A month-long drug investigation in Oneonta ends with the arrest of two couples — one of which was found with more than $20,000 worth of drugs in their home. 26 year old Roy Dejesus Young, and 23 year old Kristen Lynn Rudnitsky, were arrested early Saturday after a no-knock search warrant was executed at their Oneonta home. Inside, Otsego County investigators found more than eleven thousand dollars worth of heroin and more than ten thousand dollars worth of cocaine, in addition to nearly $450 worth of marijuana and more than $5,000 in cash. Young is a convicted felon from a previous drug arrest. Young and Rudnitsky were both sent to the Otsego County Jail on $35,000 and $15,000 cash bail. Deputies also arrested 43 year old Michel Steven Harabet, and 40 year old Melissa Rotolo, both of Oneonta, as part of the investigation. Investigators found the couple Saturday afternoon along Gardner Place with $2,000 worth of crack-cocaine. They were both taken to the Otsego County Jail on $25,000 cash bail. All four people return to Oneonta City Court this morning for further proceedings.
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A worker for Canadian Pacific Railway came in contact with a power line and was electrocuted on Monday. 39 year old Thomas F. Tarchak of Simpson Pennsylvania was among a group of four workers inspecting a steel railroad bridge running over Route 235 in Harpursville when the inspection bucket he was in came into contact with the bridge and a NYSEG power line. The lift truck was still energized when emergency responders arrived at the scene. NYSEG had to cut power before the man’s body could be recovered. Route 235 between Route 7 and Davey Road was shut down during the response to the accident.
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A woman accused of threatening Walton schools through Facebook postings is working on a plea deal with prosecutors. 28-year-old Jennifer Morris of East Branch is facing four felony charges of falsely reporting an incident.The indictment said she circulated warnings in June that there would be an explosion at Walton schools. She also faces seven counts of aggravated harassment for communications sent to six adults. Morris was in Delaware County Court on Monday for a possible plea deal, but her defense attorney, Andrew Puritz, requested an adjournment. Her next appearance and possible plea has been rescheduled for Sept. 16, at 1 pm in Delaware County Court. Morris remains in the Delaware County Jail with bail set at $20,000.
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On Friday, Dajhoun T. Perez, 17, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty in Broome County Court to assault in the second degree. Perez admitted that on June 12 he shot Daquan Smith, 21, of Binghamton, with a semi-automatic handgun. Perez was taken to the Broome County Jail. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 23. The court will have to decide whether to sentence him as a youthful offender or as an adult.
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The Chenango County Department of Public Works shall close a section of County Road 33 today, between County Road 36(Norwich-Guilford Road) and County Road 34 (Springvale Road), in the Town of Norwich. This closure will be in place until the required culvert replacement work is completed. Local traffic shall be allowed access to their homes; however they will be required to travel away from the project for the closure period. Meanwhile, route 12 between Brisben and Greene has reopened after bridge work was completed ahead of schedule.
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Pre-registration begins today through September 10th for Otsego county residents for the household hazardous waste collection day. Registrations are available online at otsegocounty.com/solidwaste or by calling 547-4228. The first collection site will be Friday September 13th at the Unadilla town highway building; the second will be at the meadows office building in Cooperstown on Saturday September 14th. Businesses may participate by bringing their hazardous materials to the Meadows on Friday September 13th, and fees may apply. More information is available at 547-4228.
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A free Diabetes Information program will be held at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich on Thursday, September 26th in the basement conference room. The event is for diabetics and their families and begins at 5pm. There will be numerous speakers to discuss diabetic care, food preparation, diabetes & cardiovascular disease and nutrition. Vendors who specialize in products and services for diabetics will also be present. Space is limited and registration is requested by calling 337-4040 or on line at uhs dot net.