State Senate & Assembly Republicans have forwarded legislation to tighten up the restrictions on prison inmates, following the Richard Matt & David Sweat escape from the Clinton Correctional facility. Area Assemblyman Pete Lopez comments:

(Lopez 6-16-15)

The “Prisoner Privileges Limitation Law” seeks to prevent the violent convicts from having unfettered access to civilians at prisons and being able to wear civilian clothing while incarcerated, it would also take away a portion of the good behavior rewards program for the most violent felons, who committed crimes such as murder and rape.
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47-year-old Penny Auerbach pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of stealing money orders and cash from the U.S. Postal Service and misappropriating postal funds. The charges stemmed from an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Auerbach admitted to stealing over $4600 in postal funds while working at the Westford Post Office, she was sentenced to 4 years probation, will perform 500 hours of community service and was ordered to pay restitution.
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The Oneonta Common Council will hold their next regular meeting tonight at city hall. The Meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the common council chambers on the 2nd floor & it is open to the public.
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The State DEC Officers and Forest Rangers issued 357 tickets for open burning-related charges during the spring statewide open burn ban, according to DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. DEC issued the tickets during the two-month burn ban that ran from March 16 through May 14th, for unattended fires, burning during the burn ban, unlawful disposal of solid waste and setting a fire that endangers the property of another. The number of tickets written this year is up 58% from 2014, many of the larger fires this spring were attributed to people violating the states burn ban, during excessively dry conditions.
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The Greater Oneonta Economic Development Council announced that they would hold their next meeting on Monday June 22nd, at the Oneonta Holiday Inn at 7:00 PM. Residents of the town & city of Oneonta are encouraged to attend; the topic is the possible savings in taxes by consolidating the town of Oneonta into the City of Oneonta.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s summer camp will start on July 6th. Applications can be picked up at the Sheriff’s Office or online at www.chenangosheriff.us. The camp is free to all Chenango County children ages 9 to 12, more information is available at 334-5175 Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
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