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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Governor Cuomo held his daily COVID briefing today, he admitted that the state should not have with-held the nursing home information requested by the State Legislature at the same time that the US Department of Justice was requesting that information, he defended the actions of State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa, The CDC & their guidance on the Controversial March 25th guidance to send COVID patients from hospitals back to nursing homes:

(Cuomo 2-15-21)

Members from both parties are looking into an investigation of Cuomo’s administration regarding several aspects of the COVID 19 pandemic in the last year.

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The State Health department reported that over 180,000 New Yorkers were tested for COVID Sunday, and 3.5% tested positive, the lowest level in 3 months. The number hospitalized has dropped to 6600, the number in ICU beds dropped to 1270, the number of Ventilators was down to 875, there were 103 COVID deaths Sunday from the virus.

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A wintry mix of precipitation is expected overnight, Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Townsend 2-15-21)

Townsend said that there is a possibility for another storm later in the week that bears watching.

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The Sidney Police Reform & Reinvention Collaborative Committee will hold a Zoom Meeting Wednesday evening, to go over the Public Comments they have received from their recent survey, Mayor Andy Matviak explains:

(Matviak 2-15-21)

Mayor Matviak said that the ZOOM meeting with be from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday, the link is available at the Sidney village website or their Facebook Page.

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State Police arrested 31 year old Kerri Bunnelle of Little Falls for Vehicular Manslaughter, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle and Aggravated DWI, following the investigation into an August 4 accident last year old State Route 8 in New Berlin, that killed 43 year old Matthew Fredericks of Herkimer. Police stated that Bunnelle was the driver of a GMC Envoy that crossed over into a Ford Focus head-on driven by Fredericks, who did not survive the crash. Bunnelle’s blood alcohol content was .23% & she also did not possess a valid drivers license. Bunnelle was virtually arraigned in the town of Norwich court and released on her own recognizance. She will appear in the Chenango County Court at a later date.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s office arrested 57 year old Jose Hernandez from the Bronx, after failing to signal for a turn in the Village of Delhi February 10th. Deputies stopped the vehicle, Hernandez did not possess a New York State Driver’s License and his driving privileges were suspended in 2009, 2012 and 2016 because of narcotics related offenses. Hernandez was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and failure to signal a turn, he was released and directed to appear in the Town of Delhi Court on a later date.

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The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce announced that due to the weather forecast, tomorrow morning’s General membership meeting is rescheduled to next week Tuesday, February 23rd at 7:30 am at the back of Bob’s Diner. More information is available at 967-8700.

A.M. NEWS Monday 2-15-21

Due to the ongoing safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 Hall of Fame Weekend ceremonies will take place as indoor television events, adhering to all of the required New York State guidelines. The Hall of Fame’s 2021 Induction Ceremony will take place live on MLB Network on Sunday, July 25 beginning at 1:30 PM. EDT, honoring honor the members of the Class of 2020: Derek Jeter, Marvin Miller, Ted Simmons and Larry Walker.

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A.O. Fox Tri-Town Campus in Sidney will hold a Blood Drive today from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM, Spokesperson Rebecca Brooks-White said that there is a shortage of many blood types:

(Rebecca Brooks White 2-12-21)

Appointments may be made at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-Red Cross.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in the Town of Walton, Deputies arrested 26 year-old Jeffery Robinson of Sidney Center for Harassment, 3 counts of criminal mischief and 1 count of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. Robinson was arraigned by virtually by Town of Middletown Court, he was released on his own recognizance following the issuance of a temporary order of protection for the victim, he will appear in the Town of Walton Court on a later date. Robinson was turned over to the City of Norwich Police Department to be arraigned on an active Bench Warrant for failure to appear or pay a fine.

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Sidney Police Department responded Thursday to a disturbance at a business in the Village. 34 year old Michael Ide of Otego was wanted on active arrest warrant from the City of Oneonta, he allegedly had a small quantity of crack cocaine and methamphetamines, he was charged with 2 counts of Criminal possession of a controlled substance & Aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, he was released on appearance tickets and turned over to the City of Oneonta Police Department. That arrest led Sidney Police to request a State Police K9 unit to search a vehicle, where narcotics, drug paraphernalia, packaging material, a rifle and ammunition were discovered, 34 year old Brandon MacLaury of Guilford was charged with Criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and Criminal possession of a weapon, he was virtually arraigned & was released & will appear in court at a later date.

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Delaware County Public Health reported 14 new cases of COVID 19 on Friday & again on Saturday & 12 on Sunday. The County reports 129 total cases, 22 hospitalized & 303 quarantined. Delaware County Public Health has vaccinated 613 people.

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