A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 12-27-13

by wcdonews Posted on December 27, 2013

State Police announced that 73-year-old Gary Powell of Norwich was found safe Thursday afternoon, driving his vehicle on I-81 in Binghamton.  Powell suffers with dementia and was in need of insulin, he was potted by a motorist, who notified police.  Powell was pulled over by police, was brought to the state police barracks and was returned to family yesterday afternoon, after being reported missing Wednesday.

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Police and emergency crews responded to numerous accidents because of yesterday’s snow.  Multiple vehicles accidents were reported throughout the tri-county region. Including one rescue that was needed in Greene where a vehicle slid off the road into water.

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Governor Cuomo today announced funding for college tours to provide low-income students an opportunity to experience college first-hand and increase their interest in higher education.  The State Higher Education Services Corporation administers the New York College Access Challenge Grant program; they are dedicating $500,000 to support sub-grants of up to $45,000 for organizations that provide college tours to low-income students. More information is available at HESC.ny.gov/CACG.

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P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 12-26-13

by wcdonews Posted on December 26, 2013

Norwich police announced that 73-year-old Gary Powell of Norwich has been reported missing.  Powell was last seen yesterday afternoon operating a 2006 PT Cruiser, black, with New York license plate number CKR-5668. Police said that Powell may be suffering from dementia and is in need of dialysis treatment. Anyone with information can call 334-1212.

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State Troopers arrested 31-year-old Brandon Hannah of Bainbridge on charges of 2nd degree burglary and reckless endangerment.  Hannah was charged following a complaint on Searles Hill Road, he was arraigned & was remanded to the county jail on $5,000 cash bail pending future court action.

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The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local unemployment rates for November.  Locally, Chenango County’s rate went up one tenth to 6.3%, Delaware county’s rate went down 2/10’s to 6.9% Otsego county’s rate went down 1/10th to 6.1%.

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The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce announced that the State of the State Breakfast would be January 7th at the Foothills Performing Arts center in Oneonta from 8:00 am to 10:00am. Area elected officials have been invited to attend, chamber members are advised to RSVP by January 3rd at 432-4500 extension 207. 

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The NY State of Health reported that 447,990 New Yorkers have completed their applications and 214,077 people have enrolled for coverage starting on January 1st.  The number of enrolled New Yorkers increased by 25,531 since Monday.  More information is available at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or by calling toll-free at 1-855-355-5777.

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The Binghamton Senators announced that they would be inducting Denis Hamel into the Binghamton Hockey Hall of Fame in an on-ice ceremony during the January 25 home game versus the Rochester Americans. Binghamton Senators Team owner Tom Mitchell explains:

 

(Tom Mitchell 12-26-13)

 

Hamel played in 438 games recording 203 goals and 189 assists, for 392 points, power-play goals with 86, game-winning goals with 36 and shorthanded goals with 14.  Tickets are available by calling the Binghamton Senators Executive Office at 722-7367 or at the Arena Box Office, or through Ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000.

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A national coalition of anti-smoking advocates ranks New York 21st among states in funding for smoking cessation programs. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids also included New York among states it said broke promises to use all or most of the money, from the tobacco company settlement 15 years ago, to combat smoking. The group said New York is spending about $40 million a year on tobacco prevention programs after annual declines the last decade. That spending is only about 16 percent of the $254 million in yearly funding recommended for New York by the CDC.

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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 12-26-13

by wcdonews Posted on December 26, 2013

88-year-old Helen Otlz of Kirkwood was found dead near Hallstead on Tuesday. Oltz had been missing since Saturday, she was found dead in a wooded area off of U.S. Route 11 in Hallstead Pennsylvania. Otlz had suffered from dementia, an autopsy is scheduled for today, police do not believe that cause of death to be suspicious.
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Governor Cuomo announced that State Police and local law enforcement agencies will be enforcing distracted driving laws, utilizing sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols to deter drunk driving through January 2nd. In 2012, DMV show that there were 8,633 alcohol-related crashes in the State, resulting in 358 fatailities and 6,303 injured. the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities increased nationwide by 4.6% in 2012, accounting for 31% percent of all fatalities.
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Binghamton Police arrested 31 year old Deshawn Maddicks of Binghamton in connection with a stabbing Sunday afternoon. The unidentified male victim was hospitalized for the non life-threatening wound, Maddicks was charged with 2nd degree assault, he was remanded to the Broome County jail pending court action.
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Chenango Memorial Hospital officials announced that as of January 1st, the hospital’s Walk-In Center would be closed. Patients with urgent needs should go to the Emergency Room, which will remain open 24 hours a day, patients with less urgent needs should call their UHS Primary Care office, Which are expanding their hours for patient convenience and to accommodate greater demand. Officials reported that in January, the hospital would open its Convenience Clinic on Saturday mornings, for pediatric and adult patients by appointment.
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Troopers arrested 26 year old Gregory Meyer of East Meredith for driving while intoxicated. The arrest occurred after a vehicle a traffic stop for speeding in Delhi. Meyer refused to submit to a chemical test and was arraigned before the Town of Delhi court. He was released without bail required and was advised to reappear on January 7th.

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A.M. NEWS Tuesday 12-24-13

by wcdonews Posted on December 24, 2013

A.m. news Tuesday 12-24-13

62-year-old  Barry Renert has been apprehended by the Richmond City Police Department in Virginia, shortly after midnight.  Renert was remanded to the Richmond City Jail, he was wanted for yesterday’s shooting at the 7th Inning Stretch store at 137 Main Street in Cooperstown.  Renert is expected to be extradicted back to Otsego county to face court action.

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Another gas station robbery was reported in Binghamton, as police were called to the Mirabito store at 1178 Vestal Avenue last night.  A man armed with a gun walked into the gas station and demanded money, the suspect is described as white, standing 5 feet, 10 inches tall and with a thin build, wearing white sneakers, gray sweatpants, orange sun glasses, a black mask and a winter hat.  Police said he was last seen on foot on Mitchell Avenue.

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The River Club in Afton will offer a free Christmas day buffet again this year, for area families that may have fallen on hard times.  Buffets will be offered from 12 noon to 2:30pm. Reservations, or requests to have meals delivered can be made at 639-3060.

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Sidney Area churches are teaming up for a free Christmas dinner for those in need on Christmas day. The free Christmas Dinner will be held at the River Street Fire Station, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Christmas day.

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State wildlife managers tallying results of the 2013 big game season said hunters killed slightly more deer than last year, but not enough to meet population reduction goals in targeted areas. The state DEC said the number of deer killed is about 1 percent higher than last year. The DEC tried to increase the number of antlerless deer killed to reduce deer populations in many areas.

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Today is the latest deadline to sign up for the Federal Affordable Care act through the state’s health exchange, for coverage starting January 1st.  About 135,000 people have enrolled and 363,000 have completed applications. The last day for enrollment in coverage for next year is March 31st.  More information is available at nystateofhealth.ny.gov.

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Schools and villages May face additional cuts to their budgets next year, as the property-tax cap will be 1.6%.   The tax cap is calculated every year based on rate-of-inflation projections from the state Budget Division. The cap is either 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower.

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Governor Cuomo today announced that the locations of 116 winter farmers’ markets – the total at an all-time high in New York State – can now be found on the state’s open data website at Open.ny.gov. This comprehensive data transparency website will help provide New Yorkers with a user-friendly way to search for farmers’ markets near their homes this winter season.

 

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P.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-23-13

by wcdonews Posted on December 23, 2013

Cooperstown police, State Police & The Otsego county Sheriff’s department are searching for a person of interest, identified as 62 year old Barry Renert, a former employee of “7th Inning Stretch” memorabilia store at 137 Main Street in Cooperstown.  Police reported that Renert fired shots in the store, and shots were returned, at about 9:00 this morning.   Police said that the owner of the shop, Vincent Carfagno was not injured.  Renert is described as white, about 6’2” with gray hair, he is likely armed and dangerous, Main Street in Cooperstown has been re-opened to traffic.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies, with the assistance of the Walton Village Police Department, arrested 46-year-old Kevin Edwards of Walton following a lengthy investigation.  Edwards was charged with 3rd degree Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, for allegedly selling Cocaine in Walton in April of last year.   Edwards was arraigned in Delaware County Court & was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail pending further court action.

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The drug problem in Delaware County continues to accelerate at a dangerous rate & 39 County officials met at the Public Safety Building to establish a County Drug Task Force. Sheriff Tom Mills said that there are problems associated with new drugs like “Mollies” as well as some other drugs that have been around for decades:

 

(Sheriff Tom Mills 12-23-13)

 

The drug epidemic in Delaware County has grown by 223% in 2012 and in response to the continuing increase in drug arrests, the Sheriff’s Office is encouraging the public to get involved, by sending tips to the Sheriff’s email on the Delaware County website: co.delaware.ny.us.

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Governor Cuomo today announced that the 2014 State of the State Address would be held in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center on January 8th at 1:30 PM.  New Yorkers wishing to attend should visit the Governor’s homepage to register: www.governor.ny.gov.  The registration period takes place from today to Monday, December 30th at 5:00 PM.  Guests will be notified of their selection via email by January 6th. Guests are reminded that weapons and controlled substances as well as bags, backpacks, luggage, parcels, briefcases, and like articles will be strictly prohibited from the event.

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The town of Meredith has imposed a ban on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.   Meredith’s town board voted in favor of a ban last Thursday, their action follows the town of Andes as the other Delaware County town that has imposed a ban on fracking.  The town of Sidney has a moratorium in place against the fracking.

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Delaware County Sheriffs Deputies arrested 21-year-old Barbara Rico & 37-year-old Christopher Merwin, both of Delhi for 1 count each of Petty Larceny.  Rico & Merwin are accused of stealing checks from a Town of Hamden home where Rico was staying as a guest. Rico was arrested at the Delaware County Jail & was issued an appearance ticket in the Town of Hamden Court; Merwin was arraigned in the Town of Hamden Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail.  These arrests are a result of a joint investigation between the Sheriff’s Office and the Village of Sidney and Village of Walton Police Departments.  Merwin and Rico face additional charges in the Village of Sidney and Village of Walton.

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A.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-23-13

by wcdonews Posted on December 23, 2013

State Police in Binghamton have been looking for 88-year-old Helen Oltz, who is a vulnerable adult with dementia and may be in need of medical attention. She has been missing since 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, she be driving a 2007 gray Buick Rendezvous SUV with New York registration BXZ-8810.  State Police in Binghamton ask anyone with information to call 775-1241 or 911.

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Governor Cuomo today announced New York State issued $370 million in bonds to assist businesses in failed group self-insured trusts fulfill their obligations to their injured workers. The bonding is made possible in Governor Cuomo’s 2013 Business Relief Act, which authorizes the Workers’ Compensation Board to use the proceeds to purchase insurance to pay the claims of these injured workers; the employers will reimburse the Board for the cost of these policies over 10 years, at low interest rates.

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P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 12-20-13

by wcdonews Posted on December 20, 2013

Governor Cuomo announced changes yesterday to the mental health situation in the southern tier, with a new plan to keep much of the existing services going, and add new services. Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch was one of the lawmakers who opposed the initial plans to close down mental health services around the greater Binghamton area, he told WCDO News that he is pleased with this outcome:

(Cliff Crouch 12-20-13)

Crouch said that they still have to work on a plan to keep the Broome Developmental Center opened; it is scheduled to close in 2015. Details of the plans announced yesterday are available at governor.ny.gov.
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Governor Cuomo signed 35 bills into law late Wednesday and vetoed 33 others, rejecting legislation that would have allowed the limited sale of sparklers and exempted small vending machine sales from tax. Cuomo signed bills expanding the number of judges serving on city court benches, increasing oversight of special-education providers; easing requirements for a business tax credit for hiring high school students; modernizing state laws that govern nonprofits; and requiring manufacturers to collect old mercury thermostats. 11 bills still need to be dealt with by Cuomo before the end of the year.
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State Troopers at Troop C in Sidney arrested 45-year-old Keith Hoefer of Unadilla for unlawful possession of marihuana. The arrest resulted from a vehicle and traffic law stop on State Route 7 in Unadilla, Hoefer was found to possess 14 grams of marihuana. He was issued a ticket returnable to the Town of Unadilla Court at a later date.
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Sidney village police arrested 61 year old Robert Holt of Unadilla on a charge of petty larceny. Holt is accused of taking a misplaced envlelop with $1,000 cash belonging to someone else, in the lobby of the Sidney Federal Credit Union’s Main Branch. Holt faces court action in February.
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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will send out judges tonight & through the weekend, to decide on their annual “Sprit Awards”, for the best decorated houses for the holidays. Chamber spokesperson Kerri Green explains:

(Kerri Green 12-20-13)

The Sidney Chamber held their annual Jolly Holly days Parade December 6th, as well as the annual children’s holiday party at the Sidney Library last Saturday, and this year they collected food for the food pantry during the annual parade.
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Milk prices could reach $7 or $8 a gallon next year if Congress can’t pass a new farm bill. Congress is required to pass a new farm bill every five years which sets milk prices to farmers and also determines food stamp benefits. The last farm bill expired in the fall of 2012. Congress has until the end of the month to pass a new farm bill or an extension on the old one.
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A lawsuit challenging the legality of the property-tax cap will be heard in state Supreme Court. The New York State United Teachers union is suing Governor Cuomo and the state Education Department over the law, saying it is unconstitutional to limit the growth in property taxes to 2% a year. This year, 98 percent of schools and 77 percent of local governments stayed under cap. For 2014, the tax cap is set at 1.6 percent, based on the current rate of inflation. The tax cap can be overridden with 60 percent of a vote of a governing board, or for schools it’s 60 percent of the public vote in May.

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