SANDY COOK 'OFF THE AIR' FOLLOWING DRUG CHARGES IN MASSENA, WMSA BOSS SAYS

Reprinted from North Country Now

(Tuesday, February 16, 2016) MASSENA -- Following his arrest on drug charges, Sandy Cook won’t be back on the radio anytime soon.

“He’s off the air until further notice,” said Mark Gaines, regional manager for Stevens Media Group Watertown and Massena markets, which owns 1340 WMSA. Cook has been a mainstay on the station for about 40 years.

He declined to say anything more about Cook’s status with WMSA.

“It’s such a sensitive topic, that’s all I’m going to state as of now,” Gaines said.

Cook’s show, “Morning Drive,” will be staffed by part-timers for now, Gaines added.

In addition to his decades on the airwaves, Cook was a Massena town supervisor from 2001 to 2005 and has been a mainstay at Massena Central sporting events.

The beleaguered radio host was charged Friday after what Acting Massena Police Chief Adam Love said was an ongoing investigation into illicit drug sales in Massena.

On Feb. 12 at 2:10 p.m., village police charged Cook, 60, and Edward J. Slade, 24, both of 96 Cook St. with one count each of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Police searched the home after getting a warrant and allegedly discovered heroin, crack cocaine and hypodermic needles.

Each was released with an appearance ticket for Massena Village Court on March 1 at 1:30 p.m.

Shortly before the raid, village police charged Slade with failure to signal and suspended registration, both traffic infractions. A passenger in his car at the time, Heather Amarel, 45, Massena was charged with possessing a hypodermic needle and resisting arrest. That took place just before noon at McDonald’s on South Main Street, according to the village police blotter.

Later that day, Slade was arrested for violating a court order and charged with second-degree criminal contempt.

A document filed with Massena Village Court says Slade allegedly called James Baker on Friday night, in violation of an order of protection.

Slade was charged March 14, 2015 with robbery and burglary for walking into someone’s home, getting into a scuffle with the person and stealing $4 from a pair of pants on the floor.