P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 3-22-23
The Village of Sidney Mayoral & Village Board seat election results were released this morning, Sidney Village Clerk Lisa French told WCDO News the numbers:
(Lisa French 3-22-23)
French said that all ballots had to be turned in by 9:00 PM last night to be counted, including early & absentee ballots.
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The United States Department of Justice announced Tuesday that 30 year old Shelby Ortiz of Maryland, New York was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison and a 20-year term of supervised release, for distributing child pornography. Ortiz also will be required to register as a sex offender upon her release from prison. Ortiz pleaded guilty in October 2022, she admitted that she subjected a 7-month-old boy to sexual contact which was video recorded and sent to to a person living in Florida with whom she was participating in an online and telephone dominant/submissive sexual relationship. The case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security, the Oneonta Police Department, and the State Police
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The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office announced that 27 year old Brandon Morse of Edmeston was charged with cashing a stolen check last month was arrested again over the weekend for falsely reporting an incident to law enforcement. Morse is accused of lying to authorities about a man outside of his residence with a gun. Prior to the February arrest, Morse allegedly stole a $3,500 check from a local business and cashed it illegally. Morse was released with an appearance ticket and is due back in court at a later date.
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The Afton Sertoma Club presents Goofy Golf again this Saturday at the Afton Central school, Spokesperson Helen Kittle explains:
(Helen Kittle 3-22-23)
The event runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Saturday, no pre registration is required.
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The 2023 Norwich St. Baldrick’s “Brave the Shave” fundraising event was held at the Norwich American Legion Post 189 Saturday, the fundraiser to support childhood cancer research raised $49,236 this year with the event. Donations for the 2023 Norwich St. Baldrick’s are being accepted at StBaldricks.org/events/norwich2023.
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Delaware County Board of Supervisors were notified that the federal civil rights suit filed against the County by former Social Services Commissioner Dana Scuderi-Hunter, was dismissed by the U.S. District Court Monday. Scuderi-Hunter had filed the civil rights suit last year, claiming that the County had violated her 1st Amendment rights; that she was denied due process as part of her 2019 dismissal; and that the County’s actions were retaliatory as a result of her testimony during a Family Court proceeding. U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Kahn, ordered the claims made by Scuderi-Hunter be dismissed on the basis that the claims had already been litigated and decided by the State Appellate Division in February 2022, she additionally appealed that decision, which was denied last June, she then sought an appeal from the State Court of Appeals which was also denied. Judge Kahn also dismissed Scuderi-Hunter’s claims that County Attorney Amy Merklen had a conflict of interest in carrying out her duties as assigned.
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The Village of Sidney Police Benevolent Association endorsed Acting Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith in this year’s race for the the Delaware County District Attorney’s Position. The Association stated that they reached this decision following an increase in communication, transparency & compassion from the DA’s office & Staff since Smith became the Acting DA January 1st. Smith faces a primary in June from fellow Republican Joe Ermeti of Sidney, who announced his candidacy recently for the DA position.
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A.M. NEWS Wednesday 3-22-23
Delaware County District Attorney’s office announced that 71 year old Vincent Balsamo of Walton was arraigned on a sealed indictment in Delaware County Court Monday. The Indictment charges Balsamo with 2nd degree Manslaughter, 2nd degree Assault & Reckless Endangerment, for repeatedly choking, strangling & slapping & striking 52 year old April Kestner of Honesdale Pennsylvania at his residence in the Town of Walton in December 7th of 2022. Balsamo faces 5 to 15 years in jail on the Manslaughter charge, he was sent to the Delaware County Correctional facility on $50,000 cash bail or $150,000 bond.
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The City of Oneonta announced that there will be one lane traffic at the intersection of Main Street and Gardner Place in order to tie the new sewer pipe into an existing sanitary sewer manhole. Temporary traffic signals with stop bars will be used to direct traffic and maintain a steady flow. For questions or concerns related to this project, please contact the Department of Public Works by emailing dpsinfo@oneonta.ny.us, or calling 432-2100.
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The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists to expect daily single lane closures along both directions of State Route 434 (Vestal Parkway) between Murray Hill Road in the Town of Vestal and Pennsylvania Avenue in the City of Binghamton, weekdays from 6:30 am. to 6 pm. through approximately October 15. The lane closures are necessary to facilitate construction of a multi-purpose pedestrian path.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to disabled vehicle on County Highway 26 in the Town of Hamden. During the course of the investigation Sheriff’s Deputies identified the driver as 21 year old Edwards Khali of Delhi, Deputies discovered that Khali’s vehicle was suspended due to an insurance lapse. Khali was charged with with Operating a Vehicle with a Suspended Registration & Unregistered Vehicle, he was released on an appearance ticket, and was directed to appear before the Town of Hamden Court at a later date to answer for the charge.
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