Former State Senate leader Dean Skelos was sentenced to 5 years in prison on corruption charges today, his son, Adam received a 6 1/2 year sentence in a Manhattan federal courtroom today. Skelos used his position in state government to pressure businesses to provide his son with $300,000 no-show job in exchange for political favors.
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With Former State Senate Leader Dean Skelos following former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to jail, Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that there needs to be term limits on leadership oisitions, to try to stop this constant abuse of power:
(Crouch 5-12-16)
Other former Senate leaders that faced prison time in recent years included Joe Bruno, Pedro Espada Jr, & Hiram Monseratte.
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Yesterday’s autopsy on a body found in the Chenango River this week, shows that the victim died from Drowning. Broome County officials have not yet identified the drowning victim, additional tests are pending.
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State Senator Jim Seward will have a challenge from Democrat Audrey Dunning, who announced her candidacy for the 51st state senate District seat this week. Dunning is an attorney from Ilion, announced her candidacy Tuesday, Seward has served since the 80’s in the State Senate, many times running unopposed in the November elections.
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A 2-year investigation by Environmental Conservation Officers uncovered an illegal venison sales operation in South Edmeston. Officers executed a search warrant at Farmers Place on County Highway 20 and found more than 3,600 pounds of illegal venison meat and products. 73-year-old Joseph Leonard was charged with Felony Illegal Commercialization of Wildlife, Felony Grand Larceny, Criminal Solicitation, and Illegal Scheme to Defraud, for allegedly selling venison to undercover investigators. 57-year-old Tamra Hoag was also charged with Illegal Commercialization of Wildlife and Illegal Scheme to Defraud, they were arraigned in the Town of Edmeston court and are due back in court on June 6th.
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Governor Cuomo today announced that the first school district funding requests from the $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act have been approved. The Act supports investments in education technology that will equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the future economy. The 52 plans total $45 million for projects, $26 million for Classroom Technology purchases, $15 million for School Connectivity projects, & $4 million for High-Tech Security projects..
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State Police arrested 32-year-old Bo Angell of Harpursville, & 37 year old Roy Bolster of Windsor, for 3rd degree Burglary, after troopers checked a vacant property on Fox Farm Road in the Town of Windsor & finding both men stealing scrap metal from a trailer. Angell and Bolster were remanded to the Broome County jail with no bail set.
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Delaware County Deputies arrested 36-Year-old David Alleyne of Delhi for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, following a traffic stop in the Village of Delhi. Alleyne was also issued traffic tickets for uninspected motor vehicle, operating out of class, and unregistered motorcycle, he was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and released on his own recognize to return on June 7th.
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Oneonta City Officials announced that crews will be milling & paving Water Street & Chestnut Street Extension Monday & Tuesday May 16th & 17th. There will be no on street parking, all vehicles must be removed by 6:00 AM, and remaining vehicles will be towed away. More information is available at 432-6465.
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Another Red Cross Blood drive will be held in Norwich today, hosted by Commerce Chenango. the drive will be held at the Howard Johnson’s at 75 North Broad Street in Norwich from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Appointments can be made at 1-800-REDCROSS or redcrossblood.org.
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