(Rich Townsend 2-13-14)
Townsend said that the bulk of the accumulation would happen overnight, making for the possibility of more delays or postponements tomorrow.
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Chobani’s quest to get its Greek yogurt to the Sochi Olympics is coming to an end. The shipment has been held up in a refrigerated warehouse at Newark Liberty International Airport since Russian authorities said the U.S. Department of Agriculture failed to provide a necessary certificate under its customs rules. Chobani will donate a shipment of about 5,000 cups of yogurt donated to New York and New Jersey food banks; they had hoped to send it to U.S. athletes at the Winter Games.
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The Cuomo administration has proposed keeping pay flat, for the 6th straight year for caretakers of the disabled and others at state-funded non-profits. Most members of the Assembly signed a letter that urges a 2% cost-of-living increase in the state budget for the next fiscal year, they argued that continuing low pay forces many staff to work unsafe amounts of overtime or take 2nd jobs. The administration estimates saving $76 million, by deferring the 2% increase for human services workers.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office will host a Boaters Safety Course on Saturday from 8-4, at the Sheriff’s Office on county road 46 in Norwich. It is now required for residents to attend a Boaters Safety Course in order to operate any motorized watercraft on any public waterway. Class size is limited to 60. More information is available at 334-2000.
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Governor Cuomo’s approval rating remains high at 63%, according to the latest Quinnipiac University poll. The poll also showed that Cuomo would defeat Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino by a 58% to 24% margin in the race for Governor, he would defeat Donald Trump by a 63% to 26% margin. Astorino was also unknown to 86% of voters. Astorino has formed a committee to study the feasibility for entering the governor’s race as the republican candidate.
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State police have arrested a Port Crane man for allegedly driving at 92 miles an hour on I-81tuesday. Troopers arrested 26-year-old Randy Nonneberg on a charge of aggravated unlicensed operation. Nonneberg showed troopers an identification card only; a DMV Computer check showed that he had 7 active driving suspensions in New York. Nonneberg was arraigned in the Town of Cortlandville Court and released to appear back on February 24th.
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25-year-old Jaclyn Wesley of Binghamton has withdrawn a bid to remain free until her appeal is decided, she was convicted in a Broome County Court on 3 counts of 1st degree vehicular manslaughter & DWI, for driving drunk and crashing her SUV into the Chenango River off I 88 in Fenton on May 20, 2011. Wesley was sentenced last month to 3 to 9 years in prison, she returned to court January 31st after her attorneys requested that the judge postponed sentencing until an appeal was decided, that request was withdrawn. 25-year-old Rob Moorehead, 45-year-old Rob Marshall and 39-year-old Carri Michalski were killed in the crash.
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The Sidney Middle School Student Council held a food drive January 27th through February 7th; they collected more than 1,836 cans of food. Proceeds went to the Sidney Food Bank.
Governor Cuomo proposed full day Pre-K to be added statewide, in his budget proposal unveiled Tuesday:
(Cuomo 1-23-14)
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has been a proponent of full day Pre-K for many years, but he said it will come at a price:
(Silver 1-23-14)
New York would be the 4th state to have a full day Pre—K program if it is passed as part of the state budget this session.
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Firefighters from several area companies responded to a blaze at 171 Moot Town Road in the town of Colesville at around 2:45 Wednesday afternoon. Occupants escaped without injury, Firefighters from Harpursville, Sanitaria Springs, West Colesville, Chenango Bridge, Chenango, Port Crane & Oquaga responded, the cause of the fire is under investigation.
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25 year old Jaclyn Wesley of Binghamton was sentenced to 3 to 9 years for vehicular manslaughter Wednesday in Broome County Court. Wesley was the driver of an SUV that went off of I-88 into the Chenango River in May of 2011, killing passengers Carri Michalski, Robert Moorhead and Robert Marshall, Wesley was intoxicated at the time of the crash. An appeal on Wesley’s behalf is expected to be filed shortly.
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Commerce Chenango is hosting DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald to Norwich today week, to present governor Cuomo’s state budget proposal. McDonald will deliver the presentation at the Northeast Classic Car Museum at 24 Rexford Street in Norwich Thursday morning at 10:30.
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(Libous 1-20-14)
The school will eventually enroll 240 pharmacy students, as well as dozens of professors and support staff, and more researchers as pharmaceutical innovations come along. The Governor will reveal more details of the plan this week in his Executive Budget Proposal.
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Oneonta police are investigating acts of vandalism Saturday night. Police reported that the third base dugout at the Doc Knapp Field was set on fire, and the Swart-Wilcox House, Riverside Elementary School and a vehicle were vandalized with graffiti. The fire was reported at around 7:20 Saturday night, anyone with information is asked to contact police at 432-1111.
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25-year-old Jaclyn Wesley of Binghamton woman, will be sentenced Wednesday in Broome County Court, after being convicted last year for 3 counts of 1st degree vehicular manslaughter, as well as DWI. Wesley was the driver of an SUV that plunged into the Chenango River from I-88 on may 20th 2011, killing her 3 passengers: 25 year old Rob Moorehead of Port Crane, and Binghamton residents 45 year old Robert Marshall and 39 year old Carri Michalski. Wesley could receive the maximum sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison; she had Blood Alcohol Content of .13 at the time of the incident.
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A joint meeting of the Otsego County Conservation Association and the League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Wednesday, January 29th at the First Presbyterian Church at 25 Church Street in Cooperstown. County Planning Director Karen Sullivan will discuss the actions taken by Otsego County this past year in dissolving its contract with MOSA. Sullivan will also outline some of the county’s plans moving forward with regard to recycling, composting and future initiatives. The meeting is free and open to the public; more information is available at 293-6654.
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Commerce Chenango is hosting DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald to Norwich this week, to present Governor Cuomo’s state budget proposal. McDonald will deliver the presentation at the Northeast Classic Car Museum at 24 Rexford Street in Norwich Thursday morning at 10:30. RSVP’s are required to Kara Grippen, kara.grippen@exec.ny.gov.
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The Chenango Arts Council has announced that longtime Executive Director Victoria Calvert Kappel will be leaving the organization at the end of June. Kappel has been Executive Director since 1999; a selection committee will be formed in the coming weeks to conduct a national search for the next executive director.
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State wildlife officials drafted an updated black bear management plan. The agency’s goal is to stabilize the bear population in most areas, reduce population in a few areas and prevent them from getting established in areas where conflicts with people would be likely. Public comments will be accepted until February 21 at dec.ny.gov
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The Chenango county sheriff’s department is hosting a community blood drive today at their headquarters in Norwich. The blood drive runs from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at 279 Upper Ravine Road in the Training room. Appointments are requested at 1-800 red cross or at redcrossblood.org.
]]>Broome County Judge Joseph Cawley this morning found 25-year-old Jaclyn Wesley of Binghamton guilty of vehicular manslaughter. Wesley was accused of driving with a blood-alcohol content of .13 percent when her SUV left I- 88 in the Town of Fenton on May 20th 2011, and plunged into the Chenango River. Her passengers, 25 year old Rob Moorehead of Port Crane, and Binghamton residents 45-year-old Rob Marshall and 39 year old Carri Michalski were killed in the crash. Sentencing will be at a later date.
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Governor Cuomo aims to reduce distracted driving by unveiling special “Texting Zones” along the New York State Thruway and State Highways. The new zones will give motorists a pull-off area to park and use their mobile devices, in many cases, Existing rest stops and parking areas will serve as Texting Zones, and signage will be placed along the highway to inform drivers where the Zones are located. New Texting locally will be located on I-81 in Whitney Point, New York route 17 at East Branch & Roscoe, & I-88 at Unadilla & East Worcester
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Catholic Charities Of Chenango County will host “Bands, Brew & Barbecue” at the Chenango county fairgrounds in Norwich this Saturday. Executive Director Robin Beckwith explains:
(Robin Beckwith 9-24-13)
Several area bands will perform throughout the day, many micro breweries in the region will feature their products, and many area food services companies will being in their barbecue items, money raised helps out the “Roots & Wings” program.
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Democrat Sean Eldridge has announced that he is running for Congress in the 19th district in 2014. Eldridge plans to challenge congressman Chris Gibson, who was elected to a 2nd term in congress last November.
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State Police at Norwich arrested 24-year-old Patrice Ray of Plymouth for DWI and other vehicle and traffic law violations following an accident investigation in which Ray struck a parked and unoccupied vehicle on State Route 12 in Oxford. She will appear in town of Oxford court September 30th
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The state DEC has a new online registration system for hunter and trapper education programs that are required before getting a license. The agency says the new system will make it easier for people to find a nearby course and sign up. The classes are free and taught by volunteers. Information on hunting and trapping education classes can be found on the DEC website at dec.ny.gov
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September of Prostate Cancer awareness month, statistics show that 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. State Senator Tom Libous has been battling the disease for a couple of years, he said that his experience with cancer led to the partnership with Lourdes and UHS to create I Turned Pro, a Proactive program on Prostate Cancer. Details are available at ITurnedPro.com
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FEMA has approved Otsego County’s Hazard Mitigation Action Plan 5-year update. The next step in the process is the adoption by resolution of the plan by all 35 municipalities and the Otsego County Government for it to be officially in-place. County officials said that having a FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation plan allows the County, municipalities, and identified stakeholders to be eligible for annual, and disaster declaration funding rounds. More information is available at the County Planning Department website available located at otsegocounty.com.
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Governor Cuomo continued to say that there is no timetable for a decision on the return of Hydrofracking to New York State. State Senator Tom Libous of Binghamton told WCDO News that a decision has to be made soon, after 5 years of waiting:
(Libous 8-15-13)
Currently, the decision of Hydrofracking rests with the findings of the state Health Department. A gas-drilling moratorium has been in effect for almost 5 years, hydrofracking started in Western New York in 1979.
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The trial of 25 year old Binghamton resident Jaclyn Wesley began in Broome County Court yesterday. In May of 2011, Wesley was driving her Ford Explorer when it went off Interstate 88 west in the town of Fenton and into the Chenango River. There were 4 people in the vehicle and Wesley was the only survivor. The bodies of 39-year-old Carri Michalski, 25-year-old Robert Moorehead and 45-year-old Robert Marshall were later recovered from the river. Wesley is facing seven misdemeaners including driving while intoxicated in the case. The trial continues at the Broome County Courthouse.
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Tompkins County and the Town of Enfield declared local emergencies Wednesday afternoon due to the numerous damages caused by last week’s storms. Damages exceed four hundred thousand dollars and the compromised waterways and infrastructure could threaten private properties in the case of another storm. The repairs are beyond the capacity of what the local government can manage and the county is calling on New York State to provide assistance.
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A group of junior sailors from Camp Comstock were out on Cayuga Lake Wednesday when the winds picked up and waters became too rough. A camp counselor attempted to rescue the three campers in a motor boat, but began taking water on board and the boat began to sink. Others from the camp went out in canoes and jet skis to try and bring them in. Trumansburg Fire and Rescue, along with the New York State Park Police Marine Unit and the Ithaca Fire and Rescue Marine Unit, responded to the scene and were able to rescue the boat operator. Two campers were taken to Cayuga Medical Center for treatment of head injuries. Officials said the use of life jackets helped make sure there was no loss of life.
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Two men who led Pennsylvania State Police on a high-speed chase Monday morning have been arrested. 33 year old Erich J. West, and 21 year old Ryan J. West, both of Wellsboro, were wanted on several warrants. They had been spotted driving a stolen vehicle on state Route 660 in Richmond Township. The two led police on a high speed chase through several townships before turning onto Scouten Hill Road where they abandoned the vehicle in a wooded area and fled on foot. A search of the area after the incident was unsuccessful. The suspects were arrested at an undisclosed location at a later time.
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The Delaware County Department of Public Works will be closing County Route 20 in the town of Masonville from Monday to Friday, August 19th to the 23rd to replace a large culvert. Work is expected to be complete by 3pm Friday the 23rd.
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Governor Cuomo signed legislation to make the unlicensed practice of law a class E felony. Cuomo said that for most professions licensed by the State, unlicensed practice constitutes a class E felony but under current law, unlicensed practice of law constitutes a misdemeanor. The new law takes effect November 1, 2013.
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The state Education Department released the list of 16 “persistently dangerous schools” & the Sidney middle school made the list again, the education department stated in their report that stated that schools are placed on the list when there are persistent reports of violent and disruptive incidents. Other upstate schools on the list were in Peekskill, Caroline, Berkshire, Greenburgh; South Seneca and Andover.
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Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya will appear twice on NBC news programming today, he appeared on the “Today” show this morning, and will appear on “Rock Center” this evening. Ulukaya started Chobani in Edmeston after buying a shut down factory in 2005, he credits his employees & the dairy farmers of the region for their success:
(Hamdi)
Ulukaya said that the company’s employment has grown by large numbers in the last few years, a new factory is opening in Idaho shortly to help service West Coast demands, and they opened a retail store in New York City earlier this year.
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A New Quinnipiac Poll released Wednesday asked New York registered voters on the controversial natural gas drilling issue. 44% are in favor of drilling because of economic benefits and 42 percent opposed it due to environmental concerns. Voters favored a tax on gas drilling companies by a 54% to 32% margin, and believe 78% believe that drilling will create jobs while only 15% believe that it would not create jobs. 50% of those polled also said that Hydro-fracking will damage the environment, 17% believe that hydrofracking would not damage the environment.
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Former New York state comptroller Alan Hevesi has been released from prison after serving 20 months for officials misconduct. Hevesi was convicted for his leading role in a “Pay to Play” scheme while overseeing the state’s pension fund. Hevesi had served at the Mid-State Correctional Facility in Oneida County and was released after he was granted parole in court in November. Hevesi was originally sentenced to from 1 to 4 years in prison for his guilty plea in 2010.
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24-year-old Jaclyn Wesley of Binghamton was indicted by a Broome County grand jury on charges of vehicular manslaughter. Wesley was arrested after she drove her SUV into the Chenango River from I-88 in the town of Fenton on may 20th 2011, passengers Robert Moorehead, Robert Marshall, and Carri Michalski were all killed in the crash. Wesley was originally charged with 3 counts of first-degree vehicular manslaughter and 7 other charges, including DWI.
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Governor Cuomo announced $1 million in federal funding to enhance the competitiveness of New York’s agricultural products. The funding will support the research, development and promotion of specialty crops including fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops, and includes $200,000 to help support the growth of the state’s wine, beer, and spirits industry.
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