Police in Cobleskill arrested 53 year old Raymond George for 1st degree manslaughter, for allegedly driving his vehicle into the Colonial Motel Tuesday, killing fellow Motel resident James Williams, following an argument.  Police reported that 2 dogs were also killed in the incident, 11 people were displaced due to the structural damage to the building.  George was arrested shortly after the incident nearby, Police determined that Williams had been sitting on a bench outside his room with his dogs, when he was struck; he was trapped in the wreckage and was pronounced dead at the scene. George was arraigned and ordered held without bail.  State Police, Schoharie County Sheriff’s Department, the Schoharie County District Attorney’s Office and state corrections officials assisted with the investigation.

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According to preliminary figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor, the number of private sector jobs in New York State increased over the month by 17,500, or 0.2%, to 7,459,100 in May 2021. By comparison, the number of private sector jobs in the U.S. increased by 0.4% in May 2021.  New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 8.2% to 7.8% in May 2021.

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US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Senior Financial Empowerment act, to try to streamline the reporting by seniors, of phone & Email scams designed to steal their personal financial information:

(Gillibrand 6-17-21)

Senator Gillibrand stated that Millions of seniors across the country are victims of financial scams and abuse every year, with scams related to COVID-19 alone costing consumers more than $460 million.  New York State seniors lose as much as $1.5 billion per year to financial fraud and abuse.

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Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 32 year old Joseph Santiago of Burlington following a traffic stop in the Town of Burlington on June 7^th.   Santiago was charged with Criminal Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument & Criminal Possession Controlled Substance.  The Investigation revealed that Santiago, who was a passenger in the stopped vehicle, was wanted on an active bench warrant issued out of the Town of New Lisbon court, he was found to be in possession of numerous narcotics during the stop.  Santiago was remanded to the Otsego County Correctional Facility on the bench warrant; he faces action in Town of Burlington court June 21^st.

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The Otsego County Department of Health will be holding a Johnson and Johnson single dose COVID Vaccine clinic tomorrow.  The clinic will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Laurens Fire Department, for those 18 & older, no appointments are necessary; the clinic will be walk in only.

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The Binghamton Rumble Ponies return to Binghamton to play a 4 game homestand starting tonight against Portland, at the newly renamed Mirabito Stadium.  Team General Manager J.B. Bayne told WCDO News that the COVID guidelines have been changed, and fans can come out to the games like they did before the Pandemic.

(J.B. Bayne 6-17-21)

Information about the team’s schedule, ticket prices, promotions & roster are available at BINGRP.com.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 6-17-21

Frontier Communications reported 2 work vans missing from their property at 2 Oak Avenue in the Village of Sidney on Monday; the vans were recovered Tuesday in a wooded area outside the village.  Sidney Police Department, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and State Police executed a search warrant of 5 Division Street in Sidney Wednesday; they arrested 47 year old Brian Kingsbury of Sidney & 24 year old Nikita Crumb of Sidney for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property.  Both were arraigned in the Village of Sidney court, Crumb was released on her own recognizance to appear back in court at a later date, Kingsbury was remanded to the Delaware County Jail. The investigation is on-going and more arrests are expected.

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State Police continue to investigate a fatal hit and run involving a vehicle that struck 2 bicyclists on Route 26 in Cincinnatus.   The deceased bicyclist is identified as 67 year old Kitt Warren of De Ruyter; the injured bicyclist is identified as 67 year old John Rutan of McGraw, who was taken to Upstate Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.  2 other bicyclists were not injured and are identified as a 34-year-old female of Greene, and a 64-year-old male of Cincinnatus.  The operator of the vehicle did not stop; the vehicle was located by a Cortland County Sheriff’s Deputy in the Town of Willet. The investigation is on-going; more will be released when it is available.

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State Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 14-year-old Anjelia Sturtevant was last seen at her residence in the town of Roseboom on Monday night.    Anjelia was last seen wearing a pink camouflage pull over sweatshirt with a hood and may be carrying a white colored makeup bag with a gray pattern.  Anjelia is 5’ 2″ and weighs approximately 190 pounds.  She has brown eyes and brown hair & multiple piercings. Anyone with information should call State Police at 561-7400.

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Afton Fire fighters responded to a Commercial Building Fire at 175 Main Street last night, at the new Gavin’s Pizza location that opened earlier that day.  Afton received assistance from Harpursville, Masonville, Bainbridge & Coventry.  Fire was located in the wall of the building, & was knocked down quickly; Mike Gavin told WCDO News that he hopes to be re-opening sometime next week.

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Commerce Chenango will host their 2021 Gala This evening at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich, Commerce Chenango CEO & President Kerri Green said that awards will be given out to deserving area businesses & organizations:

(Kerri Green 5-21-21)

Green said that this will be the first in person social event for Commerce Chenango Members in over a year, due to the pandemic.

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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s Third Thursday program continues with Assemblyman Joe Angelino.  The event will run virtually this morning from 8:30 to 9:30 AM, to register, go to delawarecounty.org.

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The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 21 year old Scott Sieger of Oneonta following an investigation into a Forged Check.   Sieger was charged with Forgery, criminal Possession of Stolen Property & Criminal Impersonation, for allegedly forging a stolen check in order to purchase a vehicle, he will appear in Town of Oneonta Court at a later date.

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The mobile screening coach will be in Oneonta at Damaschke Field in Neahwa Park Today, from 1:00 to 7:00 pm For “Pink in the Ballpark Night” with the Oneonta Outlaws to provide No Cost mammograms and Pap tests to women 40 and over.  More information or appointments can be made by calling the Cancer Services Program at 1-888-345-0225.

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The Village of Sidney announced that the water will be shut off today from about 7:00 AM to 12:00 Noon on West Main Street between Sunset Avenue & Circle Drive.  Crews will be installing a new Water valve in that area at that time.

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The Town of Unadilla reported that a few of their roads will be “briefly closed” today for chip sealing.  The affected roads are Butternut Road, Sand Hill Road, Lovers Lane, Rod and Gun Club Road & Leizear Hill Road.

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(Bryan Innes 7-13-17)

The weekend will continue with a pancake breakfast Saturday morning, Soccer & Field Hockey games at Alumni Field Saturday afternoon, a Social at the Elks lodge Saturday night, and a memorials service & luncheon Sunday.
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The state appeals court on Thursday overturned the former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s 2015 corruption conviction for pocketing $4 million in kickbacks from a cancer researcher and real estate developers. Silver was sentenced to 12 years in prison last year, he appealed after the Supreme Court narrowed the definition of “official act” for the purposes of proving corruption cases. Silver was convicted on 2 counts each of mail fraud, wire fraud, extortion and 1 count of monetary transactions involving crime proceeds.
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13 people were rescued from a ravine after floodwaters trapped hikers, swimmers and picnickers along the Canajoharie Creek last night. Rescuers from State Police, local Fire Agencies, responded, and there were no injuries reported. Rescuers had to use various equipment and ropes to pull some of the people up a 120-foot-high cliff in the gorge; the operation took about 8 hours to complete.
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Another Democrat has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2018 election for the 22nd Congressional District seat. Heath Phillips of Cincinnatus, made the announcement to challenge fellow Democrat Anthony Brindisi of Utica, for the seat occupied by Republican Claudia Tenney, who was only elected to the seat last November.
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State Police are looking for 16-year-old Khailee Stoughton of Laurens; she was last seen leaving her home on June 19th. She is described as a Black Female; 5′ 4″ tall and medium build. She has long brown hair and brown eyes. She has been traveling between Albany and the Laurens/Morris/Oneonta areas, anyone with information is asked to call State Police at 432-3211.
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Governor Cuomo signed legislation and announced new actions to support the emerging industrial hemp industry and boost the agricultural economy in New York State. This legislation solidifies the status of industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity under New York Agriculture and Markets Law and creates an industrial hemp-working group to advise the State on research and policies concerning the crop. The Governor announced up to $10 million in grant funding would be available through 2 initiatives to advance industrial hemp research and economic development opportunities.
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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the Guilford Cafeteria. The annual Re-Organization Agenda meeting will start at 6:30 PM.
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The Unadilla Summer Concert series officials announced that, due to heavy rain in the forecast, tonight’s concert has been moved indoors. The Concert will be held indoors at the Unadilla Community Center at 246 Main Street, starting at 6:30 PM.
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Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig & City Manager Meg Hungerford will be presenting the annual state of the City Address at the March 1st Common Council Meeting at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall, more information is available at 432-6450.
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Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced proposed revisions to the state’s solid waste regulations to increase protections for public health, safety, natural resources and the environment. The proposed changes include measures to regulate previously unregulated facilities, activities, and waste streams within the state’s existing solid waste management program. The regulations will also increase oversight of construction and demolition debris and historic fill, reducing the potential threat of these waste streams to water quality and the environment throughout the state.
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The Next General Clinton Canoe Regatta Meeting will be held tonight at the Highway 7 Bar and Grill in Bainbridge. At 6:30 PM, the Race Committee Meeting will begin, at 7:30 PM the Regular meeting will begin.
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(Bonacic 2-17-16)

Lawmakers & the Governor have until April 1st to get the budget deal finished.
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State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that his office has obtained a judgment against home improvement contractors who ripped of customers in the Southern Tier by going door-to-door seeking to pave or repair driveways and perform roof repairs, and quoting prices that were significantly inflated after the customers agreed to the work. Schneiderman obtained a judgment against “N. Cooper Paving.” The Coopers are prohibited by court order from engaging in the home improvements until they file a $100,000 performance bond with the Attorney General’s Office & pay $23,900 in restitution to customers & pay $7,000 in penalties to the State. Consumers who believe that they have been ripped off by The Cooper’s may file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by April 11th.
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Power outages in the Albany area have affected service at motor vehicle departments all over the state today. All license transactions cannot be performed, but all other DMV transactions can take place normally.
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NYSEG reports approximately 480 customers in Chenango County were without electricity this afternoon due to a failure at the Cincinnatus Substation. Power was out in South Otselic, Georgetown, Pitcher and Pharsalia areas, NYSEG officials reported that they expect power will be restored shortly.
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Town of Hancock Supervisor Sam Rowe announced today that the state of emergency in the Town of Hancock has been lifted. All roads in the town of Hancock are now open.
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Chenango County Farm Bureau has scheduled a public informational meeting on leasing land to solar energy companies. The meeting will be held at the Sidney American Legion at 22 Union Street in Sidney at 7:00 pm tonight. Chenango County Farm Bureau President Bradd Vickers explains:

(Bradd Vickers 2-16-16)

Vickers said that an Attorney, an Environmental Scientist and an Accountant would be present to provide information to area property owners before leasing their property.
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Governor Cuomo announced New York’s participation in the bipartisan Governors’ Energy Accord Coalition, to develop and implement clean energy policies and initiatives that expand clean energy sources, modernize energy infrastructure and build a clean energy economy. The action follows the Governor’s announcement in January of a $5 billion Clean Energy Fund, which is part of New York State’s overall commitment to fight against climate change.
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The Otsego county Chamber of Commerce will hold their February Networking Luncheon today from 11:45am to 1:30pm At the Holiday Inn of Oneonta. The keynote speaker is Aaron MacLeod, the Director of Hartwick College’s New Center for Craft Food & Beverage. Assemblyman Pete Lopez will also speak on agriculture.
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Otsego county public health will be at the Foxcare Center in Oneonta form 9:00 to 3:00 today, to provide bicycle helmet fittings for both adults & children. All bike helmets are $5 for those who qualify.
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Chenango Arts Council Fundraiser at Gilligan’s in Sherburne at 64 North Main Street today from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. part of the proceeds will go to benefit the Chenango Arts Council, more information is available at 336-ARTS.

2 Deposit men have been arrested by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office on multiple felony drug sale charges following a 6 month investigation. Both men were indicted by a Delaware County Grand Jury and arrested on Arrest Warrants issued late Thursday afternoon by the Delaware County Court. 29 year old Clint Stevens of Deposit was arrested on a Sealed Indictment Warrant charging him with 3 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, prior to that he was arrested on several other charges, for allegedly selling Heroin in Deposit. On Friday morning, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 34-year-old Todd Perrington of Deposit on a Sealed Indictment Warrant charging him with 3 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance; he was arrested at the Broome County Jail where he was being held on separate drug charges, for also allegedly selling heroin in Deposit. Stevens and Perrington were arraigned on the latest counts & were remanded to the Delaware County Jail without bail pending future court appearances.
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State Police at Sidney arrested 36-year-old Celia Daniels of Oneonta for Aggravated DWI with a child less than 15 years old and Endangering the Welfare of a Child plus several other traffic violations. The arrest occurred after a trooper responded to a Chenango County 911 report of an erratic driver who struck a guide rail on Interstate 88 in the Town of Bainbridge. Daniels is accused of being intoxicated while having her 4-year-old daughter as a passenger. Daniels was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Bainbridge on August 24th.
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On Saturday afternoon at approximately 5:30pm, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 24 year old James Fontana of Ardsley for 3 counts of reckless endangerment, felony driving while intoxicated, felony aggravated driving with a blood alcohol content of.18% or greater, felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speed not reasonable and imprudent, and failure to stop for a stop sign. This arrest was a result of a UTV accident on Left Pines Brook in the Town of Walton. It is alleged that the defendant operated and subsequently crashed a UTV while in an intoxicated condition with three children inside the vehicle. Fontana was later arraigned and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $2500 bail.
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State Senator Jim Seward and Assemblyman Cliff Crouch announced legislation they sponsored, allowing Delaware County to enact a “bed tax” on hotel and motel room rentals, has been signed into law by Governor Cuomo. The bill follows a home rule request from the Delaware County Board of Supervisors; it allows Delaware County to impose a “bed tax” of up to 2% on hotel and motel room rentals. The estimated return of between $200,000 to $250,000 will be dedicated to promoting County’s tourism. Governor Cuomo also signed into law a bill allowing Delaware County to maintain its local sales tax at 4%, which in 1% above the rate authorized in state law.
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The Delaware County Fair will continue for day 2 tomorrow at the County Fair Grounds in Walton. Fair Spokesman John Jackson told WCDO News what is scheduled for Tuesday:

(John Jackson 8-17-15)

The Delaware County Fair runs through Saturday night, Jackson said that they hope to break attendance records at the fair this year.
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Governor Cuomo signed legislation Friday banning the sale of powdered alcohol in New York. The bill prohibits the sale of any crystalline or powdered alcohol product, which includes Palcohol, which sells powder versions of rum, vodka and a few cocktails. The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 62-0, while the Assembly passed it by a 139-4 margin.
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Sidney Village officials announced today that the Sidney Municipal Pool would be closed until further notice, due to another incident of vandalism. WCDO will have the details when they are made available.
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(Cuomo 1-8-14)

Cuomo outlined his plans for building 100 new upstate bridges to replace ones damaged by recent storms, a medical marijuana program for cancer sufferers in 20 hospitals.  Stiffer penalties for repeat drunk drivers & teens who text while driving & setting up an agricultural summit and cutting taxes to 0% for upstate manufacturers.  Cuomo will deliver the state budget proposal to a joint session of the legislature on January 21st in Albany.

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State police arrested 48-year-old Robert Braun of Oneonta for 2nd degree criminal contempt.  The arrest resulted from a vehicle and traffic law stop on State Route 205 in Oneonta, it was determined that the front seat passenger held an active order of protection against Braun.   Braun was arraigned in the Town of Oneonta Court and released; he faces court action on February 6th.

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62-year-old Barry Renert’s felony hearing has been delayed.  Renert was arraigned Sunday in Cooperstown village court on a charge of 2nd degree burglary following extradition from Virginia, he is accused of menacing a former employer at the Seventh Inning Stretch in Cooperstown on December 23rd.  A new date for the felony hearing was not set.

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A Sherburne man was arrested on 110 counts of animal cruelty against cows.  State police charged 48-year-old Michael Thompson with torturing, injuring and not feeding an animal at his farm on Casey Cheese Factory road in the town of Columbus. Several deceased and sick cows were found on the farm.  Thompson was arraigned in Columbus town court and sent to the Chenango County Jail on $5,000 bail.

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18-year-old William Thomas of Oneonta has been arrested, for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Wilber Park in November.   Thomas was charged with 2nd degree rape, he faces court action on February 10th in Oneonta city court.

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Advocates for New York’s poor are calling for a minimum wage of at least $10 to address what they call a state crisis of inequality. Rallying at the Capitol in Albany today, they said the state’s richest 1 percent now account for 35 percent of all income. The Legislature and Gov Cuomo last year raised the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8 this year, $8.75 next year and $9 by 2016. Assembly and Senate Democrats have proposed accelerating the increase and adding inflation adjustments