A.M. NEWS MONDAY 2-10-14

by wcdonews Posted on February 10, 2014

Governor Cuomo announced that consumers who faced enrollment problems and other issues after signing up for health insurance with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield would receive 3 weeks of free coverage. The agreement follows a Department of Financial Services probe into complaints about Empire sending out member ID cards late, failing to send out bills on time, and other issues.  Empire has agreed to provide three weeks of free coverage to consumers who enrolled through NYSOH and paid for coverage for the month of January, but did receive care during that period. More information is available at the DFS Hotline at (212) 480-6400 or (800) 342-3736.

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Firefighters from Deposit, Sidney, Masonville & Trout Creek responded to a fire at 4785 Route 8 in Deposit Friday night.  The fire was reported at around 10:00 PM, the unidentified homeowner was taken to Wilson Hospital for treatment of injuries, the house was listed as a total loss, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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The Franklin Fire department announced the passing of Franklin Assistant Chief James Wilber, who succumbed to a Heart Attack responding to a Motor Vehicle accident Sunday morning.  Chief Wilber was involved in Fire and EMS service for over 40 years with Franklin & Wells Bridge Fire departments.

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The Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 39 year old Rollins Crane of North Norwich on 4 counts of Endangering the welfare of the a child.  Crane was found to be acting in a manner that was found to be injurious to a child less than 17 years old. The children were removed from the residence and placed into the custody of another family member. Crane was taken into custody without incident and arraigned in Town of North Norwich court where he was released until a later court date.

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P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-7-14

by wcdonews Posted on February 7, 2014

State Police announced the arrest of 3 people for allegedly operating a Meth Lab in Broome County.  Arrested were 25-year-old Caleb McNeilly, 33-year-old Brad Gates  and 27 year old Nathan Pixley, all from Castle creek, on a variety of drug charges, following a 3-week investigation by the state Police CNET team & Vestal Police.   Police confiscated 8 ounces of liquid methamphetamine; 2.5 grams of powder methamphetamine; a scale; a surveillance camera; cellphones; a 20-gauge shotgun and a .22 caliber rifle; as well as chemicals & items utilized in meth manufacturing.  All 3 were arraigned and were remanded to the Broome County Jail.

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Oneonta police, and the Otsego County Sheriffs department K9 unit executed a no-knock search warrant Thursday morning at 71 Elm Street in Oneonta, and arrested 2 women on charges of heroin possession.  25-year-old Stephanie Seagren, and 24 year old Jania Barnett, were charged with 3rd degree possession of a controlled substance.  Police seized 38 packets of heroin and $620 in cash. Both were arraigned in Oneonta city court and sent to the Otsego County jail

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Sidney residents in the flood prone areas are urged to meet with village economic development director John Redente in the next week, to discuss their options regarding their property.  Redente commented about the process:

 

(John Redente 1-31-14)

 

Those interested in setting up an appointment should call soon at 561-2320.

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Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino has opened a campaign account with the State Board of Elections that allows him to raise money for this year’s gubernatorial race. Astorino has not publicly declared his candidacy. But the new account allows him to accept much larger contributions as he considers challenging Governor Cuomo, a Democrat with $33 million in the bank. Astorino has said he will make a decision later this month about whether to run for governor.

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About one third of the 17,487 bridges in New York are rated either “structurally deficient” or “functionally obsolete.”  The state Department of Transportation said those bridges are safe, but need repairs or upgrades. For each bridge, the state provides the location, the feature it passes over, the year it was built, the owner, the date of last inspection and the condition ratings. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a report that said the state should rework the pot of money dedicated to highway and bridge repairs so it pays for its intended purpose.

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Governor Cuomo today announced the Formation of the Common Core Implementation Panel, which will undertake an immediate and comprehensive review of the rollout of the Common Core standards in New York State.  Assemblyman Cliff Crouch held a public meeting about the issue in Binghamton recently:

 

(Crouch 2-7-14)

 

The panel includes State legislators, parents, educators, and business and community leaders, they will deliver a set of recommendations before the end of the legislative session to improve the proposal’s implementation.

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A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-7-14

by wcdonews Posted on February 7, 2014

The Otsego Chamber of Commerce will hold their “Eye Opener Breakfast” at 8:30 to 9:30 this morning, at the Broad Street Grill in the Clarion Hotel in Oneonta. This month’s featured local business will be the Morgan McReynolds Group of Morgan Stanley.

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Today is “National Go Red for Women Day” & UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital is encouraging everyone to wear red to remind women that heart disease is their #1 killer. Chenango Memorial Hospital will have Go Red heart disease information table in the Hops Yard Bistro and an opportunity to support the local American Heart Association’s Heart Walk.  Go Red Day is a call for women to take action and recognize their risk factors, understand how they can minimize their risk, & become familiar with signs of heart attack in women.

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P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-6-14

by wcdonews Posted on February 6, 2014

The U.S. Senate & the House of Representatives have passed a new 5-year farm bill that has made several changes that will be important to New York agriculture, according to Chenango County Farm Bureau director Bradd Vickers:

 

(Bradd Vickers 2-6-14)

 

Vickers also said that the movement to separate the food stamp programs from the farm bill was defeated, it could have had disastrous affects on agriculture as both were targeted for massive cuts, which did not wind up in the final farm bill.  The president is expected to sign it shortly.

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The State Senate passed the “Public Assistance Integrity Act,” this week, which cracks down on welfare fraud and complies with federal mandates & insures that the state would receive crucial federal dollars.  State Senator Tom Libous of Binghamton co-sponsored the bill, and discussed it on the floor of the senate:

 

(Libous 2-6-14)

 

Libous said that parts of the Public Assistance Integrity Act were already added to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget Proposal, indicating his intent to sign it should it reach his desk upon passage by the Assembly.

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Delaware County Deputies investigated a one-car property damage auto accident Tuesday in the Town of Delhi.  21-year-old Arron Anderson  of Walton was driving on Scotch Mountain Road when he left the roadway to the right, over corrected and struck the embankment on the left side of the road.  Anderson is accused of leaving the scene of the accident, he was later apprehended and was ticketed for Failure to keep right, moving from lane unsafely, leaving the scene of a property damage auto accident, open alcohol container in a motor vehicle, parked on pavement, and speed not reasonable.  Anderson faces court action in the Town of Delhi Court on February 18th. 

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State police from Norwich arrested 47-year-old John Gesslein  of Norwich, for 3rd degree Grand Larceny, following a Department of Labor investigation into stolen unemployment benefits in  2010.  Gesslein is accused of collecting about  $3,900, he was issued a ticket returnable to the Town of Norwich Court on February 20th.

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State Troopers arrested 46-year-old Altamiro Oliveira & 35-year-old Otaires Da Silva both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,  for unlawfully remaining in the United States.  This arrest occurred after Police conducted a vehicle and traffic law stop on Interstate 81 in the town of Chenango, Both subjects were turned over to the custody of the Border Patrol agents.    

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Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills announced his plans to run for a fifth term in office after his current term ends this November.  Mills said that the Sheriff’s Office was responsible for 53% of the  arrests made for felony drug crimes in Delaware County in 2013, as felony drug arrests had increased by 223% percent during the 2011-2012 time frame.  Mills will run as a Republican, so far, no one else has announced plans to run against the incumbent sheriff.

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Oxford Academy High School Senior Lorrin Parks has chosen to partner with the American Red Cross to hoist a blood drive on Saturday, February 15th in Oxford.  The event will be from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Fort Hill American Legion Post 376 at 17 South Washington Avenue in Oxford.   Walk-ins will be welcome but appointments are encouraged at lorrinparks@yahoo.com; redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-6-14

by wcdonews Posted on February 6, 2014

Governor Cuomo announced the largest single year of recoveries of taxpayer dollars in the history of the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General. The administration recovered more than $851 million dollars for 2013 from Medicaid providers who inappropriately billed Medicaid and individuals who received services to which they were not entitled.

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The Walton Central School District Board of Education will hold a community budget forum today at 6:30 PM at the Walton High School cafeteria.   The forum will begin with a presentation, followed by attendees adjourning into smaller groups. 

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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

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P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-5-14

by wcdonews Posted on February 5, 2014

Governor Cuomo today declared a state of emergency for all of New York State:

 

(Cuomo 2-5-14)

 

Heavy snow, ice, and freezing rain has been reported throughout the state, I-84 has been closed from Connecticut to the Pennsylvania borders to all traffic.

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Governor Cuomo announced today that the New York State Police would use social media to catch wanted individuals.  State Police launched  “Warrant Wednesday” today on the Division’s Facebook page asking for the public’s help to track down people who have warrants out for arrest.  Previous wanted postings on the State Police Facebook page, and the public’s assistance, have led to the identification and arrest of several individuals. Postings will also be shared on the New York State Police Twitter page at nyspolice.

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The State Senate passed the “Public Assistance Integrity Act” to prohibit welfare recipients from using cash assistance for the purchase of cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets or for casino gambling. State senator Jim Seward co-sponsored the bill:

 

(Seward 2-5-14)

 

The bill passed the senate by a vote of 53-4 and will be sent to the assembly, the bill has passed the legislature in recent years, but drew opposition from various pro-business groups.

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The indictment accusing former Walton High School teacher Stephanie Fletcher of raping 2 male students was dismissed by Delaware County judge Carl Becker, who found the grand jury was impaired by inconsistent statements made by 1 of the alleged victims.  Fletcher was arrested in November of 2012 on charges she had sex with two 16 year old Walton students.

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State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver called for a delay in using Common Core-based standardized test scores for decisions involving students, principals and teachers.  He said the delay should be two years at a minimum. The state’s rollout of the Common Core, a set of standards being adopted by more than 40 states across the country, has been criticized by a wide array of teachers and parents. The standards were first installed in New York  schools last year.

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Motor vehicle crash deaths among children age 12 and younger fell by 43 percent from 2002-2011 according to a report from the CDC.  Research has shown that using age- and size-appropriate child restraints (car seats, booster seats, and seat belts) is the best way to save lives and reduce injuries in a crash. One in three children who died in crashes in 2011 was not buckled up.

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Money in the Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund continues to be diverted for non-capital purposes, leaving critical highway and bridge projects at increased risk as the state faces fiscal challenges and shrinking debt capacity, according to a report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.  DiNapoli called for a long-term plan to restore the fund to its core mission and increase pay-as-you-go financing for road and bridge capital purposes. The report can be located at osc.state.ny.us. 

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A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-5-14

by wcdonews Posted on February 5, 2014

Oneonta City Court was sealed off and evacuated Monday morning after a suspicious powder substance arrived in an envelope.  Police, fire department,  New York court officers and postal inspectors all arrived on the scene, the substance was not hazardous and the court opened up a short time later.

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Sidney Village Police arrested 19 year old Christopher Schoonmaker of Sidney on a variety of charges recently.  Schoonmaker was charged with 2nd degree rape, Reckless Endangerment, and multiple counts of Unlawfully dealing with child & Criminal Sale of Marihuana.  Schoonmaker was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $10,000 bail, he  faces court action February 13th.

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Delaware County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors James Eisel has CLOSED Delaware County Government offices for today.  Offices will re-open Thursday February 6th at their regularly scheduled times.

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New York plans to have its medical marijuana program functioning within a year, according to State health commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah, who testified at a legislative budget hearing.  Governor  Cuomo’s plan would allow 20 hospitals to prescribe marijuana to chronically ill patients, on a limited basis.

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State University of New York Empire State College will hold public information session about their associate and bachelor’s degree programs at the State Office Building 44 Hawley Street in  Binghamton today at 4:30 PM.  More information is available at 721-8651.

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P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-4-14

by wcdonews Posted on February 4, 2014

The state Parole Board has denied David Dart’s application to be released from prison, he has served over 24 years in jail for the 1989 stabbing death of Gillian Gibbons in her car in the Oneonta municipal garage.  Dart was convicted in Otsego county court and has been serving out that sentence in a downstate prison.  This was Dart’s first attempt at parole.

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Sidney village police arrested 19-year-old Austin Demuth of Afton on 3 counts of grand larceny, 17 counts of petty larceny and 5 counts attempted petty larceny.  The arrests followed an investigation of larcenies from unlocked vehicles in the Bird Avenue and Circle Drive area on December 4th.  More arrests are expected, as similar crimes have been committed in Sidney center, Bainbridge, Greene & Cooperstown.  Demuth was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $5,000 bail pending court action on February 13th.  Police urge residents to lock up their homes & vehicles to prevent such crimes.

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The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will host a meeting tonight at the Highway 7 Bar & Grill at 7:00 pm, to discuss the future of the Canoe Regatta. Bainbridge Chamber President John Payne told WCDO News that they will need a new chairman after this year’s regatta, and they are battling the misconception in the region that this is a Bainbridge only event:

 

(John Payne 2-4-14)

 

Payne said that they need a lot of volunteers for this year’s regatta and & a new chairperson to take over for John Harmon, who will not continue in that capacity beyond this May.  More information will be available at tonight’s meeting, which is open to the public; information is also available at the chamber office at 967-8700.

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State Budget hearings are being conducted in Albany currently, this week; area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch questioned Department of Health Commissioner Nirav Shah on the staffing shortage at the Oxford Veterans home:

 

(Crouch Shah 2-4-14)

 

Dr. Shah also stated that there is no timetable for his department to finish up their study of possible health effects from Hydraulic Fracturing for Natural Gas, the state has had a moratorium in place since 2008 on gas drilling.

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The state’s new I-STOP program has cut “doctor shopping” by 75% according to state health department officials.  The I-STOP program started in August, where Doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners are now required file prescriptions to pharmacies by the Internet, and to check the database before prescribing painkillers.  Pharmacists are responsible for recording related prescriptions; the law is designed to help practitioners review patient drug histories through the health department’s online registry.

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Republicans in the state senate filed a bill to move New York’s primary day to late August, arguing the current September date for state offices is too late, to comply with a federal law, that requires ballots for military and overseas voters to be sent out at least 45 days before the general election.  Assembly Democrats passed a bill last month to move state primaries to the 4th Tuesday in June, coinciding with New York’s federal primary date.  If lawmakers fail to agree on a primary date, municipalities will hold a primary for federal offices in June and a separate primary for state offices in September

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Membership in the National Rifle Association has increased in New York since the state’s New York SAFE Act went into effect 1 year ago.  . The number of people who enrolled nearly doubled last year, New York previously ranked 3rd in NRA membership behind Texas and California, New York now has the most NRA members.

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NYSEG officials announced today that they are aware of fraudulent activities where customers are contacted by email, phone or in person and asked to pay current or past due charges, the payment ends up with scammers, and not NYSEG.  Officials said that NYSEG will not call customers for payment if an account is in good standing; customers are urged to contact the company and sign up for their “AutoPay” service. At NYSEG.com.  Customers, who believe they have been scammed, should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov and their local police.

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