State Supreme Court Justice Peter Lynch today suggested a prison sentence of 16 months to 4 years was appropriate for Nauman Hussain, the owner of Prestige Limousine, who operated the limo in the 2018 Schoharie crash that killed 20 people. In September 2021, Hussain pleaded guilty to 20 counts of criminally negligent homicide as part of a plea deal, he was sentenced to 2 years of probation and 1,000 hours of community service. Hussain’s attorney decided to vacate that plea follow the judges suggestion, they will meet September 14th to discuss a date for a trial.

———————————————

The Centers for Disease Control confirm that Sullivan County is the latest New York county to test positive for Polio, Sullivan County has a 62.33% polio vaccination rate, their residents are urged to get vaccinated. New York State reported the first polio case in the United States since 2014, when an unvaccinated Rockland County man was hospitalized after traveling in Europe in July. The CDC began testing Rockland County residents and water samples, polio has also been found in Orange County and New York City wastewater, and testing is continuing.

——————————————————–

The Town of Guilford announced that a repair to the water tank will begin on September 6th, for customer of the Mt. Upton Water District. The repairs are expected to take 1 week to complete, back up tanks are in place & no disruption of service is anticipated, but water conservation measures are encouraged., more information is available at 607-895-9966.

—————————————————–

The Out Of The Woodwork Players announced that auditions will be taking place soon for “A Suessified Christmas Carol”. Auditions for will be held Saturday September 10th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and Friday September 16th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, in the Bainbridge Town Hall Theater, many roles are available for children, teens and adults. The performances will be held in December.

———————————————–

New York Motorists are reminded, as school gets ready to return in the coming weeks, that it is illegal to pass a New York School Bus that has its flashing lights on & is receiving or dismissing students. The 1st conviction can result in a $250 to $400 fine, 5 points on a license, and up to 30 days in jail, a 2nd conviction within 3 years could result in a $600 to $750 fine, 5 points on a license, and up to 90 days in jail.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 8-31-22

The Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced that 44 year old Michael Carley of Johnson City and South Carolina pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Carley was stopped for a traffic violation, he was wanted on an unrelated warrant and was taken into custody, he was also found to be in possession of methamphetamines. Carley will be sentenced to 2 years in New York State and 2 years of post-release supervision on November 28th.

———————————————————————

The Sidney Center Branch Library is closing today, Sidney Library Director Beth Paine explains:

(Beth Paine 7-11-22)

Paine said that materials will be moved to the Masonville branch.

—————————————-

The American Red Cross Blood Drives are continuing locally, one blood drive will be held at the Delhi Alliance Church from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, another will be held in Oneonta from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Fox Care, Donors can schedule an appointment to give using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

——————————————

The State Health Department reported that the COVID 19 positivity continues to trend downward, down to 4.78%, the 7 Day Average Positivity rate to 6.35%, Patient Hospitalizations were down to 2,329, with 248 ICU patients, with 94 on ventilators.

—————————————

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the deployment of the New York Army and Air National Guards To support fire suppression efforts at the 150-acre wildfire currently burning in Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County. 2 Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters, capable of dropping 600 gallons of water at a time, began aerial operations, the Air National Guard have been deployed, the State DEC Forest Rangers are serving as Incident Commanders, with more than 200 wild-land firefighters and volunteers, local firefighters, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, State Police Aviation, and State Fire also fighting the fire.

———————————————-

(Steve VanNorstrand 8-21-18)

Raymond Corporation is looking to add about 75 people to their current levels of about 1850 employees; Hours for the Career Fair on September 8th will be from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and on September 12th from 3:00 to 7:00 PM.
——————————–
Tourism-related dollars spent in Delaware County in 2017 have grown to nearly $112 million, according to a report issued by Tourism Economics for New York State Empire State Development Division of Tourism; Delaware County Chamber of Commerce President Ray Pucci comments:

(Ray Pucci 8-21-18)

The report showed that tourist spending statewide increased by 4.4%, growth in the Catskills region increased by 7.1%, while Delaware County saw an increase of 11.6% in 2017. Pucci said that tourism dollars translates into 1,100 Jobs, which translates into $38 Million in Labor Income recirculating into the County’s economy. More information is available at delawarecounty.org or 746-2281.
————————————-
Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego counties will all receive funding to support emergency response operations, as part of a statewide program administered by the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. Funding will be used for upgrades in call-taking and dispatching technology, including investing in new services such as text messaging, data communication and improvements to geo-location for emergency response. Local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that Broome County was awarded $194,069, Chenango County $179,215, Delaware County $168,096 and Otsego County $157,615.
———————————————
The State Labor Department released the statistics for the month of July today, as unemployment statewide fell 2/10’s to 4.3%. Locally, Chenango County had 4.1% unemployment, Delaware County had 4.7% & Otsego County had 4.3% in July.
———————————————-
State Police arrested 39 year old Christopher McMahon of Fenton for Criminal Mischief & Reckless Endangerment, following a complaint that McMahon was damaging a window of a vehicle. McMahon allegedly threw an item at the victim’s windshield while both vehicles were in motion, causing damage. McMahon was arrested and released on appearance tickets; he will appear in the town of Fenton Court on August 23rd.
———————————————
Reports from South Carolina said that it was a Union-Endicott teacher from Broome County New York who was attacked and killed by an alligator while walking her dog near her vacation home in South Carolina. 45 year old Cassandra Cline was a kindergarten teacher at the Johnson Elementary School, investigators said that the alligator went for the dog first, Cline tried to rescue the dog when the 9 foot alligator attacked her & pulled her several feet into the lagoon.

===================================

Governor Cuomo signed legislation to further protect children from exposure to secondhand smoke. The bill prohibits individuals from smoking in facilities that provide child care services, including private homes. All facilities required to be licensed or registered for child care services must comply with the smoking ban within 90 days.
———————————–
The Oneonta Common Council will hold their next regular meeting this evening at City Hall, the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.
————————————-
The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their next general membership meeting today at the back of Bob’s Diner. The meeting will begin at 7:30 am.
————————————
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive in Otego today at the Otego Methodist Church at 10 Church Street, the Blood Drive will be held from 2:00 to 6:00 PM , appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at 1-800-red cross or REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG.
———————————————

Walton Police Department pulled over a vehicle driven by 27 year old Noel Rubio-Cruz Sunday, Police disvcovered that a passenger; 47 year old Adrian Peralta-Reyes was an illegal alien and fugitive wanted on an immigration warrant since 2000, he was tiurned over to U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement officers. Another passenger, 18-year-old Alfredo Maldonado-Garcia was also found to be in the country illegally, he resisted arrest by running away and crossing the Delaware River twice. He was eventually taken into custody and charged with obstructing governmental administration & was arraigned in Village of Walton Court and was sent to the Delaware County Jail on $4,000 bail. Rubio-Cruz was arraigned for speeding and operating a vehicle with a suspended registration and sent to the Delaware County Jail on $2,000 bail.
——————————————-
State Police intercepted a vehicle with a missing 2-year-old from South Carolina. The two-year-old had suffered a gunshot wound to his lower extremities in South Carolina and had not received medical attention. The vehicle in I-81 near exit 6, it was stopped without incident. 24 year old Holly Dew and 23 year old Randi Session of Conway, South Carolina were arrested for Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The 2-year-old was transported to Wilson Hospital where he is in stable condition. Broome County Child Protective Services was contacted and two other children were turned over to CPS. Both Dew and Session were arraigned in the town of Chenango Court and were remanded to the Broome County Jail on $2,000 cash bail or $4,000 bond.
—————————————–

The City Clerk’s office in Oneonta announced today that the Community Development Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday October 12th has been cancelled. The Clerk’s office stated that the meeting was cancelled due to a lack of agenda items for this month.
————————————
The Next meeting of the City of Oneonta Town of Oneonta Fire district Task Force will be held Tuesday morning. The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM in the Common Council Chambers at Oneonta City Hall.
———————————

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33 year old Harpursville man in conjunction with the burglary of a residence in the Town of Colesville, where cash and a handgun were stolen. Donald Rowe was charged with 2nd degree Burglary, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, also 39 year old Bobbie Jo Howell of Binghamton was charged with Hindering Prosecution, for allegedly hiding Rowe at her residence & lying to officers about his location, she was released on appearance ticket to Town of Dickinson court at a later date. Rowe was arraigned and was remanded to the Broome County Jail without Bail; further action is pending in Broome County Court.
———————————
The Broome County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported car & tractor trailer head on collision early Friday morning on Conklin Road in the Town of Conklin. A 2016 Jeep Compass operated by 43 year old Jason Demoney of Conklin crossed over into the opposing lane and struck a tractor trailer that was stopped on the shoulder of the road. Demoney was charged with felony DWI, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Operating a motor vehicle without a required Ignition Interlock Device, plus other traffic violations, he faces court action at a later date.
———————————–
Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 34 year old Justin Dumond of Oneonta Thursday, on 1 count of 3rd degree Assault, for allegedly assaulting another person on Leland Hull Road in the Town of Franklin in late August of 2016. Dumond was later arraigned at Franklin Town Court and was released on his own recognizance.
———————————–
This week is Fire Prevention Week, according to the Fireman’s Association of the State of New York. Beginning January 1st 2017 in New York State, the sale of smoke-detecting devices powered by removable, replaceable batteries will be prohibited, & retailers will be able to sell only smoke-detecting devices with a power source that isn’t removable and lasts at least 10 years. The association also reminds new Yorkers to test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries yearly for older style smoke alarms.

—————————————-

The Chenango County Sheriff’s office arrested James Fletcher of Coventry on an active arrest warrant for 2nd degree Burglary.  Fletcher was charged for allegedly unlawfully entering a residence and stealing Jewelry, he is being held in the Chenango County Jail pending future court action.

———————————————-

The 1st phase of the Kamikaze curve construction project at state route 17 & I-81 in Binghamton will b completed in about 18 months, motorists in that area will notice a change in traffic patterns & detours there, according to State DOT Spokesman Dave Hamburg:

(Dave Hamburg 6-12-14)

Hamburg said that the project is on time & on budget, with this first phase expected to be completed in December of 2015.

———————————

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is still pushing for the legislature to pass the minimum wage and Dream Act bills, as lawmakers work toward adjournment.  The minimum wage proposal would raise the wage to $10.10 per hour; The Dream Act would extend financial aid to students who are in the country illegally. Both measures have support in the Assembly but face challenges in the Senate, where the Dream Act has already failed once. Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos doesn’t expect the Senate to consider any controversial legislation before the end of session on June 19^th.

———————————————

The state Senate passed a bill to require state colleges to inform law enforcement of a missing student or a violent felony within 24 hours.  The Senate passed the measure on Wednesday and the Assembly passed the updated College Safety Act in March. It’s now awaiting the signature of Governor Cuomo. The Legislature initially passed the College Safety Act in 1999 after the disappearance of University at Albany student Suzanne Lyall, it requires colleges & universities to notify local law enforcement of any violent felony offense or missing person on campus, it didn’t require the schools to actually report such incidents to outside authorities.

———————————————

Governor Cuomo will soon decide whether yogurt will become New York’s official state snack. The Assembly approved a bill to make yogurt an official state snack Wednesday, by a vote of 85-1, following a 45-minute debate in the state Senate last month.  The bill was skewered by late-night TV hosts, including Jon Stewart and David Letterman, the bill heads to the governor’s desk; he is expected to sign it.

——————————————-

The Civil Service Employees Association members, who work for the state court system, have voted 2-to-1 in favor of a new contract covering 5,700 employees with annual 2 percent salary increases for three years. The contract runs retroactively from April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2017. Raises are scheduled for October of this year, April 2015 and April 2016, with a $750 bonus March 31, 2017.

———————————————

The New York State Senate passed a bill that would ban the sale of powdered alcohol, known as Palcohol. The FDA approved the substance in April, but the agency quickly reversed its decision, the New York bill would ban the product in the state even if it gets approval from the FDA.  Powdered alcohol has been banned in Alaska and legislation to ban it has been approved in South Carolina and Vermont.

State police at Norwich arrested 23-year-old Farrell Ruffles of Burlington Flats for aggravated driving while intoxicated with a BAC result of .21%. The arrest occurred after a 1-car property damage accident on State Route 12 in Norwich.  Ruffles was arraigned in the Norwich town court and remanded to the Chenango county jail in lieu of $2,000.00 cash bail.

———————————–

State leaders are putting together a budget for the 2014 2015 fiscal year.  Assemblyman Cliff Crouch commented about what he expects from the budget plan:

(Cliff Crouch 12-16-13)

Governor Cuomo will unveil the budget on January 21^st; the legislature has until April 1^st to adopt it.

———————————————

—————————————————–

The River Club in Afton will offer a free Christmas day buffet again this year, for area families that may have fallen on hard times.  River Club Owner Jack Flannery explains:

(Jack Flannery 12-16-13)

Flannery said that Santa & Mrs. Claus would be on hand,  More information or reservations, or requests to have meals delivered can be made at 639-3060.

——————————————

“Elmo Makes Music” will be at the Forum Theater in Binghamton next month.  Tina Niles of NAC Entertainment explains:

(Tina Niles 12-16-13)

Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000; information about Sesame Street can be obtained at sesamestreetlive.com.

————————

———————–

—————————-

State Senator Tom Libous is seeking a meeting with key state officials in an effort to keep Broome Developmental and other key facilities open.  Libous forwarded legislation call for a freeze until 2015 for the closure of mental health facilities, so that alternative plans can be forwarded & discussed.  Libous told WCDO News what prompted the talk of these closures:

(Libous 11-21-13)

———————————-