WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo proposes protecting New York consumers from
predatory and abusive debt collectors, by requiring debt collectors to be
licensed by the State Department of Financial Services, where they would have
to adhere to stringent standards of conduct and empower the State to examine
debt collectors and pull the license of bad services. The proposal will also
codify a FTC rule that prohibits confessions of judgment, which give lenders
the unfettered power to go into court, get a judgment from a clerk and empty
the consumer's bank account.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 67 year old Thomas
Lima of Franklin for 2nd degree harassment plus 12 counts of
Criminal contempt.  It is alleged that
Lima engaged in a course of conduct which alarmed another person & violated
an Order of Protection. Lima was arraigned in the Delhi Town court and released
on his own recognizance; he is scheduled to appear in the Town of Franklin
Court at a later date.

State Officials announced a
$10.5 million settlement with NYSEG & Rochester Gas & Electric Corp.,
following the companies' failure to adequately prepare for and restore service
after storms in 2018 that left more than 300,000 homes and businesses without
power.   NYSEG acknowledges and admits to 18 violations
of its state-approved emergency response plans, and RG&E acknowledges and
admits 3 violations.  The money will be
used to provide customer benefits at the direction of the Public Service Commission.
NYSEG will hire and maintain 20
additional employees with storm restoration responsibilities.

Governor Cuomo announced a proposal to prohibit the
distribution and use of Styrofoam, single-use food containers. The proposal
also bans the sale of packaging materials known as packing peanuts.
Additionally, the bill would authorize the State Department of Environmental
Conservation to review and take action to limit or ban other packaging material
upon a finding of environmental impact. The ban would go into effect by January
1, 2022. The ban exempts prepackaged food sealed prior to receipt at a
restaurant or food service establishment, as well as packaging for uncooked or
raw meat, fish or eggs.

A City of Norwich resident was arrested by the Chenango
County Sheriff’s Office on a Fugitive from Justice Warrant.  Deputies arrested 33 year old Michael Bias of
Norwich as a Fugitive from Justice Warrant, after arresting him on other charges.
Bias was arraigned in the Chenango County Court and was remanded to the
Chenango County Jail, where he will be picked up by the Cumberland County
Sheriff’s Office at a later date.

A Village of Bainbridge resident was arrested by the
Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Criminal contempt. 58 year old William
Armstrong was arrested after the Sheriff’s Department received a complaint that
Armstrong violated an order of protection. Armstrong was arraigned in the Town
of Bainbridge Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $250 cash
and $500 bond.

Today is Steve Craig's last day at Commerce Chenango in
Norwich.  Steve is retiring after taking
over as leader of the Chamber & IDA earlier this day, and following a
lengthy career in Radio & Television News, he will be succeeded by Kerri
Green of Sidney as President & CEO.

Following a lengthy investigation, The Delaware
County Board of Supervisors voted to fire County Social Services Commissioner
Dana Scuderi-Hunter, for alleged disciplinary issues during her tenure.  Deputy Commissioner Sylvia Armano will
continue to head up the department following Scuderi-Hunter’s dismissal.

State Police arrested 25 year old Emily Ives of
Morris for DWI, with a B.A.C of .14%.
Troopers were advised of lookout for a vehicle with out of state license
plates driving erratically on Otsego County Road 48 in the town of Otego.  Troopers located Ives in a running vehicle in
the town of Oneonta, she attempted to leave the scene unsuccessfully, and she
was issued appearance tickets & was turned over to a sober third party.

Mirabito Energy Products has committed $100,000
toward the construction of a new emergency department and walk in center at UHS
Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich.
The pledge is the latest commitment to the Norwich hospital’s capital
campaign kicked off their capital campaign in August, which is likely to
continue through the end of the year.
More information is available at 337-4183 or by email to
melissa.stagnaro@nyuhs.org.

Governor Cuomo today signed legislation to ensure
health insurers do not deny coverage for urgent and medically necessary
procedures and treatments. The law expands prior authorization exceptions and
requires insurance companies to cover additional services and procedures
related to existing surgical or other invasive procedures, concurrent symptoms
and associated side effects.   This new
law will take effect in 90 days.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently
looking for Eric Marks of Conklin on an outstanding warrant.  Marks is a White Male, 6’ 4”, 220 Pounds,
with Brown Eyes & Hair, anyone with information on the location of Marks is
asked to contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Office at
gobroomecounty.com/sheriff/warrants or by calling the 778-1196.

The Delaware County
Sheriff's Office is asking the public's assistance with 2 forced entry
burglaries on December 9th at the Mirabito Convenience Store and Subway at 494
West Main St. and the Hancock Post Office.
Authorities asks that anyone with information regarding these burglaries
to contact the Delaware County Sheriff's Office Investigators at
(607)-832-5629.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 37 year old Hector
Reiter of Otego for the felony Aggravated DWI, and Aggravated Unlicensed
Operator, after a trooper initiated a traffic stop on Lower Main Street in the
city of Oneonta after he observed Reiter operating a vehicle in an unsafe
manner.   Reiter's B.A.C was .21%, he was
processed then transported to Otsego County Central Arraignment and Processing.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched Monday
Morning to a 1 car property damage auto accident in the McDonald’s parking lot
in Delhi.   19 year-old Andrew Lyon of
East Meredith collided with a protective pylon located near the restaurant’s
drive-thru, he was charged with Aggravated DWI, with a Blood Alcohol Content
more than 3 times the legal limit.  Lyon
was also issued numerous tickets for other infractions; he was arraigned in the
Town of Delhi Court and remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility
on lieu of $1,000 Cash Bail pending action in Town of Delhi Court at a later
date.

32 year old Nicolas Meridy of Oneonta will be held on
$50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond, after arraignment Monday in Otsego County
Court on 4 felony counts, for his role in the October killing of 53 year old
Kenneth Robinson of Worcester.  Meridy
was previously being held without bail prior to the arraignment on Grand Jury
charges, he was charged with 2nd degree Murder, 1st degree Burglary, plus
attempted robbery & arson, along with Dylan Robinson & Alexander
Borgreen of Oneonta.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30 year old
Matthew Baxter of Harpursville Saturday following a domestic dispute in the
Town of Colesville.   Baxter allegedly
broke a chair over his mother's back while being under the influence of
narcotics, the victim sustained a serious physical injury and Baxter was
charged with 1st degree Assault, and was sent to the Broome County Correctional
Facility for processing.

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services'
Office of Counter Terrorism conducted more than 1,000 counter terrorism
exercises throughout the state for the 2nd consecutive year. During these
exercises, state and local counter terrorism experts work in tandem to assess
the ability of businesses to recognize and report suspicious activity; so far
the Department of Homeland Security has conducted more than 3,500 exercises.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Department arrested William Hatton
of Oxford on a bench warrant issued by the Town of Norwich Court for the felony
of Grand Larceny.   Hatton was located
inside of a garage in Smithville at the residence and refused to come outside,
he was located hiding in a crawl space in the roof of the building & was
taken into custody, & was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court & was
remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $2,000 cash bail.

Chenango County Sheriff’s
Department arrested 22 year old Andrew Palmer of Norwich on a warrant issued by
the Chenango County Court for violating his terms of Probation for a prior
charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance; Palmer was remanded to
the Chenango County Correctional Facility without bail.

Governor Cuomo announced that opioid overdose deaths among
New York State residents, outside New York City, declined 15.9 percent in 2018
compared to 2017, the first decrease in 10 years. Over 1,900 people died from
opioid overdoses last year.  The progress
is the direct result of recommendations from the New York State Heroin and
Opioid Task Force, which Governor Cuomo convened in 2016 & reconvened
earlier this year.  The full report is
available at health.ny.gov.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold their next
Business After Hours event today from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Bombers Burrito Bar
221 Main Street in Oneonta.  The event
allows for chamber members to network with other area business owners.

Governor Cuomo announced $45 million has been awarded to 57
counties and New York City to enhance emergency communications. The funding
enables local governments to expand emergency response capabilities and enhance
overall public safety operations.
Locally,   Delaware County gets
$460,776, Chenango County $544,575 & Otsego County gets $679,156.

An Otsego County Grand Jury has indicted Dylan Robinson,
Alexander Borgreen, Anais Soto and Nicolas Meridy for the murder of 53 year old
Kenneth Robinson inside his Worcester home in October.  The 4 have been charged with 2nd degree
Murder, Burglary and Attempted Robbery for breaking into the Robinson house in
Worcester to allegedly steal marijuana and cash & Dylan Robinson allegedly
shot his father in the chest and the head, Robinson, Meridy and Borgreen are
also accused of setting the house on fire, all four will be arraigned on the
Grand Jury counts shortly.

Governor Cuomo announced that $56.5 million in state funding
has been awarded to 15 projects that will provide housing for homeless
individuals and families. The projects will create nearly 600 units of
permanent supportive housing and 40 emergency shelter beds for veterans,
survivors of domestic violence and individuals with mental illness.  Organizations receiving Homeless Housing and
Assistance Program funding include Opportunities for Broome, with a $7.5
million project that will create 27 units and 80 beds of supportive housing for
homeless families and individuals. Four existing, dilapidated structures in
downtown Binghamton will be rehabilitated for supportive housing.

Governor Cuomo announced a statewide holiday drive to
benefit families in need across New York. Donations of new unwrapped toys,
coats and school supplies are being sought to assist community-based
organizations during the holiday giving season.
The Office of General Services has set up drop-off locations which will
be collecting donations from Monday, November 25 through Friday, December 13;
area locations include the Binghamton State Office Building, 44 Hawley Street
& the Homer Folks Facility, 28 Hill Street Oneonta.

The Broome County Sheriff’s
Office is looking for Kristopher Shimer on multiple outstanding warrants.  Shimer is described as a White Male, 5’9”,
160 pounds with brown eyes & brown hair, anyone with information is asked
to contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Office at gobroomecounty.com at the
Sheriff’s Tipline.

Oneonta Police arrested 29 year old Zachary Kaplan following
a report that he was violating an order of protection.  Kaplan was taken to the Police Station, where
he struggled with officers, he was charged with escape, 2nd degree assault,
resisting arrest obstruction of government administration, criminal contempt,
harassment, criminal mischief, obstruction of breathing and endangering the
welfare of a child.

The State Labor Department announced that unemployment was
at 4% for October state wide.  Locally,
Chenango County had 3.7%, Delaware County 4% and Otsego County 3.7% in October.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies owner John Hughes today held a
press conference regarding the potential for Major League Baseball of shutting
down about 1/4 of the minor league teams in the country, including the Rumble
Ponies.  Hughes said that NYSEG Stadium
is greatly improved & fully compliant with existing standards:

(John Hughes 11-19-19)

Hughes said that another factor
in closing down teams is the proximity of the team to the Major League Franchise;
obviously Binghamton is within 200 miles of Citi Field in Queens.  So far no decisions have been made, no
meetings have been held regarding this proposal & the 2020 season will be
played as scheduled.

State Police arrested 2 Pennsylvania residents following a
drug bust in Chenango County that seized thousands of dollars’ worth of
drugs.  28 year old Jordan Melendez and
24 year old Kimberly Rivas were arrested Thursday following the execution of
search warrants at multiple locations in Chenango County.  Police seized 1.5 pounds of Crystal Meth,
pure Fentanyl, 20 pounds of marihuana, 4 handguns, 16 illegally possessed long
guns Scales, Packaging materials & $3,350.00 in cash. Melendez & Rivas
were charged with Criminal possession of a controlled substance & were
arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and remanded to Chenango County Jail
with no bail. The case remains under investigation, additional charges are
possible.

Sunday night, the Deposit Fire Department and Eastern Broome
Emergency Services were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident where the
vehicle involved had gone into a creek in the Town of Sanford. The sole
occupant of the vehicle was able to get out of the vehicle and water prior to
our arrival. The occupant sustained injuries as a result of the accident and
was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce announced their
"Community Heroes Awards” are George Bergleitner, of Delaware County Real
Estate of Stamford,   Eric Wedemeyer,
founding broker of Coldwell Banker Timberland Properties, & Patty Wood of
the Walton Town Council.  A reception
will be held tonight from 5:30 - 7 p.m., at the Delaware County Historical
Association at 46549 State Highway 10, Delhi, more information is available at
delawarecounty.org or at 746-2281.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division
arrested 18 year old Crystal Green of the Town of Chenango, 18 year old Justin
Gumaer of Deposit and 17 year old Jayden Howe of Binghamton, following a
traffic stop Friday in Binghamton.  Green
and Gumaer have been charged with Hindering Prosecution, Obstructing
Governmental Administration & Criminal Possession of Marijuana. While being
taken into custody, Green physically resisted and was charged with Resisting
Arrest.  Howe was taken into custody on
an active Probation Warrant. Green, Gumaer and Howe are currently in the
custody of the Broome County Sheriff’s Office.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office and State Police
responded Thursday to I-88 in Worcester, following a report of 2 tractor
trailers off the roadway with one in a creek. It took 5 hours to remove the
trucks; the crash is still under investigation.

On Friday, Members of the Broome County Special
Investigations Unit Task Force executed a narcotics search warrant at 132 Main
St in the City of Binghamton. Investigators recovered: approximately an ounce
of Crystal Methamphetamine, drug packaging materials and approximately $5,000
in suspected drug sale proceeds.
Investigators charged Timothy Bell and Stephanie Starks on numerous drug
charges, they were held at the Binghamton Police Department awaiting
arraignment in Binghamton City Court. Starks is additionally being held on a
Petit Larceny Warrant out of the Village of Johnson City.

The State Health Department reports that people should be
getting their flu shots soon, as we are entering the start of the traditional
flu season.  There have been 187 flu
cases reported statewide, 100 of them last week, there were no cases reported
in the tri-county region, and 1 in Broome County so far.

The Homer Fire Department reported that one of their firefighters
died following a department training session Saturday.  Fire Fighter Robert Bush reported feeling ill
at a training session, fellow fire department members initiated emergency
medical assistance, and he was brought him to a local hospital where he was
pronounced dead.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi is
hosting a Veterans Resource Fair on November 5th at the SUNY Broome Community
College West Gymnasium from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM, to connect Southern Tier
Veterans with resources and services, with more than a dozen organizations in
attendance including Clear Path for Veterans, the Southern Tier Veterans
Support Group, representatives from the VA, and more.  Veterans with questions can contact
Congressman Brindisi’s Binghamton office at 607-242-0200.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies responded early Saturday
morning to the call of 1-car motor vehicle accident involving a bicyclist on
State Route 80 in the Town of Columbus.
49 year old Allen Emrich of New Berlin struck the bicyclist, 30 year old
Martin Logsdon Jr, he was  pronounced
deceased at the scene.  Emrich was
operating the vehicle with a blood alcohol content of more than .08% & with
a child in the vehicle he was charged with Vehicular Manslaughter, Aggravated
DWI with a child in the car, Endangering the Welfare of a Child among other
charges, he was arraigned in the Town of Columbus Court & was remanded to
the Chenango County Correctional facility on $2500.00 cash bail. The
investigation is ongoing.

The Delaware County Solid Waste Management Facility will
host an open house and 'Trash 2 Cash' event in partnership with the Delaware
County Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, November 9.  Interested residents and business owners can
tour the facility & see how garbage is transformed into compost, &
turned into cash.  Tours will run from
10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the Solid Waste Facility at 32230 state Highway10 in
Walton.  More information about the
Delaware County Chamber of Commerce visit delawarecounty.org.

Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies
responded to a 4 vehicle accident in Walton Monday.  19 year old Nathan Plante of Margaretville
was driving on State Route 10 when he veered into opposing lane to avoid
hitting vehicles that had stopped in front of him for construction.   Plante first hit a vehicle in the opposing
lane driven by 76-year-old James Zimmerman of South Carolina, then he hit a
vehicle stopped in his lane driven by 37-year-old Jarred Robinson of Walton,
Robinson's vehicle then hit a vehicle driven by 59-year-old Robin Wagner of
Tonawanda.   Robinson’s passenger Scott
Fitch was airlifted to Wilson Hospital for a spinal injury.  Robinson was taken to Delaware Valley Hospital
for a leg injury and Plante was also taken to Delaware Valley Hospital for
possible internal injuries.  Plante was
issued traffic summonses for “speed not reasonable and prudent” and failure to
keep right, he’ll appear in the town of Walton Court at a later date.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation
protecting patients from excessive out-of-network hospital emergency charges.
The new law requires health insurance companies to ensure that when enrollees
receive care from a non-participating provider, the patient will not incur
greater out-of-pocket costs than they would have incurred from a participating
provider.  The bill also requires that
hospital charges for emergency services are subject to an independent dispute
resolution process that was established by New York's Surprise Medical Bill
law.  The law goes into effect
immediately.

Commerce Chenango will hold their
annual Community Job Fair on November 13th at the Morrisville State College
Norwich Campus from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Commerce Chenango is currently seeking exhibitors for the annual Job
Fair. Last year over 20 businesses were on hand to meet community members
seeking job opportunities.  Space is
limited, registration is available at files.constantcontact.com

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
announced that 2 individuals were ticketed for passing stopped Sidney school
buses last month.  30 year old Jasmine
Gonzales of Sidney was ticketed for a September 19th incident, and 22 year old
Lacey Speidell, of Unadilla, was ticketed for a September 24th incident.  Sheriff Craig DuMond stated that both
incidents were reported by the school’s transportation director to the school
resource officer, who serves with the sheriff’s office, after cameras on the
buses captured images of the passing vehicles and license plates.

State Police are
searching John Clark of Oneonta for failing to appear in Town of Oneonta Court
earlier this year.   Clark was taken into
custody last May after troopers were dispatched to a domestic dispute at the
Lantern Hill Trailer Park, where he is accused of punching a victim in the
face.   Anyone who has information on
Clark’s whereabouts should call State Police at 432-3211.

The Otsego County District Attorney's
office announced the names of the Juveniles allegedly involved in the murder of
53 year old Kenneth Robinson of Worcester last week.  15 year old Dylan Robinson, the victim’s son,
has been charged with 2nd degree Murder & Robbery, along with 16 year old
Alexander Borgreen & 15 year old Anais Soto, all of Oneonta.  16 year old Alexis Lotterman of Walton was
charged with Robbery.  32 year old
Nicolas Meridy was charged with murder & Robbery in connection with the
Robinson Murder, he faces action in Worcester town court today.

The Chenango County Health Department
will hold their next free Rabies vaccination clinic today in Oxford.  The clinic will be held at the Oxford Fire
Station from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, for dogs, Cats & domesticated Ferrets, more
information is available at 337-1673.

State Police & the Otsego County Sheriff's Department
responded to the report of a Tractor Trailer accident on I-88 Eastbound, at the
Milford & Maryland Town Line this morning.
No injuries were reported, the investigation is continuing.

The Catskill Area Hospice has changed its name to reflect
more of their services; Spokesperson Dan Ayres explains the name change to
Helios Care:

(Dan Ayres 10-9-19)

More information is available at their new website:
helioscare.org.

Catholic Charities will hold
their 3rd Annual 5K Color Run on October 13th at the Sidney Central School,
with the 5K starting at 2:00 PM & the color run at 3:00 PM.  Registration is available at local races.com.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation prohibiting ambulance and
first response service providers from disclosing or selling private patient
information to third parties for marketing purposes. Under prior law, emergency
response providers could sell information that identifies an individual patient
such as addresses and phone numbers, prescriptions and medical history. The new
law prohibits the disclosure of such information to third parties, except to
healthcare providers, the patient's insurer and parties acting under
appropriate legal authority.

Otsego County Chamber will host their state Mandated
Anti-Harassment Policies and Sexual Harassment Training today at 1:00 PM at
Northern Eagle Beverages at 41 Browne Street in Oneonta.   The State mandates ALL employers adopt a
sexual harassment prevention policy as well as to train ALL employees on sexual
harassment prevention.  Pinnacle Human
Resources, LLC will conduct the training.

Development Chenango has committed $100,000 to support the
UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital capital campaign, to support construction of a
new Emergency Room and Walk-In Center, as well as investments in Diagnostic
Imaging and infrastructure to support the growth of future services.

President Trump signed Congressman Anthony Brindisi's
Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2019 to preserve
critical VA housing and travel programs set to expire at the end of September.
Brindisi's legislation makes technical corrections to VA statute and extends
key programs for a 2-year extension of authority to fund financial assistance
for supportive services for very low-income Veteran families in permanent
housing, plus 1 year extensions of the VA's authority to temporarily expand
payments and allowances for travel in connection with Veterans receiving care
from vet centers.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, & Congressmen Paul Tonko
and Antonio Delgado held a press conference today to unveil plans on limousine
safety; 1 day after the NTSB released their findings regarding the October 6th
2018 limousine crash that killed 20 in Schoharie County.  The NTSB report recommendations are to
require lap/shoulder belts for each passenger in a seated position on all new
vehicles modified to be used as limousines. The NTSB also said that the
Schoharie crash was not survivable for the limousine driver; limousine Owner
Nauman Hussein is facing 20 counts of 2nd degree manslaughter and criminally
negligent homicide.

The Otsego County Board of Representatives approved a
resolution urging the State Parole board to deny parole for David Dart, who was
convicted of murdering Gillian Gibbons in the lower level for the Oneonta
Municipal Parking Garage in 1989.  The
resolution also supports a bill co-sponsored by state Senator Jim Seward, to
allow the parole board to decide to hold hearings every 5 years, instead of
every 2 years for those convicted of the most violent offenses

State Police investigated a tar
Truck Fire on Calder Hill Road in Otego Sunday.
Otego Firefighters put the fire out quickly, the unidentified driver
escaped without injury & no tickets will be issued.

SUNY Oneonta University Police believe that the reported
threat of violence on campus Wednesday afternoon was the result of a
cyber-crime and posed no actual danger.
A New York City crisis hotline contacted SUNY Oneonta to share a chat
message allegedly from a student of the college, that indicated that the caller
intended to shoot people on campus, officials deemed the threat to be credible
and issued a shelter-in-place directive at 5:30 PM, it was dropped at 6:15
after a student reported to Oneonta Police that her phone had been hacked &
she was working with the college’s IT staff to correct it.  University Police are investigating the
incident along with Oneonta Police, Otsego County law enforcement officials,
State Police, New York City Police and the FBI.

The Leadership Chenango Kick-off Dinner will be held at the
Northeast Classic Car Museum, at 24 Rexford Street, in Norwich.   Commerce Chenango CEO Steve Craig explains
the purpose of the 6 month program:

(Steve Craig 10-3-19)

The Keynote Speaker will be John Mitchell, Former President
& CEO, of I.L. Richer Company; the event begins at 5:00.

UHS Chenango Memorial will receive a $100,000 campaign gift
from the Chenango Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
The commitment of $100,000 will be paid over 5 years; the capital
campaign will support construction of a new Emergency Room and Walk-In Center,
as well as strategic investments in Diagnostic Imaging and infrastructure to
support the growth of future services.

A gift from the Greater Norwich Foundation has pushed the
Chenango Memorial Hospital capital campaign past the $2.5 million mark with a
Grant in the amount of $500,000, to be paid over the next 5 years.   Melissa Stagnaro is the Director of
Fundraising and Business Development for Chenango Memorial Hospital:

(Melissa Stagnaro 9-25-19)

Stagnaro said that the funds raised during the capital
campaign will support construction of a new Emergency Room and Walk-In Center,
as well as investments Diagnostic Imaging and infrastructure to support the
growth of future services.

This Otsego County Chamber Small Business Banquet will be
held on Thursday, November 21st at the Otesaga Resort Hotel in
Cooperstown.  The chamber of looking for
nominations for their Breakthrough Award & Small Business Award,   Nomination forms may be emailed to baheegan@otsegocc.com
no later than Friday, October 11th.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office responded to a car
& motorcycle accident Saturday night at about 9:25 PM at State Route 206
& Moran Road in the Town of Coventry.
Investigators said that 22 year old Vincent Corbo of Marathon was
operating a 1998 Suzuki motorcycle on State Route 206, when 19 year old Sean
Snyder of Afton was making a left turn from Moran Rd onto State Hwy 206, &
the vehicles collided.  Corbo was
transported to Wilson Hospital, where he later died from his injuries, Snyder
sustained a head injury was also transported to Wilson Hospital.

Commerce Chenango will once again host their annual
"Chamber Challenge" on Sunday September 29th at the Pharsalia State
Lands, Chamber President Steve Craig explains:

(Steve Craig 9-16-19)

Craig said that this year's Chamber Challenge is
co-sponsored by Chobani and Preferred Mutual Insurance Company.

Chenango County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Village of
Oxford couple for Cruelty to Animals.
The investigation began after a citizen located an abandoned and
neglected American Bulldog in North Norwich; it was brought to a Veterinarian
for treatment.   Deputies arrested 23
year old Monica Towndrow of Oxford for Cruelty to Animals and Providing a False
Statement, 26 year old Matthew Spicer of Oxford was also arrested for Cruelty
to Animals.  The investigation is ongoing
and additional arrests are expected.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce monthly 1st Friday
Eat & Meet Networking Breakfast will be held on Friday, October 4th from
8:30 to 10:00 AM at the Sidney Golf & Country Club. The meeting features
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli as keynote speaker.   More information or registration for the
event is available at delawarecounty.org.

Delaware County
Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 31 year old Sean Wingerter of Deposit for Driving
While Intoxicated following the results of a traffic stop on State Highway 17
in the Town of Hancock. Wingerter was pulled over for moving from lane
unsafely, and operating with an obstructed rear license plate, he was released
on tickets returnable to the Town of Hancock Court at a later date.

Governor Cuomo announced an emergency executive action to
ban the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes in New York State.  DOH Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker will hold
an emergency meeting with the Public Health and Health Planning Council this
week to ban flavored e-cigarettes. The Governor directed State Police and DOH
to immediately partner to ramp up enforcement efforts against retailers who
sell to underage youth, with the possibility of criminal penalties.  The Governor will advance legislation to ban
deceptive marketing of e-cigarettes to teens and children.

Broome County will receive over $3.1 million in state
matching funds through the County-Wide Shared Services Initiative. Broome
County achieved the savings in 2018 through the implementation of shared
services projects, when they partnered with the Capital District BOCES Pharmacy
Purchasing Coalition; they also saved over $9,700 from sharing caseworkers
between school districts.

Delaware County Public Health certified Child Passenger
Safety Technicians will be offering free car seat safety checks and education
to parents and caregivers on Thursday from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm at Little Lambs
Children’s Center, 383 Delaware County Highway 11 Oneonta.  More information is available at 832-5200.

30 year old Dustin Freeman of Morris was sentenced in
Chenango County Court was sentenced to 18 years in prison, following a guilty
plea for 1st degree rape & criminal sale of a controlled substance.  Freeman pleaded guilty to raping a New Berlin
woman in her home in December and for selling cocaine.

25 year old Cody Franciscovich has been indicted in Tioga
County Court on 2 counts of 2nd-degree murder in connection with the killing of
his 8-month-old baby Ruby, who was found on June 9th by State Police in a pond
behind St. Patrick's Cemetery in the Town of Tioga.  Franciscovich was originally charged with
1st-degree murder charge, that charge was downgraded in the indictment.   Franciscovich remains held in the Tioga
County jail without bail.

Chenango County Sheriff's Department arrested 29 year old
Samantha Smith & 38 year old Vincent Guglielmo of Plymouth, following an
investigation into the assault of a 4 year old girl & a 5 year old
Boy.  Smith & Guglielmo were charged
with 2nd & 3rd degree Assault, Endangering the Welfare of a Child &
Unlawful Imprisonment,  both were
remanded to the Chenango County Jail on large cash bail pending future court
action, the investigation is continuing.

Governor Cuomo signed 6 Bills
yesterday to help ensure first responders and public sector officers and employees
who developed a qualifying health condition as a result of their response to
9/11 rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts at World Trade Center sites receive
the pension and health benefits they deserve.
The Governor posthumously awarded the Public Service Medal to Det. Luis
Alvarez, an NYPD Detective and 9/11 First Responder who fought to make the 9/11
Victim Compensation Fund permanent.

The Otsego County Democrats will hold their Annual Dinner
& Silent Auction on Saturday September 21st.  The Keynote Speaker will be state Comptroller
Tom DiNapoli.  The event will start at
5:00 PM at the Hunt Union Ballroom at the State University Campus in Oneonta.

NBT Bank committed half a million dollars to UHS Chenango
Memorial Hospital’s capital campaign, which will support the construction of a
new Emergency Room and Walk-In Center at the Norwich hospital, as well as
strategic investments in Diagnostic Imaging and infrastructure to support the
growth of future services.   The pledge
is the largest corporate commitment to the Norwich hospital’s capital campaign
to date.

Commerce Chenango is hosting an Open House this Afternoon at
their Downtown Norwich offices at 15 South Broad Street.  The event will run until 6:00 PM.

A.O. Fox Hospital, part of Bassett Healthcare Network, has
been awarded $10,000 by the MultiPlan Rural Health Grant Program to help launch
a food “farmacy” based at its Tri-Town Campus in Sidney.  Spokesperson Sarah Buttice comments:

(Sarah Buttice 9-9-19)

The prescription food location will open in January; Buttice
said that they will partner with local businesses including Great American,
Price Chopper, Hannaford, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, as
well as local farms and food pantries.
In Delaware County, it is estimated that more than 8,400 people suffer
from hunger.

Governor Cuomo announced $10 million in grant funding to
strengthen local emergency response operations across the state through
improvements to 911 emergency service dispatch operations. The funding is
administered by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
through the Public Safety Answering Points Operations Grant.  Locally, Chenango county received $179,000,
Delaware county $149,000 & Otsego County $164,000.

Preferred Mutual Insurance Company
has committed a $250,000 for a new emergency room and walk-in center at UHS
Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich.
Officials from Preferred Mutual Insurance Company announced the pledge
on Tuesday; it will be paid over the next 5 years, & is the largest
corporate commitment to be announced since the Norwich hospital kicked off a
capital campaign started last month.

The Delaware County Chamber of
Commerce will hold their next 1st Friday Eat & Meet business breakfast
tomorrow at Kirkside Park Pavilion in Roxbury, starting at 8:30 a.m.  The featured speaker is Congressman Antonio
Delgado of the 19th Congressional District, who is a member of the House
Agriculture, Small Business and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees;
and will speak about accomplishments and initiatives, as well as answer
questions.  More information visit
delawarecounty.org or 746-2281.

The Otsego County Planning Department
has announced their 22nd Annual Household Hazardous Waste Days.  The 1st collection day will be at the
Unadilla Town Barn on Friday September 20th from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, the 2nd
day will be at the Cooperstown Meadows Office Complex on Saturday September
21st from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  There will
be a small fee for businesses wishing to participate; they must register by the
end of the business day tomorrow.  More information
is available at 547-4225.

A.O. Fox Hospital has
been awarded $10,000 by the MultiPlan Rural Health Grant Program to help launch
a food “farmacy” based at its Tri-Town Campus in Sidney.  The prescription food location will open in
January 2020, & will provide emergency food, education, and navigation
services to patients and their families in need. A.O. Fox Hospital will partner
with local businesses & it will operate on an outpatient basis; visitors
will receive vouchers for food prescribed by their primary care providers.  In Delaware County, it is estimated that more
than 8,400 people suffer from hunger; more than 1,800 of those struggling are
children. In children, hunger can lead to growth impairment, poor academic
performance, behavioral issues, sickness, social disorders, and more.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies
arrested 19 year old Brianna Reynolds of Auburn for Aggravated Unlicensed
Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Unlicensed operator and Speeding at 85 miles per
hour in a 55 mph zone.  Reynolds was
stopped by deputies on State Highway 17 in the Town of Hancock; she will appear
in Town of Hancock Court at a later date.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies
arrested 28-Year-Old Robert Davis of Pennsylvania for Driving While
Intoxicated, Refusal to Take Breath Test & Parking on a Public
Highway.   Davis was located on State
Highway 206 in the Town of Masonville; he was arraigned & was remanded to
the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $2,500 Cash Bail, or $5,000 in
secure bonds.  Davis is scheduled to
appear in the Masonville Town Court at a later time.

The Chenango Arts Council Announced a series of workshops
for September.  Beginning September 14th,
through October 19, a Photography workshop will be held from 12:00 Noon to
2:30pm on Saturdays, Advanced Drawing will be offered every Monday from
September 23rd to October 14th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM; those interested can
register by calling 336-ARTS or go to chenangoarts.org.

UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital's capital campaign received a
commitment from Blueox Corporation, in the amount of $50,000.   The capital campaign will support
construction of a new Emergency Room and Walk-In Center, as well as strategic
investments in Diagnostic Imaging and infrastructure to support the growth of
future services. The work is part of the first phase of the hospital's Chenango
Medical Neighborhood Plan, which will transform the delivery of care at UHS
Chenango Memorial.

A vigil for SUNY Oneonta student
Nicholas Stagnitta of Patchogue Long Island will be held tonight at 7:00 PM, in
the President’s Garden on the SUNY campus.
Stagnitta was found dead in his apartment on Chestnut Street of an
apparent suicide on Saturday, the vigil is open to the public.

A State Supreme Court Judge upheld a New York state law
repealing religious exemptions for vaccines required for children in schools or
day care programs.  The state Legislature
repealed the religious exemption in June after nation's worst measles outbreak
in decades started in Rockland County.  Religious
groups sued the state but the law was upheld by Friday's decision.  New York allows exemption from vaccines for
medical reasons such as a weakened immune system.

State Police at Troop C in Sidney announced that a 5-year-old and her dog, who were reported missing in the town of Franklin, were located safe & sound this afternoon at about 1:15 PM.  State Police Aviation was able to spot Destiny & her dog in a tall grassy area and direct troopers and emergency personnel to her location.  Police and several other agencies were dispatched this morning to the area of Grange Hall Road and State Route 28 in the town of Franklin.  State Police said that Destiny and her puppy were located several hundred yards from the area where they were reported missing.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies and members of the Delhi
Fire Department and Emergency Squad responded to a 911 report of a serious
personal injury motorcycle accident on State Highway 10, near Betts Hill Road,
in the Town of Delhi.  The Investigation
revealed that 46 year-old Daniel Quackenbush of Delhi was traveling south on
State Highway 10 when he lost control of his motorcycle which ran off the
southbound road shoulder before striking an embankment and rolling over in the
ditch,  ejecting Quackenbush,  who sustained serious injuries.  Quackenbush was taken to O’Connor Hospital in
Delhi where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Deputies believe alcohol use contributed to the cause of the accident.

Chenango Arts Council announced their 2019-2020 line-up of
shows coming to the Martin W. Kappel Theater in Norwich, Chenango Arts Council
CEO Alecia O'Neill explains:

(Alecia O'Neill 8-23-19)

Tickets will be available at 336-ARTS, Chenango Arts.Org or
at the Box Office at 27 West Main Street in Norwich.

The State Comptroller’s office audited the City of Norwich
Emergency Medical Services Billing practices, they discovered that the EMS
Department did not bill for 614 incidents resulting in $417,600 of unbilled
medical services and inaccurately billed 9 incidents totaling $8,300; this
equates to approximately $200,000 in lost revenue at the current rate of
collection.  The EMS Department had 903
unserviceable incidents resulting in approximately $400,000 in unrecoverable
costs.  Norwich City officials disagreed
with some of the audit’s findings, but indicated they have initiated corrective
action.

Chenango United Way is looking for teams for their annual
Golf Tournament on September 27th at the Canasawacta Country Club in
Norwich.   More information is available
at 334-8815.

The Susquehanna Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will host a public celebration tomorrow at
5088 State Highway 28, Cooperstown marking the groundbreaking of the future
site of its planned animal shelter and adjoining campus.  The reception is free and open to the public,
it will kick off at 12:00 noon with a groundbreaking ceremony and run until 2
p.m.

State Police arrested 24 year old Christopher Smith of
Weedsport for DWI, Failure to Keep Right, Failure to Yield the Right of Way,
Driving on Shoulder, Moving From a Lane Unsafely, Leaving the Scene of a
Property Damage Accident and Failure to Notify DMV of Change of Address.  Troopers responded to a 2-car accident on
State Highway 23 in the town of Oneonta, witnesses told troopers that the other
vehicle left the scene and drove behind a local gas station.  Troopers located Smith intoxicated behind a
hotel, he was arrested & was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on cash
bail, he will return to Oneonta court on August 22nd.

State Police arrested a father and daughter for DWI &
Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Troopers arrested 31 year old Maegan
Thaxton of Cooperstown, for Aggravated DWI with child 15 or Under as Passenger,
Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Inadequate Lights and Refusal to Submit to
a Breath Test.   Troopers made
arrangements to have another party pick-up the child and Thaxton’s vehicle
while at the scene.  71 year old Earl
Thaxton of Middlefield responded to State Police Oneonta barracks with the
11-month old child in his vehicle, he was then arrested for Aggravated DWI,
& Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
The child was turned over to the care of Child Protective Services.
Maegan & Earl Thaxton will return to the town of Oneonta court on August
15, 2019.

Governor Cuomo signed "Stop Hacks and Improve
Electronic Data Security" Act which imposes stronger obligations on
businesses handling private data to provide proper notification to affected
consumers when there is a security breach. The Governor also signed legislation
requiring consumer credit reporting agencies to offer identity theft prevention
and mitigation services to consumers who have been affected by a security
breach of the agency's system.    The
bill will take effect in 240 days.

Schools are not doing enough to prepare for emergency
situations like shootings, according to an audit of safety planning at 19
schools by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
Auditors found none of the schools met the minimum planning or training
requirements of the State Education Department, which oversees safety planning
for schools.   2 schools did not have
district-wide safety plans even though plans were mandated nearly 20 years
ago.  The full report can be found at
osc.state.ny.us

21-year-old Skuyler Reynolds of
Chenango Bridge is facing 5 more counts of burglary and 1 count of criminal
possession of stolen property, in connection with a series of church burglaries
in Broome County.  Reynolds is a suspect
in church burglaries in Binghamton, Johnson City, Chenango Bridge, Port
Dickinson and Port Crane, he is being held in Broome County Jail. Pending court
action, the investigation is continuing & more charges may be forthcoming.

The next meeting of the TRI-TOWN COALITION ON SUBSTANCE
ABUSE PREVENTION will be held this evening in Sidney. Spokesperson Lorraine
Keckeisen invites area residents to come to the meeting & hopefully get involved
in their efforts:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 7-25-19)

Kayla Johnson of the Sidney Catholic Charities Mentoring
Program Services is a guest speaker tonight, the meeting will be held at the
Maiorano Building, 9 Main Street, Sidney starting at 6:00 PM.  Keckeisen said that they are also starting a
new website at tritowncosap.org.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office is continuing their
investigation into the disappearance of 51 year old Byron Furman of Sidney, who
was last seen at his Lawton Hill Road residence on Wednesday night, June
26th.   Furman was last known to be
wearing light tan shorts and a light gray t-shirt, he is 5’11”, 250 pounds with
gray hair and brown eyes, and he is believed to have walked from his residence
and may be in need of medication.  A
search of the Lawton Hill Road area conducted earlier this month by Delaware
County Sheriff's Deputies, State Forest Rangers and State Police failed to
reveal any information on Furman's whereabouts.
Anyone with information on Furman should contact the Delaware County
Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division at 832-5599.

Delaware County Public Health announced today that a bat has
tested positive for rabies in the Town of Franklin. This is the 3rd rabid
animal in Delaware County this year, officials said that 2 people and were
exposed to the rabies virus, and are being treated for rabies post exposure
prophylaxis. No animals were exposed.  To
report a suspected rabid animal, residents can call Delaware County Public
Health Services at 832-5200; more information about rabies is available at
delawarecountypublichealth.com

35 year old Kelli Johnson of the town of Plymouth was
indicted for criminal possession of a controlled substance & endangering
the welfare of a child.  Johnson was
arrested June 25 by the Chenango County Sheriff's Department she is accused of
possessing methamphetamines with intent to sell, in the presence of a child
under the age of 17.  Johnson faces
additional court action in Chenango County Court shortly.

21-year old Brandon Clark of Cicero has been indicted by an
Oneida County grand jury on a charge of 2nd-degree murder, for the murder of 17
year old Bianca Devins of Utica, on July 14th.
Clark is accused of killing Devins & posting the pictures online,
Utica Police were alerted & Clark was located & arrested.  Clark is being held in the Oneida County Jail
without bail pending arraignment on Monday.

21 year old Skuyler Reynolds of Chenango Bridge has been
arrested in connection with a series of area church burglaries.  Reynolds was arrested by Binghamton Police
for 3rd degree Burglary, 3rd Degree Grand Larceny following a recent break-in
at a Presbyterian church in Binghamton.
Police are continuing to investigate if Reynolds participated in other
Church burglaries in Johnson City, Chenango Bridge and Port Crane has been
under investigation by law enforcement agencies.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies, State Police and Hobart
Fire Department and Emergency Squad responded to a 911 report of an overturned
car discovered in a body of water on Gun House Hill Road in the Town of
Harpersfield Tuesday.  1st responders
righted the vehicle and extricated the driver, 56 year-old Dominick Leone of
Oneida.  Leone lost control of his
vehicle, struck a culvert and earth embankment before coming to rest on the
roof in a stream.  Leone was pronounced
dead, an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death, the
investigation is continuing.

State Police arrested 20 year old Bradley Dixon Jr., of
Madison for DWI & Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, after Troopers observed
Dixon's vehicle partially off the roadway on County Route 36 in the town of
Guilford, Dixon was sleeping in the driver’s seat, with the car running.   Dixon was issued appearance tickets to the
town of Guilford court on Tuesday.

The A.O. Fox Hospital Foundation hosted its 20th Annual Golf
Classic at the Oneonta Country Club on June 24, bringing 27 donors and 140
golfers to raise funds for a new ultrasound machine in Fox’s department of
surgical services; they raised more than $50,000 this year.

State Police arrested 30 year
old Amber Snell of Bainbridge for Aggravated DWI with Child Less than 15 as
Passenger plus 4 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child & several
other violations.   Snell was observed by
a Trooper on County Route 32 in the town of Oxford driving with 4 unrestrained
children in the back seat, she was arrested, & the children were turned
over to a sober 3rd party.  Snell was
arraigned in the town of Oxford court & was released on her own
recognizance and will reappear on July 8th.

State Police responded to the Depot Street fishing access at
the fork of the Chenango and Tioughnioga Rivers Thursday evening, following the
report stated that 3 kayakers were in distress, 2 kayakers were able to get out
of the river on their own but one kayaker was unconscious after his kayak
overturned.  The kayaker has been
identified as 72 year old Dennis Healey of Chenango Forks, CPR was attempted,
but Healey was pronounced dead.  The
investigation revealed that Healey was kayaking with a group of people, Healey
capsized and became entangled in debris, and an autopsy revealed that Healey
likely suffered a cardiac medical emergency.

Chenango Sheriff’s department arrested 50 year old Randolph
Browning of Virginia for Criminal Sexual Act, Possessing a Sexual Performance
by a Child, Possessing an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child, and
Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Detectives arrested Browning Jr. following a complaint of an older man
looking for a room at a local Motel to bring a female victim under the age of
16. Detectives found that Browning had sexual contact with a child less than 16
years old and also possessed child pornography.
Browning is currently being held at the Chenango County Correctional
Facility on other charges and is awaiting his court date.

Otsego County is pursuing funding for a Microenterprise
Program to assist small businesses with five or fewer employees, including the
owner. Either the owner, or new hire(s), must have low-to-moderate incomes.
Eligible applicants may receive a grant up to $35,000. Funds may be used for
equipment, inventory, working capital and other uses.   Applications or more information is
available at Thoma Development Consultants at 753-1433, Pre-applications should
be returned no later than July 19th.

33 organizations in the region received grants totaling
$235,708 from the Community Foundation for South Central New York’s Community
Fund and special funds, in the spring 2019 competitive grant cycles.   Grants were awarded to the Chenango River
Theatre, Chenango United Way, Community Arts Organization of Oneonta, Cornell
Cooperative Extension in Delaware County, Deposit Lumberjack Festival, The
Place-Norwich, Unatego Central School District & the United Way of
Delaware/Otsego.  More information is
available at donorswhocare.org.

The annual meeting of the Community Foundation of Unadilla
was held on June 19, 42 organizations were awarded a total of $131,034.  Grants will be awarded to a Unatego Art
Student, the Delaware Valley Humane Society, the Unadilla Emergency Squad and
the Unadilla Public Library totaling $7,000.00.
More information is available by email to  cfunadilla@gmail.com.

Executives from the State Office of Victim Services &
the State Office of Children and Family Services  toured the new mobile Child Advocacy Center in
Delaware County Monday.   The Delaware
County mobile unit is 1 of 7 that will be delivered throughout the state this
summer and fall  & it is part of a
$4.45 million investment by the state to improve services for children who are
victims of physical or sexual abuse.  The
program is being funded through a partnership between the State Office of
Victim Services and the State Office of Children and Family Services.

State Primary Elections are being held today, with Polls
will be open from 12:00 noon to 9:00 PM.
Republican Primaries will be held in Delaware County for Sidney Town
Clerk between incumbent Lisa French & Sheila Paul, Primaries will also be
held for Hancock Superintendent of Highways & a Stamford Town Council. In
Chenango County, Republican Primary races include Norwich Mayor between
Christine Carnrike & Shawn Sastri, and North Norwich Town Supervisor
between Timothy Brown & Robert Wansor.

The Chenango County Department of Public Works announced
that County Road 32 will undergo Hot Mix Asphalt paving today Between State
Route 320 and State Route 12 in the towns of Norwich AND North Norwich.  The traveling public is asked to find
alternate routes if possible. More Information is available at 337-1710.

The Chenango Foundation & Leadership Chenango Advisory
Board presents the next Business After Hours today from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at
Hoppie's Restaurant at 2 LaFayette Park in Oxford.

Oneonta Officials announced that today, the contractor
will be replacing water services and connecting them to the new water main,
from Hunt Street to Tilton Avenue, each building along this stretch will
experience a temporary water outage while the service is switched from the old
main to the new main, lasting fifteen minutes or less.  Also the contractor will be replacing
stormwater catch basins on Main St, between Pine Street and Gault Avenue.  One-lane traffic will be maintained on Main
Street, at times, side streets along this stretch may be closed to through
traffic.  All businesses within the work
zone will remain accessible during the work.

Chenango County Emergency Officials are dealing with a
number of road problems from flash flooding, following heavy downpours over the
last several days.  Norwich, Oxford,
Smithville, McDonough & Pharsalia have had numerous issues; damage was
extensive around Oxford, including the school grounds, road closures in Oxford
include Vroman Hill Road, Midland Hill Road, plus Hoben, Ryan, Brooksbank &
Bradley Hill roads.  County officials
advise that motorist turn around if they encounter flooded roads, and contact
authorities immediately.

The Chenango Sheriff's Department arrested 31 year old
Nicholas Redd of Norwich on several counts of criminal possession a controlled
substance, he allegedly possessed prescription medication, methamphetamine and
heroin during the traffic stop that occurred in the Town of Norwich, and he
faces court action at a later date.

Volunteers are needed for the 2019 Chenango County Relay for
Life, which will be held July 20th in Norwich.  County residents wishing to volunteer can
email Relay.Chenango@gmail.com or contact the American Cancer Society at
1-800-227-2345 or at cancer.org

Delaware County Sheriff Craig Dumond & the Delhi Fire
Department awarded local teenager Kayleigh Verspoor with The County Sheriff's
Department "Super Star" Award and the Delhi Fire Department's plaque
of recognition. On Sunday, May 26th, Verspoor rescued 2 canoeists who had
tipped over in Delta Lake in Rome while working as a counselor at Haven Camp
for disabled adults.

2 Norwich residents were arrested by the Chenango County
Sheriff’s Office for Criminal Trespass, Theft of Services, Criminal Possession
of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.  Deputies arrested 32 year old Scott Russell
& 22 year old Brooklyn Stout after a complaint from the Norwich Inn, both
are accused of using a stolen motel key to enter one of the motel rooms, they
stayed the night and did not pay for the room.
While in custody, a search uncovered Marihuana & a controlled
substance, both were released on appearance tickets for the Town of Norwich
court at a later date.

The Chenango County Health Department will hold another free
rabies clinic Saturday, for dogs, cats & Ferrets.  The Clinic will be held at the Greene
Veterinary Clinic from 12:30 to 1:30 PM>

The Delaware County Historical Association will hold 3 Civil
War battlefield reenactments over the weekend.
The event takes place at the Delaware County Historical Association on
Saturday and Sunday,  Lunch and other
refreshments available on both Saturday and Sunday.

Chenango County Emergency
Services Responded to a number of reports for flooded roads following heavy
downpours last night & earlier this morning.  Flooded roads were reported at Butler &
State Streets in Oxford, there was washout damage to the grounds at the Oxford
School Playground, & flooding on North Broad Street in Norwich, in
Smithville at North End Road, & Chenango County Road 2 as well as County
Roads 7 & 10 in Pharsalia, County Road 7 in McDonough.  Officials remind motorists to turn around
& seek an alternate route if they encounter a road covered with water, and
to alert authorities.

Oneonta police arrested 30 year
old Alexander Coffran of Oneonta for possession of cocaine and marijuana.   Coffran was reported to police for violating
the terms of his parole by possessing drugs in his residence, at the time that
a probation office made a visit.
Coffran is being held in Otsego County Jail without bail pending future
court action.

Delaware County Sheriff’s
Deputies arrested 51-year-old Diane Dedominicis of Treadwell Tuesday for
Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle, following a traffic stop on
Griswold Street in the Village of Walton.
Dedominicis was additionally charged with Speeding, Unlicensed Operator,
and she was released on tickets returnable to Walton Village Court at a later
date.

The Delaware County Chamber of
Commerce announced that Leadership Delaware is seeking participants committed
to community service who would benefit from strengthening leadership skills and
developing a personal professional network.
The 2019 Leadership Delaware program is currently accepting applications
for its 8-month curriculum that begins in October.  Up to 20 individuals will participate in
half-day sessions, held twice monthly.
More information and an application is availbale at 746-2281,
delawarecounty.org, or by email: info@delawarecounty.org.

The Otsego County Chamber will host an Informational Session
on Today, from 11:30 AM to -2:00 PM on the “Legalization of Marijuana” with
Featured Speaker Dawn Lanouette, Partner at Hinman, Howard & Kattell.
Topics will include the effect of legalization on employer-employee relations,
landlord-tenant relations, banking and real property and zoning
considerations.  The Event will be at
Foothills Performing Arts Center.

State Police warn residents of several fraudulent schemes
asking for money.   Recent scams involve
callers claiming to be from the State Lottery, The IRS, Social Security, a
Utility Company, a Computer Company or the caller will claim that there is
family emergency requiring money.   State
Police remind residents to never send cash to anyone you do not know, Do not
send gift cards to unknown callers,  No
lottery will pre-charge taxes as a result of winning, never provide information
with your bank account information or social security number, & never
provide access to your computer, in person, on the phone, or through the
internet. If you feel like you have been victimized, contact your local police
agency.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 56 year old
James Miles for Criminal Contempt & Harassment After a report of a domestic
dispute in the Town of Norwich.  Miles is
accused of violating an order of protection and subjected the female victim to
unwanted physical contact. Miles was arrested and arraigned in the Town of
Norwich Court where he was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional
Facility on $5,000 cash bail and $10,000 bond.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 25 year old
Timothy Egelston for endangering the welfare of a child, following a complaint
in the Town of New Berlin. Egelston was arraigned in the Town of Sherburne
Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $1,000 cash
and $2,500 bond. Egelston is to reappear in the Town of New Berlin Court at a
later date.

The 130th Afton Fair begins Thursday, this year there are
great ride specials for the kids, according to Fair Spokesperson Rhonda
Barriger:

(Rhonda Barriger 6-19-19)

The Afton Fair runs Thursday
through Sunday at the Fairgrounds in Afton.

State Police arrested 32 year old Ramel Howard of Binghamton
for False Personation, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, Aggravated
Unlicensed Operation and several lesser charges, after a trooper initiated a
traffic stop in the city of Binghamton after he spotted a vehicle that was
reported stolen in Endicott in October 2018.
Howard provided a false name, he was also found to have a warrant for a
parole violation, and He was transported to Broome County Central Processing
for arraignment.

State Police arrested 22 year old Samantha Jicha and 21 year
old Zachary Mumbulo of Middlefield, for Endangering the Welfare of a
Child.   Troopers responded to the
couple’s residence on Blacks Road with Otsego County Child Protective Services
after a hotline complaint,  Troopers
discovered loaded weapons, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.  The infant was removed from the scene and
placed in the care of a relative.  Both
Jicha and Mumbulo were released on appearance tickets.

Delaware County Public Health will hold a Free Rabies
Vaccination Clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets today from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at
Colchester Highway Garage in Downsville, more information is available at
832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com

Commerce Chenango is hosting the 1st in a series of
workshops Friday Morning in Norwich regarding the setting of Goals in Business
& how to get them completed on time, Commerce Chenango CEO Steve Craig
comments:

(Steve Craig 4-24-19)

Registration for this Friday’s Workshop will be accepted
through Thursday afternoon at 2:00 PM by phone to 334-1400 or
register@chenangony.org.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce
& the Sidney Emergency Medical Services have announced that Jeff
Joyner,  the CEO of Fox Hospital and the
Fox Tri Town Campus will be discussing the relationship with Sidney and the
surrounding area with Fox hospital, & the expected growth of FOX services,
on May 14th at 8:00 AM at Sidney Country Club.
The Sidney Chamber is asking for interested members to RSVP as soon as
possible at 561-2642.

Oneonta police arrested Gabriel Truitt Tuesday afternoon; he
was recently indicted on charges of arson and murder in connection with a
December 29th fire at 5 Walling Avenue that claimed the life of former
firefighter John Heller.  Oneonta Police
obtained a search warrant for Truitt's Sister in Law residence, right next door
to the Police Station at 95 Main Street, he was found hiding in the basement,
and was taken into custody without incident.
Truitt was taken to the Otsego County jail, he faces arraignment this
morning.

State Police arrested 27 year old Danielle Scott of Sidney
for DWI, Unreasonable Speed and Moving from A Lane Unsafely, after a trooper
was dispatched to County Road 35 in the town of Masonville for a vehicle
rollover.  The trooper located Scott with
Emergency Medical Personnel but she declined medical assistance.  After an investigation, she was arrested for
DWI. She was processed and released on appearance tickets returnable to the
town of Masonville court on May 28th.

Broome County Officials reiterated today about the need for
a "State of Emergency" regarding recent Fentanyl deaths, County DA
Steve Cornwell Commented:

(Steve Cornwell 4-10-19)

Fentanyl has been linked to several recent overdose deaths;
it is an opioid that has been found locally in heroin, cocaine,
methamphetamines, crack cocaine and pills.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 65-year-old
Michael Forde of Brooklyn Saturday, on a charge of Aggravated Unlicensed
Operation, Unlicensed Operator and Failure to Exercise Due Care to an Emergency
Vehicle, on State Route 17 in the Town of Hancock.   Forde was released on an appearance ticket
and is scheduled to return to the Town of Hancock Court at a later date to
answer the charges.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold a Job
& Resource Fair tomorrow at the DCMO BOCES Harold campus in Masonville.  Chamber President Ray Pucci comments:

(Ray Pucci 4-10-19)

More information is available by calling the Chamber at
746-2281 or online at delawarecounty.org

Hall of Famers Bert Blyleven,
Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Tim Raines and Alan Trammell will headline Hall
of Fame Classic Weekend, May 25-27 in Cooperstown. The five Hall of Famers will
be joined by recently retired players representing all 30 major league teams
for the 7-inning legend game on Saturday, May 25 at Cooperstown’s historic
Doubleday Field.  Tickets for the Hall of
Fame Classic are on sale at (607) 207-9519 or at baseballhall.org, Seating
along the third baseline will not be available, as the Village of Cooperstown
is coordinating ongoing renovations of Doubleday Field in preparation for the
ballpark’s 100th anniversary in 2020.

Delaware County Public Health Services and Friends of Recovery- Delaware Otsego will be sponsoring a Recovery Coach Academy & Ethical Considerations training from May 13th to May 25th, in Walton and Hancock.   DCPH Spokesperson Kali Murphy explains:

(Kali Murphy 4-10-19)

More information is available at 267-4435 or by email at
sarah@friendsofrecoverydo.org

United Way of Broome County’s 2-1-1 Susquehanna River Region
Information & Referral Contact Center is among a select group of
organizations to be accredited by the Alliance of Information and Referral
Systems, in recognition of the quality of information and referral services it
provides to the Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Tioga County
communities.   2-1-1 Susquehanna River
Region can be reached by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-901-2180.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 31 year-old
Christina Townsend of Port Crane for 3rd degree Grand Larceny &
Scheming to Defraud,  following an
investigation by Sheriff’s Deputies and Broome Developmental Center staff into
on-going thefts from residents by an employee.
Townsend is accused of engaging in an ongoing scheme while employed at a
Franklin residential facility that resulted in the theft of more than $12,000
from developmentally disabled residents.
Townsend was arraigned at the Town of Franklin Court and was released
upon her own recognizance pending future court proceedings

State Police Traffic Incident Management Unit responded to a
fatal car crash on Interstate 81 in the town of Cortlandville this morning at
6:43 AM,   Troopers responded after a TLC
Ambulance was traveling southbound responding to a call, & they were
slowing to make a U-turn with all of their emergency lights activated.  A 68-year-old unidentified male from
Baldwinsville was driving an SUV in the left lane & struck the ambulance on
its driver’s side before losing control & striking a guiderail.  The ambulance crew responded & found the
driver unresponsive, he was taken to an area hospital & was pronounced
deceased.   The investigation is still
pending; the name of the victim will be released at a later time. No tickets
have been issued at this time.

The State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
today announced the award of more than $5.1 million in funding to establish 14
new recovery community centers across New York State, and expand services at
two existing recovery centers. Funding is administered by the Office of Alcoholism
& Substance Abuse and its fiscal partner, the Research Foundation for
Mental Hygiene.  In the Southern Tier,
The Friends of Recovery of Delaware and Otsego Counties, will receive $350,000.

The 25th annual Colorscape Chenango, the premier arts
festival in Central New York, will be held September 7th & 8th
in downtown Norwich. The application deadline for exhibiting artists is this
Friday, March 8th. Colorscape invites Chenango County high school students to
participate in the Billboard Art Challenge called “Art Can Change the World.”
Submissions are due April 26th, more information is available at 336-3378 or
visit colorscape.org.

Delaware County Public Health Services and Friends of
Recovery of Delaware Otsego will be sponsoring a Recovery Coach Academy &
Ethical Considerations training during the week of March 25th-March 30th in
Delhi and Margaretville.   The 30 hour
training covers the Connecticut Center for Addiction Recovery model for peer
specialist roles and responsibilities.
This Recovery Coach Academy includes all course materials. Scholarships
are available, more information or registration is available at 267-4435 or by
email at sarah@friendsofrecoverydo.org

A Delaware County jury acquitted Jeffrey Hitchcock of Sidney
Center Friday, for charges of sexual abuse & endangering the welfare of a
minor.  Hitchcock had been accused of
inappropriately touching an 11 year old female; the jury took a little over 4
hours to find Hitchcock not guilty of the charges.

Chenango Links will host a discussion with Chenango County
Board of elections Commissioners Mary Lou Monahan & Carol Franklin this
evening in Norwich.  The event will be
held at Bohemian Moon at 103 E. Main Street in Norwich, starting at 5:30 PM.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 32 year old
Matthew Jones of Greene following a Burglary investigation.  Officers received a complaint early Monday
Morning that an individual was breaking into 45 Genesee Street in Greene; Jones
is accused of placing a ladder up to a window, breaking the window, and
entering the building. Deputies   &
Village of Greene Police responded, they located Jones leaving the area on
foot, after a brief pursuit, Jones was taken into custody, and a defaced gun
dropped near the scene was confiscated.
A search warrant was conducted on Jones’ residence, Officers seized a
2nd defaced handgun, methamphetamines, marihuana, & items reported stolen
from other local burglaries.  Jones was
charged with 2nd & 3rd degree Burglary, criminal possession of stolen
property, plus weapons & drug charges, he was arraigned and remanded to the
Chenango County Jail on $10,000 cash bail, more arrests are expected.

State Attorney General Letitia James announced that New York
is joining 15 other states in a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s
national emergency declaration.  the
lawsuit claims that the President is threatening public safety with his move to
divert funding from military construction and other programs to pay for a
U.S.-Mexico border wall.  The lawsuit
alleges that the President is manufacturing a crisis and that his declaration
is an “unconstitutional and unlawful.”

The Delaware County Board of Elections reminds voters that
Governor Cuomo has signed into law that the state & local primary will be
held on the 4th Tuesday in June.  This
changes the dates for circulating and filing designating party petitions for
county, town and committee offices.
February 26th is the first day to circulate a designating petition for
the elected town and party committee offices that are up for election in
2019.  More information is available
through the Delaware County Board of Elections at 832-5321 or through town
party chairpersons, to get a petition if you wish to run for a town office or
party committee.

Chronic Wasting Disease has been
detected in wild deer, elk or moose in 24 states, including New York State,
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The CDC is warning hunters to avoid handling &
they advise people not to handle or eat meat from deer and elk that seem sick
or have been found dead.   New York’s
cases were found in the North Country.

Governor Cuomo announced legislation expanding assistance
available for victims of hate crimes and certain other crimes associated with
domestic violence who were not physically injured during the crime, is now
effective.  The new law allows these
individuals to apply for reimbursement of shelter costs and crime scene cleanup
expenses from the New York State Office of Victim Services, previously, victims
who were not physically injured during the crime were only eligible for certain
OVS benefits if the charges included criminal obstruction of breathing or blood
circulation; certain menacing, harassment, aggravated harassment, criminal
contempt and stalking offenses; and hate crimes.

Governor Cuomo today announced that $15 million in
additional funding is available to help eligible New Yorkers heat their homes
following a spate of severe weather over the past month. Starting Today, households
in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut
off may apply for a second emergency benefit through the Home Energy Assistance
Program. In addition, Governor Cuomo announced the extension of the application
period for both regular and emergency HEAP benefits until April 26.  More information is available at otda.ny.gov.

All of the remaining tenants in the apartments at 195 Main
Street in Oneonta left by court order Friday afternoon.  Otsego County Supreme Court Judge John
Lambert order the evacuation of the apartments, but not the 1st floor retail
spaces, after building owner Melania Pervu failed to fix code violations; she
is expected to list the building for sale.

Governor Cuomo announced the Division of Homeland Security
and Emergency Services' Office of Counter Terrorism conducted counter terrorism
exercises at 1,000 locations in 2018. During each exercise, counter terrorism
experts from state and local agencies go undercover as customers and assess the
ability of businesses to recognize and report suspicious activity.
Additionally, the Division also partnered with federal, state, and local law
enforcement for "Operation NY-SECURE" which involved the completion
of 20 counter terrorism and incident response exercises at rail stations
throughout the state.  This year, the
Office of Counter Terrorism partnered with more than 400 law enforcement
personnel from over 100 agencies statewide to conduct exercises in every
county.

The Help Restore Hope Center provides services for victims
of domestic violence and sexual assault in Chenango County.  Clinical Program Supervisor Patricia Pardy
explained the program at WCDO this morning:

(Patricia Pardy 2-11-19)

The 24 Hour Hotline is 855-9-NOWSAFE; they also have a
website with information at helprestorehopecenter.org.  A fundraiser for the program is being held
this afternoon at Gilligan’s Ice Cream in Sherburne from 4:00 to 8:00 PM

U.S. Marshals are on the lookout
for Leroy Headley of Vermont, who is wanted for the murder of his spouse,
sexual assault of a child & unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.  Headley could have travelled through upstate
counties, he could be living under an alias, and he may have shaved his head or
otherwise changed his appearance, and should be considered armed and
dangerous.  U.S. Marshals are offering a
reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to Headley’s arrest.  Anyone with information is asked to contact
the U.S. Marshal Service at (202) 307-9100 or through their tipline at
1-877-WANTED-2

28 year old Devan Ellsworth pleaded guilty to 2nd degree
manslaughter Friday in Chenango County, for causing the death of his infant
daughter.  Ellsworth will serve at least
3 1/2 years in jail in a plea agreement.

30 year old Shakia Crute of Johnson City was charged Friday
with 2nd Degree manslaughter in connection with the death of her son Jerome
Smith February 2nd. Crute was arraigned in Johnson City Village Court and sent
to the Broome County jail pending future court action.   Broome County District Attorney Steve
Cornwell said that Crute is accused of acting recklessly in causing her son's
death in Johnson City.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office released more information
regarding this morning’s 2-car crash involving Broome County Sheriff’s Deputy
Kristy Botsford.  The report stated that
Deputy Botsford was driving on State Route 17 westbound with her emergency
lights on assisting the Vestal Police Department in trying to stop a car that
was driving eastbound in the westbound lane.
Vestal Police said the suspect, Daniel Butash stopped his car on the
highway east of Exit 68, as police approached, he continued to drive the wrong
way, and he drove head-on into Deputy Botsford’s Patrol car.  Deputy Botsford became pinned inside her
vehicle, Emergency services used the ‘jaws of life’ to remove her from the car,
and she was taken to Wilson Hospital where she was listed in critical
condition, she suffered a fractured right femur among other injuries.  Butash was driving a 2018 Tesla and suffered
minor facials injuries and cuts to his body, he was also taken to Wilson
Hospital, and Charges against him are pending.

Members from Troop C's Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit
assist the Chenango County Sheriff's Department with a milk truck rollover on
County Route 25 in the town of Columbus. The tanker actively dumped several
thousand gallons of milk after crashing just before 7am. The DEC spill
response, County DOT and local fire department are also on scene.

36 year old Matthew Mazepa of Harpursville pleaded guilty
today in US District Court for selling Meth in Chenango & Broome Counties
& Illegally possessing a firearm.
Mazepa was arrested last April by State Police, he faces sentencing on May
21st.

19th District Congressman
Antonio Delgado has announced he will open an office in Oneonta next week.    Delgado’s office will be located at 189
Main Street and will be open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, as
well as by appointment.

State Police will join local law enforcement agencies across
the state in an effort to crack down on impaired driving during Super Bowl
weekend. The STOP-DWI campaign will include underage drinking enforcement;
drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Law
enforcement will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and
other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Drivers should also remember
to "move over" for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on
the side of the road.  The campaign runs
from Saturday until 4:00 AM Monday.

Aaron Powell was found guilty on all charges Thursday in
Broome County Court, for the 2013 murders of his estranged wife Christina &
Mario Masciarelli, in Binghamton.  Powell
was granted a 2nd trial by a higher court, which led to this week's trial, and
a 2nd conviction for these murders.

The 2nd murder Trial of Aaron
Powell of Binghamton continues in Broome County Court.  Powell is accused of killing his estranged
wife Christina & Mario Masciarelli at Christina's Residence on Lisi Lane in
Binghamton on March 21st 2013.  Powell
was found guilty of several felony counts in his first trial; a higher court
overturned the original conviction & ordered a new trial.

Heavy ice flows on the Hudson
River caused by recent warming and heavy rains dislodged 8 vessels from their
docks early this morning. DEC, state and local officials quickly responded and
secured the vessels.  1 large boat became
stuck under a railroad bridge south of the Capital District this morning, DEC &
Emergency Crews from various district are assisting with attempting to capture
the boats as they continue to be pushed downstream by large ice flows.  Video footage shot from drones are available
for public viewing on the DEC YouTube channel.

Delaware County Department of
Public Works Commissioner Sue McIntyre announced the hiring of Tyson Robb as
coordinator of the county’s Solid Waste Division of DPW.  McIntyre held that position for many years
prior to her promotion to Commissioner.

A Boil Water order has been issued for the Village foo
Bainbridge, following yesterday's Water Main issue.  The Chenango County Health Department
reported that the order will be in effect for 2 to 3 days. More information is
available at 337-1673 or 967-8696.

A State Budget presentation will be held today in
Oneonta.   RoAnn Destito, Commissioner of
the Office of General Services, will deliver State of the State and Budget
Presentations at 10:00 AM at SUNY Oneonta