetta's New York Pizzeria downstairs and four neighboring businesses. Investigators concluded that the most likely cause of the fire was arson. To date, however, a suspect has not been identified.

By DAVE TAYLOR, Staff Writer, The Palladium Times 

OSWEGO - In a "sting" conducted last weekend by state authorities at four Oswego bars, 94 people were arrested, 64 for underage drinking.

For local officials, a larger issue remains: how those people, 79 of whom are SUNY Oswego students, got into the bars in the first place.

According to Oswego Police Chief Kathleen MacPherson, many are using false identification manufactured to afford students under the age of 21 access to local taverns. "It is big business," she said, "and it's a big problem. They are getting better and better."

Oswego State University Police Department Deputy Chief Larry Jarrett said the fake IDs range in price from $10 to $100, and have become even more elaborate as computer technology has progressed.

"It's very easy to do. There are black-market programs that are sold on the Internet and other materials that can be purchased," Jarrett said. "Some of it is rather sophisticated."

Jarrett said people who make fake IDs do so either for mass distribution or merely for themselves and their friends. But as of yet, Jarrett added, he has yet to see the "perfect" false identification. State-issued licenses, the most common form of identification, each bear a watermark.

"I haven't seen a good seal duplication, but I'd never say you can't do it," Jarrett said.

Bob Bateman, manager of Oswego's Woodshed Tavern, said a simple device called a "confirm light" can protect bar owners and keep underage students from drinking illegally. He said the Woodshed has few problems with fake IDs because underage patrons know they will not get in and have their identification confiscated.

"We've set the standard that it's 21 and over and we try to adhere to it," Bateman said. "We have security at both doors every night of the week, and they have the confirm lights."

MacPherson said the lights, which will catch computer-generated or other fake IDs as well as altered real licenses, are inexpensive and readily available. She said they were even distributed during last year's Harborfest and are available through Take Charge Coalition, Inc.

MacPherson said the number of underage drinkers getting into bars is increased by tavern owners not using the confirm lights.

"They're not being used," she said. "All you have to do is look for the hologram, and the alterations will show a black mark. It takes about two seconds."

Bateman agreed. "They have to do their job and they have to do it right," he said of other bars. "If they choose not to use the confirm light, that's their choice."

Bateman admitted the thirst for profit may drive some bars not to use the lights or other methods of checking identification, including a scanner that reads the bar code on the license and stores the information.

OSU's Jarrett stressed the need to find students who manufacture the fake IDs, since their crime leads to several others. He said the penalties can also be severe, ranging from a misdemeanor criminal impersonation in the case of using someone else's ID, to felony forgery charges for making or possessing manufactured IDs.

"It's really not worth it for a few drinks," Jarrett said. He added that many potential employers see an arrest record and call the university police to inquire about the charges.

"I have to say yes," he said.

Jarrett also pointed to the most recent arrest made on the campus for making the computer-generated identification. Mark Kratz, a student at the school, was arrested last December and charged with making false New Jersey licenses on his personal computer in his Onondaga Hall dorm room.

Kratz was charged with second-degree forgery and possession of a forgery device, both felonies, and possession of a forged instrument, a misdemeanor. As part of his sentencing, Kratz was ordered to take out six full-page advertisements in the student-run newspaper The Oswegonian explaining his actions.

"Felony charges are very serious," wrote Kratz, who declined comment for this story. "Having and using a fake ID is not a little thing. It's a felony! When you stop to think about the effect something like this has on your schoolwork, your friendships, your future, and most of all your family, it's simply not worth the risk.

"It's against the law and a very serious crime. This is something that will impact you the rest of your life."

By CAROL CONZONE, News Assistant, The Palladium Times

OSWEGO - Eight fraternity brothers will be allowed to remain in the Zeta Chi Zeta fraternity house following an inspection which occurred Monday at the residence located at 58 Ellen St.

Chief Code Enforcement Officer Neal Smith identified a number of violations, the most significant being the lack of a heating and ventilation system. Claims that the building is caving in are unfounded, he said.

Neal was told by the president of the fraternity that local contractor Ralph Pauldine has been hired to install a new furnace and a few other items within the next few days.

"A list of violations is being compiled for the zoning board and other interested parties," said Smith. "The building is not a dangerous building contingent to the fixing of the heating system."

Smith added there are problems with the chimney and a number of other things, but in a descending order of importance.

An inspection was made after residents protested an extension that would allow the fraternity house to be located in the residential neighborhood.

A re-inspection is tentatively planned for Thursday, Smith said.

By NICOLE M. REOME, Staff Writer, The Palladium Times

OSWEGO - By Saturday morning, the brothers of the Zeta Chi Zeta fraternity could be homeless.

At the direction of Oswego Common Council President William Mercier, an investigation will be conducted today into allegations of a host of violations at the house. If founded, Mercier said the house could be condemned.

Neighbors of the fraternity house approached the city during Thursday night's zoning board meeting to protest the renewal of a special permit for the frat, according to Mercier. The house, located at 58 Ellen St., requires special permits from the city because it is in a residential zone. He said the special permit has been granted in past years contingent upon several requirements, all of which have been violated, according to neighbors.

Mercier called a special meeting this morning with the city engineer and the code enforcement office. The purpose, he said, was to call for an emergency inspection of the building.

"I was astounded at the amount of damage and city-code violations reported at the meeting last night," Mercier said. "After hearing all of the claims, it was obvious that the matter required immediate action."

Permit specifications

The contingencies of the special permit, according to Mercier, require the fraternity to maintain the house and not disrupt the neighborhood with parties, noise after 11 p.m. or police calls to the residence. All of these have been violated, according to neighbors. Last night, Mercier said the city heard reports of broken windows, holes in the trim around the house (allowing animals to enter), water and raw sewage flooding the basement that has to be periodically pumped out (reportedly into a neighbor's yard), and allegations that the house is not structurally sound.

"Apparently a porch was taken off of the side of the house a while back that was on a load-bearing wall," Mercier said, adding the supports for the house were never replaced and, as a result, the roof of the home is allegedly sagging. Neighbors also reported the chimney has been knocked down, presenting the potential for carbon monoxide leaking into the house.

Mercier said the house was inspected by Neal Smith, the city's code enforcement officer, in September. "When the fraternity president approached the zoning board for the permit renewal with a three-year inspection permit, we questioned how the problem could have gotten that bad in five months," Mercier noted. "The neighbors just laughed."

Taking charge

With Mayor John Gosek out of town, Mercier took the helm to handle the situation. He said he would direct the city engineer, the code enforcement office, and the housing inspector to go through the building "from attic to cellar" and deliver a report by this afternoon. From there, the next step will be to meet with the city and zoning board attorneys to decide if the house will be closed.

"The primary issue here is the health and safety of the boys at the house and the neighbors in the area," Mercier said. "These kids are young and are probably not aware of the severity of the concerns but I don't want to see their safety jeopardized." He estimated that eight fraternity members would be affected if the house is closed.

"These kids are not able to manage these types of problems," he said. "It is unfortunate there was no one helping them before the problems got this bad." Mercier added the fraternity president did not deny any of the allegations from the neighbors and apologized for any disruptions the fraternity may have caused. He added there is no mortgage on the house and it appears the fraternity owns it outright.

If the reports are founded and if the house is closed, Mercier said the city would work with the college to find safe housing for the students.

Virginia Ingram, the adviser for the fraternity, was unable to be reached for comment this morning.