P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 12-29-23

Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 48 year old Aaron Vandusen of Unadilla for Criminal Use of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, & Criminal Contempt. On November 29th, Otsego County 911 received a call regarding a male subject who had suffered a gunshot wound in a vehicle, it was determined that Vandusen had fashioned a homemade pistol even though he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous felony conviction, he was attempting to enter a vehicle and dropped the homemade firearm which discharged in to his abdomen & groin area. He was taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City. State Police and Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched Vandusen’s residence Thursday for an unrelated complaint, he was arraigned in Otsego County Centralized Arraignment and released on his own recognizance pending future court action.

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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that starting today, the Department of Defense will try sexual assault cases outside the military chain of command. Senator Gillibrand fought for this reform for nearly a decade until it’s passing recently in Congress, This move will remove judicial functions and prosecutorial decisions about the most serious crimes from the chain of command and put them in the hands of independent, trained professionals in the courts.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 12-29-23

State Police will continue with their participation in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative through Monday, January 1st. Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints, Troopers will be watching for distracted drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers violating the “Move Over Law,” State Police will also conduct underage drinker enforcement details.

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Hill City Celebrations will host the First Night Celebration at the Foothills Performing Arts Center on Market Street New Year’s Eve, spokesperson Gabby Argo explains:

(Gabby Argo 12-29-23)

Hill City Celebrations’ First Night is made possible by donations from many local businesses Organizations and individuals, More information is available at hillcitycelebrations.com or follow Hill City Celebrations on Facebook.

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State Lawmakers will get back to work in January in Albany, after Governor Hochul delivers the State of the State Address & the State Budget proposal, local Assemblyman Joe Angelino told WCDO News what he predicts for 2024 in Albany:

(Joe Angelino 12-29-23)

In Addition to a host of proposed legislation, lawmakers will attempt to reach an agreement on the State Budget by the April 1st Deadline.

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The Friends of Rogers in partnership with the State Department of Environmental Conservation, are leading a First Day Hike from 10:00 – 11:30 AM on January 1st 2024 at the Rogers Center in Sherburne. The Friends of Rogers offer participants 2 hiking options, more information & registration is available at (607) 674-4733 or friendsofrogers.org

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