ONEONTA —Several airplanes and the hangar at the Oneonta airport were damaged after a break-in late Friday or early Saturday.

State police at Oneonta said they are investigating the burglary at the Oneonta Municipal Airport.

An unknown person, or persons, entered the hangar between 8:15 p.m. Friday and 8:15 a.m. Saturday, troopers said, and started an airplane. The plane, a single-engine 1965 Maule, lurched forward and the propeller ripped into the wall, said Trooper Jeffrey Moore Sunday. Adjacent airplanes were also damaged, he said.

In a press release issued Saturday, troopers described the damage to several airplanes and the hangar as extensive. There was no sign of forced entry, Moore said, and no items were known to be taken.

Troopers said it does not appear that the burglars were trying to steal the airplane; Moore said the hangar was closed up.

The incident was reported by airport manager Brad Curpier, Moore said. Curpier said he could not comment on the incident Sunday afternoon.

Anyone with information is asked to call the state police at 432-3211, troopers said, and all calls will be kept confidential.

Spring snow gets roads slick

ONEONTA —Several minor accidents were reported in eastern Otsego County Sunday night as March reversed its lamb-like trend and snow showers hit the region.

Otsego County dispatcher Greg Morrison said 18 accidents, mostly weather-related, had been reported between 3 and 9 p.m. Sunday, but there were no injuries. He said I-88 in the eastern half of the county seemed to be having the most problems.

State police at Oneonta reported between six and a dozen accidents by 8:30 p.m. Sunday and more calls were pending, but there were no personal injuries, said Trooper Scott Calkins. Most accidents were due to unsafe speed and slippery roads, particularly on I-88 near Maryland, he said.

Sgt. Alan Woodin, with troopers in Cobleskill, reported some 10 to 15 cars off the road on I-88 and other county roads, and said roads in the area were partly snow-covered.

Sunday's overnight forecast was to be mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers and lows in the mid-teens. Today's forecast calls for a 50 percent chance of snow showers and partly sunny skies with highs in the upper 20s.

Reps set night for constituents

ONEONTA —Three Otsego County representatives from the city of Oneonta will be holding a constituent night Thursday.

The event will be held in the Supreme Court Chambers of the Otsego County Office Building at 242 Main St. in Oneonta from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The first of four constituent nights planned for this year, the event is intended to provide constituents with an opportunity to discuss any county issues of concern. Possible topics, organizers said, may include Board discussions on increasing sales tax, an update on redistricting or the construction of the new Meadows.

The evening was organized by Roberta Puritz, representing wards 1 and 2; Catherine Rothenberger, wards 3 and 4; and Kevin Hodne, wards 7 and 8.

Man charged in dog shooting

NORWICH —A man was arrested Friday on charges of cruelty to animals after shooting his dog, the Chenango County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies responding to a complaint that shots were fired Friday found that Timothy R. Witaker of Norwich had allegedly tied his dog to a post and shot it, deputies said. The dog was killed by the shooting, Deputy Jeff Verry said Sunday.

Verry said Witaker, 24, told deputies the dog had nipped at him and defecated on the floor.

Witaker was given a ticket to appear in Norwich Town Court on April 17, deputies said.