Joseph Swarts of Binghamton, pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in Broome County Court. On May 4, 2023, Swarts was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine after a traffic stop by the Binghamton Police, he admitted to possession with the intent to sell. Swarts will be sentenced to 3 years in State Prison and 2 years post-release supervision. Sentencing is scheduled for April 18th.

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25 year old Caleb Lane of Walton appeared in the Delaware County Court for sentencing on 1 count of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child. On August 25, 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber tip that an individual account had downloaded a sexually explicit image of a child. Investigators with the State Police were able to track down the account to Lane, Searches of his computer included numerous images and videos. Lane had previously pleaded guilty on December 4, On Monday Lane was sentenced to 10 years of probation supervision subject to sex offender conditions, he was also ordered to register as a Sex Offender.

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Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies responded Monday in the Town of Chenango to meet with a domestic violence victim in the Town of Colesville. The female victim and her 2 young children fled their residence due to a physical dispute, Deputies utilized the Lethality Assessment Program and advocates from Crime Victims Assistance Center responded to provide victim safety and support services. 30 year old Timothy Backes of Windsor is accused of violating an order of protection & physically assaulting the victim, Deputies located Backes & charged him with 2 counts of Criminal Contempt, Aggravated Family Offense & Harassment, he was taken to Broome County Central Arraignment and remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility, he attempted to contact the victim to solicit funds for bail, violating the Order of Protection again, he was additionally charged with another count each of of Criminal Contempt & Aggravated Family Offense, & was remanded after arraignment on the new charges.

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The Bainbridge Lions Club has started a fundraiser to purchase their own camera to test children’s eyes at several area school districts, spokesman Cliff Crouch said that they previously borrowed the device, but they would like to get their own camera & continue the program more efficiently:

(Cliff Crouch 1-31-24)

Crouch said that last year they tested over 1400 students, donations can be sent to the Bainbridge Lions Club Treasurer Robert Evans, 167 Cornell Drive Bainbridge New York 13733.

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The State Labor Department has corrected their earlier “Warn” statement regarding the Acco Plant in Sidney. The Labor Department amended the closing date of the Sidney facility to April 8, 2025, earlier they state on their website that the plant would be closing in April 2024. The total number of employees at the plant is 290, the number of workers affected by the closing is 231.

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A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 1-31-24

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 37 year old Michael Ide of Oneonta following a narcotics investigation. Ide was charged with several counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, plus 2 counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia. On December 11th 2023, members of the State Division of Parole, Oneonta Police Department and the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search of a residence in the Town of Oneonta, Officers seized methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, suboxone, plus $669 in US currency, digital scales, packaging materials, drug paraphernalia and a notebook containing drug sales records were also seized, Ide faces court action shortly.

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Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to reports of a stolen pickup truck from Pennsylvania Monday, the driver failed to comply & a pursuit continued at high rates of speed, until the vehicle was stuck in mud in the Town of Maine. 21 year old Samuel Pierce of Candor was taken into custody, officers seized a loaded handgun & Pierce was charged with several counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer, Reckless Endangerment & 17 Traffic Violations. Pierce was wanted on a warrant from Tioga County for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell. He was arraigned and remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility. 2 juvenile females who were with Pierce for part of the pursuit were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.

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Oneonta Police responded last night to a report of a gunshot fired at 30 Center Street. An unidentified male was taken to Fox Hospital with a gunshot wound, the investigation is continuing.

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Craig Ross Jr. has been charged kidnapping, 4 counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, plus sexual abuse, assault and endangering the welfare of a child, Ross was arrested after he allegedly abducted 9 year old Charlotte Sena Spetember 30th at Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County. Ross was indicted on the charges Friday, he was initially charged with 1st degree kidnapping when he was arrested days after the girl was riding her bike & went missing during a day at the park with family. Ross was found in a camper where he was staying, police found Sena in a cabinet, Ross is accused of raping the girl over the 2 day period. Ross pleaded not guilty in Saratoga County Court Friday, he is beign held in jail without bail since his arrest.

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State Police & The FBI arrested 43 year old Michael Hilliard of Horseheads November 11th, following an investigation into hazardous materials used for making bombs was found Hilliard’s residence. On November 6th, a local Highway Department employee found a possible explosive, the State Police Bomb Disposal Unit and FBI responded and made the explosive safe. On November 11th Hilliard was apprehended and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree (B Felony). He was arraigned and remanded to the Chemung County Jail. On November 12th, State Police executed a search warrant at Hilliard’s residence, they located several suspicious hazardous materials inside the residence & the immediate surrounding the residence was evacuated. State Police are working in conjunction with the FBI for the disposal of all hazards. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the New York State Police at 585-398-4100.

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State Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a 2019 or newer white Volvo semi-truck with damage to the front passenger side. Police said that 40 year old John Viviano of Sidney was pronounced dead at the scene, State Police at Troop E investigated the fatal car-pedestrian crash that occurred on I-86 near exit 38 in the village of Bath, Police beleive that a westbound vehicle on I-86 struck Viviano between Friday night & Saturday Morning, The vehicle did not stop, and State Police is requesting the public’s assistance to identify the vehicle, which may have significant front-end damage. Anyone with information, please contact the New York State Police at 585-398-4100.

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The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force arrested 3 people last Wednesday in a major drug bust in Binghamton. arrested were 39-year-old Rayshawn Thompson, 38-year-old Derrick Brooks and 39-year-old Brandy Myers were charged with multiple felonies after the Task Force officers executed a search warrant at 24 Robinson Street. Officer seized a loaded handgun, fentanyl, Methamphetamine, cocaine, Suboxone Strips & $4,500 in suspected drug proceeds, packaging materials, all 3 were transported to the Binghamton Police Department, and were processed & were being held on various felony weapon & drug charges.

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State Police arrested 63 year old David Brown of Candor for 100 counts of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation out of SP Owego with the assistance from the Troop C Computer Crimes Unit, conducted an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation and determined that Brown was in possession of numerous videos depicting child pornography. Brown is scheduled to appear in the Candor Town Court on December 4th.

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State Police arrested 31 year old Kevin Carter Jr. of Binghamton, for 3rd degree Robbery and Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Troopers were dispatched to a reported robbery at Speedway in the town of Union. Troopers located Carter who was found to be in possession of metal knuckles. The investigation determined that Carter made a small purchase but when the register was open, he reached over the counter and forcefully took a sum of money, however, he left his wallet with his ID on the counter during the incident. Carter was transported to the Broome County Correctional Facility for arraignment.

A.M. NEWS Monday 11-20-23

State Police arrested 4 women after a theft at the Oneonta Walmart on October 20th. A Trooper was dispatched to a report of the women walking with over $1,000 in merchandise. Troopers were able to locate and arrest all 4 women all were charged with Grand Larceny, they are identified as 19 year old Miranda Cole of Norwich, 18 year old Shania Reynolds-Broyles of North Bellmore, 19 year old Nevaeh Moore of Brooklyn, & 19 year old Samantha Sawyer of New York City, all will appear in Oneonta Town Court on December 5, 2023.

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Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 16 year old female juvenile for multiple charges following a warrant arrest on November 15th in the City of Oneonta. The juveniles was charged with 2 counts each for Resisting Arrest & Obstruction of Governmental Administration & 1 count each for Escape, Disorderly Conduct, Harassment, Assault & Felony Assault. she is accused of resisting arrest, assaulting staff of the Probation Office following arraignment at the Otsego County Office Building, she was released to a 3rd party & will appear in court at a later date.

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SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus Open House and Instant Decision Day will be today from 1:00 – 6:00 PM at Follett Hall. Participants can meet with Admissions staff & Financial Aid staff. More information is available at norwich@morrisville.edu or call 607.334.5144.

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In its first year, the Pink Patch Project at Broome County Sheriff’s Office helped raise money for local families fighting cancer. On Friday, Pink Patch Project Organizer Officer Jennifer McPeek, along with Sheriff Akshar, presented a $4,500 donation to the Community Foundation and the Tina Fund toward helping local families fighting cancer.

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STATE POLICE ARE ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN A FATAL HIT AND RUN INVOLVING A PEDESTRIAN. LATE SUNDAY NIGHT OR EARLY MONDAY MORNING A PEDESTRIAN WAS STRUCK BY AN unknown VEHICLE ON RTE.205 NEAR COUNTRY CLUB ROAD IN THE TOWN OF ONEONTA. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP OR CONTACT POLICE. STATE ROUTE 205 AT BROWN STREET AND CHESTNUT STREET EXTENSION IS CLOSED AS POLICE INVESTIGATE THE SCENE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT AT 561-7400. Monday afternoon Updates; The roadway is now open & A vehicle involved has been located.  The investigation is on-going. 

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A 35-year-old man from Tioga County has been arrested after threatening a Trooper with a shotgun. On Thursday evening, a Trooper on patrol in the town of Candor observed a man with a shotgun over his shoulder walking down the roadway, as the trooper approached 35 year old Dustin White of Candor, pointed the shotgun at the Trooper & then barricaded himself in his home. White was ultimately taken into custody early Friday morning by the State Police Special Operations Response Team, he was charged with Menacing a Police Officer, Criminal Possession of a Weapon & Resisting Arrest, White was transported to Tioga County Central Arraignment and Processing. The investigation continues.

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Basset Healthcare Network’s Fox Care Center in Oneonta will re-open on Tomorrow, including FoxCare Fitness. A boil water advisory will remain in effect until at least Wednesday, Pharmacy patients are encouraged to call Bassett Healthcare Network’s Cooperstown clinic at 607-547-5127 for immediate medication assistance today. Updates are available at Bassett’s Facebook page or bassett.org.

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CHENANGO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCED THAT they have 91 Active Cases, 197 active Quarantines 197, 6 hospitalized & a total of 3694 Total Confirmed Cases & 80 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

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THE BAINBRIDGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL HAVE THEIR MONTHLY MEETING ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 17TH AT 7:30AM AT BOB’S DINER ON NORTH MAIN STREET. ALL CHAMBER MEMBERS AND INTERESTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

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Commerce Chenango will host its Annual Membership Luncheon on Thursday, September 9th at Hidden Springs Brewhouse in Norwich. This event, which is being held during ‘Chamber Week’, will be an opportunity to honor our members, who have chosen to make an investment in support of our mission. We will also celebrate winners of the 2021 ‘Spirit of Chenango County’, ‘Excellence in Small Business’, Manufacturer of the Year’ and ‘Non-Profit Agency of the Year’ award winners.

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State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told reporters that the State Constitution prohibits the legislature from impeaching a governor after he has resigned, so when Andrew Cuomo leaves office on August 24th, the Assembly’s impeachment investigation into him will officially be suspended. State Senator Peter Oberacker said that he was disappointed with the Speaker’s Position, but has learned that the Senate will get a report into their findings:

(Senator Peter Oberacker 8-16-21)

Assembly Speaker Heastie said that all evidence gathered by the Assembly over the last 5 months investigation will be turned over to law enforcement agencies that have ongoing criminal investigations into the Governor’s alleged illegal activities.

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All healthcare workers in New York State, including staff at hospitals and long-term care facilities including nursing homes, adult care, and other congregate care settings, will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Monday, September 27th. The State Health Department will issue Section 16 Orders and implement a policy mandating employee vaccinations, with limited exceptions for those with religious or medical reasons. To date, 75% of the state’s 450,000 hospital workers, 74% of the state’s 30,000 adult care facility workers, and 68% of the state’s 145,500 nursing home workers have completed their vaccine series. The State reported a 3.6% positive COVID 19 positivity rate Sunday, out of over 99,000 people tested, or 3575 positives, over 1700 are hospitalized, with 362 in an ICU bed & 134 on Ventilators, there were 11 deaths Sunday.

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A.M. NEWS Monday 8-16-21

The 134th Annual Delaware County Fair returns today through Saturday, Spokesman Jason Craig said that they are ready to go at the fairgrounds in Walton:

(Jason Craig 8-16-21)

The full slate of activities is available at delawarecountyfair.org.

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Starting Monday, August 16th, the Susquehanna SPCA monthly rabies clinics will be first come, first serve, at the new location on State Route 28 Cooperstown. Pet owners are reminded to bring the pet’s previous rabies certificate, so that the veterinarian can look at it to determine if your pet is eligible for a 3-year vaccine. Rabies clinics will be held on August 16th, September 13th, October 4th, November 15th & December 13th, more information is available at 547-8111 extension 111.

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OTSEGO COUNTY’S ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAYS WILL BE THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY. IT ALLOWS OTSEGO COUNTY RESIDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPOSE OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTES FREE OF CHARGE. ALLOWABLE ITEMS INCLUDE ENAMEL PAINTS, PESTICIDES, ANTIFREEZE, BATTERIES AND MORE. OTSEGO COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN DROP OFF HAZARDOUS WASTES FRIDAY FROM 8 TO 11 AM AT THE UNADILLA TOWN BARN AND SATURDAY AT THE MEADOWS OFFICE COMPLEX IN COOPERSTOWN…WHERE RESIDENTS ARE ASKED TO ARRIVE BY NAME…IF YOUR LAST NAME BEGINS WITH A THRU H, ARRIVE FROM 8 TO 9:30AM…I THRU Q FROM 9:30 TO 11:30AM AND R THRU Z FROM 11:30AM TO 1PM. FOR QUESTIONS, CALL 5474225.

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Otsego County Department of Health reports a HIGH level of community transmission of COVID 19. The CDC & Otsego County Department of Health recommend everyone, even those who are fully vaccinated, wear a mask indoors in public to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others. Since May 1st, there has been 291 cases of COVID-19 reported in Otsego County, 76% are unvaccinated or vaccine status is unknown, 24% are breakthough cases in vaccinated individuals, the overall number of cases in vaccinated individuals remains at less than 1%, 13.4% of the cases are in children 0-11 years of age, 7.9% in 12-17 years of age, 57.3% in 18-55 years of age & 21.3% 56 and older. There have 10 individuals hospitalized since May 1st, all were unvaccinated, Health Officials urge everyone to get vaccinated against COVID 19.

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23-year-old Kevin Perry of Laurens was back in Otsego County Court Friday, where he pleaded not Guilty at arraignment to murder charges handed down by an Otsego County Grand Jury. Perry is accused of fatally shooting his parents in their town of Laurens home in early December, he is being held without bail in the Otsego County Jail pending additional Court action.
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Norwich Police arrested 37-year-old Sandy Beeching of Norwich for allegedly selling Cocaine in the city of Norwich. Beeching was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance he was sent to the Chenango County Jail on $10,000 cash bail pending additional court action. The Chenango County Sheriff’s Department assisted with the arrest.
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State Police & the State Liquor Authority conducted an Underage Drinking Enforcement Detail in Broome County; for businesses that sell alcoholic beverages in Broome County. 9 establishments were checked, 4 sold alcohol to an underage operative. Police charged 49 year old Meredith Bahr of Candor, 22 year old Sarah Kamide of Vestal, 33 year old Maria Bales of Vestal, & 25 year old Victoria Harting of Windsor, All 4 were issued tickets to appear in court at a later date.
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SUNY Broome Community College, the Otsego Chamber of Commerce and CDO Workforce are seeking unemployed persons to enroll in the Manufacturing Basics Training Program. A $75,000 Department of Labor award was granted to the College that will enable unemployed persons to gain manufacturing skills, with the 2-week program beginning March 6th through March 16th. More information is available at 334-2201, extension 128 or 432-4800, extension 115; the application deadline for the program is February 28th.
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State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against Insys Therapeutics; he alleged that Insys marketed the fentynal-based drug for much wider use, than how it was approved by the FDA. The suit also claims that Insys downplayed addiction risks and bribed doctors to prescribe their brand, known as Subsys.
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The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 37 year old Jared Meek, after Deputies responded to a complaint of a vehicle driving on the Brandywine Highway with significant front end damage and no front tire left on the rim. officers stopped Meek’s vehicle on Chenango Bridge Road in the Town of Chenango, Meek is accused of driving while intoxicated with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.16%, twice the legal limit. The investigation accuses Meek of hitting a utility pole in the City of Binghamton and leaving the scene, Meek was processed at the Broome County Sheriff’s Office and given an appearance ticket to appear before the Town of Chenango Court at a later date.
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The Oneonta Parks & Recreation Committee will hold their next regular meeting this evening at Oneonta City Hall. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the Common Council Chambers.
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Former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s retrial will continue on April 16th, following his failed appeal to the Supreme Court. Silver’s previous conviction for corruption was reversed by an appeals court, where he was sentenced to a 12-year prison sentence. Silver is currently free on bail.
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35-year-old Mindy Stevens of the town of Maryland faces several charges, after striking a pedestrian with her car & leaving the scene. 29-year-old Evelyn Ruiz was walking on Route 7 near County High 58A when a vehicle struck her & fled the scene. Ruiz was taken to Bassett Hospital; the vehicle was spotted in Oneonta, & Stevens was charged.
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Governor Cuomo today announced he has signed an Executive Order to further protect New Yorkers’ civil rights by banning all state agencies and authorities from doing business with companies that promote or tolerate discrimination. The Governor also announced he will be advancing legislation that will ban the use of a “Gay Panic” defense to protect against revictimizing New Yorkers. The Governor made the announcements at the 17th Annual Human Rights Gala in New York City.
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(Cuomo Property Tax)

Governor Cuomo also reiterated his plans for free SUNY Tuitions for students in families earning less than $125,000 a year:

(Cuomo SUNY)

Cuomo has both plans up for consideration by the State Legislature this year, in his $152.9 Billion dollar budget proposal.
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State Police arrested 48-year-old Henry Grant of Oxford, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, False Inspection Sticker and several other traffic violations. A State Trooper saw an improper inspection sticker on a vehicle in the Town of Candor, it was determined that Grant had placed a fake inspection sticker on the windshield a Toyota SUV, he was driving with a suspended license, had switched plates on the vehicle and was driving without insurance. An inventory of his vehicle found that he unlawfully possessed about three grams of methamphetamine. Grant was arraigned Candor Town Court and was released to reappear on March 6th.
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Sales tax collections in Delaware County grew by about 7% in 2016, according to a report recently released by the Office of the New York State Comptroller. Delaware County Chamber of Commerce president Ray Pucci, claims that tourism is reason:

(Ray Pucci 2-7-17)

While statewide collections grew by 2.3%, Delaware County was among only six counties that saw increases of more than 4%, Regionally, the Southern Tier counties grew by less than 1%.
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A free business partnership workshop open to the public will be held tonight at the Oxford Academy primary school multi purpose room. Representatives from the Voss Group & Southern Tier Startup Alliance will speak to those who are thinking about becoming entrepreneurs in the Greater Chenango Area, the workshop runs form 6:30to 8:00 PM tonight & is one of a series of workshops as part of the 2 year “Innovation Series” of monthly forums. More information is available at 843-2025 extension 3301.
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State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced that the Assembly Majority plans on implementing legislation to protect & enhance the lives of New York’s Immigrant population:

(Carl Heastie 2-7-17)

Heastie also said that they would once again act on the “Dream Act” to allow illegal immigrants to pursue higher education that legislation has failed to pass in the Republican led State Senate in the past.
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State Police arrested 37 year old Brenten Bryan of Stamford, for the felony of Aggravated DWI, with a child passenger less than 16 years old, with a B.A.C. result of .24%, plus other traffic violations. Bryan was observed speeding and then pulling into the South Kortright Central School parking lot, where he had let a child off at the school. Bryan was issued tickets returnable in the Town of Kortright Court on Feb 21st.
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The State Senate passed a bill to bring ride sharing to Upstate communities. The bill provides the framework for ride-sharing companies to expand operations outside of New York City and enable new jobs to be created. While the Executive Budget includes a tax of 5.5 percent on rides that begin outside of New York City, the Senate’s measure cuts that tax to 2 percent and does not subject rides to the 4 percent state sales tax.
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The next meeting of the Oneonta Downtown revitalization Initiative Planning Committee will be held today, at the Foothills Performing Arts center on the 2nd floor. The meeting will run from 1:00 to 3:00 PM & is open to the public and there will be a period for public comments. Also, the Oneonta Common Council will hold their next meeting tonight, at 7:00 PM at City Hall.
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The National Women’s Hall of Fame will announce their 2017 inductees today in Seneca Falls, the site of the first women’s rights convention. 10 women who will be inducted to the hall during a ceremony in September, so far 266 women who have influenced arts, athletics, business, education, government, and the sciences, have been inducted.
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The Next General Clinton Canoe Regatta Meeting will be held tonight at the Highway 7 Bar & Grill in Bainbridge. The Race meeting will start at 7:00 PM; the General meeting will start at 7:45 PM
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