P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-14-24

State Police at Sidney arrested 61 year old Duane Gardepe of Masonville, after a domestic dispute at a residence on Axtell Road in the town of Masonville. Gardepe has been charged with 1st degree Rape, Criminal Sexual Act, Kidnapping, Sexual Abuse, Aggravated Sexual Abuse, Unlawful Imprisonment, Menacing & Criminal Mischief, An investigation revealed that Gardepe menaced and threatened a victim, prevented the victim from leaving, calling 911 and forced unwanted sexual acts. Gardepe was processed and arraigned, he was remanded to the Delaware County Jail without bail.

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State Police arrested 22 year old Zachary Hoffman Kowatch, of Arkville for Reckless Endangerment as a Hate Crime, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation. On May 9, Hoffman Kowatch was in a vehicle on Main Street in the village of Fleischmanns when he began yelling anti-semitic remarks at a teenager who was riding a bicycle, he attempted to intentionally strike the teenager and an adult with his vehicle while yelling obscenities and making anti-Semitic remarks before fleeing the scene. Hoffman Kowatch was located at his residence in Arkville and arrested, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on no bail.

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Local sales tax collections in New York state increased by 1.5% in April compared to the same month in 2023, according to data released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Overall, local collections totaled $1.76 billion, up $26.1 million from the same time last year. New York City’s collections increased 3.9%, County and city collections in the rest of the state decreased -0.5%. 25 of 57 counties experienced year-over-year decreases.

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Governor Hochul announced the launch of Round 14 of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, which includes $445 million in grant and tax-credit funding combined with a wide range of programs from 8 state agencies, Empire State Development is launching the Capital Improvement Grants for Pro-Housing Communities Program and the Small Manufacturer Modernization Grants Program. A 2nd round of the Not-for-Profit Capital Grant Program will make up to $5 million available for organizations that can assist with facility improvements and upgrades.

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The Butternut Valley Alliance has announced a partnership with SFCU, to take the necessary measures to open a full-service branch in Morris. This development comes after the “Save Our Bank” task force was formed, as Community Bank NA had announced plan last year to close their Morris Branch. Butternut Valley Alliance Vice Chair Maggie Brenner explains:

(Maggie Brenner 5-14-24)

Brenner said that the BDD process can take 6 to 12 months, meanwhile, SFCU plans to begin offering limited services with a representative assisting businesses and residents in opening accounts, The Alliance will try to find out Community Bank’s plans with their former office in Morris, to see if it can become a new branch for SFCU.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 5-14-24

Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Kirkwood man for 3 gas station robberies. The 1st Robbery was on May 9th, at the Speedway gas station on Route 7 in Sanitaria Springs, where a male with a black shirt wrapped around his hand, implying he had a weapon, and grabbed a cash register & fled the scene in a gray Ford F-150 pickup truck. The 2nd Robbery was at the Mirabito gas station on Old Route 17 in Windsor, Sheriff Deputies identified the suspect vehicle and potential suspect as 46 year old Clint Loomis of Kirkwood. On Friday, a 3rd Robbery occurred at a gas station in Greene, Loomis was located on Route 12 in the Town of Chenango, A Deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Loomis resisted, a Taser was deployed but Loomis drove off, Tire deflation devices were set up, Loomis damaged his tires but continued to flee, eventually leaving the vehicle on foot, he was apprehended. Loomis was wanted on a warrant, & was charged with Robbery, Obstructing governmental administration, reckless endangerment, unlawfully fleeing Police, Resisting arrest & 26 traffic violations, he was being held for arraignment.

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Oneonta Fire Fighters responded to a fire Sunday morning on Columbia Street, several occupants escaped, the fire began on the 1st floor, The cause of the fire is under investigation, the house is uninhabitable.

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Governor Hochul announced the opening of the application period for $50 million in funding for law enforcement agencies across New York State. The funding will allow police departments and sheriffs’ offices outside of New York City to purchase new technology and equipment to modernize their operations, More information is available at criminaljustice.ny.gov. Last year’s efforts resulted in 378 Law Enforcement Agencies Outside New York City receiving funding for technology upgrades.

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Blood Supplies are still critically low, there will be 2 Red Cross Blood Drives locally today. A Walton blood drive will be held from 1:30 pm. – 6 pm., at the Pines Brook Church, Another will be held from 10 am. – 3 pm., at Springbrook, 105 Campus Drive in Oneonta, appointments are requested at RedCrossBlood.org, 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

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Chenango County Health Department will hold a rabies vaccination clinic at the Columbus Highway Department today, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Pre-registration is requested by calling 337-1673, or by going to the Chenango County Health Department website.

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