Chenango County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on a 2013 Nissan Rogue and the occupant 24 year old Taylor Nelson of Afton. A traffic stop was conducted in Oxford where Nelson was taken into custody; Officers recovered digital scales, packaging material, methamphetamine, and cash. Nelson is accused of selling Crystal Methamphetamine in Chenango County & in the Village of Sidney, he was charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arraigned in the Town of Bainbridge Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $20,000 cash bail.
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Earlier this week, the Unatego School district Board of Education decided that they would close the Otego Elementary School building prior to the start of school this fall. Superintendent Dr. Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 2-17-17)

Richards said that there are successful instances of schools being repurposed, such as the Sidney Civic Center and the former New Berlin & South New Berlin school buildings.
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Former independent congressional candidate Robert Doggart of Tennessee was found guilty of solicitation to commit a civil rights violation, solicitation to commit arson and making a threat in interstate commerce, for his alleged plotting of an attack on Islamberg in Hancock. Doggart was arrested by the FBI, after he made threats to attack the Muslim community in Delaware county, and burn all of their buildings down. Doggart faces sentencing may 31st.
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The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of 48-year-old Mark Barnett of Ocala Florida, for a plan to set off explosives at Target stores in Upstate New York. Barnett was arrested after discussing the plot with a wired informant, his plans called for explosions in up to 10 Target stores starting in Syracuse & then traveling south back to Florida, in to buy Target store stock at an expected lower price per share after the bombings, and then sell the stock for a profit when the price returned to higher levels.

State police are reporting a new telephone scam, where the caller will ask “Can You Hear Me” and if you respond “yes”, they will record your response & then use your recorded voice & place unauthorized charged against your credit card or utility company accounts. State police said that the best response is to say nothing & hang up, they also advise that if you have already fallen for this scam, check your credit card account & utility bills carefully for extra charges that scammers may have added to your bill, then follow the normal procedures to dispute the extra charges.
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Governor Cuomo announced the state would invest an additional $8 million for upgrades at Belleayre Ski Center to attract more visitors and build on the Catskill Region’s tourism industry. The investment will enhance the current facilities at Belleayre Mountain with the installation of a new, high-speed gondola, multiple lodge expansions and the addition of modern amenities for both lodges at the resort.
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The 22nd annual Polar Bear Jump will be held at Goodyear Lake Saturday. Each year, funds are raised through pledges by jumping into the frigid waters; they will also raise funds with the Polar Bear Auction with donations from numerous local businesses and organizations. All proceeds are used to support local children and families with medical issues and the community organizations that support them.
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Governor Cuomo announced that the first of several free fishing events in New York State for 2017 would take place this weekend. New York residents and non-residents are permitted to fish for free without a fishing license at any of the state’s 7,500 lakes and ponds or 70,000 miles of rivers and streams. Cuomo has also designated June 24-25, September 23 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day) as free fishing days.
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