57-year-old Robert Gerbino of Garden City, New York was arrested by State Police for Criminally Negligent Homicide, based on a sealed indictment handed down by the Otsego County Grand Jury. The Grand Jury determined that on November 16th Gerbino with criminal negligence caused the death of Charles Bruce of Franklin Square. The men were part of a Hunting group in the Town of Westford.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office executed a “no knock” search warrant at a residence in the Village of Sherburne and a vehicle parked at the Big M in Sherburne. The Narcotics Division arrested 31-year-old Dustin Norris of Sherburne, who was found to be in possession of a substantial amount of heroin & cash. The recovered heroin was found in close to proximity to two young children in the vehicle. Several needles, packaging material, and paraphernalia were also located at his residence. Norris was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He was arraigned in the Village of Sherburne Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $50,000 cash bail. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are pending.
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This year’s state budget addressed the problem of the Gap elimination adjustments that hurt poor rural schools over the last 5 years, and added much needed funding. Area assemblyman Cliff crouch said that area superintendents were pleased:
(Crouch 4-9-10)
The Budget includes a $1.1 billion increase in education aid for the 2014-15 school year, with High-needs school districts receiving nearly 70% percent of the allocated increase.
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U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $1.7 million in federal funds, to acquire and demolish flood-damaged structures in the Village of Sidney, and turn the properties into green space. The damaged buildings are located in a flood-hazard zone in the River Street area; County officials prefer to demolish the structures. The federal funds cover 75 percent of the projected cost to acquire and demolish the flood-prone properties. All of the structures were damaged from Tropical Storms Irene and Lee in 2011.
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State officials say New York hunters killed 1,358 black bears during the 2013 hunting season, the second-highest number on record. Figures released by the DEC show hunters killed a record 636 bears from the Southeastern hunting area and a near record 342 from the Central-Western area. The agency said the high numbers reflect a growing bear population. The DEC released a draft bear management plan for public comment in January. It proposed several changes, including expanding the area open to bear hunting to encompass all of upstate New York. Go to dec.ny.gov
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State environmental regulators remind New Yorkers that residential brush burning is prohibited in towns, with less than 20,000 residents until May 14th, because of increased risk of fires during spring months. The DEC said wildfires can start and spread due to open burning of debris and dried out foliage. The open burning of debris is the largest cause of wildfire in the state. People who violate the regulation are subject to both criminal and civil law enforcement, with a minimum fine of $500 for the first offense. To report environmental law violations call 1-800-TIPP DEC
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Governor Cuomo launched the Immigrant Entrepreneurship Training Series. The program will help immigrants start and grow businesses. More than 100 immigrant entrepreneurship seminars will be held throughout New York State in the coming year. The State Office will run the training Series for New Americans, Empire State Development and the State Small Business Development Center. The first round of the trainings begins this month and requires pre-registration. Seminar dates will be posted on the New York State Office for New Americans website at newamericans.ny.gov
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