Multiple area fire departments responded this morning to a structure fire at 348 Chestnut Street in Oneonta. The fire was reported at around 9:30 AM with fire fighters called in from as far away as Sidney. The fire was brought under control in about 1 hour; the cause of the fire is under investigation.
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The Chenango county sheriffs department, Norwich city police and from the US Marshals, apprehended Shawn Fowlston in a room at the Sherburne Motel last night. Fowlston was wanted on 2 warrants for forcible touching and harassment. Fowlston had been released on parole on Monday following a recent conviction for 3rd degree rape; the alleged incident occurred on Tuesday, Fowlston faces action in Norwich city court today.
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There have been alarming changes in the drugs used illegally in Delaware County in the last year, with the comeback of one drug particularly troublesome, according to Delaware county sheriff Tom Mills:
(Sheriff Tom Mills 4-4-13)
Mills said that strong Marijuana is also a problem, leading many to gateway into heroin. Another problem is prescription medications making there way out of the medicine cabinet & into the black market, according to Dave Ramsey of the Delaware county Alcohol & drug Abuse council:
(Dave Ramsey 4-4-13)
Those who have questions about heroin, prescription pain medications or other abused substances can call the council at 746-8300.
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The State labor Department released the February unemployment numbers today. The state’ rate was at 8.4%, the upstate counties suffered through 9.2% unemployment for the 2nd straight month, the southern tier region was stuck at 9.6% in February.
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The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested 27-year-old Brad Perry of Plymouth for unlawful possession of marijuana, & 22-year-old Todd Williams for failure to appear. The arrests followed a traffic stop in oxford Monday; Perry was issued an appearance ticket for oxford court at a later date. Williams was taken into custody and was transferred over to the Norwich City Police Department for failing to appear in court to answer to a charge of disorderly conduct.
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New York State Assemblyman Eric Stevenson of the Bronx & 4 others have been arrested by the FBI on Bribery, Conspiracy & other charges. Another state assembly member is unidentified, but was listed in a sealed indictment and is cooperating with authorities in the corruption probe. Stevenson is accused of receiving $19,000 in cash from 3 businessmen seeking preferential treatment for their businesses.
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State Troopers arrested 21-year-old Michael Nodine of Sidney for Criminal Possession of Marihuana and Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. The arrest was the result of a traffic stop for failing to obey the “Move Over Law” in Oneonta, Nodine was released on an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court on April 23rd.
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Spring Valley Mayor Noramie Jasmin was charged Tuesday with mail fraud as part of the corruption case involving former State senator Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. Jasmin is accused of voting to approve a development in exchange for receiving a secret part ownership of the land where the development would be built. Spring Valley Deputy Mayor Joseph Desmaret has also been charged with mail fraud, all 6 involved in the Malcolm Smith case face court action on April 23rd.
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The New York State Office of General Services announced that surplus vehicle auctions will be held on May 23rd at 9:30 at the DOT facility at 241 Colesville road in Binghamton and SUNY Binghamton. More information is available at ogs.ny.gov, or at (518) 457-6335.
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