The United Way of Mid Rural New York has increased their fundraising totals by 12% in the last week alone, as they head for the end of their annual fundraising campaign, according to Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco:

(Elizabeth Monaco 12-19-23)

More information about the annual campaign is available at their Norwich Office at 607-334-8815, or by going to uwmrny.org.

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ACHIEVE in Norwich gave a tour of their new facility at East Main Street in Norwich yesterday, the renovated facility will offer a 200 capacity multi-purpose meeting space, a cafe & kitchen for job skills training, a nursing station, Hoyer Lift Systems and a community center. Achieve is a non-profit organization that provIdes support & services to more than 2200 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Broome, Chenango & Tioga Counties, more information is available at achieveny.org.

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The 213th State Police Academy Graduation, will be held on Thursday, at 11:00 AM at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany. 232 new Troopers will graduate from the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy, they will then be assigned to the Troop following graduation.

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Commerce Chenango announced that there is still time to register for the Leadership Chenango Class for 2024. The Class of 2024 will be facilitated by Melissa Stagnaro, it will kick off with an orientation and two-day retreat in February. The class will meet twice monthly from March to October and conclude with a final class and graduation in November. Tuition is $1,750, the application is available at commercechenango.com, more information is available at (607) 334-1400 or via email at info@chenangony.org.

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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the application for the Excelsior Scholarship for new applicants for the Spring 2024 term is now open. Students from households with federal adjusted gross incomes up to $125,000 are eligible, Students must Plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year college; Complete 30 credits per year towards their program of study and must be on track to graduate with an associate degree in two years or a bachelor’s degree in four years. more information is available at webapps.hesc.ny.gov, Applications will be accepted through February 2, 2024.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-19-23

Otsego County Officials announced that several roads are closed due to flooding conditions, including County Highway 48 between Chamberlain Hill and Downey Road Spur in Otego, County Highway 4 between Mill Street and Hilton Street in the Town of Butternuts, Miller Road in Pittsfield, Bemis Road from State Highway 51 to Pegg Road in Morris. In Delaware County, State Route 30 in Roxbury has flooding issues, officals in all around counties advise motorists to turn around if they find flooded roads & report them to authorites as soon as possible. Motorists can check 511ny.org for road closures.

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The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office held a public meeting Monday afternoon, Investigators announced that the occupant of 18 Richards Avenue, 60-year-old Desmond Moan, allegedly fired a gun inside his home severing a gas line. NYSEG was called to 24 Richards Avenue around 8 am Saturday after a report of the smell of gas, that was followed by another report at 14 Richards Ave for a similar issue, then 18 Richards Avenue exploded, the technician was uninjured. The Town of Oneonta code enforcement office has waived fees for building permits for those whose homes were damaged in the blast.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 31 year old Cachet Fernandez of Sidney on a sealed indictment arrest warrant issued out of the Delaware County Court. On Friday Morning, Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies, located and identified Fernandez, he was turned over to the custody of Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies. The Delaware County Court issued a sealed indictment arrest warrant, stemming from Fernandez allegedly not reporting his new residence as a registered Sex Offender to the proper authorities upon moving. Fernandez was remanded to the Delaware County Jail to await arraignment in Delaware County Court at a later date.

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The Governor’s Office & the Public Employees Federation and Civil Service Employees Association announced an agreement to award nearly $3 million in backpay to more than 2,100 New York State employees who worked overtime during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting this week, more than 1,700 PEF members and more than 400 members of CSEA will receive payments for work completed beyond traditional work hours at the height of the pandemic.

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The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 38 year old Richard Santiago of Masonville on a bench warrant, issued by the Village of Sidney. Deputies responded to Delaware County Correctional Facility where Richard Santiago was being arraigned on a separate charge. Deputies subsequently arrested 38-year-old Santiago on two active bench warrants issued by the Village of Sidney Court. Santiago was arraigned at Delaware County Central Arraignment Court, released on his own recognizance, and directed to appear in the Village of Sidney Court at a later date to answer for the charges.

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Chenango County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in the Town of Smithville on December 8, that resulted in the arrest of 37 year old Troy Dibble of Smithville. Dibble was taken in custody, he was wanted on a felony arrest warrant for Reckless Endangerment, for allegedly firing numerous rounds from a handgun into a vehicle that was occupied. The investigation also uncovered Dibble’s drug sales from within the residence, Office members recovered Heroin, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and numerous handguns. Dibble was charged with Criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a weapon, Criminally using drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest & several other charges, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on cash bail pending future court action.

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A new federal charge was filed Monday against 28 year old Mufid Alkhader, who is accused of firing a shotgun outside a synagogue in Albany. Alkhader was arrested Thursday for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, he was additionally charged Monday with conspiracy to make a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, he was not eligible to buy a firearm because of a previous protective order, so he had a friend buy the shotgun on his behalf. Alkhader is being held without bail.

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Donations are being submitted to the family of Jose Martinez, who died in the fire at on Colfax Avenue in Binghamton Friday Night. Martinez died as a result of the fire, also 1 firefighter was injured when he fell 5 feet and dislocated a shoulder. over 150 people have donated to a go fund me page for the Martinez family to cover funeral expenses.

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2024 could bring a host of new laws next year in Albany, Local Assemblyman Joe Angelino told WCDO News that he is concerned about the pro-criminal and anti-police attitude of some of his New York City Colleagues:

(Angelino 12-12-23)

Angelino said that he felt that the new Clean Slate bill was unnecessary as there was already a mechanism to have criminal records expunged through the courts for those who have stayed out of trouble after jail, and he felt that the adjustments to the Bail Reform Laws have had little consequence.

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The State Office of Cannabis Management has issued a recall on “Jenny’s Zee Zee Gummies” adult-use cannabis product.” The recall states that the products did not undergo the required testing for consumer safety and product quality. the product in question was sold between September 4th and November 1st, consumers should contact the dispensary where it was purchased for more information.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-12-23

Otsego County Sheriff’s Office announced that the investigation into Saturday’s gas explosion on Richards Avenue in Oneonta is still ongoing, and following acquiring information from examination of the scene, interviews, and forensic examinations, they concluded that an action by the resident, 60 year old Desmond Moan resulted in a non-intended natural gas leak, The escaping gases made contact with an ignition source which resulted in the explosion. Inspections and damage assessment is still ongoing, but currently there has been over 50 property parcels, and over 60 residents and their families affected. Initially 43 residents were displaced. The American Red Cross is working with the families providing community resources and services, The State of Emergency remains in effect.

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NYSEG reports that about 600 customers are still without power in Delaware & Otsego Counties, following Sunday’s heavy rain & snowfall., crews are working to restore power as soon as possible.

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The State Police announced it had the highest Trooper candidate processing turnout in over a decade. Over 1,100 candidates attended processing weekend. Trooper candidate processing took place at the New York State Police Academy in Albany, on the weekend of December 2. Candidates can learn about becoming a New York State Trooper and sign up to take the exam today at joinstatepolice.ny.gov. Applications are being accepted until March 4, 2024.

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On December 3, 2023, Delaware County Sheriffs Deputies observed a vehicle in a field and observed a person running with a flashlight toward the vehicle. Deputies identified the person with the flashlight as the operator of the motor vehicle as 34 year old Michael Hunter of Walton, who is accused of driving while under the influence of alcohol, he was charged with DWI and moving from lane unsafely. The property that Hunter was on was owned by New York City Department of Environmental Protection, DEP Police charged Hunter with Trespass & Criminal Mischief, Hunter will appear in Andes Town Court at a later date.

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Commerce Chenango announced that their next Business after hours event will be hosted today as a Leadership Chenango Business After Hours recruitment for the Class of 2024 Recruitment. The event will be held at the Commerce Chenango Community Room, 15 South Broad Street, Norwich, from 4:00-6:00 PM

The Town of Oneonta has adjusted the restricted area to the public to properties close to the area around Saturday’s explosion & fire at Richards Avenue in Oneonta’s West End. Residents within the affected area will be allowed to secure their homes from the outside only, Town of Oneonta Code Enforcement will be on scene with NYSEG to assist residents, the Code Enforcement Office phone number is 607-432-8606. The phone number for town hall is 607-432-2900. A representative from Mobile Crises Assessment Team is at the Oneonta Town Hall today and Wednesday at starting at 10:00 AM for anyone who needs assistance, their phone number is 315-732-6228.

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NYSEG is reporting over 3000 customers without power this afternoon, following the heavy wet snow over the region. Crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible. Most of the power outages were in the Middle & Eastern townships in Delaware County.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to motor vehicle complaint in the Town of Davenport November 26th, Deputies learned that a vehicle had been stolen, damaged and return to the owner’s residence. Later that day Sheriff’s Deputies located where the vehicle had been involved in a property damage accident. Deputies determined that owner 23-year-old Hector Padilla of Davenport had made a false report and was the operator of the vehicle when it was involved in the accident. Deputies charged Padilla with 2 counts of Criminal Mischief, 1 count of Obstructing Governmental Administration & 1 count of Falsely Reporting an Incident, he was issued appearance tickets for Town of Davenport Court at a later date.

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The Jericho Arts Council is now looking for artists to participate in next year’s Regatta Row 2024. Spokesperson Rachel Hares explains:

(Rachel Hares 12-11-23)

The chairs will be displayed in Bainbridge from April to Memorial Day Weekend, when they are auctioned off during the General Clinton Canoe Regatta, applications and details are available online at jerichoarts.com, more information is available at 607-643-2211.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-11-23

On Saturday at approximately 5:30 pm; The Otsego County 911 Center received multiple 911 calls reporting an explosion and residential structure fire on Richards Avenue in the Town of Oneonta. The Oneonta Fire Department and multiple mutual aid departments responded. Upon arrival, they found multiple structures with severe damage and an active structure fire. Deputies and members of various fire departments assisted residents in the immediate area with a precautionary evacuation. Once the fire was extinguished, 60 year old Desmond Moan was found deceased. A neighboring resident received medical attention for minor injuries sustained during the explosion, the initial investigation determined the cause of the fire at 18 Richards Avenue was a result of human error.

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1 person has died as a result of a house fire Friday night at 72 Colfax Avenue in Binghamton, 2 dogs were also killed by the flames. Binghamton Fire fighters arrived at the scene, they found heavy flames coming from 72 Colfax spreading to 74 Colfax Ave. Firefighters removed 1 person from the house, who was transported to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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The Unadilla Fire was dispatched to a possible structure fire in the town of Unadilla on Kilkenny Road, at about 4:15 Saturday afternoon. Additional personnel were called in from Franklin, Wells Bridge, and Sidney Fire departments, it took approximately 25 minutes to get the fire knocked down.

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The Tioga County District Attorney’s Office announced that 32 year old Boyd Fenton of Athens, Pennsylvania was arraigned on a 105-count indictment for setting a fire at Tioga Downs that killed 30 horses, destroyed the barn, injured a trainer, he was indicted for arson, assault, burglary, 38 counts of criminal mischief, 30 counts of interference with or injury to domestic animals; 31 counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; aggravated cruelty to animals; bail for Fenton has been set at $25,000 cash, $50,000 property and $250,000 secured bond.

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Delaware County Officials are aware of a complaint filed in the Northern District of New York by The Reporter. Officials can not make any comment at this time as the matter is in pending litigation, but officials deny all claims against the County as well as any individual named as a defendant in that matter, and will vigorously defend the action. The County was sued last week by the Reporter, as they claim that the action by the Board of Supervisors to remove The Reporter as the County’s official paper for the publishing of legal notices, was in retaliation for coverage of county affairs by the Reporter’s staff.

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Delaware County District Attorney’s Office announced that 44 year old Laura Davis of Big Indian was indicted for Drugged Driving by the Delaware County Grand Jury on December 7th. The Indictment alleges that on March 3rd, Davis was driving in the Village of Walton while her ability to operate that motor vehicle was impaired by a stimulant, she was also charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of a Controlled Substance Outside of its Original Container.

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State Senator Joseph Griffo of presented the New York State Senate Empire Awards to a few Chenango County businesses recently. Griffo announced that the awards went to Golden Artist Colors of New Berlin, Preferred Mutual Insurance Company of New Berlin, Service Pharmacy of Sherburne & The Sherburne News.

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