P.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-1-14

by wcdonews Posted on December 1, 2014

39-year-old Ganesh Ramsaran was sentenced to 25 years to life in jail this morning, for the murder of his wife Jennifer in 2012. Ramsaran received the maximum penalty for 2nd degree murder in Chenango County court today, he was found guilty of the murder of his wife in September. Ramsaran faces court action later in the week for allegedly bribing a Chenango county corrections officer in helping him plan an escape from the jail in exchange for $100,000 cash.
———————————————————————–
Operation Merry Christmas is underway and will be coming to a close later this week at 19 locations. Program coordinator Ginny Ireland explains how the program works:

(Ginny Ireland 12-1-14)

Ireland said that the deadline to get a present is December 5th; the giveaway will be on December 12th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Sidney Civic Center for those who signed up, more information is available at 563-8119 or 967-8119.
———————–
State police at Oneonta arrested 7 people for allegedly stealing from the Oneonta Wal-Mart. The theft occurred at about 9:00 AM Friday. 26-year-old Donovan Howard; 28 year old Kawanda Mathis; 32 year old Misheena Watson; 17 year old Shanya Nevith; 27 year old Joshua Hervey and 18 year old Takell Henry of Utica and 19 year old Quinnasia Berry of Herkimer were charged with 3rd degree grand larceny. All 7 were sent to the Otsego County jail pending future court action. .
—————————-
Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 34 year old Amy Fultz of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for 3rd degree Criminal Mischief, following a domestic dispute in which it is alleged that Fultz caused over $1,000 damage to a vehicle.
———————————
2 Otsego County residents were arrested on Friday after investigators from the sheriff’s office found nearly 13 pounds of marijuana in a Town of Morris home in October. 55-year-old Michael DeLuca of Pittsfield and 62-year-old Sallie Lewis Jacoby of Morris were charged with 1st degree criminal possession of marijuana. Investigators found Deluca and a bedroom full of freshly cut marijuana in Jacoby’s home on Pegg Road. Deluca and Jacoby will appear in Morris Town Court December 15th.
————————————-
The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is offering a one-day online-only deal on three-year park passes. The special price will be available today only for Cyber Monday. The 3-year Empire Passport will be discounted to $130, a $35 savings off the usual price. An Empire Passport gives unlimited vehicle access to all state parks, nature centers, recreation areas, boat launches and preserves. Information is available at nysparks.com
——————————————
Teacher retirements in New York have risen 10% since 2010, while staff members have fallen 5.5% over the same time period. The rise in retirements is an ongoing trend as staff reaches retirement age, faces new testing standards and cashes out pensions. State Teachers Retirement System records show the number of teachers in retirement jumped from 141,716 to 155,931 between the 2009 and 2014 school years. At the same time, the number of active members in the system fell from 285,774 to 270,039. New York State United Teachers, the state’s teachers union, attributed new testing standards and tougher teacher evaluations to the reason why teachers are leaving the workforce.
——————————————-

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-1-14

by wcdonews Posted on December 1, 2014

State Police are assisting the Village of Walton Police Department in the investigation of an Armed Robbery Friday at approximately 6:44 pm at Smokers Choice store at 169 Delaware Street in Walton. The suspect is believed to be approximately 5’4″ and was wearing a Spiderman mask and green sweatshirt with a distinctive design. Suspect may have fled in a late 2000 pine green Toyota Tacoma small pick up truck with a white cap, headed up East Street. Anyone with information should call Troop C headquarters at 561-7400.
——————————————
Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo has been hospitalized to treat a heart condition, the 82 year old Cuomo was governor for 3 terms from 1983-1995, he was hospitalized over the Thanksgiving holiday when current Governor Andrew Cuomo visited. DetaiLs about the former Governor’s condition will be released shortly.
—————————————-

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on A.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-1-14

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 11-28-14

by wcdonews Posted on November 28, 2014

State Police will continue with their Thanksgiving weekend traffic safety initiative, in an effort to prevent highway tragedies during this holiday weekend. State Police will continue with patrols focusing on speed enforcement, impaired driving, underage drinking, and distracted driving, they will also have fixed sobriety checkpoints and the “Operation Hang Up” which targets distracted drivers by utilizing unmarked patrol vehicles in traffic, locating drivers talking or texting on hand held devices. The highest traffic volumes of the year typically occur during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
—————————————

Doctors now recommend that everyone get the flu vaccine this year, now that there’s a high dose flu shot, aimed at giving older adults a better immunity against the illness. It contains four times the usual amount of immune-stimulating antigens against the three most common flu strains. The risks are the same as the regular flu vaccine. It also takes two weeks after getting the shot for the body to produce the antibodies against the virus
—————————————

New York State is increasingly driving away Baby Boomers in their retirement years. Between 2004 and 2011, IRS data that tracks taxpayers moving in and out of states showed New York lost $20.5 billion in total income from retirees with nearly 40 percent of that income flowing to Florida, a state that assesses no income tax. During the 12 months ended July 1, 2013, the Census Bureau estimated New York lost a total of 104,000 residents to other states. The number was the largest net domestic migration loss sustained by any state
—————————————–
A regulation soccer goal is 8 feet tall, 24 feet wide and can weigh a few hundred pounds. And soon, state law will require it to be anchored into the ground while in use. Governor Cuomo signed a bill that requires the state to come up with official regulations for anchoring portable soccer goals, which can be susceptible to toppling if not grounded properly. There have been at least 36 deaths since 1979 resulting from toppled soccer goals, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The new law requires the state Department of State to come up with rules for portable goals based on guidelines from the federal commission
———————————————

The cold sets in, the thermostat goes up and heaters work in overdrive, 1 bad spark and a house could go up in flames. Winter weather can mean a heightened risk for fires. The National Fire Protection Association has some precautions to avoid heating-related fires during the winter months, including: Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like a furnace or space heater. Never use your oven to heat your home. Make sure a qualified professional cleans and inspects your home heating equipment each year. Install arc fault circuit interrupters to protect electrical outlets and avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets
———————————-

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 11-28-14

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 11-28-14

by wcdonews Posted on November 28, 2014

The fifth annual Small Business Saturday is tomorrow, it’s designed to support and promote small businesses nationwide, falling each year during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Steve Craig of Commerce Chenango comments:

(Steve Craig 11-28-14)

Consumers spent $5.7 billion on Small Business Saturday last year; more information is available at smallbusinesssaturday.com.
———————
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will pass through the region today. The train will make a stop in Oneonta at the Gas Avenue crossing at 1:00 PM. entertainment will be provided by Tracey Brown and the Holiday Train band.
—————————-
Oxford Village Mayor Terry Stark will be in Lafayette Park for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Sunday, at 5:00 PM, followed by caroling, refreshments, and a visit by Santa Claus.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-26-14

by wcdonews Posted on November 26, 2014

NYSEG crews are getting prepared for the winter storm that is hitting the region today & early tomorrow. Nyseg officials remind customers to Keep flashlights, a battery-powered radio or TV and fresh batteries handy for this or any storm situation, have at least 1 telephone that is not dependent on electricity with batteries fully charged, Keep a supply of non-perishable food and bottled water on hand. Officials said that during a power interruption; report it to NYSEG at 1-800-572-1131 or at nyseg.com.
—————————————–
State Troopers arrested 39 year old Timothy Collins of Andes for felony Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, after a traffic stop for failing to keep right on State Route 28 in Andes. Collins is accused of driving while intoxicated with 6 year old and 9 year old passengers in the vehicle. Collins was issued tickets returnable on December 11th to the Town of Andes Court.
————-
The State Department of Taxation and Finance kicked off the holiday shopping season today by reminding New York consumers and merchants that items of clothing and footwear sold for less than $110 are exempt from New York State’s 4% sales tax. Clothing and footwear items under $110 are completely tax free, tanks to the actions taken by the governments of new York city & 8 upstate counties, with the local portion of their sales tax those items, also exempted, locally that includes Chenango & Delaware Counties.
———————
State Senator Jim Seward announced a consumer protection measure for life insurance policyholders, which amends the Life Insurance Company Guaranty Corporation of New York Act to protect policyholders in the event of an insurance company’s bankruptcy. The law also allows for the creation of a non-profit resolution facility, which would administer and undertake the business of an insolvent insurance company. The new state law will take effect immediately.
———————————-
Broome County adopted a $365 million budget for 2015 that has a slight increase in property taxes, along with declines in spending and revenue. Executive Debbie Preston proposed a plan in September that called for $10.5 million less in spending than in 2014, and $13.7 million less in revenue. It would raise the property tax levy 2.5 percent, while predicting $6 million less in sales tax revenue. Last week, her office declined to veto three changes proposed by the legislature, effectively adopting the budget
——————————–
Labor advocates and religious leaders gathered yesterday at the state Capitol to deliver a message to state lawmakers: Don’t raise your pay without raising the minimum wage. About a dozen representatives from labor unions, food pantries and faith organizations held a news conference to make their case. Leaders in the state Senate and Assembly support increasing lawmakers’ salary. A special session of the Legislature would have to be called before year’s end in order for a raise to take effect in January. In 2013, lawmakers approved an incremental increase, raising the rate to the current $8 an hour before it increases to $8.75 on Dec. 31 and $9 on Dec. 31, 2015
——————————–

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-26-14

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-26-14

by wcdonews Posted on November 26, 2014

State Police will initiate special traffic enforcement efforts today through Sunday for the highly travelled Thanksgiving weekend. State Police will supplement regular patrols statewide, focusing on speed enforcement, impaired driving, underage drinking, and distracted driving. The effort will also incorporate fixed sobriety checkpoints, an underage drinker initiative and the “Operation Hang Up” initiative, which targets distracted drivers by utilizing unmarked patrol vehicles to better locate drivers talking or texting.
———————————————
The National Weather Service has issued Winter Weather Watches and Warnings around New York State today & tomorrow, and some of the heaviest predicated snowfall amounts are in the Hudson Valley. Governor Cuomo urged motorists to be safe and adjust plans if possible ahead of the winter weather conditions, Motorists who are planning to travel on I-84 are urged seek alternative routes or travel early. If motorists do choose to use I-84, they are urged to use caution and call 5-1-1 to check road conditions before leaving. The State has prepared 911 snow plows, more than 1,800 plow operators and more than 130,000 tons of road salt between New York City and Albany to respond to the storm.
——————————————
The Chenango Film Society’s Cinema Series continues with “Raiders of the Lost Ark” Sponsored in part by the Chenango Arts Council. The Film will be shown at The Colonia Theatre, 35 South Broad Street In Norwich beginning at 6:30 p.m. People can Register for the complete Cinema Series at 336-2787 or visit chenangoarts.org for the complete schedule.
—————————————————

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-25-14

by wcdonews Posted on November 25, 2014

Staff and students at the Sidney Central School district showed their support Ronald McDonald House of Rochester & for 12 year old Francisco LaBoy, a students who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 3, and who spent time at their Rochester facility.   Lori Stevenson from Ronald McDonald House was at the Sidney school of a special assembly today to collect $1500 that was raised through the “Wear Your Striped Socks” fundraising campaign:

 

(Lori Stevenson 11-25-14)

 

Francisco LaBoy & his Father Jose expressed their gratitude for the support they have received with this campaign:

 

(Francisco & Jose LaBoy 11-25-14)

 

Plans are in the works to continue the fundraising campaign next year, another “Wear Your Striped Socks” campaign Assembly is scheduled for Sidney October 15th 2015.

—————————-

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies responded to a reported 1-car motor vehicle accident on State Highway 10 in the Town of Walton. Deputies arrested 55 year old Richard Wood of Walton, for driving while ability impaired by drugs, he was released with appearance tickets made returnable for Town of Walton Court at a later date.
———————————
A decision on where up to 4 casinos will be located in upstate New York is expected to be announced December 17th, when a board reviewing casino applications is expected to meet for the final time. The board is choosing from 16 applications, with 4 licenses are set to be awarded for 3 upstate regions: the Albany-Saratoga area, the Southern Tier-Finger Lakes region and the Catskills and mid-Hudson Valley. The decision will be made following months of public hearings and presentations on the proposals.
—————————–
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman called upon the FTC to update the Telemarketing Sales Rule to better protect consumers from unscrupulous telemarketers. Schneiderman & 36 other Attorney general’s offices have asked the FTC to protect consumers from telemarketing fraud and abuse, an average of only 37.5% of funds raised by telemarketers were retained by the charities & in 50.3% of the campaigns, the charities retained less than 30% of the money raised. Schneiderman has taken action against 8 entities under investigation for fraudulent fundraising
———————————–
Siena Research Institute released its annual New York Poll of Holiday Spending Plans for the year. While spending trends remained the same this year, excitement for the holiday season has dropped. 58% of New Yorkers said they’re excited about the upcoming holiday season, down from 72% a year ago. Nearly 2/3rds of New Yorkers are planning on spending the same amount of money this year, only 7% plan to spend more.
———————————–
Former Greene Police Chief Stephen Dutcher was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay $1,255 in fines and surcharges. Dutcher also agreed to pay $3,038 in restitution to the Village of Greene and signed a 5-year order of protection in favor of his estranged wife. He pleaded guilty in September to 2 counts of official misconduct and 1 count of 2nd degree criminal contempt. Dutcher was arrested April 24 after state police responded to a request from Greene officials regarding missing village property.
————————————–
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance announced today that e-filing continues to gain strength, reducing by 15% the number of paper income tax returns filed during last year’s tax season. Nearly 90% of the 10.4 million income tax returns received were e-filed—an increase of 4% from the previous year, the savings for New Yorkers adds up to $45 million each year. The increase in e-filing also contributes to the Department’s ability to issue refunds 27% faster than in previous years, with the average refund now issued in 22 days.

———————————–

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-25-14

by wcdonews Posted on November 25, 2014

State DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald announced the reopening of the Interstate 88 eastbound Worcester rest area, as a parking area and text stop. The parking area re-opened Monday, work to bring the rest area to full service will continue through next spring. The State will rehabilitate the rest area’s building to provide full service restrooms by next summer.
——————————

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-25-14