P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-18-25

Norwich Police arrested 48 year old Lance Madsen of Norwich, Wednesday after he failed to comply with a traffic stop on Cortland Street. A brief pursuit ensued when Madsen refused to stop his vehicle, the incident concluded safely on County Road 36 in the Town of Norwich after officers were able to box in the vehicle, bringing the pursuit to an end. Madsen is accused of possessing narcotics and a weapon, and he was an active State Parolee. Madsen was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, (Methamphetamine), Criminal Possession of a Narcotic Drug with Intent to Sell, Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Non-Original Container & Criminal Mischief, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility pending further court proceedings.

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State Police arrested 47 year old Kelly Crandall of Oxford for Grand Larceny, after an investigation determined that while working at Mirabito on State Route 12 in the town of Norwich, Crandall stole over $2,000 from store deposits and an ATM machine. Crandall was arrested at her residence and was processed & she was released on an appearance ticket to the Norwich Town Court on October 16th.

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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced approximately $391 million in proposed awards under the ConnectALL Deployment Program to 11 internet service providers who have committed a total of more than $245 million in matching funds to address nearly 54,000 locations in the state with insufficient internet access. If approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the awards will achieve universal broadband connectivity Statewide, locally, over $121 million dollars would go to CBN Geneva, LLC, who serve 7 counties including Chenango, Delaware & Otsego Counties, over $13 million dollars to Citizens Telecommunications, who would serve 1,014 locations in Chenango County with fiber optic technology. More information is available at governor.ny.gov.

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Binghamton Police Department was notified by Citizen’s Bank Officials that an elderly female customer, had just withdrawn $30,000 cash, Binghamton Police responded to the member’s residence to conduct a wellness check. Investigators determined that the customer was going to be a victim of an elder scam, involving financial exploitation, under fraudulent circumstances. A sting operation was coordinated, a male suspect approached the victim’s residence, believing that the $30,000 cash was going to be provided to him. The suspect was confronted by Police, he fled and was taken into police custody. A 2nd suspect, in a vehicle nearby, was also taken into custody. Police arrested 51 year old Tao Zeng & 36 year old Zhilei Wu, both of Flushing, for Grand Larceny, Conspiracy, they face court action on the charges shortly.

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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the No Stock Act, which takes a previous law a bit further in ban government officials—including members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, other high-ranking government officials, from holding or trading stocks:

(Gillibrand 9-18-25)

Gillibrand said that to many of her colleagues are more concerned about their portfolio that serving their constituents, over 3,700 of those trades posed potential conflicts of interest with their legislative responsibilities.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-18-25

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 38 year old Victor Martinez of Allentown Pennsylvania & 44 year old Osnely Arago of Miami Florida following an investigation into the theft of approximately $70,000 worth of diesel fuel stolen from local businesses, they reviewed security footage from several affected locations, which provided key vehicle descriptions, Monday, Deputies observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspected vehicle at a local gas station, the suspects were engaged in stealing diesel fuel. A search warrant was executed & they recovered 85 stolen credit cards, Card skimming devices, Electronic equipment used to steal Debit and Credit Card information & custom storage tanks able to hold over 1000 gallons of fuel, both were charged with 87 counts of Grand Larceny, Unlawful Possession of a Skimmer Device, Martinez and Arago were both arraigned and were released on their own recognizance, The investigation is ongoing, and the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is working with multiple agencies across the state.

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The Broome County Sheriff’s Corrections Investigation Unit successfully recovered multiple weapons and contraband within the Correctional Facility, leading to 14 felony charges for 48 year old Robert Swartz of Binghamton, who was being held on a burglary charge. Investigators entered one of the male housing units and conducted a search, Swartz was charged with 8 Counts of Promoting Prison Contraband, 5 Counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 2 Counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence, plus Criminal Mischief & Obstruction of Governmental Administration, Swartz was processed and arraigned & faces court action at a later date.

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An American Red Cross Blood Drive is being held in Oneonta today from 1:00 to 6:00 PM, at the Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Appointments can be made at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or with the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

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Commerce Chenango will host their annual Membership Appreciation Party today at the RTG Ranch on County Route 32 in Norwich. The event runs from 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM, more information is available at commercechenango.com

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