Commerce Chenango announced today that Kerri Green of Sidney will succeed Steve Craig as President & CEO of Commerce Chenango starting in August.  Green told WCDO News that she is excited for this opportunity:

(Kerri Green 7-29-19)

Green previously served as President of the Sidney Chamber of Commerce while she worked in Sales at WCDO, she is also currently president of the Sidney central School District Board of Education & also previously worked as Senior Assistant to the President at Hartwick College in Oneonta. 

The Otsego County Fair kicks off Tuesday at the Fairgrounds in Morris.  Fair Spokesperson Lisa Jones told WCDO News that Wednesday will have 2 new events:

(Lisa Jones 7-29-19)

The full line-up is available at otsegocountyfair.org.

—————————————————-

Governor Cuomo signed legislation to establish a 30-day waiting period for individuals who are not immediately approved to purchase a firearm through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.  The bill closes loopholes to prohibit ownership or sale of a bump stock, & gives law enforcement sufficient time to complete a background check and help ensure that only those eligible to purchase and own a firearm are able to do so.

———————————–

Delaware County Sherriff’s Deputies arrested 72 year old Franklin Purdy of Baldwinsville Thursday for Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Speed not reasonable and prudent, Speeding at 95 miles an hour in a 55 mile an hour zone, Moving from lane unsafely, & driving an unregistered & uninsured motor vehicle.  Purdy was observed by Deputies on State Highway 17 in the Town of Hancock driving at a high rate of speed, they attempted to conduct a traffic stop, and Purdy fled & was apprehended by Deputies in Sullivan County.  Purdy faces additional charges in Sullivan County as well as in Delaware County; he will appear in the Town of Hancock Court at a later date.

———————————–

A new law signed by Governor Cuomo decriminalizes marijuana use in New York.  Under the new legislation, the penalty for unlawful possession of marijuana will be reduced to a violation punishable by a fine. The penalty is $50 for possessing less than an ounce or a maximum of $200 for 1 to 2 ounces.  There will be no criminal penalties for possession of any amount of marijuana under two ounces.

————————————-

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 23 year old Thomas Conkling of Long Eddy, early this morning for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle, driving an Unregistered & uninsured motor vehicle, operating with switched plates, and unsafe tire. Conkling was arraigned at the Town of Colchester Court and was released on his own recognizance. Conkling is scheduled to appear at the Town of Hancock Court at a later date to answer the charges.

—————————————

State Police are looking for the public’s help in locating approximately 75 escaped buffalo from the Honey Hill Road in Roseboom.  State Police warn the public not to approach the buffalo since they are a wild animal and can be unpredictable.   Troopers were dispatched Thursday & learned that a buffalo broke a gate allowing approximately 75 buffalo to escape from a farm in the town of Sharon.  Troopers worked with a DEC officer and the owner of the buffalo to devise a plan to convince the animals to return home, some were reported in the town of Schoharie & the town of Roseboom.   Anyone who sees any of the buffalo should contact the owner at (518)588-1402 or State Police at (315)858-1122.

Several local fire departments responded to a barn fire at 125 Corbin Road in the town of Bainbridge last night.  The fire started in a barn filled with hay at about 10:30 last night, according to owner & Bainbridge Fire Chief Fred Bell.  Fire departments from Afton, Bainbridge, Sidney, Masonville, Trout Creek, and Coventry responded, No injuries were reported, Bell said that the fire did NOT spread to his house, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

—————————————————————————————————-

The American Red Cross announced that today through August 29th, blood donors will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Currently, the Red Cross has less than a 3-day supply of most blood types & less than a 2-day supply of type O blood.  Appointments can be made through Amazon’s Alexa or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS. A blood drive is being held today in Oneonta from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at The Salvation Army, 25 River Street.

——————————————-

16 year old Nicholas Pheilshifter pleaded guilty Thursday to criminal possession of a weapon as a crime of terrorism, as a participant in the plot against Islamberg in Delaware County.   Pheilshifter will be sentenced to 7 years in state prison, after serving the first 2 years in juvenile detention.  Previously, Vincent Vetromile pleaded guilty to a weapons charge and faces seven to 12 years in prison. Brian Colaneri and Andrew Crysel pleaded guilty to terrorism-related conspiracy and face four to 12 years in prison.

—————————————————