Garza Search Resumes

WALLKILL, N.Y. (AP) - New York police and firefighters are searching along upstate roadways and wooded areas for a New York City woman missing since December.

State Police senior investigator Kevin McGrath says the search will go on until dark Saturday for Laura Garza. The 25-year-old Brooklyn woman was last seen December 3 with convicted sex offender Michael Mele in Newburgh, about 60 miles north of New York City. Police say Mele is a person of interest but hasn't been charged in Garza's disappearance.

About 100 police and volunteer firefighters are searching areas of Bullville and Circleville in northern Orange County, about 20 miles west of Newburgh. McGrath says the areas weren't easy to search before because of snow and bad wather.The search for a New York City woman missing since early December has been partially suspended due to snow cover.

Mele, a 23-year-old sandwich-shop owner from the Town of Wallkill, has been held in jail on probation violation charges since December 6.

On Thursday, state police suspended a search planned for this weekend in Sullivan County due to snow. A renewed search in parts of Orange County will continue as scheduled Saturday with about 200 police and volunteer firefighters.