Broome County Fire Investigators have determined that it was a space heater that was too close to combustibles in the Skylark Motel Lobby in Vestal on March 14th, which caused the fire that, claimed the life of the owner of the Motel, 79-year-old Dick Patel. Patel & his wife lived above the motel office with his wife, investigators reported that Patel helped his wife get out but he could not make it out of the building, remaining occupants also escaped. The motel was a total loss.
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State Police were dispatched to a report of 2 dead goats on property located at 674 County Highway 36, in the Town of Westford Monday. 45-year-old Stephen Pandelakis was charged after police discovered numerous dead animals on the property, including a dog, a cat, a pig, 2 goats, 6 chickens and 2 ducks. Pandelakis was charged with 2 felony counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, and 13 counts of Torturing, Injuring or Failure to feed an animal. Remaining chickens were surrendered & were taken to another person for proper care. Pandelakis was issued appearance tickets returnable in the Town of Westford Court April 4th.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies and Hancock Village Police arrested 33-year-old Christen Wrighter of Hancock Monday on a number charges, after a traffic stop. Deputies and Hancock Police started an investigation recently following a number of complaints of people who made advance payments to Christen Wrighter Photography for photographs that she failed to provide. Deputies observed Wrighter speeding on State Highway 97 in Hancock Monday evening, they discovered that she had her driving privileges suspended, she also unlawfully possessed a quantity of the prescription controlled substances, including Oxycodone. Wrighter was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, speeding, Scheming to Defraud, Grand Larceny & petty Larceny. Wrighter was arraigned in the Village of Hancock Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bail bond pending further court action. The investigation is ongoing.
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Some of the wealthiest New Yorkers are urging the state to raise their taxes. 80 New Yorkers including George Soros, Steven Rockefeller & Abigail Disney wrote to lawmakers & Governor Cuomo, claiming that they & other top money makers in the state can afford to pay more taxes, in order to help the state pay for infrastructure projects, school funding & programs to help the poor, elderly & homeless. A proposal calls for the all making more than $650,ooo a year to pay more into the state coffers, a move that they forwarded last year as well. Assembly democrats have called for an immediate tax increase on the state’s top 1% wage earners, State Senate majority Republicans & Governor Cuomo want to hold off on tax increases on Millionaires.
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Sidney High School and the Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention invite Sidney, Bainbridge and Unadilla community leaders, business people, parents, students, and school staff to a free Spaghetti & Meatballs Dinner from 5:15 PM to 5:45, followed by presentations starting at 6:00 PM in the High School Auditorium. Coalition President Lorraine Keckeisen comments:
(Lorraine Keckeisen 3-22-17)
Local experts Mary Rosenthal of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, addiction expert Dave Ramsey, Sidney Police Chief Jan Gorshack will also speak. Pre-registration is encouraged in order to accommodate dinner provisions and door prizes, more information is available at 561-7707.
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Delaware County Public Health will hold their next Free Rabies Vaccination Clinics today in Delhi. The Clinic will be held at the Delhi Fire Hall, 140 Delview Terrace Extension from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com
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Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting reported the arrest of 2 parents in connection with the death of 16-year-old Jeffrey Franklin on March 1st in the Town of Guilford. The Sheriff’s Office arrested 35-year-old Ernest Franklin & 33 year old Heather Franklin following the investigation of a fire at their residence on state Route 8. The autopsy showed that the fire did not cause Jeffrey’s death, and that he was deceased prior to the fire, investigators believe the fire was set to cover up the murder of Jeffrey. Both parents are charged with 2nd degree Murder, Arson and Tampering with Physical Evidence. The investigation is continuing and further charges may be filed.
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State Police arrested 56-year-old Danny Baldwin of Cherry Valley, for Conspiracy. Troopers accuse Baldwin of conspiring by allegedly attempting to hire another person to intentionally commit murder. Baldwin was arraigned in town of Richfield Springs Court and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 property bond.
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Oneonta Police arrested 20-year-old Kyle Alger of Oneonta on Drug Charges Friday Night. Alger was interviewed by police at his Rose Avenue home after a neighbor called to complain that someone was vomiting outside of Alger’s car. Alger is accused of throwing an item underneath the vehicle as police arrived, police then recovered 2 grams of bulk heroin & 11 individually packaged paper folds, and $532 cash. Alger was charged with Criminal possession of a controlled substance.
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Legendary performers Judy Collins & Stephen Stills will perform together this summer at the Anderson Center at SUNY Binghamton on August 28th. Anderson center Marketing Director Roseanne Norris explains:
(Roseanne Norris 3-22-17)
Tickets go on sale on Monday March 27th. Norris said that Collins & Stills would be touring on a collaborative album due out this summer.
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State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will promote governor Cuomo’s Excelsior Scholarship program this morning at SUNY Binghamton. Hochul will discuss the plan at the Innovative Technologies Complex at 85 Murray Hill Road at 10:00 AM< she will make stop at several other SUNY Campus later today.
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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce New Member Coffee hour is being held this morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Trackside Dining. New Chamber Members have been asked to bring displays of their businesses to this event.
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CDO Workforce & BEAM are teaming up for a presentation today from 10:30 to 12:00 Noon at the CDO Workforce office at the Sidney Civic Center. Participants will learn about getting through the job interview process, more information is available at 561-7550.