(Dave Richards 2-17-17)

Richards said that there are successful instances of schools being repurposed, such as the Sidney Civic Center and the former New Berlin & South New Berlin school buildings.
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Former independent congressional candidate Robert Doggart of Tennessee was found guilty of solicitation to commit a civil rights violation, solicitation to commit arson and making a threat in interstate commerce, for his alleged plotting of an attack on Islamberg in Hancock. Doggart was arrested by the FBI, after he made threats to attack the Muslim community in Delaware county, and burn all of their buildings down. Doggart faces sentencing may 31st.
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The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of 48-year-old Mark Barnett of Ocala Florida, for a plan to set off explosives at Target stores in Upstate New York. Barnett was arrested after discussing the plot with a wired informant, his plans called for explosions in up to 10 Target stores starting in Syracuse & then traveling south back to Florida, in to buy Target store stock at an expected lower price per share after the bombings, and then sell the stock for a profit when the price returned to higher levels.

State police are reporting a new telephone scam, where the caller will ask “Can You Hear Me” and if you respond “yes”, they will record your response & then use your recorded voice & place unauthorized charged against your credit card or utility company accounts. State police said that the best response is to say nothing & hang up, they also advise that if you have already fallen for this scam, check your credit card account & utility bills carefully for extra charges that scammers may have added to your bill, then follow the normal procedures to dispute the extra charges.
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Governor Cuomo announced the state would invest an additional $8 million for upgrades at Belleayre Ski Center to attract more visitors and build on the Catskill Region’s tourism industry. The investment will enhance the current facilities at Belleayre Mountain with the installation of a new, high-speed gondola, multiple lodge expansions and the addition of modern amenities for both lodges at the resort.
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The 22nd annual Polar Bear Jump will be held at Goodyear Lake Saturday. Each year, funds are raised through pledges by jumping into the frigid waters; they will also raise funds with the Polar Bear Auction with donations from numerous local businesses and organizations. All proceeds are used to support local children and families with medical issues and the community organizations that support them.
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Governor Cuomo announced that the first of several free fishing events in New York State for 2017 would take place this weekend. New York residents and non-residents are permitted to fish for free without a fishing license at any of the state’s 7,500 lakes and ponds or 70,000 miles of rivers and streams. Cuomo has also designated June 24-25, September 23 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day) as free fishing days.
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(Avasprague 1-27-17)

More information on the event is available at Delhi schools.org
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The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce & several other local organizations have teamed up for the annual Bruce Haak Memorial Sleigh rally on January 28th in Bainbridge. Organizer Phil Canonaco comments:

(Phil Canonaco 1-27-17)

The event is free & open to the public; donations for the Delaware Valley Humane society will be collected at the event.
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Magic City Productions brings HOWIE MANDEL will be live in concert at the Broome County Forum Sunday at 3:00 PM. Tickets are still available at The Arena Box Office, through TICKETMASTER at 1- 800-745-3000 or at Ticketmaster.com. Mandel most recently served as a judge on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
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State police arrested 25 year old Schuyler Schmidt of New Berlin for Criminal Mischief & Reckless Endangerment. Troopers responded to the report of man outside a home on State Route 8 in the Town of Columbus, who had punched and smashed a windshield of an occupied car during a dispute with the woman inside. Schmidt was arraigned in the Town of Columbus Court and was released. An order of protection was issued against him.
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65-year-old Robert Doggart of Tennessee will have his trial begin February 6th in his home state. Doggert faces several charges, including solicitation to commit a civil rights violation and solicitation to commit arson of a building; he is accused of plotting an attack against the residents & the buildings at Islamberg near Hancock.

25-year-old Joshua Underwood has been indicted by an Otsego County Grand Jury on charges of 2nd degree murder and attempted arson, for the murder of 52-year-old Mark Morrison in Morrison’s apartment at 229 Main Street in Oneonta on January 1st. Underwood is accused of killing Morrison & trying to start a fire to cover up the crime, he then called police to report the crime. Underwood was sent back to the Otsego County jail on $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond.
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Norwich City Police and Chenango County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 25 year old Paul Presnell & 20 year old Kailey Hughes after they executed a “No Knock” search warrant at 95 Plymouth Street in Norwich Thursday. Presnell is accused of possessing methamphetamine, he was charged with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal nuisance. Hughes was charged with criminal nuisance. Both were arraigned in Norwich City Court and sent to the Chenango Jail, Presnell’s bail is set at $10,000, while Hughes’ bail is set at $5,000m pending court action on January 31. The investigation is continuing and more charges are possible.
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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a settlement with Acer Corporation, after a data breach of its website exposed over 35,000 credit card numbers. Sensitive Acer customer information was not protected for almost a full calendar year, Acer has agreed to pay $115,000 in penalties and to shore up its data security practices. Acer was the target of a cyber-attack resulting in a compromise of credit card information. The subsequent investigation revealed that at least one attacker exploited Acer website vulnerabilities to view sensitive customer data. In all, sensitive data related to 35,071 people, including 2,250 New York residents, was stolen.
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New York State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, is reminding New Yorkers that the final deadline to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan for 2017 coverage is Tuesday, January 31. To continue to meet high demand, the NY State of Health Customer Service Center will have extended hours on Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Consumers who want to secure 2017 coverage should act now. For more information about the Marketplace, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov.
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SUNY Delhi Admissions representatives will be at the CDO Workforce office in Sidney today, to provide information about the application process, financial aid, and training & career programs available at SUNY Delhi or other SUNY Colleges. Reservations are encouraged at 561-7550; the program will begin at 1:00 PM today at the CDO Workforce office at the Sidney Civic Center.
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Maiorano & Associates located at 7-9 Main Street, Sidney will be holding their Grand Opening today from 2:00 to 8:00 pm with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:00 PM. CEO Serafino Maiorano will give a complimentary seminar at 6:00 pm; reservations are requested at 516-359-4907.

(Julia Reischel 5-16-16)

Reischel said that state Troopers & Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies were on hand to insure the safety of the community & the supporters. Islamberg had also been targeted by Robert Doggart of Tennessee, who vowed to get a militia together to burn down the community and kill the residents; he was arrested earlier this year by the FBI for making terrorist threats.
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Tomorrow is school budget vote day across the state. Locally, 2 area school districts managed to lower the tax levy slightly; they were the Milford & Afton School Districts. School that have the tax levy unchanged from last year are Walton, Delhi, Charlotte VALLEY, Deposit, Oxford Academy, Laurens, Gilbertsville Mount Upton, & Morris. Slight increases in the tax levy were in Unatego, Bainbridge Guilford, Oneonta, increases of 1% or more are proposed in the Unadilla VALLEY & Norwich Districts, 2% or more were proposed in Sidney, Greene & Franklin and more than 3% increases were proposed in Harpursville & Windsor. State officials said that the tax cap for the tri-county region was tabulated at roughly 1%.
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Voting for the BG school district residents on the Budget & for the School Board seats will be held in the Bainbridge & Guilford town Halls this year. Voting will be from 12:00 Noon until 9:00 PM.
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Johnson City Police Patrolman Lou Cioci was presented the Congressional Medal of Valor by President Barack Obama this morning at the White House. Cioci was recognized for his actions on March 31st 2014, after fellow Johnson City Police Officer David Smith was shot and killed on Harrison Street, as Patrolman Cioci arrived, he opened fire on the gunman, hitting him several times, The injured gunman tackled Cioci, attempting to grab his service weapon, Cioci shot the man twice more during the confrontation, ending the attack.
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State Police arrested 47-year-old Albert Hughes of the town of Maryland for Aggravated DWI with a B.A.C. result of .23%, plus other traffic tickets. The arrest occurred after troopers responded to an Otsego County 911 report of a one-vehicle property damage accident on State route 7 in the Town of Oneonta. Hughes drove into a guide rail and caused damage, he was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Oneonta on May 24th.
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Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 40-year-old Ian Lyle of Unadilla on one count of DWI following an investigation of a one-car motor vehicle accident in the Town of Sidney. Lyle was additionally charged with making an unsafe lane change and was released on tickets returnable to Sidney Town Court at a later date.
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Governor Cuomo today announced $20 million in federal funding to support the State’s efforts to get unemployed New Yorkers back to work. The grant is the largest awarded to any state and exceeds last year’s total of $18 million. The southern tier will receive $818,516 in federal support.
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Governor Cuomo announced that he is advancing legislation to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York State. The legislation would Increase the number of individuals who will be linked to and remain in care by allowing HIV-related information to be shared with care managers. It would Streamline HIV testing efforts and extends the upper age limit of the beyond the current age of 64. It would Make clear that minors have the right to obtain life-saving HIV treatment and preventive services without parental consent & it would Expand the opportunities for STD screening and access to post exposure prophylaxis to prevent infection.
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Congressman Chris Gibson announced the passage of 18 bills aimed at combating heroin and opioid abuse. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act would improve the use of opioid therapy and pain management in treating veterans; amends federal law to impose penalties for extraterritorial drug trafficking and production of precursor chemicals used for illegal drugs; clarifies when a prescription for a drug like oxycodone may be partially filled; & amends the Controlled Substances Act to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for people suffering from addiction.
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Oneonta City Officials announced that crews will be milling & paving Water Street & Chestnut Street Extension today & tomorrow. There will be no on street parking, all vehicles must be removed by 6:00 AM, and remaining vehicles will be towed away. More information is available at 432-6465.
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Firefighters responded on at about 1:30 Sunday afternoon to a Structure Fire on Dunk Hill Road in Walton. Walton Firefighters received aid from Franklin, Delhi, Trout Creek, Bovina & Otego. Walton Fire fighters reported that the Fire was Called in by an alarm company, as a small fire in the wall of the building on the 2nd floor, the fire spread to the roof. The fire was under control at about 6:00 PM, no injuries were reported. Walton Firefighters were called back to the site at about 11:30 this morning for the report of a rekindle.
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(Steve Craig 11-27-15)

Commerce Chenango is also inviting the community to stop by their offices at 15 South Broad Street in Norwich, as they celebrate 1 year in that location with an open house from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Saturday.
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The Village of Oxford will meet in Lafayette Park for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Sunday, at 5:00 PM. Plans call for lights, music, roasted chestnuts, caroling, and refreshments, highlighted by the lighting of the 12-foot evergreen tree.
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An anti-Muslim activist from Arizona who may be armed and headed for the Muslims of America community known as Islamberg, in the town of Hancock. The FBI has issued a warning to area law enforcement agencies that Jon Ritzheimer could be headed to Hancock, according to a report in today’s “New York Daily News”. Ritzheimer posted a threatening video online last week after he learned of he was referred to as an American Terrorist in “The Islamic Post”. Former Tennessee Congressional Candidate Robert Doggart targeted Islamberg for an attack earlier this year; the FBI stopped him, he is under house arrest.
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State police has arrested an Oneonta man on two felonies counts. 57-year-old Richard Lindsley was charged Wednesday morning with menacing a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon, a loaded firearm, said troopers who were responding to a domestic dispute. He will face court action at a later date.
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A Town of Guilford resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Harassment, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Criminal Mischief, Resisting Arrest, and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. Deputies & State Troopers arrested 21-year-old Gaven Nicholoff following a Domestic Disturbance in the Town of Guilford; Nicholoff is accused of damaging items in a residence and preventing the victim from calling 911. Nicholoff tried to flee the residence and resisted arrest, he was placed into custody and found in possession on his person to have drug paraphernalia, he was arraigned in the Town of Oxford court and is being held on $500 cash bail.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Town of Sherburne man for driving while intoxicated following a traffic stop in the Town of North Norwich. Deputies stopped a vehicle on State Hwy 12 in North Norwich operated by Matthew Quinn. Quinn was found to be operating the motor vehicle with more than a .18% BAC, he was arrested without incident and processed before being released on appearance tickets to family members. Quinn has a later date in the Town of North Norwich Court.
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The Sidney chamber of commerce announces that the holiday Business After Hours program will be held on December 15th, at SFCU at 42 Union Street in Sidney. RSVP’s are requested by Tuesday December 1st at 561-2642.
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The Bainbridge Chamber Of Commerce has a variety of scheduled events for Saturday,. Small business Saturday will be celebrated with a “Vendors without Store fronts” event at the town hall from 9:00 to 1:00, 5 new businesses will be highlighted for the New Business Meet & Greet & the Christmas trees lighting will be held at 4:30 for the trees on Main Street.

(Cuomo 7-9-15)

The executive order allows the special prosecutor to review cases where there is a question whether the civilian was armed and dangerous at the time of his or her death. Cuomo said that the Assembly passed a bill this year dealing with the issue, the State Senate did not pass a bill due to small differences of opinion, Cuomo said the he expects a permanent law to be passed in 2016.
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The Sidney Emergency Squad has undergone a reorganization recently, and they are planning an open house later this month for local residents. Board of Directors President Ray Baker told WCDO News about the Squad’s changes:

(Ray Baker 7-9-15)

The Open House will be held on Saturday July 18th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Sidney fire Station of River Street.
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A group of Parents in the Harpursville Central School district, known as “STOP” has sued the school Board for violating open meeting laws. The lawsuit claims that the board voted to remove one administrator and reassign another in the elementary school, despite a number of parents voicing opposing the plans, the lawsuit also claims that the school board has not maintained the legally required minutes.
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A New Siena Institute Poll shows the Upstate New York Residents feel that their economy is still lagging behind the rest of the country. The survey found that 41% claimed that gasoline prices are having a very serious or somewhat serious on their finances, 65% indicate said that the amount spent on groceries is having a very serious or somewhat serious effect on their finances.
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Governor Cuomo announced that more than $18 million in economic development funding for 19 projects state wide. In the Southern Tier Region, Corning Diesel will receive $3,000,000 for the purchasing of machinery and equipment to support the company’s facility expansion in Steuben County. The Broome County IDA & Indian Valley Industries, will get $728,500 to acquire a manufacturing facility and to relocate within Broome County. The site of their existing facility is slated to be used for a new Pharmacy School in Johnson City.
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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold the re-organizational meeting of the Board of Education tonight. The meeting will be held in the Guilford School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM.

Voters in New York State will decide on their area school district budgets, school board seats, building & bus propositions on Tuesday. School board races will be decided in Sidney, Delhi, Bainbridge-Guilford, & Norwich. Building projects will be voted on in Sidney, Walton, & Unadilla Valley.
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Friday’s declared mistrial in Schoharie County Court ion the Cal Harris murder trial, likely means a 4th trial, which may bring the case back in court in August. The most recent trial was the longest of the Harris Trials at 11 weeks; it featured 11 days of deliberation with a hung jury, and 14 requests for a mistrial By Harris’ defense attorney since the 3rd trial began in February. Harris was convicted twice in Tioga County Court, both were overturned on appeal, the 3rd trial and the next trial are in Schoharie county court after a change of venue was granted.
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State Police arrested 22-year-old Jonathon Helmer of Hartwick Seminary for Aggravated DWI with a B.A.C. result of .20%. This arrest occurred after Troopers responded to a Delaware County 911 report of a single motor vehicle accident on State Route 23 in the Town of Harpersfield. An investigation determined that he was driving while intoxicated when he crashed into the guiderail and then a ditch. Helmer was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Harpersfield Court on May 25th.
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The Bainbridge chamber of commerce announced that the Pam Lafever Canoe parade would be held this Saturday on the Susquehanna River between Sidney & Bainbridge. Regatta chairman John Harmon explains:

(John Harmon 5-18-15)

Those who would like to participate need to be ready to line up at about 12:00 Noon Saturday in the old Whitaker’s parking lot on main street in Sidney.
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Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills announced that they are seeking funding to help acquire & give away Bicycle helmets to children whose family may not be able to afford one. Since 1999 the Sheriff’s safety program has acquired & given out 4000 free bike helmets, more information is available by calling the sheriff’s department at 746-2336.
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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is announcing legislation to remove legal barriers to adoption by lesbian, gay and transgender parents. Gillibrand will introduce legislation this week that would prohibit the discrimination, The “Every Child Deserves a Family Act” would prohibit any entity that receives federal funds from discriminating against adoptive or foster parents based on sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status. New York is 1 of 7 states that explicitly bans adoption discrimination based on sexual orientation. Louisiana, Mississippi, and Michigan prohibit same-sex couples from jointly adopting, 4 other states restrict same-sex couples from using the second-parent adoption process.
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New York’s IDA’s provided $660 million in net tax exemptions in 2013, up $105 million from 2012 but estimated job gains were nearly 23,000 lower than the previous year, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The report found that, despite this weakening growth in jobs, the state’s 109 active IDA’s provided $1.38 billion in total tax exemptions in 2013. The exemptions were partially offset by $723 million in payments-in-lieu of taxes, leaving the total net exemptions for the year at $660 million – an increase of $105 million, or 19% from 2012. DiNapoli has also renewed his call for improvements to IDA oversight and accountability. A copy of the report is available at osc.state.ny.us.