Delhi football itching to be top dog
DELHI - When the Bulldogs of Delaware Academy take the field for Saturday's Class C state championship football game, it could be history in the making. "It'd be something that nobody would forget. It would definitely fulfill my senior year," starting outside linebacker Scott Smith said of winning the state title. "We're going to give (Cambridge) a run for their money." The 2001 Bulldogs will seek Delhi's first team state championship when they take on Section Two's Cambridge at 3 p.m. Saturday in Syracuse University's Carrier Dome.
Grand jury indicts Shaffer
COOPERSTOWN - Vicky Shaffer, 30, was indicted Thursday on a charge of first-degree custodial interference, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison.
Young artists to harvest apple awards
Students with a flare for art will have an opportunity this week to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Winners of the United Way-sponsored 2001 Applefest — KIDZ Poster Contest will receive their awards today, organizers said. Nearly 250 contestants from schools throughout Delaware and Otsego counties entered this year's contest, which was part of the 20th annual Applefest in September at the Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard.
Hartwick alum discusses 9/11 aftermath
ONEONTA — About 60 students, professors and community members attended a former ambassador's lecture on "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness After 9/11" at Hartwick College in Oneonta on Thursday.
Walkin' in a winter warmer land
ONEONTA — Oneonta-area residents rang in the Christmas season Thursday with the annual holiday "Family Night" in downtown Oneonta. Hundreds of people — young and old — filled the downtown shopping district to join in the festivities, which featured caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa Claus and the lighting of a nearly 20-foot-tall tree in the recently completed Main Street Plaza.
Thursday, November 29, 2001
Helmets not too common at skatepark
ONEONTA — The city's list of safety rules at Oneonta's newly opened skateboard park are written in black and white. Signs posted at the Neahwa Park facility state that skaters "must" wear the appropriate safety gear — including a helmet — if they want to use the park. But rules, as the saying goes, are made to be broken. Hundreds of children and young adults have flocked to the skatepark since its official opening earlier this month and many of them, according to skaters, have chosen to ignore the helmet rule.
Troopers file OT grievance
ALBANY — The state police troopers' union is fighting an administration policy that it says gives heavy-footed drivers a free pass to speed. More than 1,200 drivers have gotten out of traffic tickets in one small western New York court alone because of a near year-old policy barring troopers from attending court on overtime, union officials said.
Otsego honors Fly Creek Cider Mill
FLY CREEK - For the Fly Creek Cider Mill, the awards for success just keep coming. In October, the cider mill, owned by the Michaels family, was named the state's agri-tourism business of the year.
Delaware budget passes unanimously
DELHI - The Delaware County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the 2002 budget Wednesday afternoon to the tune of $69,092,963 with a tax increase of almost 3 percent.
Groups combine best of both 'words'
ONEONTA — Literacy Volunteers of Otsego & Delaware Counties has joined forces with the Oneonta Community Education Center to help adults with reading skills.
Boy's letter brightens soldier's day
ONEONTA — A class project at Lighthouse Christian Academy in Oneonta brought a ray of happiness to the life of an U.S. soldier stationed in Bosnia.
Fat lady sings for NRM music
ONEONTA — NRM, a music retail store in the Southside Mall, will close after Christmas because the national retail chain has gone bankrupt, an NRM chief executive officer said Wednesday.
Strip club rumors turn heads in village
The village of Cherry Valley will hold a public hearing Dec. 17 on adopting a moratorium on adult entertainment businesses operating within the village.
'Master' title not on local teachers' lists
ONEONTA — The number of "master teachers" in the area isn't low because teachers aren't qualified, it's because they don't apply for the title, educators said earlier this week.
Wednesday, November 28, 2001
Hunters going home happy this year
SOUTH EDMESTON - Deer in pickup trucks were coming to The Farmers' Place in South Edmeston so fast Sunday that proprietor Joe Leonard had to shut the door. "We try to help guys out, and we're taking them again today," he said Tuesday. "But it got to the point Sunday where there was no way to put another deer in the cooler. I was telling people to skin them and cool them down any way they could until we could make more room.
From yoga to ghosts, area authors hit shelves this winter
'Tis the season to be publishing. Authors from Oneonta, East Worcester, Delhi, Gilbertsville and Cooperstown recently released books ranging from instructional to autobiographical. A State University College at Oneonta professor who has sold more than 30,000 books has written a volume on the theory and practice of yoga.
Delaware may vote on budget today
DELHI — The Delaware County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing in the County Office Building in Delhi to discuss the proposed 2002 budget at 11 a.m. today.
Get-away car driver sentenced
DELHI - An Oneonta man was sentenced in Delaware County Court on Monday to 31/2 years in prison on a felony charge.
NYC to fund water treatment plants
New York City reached an agreement Monday with five Catskill communities for funding the design and construction of wastewater facilities.
Oneonta tax hike stands at 6.81%
ONEONTA — The Oneonta Common Council on Tuesday didn't make any changes to the city's tentative 2002 budget, which carries a 6.81 tax increase driven by health insurance and wage increases for employees.
Tuesday, November 27, 2001
No recession panic in Oneonta area
The National Bureau of Economic Research announced Monday that the United States entered a recession in March. But financial experts locally say the country is well on its way to working out of the down period. "I think the recession will be over within the first quarter of next year," said David Ring, associate professor of economics at the State University College at Oneonta.
Milk prices fall sharply after attacks
ALBANY — The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are partly to blame for a sharp drop in the price dairy farmers received for their milk between September and October, officials said Monday. State Department of Agriculture figures show that between those two months, farmers watched prices fall from $17.01 per 100 pounds of milk to $15.26.
Otsego contest features eco-posters
To Cooperstown Elementary School third-grader Cynthia Kent, the goal of recycling is simple: "To the keep the world clean!" she said.
Attacks aftermath concerns churches
The war in Afghanistan, United States foreign policy and American civil liberties are among issues to be discussed at an open meeting at the Rowe House in Oneonta on Saturday.
Restaurant earns AAA's 'three diamond' rating
Stella Luna Stazione on Market Street in Oneonta was recently rated a "three-diamond" restaurant by AAA Motor Club, making it the only eatery in the area to gain such a distinction.
City: Few places to cut budget
ONEONTA — Health insurance costs and wage increases for city employees appear to be the driving factors behind a projected 6.81 percent tax hike in the city's 2002 budget draft.
Delaware reservoirs sinking fast
The West Branch of the Delaware River could be dry in two weeks if a significant amount of rain doesn't fall and present flow rates continue from New York City's reservoirs in Delaware County, said Delaware River Foundation officials. "I've never seen the West Branch this low," said Jim Serio, director of DRF, an organization formed earlier this year to protect the upper Delaware River.
Calendar celebrates Delaware Academy's past
Anyone interested in gaining insight into the history of Delaware Academy may glean details from a calendar celebrating the school's past. The Friends of Delaware Academy produced 1,000 copies of a 2002 calendar containing historic photographs of activities at the Delhi school.
Downtown plans a cheery start for season
ONEONTA — Santa Claus and his reindeer will kick off a holiday "Family Night" featuring a tree-lighting ceremony, caroling and horse-drawn carriage rides in downtown Oneonta on Thursday.
Oneontans continue military protests
Three Oneonta residents have returned from their fourth consecutive trip to Columbus, Ga., to protest America's military and political involvement in Central and South America. "It started 12 years ago with 35 people and there were about 10,000 people this year," said Alice Siegfried, who was in Columbus Nov. 16-18 protesting against the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, formerly the United States Army School of the Americas.
Astronomer awarded SUCO's Siegfried prize
ONEONTA — The State University College at Oneonta announced recently that Assistant Professor of physics and astronomy Hugh Gallagher Jr. has been awarded the 2001 Richard Siegfried Junior Faculty Prize for Academic Excellence.
Saturday, November 24, 2001
Let the shopping season begin
ONEONTA — Early bird shoppers flocked to Oneonta area stores Friday to take advantage of sales that mark the beginning of the holiday shopping season. A throng of local shoppers visited The Wearhouse in downtown Oneonta, said store manager Angel Martinez. "It's been nice and steady," Martinez said. "We've had customers in all day."
Postmaster: Delivery won't take a holiday
Fear not: Processing holiday mail and packages will be business as usual this year, post office officials said Friday. Despite nationwide fear of anthrax infiltrating mail systems, Oneonta Postmaster Gary Ravenelle said holiday cards will be processed and arrive on time.
Arts group marks 25 creative years
BAINBRIDGE — For the Marines, it takes a few good men. But for the Jericho Arts Council, a dedicated group of men and women has brought the group to a milestone.
Board votes to evict students
ONEONTA — Nine college students were evicted this week from their downtown Oneonta apartments for not complying with demands of the city's Public Service Board, officials said Friday.
Alum to talk about Sept. 11
ONEONTA — A former ambassador will speak on "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness After 9/11" at Hartwick College at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
SUCO: Students 'feel at home'
ONEONTA — The State University College at Oneonta recently received high marks from its freshmen, according to a survey of more than half the class.
Friday, November 23, 2001
Dozens sit down to dinner in Delhi
DELHI — It was the first Thanksgiving alone for mother and son Debby Annis and McKay Nelsen. But they weren't alone. Annis and 11-year-old Nelsen, both of Delhi, ate their traditional dinner of turkey and stuffing Thursday along with about 50 other people at the Delhi Community Dinner at St. John's Church on Main Street.
Staff shortage hurting area nursing homes
More than one local nursing home is suffering from shortages of nurses and aides, possibly causing patient care to suffer, administrators said earlier this week. "We can thinks of thousands of ways to make life better for our residents, but we just can't," said Erica Anderson, chief financial officer for Robinson Terrace nursing home in Stamford.
Boehlert gets $250K for river basin
COOPERSTOWN — Funds have been secured to restore and conserve the environment of the Upper Susquehanna River Basin, officials announced Wednesday.
Woman given school-board service award
A local woman recently received an award for stepping down. After six years on the board of directors, Nancy Bellinger received an award of appreciation from representatives of the New York State School Board Association Monday night.
Fair Trade show comes to Oneonta
ONEONTA — A local human rights organization and area high school students have come together to support fair trade.
Hartwick begins 16-day gender violence campaign
ONEONTA — Hartwick College's women's studies program is sponsoring a series of programs in conjunction with the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, an international campaign to recognize the ongoing problem of gender violence as an issue of human rights.
Wednesday, November 21, 2001
Absentee votes in, Thompson wins
COOPERSTOWN — Incumbent Democrat Richard Thompson of Milford won re-election to the District 5 seat on the Otsego County Board of Representatives, absentee ballots counted Tuesday showed. Races in the town of Oneonta and Middlefield also were decided with the count. Thompson, 69, defeated Republican Jerry Wood of Mount Vision by a vote of 741 to 691, and said he was very pleased to be able to serve a third term.
Kind kids help Sidney animals
SIDNEY — Giving is good. That is what 5-year-old Jared Conklin of Sidney Center said he found when he visited the Delaware Valley Humane Society in Sidney on Monday as part of a school project. "It made me happy," he said, that children took donated food and toys for the animals. "We have to feed them," he said.
N.Y.: Prostate cancer high in Chenango
ALBANY — Chenango County is one four counties in the state with the highest incidence of late-stage prostate cancer. A report released Tuesday by the state Department of Health shows the incidence of late-stage prostate cancer in the county between 1994 and 1998 was 50 to 100 percent higher than expected.
ONC BOCES appoints superintendent
The search is over. In a unanimous decision Monday night, ONC BOCES board of education members appointed Marie Warchol, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, to the position of district superintendent.
Consumers gobbling up free-range turkeys
As cooks make plans to grace their tables with Thanksgiving turkeys, local producers who raise the bird outdoors are planning to increase production next year.
Monday, November 19, 2001
Oneonta star-struck by Leonids
ONEONTA — "I've been watching meteor showers my whole life and that was the best one I've ever seen," Oneonta resident Phil Bidwell said of Sunday morning's Leonids meteor display.
Insurers: Sept. 11 affecting policies
ONEONTA — Life insurance associations across the country say the sale of policies has jumped since Sept. 11, and several local agents say they agree there have been more inquiries since the terrorist attacks.
Program teaches students dollars, sense
ONEONTA — See Spot run. See Spot count. See Spot balance his checkbook. Now students can learn more than reading, writing and arithmetic during regular school hours — they can learn personal finance.
Saturday, November 17, 2001
'Potter' puts spell on audience
ONEONTA — A crowd of a couple hundred kids has never quieted so quickly as they did Friday evening. The crowd — mostly between the ages of 6 and 14, with a few parents thrown in — sat in silence as the opening scene of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," a movie that many have called the most anticipated of the year, appeared on the screen. "Harry Potter" opened Friday in a record 3,672 theaters on about 8,200 screens, nearly a fourth of the nation's movie screens.
Girl Scouts preparing turkey, fixin's
Thanksgiving is coming to Milford a little bit early this year. The Girl Scouts of Milford are preparing to put on their second annual Thanksgiving dinner for the community on Sunday at the Milford United Methodist Church.
Man arrested in urn thefts
A man was arrested was Thursday for allegedly stealing five cemetery urns valued at more than $5,000 from the Maple Grove Cemetery in Worcester in June, Otsego County sheriff's deputies said.
Profs' remarks criticized
College professors who have openly disagreed with government actions following Sept. 11 were criticized and called unpatriotic in a report released earlier this week by a conservative academic group.
Catskill casino deal signed
MONTICELLO — The St. Regis Mohawk Indian tribe and the world's largest gaming company signed formal agreements Thursday to build the Catskill region's first casino resort, a project the state's top Democrat expects will help return the region to its former splendor.
Deer hunters expect big year
John Stevens, owner of Stevens Hardware in Oneonta for 65 years, said he expects this year's deer-hunting season, which begins Monday, to be good.
Girl Scouts stay traditional
ONEONTA — The latest Girl Scout fashions have yet to become part of the fabric of troop membership in Oneonta and Laurens.
Leonid showers to light up the sky
If you snooze, you could lose. Astronomers predict this year's Leonids meteor display, expected to appear before dawn Sunday, will be quite a light show.
Sidney police to move into new home
SIDNEY — The Sidney Police Department will be in its new headquarters today. The town and village courts are expected to follow several weeks later in the move from the civic center, next door, to the renovated Getman Building. Sidney has had plans since 1991 to renovate what had been called the annex, according to officials.
Fire truck may cause tax hike
SIDNEY— The decision to buy a new fire truck is expected to increase Sidney village taxes next year, but it was necessary for a variety of reasons, local officials said.
Thursday, November 15, 2001
Wildlife rehabilitators get financial boost
COOPERSTOWN — While its focus is on dogs and cats, a recent decision by a local humane society is expected to help injured wildlife. Local wildlife rehabilitators have generally had to pay for the costs of nurturing wounded deer and owls back to health. But the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Cooperstown has decided it will help these animal caregivers by paying the veterinary bills and providing food, bedding and cages when available.
Parents beware, Harry is here
ONEONTA — Attention parents: You may not recognize your children's behavior today. It is now less than 24 hours before "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" debuts in movie theaters nationwide and kids in the Oneonta area are ready. Are you? Children from Center Street Elementary School in Oneonta said they are geared up to battle the crowds sure to pack local theaters on Friday.
NYC marathon calls Franklin man 18 times
FRANKLIN — Richard de Frances figures he has run twice around the world — if you total all the races he's run. And his devotion to the New York City Marathon has placed the 68-year-old Franklin book dealer in a rather exclusive club.
Milk in schools is focus of project
ALBANY -— Junk food and sweet, syrupy soda may no longer be the only things dispensed from vending machines in schools across New York state.
Two charged with burglary, imprisonment
WORCESTER — Two Otsego county residents were arrested Tuesday on charges of burglarizing a home May 2 and for allegedly restraining and burning a woman with a cigarette May 10, Otsego deputies said.
Effect of increased workers' comp claims unclear
ONEONTA — The number of workers' compensation claims has dramatically increased since the Sept. 11 attacks, but it is not clear how that will affect the system and rates, Workers' Compensation Board officials said Thursday.
Online auction nets arrest
ONEONTA — A former Oneonta resident was arrested this week on fraud charges for sales on the e-Bay Internet auction site, Oneonta city police said Wednesday.
Estes tosses DWI case against man
DELHI — Delaware County Judge Robert L. Estes has upheld a lower court's decision to throw out a charge of driving while intoxicated against a Roscoe man.
Fire chief waiting for city budget
ONEONTA — Oneonta city fire department officials say they are waiting for the city to present its tentative 2002 budget before they buy new equipment.
Sales tax to reach 7% in Delaware
DELHI - The Delaware County Board of Representatives passed a resolution Wednesday to increase the county sales tax by 1 percent.
Fifth-graders begin social studies test
Fifth-graders spent a portion of Wednesday taking state-mandated social studies tests, and are gearing up for more today, teachers said Wednesday.
Wednesday, November 14, 2001
Ski resorts ready for winter lift
Area ski resorts are beginning to crank up the chairlifts for the upcoming season as enthusiasts tune up their skis. "In this climate you have to do something over the long winter," said Jim Baker of Oneonta, a ski instructor at Hunter Mountain in Greene County. The challenge of the activity, interacting with fellow skiers and watching others improve are what attract him to the sport, said Baker, who expects to be on skis this weekend.
SUCO in top 200 'wired' schools
ONEONTA — The State University College at Oneonta is one the top 200 "most wired" colleges in the nation, according to a recent rating. SUCO was ranked 159 in a survey of 3,700 undergraduate schools selected by "Yahoo Internet Life," magazine, school officials said. The survey was conducted by Peterson's, an educational research company, which evaluated areas of infrastructure, student resources, Web portals, online learning, technical support and wireless access, they said.
Old school becomes new home
ONEONTA — With a new red metal roof and some internal renovations, 290 Chestnut St. is now ready to live in, the new owners said Monday.
SUCO eyes frats' off-campus behavior
ONEONTA — State University College at Oneonta students who are found guilty of code violations by the city's Board of Public Service soon may be answering to the school as well.
OFO applies for grant to fund homeless shelter
ONEONTA — Opportunities For Otsego has submitted an $838,995 state grant application for funding to build its proposed homeless shelter on Depew Street in Oneonta's Sixth Ward.
Eagle-eyed watchers spot record in Oneonta
ONEONTA — A record number of endangered eagles have been spotted gliding across Franklin Mountain in Oneonta this year, volunteers of the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society said Monday. Aided by strong northwesterly winds, 51 bald eagles and counting have been seen flying over the society's Franklin Mountain Hawk Watch, breaking last year's record of 41, volunteers said.
Crash hits home for alderman
ONEONTA — Monday's crash of American Airlines 587 in Queens hit a little too close to home for Oneonta Alderman Stephen Pindar and his family. Pindar, who has done missionary work in the Dominican Republic for the last 10 years, said that before Sept. 11, he took express flight 587 to the Dominican Republic on a fairly regular basis.
Panel: Anthrax can be treated
ONEONTA — Anthrax is an eminently treatable disease, said Dr. Deborah Elizabeth Sentochnik, infectious disease specialist at M.I. Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
SUCO working on frat problems
The State University College at Oneonta is aware that the types of problems that exist among fraternities, the college and the city are not unusual, and colleges and city officials in communities across the country are searching for solutions.
Trustees to discuss buying a fire truck
SIDNEY — The Sidney village board will be examining ways of financing a new aerial ladder fire truck during its meeting today.
Vets pause to remember
ONEONTA — Along with reflections on the sacrifices soldiers have made in the past, the events of Sept. 11 were mentioned during a Veterans Day ceremony Sunday in Oneonta's Neahwa Park.
Cold can't keep skaters away from new park
ONEONTA — Near-freezing weather Friday didn't deter dozens of young skateboard enthusiasts from strutting their stuff at the new skatepark in Oneonta's Neahwa Park.
'Black list' vet remains frustrated
ONEONTA — The saga of African-Americans is that no matter what one does, nothing will change, the president of Binghamton's NAACP chapter and veteran of Oneonta's "black list" case said Sunday in Oneonta.
Students learn from veterans about WWII
ONEONTA — Mary Tompkins sits nervously in front of the microphone. "I didn't do anything too exciting," she says, smiling hesitantly.
Union seeks Bassett workers
COOPERSTOWN - The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is attempting to organize workers at Bassett Healthcare, one of the area's largest employers.
Saturday, November 10, 2001
Pro-life group targets clinics
ONEONTA — The Planned Parenthood Association of Delaware and Otsego Counties was one of more than 200 clinics and abortion-rights groups nationwide Thursday to have received suspicious Federal Express packages, local Planned Parenthood officials said Friday.
Flu shot fever
Flu shot clinics might have to turn some people away this season because vaccine supplies may not keep up with demand, area health officials said. People are suddenly interested in obtaining any kind of vaccine that is available, said Maggie Barnes, director of community affairs at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta.
Man dies in logging mishap
Friends on Friday remembered Karl J. Weisgerber as "caring," "good" and "super nice." Weisgerber, 39, of Roxbury, died Thursday afternoon in a logging accident, according to an obituary.
Drought alert sounded in Delaware River area
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Delaware River Basin Commission have declared drought alerts in parts of the New York City watershed.
'It Takes a Village Idiot'
DELHI — "Comedy has always been a fascination of mine," author Jim Mullen said. "If you look at something long enough, it'll become silly."
Some local schools improve their test scores
ALBANY — State education officials highlighted Friday academic improvements in hundreds of public elementary and middle schools, including several Oneonta-area schools, making them potential models for the rest of the state to follow.
Officials: Turn off tap
ONEONTA — City of Oneonta officials are asking residents to reduce their use of city-supplied water.
Friday, November 9, 2001
Living honor dead at altar
ONEONTA — Rachel Gracewski, a freshman at Hartwick College, hung clippings from the Sept. 12 issue of the New York Times on the wall. An altar, covered with photographs, flowers, candles and decorations, stands at the front of the round room off the side of the Yager Museum. More pedestals will be added for members of the public to place mementos.
City, frat members reach agreement
ONEONTA — Another group of Oneonta college students has avoided eviction from a downtown Market Street apartment by agreeing, among other things, to stop having parties. Five State University College at Oneonta students, all members of unrecognized fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi, were the subject of the Public Service Board's latest unsafe-building hearing Thursday.
Calendar promotes farms' importance
COOPERSTOWN - A colorful new calendar featuring sylvan scenes from around New York has captivated David Cox, Otsego County's agriculture development specialist.
Otsego tax levy likely to rise 4%, treasurer says
COOPERSTOWN - The Otsego County budget for 2002 is likely to require an increase in the tax levy of just over 4 percent, according to county Treasurer Theodora Moore.
Afghan to speak on Hartwick panel
ONEONTA — Americans of Afghan descent may have the most to lose in the war against terrorism, a man who was born in the Middle-Eastern country said Thursday.
NYSSMA concert to be at SUCO on Saturday
ONEONTA — More than 300 students from 39 schools in Otsego, Delaware, Schoharie, Chenango, Tioga and Montgomery counties are scheduled to gather today for the annual NYSSMA Zone 8 All-State Festival at the State University College at Oneonta.
Veterans events will be shaded by Sept. 11
ONEONTA — Veterans will be honored and the Sept. 11 attacks will be discussed at a Veterans Day ceremony in Neahwa Park in Oneonta at 11 a.m. Sunday, organizers said.
Patriotic program planned
ONEONTA — Patriotic tunes from America's history will be performed in a Veterans Day concert in Oneonta on Sunday afternoon.
Thursday, November 8, 2001
Cleanup of old diesel spill begins
ONEONTA — Cleanup of contaminated groundwater has begun in a residential area near the former D&H rail yards in Oneonta. Department of Environmental Conservation officials said Wednesday that the contamination — the result of a diesel fuel spill at the rail yard's former fueling site — does not pose a health risk to residents along West Broadway, where the cleanup is taking place.
Feldstein wins; Dist. 5 still up in air
COOPERSTOWN- Incumbent Democrat Ronald Feldstein of Otego has won re-election to the District 3 seat on Otsego County Board of Representatives, defeating Republican James Salisbury by a vote of 516 to 221. Salisbury, chairman of Otego's Republican Party and former president of the Unatego Central School Board of Education, had mounted a write-in campaign after the deadline expired for securing a place on the ballot.
Book explores rail towns
When Marilyn Dufresne spent almost $50 for a postcard at an Internet auction site, she never expected it would some day appear on the cover of a book.
Delaware supervisors may increase taxes
DELHI - The Delaware County Board of Supervisors held a budget workshop Wednesday afternoon in Delhi to discuss finances for 2002.
School, NYC reach agreement on land use
Margaretville Central School District has agreed to use and maintain land owned by New York City in an effort to rebuild a playground and beautify land near the school.
Local donations help India rebuild
ONEONTA — Local residents' donations to a not-for-profit organization in Oneonta have helped rebuild a village in India that was devastated by a January earthquake.
Norwich citizens vote out incumbent mayor
The city of Norwich will have a new mayor starting in 2002. Republican Marylou Stewart was elected mayor, defeating incumbent Robert Raphael Jr. in balloting Tuesday.
Oneonta school board mulling building project
ONEONTA — Voters in the Oneonta City School District may vote on a building project for schools this May, members of the school board said during a meeting Wednesday night.
Sen. pushes for national dairy trust
A proposal in the U.S. Senate would help local dairy farmers in the wake of the expired Northeast Dairy Compact, a senator from New York said Wednesday.
Absentee ballots to reveal winner
WEST ONEONTA — Oneonta town residents will have to wait until Nov. 20 to find out who will be the No. 2 winner of Tuesday's election for Oneonta Town Board.
Wednesday, November 7, 2001
Muller wins in Oneonta
ONEONTA — Oneonta voters Tuesday chose Democrat Kim Muller to continue what she started four years ago as city mayor. By a vote of 1,277 to 374, Muller soundly defeated independent candidate Joseph Lipari by a 3 to 1 margin to win a second term in office. Despite Muller's landslide win, voter turnout for the election was light — a little more than half of what it was four years ago, when Muller defeated former First Ward Alderman Michael Lambiaso, a Republican.
Newcomers win in Delaware
DELHI - Republican contenders from Kortright, Hancock and Bovina won seats on the Delaware County Board of Supervisors in Tuesday's elections. With only five of 19 supervisor positions being contested, Republicans Brian A. Smith of Kortright and Samuel Rowe Jr. of Hancock were the only two newcomers to win contested races.
Anthrax scare in Afton was false alarm
AFTON — An anthrax scare at Afton Central School was determined to be a false alarm Monday, and a Chenango County public health official Tuesday said finding anthrax in the local area is highly unlikely.
Afghans to discuss their homeland
ONEONTA — Three Afghan panelists will talk about "Afghanistan: Past, Present and Future" at Hartwick College at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Election poster controvery goes to court
ONEONTA — Co-owners of e-mail me mocha cafe, a closed downtown coffee shop, are suing their former landlords, claiming they violated freedom of speech rights in ordering a political poster be removed from the front window.
GOP keeps majority in Otsego
COOPERSTOWN - Republicans were guaranteed of at least holding on to their 8 to 6 majority on the Otsego County Board of Representatives in voting Tuesday.
Lusins, Murphy win in town of Oneonta
WEST ONEONTA — Republican Marie Lusins and Democrat Richard Murphy were elected Tuesday to fill two seats on the Oneonta Town Council.
Bicentennial winds down in Unadilla
UNADILLA — Historic homes of Unadilla will provide the setting for works of art and musical performances in the final event of the Unadilla bicentennial celebrations.
Tuesday, November 6, 2001
SUCO gets high-tech recording studio
ONEONTA — Aspiring record producers at the State University College at Oneonta are gaining hands-on experience in a new state-of-the-art recording studio, which college officials said is the first campus studio of its kind. "We really have the top in terms of recording equipment nowadays," said Orlando Legname, assistant professor of music. "This is a completely revolutionary technology."
Local races to be decided today
COOPERSTOWN - Today, one year after perhaps the strangest presidential election in American history, voters return to the polls to decide local races in area counties. In Otsego County, incumbent Democrat Kim Muller, Oneonta's mayor, is seeking a second four-year term. She is being challenged by Joseph Lipari, an independent.
Delhi dairy firms fined by state AG
ALBANY — Two Delhi dairy companies were fined $327,000 for violating state environmental laws, and two of their employees pleaded guilty to a crime for falsifying records of how much wastewater a shared treatment plant produced.
DEC issues car-deer warning
Although deer-vehicle collisions decreased on New York roads last year, drivers should be cautious as they approach the peak season for accidents caused by the animal, Department of Environmental Conservation officials said.
Turnout an issue in wake of attacks
COOPERSTOWN - After the wrangling that followed the 2000 presidential election between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore, there was much talk of electoral reform and perhaps a renewed interest in voting.
More fraternity member face eviction
ONEONTA — Another group of State University College at Oneonta students is facing eviction from a downtown apartment building for having fraternity parties that violate state building codes.
200 residents attend anti-prison meeting
WALTON — About 200 Walton residents attended the third meeting of a group formed to oppose the proposed building of a youth prison in the town, according to a spokesman.
Monday, November 5, 2001
Forum addresses Oneonta's problems
ONEONTA - Suggestions for preventing local racial strife, underage drinking and violence were proposed by attendees at a three-hour forum at Oneonta High School on Sunday. Sponsored by the city's Commission on Community Relations, the 3 p.m. forum, attended by about 40 people, featured an eight-member panel discussion and three focus-group sessions.
Oneonta church opens kids' rec room
ONEONTA — Teen-agers looking for a place to go on a Friday nights have a new option. The Living Water Faith Fellowship in Oneonta dedicated its new multi-purpose room Sunday. "We are trying to give youth a positive place to get off the street," said Rev. Kenneth Brookens. "They need to have a balance between the spiritual side and having fun."
Local women collecting homemade angels
Two Oneonta women have come up with a way to donate more than just food and money to the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. They're donating angels.
New memorial to be dedicated on Veterans Day
BAINBRIDGE — What started out as the dream of three Bainbridge veterans will soon become a reality. The Fallen Hero's Memorial in Bainbridge village park will be dedicated Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.
Watershed area security will increase
New York City is devising a plan to beef up protection of its watershed region as $30 million has been appropriated by the city's Department of Environmental Protection to increase security.
Saturday, November 3, 2001
Frats get political
ONEONTA - The fraternity brothers of the State University College at Oneonta are in an uproar. Dozens are in the parking lot at 22 Market St. They're buzzing angrily, grouped in knots of nine or 10, those who witnessed the meeting telling the ones who didn't what happened. Some, in the near dark, are passing around copies of a letter.
Critics: Drinking age behind problem
ONEONTA - When adolescents of the '50s, '60s, and '70s went off to college in Oneonta, the drinking age was 18. Within months of arriving as freshmen, almost all college students were of legal age and "having a beer was no big deal," said Otto Sonder, longtime adviser to Hartwick College's Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. Now it's a crime, for those under 21.
Area may soon face shortage of principals
Almost half of school principals in the state plan to retire within five years and about three-quarters of them say they'll be gone in 10 years, according to a survey by the School Administrators Association of New York State. In some local districts, principal shortages may cause a problem in the near future, officials said Thursday.
Anonymous donor aims to keep city workers warm, safe
ONEONTA — A good Samaritan is helping out the city of Oneonta Civil Service Employees Association with its wardrobe. An anonymous city resident recently donated $547 for the purchase of 33 orange sweatshirts, CSEA union officials said this week.
Kids plant growing reminders
DELHI — In an effort to memorialize those affected by the tragedies of Sept. 11, 1,200 students in the Delhi school system planted 4,000 daffodil bulbs Friday morning at Delaware Academy.
Davenport supervisor candidates sound off
Voting for supervisor in the town of Davenport won't take place until Tuesday, but Democratic candidate Dennis Valente has said, "we've already won."
4 charged with selling cocaine
Four Oxford residents were arrested Friday for selling crack cocaine, Chenango County sheriff's deputies said. The arrests were the culmination of a two-month investigation, deputies said.
Guilford race features two familiar foes
GUILFORD — Perennial challenger Howard Ostrander Sr. will be opposing incumbent Alton B. Doyle in the race for Guilford supervisor this Election Day.
Delhi Tech student stabbed
DELHI — A 20-year-old student at the State University College of Technology at Delhi was stabbed three times on campus early Thursday morning, university officials said.
Friday, November 2, 2001
Rush still divides frats, SUCO
ONEONTA - In 1995, the State University College at Oneonta did a study that showed first-term freshmen who pledged fraternities were at high risk of flunking out. "I did the original research, and the numbers were compelling," said Steven Perry, the school's vice president for student development. "At that time, eight out of 10 male students pledging a fraternity as first-term freshmen were either academically dismissed or placed on probation."
Man stabbed at OPT bus stop
ONEONTA — City of Oneonta Police were searching Thursday night for a man who allegedly stabbed another man on Main Street in downtown Oneonta. Police said the victim, a 36-year-old Milford man who had just gotten off a bus in front of the Oneonta Public Transit office, was stabbed three times in the back and once in the shoulder by a man who had been on the same bus.
'Watermarks' to be celebrated
Publication of an artistic anthology focusing on the Catskill Watershed will be cause for celebration Sunday in Stamford.
Otsego working to cut spending in county budget
COOPERSTOWN - The Otsego County Board of Representatives is working hard to pare down next year's tentative budget, according to Charles Bateman, a member of county's Budget Ways awond Means Committee.
Winter coats for kids to be given out Sat.
Free winter coats will be distributed to needy families at two area locations from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, Coats for Kids campaign organizers said.
Woman trying again to unseat Higgins
EDMESTON - In a replay of 1999, Democrat Sheila Serbay of Burlington is challenging incumbent Republican Carl Higgins of Edmeston for his seat on the Otsego County Board of Representatives.
Spotlight on economy, safety in mayoral race
ONEONTA — Economic development and public safety issues have taken center stage in the campaigns of Oneonta mayoral candidates Joseph Lipari, an independent, and Democratic incumbent Kim Muller.
Tax issue dominates contest for Norwich mayor
NORWICH — Last year's tax increase was the main issue in September's Republican primary for Norwich city mayor and it continues to dominate the race in the general election, according to the candidates.
Group opposed to building prison in Walton to meet
WALTON — The Concerned Citizens of Walton will meet tonight to discuss problems surrounding the possible construction of a youth correction facility in Walton.
Thursday, November 1, 2001
Frats come under fire
ONEONTA - Unrecognized by their college and unaffiliated with national organizations, the 10 or so underground fraternities at the State University College at Oneonta survive, even as city officials seek to clamp down on them. They don't have houses or advisers. They're not known for performing community service. According to city Code Enforcement Officer Peter Friedman, they've been behind much of the city's serious crime, such as assaults, in recent years.
Area mailrooms taking precautions
ONEONTA — Recent anthrax scares have changed the way the post office and several local organizations are handling mail, officials said Wednesday. The mail dispatching area at the Oneonta post office on Main Street has moved from the facility's back dock to an area behind locked doors, said Postmaster Gary Ravenelle. Postal employees are encouraged to wear rubber gloves, and N-95 masks, which protect against anthrax spores, are available, he said.
'He would have done anything for you'
ONEONTA - Everybody loved Frank Russo. He was 22, good-looking, quick to smile. He was a college student from Staten Island, looking forward to a career in finance until Wednesday, Sept. 19, when he didn't wake up.
A look back at recent frat-related incidents
ONEONTA - Fraternities are being placed under the city's microscope these days, primarily because of alleged illegal parties and two serious incidents that occurred this year.
Alley backed against a wall
ONEONTA — A downtown Oneonta bar is being investigated by the state Liquor Authority on charges of underage drinking and an assault at the Water Street establishment.
Temple Beth El honors Oneonta woman
ONEONTA — Visiting the sick, consoling the needy and raising funds for not-for-profit organizations are a few of the deeds that earned an Oneonta woman the Baal Shem Tov award from Temple Beth El.
Police charge four in burglaries
LAURENS — Two men were charged with several felonies in relation to several mid-August and September burglaries, Otsego County deputies said Wednesday.
Oneonta to begin water meter readings
ONEONTA — The city of Oneonta Water Department has begun reading water meters. Water Department personnel will be coming around to read and inspect meters.
Costumed go on parade
ONEONTA — Despite chilly temperatures and drizzling rain, hundreds of Oneonta residents showed up to watch ghosts, witches, Uncle Sams and other strange sights walk by at the annual Halloween parade.
Hopefuls vie for board seat
UNADILLA - Republican Gregory Relic, 53, and Democrat Renee Bennett, 58, will square off Tuesday in the race for the District One seat on the Otsego County Board of Representatives, which is based in Unadilla.
It's farmer vs. highway man for District 5
HARTWICK - The race for the District Five seat on the Otsego County Board of Representatives pits Republican Jerry Wood against incumbent Democrat Richard Thompson.
