P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 7-31-24

2 Broome County Corrections officers have been suspended without pay, following an incident of unnecessary use of force during an interaction with an incarcerated individual with suicidal pronouncements at the Broome County Correctional Facility on July 23rd. Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar held a press conference, he said that corrections officers responded to a housing unit where an incarcerated individual was refusing to return to his cell and he was escorted to the Medical housing unit for observation, Sheriff Akshar explains:

(Sheriff Akshar 7-31-24)

Sheriff Akshar said that the officer; 39 year old James Woodard of Windsor was charged with Official Misconduct & Harassment, Both Woodard and the other unidentified officer were immediately suspended without pay while both the investigation and internal disciplinary processes continue, the case has been reported to the state’s Commission of Correction and the state’s Attorney General’s office. The video of the incident can be viewed at the Broome County Sheriff’s Office YouTube channel, it does contain rough language.

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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced new bipartisan legislation to expand access to mental health services for 1st responders, who have the most stressful jobs, and documented higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression than civilians:

(Gillibrand 7-31-24)

Gillibrand’s bill would establish a national mental health hotline for first responders and expand access to mental health care for law enforcement officers, it has bipartisan support among lawmakers.

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Local government sales tax collections totaled $5.83 billion in the second calendar quarter, an increase of 2.2%, or $127 million, compared to the same quarter last year, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. 39 of 57 of upstate counties saw an increase in collections in the quarter, the full report can be found at osc.state.ny.us

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State Police at Troop C responded yesterday afternoon to a residence on State Route 369 in the town of Fenton, where a person was suffering the mental health crisis was taken into custody without incident, no harm to the person or to any law enforcement.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 7-31-24

State Police arrested 50 year old Bryan Howard of Mount Vision, Monday for 4 counts of Reckless Endangerment, following an investigation of “shots fired” at State Route 205 in the town of Laurens. A resident discovered bullet holes in the kitchen window where he and his family reside. Troopers located and interviewed Howard and determined he shot in the direction of the residence recklessly engaging in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to another person. Howard was processed and transported to the Otsego County Correctional Facility for Centralized Arraignment and Processing.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 25 year old John Coss of Andes for 3rd degree Assault, Criminal Mischief , Public Lewdness and 2 counts of possessing a controlled substance. On Monday Deputies were on patrol in the Village of Delhi and observed an altercation, they found that the clerk at the Speedway Gas Station was attempting to ask an intoxicated patron to leave the property after urinating on the building, and while doing so, was assaulted. Coss was found to have a quantity of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl in his possession, he was processed and turned over to the Delaware County Correctional Facility for arraignment.

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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold a “Business After Hours” event at Ravens View Genetics in Delhi, on Thursday, August 8, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, regarding their State licensed cannabis cultivation facility, County Chamber President Ray Pucci explains:

(Ray Pucci 7-31-24)

Pucci said that the event is free , but registration is requested under the Events tab at DelawareCounty.org.

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State Police arrested 20 year old Joseph VanBlarcom of Margaretville for Reckless Endangerment as a Hate Crime & Aggravated Harassment. Troopers responded Monday afternoon to a Jewish Synagogue in Fleishmanns, an investigation determined that VanBlarcom threw objects and recklessly swerved his vehicle at three Jewish men while yelling obscenities. VanBlarcom was processed and transported to the Delaware County Correction Facility for Centralized Arraignment and Processing.

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An American Red Cross Blood Drive is being held in Laurens today from 1 pm. – 5:30 pm., at the Laurens Fire Department, 34 Main Street. Appointments can be made at the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS

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Congressman Marc Molinaro’s constituent service team will hold mobile office hours from 11:00am to 1:00pm today at the Norwich City Hall. Constituents will be able to connect with representatives from Rep. Molinaro’s office to share comments and resolve issues they are having with federal agencies like the VA, IRS, and Social Security Administration.

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