Governor Cuomo and state lawmakers agreed to changes to gun laws that would expand the state’s ban on assault weapons. The bill would broaden the definition of assault weapons; ban semiautomatic pistols and rifles with detachable magazines and one military-style feature, as well as semiautomatic shotguns with one military-style feature. The bill would require mental health professionals to report to local mental health officials when they believe that patients are likely to harm themselves or others, Law enforcement would then be authorized to confiscate any firearm owned by that patient; the bill stipulates that those who already own such guns could keep them. The legislation would increase penalties for multiple crimes committed with guns, would require background checks for most private gun sales, and create a statewide gun-registration database.
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Hospice of Chenango County is looking for area people to volunteer this year. Kendall Drexler is the Volunteer Coordinator at Hospice, she told WCDO what a potential volunteer would do to become a volunteer:
(Kendall Drexler 1-15-13)
Drexler said that a Hospice Volunteer candidate is required to take a 23-hour training, which encompasses topics surrounding the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects of death and dying. More information about becoming a hospice volunteer is available at 334-3556 calls will be accepted through April 1st.
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State troopers from Norwich arrested 23-year-old Joshua Orth of Morrisville, on a charge of 3rd degree Assault. The arrest followed the report of an altercation in Lincklaen, Orth was arraigned in the Town of Pitcher Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility in lieu of $500 cash bail pending further court action.
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The Village of Sidney is seeking public input to help update the village’s Master Plan. Mayor Andy Matviak explains:
(Andy Matviak 1-15-13)
The sessions will all be held at the Sidney high school Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, and on Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 5:00 to 7:00 PM, more information is available at 563-2324.
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The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force announced the arrest of 25-year-old Diondre Smith of Binghamton. Police found three grams of crack cocaine, 10 grams of powder cocaine, three loaded hand guns and extra ammunition and over $5300 in cash during a traffic stop Monday in Binghamton, smith was arraigned in the City of Binghamton and sent to the Broome County Jail, police also charged 22 year old Tyrek McCarden on drug charges, he was a passenger in the Smith vehicle, and 14 small bags of marijuana were confiscated, he was released on an appearance ticket.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Department arrested 24-year-old Ashley Babcock of Norwich, For Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Criminally Possessing a Hypodermic Instrument. Babcock Was charged following a traffic stop, where she was initially accused of operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s license, She was found to be in possession of a Controlled Substance along with a Hypodermic Instrument. She is scheduled to appear in the City of Norwich Court at a later date.
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