Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride announced that Melissa Crispell pleaded guilty to 1st degree Robbery, she will serve 15 to 25 years in state prison in connection with the death of David Green in his Oxford Home last year. A part of a plea deal, Crispell will testify against her co-defendant Jeremy Coates, who will face murder charges when his trial begins at a later date.
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New York state school budget votes, and in some district, votes on School Board candidates bus purchases & capital projects, is being held today. The New York State School Board Association reported that the average proposed school district tax levy increase is 1.48%, which is more that half a percentage point below the “2 percent” property tax cap. This is the 4th consecutive year the tax cap growth factor will be below 2%. Most area schools have tax levy increases below the cap this year.
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Governor Cuomo today launched the 2nd round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative to boost local economies, by investing $100 million into 10 additional downtown neighborhoods, as selected by each of the state’s 10 Regional Economic Development Councils. The REDC’s will solicit applications for the 2nd round, they must be submitted by 4:00 PM on Wednesday, June 14th. Last year, Oneonta was selected as a $10,000,000 dollar award winner.
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This summer, the city of Oneonta, Along with Otsego Now & Empire State Development, will begin the process of updating the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The plan has not been updated since 2007, a series of public outreach events will be scheduled, and the update process is expected to take about 12 year to complete.
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State lawmakers are considering increasing penalties for those who cause harm to police animals. The proposed legislation would create a new felony offense for intentionally causing serious physical injury to a police work dog or police work horse; it would also increase the offense of killing a police work dog or police work horse to a class D felony. The bill is named Mitchell’s Law for a Jamestown Police Department German shepherd that suffered life-threatening injuries while apprehending a suspect in a slaying last November. The bill has passed through a Senate committee and has been added to the upcoming floor calendar.
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Big crowds are expected to General Clinton Park on Saturday May 27th, for the first full day of the General Clinton Canoe Regatta, according to Regatta Chairman John Harmon:

(John Harmon 5-16-17)

Also on Saturday will be the auctioning off of the Adirondack Chairs & Game Tables at 2:00 PM, just prior to the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
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New York state is expanding its fight against the emerald ash borer, which has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America, including many trees in upstate New York. State environmental and agricultural officials are expanding the state’s restricted zone to step up their fight against the invasive pest. The beetle’s larvae can be moved long distances in firewood, logs, branches and nursery stock.
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New York lawmakers are considering a Breathalyzer of sorts to combat distracted driving from texting. Legislation would allow police to use a so-called “textalyzer” to determine if a driver had been clicking, tapping or swiping a mobile device in the moments before an injury-involved accident. Similar legislation is being considered in New Jersey, Tennessee and Chicago.
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The Binghamton Rumble Ponies have rescheduled their Prevention Night for tonight. No alcohol will be served during the Rumble Ponies’ game this evening, as they have teamed up with the Broome Opioid Abuse Council Drug Free Communities for the event. Tickets from previosu rain outs for this event will be honored tonight at 6:35 PM @ NYSEG Stadium.
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The Oneonta Common Council will hold their next regular meeting this evening. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall.
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