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WCDO News — Monday 12-1-14
39-year-old Ganesh Ramsaran was sentenced to 25 years to life in jail this morning, for the murder of his wife Jennifer in 2012. Ramsaran received the maximum penalty for 2nd degree murder in Chenango County court today, he was found guilty of the murder of his wife in September. Ramsaran faces court action later in the week for allegedly bribing a Chenango county corrections officer in helping him plan an escape from the jail in exchange for $100,000 cash.
Operation Merry Christmas is underway and will be coming to a close later this week at 19 locations. Program coordinator Ginny Ireland explains how the program works:
(Ginny Ireland 12-1-14)
Ireland said that the deadline to get a present is December 5th; the giveaway will be on December 12th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Sidney Civic Center for those who signed up, more information is available at 563-8119 or 967-8119.
State police at Oneonta arrested 7 people for allegedly stealing from the Oneonta Wal-Mart. The theft occurred at about 9:00 AM Friday. 26-year-old Donovan Howard; 28 year old Kawanda Mathis; 32 year old Misheena Watson; 17 year old Shanya Nevith; 27 year old Joshua Hervey and 18 year old Takell Henry of Utica and 19 year old Quinnasia Berry of Herkimer were charged with 3rd degree grand larceny. All 7 were sent to the Otsego County jail pending future court action. .
Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 34 year old Amy Fultz of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for 3rd degree Criminal Mischief, following a domestic dispute in which it is alleged that Fultz caused over $1,000 damage to a vehicle.
2 Otsego County residents were arrested on Friday after investigators from the sheriff's office found nearly 13 pounds of marijuana in a Town of Morris home in October. 55-year-old Michael DeLuca of Pittsfield and 62-year-old Sallie Lewis Jacoby of Morris were charged with 1st degree criminal possession of marijuana. Investigators found Deluca and a bedroom full of freshly cut marijuana in Jacoby's home on Pegg Road. Deluca and Jacoby will appear in Morris Town Court December 15th.
The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is offering a one-day online-only deal on three-year park passes. The special price will be available today only for Cyber Monday. The 3-year Empire Passport will be discounted to $130, a $35 savings off the usual price. An Empire Passport gives unlimited vehicle access to all state parks, nature centers, recreation areas, boat launches and preserves. Information is available at nysparks.com
Teacher retirements in New York have risen 10% since 2010, while staff members have fallen 5.5% over the same time period. The rise in retirements is an ongoing trend as staff reaches retirement age, faces new testing standards and cashes out pensions. State Teachers Retirement System records show the number of teachers in retirement jumped from 141,716 to 155,931 between the 2009 and 2014 school years. At the same time, the number of active members in the system fell from 285,774 to 270,039. New York State United Teachers, the state's teachers union, attributed new testing standards and tougher teacher evaluations to the reason why teachers are leaving the workforce.
Operation Merry Christmas is underway and will be coming to a close later this week at 19 locations. Program coordinator Ginny Ireland explains how the program works:
(Ginny Ireland 12-1-14)
Ireland said that the deadline to get a present is December 5th; the giveaway will be on December 12th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Sidney Civic Center for those who signed up, more information is available at 563-8119 or 967-8119.
State police at Oneonta arrested 7 people for allegedly stealing from the Oneonta Wal-Mart. The theft occurred at about 9:00 AM Friday. 26-year-old Donovan Howard; 28 year old Kawanda Mathis; 32 year old Misheena Watson; 17 year old Shanya Nevith; 27 year old Joshua Hervey and 18 year old Takell Henry of Utica and 19 year old Quinnasia Berry of Herkimer were charged with 3rd degree grand larceny. All 7 were sent to the Otsego County jail pending future court action. .
Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 34 year old Amy Fultz of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for 3rd degree Criminal Mischief, following a domestic dispute in which it is alleged that Fultz caused over $1,000 damage to a vehicle.
2 Otsego County residents were arrested on Friday after investigators from the sheriff's office found nearly 13 pounds of marijuana in a Town of Morris home in October. 55-year-old Michael DeLuca of Pittsfield and 62-year-old Sallie Lewis Jacoby of Morris were charged with 1st degree criminal possession of marijuana. Investigators found Deluca and a bedroom full of freshly cut marijuana in Jacoby's home on Pegg Road. Deluca and Jacoby will appear in Morris Town Court December 15th.
The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is offering a one-day online-only deal on three-year park passes. The special price will be available today only for Cyber Monday. The 3-year Empire Passport will be discounted to $130, a $35 savings off the usual price. An Empire Passport gives unlimited vehicle access to all state parks, nature centers, recreation areas, boat launches and preserves. Information is available at nysparks.com
Teacher retirements in New York have risen 10% since 2010, while staff members have fallen 5.5% over the same time period. The rise in retirements is an ongoing trend as staff reaches retirement age, faces new testing standards and cashes out pensions. State Teachers Retirement System records show the number of teachers in retirement jumped from 141,716 to 155,931 between the 2009 and 2014 school years. At the same time, the number of active members in the system fell from 285,774 to 270,039. New York State United Teachers, the state's teachers union, attributed new testing standards and tougher teacher evaluations to the reason why teachers are leaving the workforce.
WCDO News — Friday 9-26-14
Delaware County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division, ARRESTED 51 YEAR OLD James McGinn of Walton on a Sealed Grand Jury Indictment Warrant, for 2 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance. McGinn is accused of selling heroin in the Village of Walton, following a year and a half long investigation. McGinn was arraigned in Delaware County Court & was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond.
The 4th annual "It's A Boobie & Butt Thing" Cancer Awareness Golf Invitational will be held on tomorrow at the Afton Golf Club. Invitational Co-Director Lori Kemmerer Explains:
(Lori Kemmerer 9-26-14)
Money raised will help local cancer patients with such things as travel expenses to & from treatment centers, or for insurance co-payments.
The Coventry Town Museum Association will hold their 10th Annual Civil War Commemorative event at Coventryville Congregational Church Sunday. The event honors John Shaver, ancestor of numerous descendants living throughout the Southern Tier, Museum President Janine Hakim explains:
(Janine Hakim 9-26-14)
The event takes place at 115 County Road #27, just off State Highway 206 in Coventry; it is made possible in part through funding from the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Chenango County Council of the Arts
The United Way of Delaware and Otsego county 2014 campaign is under way. This year's goal is to raise $325,000. The campaign runs through December 31st. Money raised is used to assist local agencies and programs. For more information, or to donate, go to unitedway.org.
Attorneys defending the poor across New York averaged 680 cases last year, nearly double the recommended limit, even though their ranks and funding rose from the year before. They were assigned 386,823 new cases last year in the 57 counties outside New York City. Those included 70,000 felonies, 90,000 family court cases and nearly 221,000 misdemeanors. Overall funding for legal services rose to $175 million last year, an increase of about $9 million.
Residents of New York's Finger Lakes and Southern Tier weighed in on 3 competing casinos proposed for the area. The three applicants are Tioga Downs in Nichols, Traditions in Johnson City and Lago in Seneca County. The board is expected to announce up to four winning bids for casino licenses spread among the three regions later this fall.
AN ONEONTA COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE WILL BE HELD UNTIL 6:00 PM TONIGHT AT THE WEST ONEONTA FIRE DEPARTMENT. DONORS ARE NEEDED TO GIVE BLOOD. CALL THE AMERICAN RED CROSS AT 1-800-RED CROSS
A state Supreme Court judge rejected a teachers union's attempt to invalidate New York's property-tax cap, dismissing claims it doesn't comply with the state and federal constitutions. Supreme Court Justice Patrick McGrath ruled the cap is constitutional, and in compliance with state law, allowing the cap to stand pending an expected appeal. The State United Teachers last year filed a lawsuit challenging the tax cap, which limits schools and local governments to annual property-tax increases of 2 percent or the rate of inflation. The union argued the cap unlawfully limits local control over education spending.
The 4th annual "It's A Boobie & Butt Thing" Cancer Awareness Golf Invitational will be held on tomorrow at the Afton Golf Club. Invitational Co-Director Lori Kemmerer Explains:
(Lori Kemmerer 9-26-14)
Money raised will help local cancer patients with such things as travel expenses to & from treatment centers, or for insurance co-payments.
The Coventry Town Museum Association will hold their 10th Annual Civil War Commemorative event at Coventryville Congregational Church Sunday. The event honors John Shaver, ancestor of numerous descendants living throughout the Southern Tier, Museum President Janine Hakim explains:
(Janine Hakim 9-26-14)
The event takes place at 115 County Road #27, just off State Highway 206 in Coventry; it is made possible in part through funding from the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Chenango County Council of the Arts
The United Way of Delaware and Otsego county 2014 campaign is under way. This year's goal is to raise $325,000. The campaign runs through December 31st. Money raised is used to assist local agencies and programs. For more information, or to donate, go to unitedway.org.
Attorneys defending the poor across New York averaged 680 cases last year, nearly double the recommended limit, even though their ranks and funding rose from the year before. They were assigned 386,823 new cases last year in the 57 counties outside New York City. Those included 70,000 felonies, 90,000 family court cases and nearly 221,000 misdemeanors. Overall funding for legal services rose to $175 million last year, an increase of about $9 million.
Residents of New York's Finger Lakes and Southern Tier weighed in on 3 competing casinos proposed for the area. The three applicants are Tioga Downs in Nichols, Traditions in Johnson City and Lago in Seneca County. The board is expected to announce up to four winning bids for casino licenses spread among the three regions later this fall.
AN ONEONTA COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE WILL BE HELD UNTIL 6:00 PM TONIGHT AT THE WEST ONEONTA FIRE DEPARTMENT. DONORS ARE NEEDED TO GIVE BLOOD. CALL THE AMERICAN RED CROSS AT 1-800-RED CROSS
A state Supreme Court judge rejected a teachers union's attempt to invalidate New York's property-tax cap, dismissing claims it doesn't comply with the state and federal constitutions. Supreme Court Justice Patrick McGrath ruled the cap is constitutional, and in compliance with state law, allowing the cap to stand pending an expected appeal. The State United Teachers last year filed a lawsuit challenging the tax cap, which limits schools and local governments to annual property-tax increases of 2 percent or the rate of inflation. The union argued the cap unlawfully limits local control over education spending.
AFTON GOLF CLUBChenango County Council of the ArtsCOVENTRY TOWN MUSEUM ASSOCIATIONJAMES McGINNJANINE HAKIMJOHN SHAVERJohnson CityJUDGE PATRICK McGRATHLAGOLORI KEMMERERNew YorkNICHOLSNYOneontaSENECA COUTYTIOGA DOWNSTRADITIONSUNITED WAY OF DELAWARE/OTSEGO COUNTIESWaltonWCDOWEST ONEONTA FIRE DEPARTMENT
WCDO News — Friday 8-15-14
State Police said more than 20,000 tickets were issued from August 6th through August 12th as part of its “Speed Week” campaign. 10,000 tickets were issued for speeding, 200 tickets for texting while driving, 550 for cell phone use, 200 DWI’s and more than 600 tickets in violation of the “Move Over Law.”
New York State’s private sector job count grew by 17,300, or 0.2% in July according to the State Labor Department. The State’s overall private sector job count is 7,603,300, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.6%. July marked the State’s 20th consecutive month of private sector job growth.
New York's public university system is the first to support a bipartisan federal effort that would strengthen colleges and universities' assistance, for sexual assault victims while establishing penalties for non-compliance. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said that the Campus Accountability and Safety Act l creates new standards for training, and calls for an anonymous annual survey of students, to provide an accounting of campus sexual assaults at colleges and universities.
A Grand Opening Ceremony is scheduled for August 25th for the new Skateboard Park in Keith Clark Park in Sidney. Ronnie Haag of the Sidney Youth Advocate program comments:
(Ronnie Haag 8-15-14)
Haag said that the new Skateboard Park is located between the Baseball Field & the Volley Ball Courts in Keith Clark Park.
The Sidney central school district capital improvement projects are nearing completion. Sidney Superintendent Bill Christensen explains:
(Bill Christensen 8-15-14)
Christensen said that the baseball & softball fields would be completed in time for those 2 spring sports.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will host a blood drive, sponsored by the American Red Cross & Bassett Healthcare on Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Cooper Park adjacent to the Hall of Fame. Blood donors will receive free admission to the Museum on Saturday.
New York state students in grades 3-8 improved their performance in math in the 2nd year of Common Core testing, but their performance in English & Language Arts was the same. This year scores also showed significant gaps between racial and economic subgroups again. Common Core is expected to be a hot political issue in the coming gubernatorial campaign, with Republican & Conservative candidate Rob Astorino and Liberal Democrat Zephyr Teachout both vowing to get rid of the Common core standards if elected.
The Public Employees Federation endorsed Democratic candidate Zephyr Teachout over incumbent Andrew Cuomo, after contentious contract negotiations during his first term in office, and changes to the pension system for future state employees with lowered benefits. The New York State United Teachers declined to endorse a candidate in this year's governor's race.
The Cancer Services Program of Delaware Otsego & Schoharie Counties will offer free health screenings to women 40 & older who are uninsured. The screening with the Bassett Mobile Mammography Coach will be at the Delaware County Fair tomorrow in Walton from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Appointments or more information is available at 1-888-345-0225.
New York State’s private sector job count grew by 17,300, or 0.2% in July according to the State Labor Department. The State’s overall private sector job count is 7,603,300, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.6%. July marked the State’s 20th consecutive month of private sector job growth.
New York's public university system is the first to support a bipartisan federal effort that would strengthen colleges and universities' assistance, for sexual assault victims while establishing penalties for non-compliance. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said that the Campus Accountability and Safety Act l creates new standards for training, and calls for an anonymous annual survey of students, to provide an accounting of campus sexual assaults at colleges and universities.
A Grand Opening Ceremony is scheduled for August 25th for the new Skateboard Park in Keith Clark Park in Sidney. Ronnie Haag of the Sidney Youth Advocate program comments:
(Ronnie Haag 8-15-14)
Haag said that the new Skateboard Park is located between the Baseball Field & the Volley Ball Courts in Keith Clark Park.
The Sidney central school district capital improvement projects are nearing completion. Sidney Superintendent Bill Christensen explains:
(Bill Christensen 8-15-14)
Christensen said that the baseball & softball fields would be completed in time for those 2 spring sports.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will host a blood drive, sponsored by the American Red Cross & Bassett Healthcare on Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Cooper Park adjacent to the Hall of Fame. Blood donors will receive free admission to the Museum on Saturday.
New York state students in grades 3-8 improved their performance in math in the 2nd year of Common Core testing, but their performance in English & Language Arts was the same. This year scores also showed significant gaps between racial and economic subgroups again. Common Core is expected to be a hot political issue in the coming gubernatorial campaign, with Republican & Conservative candidate Rob Astorino and Liberal Democrat Zephyr Teachout both vowing to get rid of the Common core standards if elected.
The Public Employees Federation endorsed Democratic candidate Zephyr Teachout over incumbent Andrew Cuomo, after contentious contract negotiations during his first term in office, and changes to the pension system for future state employees with lowered benefits. The New York State United Teachers declined to endorse a candidate in this year's governor's race.
The Cancer Services Program of Delaware Otsego & Schoharie Counties will offer free health screenings to women 40 & older who are uninsured. The screening with the Bassett Mobile Mammography Coach will be at the Delaware County Fair tomorrow in Walton from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Appointments or more information is available at 1-888-345-0225.
American red CrossBassett Mobile Mammography CoachDELAWARE COUNTY FAIRKEITH CLARK PARKNATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME & MUSEUMNew YorkNew York State United TeachersNYOTSEGO & SCHOHARIE COUNTIESPUBLIC EMPLOYEES FEDERATIONROB ASTORINORONNIE HAAGSidneySIDNEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICTSIDNEY YOUTH ADVOCATE PROGRAMSTATE LABOR DEPARTMENTThe Cancer Services Program of DelawareU.S. SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRANDWaltonWCDOZEPHYR TEACHOUT
WCDO News — Friday 6-13-14
The annual Sidney Hometown Day Parade sponsored by Sidney federal credit union, will be held tomorrow. SFCU Spokesperson Elise Glassett explains:
(Elise Glassett 6-13-14)
Glassett said that this is the 26th annual parade; it will feature over 100 units.
Saturday night, the annual Unadilla Flag Day Parade will wind its way along Main Street. The Parade forms at Unadilla Elementary School and starts at 7:00 PM to the Community House on Main Street, Unadilla
The State DOT will hold a public meeting on June 25th at the Franklin Town Hall, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, to discuss safety improvements to the intersection of State Routes 28 and 357 in the Town of Franklin, approximately 5.5 miles northeast of the Village of Franklin. The meeting will be an open-house style during which participants are encouraged to attend and discuss their concerns with the project team members.
The state Legislature voted to increase penalties for committing acts of public lewdness in front of minors. The bill would also raise charges against repeat offenders and take effect November 1st, it creates a new charge of first-degree public lewdness when someone 19 or older exposes intimate body parts in a lewd manner before anyone under 16. It would be a higher-level misdemeanor than the current charge, punishable by up to a year in jail or 3 years’ probation
The Unadilla highway department announced that the Work should continue on Monday & Tuesday on Sheep Pen Road. Rain postponed the paving project last week; the road will be closed during the project, starting at 6:00 AM each day.
The state senate passed a measure that would toughen penalties for multiple driving while intoxicated convictions. Under the measure, a person convicted of three or more DWIs within 15 years would be charged with a class D felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The bill is named for Vincent Russo, an 82-year-old resident of Onondaga County, who was killed in 2011 by someone who had five prior DWI related convictions
Governor Cuomo and top lawmakers are negotiating a potential plan to authorize medical marijuana, as the state’s annual legislative session winds down. The Compassionate Care Act would legalize marijuana for medical purposes, while setting up a regulatory framework for growing, distributing and taxing the drug. Whether the negotiations with lawmakers will produce an agreement remains to be seen.
Governor Cuomo said it would be “overkill” to put in a moratorium on the state’s teacher-evaluation system tied to tougher testing standards. Cuomo’s office and state lawmakers have been negotiating potential short-term changes to the evaluation process, which relies on student’s Common Core test scores for 20% of a teacher’s assessment. The state Assembly and New York State United Teachers union have backed a pause on using the test scores for teacher evaluations, the Governor said that’s not the right way to proceed, he backs tweaks to the program to deal with early issues with the Common Core, which led to drops in test scores on state standardized tests last year. The issue is one of several measures left as the legislative session winds down next week.
(Elise Glassett 6-13-14)
Glassett said that this is the 26th annual parade; it will feature over 100 units.
Saturday night, the annual Unadilla Flag Day Parade will wind its way along Main Street. The Parade forms at Unadilla Elementary School and starts at 7:00 PM to the Community House on Main Street, Unadilla
The State DOT will hold a public meeting on June 25th at the Franklin Town Hall, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, to discuss safety improvements to the intersection of State Routes 28 and 357 in the Town of Franklin, approximately 5.5 miles northeast of the Village of Franklin. The meeting will be an open-house style during which participants are encouraged to attend and discuss their concerns with the project team members.
The state Legislature voted to increase penalties for committing acts of public lewdness in front of minors. The bill would also raise charges against repeat offenders and take effect November 1st, it creates a new charge of first-degree public lewdness when someone 19 or older exposes intimate body parts in a lewd manner before anyone under 16. It would be a higher-level misdemeanor than the current charge, punishable by up to a year in jail or 3 years’ probation
The Unadilla highway department announced that the Work should continue on Monday & Tuesday on Sheep Pen Road. Rain postponed the paving project last week; the road will be closed during the project, starting at 6:00 AM each day.
The state senate passed a measure that would toughen penalties for multiple driving while intoxicated convictions. Under the measure, a person convicted of three or more DWIs within 15 years would be charged with a class D felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The bill is named for Vincent Russo, an 82-year-old resident of Onondaga County, who was killed in 2011 by someone who had five prior DWI related convictions
Governor Cuomo and top lawmakers are negotiating a potential plan to authorize medical marijuana, as the state’s annual legislative session winds down. The Compassionate Care Act would legalize marijuana for medical purposes, while setting up a regulatory framework for growing, distributing and taxing the drug. Whether the negotiations with lawmakers will produce an agreement remains to be seen.
Governor Cuomo said it would be “overkill” to put in a moratorium on the state’s teacher-evaluation system tied to tougher testing standards. Cuomo’s office and state lawmakers have been negotiating potential short-term changes to the evaluation process, which relies on student’s Common Core test scores for 20% of a teacher’s assessment. The state Assembly and New York State United Teachers union have backed a pause on using the test scores for teacher evaluations, the Governor said that’s not the right way to proceed, he backs tweaks to the program to deal with early issues with the Common Core, which led to drops in test scores on state standardized tests last year. The issue is one of several measures left as the legislative session winds down next week.
WCDO News — Monday 1-27-14
The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 16 year old David Chochishivili of Binghamton following an investigation of an assault on a Harpursville school District bus monitor. Chochishvili is accused off punching the monitor in the face, suffering an injured eye and cut lip. Chochishvili was charged with 3rd degree Assault & Criminal Mischief, he faces action in Town of Colesville Court at a later date.
State police arrested 63 year old John Facik of Johnson City and 50 year old Orvie Harvey of Windsor for grand larceny. Facik was also charged with possession of a forged instrument. The men were accused of stealing 3 large heavy pieces of metal from a construction yard & loading it into a truck. The metal was valued at approximately $1,200; construction workers called the police and blocked the suspects from leaving. Facik was found to possess an altered driver license; both were arraigned in the Town of Chenango Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail.
New York State United Teachers' Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution Saturday that declared "no confidence" in the policies of State Education Commissioner John King Jr., & calling for his removal by the Board of Regents. The board also withdrew its support for the Common Core standards as implemented and interpreted in New York State until the State Education Department makes corrections and supports a 3-year moratorium on the high-stakes consequences from standardized testing.
State police arrested 63 year old John Facik of Johnson City and 50 year old Orvie Harvey of Windsor for grand larceny. Facik was also charged with possession of a forged instrument. The men were accused of stealing 3 large heavy pieces of metal from a construction yard & loading it into a truck. The metal was valued at approximately $1,200; construction workers called the police and blocked the suspects from leaving. Facik was found to possess an altered driver license; both were arraigned in the Town of Chenango Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail.
New York State United Teachers' Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution Saturday that declared "no confidence" in the policies of State Education Commissioner John King Jr., & calling for his removal by the Board of Regents. The board also withdrew its support for the Common Core standards as implemented and interpreted in New York State until the State Education Department makes corrections and supports a 3-year moratorium on the high-stakes consequences from standardized testing.