Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell, State Police & Johnson City Police announced a major weapons bust in Broome County. 65-year-old Ramadan Abdullah has been charged with multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon & Criminal possession of stolen property. Abdullah was arrested by Johnson City police on May 31 for shoplifting ammunition from Gander Mountain, a search warrant was executed on Abdullah’s storage unit in the town of Union, where police seized 4 loaded handguns, 8 assault weapons, 64 high-capacity ammunition feeding devices, a loaded shotgun, 2 rifles & Thousands of rounds of ammunition. Search warrants were also executed at additional properties, resulting in the seizure of numerous rounds of .38 caliber ammunition, High-capacity ammunition feeding devices and ammunition & another loaded firearm. Abdullah was sent to the Broome County Jail pending arraignment.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Andes Fire Department and Emergency Squad responded at about 1:30 this morning to a 1-car accident on County Highway 1 in the Town of Andes involving an off-duty corrections officer employed by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. 39-year-old Nathan Weaver of Andes fell asleep while driving & left the roadway and colliding with a utility pole and a gas pump at the Tremperskill Country Store before the vehicle overturned on its side. Deputies determined that Weaver was intoxicated, he was charged with DWI, Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Concentration in excess of 0.08% and Failure to Keep Right. Weaver faces court action; Sheriff Tom Mills said that Weaver has been suspended without pay pending disciplinary actions.
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New York Correctional system workers who have died in the line of duty are being honored. 43 state prison system employees have died on the job since 1861, are being remembered today at a ceremony in Albany, also 5 employees are being honored for outstanding service at the Albany Training academy. Also, the agency’s Canine Unit is being recognized today, for detecting contraband being smuggled into prisons.
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The State Legislature is considering new rules for the solitary confinement of prison inmates. A proposed bill in both houses would restrict confinement to no more that 15 consecutive days, unless the inmate is sent to a special residential rehabilitation unit. The bill would also prohibit solitary confinement for the young, elderly & pregnant prisoners. Currently, about 4000 prisoners are being held in solitary confinement in state correctional facilities.
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The Binghamton Rumble Ponies announced that former New York Met great Darryl Strawberry would be at NYSEG Stadium on July 2nd. The team announced that they will have a special Meet and Greet Picnic that guarantees fans a photo, an autographed item, and a raffle ticket to win a Strawberry event worn jersey. The event runs from 11:30 to 1:00 pm with an all you can eat buffet. Limited packages available, at the box office during their normal business hours from 9:00 to 5:00. More information is available at milb.com/Darryl_Strawberry_VIP_picnic

The 66th Annual Unadilla Flag Day Parade will be held this evening along State Route 7 through the village. Spokesman Dave Welch explains:

(Dave Welch 6-14-17)

Those wishing to participate should begin lining up at the Unadilla Elementary School at 5:30 PM; more information is available at 287-7393.
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State Senator Jim Seward announced senate passage of a package of bills to try to decrease heroin deaths and put drug dealers behind bars for selling opioids and synthetic drugs:

(SEWARD 6-14-17)

The package of bills would build upon existing laws by focusing on enforcement to hold drug dealers more accountable, improve regulation of synthetic opioids, and improve the state’s treatment programs to help assist individuals with recovery, among other measures. The bills were sent to the Assembly for consideration.
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Governor Cuomo today announced that representatives from Audi of America performed New York State’s first series of autonomous vehicle demonstrations throughout the day today in the Capital Region. A driver manually operated the vehicle from State Street to I-90 where Audi Highway Pilot technology was then initiated, enabling automated driving for approximately 6.1 miles before a safe return to the Empire State Plaza. Two trained engineers were present in the vehicle at all times to monitor the system and ensure safety.
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Newman Development Group, LLC has broken ground on a 170,000-square-foot, mixed-use development project in downtown Binghamton. The multi-million dollar project will include commercial and retail space and rental housing options at the site, located at 50 Front Street. To make way for the project, the developer demolished the former Sheraton Hotel, which had had been sitting vacant on the site.