WCDO NEWS FRIDAY 1-26-18

by wcdonews Posted on January 26, 2018

New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have launched a coalition to sue the federal government to challenge the Trump tax bill that eliminates full state and local tax deductibility. Governor Cuomo also is looking into 2 other options to combat the Trump Tax plan, the second prong of the effort is to launch a repeal-and-replace strategy, and the third prong is to explore the feasibility of a major shift in the structure of State tax policy.
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State Police arrested 46-Year-old Kendall Jackson of Kirkwood, for Assault and Criminal Mischief. Troopers responded to the report of an altercation at a trailer park in the town of Windsor, where Jackson saw a group of people outside his relative’s trailer, and went outside to & unsuccessfully told them to leave, an altercation ensued, with Jackson allegedly throwing bricks, injuring 2 people. Jackson was issued tickets returnable to the town of Windsor Court on January 31, 2018.
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State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration for its abrupt cutoff of more than $1 billion in federal funding for New York’s Essential Plan, which provides critical health care to over 700,000 low-income New Yorkers. The lawsuit details how the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services without adequate justification and in disregard of law; withheld legally-required funding owed to New York and Minnesota to operate their program New York and Minnesota are the only states that operate simialr low income insurance plans for residents.
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Broome County Sheriff David Harder announced that an inmate who died in the County jail on January 25th, died if natural causes. 70 year old Erford Ellis was arrested by State Police for menacing and harassment, he was being held while waiting for court action.

Governor Cuomo signed an executive order to combat the flu epidemic, it allows pharmacists to administer flu vaccines to children ages 2 to 18 – increasing access and convenience for those seeking the flu vaccination as the number of reported cases across the state continues to rise. Over the past week, 7,779 laboratory confirmed influenza cases were reported to the state and 1,759 New Yorkers have been hospitalized, the highest weekly numbers in both categories since reporting began, and surpassing last week’s previous high of 1,606 hospitalizations.
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27 year old Anderson Lee of Cooperstown has been charged with 24 counts of unlawful surveillance. Lee is accused of installing a camera in Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown and captured videos, while working there as a nurse. Lee was arraigned in Town of Otsego Court and sent to Otsego County Jail on $100,000 cash bail or $$250,000 insurance bond. The investigation is ongoing.
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The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will once again hold the Annual Bruce Haak Memorial Sleigh Rally in General Clinton Park later this month. Event organizer Phil Canonaco comments:

(Phil Canonaco 1-26-18)

The Sleigh rally will be held weather there is snow or not tomorrow from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, donations will be accepted on behalf of the Delaware Valley Humane Society.
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The Jericho Arts Council will hold a Bluegrass concert Saturday night at the Bainbridge Town Hall Theater. The featured performers are “Matthews family Traditions” the show starts at 7:00 PM; tickets can be purchased prior to show time, or can be reserved at 288-3882.

 

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WCDO NEWS THURSDAY 1-25-18

by wcdonews Posted on January 25, 2018

26 school districts have been designated as fiscally stressed under State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s Fiscal Stress Monitoring System, which is a decrease from 59 districts that were listed in stress last year. None of the local schools were listed in significant stress, however 3 of the 7 are in “moderate fiscal stress” are local, they included the Norwich City School District, Harpursville central School & Schenevus central school. 17 schools were listed as “susceptible to fiscal stress”, which included Unatego & Oxford Academy. The highest percentages of stressed school districts were in Central New York with 8.3% and the Southern Tier 8.1%.
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Voters in the Unatego School District voted in favor of 46 to 12 Wednesday. Voters approved of the district’s plan to lease 3 large school busses and 1 small passenger bus.
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Firefighters in Downsville responded to a fire in a garage that exploded due to the storage of fireworks. Fire investigators believe that the fire started with the lighting of a torch, which spread to the nearby garage. The building was a total loss; fire fighters from Walton, & East Branch assisted Downsville firefighters.
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State Senator Fred Akshar released his latest Community Voice Survey online and by mail to poll the community on various issues facing constituents. Over 100,000 households across the 52nd District will be receiving the survey in the mail, which can be returned by mail after completion. The survey can be completed online at Akshar.NYSenate.Gov.
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The Delaware County Tourism Advisory Board is now accepting applications for funding under the newly created Tourism Promotion & Development Grant program. Applications for grant assistance must be hand-delivered to the Delaware County Department of Economic Development or postmarked by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, January 31st. More information is available at 832-5123; by email us at ecodev@co.delaware.ny.us or at their office at 1 Courthouse Square in Delhi.
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The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force executed a search warrant at 74 Park Avenue on Wednesday. Investigators seized crack cocaine, heroin, 40 envelopes of heroin packaged for sale, suboxone strips and $917 in suspected drug sales. Police charged 46-year-old Floyd Crockett of Binghamton with multiple counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, Crockett is being held at the City of Binghamton Police Department awaiting arraignment.
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SUNY Delhi & CDO Workforce will hold a seminar tomorrow in Sidney regarding College degrees & Career Opportunities. Misty Fields of SUNY Delhi will hold the seminar at 1:00 PM at the CDO Workforce offices at the Sidney Civic Center Friday, reservations are encouraged at 832-5776, but walk-ins will be welcomed.
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On Friday Norwich Police Department concluded an investigation into the sale of cocaine in the City of Norwich; they arrested 29 year old Heather Pollock, of Norwich for criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree. Pollock faces court action shortly.
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State Police arrested 46 year old Joseph Fassett of Binghamton, for felony Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and several other traffic violations. Troopers observed Fassett speeding, and failing to dim his headlights, a computer check showed that he was suspended 16 times in New York on 10 different dates. Fassett was arraigned and was remanded to the Broome County Jail with no bail set. His next court date in the town of Maine is on February 28th…
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Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul attended the ribbon cutting this morning at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Regional Distribution Facility, located at 1314 Conklin Road Conklin…the facility is expected to add 450 jobs to the Broome County Economy.
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WCDO NEWS WEDNESDAY 1-24-18

by wcdonews Posted on January 24, 2018

The Broome County Special Investigation Unit Task Force executed a search warrant in Port Crane, which resulted in the arrests of 31-year-old Brett Poyer & 30 year old Jodi Bickos. Officers seized 2.2lbs of methamphetamine, packaging materials, and paraphernalia at the residence, Poyer and Bickos were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Criminally using Drug Paraphernalia, they face court action shortly.
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State Assembly Republicans released the findings of a Domestic Violence Task Force, that conducted 5 meetings on the domestic violence crisis issue, Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Cliff Crouch 1-24-18)

The Assembly Minority Conference will introduce a package of bills this session to address the issues facing victims of domestic violence and their families.
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State Senator Fred Akshar will continue with his “Akshar’s All-Stars” student recognition program Thursday at the Greene High School as well as the Union-Endicott High School & the Owego Free Academy. Each month, Senator Akshar recognizes three or four local students selected by their school districts in the 52nd Senate District who have shown great leadership, compassion, & school spirit. Akshar will appear at the Greene High School at 12:15PM Thursday.
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The Tri-Town Coalition On Substance Abuse Prevention will hold their next meeting at the Sidney High School Library on Wednesday, January 31st from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Topics of discussion will be the “Truth Pharm” Parental Education Program, a Review of the “Chasing the Dragon” documentary & planning for the 2018 year.
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Magic City Productions announced today that Daughtry will play at the Broome County Forum on March 30th at 8:00 PM. Tickets will g o on sale on Friday morning at 10:00 AM at the Arena Box office, ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation of Monday’s fatal fire at 553 German Hollow Road in the Town of Plymouth. Investigators have determined the fire started in the area of a wood stove being used to heat the residence. It was also determined from autopsies that Debbie Pfeiffer, Amber Morrow and Benjamin Pfeiffer all died from smoke inhalation.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 22 year old Nicholas Corrao of Stamford on 1 count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child following a report of child abuse in the village of Stamford. Deputies allege that Corrao acted in a manner which was injurious to the mental and moral welfare of a child less than 17 years of age. Corrao was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to reappear at the Town of Stamford court at a later date.
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The State Labor Department released local unemployment rates for the month of December. Locally, Chenango County was up to 5.8%, Delaware County had 5.7% unemployment & Otsego County had 5.2% unemployment, the state rate was at 4.4% for December.
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The Unatego School District Board of Education is holding a special vote today from 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM, in the Unatego Middle/High School building in Wells Bridge. Eligible voters in the Unatego district will vote on the leasing of 3 large and 1 small passenger school buses.
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WCDO News Tuesday 1-23-18

by wcdonews Posted on January 23, 2018

Autopsies will be performed today at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton on the 3 people killed in a fire on German Hollow Road in the town of Plymouth early Monday morning. Killed in the fire were 33-year-old Debbie Pfeiffer, 1 year old Benjamin Pfeiffer and 10 year old Amber Morrow. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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State Police arrested 2 men on drug charges following a routine traffic stop. 24 year old Tyler Force of Oneonta was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance & unlawful possession of marijuana, 21 year old Jesse Johnson of the town of Maryland was charged with unlawful possession of Marijuana and failure to use signal lights, both face court action shortly.
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23 years old Cassandra Derby of Roscoe was killed Sunday Night following a multiple vehicle accident on Cat Hollow Road. The Delaware County Coroner’s report stated that Derby was pinned between 2 vehicles Sunday night after getting out of her own car, the accident was attributed to wintry road conditions. The investigation is continuing.
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NBT Bancorp reported net income for 2017 was $82.2 million, up from $78.4 million for the prior year. The Company will realize a reduction in tax expense beginning in 2018 due to Tax Reform decreasing the federal rate for corporations from 35% to 21%, as a result, the Company is raising the starting hourly pay rate of $11 to $15 per hour and employees earning $50,000 or less will receive a permanent minimum increase of 5%, which will impact 61% of the Company’s workforce.
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On Saturday, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 59 year old Frank Martino of Delhi, on charges of Driving While Intoxicated, an Unclassified Misdemeanor. This arrest was a result of a property damage automobile accident on Maggie Hoag Road in the Town of Delhi. Martino was issued numerous traffic tickets, and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Delhi Court at a later date to answer the charges.
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Gerald Althiser pleaded guilty in Otsego County Court to attempted arson, for the fire that destroyed the Milford United Methodist Church last March. Althiser was sentenced to 5 years probation, to be served at the Homer Folks Facility in Oneonta, where he will receive counseling. A judgment of $1 million was also placed against him.
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CDO Workforce and BEAM are offering a free Interviewing workshop today at 11:00 AM at the CDO Workforce Center, at the Sidney Civic Center. Reservations are requested for the workshop by visiting the CDO Workforce Center or calling 832-5776. Walk-ins will also be allowed for the workshop.
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WCDO NEWS MONDAY 1-22-18

by wcdonews Posted on January 22, 2018
State Police advised that Christian Rojas-Martinez, age 22, of Bronx, NY was found deceased earlier today inside a body of water that was inside the area being search.  An investigation as determined that since January 19, Christian was staying at a home and was camping with six other men at 521 Old Ferris Farm Road, in the town of Roxbury.  On the evening of January 20, he wandered away from the location and did not return.  He was reported missing by his companions on January 21, at about 12:45 a.m.  The investigation is ongoing.      State Police were assisted in the search by two NYSP K-9s, NYSP Aviation, NYS DEC, NYS Forest Rangers, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies, Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Town of Roxbury Constable, and fire department and EMS personnel from Roxbury, Grand Gorge, and Hobart.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal fire that occurred at about 4:50 am that claimed the lives of 3 people.  Killed in the fire were 33 year old Debbie L Pfeiffer, 1 year old Benjamin Pfeiffer and 10 year old Amber Morrow.  The cause of the fire is still being investigated and autopsies will conducted on the victims on 01/23/18 at Lourdes Hospital.  The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Chenango County Bureau of Fire, Plymouth Fie Department, North Norwich Fire Department, City of Norwich Fire Department, Smyrna Fire Department, Sherburne Fire Department and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.  Further details will be released when they become available.

 

Jury selection began today in the corruption trial of Joseph Percoco, who was a top aide to Governor Andrew Cuomo. Percoco is charged with taking $300,000 worth of bribes from 2 companies working with the state. Prosecutors say he used his relationship with Cuomo to win those companies favorable treatment.
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Governor Cuomo may be softening his stance against recreational marijuana against the state’s increasing economic problems, which have been made more difficult by the new Federal Tax plans:

(Cuomo 1-22-18)

The Governor made those remarks during his budget presentation earlier this month, as a way to raise revenue for the state.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy’s arrested 53-year-old Michael Rogers of Stamford for Forcible Touching & Resisting Arrest, following a report of a domestic incident in the Village of Stamford. Rogers is accused of forcibly touching another person and resisted arrest as Deputies were attempting to take him into custody. Rogers was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $2500 cash bail or $5000 bond, pending future court action.
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Utica Police arrested 20-year-old Jason Nieves of Utica Saturday on a murder charge, for allegedly causing fatal head injuries to 7-month-old Emelina Sanchez. The infant was taken to an area hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries, Nieves has been charged with 2nd degree murder.
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Leadership Otsego is now accepting applications for the class of 2018. There will be an Informational Session on Tuesday January 30th from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at Otsego Now and Otsego County Chamber offices located at 189 Main Street Suite 500, in Oneonta. More information is available by calling the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce at 267-4010 Ext 103.
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State Police arrested 59 year old Anthony Middletown of Cobourg, Ontario for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and other traffic violations, after a trooper saw Middletown using a cellphone while he was driving in the town of Conklin. Middletown had his li9cense suspended 12 times in New York on 11 different dates, he was arraigned in the town of Conklin Court and was remanded to the Broome County Jail with no bail set. His next court date is pending.
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Governor Cuomo announced the 38th annual Empire State Winter Games will kick off on Thursday, February 1 and will run until Sunday, February 4 in Lake Placid. More than 2,500 participants will compete in 17 different sports during the 3-day festival. The Games will kick off with an inaugural Torch Relay departing from New York City.
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WCDO NEWS FRIDAY 1-19-18

by wcdonews Posted on January 19, 2018

The State Department of Health announced that more than 1600 people in 1 week have been hospitalized with flu symptoms, the highest number registered since 2004, with the biggest increases reported in Central New York & in the Capital Region. The state Health Department stated that Adults aged 65 years and older, people with certain chronic medical conditions, young children and pregnant women are among those at highest risk for serious influenza complications, which may require hospitalization and could result in death. Officials strongly suggest that New Yorkers get their flu shots as soon as possible.
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A ceremony will be held later today for the Unatego Hall of Distinction Induction Ceremony. Unatego Superintendent Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 1-19-18)

The recipients met with students throughout the day today, a reception will begin in the High School Cafeteria at 5:30, Dr. Prendergast, & Karen Moore Barbour will be inducted in the High School gym between the JV and Varsity Basketball games at about 7:00 PM. The public is welcome to attend.
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State Police arrested 37-year-old Alexander Rogers of Otego, for Criminal Mischief. A State Parole Officer advised troopers that Rogers had intentionally damage his GPS monitoring ankle bracelet while attempting to remove it. Rogers was issued a ticket returnable to the town of Otego Court on January 25, he was turned over to the custody of the parole officers.
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55-year-old David Schaffer of Pharsalia was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department for Sexual Abuse, Forcible Touching & Endangering the welfare of a child. Shaffer is accused of performing sexual acts with a child under the age of 13 in Pharsalia; Shaffer was arraigned in Village of Smyrna Court and will reappear in court at a later date.
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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced the results of the audit of the State Commission of Corrections, which is the state agency in charge of the oversight and inspection of 561 state and local correctional facilities and jails across the state. The audit said that the commission is not tracking or analyzing incidents and inmate complaints that may indicate problematic trends at those facilities, Auditors also found the Commission is not routinely inspecting the state’s 54 prisons. The full report is available at osc.state.ny.us
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The New York Mets announced today that former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow will be invited to Spring training with the New York Mets in February. The 30-year-old athlete is preparing for his 2nd professional baseball season, he hit .226 with 8 homers & 52 Runs Batted In in 126 games last year at Class A Columbia and Port St. Lucie.
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The Unadilla Town Board will hold a special meeting today at 4:00 PM at the Unadilla Town Hall on State Route 7. The board will consider adopting a resolution adopting the Community Choice Aggregation program, Education & Outreach Plan, & the Customer Opt Out letter, for a lower cost Electrical plan. A copy of the resolution is available at the Town Office prior to the meeting, which is open to the public.
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The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is holding a Labor Law Seminar on today at the chamber’s offices on Main Street beginning at 8:00 AM. The presentation focuses on Labor and Employment Law for small employers, including the newly enacted paid family leave policy.
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WCDO NEWS THURSDAY 1-18-18

by wcdonews Posted on January 18, 2018

Governor Cuomo is proposing changing the State Income Tax codes to shift from an Employee paid System to an employer paid system, he explained how that change would work earlier this week:

(Cuomo 1-18-18)

Cuomo said that they estimate that the State Income tax change would save the state from sending an additional 14 Billion dollars a year to the federal Government, if it is approved by the legislature this year.
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State Police arrested 35-year-old Richard Viti of Frankfort for Menacing, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Troopers responded to a report of a man menacing with a gun on I-88 in the town of Bainbridge, troopers were advised that the suspect had been driving recklessly, displayed a handgun at the complainant’s vehicle as he passed them, and continued to drive away. Viti was arrested near Owego without incident; he was arraigned in the town of Bainbridge Court and was released on his own recognizance. His next court date is pending.
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The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office announced that Benjamin Greiner of Binghamton was back in custody after it was discovered that he was wanted as a fugitive from Justice in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Greiner was booked back into the Otsego County Correctional Facility without bail pending extradition in Otsego County Court.
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Delaware Opportunities announced that Janelle Montgomery would be the new Executive Director. Montgomery replaces John Eberhard of Delancey, who died in a car crash on January 6th, after running the program 1984.
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Governor Cuomo today announced $5.5 million is available through 2 new grant opportunities to advance farmland protection efforts throughout the state. Both programs will help preserve viable farmland in agricultural production, protecting it from development and conversion to non-farm uses. The funding will also help farmers identify available land and expedite the process of permanently protecting agricultural properties through perpetual conservation easements. More details on eligibility and the application process are available at agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS.html.
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New York’s statewide unemployment rate decreased from 4.7% to 4.6% in December 2017, according to preliminary figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor. The Biggest Job Gains were in Education, Health care, Professional & Business Services, Leisure & Hospitality & Construction. The biggest decline was in manufacturing jobs.

The City of Oneonta & the Otsego IDA are in the process of updating the city’s Comprehensive Plan. A steering committee will be hosting a community open house on today at the Wilber Mansion from 3:00 to 7:00 PM for the public to review the plan & contribute ideas. More information is available at facebook.com/opportunity Oneonta.
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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting on Tonight in the Guilford Elementary school at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.
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WCDO NEWS WEDNESDAY 1-17-18

by wcdonews Posted on January 17, 2018

State Lawmakers will start looking over the Governor’s Executive Budget Proposal, in what is expected to be a challenging year, local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Cliff Crouch 1-17-18)

State Senator Jim Seward also commented:

(Jim Seward 1-17-18)

Lawmakers have until April 1st to get the budget finished in time for the start of the state’s fiscal year.
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The Fundraising has begun to make sure that the winner of a regional spelling bee can attend the Scripps National Spelling bee later this year. Spokesperson Martha Ryan explains:

(Martha Ryan 1-17-18)

Ryan said that the Regional Competition will be held on Saturday March 3rd, last year Delaware County’s Melodie Loya ranked in the final 50 in the National Spelling Bee, & she will be participating in the regional competition. More information is available at 335-1292.
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State Police arrested 50-year-old Robert Stilson of Unadilla for Driving a Vehicle While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, and other traffic violations. The arrest followed a traffic stop by a Trooper for a loud exhaust on State Route 8, in the town of Guilford; the trooper determined that Stilson was driving impaired. A search of the vehicle recovered marihuana and concentrated cannabis; Stilson was issued tickets returnable to the town of Guilford Court on February 6th.
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The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s bid to block his retrial on corruption charges, April 16th is the start date for Silver’s new trial in Manhattan federal court. Silver was convicted on charges that he took payoffs disguised as legal fees in return for using his political power to benefit political supporters, the conviction was overturned last year by the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals because of flawed jury instructions. Silver was found guilty and was sentenced to 12 years in jail; he never entered jail as the case was on appeal.
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State Police arrested 30-year-old Paige Shaul of Oneonta on charges of 3rd degree Grand Larceny & filing a false instrument with intent to defraud, in connection with an incident on January 8th. Shaul faces court action at a later date.
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2 committees will be meeting at Oneonta City Hall today. The Airport Commission will hold their meeting at 4:00 PM; the Planning commission will hold their meeting at 7:00 PM. Both meetings will be held in the Common Council Chambers at Oneonta City Hall.

The Sidney Historical Association & the Sidney Memorial Public Library will co-sponsor a presentation on the restoration of the Andrew Mann Inn on State Route 7 in Sidney. Current Owner Kurt Reigel will discuss the buildings history & his current restoration efforts, on January 17th at 7:00 PM in the Library’s Smart Community Room.
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