Federal officials announced that 35 year old Jason Wentworth of Oneonta was sentenced to 5 years’ probation for stealing Social Security benefits.    Wentworth pleaded guilty to a 6 count indictment for stealing Social Security survivor’s benefits and for making false statements to the Social Security Administration to obtain the benefits.  Wentworth was also ordered to pay restitution to the government in the amount of $27,525 and restitution to his son in the amount of $25,035.

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Adirondack Films and Film Director Lori Bailey will hold an open Casting Call for a new film centered around a story with a World War 2 backdrop on Wednesday at the Masonic Lodge at 322 Main Street in Oneonta.  Bailey told WCDO News who should attend:

(Lori Bailey 1-13-20)

The Casting Call will be from 2:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday; more information is available by email LoriJB58@outlook.com.

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State Lawmakers are up in arms over the Bail Reform legislation that went into effect this month that was buried in a budget bill last year that has New Yorker crime victim fearing reprisals after violent offenders are released on appearance tickets from courts, because they can’t be remanded to jail.  Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Cliff Crouch 1-13-20)

Crouch said that the Governor backed off on support for the bill recently, but said nothing about the issue in his State of the State Address last week.

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A State Supreme Court Justice has blocked New York State from enforcing an executive order banning flavored vaping products, where the judge ruled that the state Public Health and Health Planning Council overstepped its authority last September when it issued a ban on e-cigarettes and e-liquids flavored with anything other than tobacco or menthol.  The ruling stated that regulating the vaping industry is a job for the state Legislature, not the executive branch.  Governor Cuomo said that he would introduce legislation to ban flavored nicotine e-cigarette products as well as vaping advertisements aimed at youth.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 2,500 people nationwide have reported respiratory issues from vaping and 54 people have died.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 30 year old Natasha Reed of Hamden Friday for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, following the report of a motor vehicle accident in the Town of Walton, where it was found that Reed had been operating that vehicle while her driving privileges were suspended in the State of New York. Reed was issued an appearance ticket for the above charge, and was also issued a traffic ticket for unlicensed operator. She was scheduled to appear before the Town of Walton Court at a later date to answer for the charge. 

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The Chenango Arts Council will showcase the work of recipients of 2019’s New York State Decentralization Grant Program in the Mariea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries at 27 West Main Street in Norwich Friday at 5:30 PM.  The exhibit will feature visual and performing arts from Broome, Chenango and Otsego county arts organizations.    The reception is free & open to the public, more information is available at 336-ARTS or chenangoarts.org.

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State Police arrested 31 year old Tami Gray of Oneida for Burglary, Robbery, attempted Robbery, Menacing and Reckless Endangerment.  Gray was arrested following a burglary in the town of Plymouth and 2 vehicle pursuits that ended in the town of Willet after a tire deflation device was utilized and the 2 suspects were taken into custody.  Gray was processed and arraigned in the town of Plymouth court where she was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $50,000 cash bail, the male suspect has charges pending, the investigation is continuing.

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Otsego County Court has created a County Opioid Court as part of a statewide effort to get those arrested on Opioid related crimes into a treatment program faster.  The new court will accept both felony and misdemeanor cases from Otsego County Court, and any Town or Village Court in Otsego County; as well as referrals from local attorneys, police agencies, first responders, probation officers and any other agencies working with at-risk opioid users. More information is available at ww2.nycourt.gov.

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