The body of an 80-year-old Virginia man who was the subject of a search by local police this week was recovered Friday in the Eastern Shore area of Virginia. Authorities said the death is being investigated as an apparent suicide. The man, Robert C. Merkel Sr. of Chesapeake, Va., had been last seen on Monday and investigators said there were indications he may have been in the West End of Oneonta last week. Items that may have belonged to Merkel were located Saturday at the Valero convenience store in the West End.
State Senator Jim Seward will be at Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta today. Senator Seward will be joined by Fox Hospital President John Remillard to announce legislative funding to assist with a major renovation project at the hospital.
Former Governor Elliot Spitzer, who resigned five years ago as a result of a prostitution scandal, is looking to resume his political career this fall. Spitzer will seek to get on the ballot in the race for New York City comptroller. Spitzer would have to collect some 3,700 signatures by Thursday to get his name on the ballot, where he would face Manhattan Borough President and fellow Democrat Scott Stringer.
A car crash at the intersection of County Routes 36 and 37 in Guilford has left one person dead. State Police were on scene at around 5 p.m. Friday, along with multiple fire and ambulance teams. Troopers confirm that one person was killed. State Police are still investigating, and have not released the victim’s name.
The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested 25-year-old Coy Biviano of North Norwich, and 24-year-old Christopher Bonno of Sherburne, on charges of conspiracy & petty larceny.
The 2 are accused of stealing a laptop from a Norwich resident, Biviano and Bonno were arraigned in the Town of Norwich court and were both remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000.00 bail.
The Chenango County Sheriffs Department arrested 37-year-old Harry Donnely of Sherburne on a charge of 2nd degree aggravated harassment. Donnelly is accused of harassing and threatening the victim by phone. He was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and was released on his own recognizance.
Binghamton Troopers arrested Alexander G. Griffin, 25, of Bainbridge, NY for Criminal Possession of a Weapon With Intent to Use and Menacing 2nd. The arrest resulted from the report of a road rage incident July 4th on Interstate 88 in Colesville. Mr. Griffin was arraigned at the Town of Colesville Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.
The American Red Cross has spent the past few days distributing supplies to victims of recent flooding. Bulk distribution sites were set up in Herkimer, Sherburne, and Oneida Counties. Hundreds of families picked up hot food, medical supplies and cleaning supplies. If you would like to donate to the Red Cross, you can visit their website at Redcross.org or call them at 1-800-Red-Cross.