State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son Adam turned themselves into federal authorities today following a federal investigation. Dean Skelos has been arrested on a 6-count indictment charging him with extortion & conspiracy; he becomes the latest high-ranking New York Lawmaker facing charges, the most recent being his former assembly counterpart Sheldon Silver on federal corruption charges. Skelos has not yet given up his position as Senate leader. Deputy Senate Leader Tom Libous of Binghamton is currently recuperating from back surgery in Florida, he is also facing charges for allegedly lying to FBI Investigators regarding a position his son received at a Westchester law firm.
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Jury deliberations continued again today in Schoharie County Court, in the 3rd Cal Harris murder trial. The latest trial lasted over 11 weeks, it had been moved to Schoharie County after 2 convictions in Harris’ home county court in Tioga County, where the September 2001 Murder of Michelle Harris allegedly took place. Both previous convictions were overturned on appeal.
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State Police responded to a Broome County 911 report of a fatal motor vehicle accident involving 2 race vehicles on the dirt track at the Broome Tioga Raceway in the Town of Lisle. The investigation determined that 38-year-old Michael Smith of Owego, was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer when he lost control of his vehicle on a turn and rolled over coming to rest on the driver’s side. His vehicle was then struck by approaching racer 35 year old Mitchell Quail of Richfield, who was unable to avoid a collision. Smith suffered a head injury from the collision and was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital were he died. An autopsy is pending; Mitchell Quail was not injured in the collision. The investigation is ongoing.
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Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride has announced his campaign for re-election in the 2015 election cycle. McBride has served 16 years as District Attorney, he was first elected DA in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003, 2007 and 2011.
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Oneonta city officials announced water system work that will begin tomorrow. Between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM, the Oneonta Department of Public Service will be repairing a water valve on River Street, there will be a temporary water outage for users between Gilbert & Van Woert, water could be cloudy for a brief period after the work if completed, but it should clear up after a short time. Those with questions can call 432-6465.
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Temporary weight restrictions implemented in March on several Delaware county roads have been lifted, according to the Delaware county department of pubic works. County routes that have had the restrictions removed were routes 7, 10, 16, 20, 23,26 35 & 67.
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Hunters harvested approximately 238,670 deer during the 2014-15 hunting seasons, slightly less than the statewide take the previous year, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The estimated take included 130,068 antlerless deer and 108,604 adult bucks. Regionally, hunters in the Southern Zone took 206,106 deer.
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The 25th annual Ed Wessels Canoe Race will be held this Saturday, starting at the Otego Boat Launch. Spokesman Ed Curley explains:
(Ed Curley 5-4-15)
Curley said that the race is considered a key tune up for the Pro racers prior to the General Clinton Canoe Regatta on Memorial Day weekend.