State Police arrested 32-year-old Curtis Commesso of Bainbridge for reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal contempt, after troopers were advised of a domestic dispute on I-88 in the Town of Fenton. Commesso allegedly drove recklessly by another vehicle that was occupied by his ex-girlfriend, their young child and others, he swerved in front of the victim’s vehicle, and the behavior violated a court order of protection. Commesso was arraigned in the Town of Fenton Court and was remanded to the Broome County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 property bond, pending future court action.
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New York state’s Medicaid system made approximately $6.8 million in inappropriate payments, including $3.5 million for separately billed medical services that should have been covered by managed care plans, according to an audit released by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Additionally, auditors identified 15 Medicaid providers who were charged with or found guilty of crimes that violated the laws or regulations of a health care program. So far, about $2.4 million of the overpayments were recovered. The report is available at osc.state.ny.us/audits.
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A New York state environmental conservation officer was hospitalized after being shot while investigating illegal hunting in Columbia County. State police say 2 En-Con officers were checking out reports of trespassing with shots fired Tuesday afternoon; Officer James Davey was shot in the pelvic area by 54-year-old Alan Blanchard of Gallatin. Davey underwent surgery at MidHudson Regional Hospital and is listed in stable condition. Blanchard was charged Tuesday night with assault. He was being held Wednesday in county jail without bail.
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The Otsego County Sheriffs department arrested 59-year-old Rhonda Wing of Morris for DWI Saturday after she crashed her car in the Town of Pittsfield. Wing was arraigned at the Pittsfield Town Court and is expected to reappear December 21st.
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The State Assembly held a public hearing in Albany today regarding the rapid increase in student debt by college graduates. Statistics compiled by the state comptroller’s office shows that student loan debt has doubled in the last decade. Last year, New York residents had an average of $32,200 in student debt, which is well above the national average of about $25,500.
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Delaware County Deputies arrested 46-year-old Ronald Walley of Walton, for DWI, failure to keep right and speed unreasonable and prudent, following a 1-car rollover accident on County Highway 23 in the Town of Walton. Walley was released on appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Walton Court on December 28th.
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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold the annual Christmas Parade this Friday night in downtown Sidney. Sidney Chamber President Stephanie Taylor said that this year’s theme is “A Country Christmas:”
(Steph Taylor 11-30-16)
Taylor said that they will also hold their house decorating contest again this year, with 30 local homes winning the “Spirit Award” More information is available at the new Chamber office at 85 main street in Sidney.
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The Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will have their next meeting today; The Sidney High School Student Teen Institute team will present their recent experiences at the State Prevention Network’s Conference. Coalition Spokesperson Lorraine Keckeisen explains:
(Lorraine Keckeisen 11-30-16)
Tonight’s meeting runs from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Sidney High School Library & is open to the public.
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Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will be in Cooperstown & Binghamton this afternoon. At 12:00 PM Hochul will tour Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown & at 2:00 PM she will announce the 76West Clean Energy Business Competition Winners at Binghamton University.
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State DEC will hold a public scoping meeting for a study on flood-damage reduction needs today. the meeting will be held in the Sidney Memorial Public Library at 6:30 PM in the Smart Community Room. The Public is invited to attend.
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The State DOT announced that bridge work on State Route 30/206 northbound and southbound over the East Branch of the Delaware River in the town Colchester will require intermittent road closures in both directions starting today through December 2 from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM each day. Crews will be setting bridge girders for the new bridge. Motorists will encounter traffic stoppages intermittently for 10 – 15 minutes several times during the work hours daily. Motorists are advised to be alert for slow moving traffic and sudden stops.
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American Red Cross blood drives will be held at both local BOCES campuses today. One blood drive will be held at the Harold campus on state route 206 in Masonville from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, another blood drive will be held at the Norwich BOCES campus from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
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The Lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, which came from Oneonta this year, will be seen on the big screen at the Foothills Performing Arts center tonight. Center Spokesman Bill Youngs explains:
(Bill Youngs 11-30-16)
The tree was removed recently from the Eichler property at Country Club Road in Oneonta; it will be let in the televised ceremony tonight & will be on display until January 7th.
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