Governor Cuomo today signed legislation that will make the killing of a police animal a felony. Specially trained police animals, are relied upon by law enforcement to keep New Yorkers safe, the new law will make the killing of a police dog or a police horse while it is performing its duties a class E felony. Previously, the crime was described as a Class “A” misdemeanor. The new law takes effect this November 1st.
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State Police CNET team arrested 32 year old Brian Russell of Johnson City, 24 year old Jacob Parr of Johnson city and 32 year old Dane Ellis of Chenango Bridge, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, & Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine, Russell & Parr were stopped in Town of Chenango, a search of the vehicle lead to the discovery of a mobile meth laboratory, ELLIS was also stopped in another vehicle where police located components used to manufacture meth. All 3 were arraigned and were remanded to the Broome County jail without bail.
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The Sidney chamber of commerce will hold the annual “arts & Music Festival Saturday on Main street in Sidney. Chamber President Kerri Green explains:
(Kerri Green 7-25-13)
Green said that the day would run from 9:00 in the morning through about 8:00 PM
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The Binghamton Zoo announced the birth of a male Red Panda, “Zhin-Li “, the first of its species to be born at the zoo. The cub was born on June 18th & thriving. There are 175 red pandas located in zoos throughout the United States and Canada, Zhin-Li may not be viewable for several months, as he is with his mother in a nesting box.
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The state Department of Health improperly paid hospitals $7.8 million for lengthy acute care admissions because hospitals billed Medicaid for higher levels of care than was actually delivered to patients, according to an audit by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. 94 claims cost the state $10.6 million, as they were improperly billed because the hospitals should have billed for the Alternative care that was actually provided. DiNapoli recommended that the Health Department Recover the $7.8 million in inappropriate payments, notify hospitals of the correct way to bill for Alternative Care; the audit is available @ osc.state.ny.us/audits.
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State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico announced the death of Trooper Winston Martindale, who died Wednesday of complications from an injury he sustained in while responding to the crash of 2 airplanes in Waywanda 2 years ago. Trooper Martindale fell on a piece of equipment while clearing wreckage, causing internal bleeding to his abdomen, he continued to assist at the site for 6 hours after the injury. Trooper Martindale was 40 years old, and was a 7-year veteran of the State Police.
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State Senator Jim Seward will be in Delaware County, tomorrow, to take part in the 83rd Annual Delaware County Dairy Tour hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County. Seward is a member of the senate agriculture committee, he will visit farms in the towns of Kortright, Stamford, and Harpersfield, more information is available at ccedelaware.org.