P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-1-13

by wcdonews Posted on August 1, 2013

The Variety of musical events is continuing in Chenango County this weekend.  The Chenango Summer Jam will have a variety of acts performing Saturday in Norwich, according to spokesman Eric Larsen:

 

(Eric Larsen 8-1-13)

 

More information about all of the musical acts & their scheduled start times are available at chenangosummerjam.org.

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The Delaware county department of public works announced that county route 23 in the town of Sidney would be closed to through traffic Monday to replace a culvert.  The closure will be between Poplar hill Road and Dunshee Road, between 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the detour will be river road to Crane Hill Road.

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The village of Sidney board will be holding a special meeting at 10:00 AM Friday in the Civic Center Board room.  The board anticipates going right into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters relating to the appointment of the clerk/treasurer position.

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Governor Cuomo today announced that up to $30 million in funding is available to attract private-sector investment in New York State’s “Pay for Success” program, which is part of the State’s efforts to transform how government does business while serving vulnerable New Yorkers. The State is seeking partners to rise up to $30 million in private investment for innovative social service programs under this initiative. The initiative will attract private funding for child welfare and early childhood, healthcare, and public safety programs, Applications for funding under the RFP process are online at budget.ny.gov.

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Governor Cuomo signed legislation to implement tougher penalties on those who assault prosecutors while they are performing official duties, or in an attempt to prevent them from doing their job.   Assaulting a civilian with intent to cause physical injury is a “class A” misdemeanor, assaulting public servants, is elevated to a “class D” felony.  The bill signed by the Governor adds prosecutors to this list of protected persons, along with train operators, traffic enforcement officers, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

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State troopers in Oneonta arrested 55-year-old Robert Sargent of Delhi, for 2nd degree Harassment.   The arrest followed an investigation into an incident on Irish Hill Road in the town of Kortright; Sargent was issued an appearance ticket returnable on August 13th.

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3 more state roads that were closed from the late June flooding in the Mohawk Valley were reopened to traffic today. State Route 80 in the Fort Plain area is opened following extensive bridge repairs, State Route 51 along the Ilion Gorge and state Route 171 along the Frankfort Gorge are now open.  5 counties along the Mohawk River are getting 16 million dollars in state emergency funding after FEMA declined to assist.
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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-1-13

by wcdonews Posted on August 1, 2013

State Police at Sidney arrested 34-year-old Nicholas Schiotis, of Unadilla for Driving While Intoxicated, following an investigation into a 1car property damage motor vehicle accident on Sheep Pen Road in Unadilla.   Schiotis was arraigned in the Town of Unadilla Court and released by the judge to reappear on August 18th.

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The Sidney Chamber Annual Golf Tournament is being held today at Sidney Golf & Country Club. The tournament starts at 10:00 am with a shotgun start. More information is available at 561-2642.

 

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P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 7-31-13

by wcdonews Posted on July 31, 2013

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, Cortland County Sheriff’s Office, and State Police conducted a “no knock” search warrant in the Town of Pitcher Tuesday.  23-year-old Charles Baker of Pitcher was charged with Unlawful Manufacturing of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Disposal of Methamphetamine Laboratory Material, Criminal Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Material, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminally Possessing a Hypodermic Instrument.  The Sheriff’s Office seized Methamphetamines, laboratory materials and chemicals; Baker was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail.

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Delaware County Deputies investigated an ATV accident on Dryden Road in the Town of Tompkins Monday.  An 18-year-old identified as Antonio Ranacelli of Walton was operating an ATV that rolled over, throwing the teen from the ATV.  The youth was transported to Albany Medical Center by Life Net helicopter with life threatening injuries and was in serious but stable condition later on in the evening.  New information HAS developed indicating the injured driver gave a false identity, the incident remains under investigation, AND SEVERAL MORE CHARGES ARE PENDING.

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State lawmakers are back in the their home districts meeting with constituents, 102 district assemblyman Pete Lopez said that the needs of his constituents does not echo what lawmakers dealt with in Albany this year:

 

(Lopez 7-30-13)

 

Lawmakers are not anticipating returning to Albany for the remainder of the year for an extraordinary session.

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Police in Broome County arrested 32-year-old Christopher Stoudt of Towanda, Pennsylvania for allegedly starting a fire at All-Star Auto on the Vestal Parkway and then stealing a vehicle.   Stoudt was charged with 3rd -degree arson, 3rd degree burglary, & petty larceny, he was arraigned and was sent to the Broome County jail.

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Governor Cuomo signed legislation on Tuesday that will place the issue of legalizing casino gaming before the voters in November.  If voters approve of the measure, 4 casino resorts would be allowed upstate, 2 or 3 of those could open in the Catskills or even in the southern tier.

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State comptroller Tom DiNapoli released the results from audits conducted by his office, locally, in the village of Delhi, the audit showed that the village mayor and board have not developed sound budget estimates, their surplus fund balances remained high while the property tax levy continued to increase. A report on the village of Smyrna stated that the board did not segregate the clerk-treasurer’s duties & the lack of oversight caused financial activities to vary greatly from adopted budgets.

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A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 7-31-13

by wcdonews Posted on July 31, 2013

Broome County Sheriffs & alongside the State Parole Officers arrested 35 year old Raymond Copp of Johnson City & 24 year old Lynette Copp of Conklin.   Parole officers had a felony warrant for Raymond Copp, they had learned that he was at his sister’s home in Conklin.  Officers went to pick up Copp in Conklin Tuesday; they had to taser him in order to take him into custody.  Copp was remanded to the Broome county jail, Lynette Copp was charged with obstructing governmental administration and faces court action at a later date.

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Chenango County will not be getting state of federal aid following last months flooding that affected the village of Sherburne.   FEMA had determined that the cost of damage from the flooding did not meet their minimum threshold; governor Cuomo has now narrowed down state emergency funding to the 5 hardest hit counties in the Mohawk Valley only.

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A Town of Chenango railway underpass was closed yesterday afternoon after a garbage truck crashed into it.  The Broome County Sheriff’s Office reported that the driver of the Waste Management truck disregarded the posted 10’6″ clearance, sign and struck the bridge over Patch Road and causing significant damage. Crews from New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad were called into to assess the damage and begin repairs, 32 year-old Frank Contino was ticketed; Patch Road will be closed for repairs until they are completed.

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Police arrested 50-year-old Vincent Wallace of Endicott for 3rd degree grand larceny.  Wallace is accused of receiving over $8900 in unemployment benefits that he was not entitled to.  Wallace was released in his own recognizance pending future court action.

 

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P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 7-30-13

by wcdonews Posted on July 30, 2013

Tickets are still available for Bernie Williams at the Foothills Performing Arts center Friday night.  The show is a homecoming for the former New York Yankee Centerfielder, whose pro career began as an Oneonta Yankee.  Foothills spokesman Huemac Garcia explains:

 

(Huemac Garcia 7-30-13)

 

Tickets are available at 431-2080 or at FoothillsPAC.org.

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Governor Cuomo today signed legislation enacting Jay-J’s  Law, which allows for tougher penalties against offenders who have been convicted of repeatedly abusing a child.   The law increases the look-back period to elevate penalties for  assault on a child younger than 11 years old from 3 years up to 10 years. Jay-J’s Law is named after Jay-J Bolvin, who was severely beaten by his father in 2011,  his father was allowed to plead guilty to only misdemeanor assault, the new bill takes effect immediately.

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State  Troopers arrested 34-year-old Shaun Reed of Endicott, for Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. Reed is accused of urinating on his roommate’s laptop and damaging it, during the investigation, Reed was found to be in possession of marihuana. Reed was arraigned in the Town of Union Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail.

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New York State’s short-term fiscal outlook has improved, but long-term structural balance remains a challenge, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.  DiNapoli  said that  the  state’s 5-year fiscal outlook might have budget gaps of $2 billion next fiscal year and $2.9 billion in the two subsequent years, budget gaps could be as high as $6 billion if the state’s revenue and spending projections aren’t met.

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Delaware County Deputies investigated an ATV accident on Dryden Road in the Town of Tompkins Monday.  18-year-old Antonio Ranacelli of Walton was operating an ATV when he left the roadway to enter a trail into the woods.  The ATV rolled over throwing Ranacelli from the ATV.  He was transported to Albany Medical Center by Life Net helicopter with life threatening injuries and was in serious but stable condition later on in the evening.  The investigation is still on going.

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State troopers arrested 31 year old Lisa Pastella of Towson, Maryland  Sunday with driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of .19%  Troopers responded to numerous reports of a vehicle driving erratically on I-81 northbound as it entered New York from Pennsylvania. The vehicle pulled into the Gateway rest area where it was blocked in by one of the callers until troopers arrived. Pastella was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Kirkwood Court at a later date.

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A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 7-30-13

by wcdonews Posted on July 30, 2013

The names of the five victims have been released from Saturday’s fatal helicopter crash in Noxen Township Pennsylvania.  The National Transportation and Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash of the helicopter that took off Saturday from Tri-Cities Airport in Endicott, investigators said that the air traffic control lost communication with the flight at about 10:30 Saturday night.  Killed in the crash were 58-year-old Bernard Kelly of Ellicott City, Maryland, 27-year-old Leanna Kelly of Savage, Maryland, 30-year-old David  Jenny of Towson, Maryland, 29-year-old Carl Woodland of Lovettsville, Virginia and 3 year old Noah Woodland of Leesburg, Virginia.

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Delaware County Department of Public Works will need to close off the main street bridge in Sidney for 4 days, starting next Tuesday, in order to repair a pothole issues that involves the concrete deck.  County DPW Commissioner Wayne Reynolds explains:

 

(Wayne Reynolds 7-30-13)

 

Reynolds said that message board would be in place to remind motorists of the bridge closure and any changes that may occur.  The main street bridge project should be completed Friday.

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Governor  Cuomo  announced the launch of the Project Sunlight database, which gives the public an in-depth view of the individuals and entities that are appearing before New York State government on non-legislative matters.   Project Sunlight lists meetings between government officials and outside individuals, entities, and their internal or external representatives related to state procurement, rate-making, regulatory matters, agency-based judicial proceedings, and the  adoption or repeal of rules and regulations.   Additional news available at www.governor.ny.gov.

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P.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-29-13

by wcdonews Posted on July 29, 2013

State Police in Oneonta investigated a fatal ATV accident that occurred at 114 Stonybrook Road in the Town of Otego Sunday.  42-year-old Timothy Lewis and 49 year old Debra Chickerell, of Otego, were traveling on a dirt driveway, when they lost control of the ATV and overturned causing both the operator and passenger to be ejected off the ATV, into a parked vehicle in the driveway.  Lewis was transported to Fox Hospital and was pronounced dead, Chickerell was transported to Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown and treated for a broken left arm, broken ribs and brain hemorrhage.  The investigation is continuing.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 57-year-old Steve Eiler of Franklin on 1 count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation for allegedly operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.  Eiler is accused of failing to pay a fine from Town of Oneonta Court.

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Governor Cuomo signed a bill that strengthens Leandra’s Law and provides new safeguards to keep drunken drivers off New York’s roads.  The update makes it a felony to drive drunk on a conditional license. The bill also limits the circumstances in which a court can waive the installation of an interlock device to only when a person under oath attests that he or she is not the owner of a motor vehicle and will not operate any vehicle during the period of the interlock restriction. The legislation also expands the requirements for the use of ignition interlock devices by making youthful offenders subject to the same ignition interlock requirements that are now applicable to adults.

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Governor Cuomo signed legislation that would require public and private colleges in New York State to provide written information on fire safety and sprinkler systems to students residing in college-owned or operated housing.  The notification would include a description of the fire safety system for the student’s housing facility, including whether or not the housing facility is equipped with a fire sprinkler system. The legislation followed a fire in 2012 at Marist College where 3 people died in a fire in an off-campus housing unit.

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Delaware county DPW announced that county route 23 in the town of Sidney would be closed Tuesday in order to replace a culvert.  The closure will be between quarry road and Marble Alley between 7:30 and 4:00 PM.  The detour ill be river road to crane hill road.

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A coalition of environmental organizations has sued the state Department of Environmental Conservation against the state’s effort to roll back dairy farm regulations in order to support the needs of Greek yogurt manufacturers across the state.  The Sierra Club, Riverkeeper and Citizens Campaign for the Environment claim the state violated the federal Clean Water Act with plans to increase the number of cows that farms can maintain without having to comply with waste-management regulations.  Governor Cuomo announced the plan to change those rules last year, at the “Yogurt Summit” in Albany, New York is the leading maker of Greek yogurt among all 50 states.

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New York is banning trade in shark fins starting next summer in an effort to protect the marine predators.  The fins are used in Popular Chinese Soup, An estimated 73 million sharks are killed worldwide to meet the market demand, Governor Cuomo said that the Sharks are caught, their fins are cut off and the sharks are returned to the ocean to die, a procedure that he called inhumane & upsetting to the oceanic eco-system.

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A.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-29-13

by wcdonews Posted on July 29, 2013

Pennsylvania State Police that 5 people died in a helicopter crash in Wyoming County Saturday night.  4 adults and 1 child were killed; the helicopter departed from the Tri-Cities Airport in Endicott, search crews located the helicopter Sunday afternoon on South Mountain in Noxen Township.  The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

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Governor Cuomo announced increased fines for distracted driving violations, which includes texting-while-driving or using an electronic handheld device while driving, is in effect. The new minimum fines and higher maximum fines are, For a first offense, the minimum fine is $50 and maximum fine increases to $150, For a second offense committed within 18 months, the minimum fine is $50 and the maximum fine increases to $200, For a third or subsequent offense committed within 18 months, the minimum fine is $50 and the maximum fine increases to $400. More information is available at dmv.ny.gov/cellphone.htm.

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The sentence for Joshua Stimpson has been upheld in Delaware County court in connection with a fatal accident in March of 2010.  Stimpson was driving on State Route 10 when he tried to pass a tractor-trailer in a no passing zone; he hit a vehicle driven by Sherry Bush car head on, killing her instantly.  Stimpson pleaded guilty to 2nd degree manslaughter and was sentenced to three-and-a-half to 10-and-a-half years in prison; the appellate court ruled the sentence will stand, as Stimpson waived his right to appeal both the conviction and the sentence when he pleaded guilty.

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Delaware County Deputies arrested 18-year-old Kyle Clark of Delhi for 3rd degree Assault for an incident that occurred on July 7th in the Town of Andes. Clark was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Andes Court at a later date.

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