Federal prosecutor Preet Bharara reported that his investigation has found insufficient evidence of any federal crime in Governor Cuomo’s closing of New York’s Moreland Commission. Cuomo appointed the commission in 2013 to investigate public corruption by state officials, Cuomo closed down the commission following an agreement with lawmakers to enact ethics reforms. Bharara took over the commission’s files and recently convicted Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver & Former State Senate Leader Dean Skelos, but after “a thorough investigation”, his office has concluded there’s currently “insufficient evidence to prove a federal crime.”
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 30-year-old Jennifer Morris of East Branch, for 1 count of Criminal Contempt. Morris is accused of violating a Delaware County Court Order of Protection issued in 2013 upon her conviction for Falsely Reporting an Incident after making threats through social media, to the Walton Central School District. Morris was ordered to “refrain from the use of any Internet capable or texting device unless in the presence of an agency approved by the court or the probation department”. Morris created and maintained a Facebook account which violated the Court Order. Morris was arrested and was released on an Appearance Ticket to appear in the Town of Hancock Court on January 18th.
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Area State Assemblyman Pete Lopez announced today that he will be suspending his bid to replace Congressman Chris Gibson in New York’s 19th Congressional District and is now officially seeking re-election in the 102nd Assembly District. Lopez announced that his father was recently diagnosed with cancer, & he is the eldest of 4 children, is the only sibling living in close proximity to his parents, & that he and his wife Bridget are their main caregivers. Lopez announced that he carries the additional responsibility of serving as a health proxy for his father & will need to stay closer to home.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 38-year-old Thomas Kern of Sidney on 1 count of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, following a civilian report of a suspicious person in the Village of Walton. Kern was additionally charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle with an open container of an alcoholic beverage, he was released on traffic tickets returnable to Walton Village Court at a later date.
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Oneonta city officials are reminding area residents that vehicles must not be left parked on city streets during a snowstorm, or after a snowfall of 2 1/2 inches. Vehicles found on the streets after that level of snowfall will be towed at the owner’s expense. Several other stipulations are in effect as well, details can be obtained by calling the city clerk’s office at 432-6450
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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County will be conducting NYSERDA’s free energy workshops titled “EMPOWER Save Energy, Save Dollars.” Those who attend will learn how to reduce energy bills with low-cost, no-cost actions. The next Workshop is Saturday, January 23rd from 10:00 AM until 12:00 Noon at the Sidney Memorial Library. Preregistration is available at the Sidney Public Library Front Desk or through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County at 865-6531.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 35-year-old Michal Grenda of Illinois, on one count of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree following a traffic stop in the Town of Walton. Grenda was additionally charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and failure to keep right. The defendant was later released on traffic tickets returnable to Walton Town Court at a later date.
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Governor Cuomo unveiled the 11th proposal of his 2016 agenda; a $200 million competition to revitalize Upstate airports. The proposal is designed to enhance airports throughout Upstate New York, and promote new opportunities for regional economic development and partnership between the public and private sectors.
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Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 18 year old Dylan Groat of Walton for 3rd degree Grand Larceny. Groat is accused of removing a dirt bike from a business in the Town of Walton; the dirt bike was located and returned to the owner. Groat was arranged in the Town of Walton Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $1,000 cash bail. Groat is to re-appear in the Town of Walton Court at a later date.
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A City of Norwich resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s for 10 counts of Petty Larceny. 24 year old Stephen Brady is accused of taking cash from his register during his shift on ten separate occasions at the Norwich Wal-Mart during the course of his employment. Brady is scheduled to appear in Town of Norwich Court at a later date.
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