WCDO Radio News

Police in Vestal announced that they are seeking 87 year old Charles McGlynn of Vestal, as a missing vulnerable adult. McGlynn suffers from dementia, and may require medical attention, he was last seen Tuesday afternoon at about 3:00PM on Hazel Drive in Vestal, he may be driving a 2009 grey Honda Civic with license plate number ANW-2161, he is described as a white male, 6'1", about 150 pounds, with white hair & a mustache, and blue eyes & wears glasses, he was wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and a blue jacket. Anyone with information is asked to call Vestal Police at 786-7600 or 911.

State Police and the American Red Cross are Co-hosting the 5th annual State Trooper Christopher Skinner Memorial Blood Drive in Kirkwood today. Trooper Skinner was intentionally run down by Almond Upton while he was conducting a traffic stop on I-81 in 2014, a blood drive has been held in Skinner's memory every year since his death. The blood drive today runs from 12:00 Noon until 6:00 PM at the 5 Mile Point Fire Company at 16 Crescent Drive in Kirkwood. The blood drive is open to the public as well as those in Law Enforcement, appointments can be made at redcrossblood.org or at 1-800-red cross.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold their next Friday Breakfast event in Walton on January 11th. The event will run from 8:30 to 10:00 am at the Castle on the Delaware 139 Stockton Avenue in Walton. The featured speaker is Perry Dewey, Superintendent at DCMO BOCES, who will talk about on-campus, work-ready training programs for graduating high school seniors and how Delaware County's educational leaders are collaborating with the business community. More information is available at delawarecounty.org.

Former Broome County Family Court Judge Rick Miller has had a lawsuit filed against him by 2 former employees in his office of sexual harassment. The lawsuit claims that Miller subjected the employees to harassing and abusive behavior at least 50 times between 2015 and June of 2017. Miller was removed from the bench in 2016.

Now that Christmas has passed, chenango County residents may wonder how they shoudl dispose of their trees this year. Dustin Hendricks of Chenango County DPW Explains:

(Dustin Hendricks 12-26-18)

Chenango County has 3 solid waste and recycling facilities operated by the Department of Public Works, the Pharsalia Landfill, plus 2 Transfer Stations, 1 in the Town of North Norwich and the other near Brisben.

4 Deposit men have been arrested in connection with a stabbing at the McDonald's on Main Street in Johnson City on December 20th. 2 men were taken to Wilson Hospital with stab wounds, Arrested for 2 counts each of gang assault were 22 year old Dane Edwards, 33 year old Jay Moore, 24 year old Travis Dise & 31 year old Christopher Nugent of Deposit, they were taken into custody without incident and will appear in court at a later date; additional arrests are expected.

Illegally manufactured fentanyl was the driving force behind a 45.2% increase in deaths involving synthetic opioids from 2016 to 2017, according to a new report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In all, there were 70,237 drug overdose deaths in 2017. Opioids were involved in 67.8%, or 47,600 of those deaths. Of those opioid-involved overdose deaths, 59.8% of them, or 28,466, were due to synthetic opioids. A separate report from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics released earlier this month found that in 2016 fentanyl surpassed heroin as the most commonly used drug in overdose deaths in the US.

The state Department of Health announced Thursday that the flu virus is prevalent in New York state. Health care workers, who are not vaccinated, are now required to wear a surgical procedure mask around patients. The department has also launched a flu tracker that allows people to stay up-to-date about flu rates in their county. Department reps say there have been over 3,000 flu cases in the state so far this season

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual State of The State Breakfast on January 2nd at the SUNY Oneonta Otsego Grille in the Morris Conference Center. The event will begin at 8:30, State Senator Jim Seward & Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig will be among the guest speakers.

The City of Oneonta Department of Public Service will be replacing a water main valve located on West Ann Street today. Work is to take place starting at 8am with water outages to begin at 9am. Residents on West Ann, Baker, London, Wilcox, and River Street (between Ann and Wilcox) will be without water for the duration of the project. West Ann St will be closed to traffic for the duration of work. Drivers on West Ann Street are advised to move vehicles from driveways prior to 8am. More information is available at 432-2100

The State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services announced new actions to increase the availability and awareness of problem gambling services, which includes the opening of 2 new Problem Gambling Resource Centers which will serve as central hubs for the public to access prevention, treatment and recovery support services.  New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’ stoll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or at oasas.ny.gov/gambling.

Julianne Carbone and Sharon McDowell of Oneonta each pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person in Otsego County court.  The 2 are accused of taking inappropriate pictures of Springbrook residents & putting them on Social media Platforms.    Each will 6 months in jail plus 5 years’ probation, upon release they will not be allowed to work with incompetent or disabled people.

Governor Cuomo today announced more than 520 new jobs will be created through the latest round of Recharge NY power allocations. Recharge NY supports new and existing partnerships with qualifying businesses and non-profit organizations with low-cost New York Power Authority power in exchange for commitments to retain or create jobs statewide.  Locally, in the Southern Tier, 60 jobs will be retained & 46 new ones will be created.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 44-year-old DeannaO’Connor of the Village of Walton, for 1 count of Grand Larceny.  O’Connor allegedly withheld property or payment for that property to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, following a reported burglary in Walton and a subsequent insurance claim.  O’Connor was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Village of Walton Court at a later date.

State DEC officers arrested 3 people on 146 counts in connection with the illegal shooting of 8 deer in the town of Milford last month.  Charged were 20 year old Wayne Shutters of the Town of Maryland, 19 year old Joziah Underwood of Schenevus,and a 16-year-old youth, of the town Maryland,

Oneonta City Firefighters responded to a blaze at 14 Church
Street at about 6:00 PM last night.  Damage
was contained to the 2nd floor & attic, 1 resident escaped without injury,
& no firefighters were injured.  The
cause of the fire is under investigation.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 28 year old Justin Ziemba of Gilboa for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle,unlawful fleeing of a police officer, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving following a vehicle pursuit in the Town of Roxbury.  Ziemba was observed driving in a reckless manner at a speed of 91 mph, Ziemba lost control of his vehicle and collided with an earth embankment.  Ziemba was arraigned in the Town of Stamford Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $2,000 cash bail or $4,000 secured bond.  He is scheduled to reappear at the Town of Roxbury Court at a later date.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies 29 year old arrested Brett Trombley on 17 counts of Criminal Contempt.  Trombley allegedly attempted to contact a protected party of an order of protection by phone 17 times over the course of one week while being held in the County Jail; he will appear in the Town of Delhi Court on a later date.

The Oneonta Department of Public Service will be replacing a water main valve today, on Upper Clinton Street from Monroe Avenue to the dead end.  Residents will experience a water outage during work.  Water will be shutdown after 9am and expected to be down for a few hours.  For additional questions, please call the Department of Public Service at (607) 432-2100

24 Year old Kevin Perry of Laurens was sentenced in Otsego County Court to 2 concurrent prison terms of 25 years to life. Perry pleaded guilty to 2 counts of 2nd degree murder for the killing of his parents Solveig & Timothy Perry, in the family home in Laurens last December.

The State Department of Transportation reminds motorists to obey the "Move Over Law". DOT Officials remind motorists that they should slow down & move over for vehicles with flashing red, white or amber lights, such as DOT vehicles, tow trucks, ambulances, fire trucks, & police vehicles.

NBT Bancorp reported record net income for both the three and nine months ended September 30th. Net income for the 3rd Quarter was $29.8 million, up 30.3% from the third quarter last year. Net income for the first 9 months was $83.9 million, up 30.1% from the same period last year.

Chenango County will be offering the civil service test for Public Safety Dispatcher on Saturday, January 19, 2019. The last date to file for the exam is Tuesday, December 11, 2018. The exam application and announcement are available at: co.chenango.ny.us/personnel/examinations.

The State Health Department announced 5 suspected cases of the Acute Flaccid Myelitis virus in New York. So far, 4 of the cases were reported just outside of New York City and a 5th case in Buffalo, Health officials confirmed 39 cases of EV-D68 in children across the state, which is a virus that is linked to Acute Flaccid Myelitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that they are investigating 155 suspected cases of AFM nationwide.

The State Labor Department announced local unemployment rates today. Statewide, the rate was at 4.1% for September, in Chenango County, unemployment was 3.6%, in Delaware County, 3.9% and in Otsego County, 3.5%.

State Police arrested 45 year old James Mumbulo of Edmeston for 27 counts of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals, after State Police were dispatched to check the welfare of several animals at a rented dairy farm on County Route 20 in Edmeston. Troopers located 27 deceased cow carcasses and several inches of manure, there was no food or water in the barn. After consulting with a veterinarian and the District Attorney’s office, Mumbulo was arrested. He was released on appearance tickets returnable to the town of Edmeston Court on November 19th.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 24 year old Frances Thomas of Harpersfield for cruelty to animals; failure to provide proper food and sustenance. Deputies allege that Thomas failed to care for a dog over a period of time, failing to provide it with proper food, water, shelter and veterinary care. Thomas was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear at the Harpersfield Town Court at a later date.

State Police arrested 2 people after a traffic stop on State Highway 28 in the town of Otsego. The driver, 20 year old Victoria Sawyer of Worcester, NY was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, The passenger, 32 year old Brandon Brinson of Wilmington, North Carolina was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Controlled Substance in a Non-Original Container. Sawyer and Brinson were arraigned in the town of Otsego Court and released on their own recognizance and will reappear at a future court date.

Governor Cuomo announced that the driver of the limousine involved in Saturday's in Schoharie, did not have the appropriate license to be driving the vehicle. Cuomo also announced today that the vehicle in question was inspected last month & failed the inspection. State attorneys are seeking a cease and desist order to stop Prestige Limo from operating until the investigation into the accident has been completed. 18 people in the vehicle, including the driver were killed; also 2 bystanders were killed in a convenience store parking lot when they were struck by a vehicle that had been struck by the limo. The investigation is continuing.

The state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services' Office of Fire Prevention and Control held their 21st annual ceremony Monday morning in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. 28 names were added today, many of the names added in recent years were from New York City Fire Department who died from illnesses associated with working at the World Trade Center after the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks.

Corning announced that they will invest 11 million dollars for upgrades to their Oneonta Plant. The upgrades will allow for the company to keep 175 jobs at the plant, local officials also expect that the Corning Expansion could help attract more businesses to locate at the railyard redevelopment project area.

Drug Overdose deaths from Opioids have declined in Broome County. In the first 9 months of 2018, Officials said that there were 22 overdose deaths, in 2016 there were 60 deaths, and in 2017 there were 55. Most of the deaths were male, the average age was 41.

The city of Oneonta Department of Public Service will flush water mains in a portion of the low-service area, starting at 9:00 this morning. Work will continue until 4:00 PM, Flushing is expected to take place through the end of the week. Streets where service will be affected include Main Street and various side streets in the City’s East End.

The Delaware County Board of Elections reminds area residents interested in voting the in the November 6th General Election, need to register by this Friday October 12th, which is the last day to register in person and to postmark a registration form for the November 6th General Election. Registration forms and applications for absentee ballots may be found online at co.delaware.ny.us/departments or by calling 832-5321.

State Police and the Schoharie County Sheriff's Department responded to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of State Route 30 and S30A in the town of Schoharie. A Ford Excursion limousine was traveling in a southwestern direction on State Route 30 and failed to stop at the intersection with State Route 30A. The limousine traveled across the intersection into a parking lot and struck a 2015 Toyota Highlander which was unoccupied and parked; the Highlander then struck and killed 2 pedestrians. 20 victims were killed, all 18 in the limousine, including the driver, and the two pedestrians. The investigation is ongoing.

Otsego County Sheriff Department arrested 31 year old Joel Young of Exeter, after he pointed a shotgun at a Sheriff’s Deputy during a domestic dispute call. The deputy entered the residence and attempted to arrest the defendant, who fled from into his bedroom & retrieved a shotgun and pointed it at the Deputy. Young was taken in to custody following a physical struggle, he was arrested for Menacing a police officer, Criminal Possession of Weapon, Resisting Arrest & Harassment, he was arraigned in the Town of Otsego Court, & was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond and he is scheduled to reappear at a later date.

State DOT announced the completion of a $2.7 million pavement resurfacing project on Interstate 88 in the town and city of Oneonta. The 3.9-mile improvement project between Exit 13 and 16 included the milling & repaving, the shoulders were also given a surface treatment and all pavement markings were replaced. Curb ramps at the ends of the Exit 14 and Exit 15 off ramps were improved to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Fire Prevention Week is this week & the Firemen's Association of the State of New York is urging New Yorkers to ensure their smoke alarms are in proper working order, they specifically encourage New Yorkers to install smoke alarms equipped with sealed-in, non-removable batteries that last for 10 years. According to the National Fire Protection Association, three of every five home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms or working smoke alarms. Firefighters frequently encounter smoke alarms with missing or dead batteries.

Physician Assistant Alyssa MacIntosh of UHS Women’s Health Center in Norwich will hold a discussion about Breast Cancer & earl y detection in a free presentation today at Bohemian Moon, 103 W. Main Street in Norwich. An optional buffet and cash bar will be available at 6 p.m., with the presentation and discussion to start at 7 p.m. The event is part of UHS Chenango Memorial’s 2018 Women’s Health Series, which will conclude on Monday, November 12 with a discussion on pre-diabetes and diabetes risk factors. More information is available at 337-4183.

The Peanuts gang will be coming to The Forum, Binghamton, on November 20th at 6:00pm for A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage. Tickets are on sale Monday, October 8th at 10:00am at the arena box office, Ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000. The Emmy and Peabody award-winning story by Charles Schulz originally aired on television over 50 years ago.

The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force Arrested 2 people on drug charges after they searched a vehicle and a hotel room Tuesday. 30 year old Johnnah Degraw of Binghamton & 36 year old Marlon Graham of East Patchogue are accused of possessing crystal meth, Suboxone strips, drug packaging materials and $1,066 from suspected drug sales. Both were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance & criminally using drug paraphernalia, they face court action shortly.

State DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the release of New York’s final policy for manufacturer disclosures under the State’s Household Cleansing Product Information Disclosure Program. The program requires manufacturers of cleaning products to disclose chemical ingredients, byproducts and contaminants with the potential to trigger asthma in adults and children, on their websites. More information about the Household Cleansing Product Information Disclosure Program can be found at on.ny.gov/cleaningproducts.

Governor Cuomo today announced that more than $43.8 million will be awarded to support cancer prevention and early detection programs statewide over the next 5 years. The programs receiving these funds participate in the New York State Cancer Services Program, which aims to reduce disparities in breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer incidence and mortality through free cancer screening for uninsured and underinsured, low-income populations. More information is available at health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/screening.

The Main Street Revitalization Project in continuing in Sidney. Crews have been cementing the West Side of the street this week, today, Trees were being placed in the ground on the East side of the street. The whole project is expected to be completed in Late July.

Catholic Charities is looking to help area people with limited space, to have their own "Container Garden" of various vegetables to grow & eventually eat. Penny McKnight of the Sidney Catholic Charities office explains:

(Penny McKnight 6-6-18)

McKnight said that the registration period to participate in the Container gardening program is Friday; the pick-up event will be June 13th from 1:30 to 3:00 PM at the Sidney United Methodist Church on Liberty Street in Sidney. More information is available at 604-4071.

Governor Cuomo announced an extreme risk protection order law that would prevent individuals determined by a court that are likely to engage in violent conduct from purchasing, possessing, or attempting to purchase or possess any type of firearm. The legislation would make New York the first state in the nation to empower its teachers and school administrators to prevent school shootings by pursuing court intervention. No law currently exists in New York State that enables a court to issue an order to temporarily seize firearms from a person who is believed to pose a severe threat of harm to himself, herself, or others unless that person has also been accused of a crime or family offense.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Walton Volunteer Fire Department Emergency Squad responded to a tractor trailer accident in the Town of Walton last Thursday. 37 year old Joel Klinegardner of Sidney Center was towing a trailer carrying a log skidder, the vehicle’s brakes failed, Klinegardner lost control, the truck struck a sign, the trailer detached & overturned in a parking lot, the truck struck a tree before coming to rest, Klinegardner was not injured, charges will be filed at the conclusion of this investigation.

Southern Tier Solar Works is launching its 2018 Community Shared Solar non-profit program, which offers discounted solar power to people who cannot or choose not to install solar at home. The free event will take place today from 4:30-6:00 pm at Awestruck Cider in Sidney; more information is available at SouthernTierSolarWorks.org.

Delaware County Public Health will hold a Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic today for dogs, cats and ferrets. The Clinic will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Town of Tompkins Highway Garage at 148 Bridge Street in Trout Creek.

Governor Cuomo today announced a 30-day budget amendment that will Prohibit level 2 and 3 sex offenders, whose victims were under the age of 13, from being within 1,000 feet of a kindergarten or pre-K school; Ban certain sex offenders from living in temporary emergency housing or shelters that house families; and Require the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to obtain a list of schools from the State Department of Education, and distribute that list to probation and parole departments to ensure sex offenders stay away from those locations.

State Police arrested 33 year old Frank Bowles of Oneonta for Criminal Mischief and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. This arrest occurred after troopers responded to a fight in progress at the Lantern Hill Trailer Park, on State Route 23, in the town of Oneonta. Bowles is accused of smashing a window of a trailer when he was denied entry; Troopers located him walking in the park with lacerations to his hand. Bowles had his injuries treated at the scene by EMS, & while being arrested for damaging the window, Bowles was found to unlawfully possess about 15 grams of marijuana on his person. Bowles was arraigned before the Oneonta Town Court and subsequently remanded to the Otsego County Jail in lieu of $250.00 bail.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 56 year old Dennis Hulse of Auburn, on charges of unlawful possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a controlled substance and driving while ability impaired by drugs following a traffic stop on State Highway 17 in the Town of Colchester. Hulse was also charged with driving 80 miles per hour in 55 miles per hour zone. He was later released on traffic tickets returnable to Colchester Town Court at a later date.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 28 year old Meghan Armstrong of Walton, for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. Armstrong was also cited for no plate lamp as well as not wearing a seatbelt while operating a motor vehicle. This arrest stemmed from a traffic stop on Chambers Hollow Road in the Town of Hamden. Armstrong is scheduled to appear in the Town of Hamden Court at a later date to answer the charges.

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and State Senator Fred Akshar joined local law enforcement officials Friday to discuss cracking down on impaired driving across the State. Last year, the 2 legislators were successful in securing $1.6 million in state funding for STOP-DWI programs that became available for use to local programs at the beginning of 2018. Additionally, Lupardo and Akshar are also working on legislation that would allow for fines from impaired driving offenses to be collected ahead of other fees and surcharges collected by the state.

After a bounce in January, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s favorability & job performance ratings all fell by double digits this month, according to a new Siena College poll of New York State registered voters. Cuomo’s favorability rating is 53%, down from 62% last month, and his job performance rating went down to 45% from 50% in January.

Delaware County Emergency Services Department announced that the early Friday morning structure fire at 478 Dehning Road in the Town of Davenport involved the death of 2 small children. Officials said that the apartment building was fully involved, a 1-year-old male and a 3-year-old female died, an adult male was transported with burns to Upstate Medical Center Burn Unit in Syracuse. The names of the victims are being withheld at this time. The investigation is currently ongoing by State Police, plus the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Emergency Services, Fire Investigation Team and the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

State Police arrested 27-year-old Chase Degraw from Deposit for Menacing, after troopers responded to a dispute in Deposit. Degraw allegedly displayed a handgun at the female victim, he was arraigned, posted bail, & was released on his own recognizance with an order of protection was issued. Later that day Degraw was arrested again, for Criminal Contempt, to the same home and violated the order of protection by attempting to communicate with the victim inside. DeGraw was arraigned and was remanded to the Broome County Jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli issued an audit that Reveals Issues Behind Broome County's Fiscal Stress. From 2014 through 2016, Broome County depleted its fund balance to dangerously low levels jeopardizing public services and long-term infrastructure investments, DiNapoli recommended that the county stop using the fund balance to finance recurring expenditures; Develop a fund balance policy that establishes a reasonable amount of fund balance, reduce or eliminate reliance on short-term borrowing; & Adopt balanced budgets. The final audit can be read at osc.state.ny.us.

Republican Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb dropped his bid for the Republican nomination for governor on Friday; the GOP field is now down to 2 announced candidates, State Senator John DeFrancisco & Joel Giambra, the former Erie County executive.

State Police advised that Christian Rojas-Martinez, age 22, of Bronx, NY was found deceased earlier today inside a body of water that was inside the area being search.  An investigation as determined that since January 19, Christian was staying at a home and was camping with six other men at 521 Old Ferris Farm Road, in the town of Roxbury.  On the evening of January 20, he wandered away from the location and did not return.  He was reported missing by his companions on January 21, at about 12:45 a.m.  The investigation is ongoing.      State Police were assisted in the search by two NYSP K-9s, NYSP Aviation, NYS DEC, NYS Forest Rangers, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies, Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Town of Roxbury Constable, and fire department and EMS personnel from Roxbury, Grand Gorge, and Hobart.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal fire that occurred at about 4:50 am that claimed the lives of 3 people.  Killed in the fire were 33 year old Debbie L Pfeiffer, 1 year old Benjamin Pfeiffer and 10 year old Amber Morrow.  The cause of the fire is still being investigated and autopsies will conducted on the victims on 01/23/18 at Lourdes Hospital.  The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Chenango County Bureau of Fire, Plymouth Fie Department, North Norwich Fire Department, City of Norwich Fire Department, Smyrna Fire Department, Sherburne Fire Department and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.  Further details will be released when they become available.

Jury selection began today in the corruption trial of Joseph Percoco, who was a top aide to Governor Andrew Cuomo. Percoco is charged with taking $300,000 worth of bribes from 2 companies working with the state. Prosecutors say he used his relationship with Cuomo to win those companies favorable treatment.

Governor Cuomo may be softening his stance against recreational marijuana against the state's increasing economic problems, which have been made more difficult by the new Federal Tax plans:

(Cuomo 1-22-18)

The Governor made those remarks during his budget presentation earlier this month, as a way to raise revenue for the state.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy’s arrested 53-year-old Michael Rogers of Stamford for Forcible Touching & Resisting Arrest, following a report of a domestic incident in the Village of Stamford. Rogers is accused of forcibly touching another person and resisted arrest as Deputies were attempting to take him into custody. Rogers was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $2500 cash bail or $5000 bond, pending future court action.

Utica Police arrested 20-year-old Jason Nieves of Utica Saturday on a murder charge, for allegedly causing fatal head injuries to 7-month-old Emelina Sanchez. The infant was taken to an area hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries, Nieves has been charged with 2nd degree murder.

Leadership Otsego is now accepting applications for the class of 2018. There will be an Informational Session on Tuesday January 30th from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at Otsego Now and Otsego County Chamber offices located at 189 Main Street Suite 500, in Oneonta. More information is available by calling the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce at 267-4010 Ext 103.

State Police arrested 59 year old Anthony Middletown of Cobourg, Ontario for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and other traffic violations, after a trooper saw Middletown using a cellphone while he was driving in the town of Conklin. Middletown had his li9cense suspended 12 times in New York on 11 different dates, he was arraigned in the town of Conklin Court and was remanded to the Broome County Jail with no bail set. His next court date is pending.

Governor Cuomo announced the 38th annual Empire State Winter Games will kick off on Thursday, February 1 and will run until Sunday, February 4 in Lake Placid. More than 2,500 participants will compete in 17 different sports during the 3-day festival. The Games will kick off with an inaugural Torch Relay departing from New York City.