The murder trial of Cal Harris will continue in Schoharie County Court, after Judge George Bartlett ruled against a defense motion for a mistrial following yesterday’s opening statements by the prosecution. Harris has been convicted twice before for the murder of Michelle Harris in Tioga County Court, both convictions were overturned on appeal, & the 3rd trial was moved to Schoharie County.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office & Norwich Police executed a “no knock” search warrant Thursday at 12 Mechanic Street in Norwich, following an investigation of heroin and narcotics sales. 27-year-old Jason Sigler of Norwich was charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance & Criminal Nuisance, he was arraigned in the City of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $5,000 cash bail. 50-year-old Patricia Manwarren of Norwich was charged with Criminal Nuisance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, with more charges pending, she was arraigned in the City of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $1,000 cash bail. 39-year-old Michael Hackett was found to be in possession of marihuana and issued an appearance ticket to appear in the City of Norwich Court at a later date. The Sheriff’s Office recovered cocaine, prescription pills, marihuana, digital scales, and Baggies during the search.
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State Police arrested 47-year-old Jason Bush of Deposit for Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, Criminal Mischief & Harassment. The arrest occurred after Troopers responded to a request to check the welfare of a woman at a residence on County Route 20 in Deposit, where Bush allegedly kicked, punched, choked & threw her phone so that she could not contact police. Bush faces court action Monday.
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State police announced that 3 employees from 3 businesses were arrested Sunday during a state police underage drinking initiative. State police conducted stings at several establishments, charged with the prohibited sale of an alcoholic beverage, 43 year old Larry Pike of Oneonta at the Taylor’s Mini Mart in Oneonta, 26 year old Santiago Giraldo of New Rochelle at the Best Wine and Spirits on Route 7 in Oneonta, & 27 year old Mehwish Rena of Otego, at Betty Beaver’s Fuel Stop in Otego. All 3 will appear in court at later dates.
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Bronx Assemblyman Carl Heasty was elected as the new Speaker of the Assembly this week, following the resignation of Sheldon Silver. Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Crouch 2-6-15)

Silver resigned his position as Speaker after 21 years, following his arrest on federal corruption charges; he has NOT resigned his seat in the Assembly.
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State Senator Jim Seward announced the launch of an on-line petition drive in support of his initiative to cut New York’s gas tax. Seward stated that New York consumers are faced with gas taxes that add up to approximately 63-cents a gallon. Senator Seward’s petition to “Cut The Gas Tax” can be found on his website, senatorjimseward.com.
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Today is “National Go Red For Women Day”, to kick off the month long Heart Month awareness program. Heart disease is the number one killer of American women according to the American Heart Association. Locally, to kick off Heart Month, UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital will have a display of free information and awareness items in the cafeteria; donations may also be made to the local American Heart Association Heart Walk.
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