A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 7-25-14

by wcdonews Posted on July 25, 2014

Aaron Powell was found guilty on murder charges yesterday in Broome County Court. Jury deliberations lasted only about 2 hours yesterday afternoon, the jury found the 40 year old Powell guilty on 2 counts of 2nd degree murder & 1 counts of 1st degree murder, for the murder of his estranged wife Christina Powell, & 24 year old Mario Masciarelli in the Powell’s family home in Binghamton last year.

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Governor Cuomo directed State Labor Commissioner Peter Rivera to convene a Wage Board to review and recommend any changes to the relevant regulations for food service workers and service employees in New York State. Tipped workers are paid a required base rate. Their tips added to that base pay must equal or exceed the minimum wage. The Wage Board will meet to review regulations for food service workers and service employees and recommend changes if needed. The minimum wage will increase to $8.75 on December 31st, and to $9.00 on December 31st, 2015. A schedule of public hearings will be announced soon.

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The Chenango Summer Jam will be held Saturday On the Park, in Downtown Norwich. Musical acts will perform starting at 5:00 PM; more information is available at chenangosummerjams.org

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The Annual Greene Arts & Crafts Festival will be held Saturday in Downtown Greene from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. More than 200 artisans will exhibit their arts & crafts on the streets of Greene. More information is available at 656-8225 or greenenys.com.

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P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 7-24-14

by wcdonews Posted on July 24, 2014

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office executed a “no knock” search warrant at 386 Neff Hill Road in the Town of Bainbridge, following a lengthy narcotics investigation. Investigators arrested 33-year-old Amber Chesebro & 33-year-old Manuel Thillet, on charges of 1st degree Criminal Nuisance & Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia. The Narcotics Division recovered cash, drug paraphernalia & financial documents on large money transfers. Chesebro & Thillet were arraigned in the Town of Bainbridge Court, Chesebro was remanded to the Chenango county Jail on $2500 cash bail, Thillet was remanded on $10,000 cash bail. The investigation is ongoing and further charges are pending.
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Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch has revered his earlier position on Medical Marijuana. Crouch said earlier versions of the bill over the past 4 years were very loose, the newly passed bill tightened up most of those issues:

(Crouch 7-24-14)

The bill also expires in 7 years; it could be eliminated even earlier if there are objections from either the state health commissioner or the Superintendent of the State Police.
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Dairy farmers and yogurt producers would be eligible for an expanded federal tax credit, to install energy-producing bio-gas systems, under a proposal by Senator Chuck Schumer. The proposal would expand the menu of eligible uses for a 30% federal investment tax credit for bio-digesters. Dairy farmers and food processing facilities making yogurt and cottage cheese could utilize the proposed Bio-gas Tax Credit, using their waste products to help fuel new biogas facilities. There are about 2,000 biogas systems installed around the country, including more than 100 in New York. The House and Senate are expected to work out an agreement on renewal of expired tax breaks after the November election.
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Delaware County District Attorney’s Investigators arrested Kellie Bush and Gary Tompkins Jr. of Walton, for allegedly filing false documentation wit the Delaware County Department of Social Services. Bush and Tompkins are accused of receiving in excess of $2,500 in public assistance benefits that they were not eligible to receive, Tompkins was charged with 4th degree Welfare Fraud & Offering a False Instrument for Filing. Bush was charged with 1 count of 4th degree Welfare Fraud, they were arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court & were sent to the Delaware County Jail on $2,500 bail pending future court action.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 20 year old Casey Flanders of Endicott & Mark Grassi of Endicott for 4th degree Grand Larceny & 5th degree Conspiracy. Both are accused of stealing over $1000 dollars’ worth of baby formula from Wal-Mart, Both were placed into custody and arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court, and are being held on $2500 bail pending future court action.
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Heroin use continues to rise in New York State and health officials want the public to be aware of the signs and symptoms associated with the drug. Signs of heroin use include a lack of interest in appearance, increased absences from work or school, and people stealing from family members. Last month, Governor Cuomo was in the Southern Tier to sign new legislation aimed at combating the heroin epidemic.
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Governor Cuomo signed a series of bills to strengthen existing laws and add new measures to protect New Yorkers from aggravated harassment, domestic violence, GPS units used for stalking, and public lewdness in relation to children under 16. Details are available at governor.ny.gov.
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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 7-24-14

by wcdonews Posted on July 24, 2014

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services’ upgraded New York State’s general obligation bonds to ‘AA+’ with stable outlook from ‘AA’, the highest rating of New York since 1972. All three major credit rating agencies have upgraded New York in recent weeks and now each have the State one notch from their highest ratings. S&P’s upgrade is based on their “view of a strong state budget management framework from improved structural budget balance with a focus on spending restraint and on-time budgets.”
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The Paul & Miriam Mattern Fund awarded 2 grants this spring in a competitive process reviewed by local volunteers. $4,000 will go to the Village of Walton for operating support for the Summer Recreation Program, $1,000 goes to Music on the Delaware for a music enrichment workshop for elementary school students. The Fund continues to welcome proposals, from qualified non-profit 501c.3 organizations, that will support projects in the village and town of Walton, Matching grants are encouraged. Application guidelines can be found on the Community Foundation website at: http://donorswhocare.org/mattern/.
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The Danny Stewart’s Norwich Bluegrass Festival begins today in Norwich. The events run today through Sunday at the Chenango County Fairgrounds and will feature several bluegrass bands, both local and national. For more information call 570-721-2759 or go to norwichbluegrass.com.

 

 

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P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 7-23-14

by wcdonews Posted on July 23, 2014

The State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the state health department ant the office of alcoholism & substance abuse services joined forces to train police officers from the Southern Tier and Capital Region in the use of Naloxone which reverses the effect of overdoses caused by heroin or other opioids, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. The state also is providing agencies that send their officers to the trainings with supplies of naloxone at no cost. Today’s session was held at SUNY Delhi, with more than 40 officers from 9 agencies getting the training.
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State Police arrested 56-year-old Perry Webb & 52-year-old Charles Holmes of New Lisbon, for Petty Larceny and Criminal Trespass. The arrests resulted from a complaint of a missing silo loader from a farm in Morris, the investigation determined that both suspects allegedly took the silo loader from the property without permission, & scrapped it an a salvage yard in New Berlin, for $46. Webb and Holmes were issued tickets returnable to the Town of Morris Court on August 11th.
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State agencies have begun adding gender identity to their data collection, as part of an effort Governor Cuomo said will help the state better meet the needs of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender New Yorkers. A new report identifies 8 agencies, including the Department of Health, collecting or updating their data systems to gather those demographics.
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Legislation has passed the State Assembly and Senate to update current Internet privacy laws to protect victims of “revenge porn” whose explicit photos are posted online without their consent. Current privacy laws protect people only if recorded images or video show intimate parts of their bodies, Hence the images might not meet criteria for prosecution, even if they are posted for the purpose of humiliation and are sexually explicit in nature. Under the new legislation, existing surveillance law would be updated to make non-consensual broadcast of individuals engaged in sexual contact a felony.
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The Coventry Emergency Squad was awarded $143,000 in grant money, to purchase an updated ambulance to allow the squad to provide better, safer emergency care. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s assistance to firefighters grant program
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Governor Cuomo signed legislation that will increase the maximum fine from $200 to $1,000 for those who attempt to steal, harm, or transport a dog, cat or other pet that is not their own. The new maximum penalty will be applied against those that remove a collar or identification, entice, seize or harass a pet while it is being held, led or while properly muzzled, or transporting an animal for the purpose of killing or selling it. The American Kennel Club reports that there were more than 590 thefts of pets in 2013.
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Officials with the General Clinton Canoe Regatta & The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce announced that the historic LaFever Canoe, which had been stolen from the Regatta Museum at General Clinton Park, was located by a passerby, under the route 206 bridge in Bainbridge yesterday. Officials posted the loss of the canoe yesterday on social media, they said that the canoe will placed back on display at the Museum more securely. State Police are investigating.
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The 4th annual “It’s A Boobie & Butt Thing” cancer awareness golf invitational will be held on September 27th at the Afton Golf Club. Invitational Co-Director Lori Kemmerer said that they are looking for sponsors and donations currently:

(Lori Kemmerer 7-23-14)

Those who would like to sponsor or donate a raffle basket can call 624-4397; Money raised will help local cancer patients with travel expenses or insurance co-payments.

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A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 7-23-14

by wcdonews Posted on July 23, 2014

Governor Cuomo today announced that New Yorkers could, buy tickets online to attend the Great New York State Fair at nysfair.org/buy-tickets. The Fair, runs from August 21 to September 1, online tickets can be purchased at a 40% discount over the price at the gate. The secure website sells five products including the single-day ticket, which will be mailed free of charge to buyers:
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The American Red Cross annual summer Communities that Care blood drive is today at the Holiday Inn in Oneonta from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The NY Penn Region requires 1,200 pints, or units, each day to keep pace with hospital needs, and a good turnout is needed to avoid a shortage. Call 1-800-RedCross or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment
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The Cancer Services Program of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties will offer free health screenings to women 40 and older who are uninsured. Today from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Family Planning of South Central New York in Sidney. Appointments are requested at 1-888-345-0225.

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P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 7-22-14

by wcdonews Posted on July 22, 2014

Cullman Community Day will be held this Saturday in Sidney, with a variety of activities planned, mostly at Keith Clark Park.    Cullman director Amy Williams explains:

 

(Amy Williams 7-22-14)

 

The public is invited to attend and participate; more information is available at 563-7529.

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State residents will vote on the $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act in November, for improvements to high-speed Internet connections, classroom technology, security systems and pre-K construction. Governor Cuomo set up a commission to look at how to spend the money and set up meetings to gather ideas if the bond is approved. The bond would also pay for training of school staff to use the various new technologies.

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New York ranks among the top 5 states for children’s health, according to the Kids Count Data Book released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The report looks at recent trends that compare data from 2005 to 2012; New York showed improvement in all 8 categories of health and education for children. The number of children who didn’t graduate from high school in 4 years fell from 33% in 1990 to 22% in 2012. The number of teen births dropped & the number of children in high-poverty areas remained stable at 17%. The number of children in single parent families rose by 24% from 1990 to 2012.

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State Police at Norwich arrested 47-year-old Tom Connelly of New Berlin for 2nd degree Harassment following a dispute on South Main Street in New Berlin.  An investigation determined he punched and shoved the victim during a dispute.  Connelly was arraigned in Town of New Berlin Court and sent to the Chenango County Jail on $500.00 bail.  An order of protection was issued by the court against Connelly.

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The state labor department released unemployment statistics for the month of June.  State wide, the rate dropped 1/10th the 6.6%, locally, Chenango county’s rate was at 5.6%, Delaware county at 6.3% & Otsego county’s rate was at 5.3% in June.

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Delaware county fair organizers are looking for participants to sign up quickly for this year’s County fair Pageant.  Pageant coordinator Stacy Dibble comments:

 

(Stacy Dibble 7-22-14)

 

The fair’s website is Delaware county fair.org, the phone number for more information is 287-9228.  The Delaware county fair begins on august 11th in Walton.

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The State Association of Realtors released its June home sale information. Across the state, new listings were up 11% compared to June 2013. The number of sales was down 6%, median sale price down 3% and total number of homes for sale down 2%. Locally, in Broome County, new listings were up 19%, the number of sales was down 11%. In Delaware County, new listings were up 21%, the number of sales was down 13%  & in Chenango County, new listings were up 305 and the number of sales closed was down 38%.

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The National Committee for Quality Assurance said UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital’s UHS Primary Care offices in Oxford, Sherburne and Sidney received recognition from the Patient-Centered Medical Home program for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on coordinated care and long-term participative relationships. UHS Primary Care in Norwich was the first of the hospital’s primary care sites to receive the recognition in 2012. The recognition is based on a model of care and service delivery that encourages partnerships between individual patients and their personal clinicians to improve the quality and efficiency of care.

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A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 7-22-14

by wcdonews Posted on July 22, 2014

The FAA will investigate the crash of a small airplane just a few miles after taking off from Sidney airport Sunday night. State police said that the pilot was David Rolfe, who left the Sidney airport at around 8:30 PM Sunday, he crashed near Thorpe Hill Road, Rolfe survived the crash & was taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 57 year old Donna Hamilton of Massachusetts for 2nd degree Harassment. The charges stem from an incident at a restaurant in the Town of Hamden, where Hamilton was upset that another customer at the restaurant was taking pictures of her child with her cell phone, she asked the woman to stop, and to delete them off of her phone, the woman refused, And Hamilton allegedly struck the woman. Hamilton was given an appearance ticket to the Hamden Town Court at a later date.
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P.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-21-14

by wcdonews Posted on July 21, 2014

The Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 20-year-old Thomas Knickerbocker of Sherburne on charges of 2nd degree Rape, Criminal Sexual Act, Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Knickerbocker was charged in the Town of North Norwich, he is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a 13-year-old victim in a vehicle & sending indecent material to the victim through the Internet; he was arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $1,000 cash bail.
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Delaware county fair officials announced today that Entries for most departments at this year’s Delaware County Fair are due no later than August 1st & are available at delawarecountyfair.org. Fair spokesman John Jackson said that this year’s county fair has a packed lineup:

(John Jackson 7-21-14)

Jackson said that the fair runs from August 11th through the 16th at the county fairgrounds in Walton, those entering the various livestock competitions can get the fair book at all Town Clerk’s Offices in Delaware County.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 50-year-old Eric Lagarde of Colchester for Unlawful Imprisonment & Forcible Touching. The charges were the result of allegations made following a domestic incident in the Town of Hamden; He was arraigned & was released pending further Court Action.
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The concert celebrating the 75th anniversary of the National Baseball Hall of Fame for August 2nd at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown has been canceled. The concert was scheduled for this Saturday with Hunter Hayes, Paul Simon, & Bernie Williams among others. Those with tickets to the concert are asked to visit www.cooperstownconcert.com for information
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New York drivers are breaking the law unknowingly, as license plate holders are illegal if it obstructs the portion that says New York, or blocks any number on the plate. Drivers can be ticketed for the holders some car dealers put on, but State Police said it’s not common to get pulled over just for your license plate cover, but it can happen.
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Oneonta Mayor Dick Miller has called a special meeting of the Common Council for tonight at 7:00 PM. The meeting was called to discuss the city manager search committee and whether membership of the committee will be expanded to include community members. The meeting will be held in Common Council chambers at City Hall and the public is welcome.
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Starting today, you can buy advance tickets to the New York State Fair online. A one-day advance sale admission ticket will cost $6. If you plan on going more than one day, 6-day frequent fairgoer admission books are available for $30. For information on how to get tickets, go to nysfair.org.
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Governor Cuomo leads Republican opponent Rob Astorino by 37 points, according to a new Siena Poll. Cuomo leads 60- 23%. Cuomo’s lead among likely voters is 76 points in New York City and just 15 points Upstate. The poll showed a lower opinion of state legislators, yet were still inclined to re-elect their own legislators over someone else. The poll also asked a question about the Common Core education standards. By a 10-point margin, voters said the standards should be stopped. On hydrofracking, 43 percent said they oppose allowing the state to move forward with hydrofracking.
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Starting today, you can buy advance tickets to the New York State Fair online. A one-day advance sale admission ticket will cost $6.  If you plan on going more than one day, 6-day frequent fairgoer admission books are available for $30. For information on how to get tickets, go to nysfair.org.

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Governor Cuomo leads Republican opponent Rob Astorino by 37 points, according to a new Siena Poll. Cuomo leads 60- 23%. Cuomo’s lead among likely voters is 76 points in New York City and just 15 points Upstate. The poll showed a lower opinion of state legislators, yet were still inclined to re-elect their own legislators over someone else. The poll also asked a question about the Common Core education standards. By a 10-point margin, voters said the standards should be stopped. On hydrofracking, 43 percent said they oppose allowing the state to move forward with hydrofracking.

 

 

 

 

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