Bassett awarded for being on guard
COOPERSTOWN - In a ceremony Wednesday, Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital received an award from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for its support of the National Guard and reserve military forces. In presenting the award to Dr. William Streck, Bassett's president and chief executive officer, Thomas Maguire, Jr., state adjutant general, noted these are tense times for the nation In such times, it is important for employers to not only fulfill the legal requirement of granting leave to people in the National Guard and Reserve but to support the employees' commitment to serve in the military, he said.
High school students follow letter of the law
A conversation at a Morris girl's basketball practice led to a trip to a law competition at Duke University for two 16-year-olds and their coach.
Insurer gives ways to halt health premium growth
ONEONTA —Fewer state mandates and increased employee contributions are two ways to mitigate rising health insurance premiums, one insurer said Thursday.
Five area adult homes fined in last two years
ONEONTA —Five local nursing and adult care homes were fined by the state Department of Health in the past two years, according to the department and facility administrators.
School board responsibility could hurt system
A state plan to hold school boards more accountable for the success of their districts might ultimately hurt the education system, school officials and board members said this week.
Two dead, one hurt in crash
FRANKLIN — Two people were killed and one person was critically injured Thursday in a two-car accident in the town of Franklin, said a Franklin Fire Department official.
Eco-design not an answer, but it could be part of one
ONEONTA — Ecological design can't save the world, but it can buy us time, environmental education professor David Orr said Thursday during a lecture at Hartwick College.
`Earth Democracy' to be topic
ONEONTA — An environmentalist and social ecologist from India will be in Hartwick College's Anderson Center for the Arts Theatre at 7 p.m. Saturday to speak on "Earth Democracy: The World beyond Corporate Globalization."
Thursday, February 27, 2003
Holiday lights linger
ONEONTA —Because of ice and snow, or just good cheer, the 12 days of Christmas have turned into two months for several city residents. Carla Harkenreader, who lives on Reynolds Street, said she's been decorating for the holidays for the past 11 years. But this is the first time she's juxtaposed St. Patrick's Day banners with a reindeer and a sleigh full of gifts. Usually she takes down her Christmas decorations the first week in January, but this year "I can't get them down because of the snow and everything is frozen in the ground," she said. Meanwhile, on Spruce Street, Bob and Irene Morrissey said their Christmas tardiness was intentional.
Schumer alleges gouging
ONEONTA —The cost of a gallon of gas could reach $2 by this spring, according to Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate possible gas price gouging.
Property tax exemptions challenged in state bill
ALBANY — A plan to strip exemptions from some nonprofit and religious organizations would be a boon for property taxpayers, but it borders on infringing upon religious freedoms, according to testimony given in Albany on Wednesday.
Two candidates arise day after Carso vacates spot
COOPERSTOWN - One day after Brian Carso announced his resignation as Otsego County clerk, two Republican town supervisors announced they are running for the post.
Budget revisions still include cuts
ONEONTA — School officials unveiled a revised 2002-03 budget, with a smaller tax hike and more cuts, at a city school district Board of Education meeting Wednesday night.
Patient will get $343K for pain
COOPERSTOWN - A jury in state Supreme Court in Otsego County has awarded about $343,000 in damages to Albert Kanser of New Lisbon for the misdiagnosis of a heart problem.
Woman's testimony leads to perjury charges
DELHI — An Arkville woman who changed her version of the events surrounding a series of burglaries now faces perjury charges, according to Delaware County District Attorney Richard Northrup.
Council's drug directive a sore point
ONEONTA — When the Common Council this month directed the city police department to make drug enforcement its No. 1 priority, some eyebrows were raised, particularly among Oneonta's finest.
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Area day care scarce
ONEONTA - When her daughter Tiffany was 4 months old, Otego resident Dawn Perillo started looking for child care. Perillo, who received a list of providers from Catholic Charities of Delaware and Otsego Counties, said besides a lack of openings, working in the health-care profession complicated matters. "I have to be at work at 6 or 7 in the morning, and not many people are willing to let you in at 5 in the morning," said Perillo, 35, a licensed practical nurse at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta. Perillo found care for Tiffany, now 6, and later her daughter Alyssa, 3, with Teresa Adell, a licensed family child-care provider in Otego.
Commissioner: Student achievement at risk
ALBANY — Gov. George Pataki's proposed cut in education aid would derail efforts to improve student achievement, particularly in New York's poorest schools, state Education Department Commissioner Richard Mills warned Tuesday.
Bassett seeks parking
COOPERSTOWN - Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital is considering the purchase of three parcels of land on which to build off-site parking lots, said Joseph Middleton, the hospital's vice president for facilities management.
Supreme Court decision draws mixed local reaction
Local advocates on both sides of the abortion debate have different interpretations of Monday's Supreme Court ruling on an Indiana law restricting the procedure.
Otsego County clerk to take job as state DMV official
COOPERSTOWN - Brian Carso, 39, has been appointed assistant commissioner of motor vehicles for operations, a state job that pays about $80,000. He will resign his post as Otsego County clerk March 11.
Officials: Inmate release will cut crime
ALBANY — Gov. George Pataki's plan to let prison inmates out early won't just save the state millions, it will also help reduce crime, administration officials said yesterday.
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Struggling stock market leaves retirement gaps
COOPERSTOWN - Counties and other municipalities in the state have received notice they may soon see tremendous bills because of a shortfall in the retirement system. Because of a weak stock market — where pension funds are invested — the state retirement system is losing money, according to State Comptroller Alan Hevesi. Counties and other municipalities apparently will now have to make up the difference. On Jan. 31, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average was about 8,000, the value of the retirement fund had dropped about $33 billion from its high of $130 billion three years ago, Hevesi wrote.
R.I. club tragedy opens eyes in Oneonta
Last Thursday's deadly fire in a Warwick, R.I., bar was not just another headline for city officials, who say the same thing could happen in Oneonta.
Fleischmanns cop indicted
DELHI — The Fleischmanns police chief wore handcuffs for his appearance in Delaware County Court on Monday.
Sidney United Way finds plenty of help
SIDNEY — It was a very good year for the Sidney United Way. Now directors have to decide how to return the greater-than-expected support given by donors to the Sidney community.
Laurens district to get traffic light
ONEONTA - A four-way stop will be installed at the intersection of state Route 205 and county Route 11A in Laurens sometime this spring because of safety concerns, state officials said.
Sex abuse, drug cases heard
DELHI — A Walton man was arraigned on child sexual abuse charges and two Schenectady men were sentenced on drug charges in Delaware County Court on Monday.
Official: Dairy help a ways off
ALBANY — Despite more than $100 million in federal subsidies within the past year, the financial troubles facing dairy farmers shows little sign of letting up, the state agriculture commissioner said Monday.
Monday, February 24, 2003
'Strangers' help farmer
EAST MEREDITH — Losing a leg in a tractor accident was more than a traumatic experience for Bruce Maroney. A shy, solitary farmer, he was introduced to a community of compassionate, caring neighbors that he didn't know existed. On Dec. 21, Maroney said he did something every farmer knows you should never do — he got off his tractor with the power take off, known as the PTO, still spinning. His heavy canvas pant leg somehow caught in the machinery and, within seconds, his leg was gone. "When you are working around something all the time, you get so lax," Maroney said Thursday at his farm. " When it got my pant leg, I was just lucky that I was close enough to reach the lever to shut it off, or I wouldn't be here today," he said.
Students take mental journey at SUCO
ONEONTA - Area students showed how creative they can be Saturday at the regional Odyssey of the Mind competition at the State University College at Oneonta. Some 340 students from 14 school districts filled the halls of the Hunt Union.
Otsego reviews redistricting plans
COOPERSTOWN - Otsego County's Intergovernmental Affairs Committee will likely present a plan for redistricting the county board by early April, according to Ronald Feldstein, committee chairman.
City police investigate two thefts
ONEONTA — Oneonta police said they are investigating a gas station robbery and a theft at a downtown hotel that occurred over the weekend.
Bed-tax collections jump 16%
COOPERSTOWN - Otsego County, which is attempting to double its hotel occupancy tax from 2 percent to 4 percent, collected more than $425,000 in occupancy tax in 2002, according to Theodora Moore, county treasurer.
Our Town: Basketball is king in Davenport
It's not the only game in town, but it sure seems to be the most popular with its residents. Charlotte Valley Central School basketball is what Davenport residents say motivates them to leave the warmth of their homes during the cold winter months.
Parents of Gis talk of pride, fears
Thousands of United States troops have been deployed to the Middle East, and others await orders stateside, as the country faces a possible war with Iraq. Area parents said they keep in touch but still worry. Below, some families share their thoughts: Cpl. Nathan Saxer, 22, of Hartwick is in Kuwait as the Bush administration prepares to go to war against Iraq. "We've only had one letter from him," said his father, the Rev. Laverne Saxer. "He sent it Jan. 18 and we got it Feb. 15. We think he's getting our letters a little faster, though." Kuwait, scene of fighting during the last war between the United States and Iraq, is not a bad place to be stationed, according to his son's letter, Saxer said.
Woman becomes `ambassador'
ONEONTA — Susan Henderson has taken her interest in outer space to new heights. The Oneonta resident was recently chosen to participate in the 2003 Solar System Ambassador Program, coordinated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.
Infant hurt during blaze at Unadilla home Friday
UNADILLA — A 7-month-old baby was taken to the hospital Friday afternoon after suffering from smoke inhalation in a fire that destroyed a Unadilla home. Nine members of the Buck family, who lived in the house, were left homeless, emergency officials said.
Suspect allegedly spoke of crime
WALTON — A Delhi teenager charged with robbing Smoker's Choice in Delhi on Feb. 13 told a classmate about his plan before and after the armed holdup, according to court testimony Friday.
Sidewalk repairs to be set in March
This year's recommended list of city sidewalks scheduled for replacement should be finished next month, city officials said. A capital budget for major street repairs has not yet been determined.
Professor draws parallels between violent fiction, Bush
ONEONTA — President Bush and his plans for action in Iraq can be compared to a traditional cowboy tale, a local professor told an audience of students, professors and community members Friday afternoon.
Friday, February 21, 2003
Education aid cuts likely to hurt taxpayers
Ellen Rohner, 66, is moving from Hamden next month to a new home in Indiana. "The taxes we pay here are outrageous," said Rohner, a retired nurse's aide. "In Indiana, they are about a third of what we pay here." She may be leaving at the right time. Local school officials said this week area residents may be faced with weighty property tax increases next year. "I am buried right now with trying to be fiscally responsible while maintaining a quality education," said Dominic Nuciforo, superintendent of Sidney Central School District. "Everybody's going to be in trouble."
Neighbors banding together to dig out
WALTON — There's nothing like a bad snowstorm to bring out the good in neighbors. Richard Signor — who lives on Griswold Street in Walton — said when it snows, neighbor Wendell Lewis, 86, always shows up on his tractor with the snow blower whirring.
TAP cuts could spell trouble for students
ONEONTA — If New York state cuts the amount of money it gives students to help pay for college tuition, State University College at Oneonta sophomore Steve Stannard said he "would be in a lot of trouble."
Easement to benefit landscape
Otsego Land Trust officials announced the acceptance of a conservation easement from Anne-Marie and Edward Danielski of Cooperstown.
Boards refuse to hear issues
SIDNEY — More than 20 employees of The Hospital in Sidney left a meeting of the town and hospital boards Thursday after being told they would not have an opportunity to speak.
Symposium to offer ideas for the environment
ONEONTA — A professor known for environmental education and design is among the featured speakers to be at a Sustainable Science Symposium at Hartwick College next Friday.
Thursday, February 20, 2003
Artist mixes media, motifs
ONEONTA - An army of futuristic warriors stands in formation. Their opponent is the beholder, seated and armed with a sketchbook. "Art versus, I don't want to say military, but military force," the artist, David Kenny, said. An exhibition of Kenny's work will open Friday at the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts' Kubiak Gallery. His work is executed on everything from canvas to Plexiglas to plywood, and he often combines silk-screening with painting. "It's a combination of a lot of different processes and effects that makes his work stand out," said Cynthia Marsh, the curator for the UCCCA exhibit.
Stocks of local interest reflect national decline
ONEONTA —Observers could say Newton's law even applies to the stock market —what goes up, must come down. Two years ago, in February 2001, Corning stock was selling on the New York Stock Exchange for just under $40 a share. On Wednesday, that share was going for $5.21.
Woman, 90, gets around in golf cart
EDMESTON - When Audrey Lohnas drives downtown in Edmeston, she hardly makes a sound. "People sometimes don't hear me coming, but when they see me they go out of their way to let me by," said Lohnas, 90.
Film featuring Delaware teens to air Monday
Two groups of Delaware County teens will make their television debut more than six months after they helped stage mock DWI accidents for the show "Judge Hatchett."
Superintendent job to open
The Worcester Central School Board of Education has begun receiving resumes from potential school chiefs, a district official said.
Robbery suspect in court Friday
DELHI — A Delhi teenager who allegedly robbed the Smoker's Choice tobacco shop at gunpoint will be in court for a felony hearing Friday, according to Delaware County District Attorney Richard Northrup.
Water St. may get walker-friendly
ONEONTA — Aldermen reviewed the city's Water Street improvement project during a meeting this week at City Hall.
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Winter good for the cows
BAINBRIDGE — Cows enjoy the winter weather this year that has brought a steady diet of cold temperatures, those involved with the dairy industry say. But for the dairy farmers it is a different story: The temperatures have given them a whole new set of problems to confront while dealing with the low prices being paid for milk for more than a year. "We are 90 days away from cutting hay, and we have 3 feet of snow on the ground," said Tim Tucek, 34, who runs the family farm in Bainbridge with sister Jennifer Tucek-Sienko, 32. The two have lived there since moving with their family in 1983 and have 150 cows, almost all jerseys.
Farmers: Help nice, but milk prices must rise
Area farmers said they have been able to meet some monthly expenses, thanks to supplemental payments for milk. But as long as monthly milk prices remain low, financial problems will continue, they said Monday.
Barn fire claims 24 goats
Two dozen goats perished in a barn fire Tuesday morning that destroyed the Cherry Valley building and sent two firefighters to the hospital, officials said.
Indian music, dance come to Oneonta during three-day festival
ONEONTA — Hartwick College will sponsor a three-day festival of classical Indian music and dance, including lectures and performances, Thursday through Saturday. The festival is part of the 2003 Foreman Creative & Performing Arts Series.
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Snow hits again
ONEONTA —Though it wasn't the beating that New York City took, more than enough snow fell in the area Monday, sending plow crews out on the roads and prompting the city of Oneonta to declare a state of emergency. "Although people, I know, are sick of the snowfall, the Oneonta area and points northward escaped the wrath of this storm," said David Mattice, a National Weather Service observer at Goodyear Lake. Mattice reported 8.1 inches had fallen as of 7 p.m. Monday, which took the season's total, since Nov. 1, to 114 inches of snow. "It is not a record, but it's one of the snowier winters in the last several years," he said.
Federal funds on way to ease money woes
ONEONTA - Despite soaring budget deficits, some government money is coming this way. More than $2.4 million in federal funds will go to projects in the Oneonta area, Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford, announced Monday afternoon at the offices of the Otsego County Chamber.
Jailed teen awaits date for felony hearing
DELHI — No date has been set for a felony hearing for a Meredith teenager who allegedly robbed the Smoker's Choice in Delhi on Thursday night, Delaware County Assistant District Attorney Frank Wood said Monday.
Cable firm, city seek contract
ONEONTA — Oneonta aldermen will review a 10-year franchise renewal contract between the city and Time Warner Cable at a meeting tonight. A public hearing on the proposal will be held at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall during the regular council meeting. A Time Warner official is scheduled to answer questions the public might have.
Couple set to knock 'em down at lanes in Norfolk
ONEONTA — Wine and cheese may not be the only things in life that improve with age. Patricia and Howard Barton, whose bowling scores have risen measurably since their retirement in the mid-1980s, should be added to the list. In fact, 70-year-old "Pat" and Howard, 75, of Oneonta, will head to this year's National Senior Olympics in Norfolk, Va., where the couple will compete on the singles and mixed doubles bowling teams. Married for 50 years, the Bartons have been bowling together since their youthful days on Staten Island. But the couple said they took an extended breather from bowling — about 30 years — to raise their children, before deciding to get back into the groove after retirement.
Wal-Mart's tactics leave some irate
ONEONTA - Potential shoplifters beware. Wal-Mart, by its own admission, has a zero-tolerance policy toward those with sticky fingers. But some shoppers have taken issue with loss-prevention tactics at the chain.
Cold fuels costs
Robert Felske, 82, said he uses oil to heat his two-story house in Sidney. Even though his heating oil plan has a cap on it, he said, he has seen prices rise steadily since the previous year.
Snow may be coming our way
The National Weather Service on Sunday issued a winter storm warning for today across Delaware County, where six to 12 inches could fall. Otsego County could get three to six inches.
4 nabbed in Delhi robbery
DELHI — Four people were arrested for their alleged involvement in the armed robbery at Smokers' Choice in Delhi Thursday night, Delaware County deputies said.
Area residents protest in NYC
ONEONTA —She's tried to get through to politicians from Boehlert to Bush. "I've done everything I can think of, and still they don't listen," said Eleanor Anbari, of Walton.
About 100 demonstrate in Oneonta
ONEONTA — "My husband had wanted to go to New York but we weren't able to, so we decided to make a stand here," said Oneonta resident Leslie Craigmyle, 37.
Special delivery by telephone
Theresa Sloat, 44, of Maryland said she missed the birth of her grandchildren because she was squeamish, but she more than made up for that on Saturday.
Passion leads writer into history
DELHI — Michael Durham's blue eyes light up when he talks about the excitement of covering the civil rights movement for Life magazine in the 1960s. Durham, 67, of DeLancey said he has been thinking about that time a lot since he was notified one of his articles had been selected for an anthology about that turbulent era in American history.
Different beliefs lead scoutmasters to quit
Controversial Boy Scout policies banning gays and atheists from the organization were behind the recent resignations of two local Scout leaders.
Hartwick keeps Div. 1 status
ONEONTA — Alumni and community support appeared to drive the 11th hour rescue of Hartwick College's Division I sports Friday — a program whose fate had hung in the balance for months.
Fleischmanns dissolution up in the air
DELHI — Fleischmanns residents still don't know if the question of whether to dissolve the village will appear on the ballot in March.
Hearts are focus at breakfast
ONEONTA — Some area residents had their hearts checked by nurses and cardiology technicians on Valentine's Day morning. Bassett, as part of its Heart Care Initiative, offered area residents free heart screenings Friday morning.
Bassett named business of the year
Bassett Healthcare has been named the Distinguished Business of the Year by the Otsego County Chamber, officials announced Friday morning. "Bassett has proven throughout the years that it gives back to the community," said Rob Robinson, president and chief executive officer of the chamber.
Spending plan includes $6.85M for local projects
Federal lawmakers announced Friday that almost $7 million for projects in Delaware and Chenango counties was included in a spending plan approved this week.
Friday, February 14, 2003
Area Muslims get FBI visit
SIDNEY CENTER — When the FBI knocked on the door of a Sidney Center home Wednesday, the owners and their guests said they weren't surprised, but the timing could have been better. Meryem Brawley and her husband, Sheikh Abdul Kerim, said they wished the visit hadn't come on the Muslim holiday of the Feast of Kurban, which ended Wednesday night. "If they were concerned, they should have come before," Abdul Kerim, a local religious leader, said. The FBI agents arrived at the Wheat Hill Road home about 9:30 a.m., Brawley said, and stayed about 90 minutes. Abdul Kerim was away at the time.
Valentine's Day is here: Guys there's still time
ONEONTA — Twenty-year-old Jon Tario stands in front of a seemingly endless shelf of chocolate-filled, heart-shaped boxes, wrinkling his forehead. "I should have come a little sooner," the State University College at Oneonta student says. "I started late last year too. I have to start learning from these things."
State seeks to keep Hancock justice gone for good
ALBANY — Calvin Westcott resigned his position as Hancock town justice last year. Now, the state is trying to make sure it's permanent. The state Commission on Judicial Conduct recommended that Westcott, convicted last year of a sex-related crime, be formally removed from the bench. The commission's decision was released Thursday.
Business Beat: Gaming store opens in Oneonta; video store closes
Oneonta has a new Hobbit hole. Bag End, a store catering to the gaming community, opened Feb. 1 at 77 Main St. in Oneonta. The store sells role-playing books, models and figurines, dice and collectible card games, among other items, and also plays host to between four and 10 tournaments a week for different games.
Workers raise concerns about The Hospital
SIDNEY — About 20 employees from The Hospital in Sidney were at the Sidney Town Board meeting Thursday to voice concerns about the municipal facility. Board members told the employees they shared some of those concerns.
Weather troubles many drivers
Snowy, blustery weather across the region Wednesday morning led to whiteouts and slippery roads, causing a variety of accidents. A Milford teenager was critically injured in an accident at about 10 a.m., while fender benders across Otsego and Delaware counties resulted in minor injuries or no injuries, authorities said. Phillip S. Tousignant, 17, was driving south on a snow-covered state Route 28 when he lost control, skidded, crossed into the northbound lane and hit a tractor-trailer, Otsego County deputies said.
Delaware County honors Laurel Clark's birthday
DELHI — The Delaware County Board of Supervisors stood with heads bent as a proclamation designating March 10 as Astronaut Laurel Clark Day in Delaware County was read.
County board: Mandates are too expensive
DELHI — The Delaware County Board of Supervisors went on the record in opposition to unfunded state and federal government mandates Wednesday.
Oneonta district presents budget
ONEONTA — Oneonta's school tax levy could increase by almost 10 percent, according to preliminary school budget figures presented at Wednesday night's board of education meeting.
Otsego villages to have election contests
The ongoing legal battles of the village of Milford mayor, Michael LaDuke, has created one of the few contested village races in Otsego County.
Boehlert `confident' shuttle fate to be determined
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert said he is confident NASA will find the cause of the Columbia disintegration, even as the space agency admitted it doesn't have all the answers yet.
Ice causes rift in trailer park
ONEONTA — Reported icy road conditions at Oneida Village Mobile Home Park have prompted post office officials to put a freeze on delivering mail to the park. Also, several residents at the trailer park say they are steamed about having to put up with the deeply rutted and, in some places, slick, snow-packed road. But trailer park owner Joe Briguglio says his property is not in violation of town code, and his road shouldn't pose a problem to letter carriers delivering mail to the 60-odd trailers at the park. Oneonta postal carriers have not delivered mail to any of the residences at the trailer park at 124 Oneida St. for "about a week," one post office official said Tuesday.
SUNY chancellor bashed for backing Pataki's hike
ALBANY — Despite plans to cut aid, raise tuition and slash assistance to students, SUNY may be able to make do without any "devastating cuts" to programs. So says State University of New York Chancellor Robert King, who testified Tuesday during a hearing at the Capitol on Gov. George Pataki's proposed $91 billion budget for 2003-04.
Dog goes from break to lucky break
FLY CREEK - Rosie is a lucky dog. A car hit her in Milford on Nov. 4, breaking her pelvis and back legs. Her owner could not be found and she was taken to Cooperstown Veterinary Associates in Fly Creek, according to Jennifer Phelps, who works there.
Some poets not short of words to oppose war
ONEONTA - First lady Laura Bush called off "The White House Forum on Poetry Symposium and the American Voice" set for today. But the nation's anti-war poets have been anything but silent. And local poets are echoing their views.
Artist shows 50 years of work
ONEONTA —Artist Roberta Griffith has been thinking big the past few years. "Things have gotten bigger as I've gotten older. It's kind of a contradiction that things are getting harder to move," said Griffith, Arkell Hall Foundation professor of art at Hartwick College. "I think I'm going to need a fork lift."
Otsego jury indicts four
COOPERSTOWN - The Otsego County grand jury returned indictments against four men Monday and four men were sentenced in Otsego County Court.
Judge: 6 months in jail
DELHI — A Halcottsville man was sentenced in Delaware County Court on Monday to six months in jail for burglary.
Tuesday, February 11, 2003
Cousins born — same day, same hospital, same doctor
ONEONTA — The doctor who delivered two babies Saturday at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital says it was a first for him. Sisters Kathy and Tammy Armstrong, both of Oneonta, each gave birth Feb. 8 to healthy baby boys only 34 minutes apart. Cameron Anthony Bridgeforth, son of 20-year-old Kathy, was born at 4 p.m. Tammy's second child, Donovan James Hitchcock, came into the world soon after his cousin, at 4:34 p.m. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 13.6 ounces. Dr. William Baerthlein, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Women's Health @ Fox Care who delivered the sisters' babies, said he's personally never been involved in a case that involved such rare circumstances.
State finds 'hope' in test score rise
ALBANY — Twenty Oneonta-area schools are among New York state's most improved in English and math, according to a list released Monday by the state.
Skinhead to speaker: Man tells tale at SUCO
ONEONTA —Former neo-Nazi white supremacist Tom "T.J." Leydon addressed a crowd of mostly students Monday night, urging them to mentor youths and prevent hate.
Students learn of civic duties
OTEGO — At Otego Elementary School, "civics" is getting a new meaning — literally. The two fifth-grade classes at the school are in the first year of a new program students and teachers say is a success.
City police investigate an alleged sexual assault
ONEONTA — Oneonta city police are continuing their investigation into an alleged attempted sexual assault last month of a college student on Maple Street.
Trouble on the hill: Hartwick seeks financial recovery
ONEONTA — Hartwick College President Richard Detweiler compares the college's spending in the mid-1990s to a person who eats an extra cookie every day. "You may not notice it in a day, in a week," Detweiler, who is set to retire in June, said during an interview Friday morning. "Over time, you just slowly become rotund." That overspending has led to a budget crisis and, in turn, to a dramatic rethinking in the way Detweiler — and other college officials — run Hartwick. With the board of trustees meeting later this week to discuss some of those issues, The Daily Star spoke with Detweiler and other Hartwick staff members about the events that led to the financial troubles, as well as the effect they're having on the campus.
Trustees may decide on D-I sports status
ONEONTA — A decision about the fate of Division I sports at Hartwick College could come as soon as this week, when the board of trustees has its February meeting, college officials said Friday.
Authorities warn about pet care in cold
While we brace for another blast of arctic air, people with outdoor pets should remember that not taking proper care of their animals could result in cruelty charges, according to Delaware County deputies.
Icy I-88 causes six-car pileup
SIDNEY —A six-car pileup closed a stretch of I-88 for two hours late Sunday afternoon, but no one was injured in the accident, officials said.
Winter making mess of streets
ONEONTA — Driving down some city streets these days might feel a lot like negotiating the surface of the moon. This season's hard winter, which began with a Christmas nor'easter that barreled up the East Coast and dumped about 2 feet of snow on the area, has wreaked havoc with Oneonta's city streets. All the snow and ice has also meant water main breaks, collapsing roofs and the potential for flooding if a significant thaw occurs. While the potholes haven't become craters yet, these various-sized pits in the road are probably not going to get any better until the weather breaks, city officials said Friday.
Businessman or con man?
With police continuing to investigate the January deaths of four Arabian horses in Masonville, the horses' owner remains a man of mystery. Is Yahya Ansari a reputable businessman or a con man?
Boys getting hooked on hobby
SIDNEY — Sitting by teens playing basketball, Ping-Pong and pool at a Sidney youth club, a visitor is likely to find a group of guys with a hank of yarn, hard at work. Crocheting has become a regular activity at the Tri-Town Boys and Girls Club in Sidney, said program director Shelly Maus.
Search for food testing wildlife
Heavy snow and prolonged cold weather are beginning to take a toll on wildlife, a state conservation official said Friday, and many of the deer are on the brink of starvation.
LaDukes plead innocent
COOPERSTOWN - Milford Mayor Michael LaDuke and former Milford Village Clerk Debra LaDuke pleaded innocent Friday at their arraignment on 19 charges in Otsego County Court.
Furnace may be source of fire at Otsego house
OTSEGO — A basement furnace is the likely source of a fire that destroyed a house Wednesday morning in the town of Otsego, Otsego County fire officials said Friday.
Pumps reflect world's troubles
ONEONTA —The price of gasoline is on the rise, and local dealers said they'd need a crystal ball to predict when they'd fall. Barbara Robinson, who owns the Citgo at 114 Chestnut St. in Cooperstown, said the price of a gallon of regular unleaded went up to $1.69 Thursday, a 7-cent increase from the day before. The price has been rising steadily, she said, as their supplier has continued to charge more. "All we know is what we hear from our supplier," she said. "I get the impression that it's going to continue going up." At Stewart's Shop in Oneonta, a gallon of regular unleaded was $1.63 on Thursday. "We just raised our prices today," said Brianna Thomas, a clerk at the station on Main street.
State deficit could claim Oneonta Armory
ONEONTA — The historic Oneonta Armory could become a casualty of Gov. George Pataki's war on the state's growing fiscal woes. Closing nine armories, which state officials say could mean savings of $500,000 a year, would help implement Pataki's $90.8 billion budget proposal, The Associated Press reported Thursday.
Localities to governor: Savings are inflated
ALBANY — Gov. George Pataki says that Medicaid initiatives in his proposed $91 billion budget will save county governments more than a quarter-million dollars statewide. But municipal officials disagreed Thursday, claiming figures from the governor's office showing county-by-county savings are inflated by a "one-shot" revenue enhancer.
Otsego to buy vehicle
COOPERSTOWN — The Otsego County Board of Representatives has approved buying a four-wheel drive vehicle for deputies and OK'd a contract for advertising services.
Delhi reviews sand policy
DELHI — The Town of Delhi is rethinking security following an accident Wednesday in which a man was trapped by a sand slide, according to Delhi Supervisor Gary Manning.
Local environmental groups take on Bush's positions
Local environmental groups are trying to prevent the Bush administration from weakening laws they say protect American natural resources. The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club will hold a forum on the topic at the Elm Park United Methodist Church on Chestnut Street in Oneonta at 8 p.m. on Feb. 19.
Thursday, February 6, 2003
Area man injured by sand
DELHI — A man loading sand into a pickup truck was trapped when a one-ton frozen chunk of sand pinned him against the bed of his truck, Delhi emergency workers said. Gary Rosa and George H. Cochrane Jr. had just completed loading Rosa's truck with sand at the Delhi Town Shed on Sherwood Drive, when an overhanging section slid down and trapped Rosa, according to Delaware County deputies. Cochrane called 911 on a cell phone, but the call went to the state police in Albany, who called the Delaware County 911 Center. The local 911 dispatcher called the Delaware County Sheriff's Department with limited information about the incident and the location.
Trouble may loom with N.Y. malpractice coverage
ONEONTA - Location may lower the costs, but expensive malpractice insurance still is tough on doctors, area health professionals said this week. "I think the country's in a severe crisis, and it's not just New York state," said Kathleen Dyman, executive director of the Medical Society for Chenango, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida and Oswego counties. "But we are one of the highest premiums in the country."
Franklin school faculty set to teach others by TV
Several Franklin Central School teachers and students will step into the spotlight next week during a special to be aired on public television, school officials said.
Oneonta schools face cuts
ONEONTA — City school district officials gave the board of education Wednesday night a glimpse of the tough budget season it is facing in the next few months.
Fire razes house in town of Otsego
A two-story Otsego residence, thought to be unoccupied, burned to the ground Wednesday morning, officials said.
Poetry jam for peace set at SUCO
ONEONTA — Students and faculty will give a "Verbal Jam on Peace" at the State University College at Oneonta at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17. The event will be in Lecture Hall 4 of the Instructional Resources Center.
Wednesday, February 5, 2003
Mandolin player remains a rare breed
ONEONTA —It's an instrument some may associate with bluegrass rather than black-tie. But Oneonta resident Ric Chrislip, who has been making the mandolin classical since 1972, will play with the Cleveland Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Thursday. Chrislip, 56, will join the orchestra for Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 7, one of the few orchestral pieces that calls for a mandolin. Thursday's performance will be followed by concerts this weekend in Philadelphia and Boston.
Snow knocks roofs down
About 15 cows were rescued after their shed collapsed early Tuesday morning, officials in Milford said. The shed, where the cows had been eating, was attached to a barn at Lester and JoAnne Tyler's farm on state Route 28 in Milford.
Boehlert: Shuttle crash forces planning for the future
Congress will focus on the funding and the future of America's space program as it continues its investigation into the Columbia disaster, Rep. Sherwood Boehlert said Tuesday.
Fire crew plans hall
The Sidney Center Fire Department wants a new fire station and will address plans at a public meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the fire hall on county Route 23, officials said.
Sidney views future
SIDNEY — What will improve the quality of life in the village of Sidney? This question, along with others like it, is expected to be discussed when the Sidney Village Board of Trustees holds a special meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Indictments filed in Otsego court
COOPERSTOWN - Milford Mayor Michael LaDuke and former Milford village Clerk Debra LaDuke have been indicted on 19 charges in Otsego County Court.
Six soldiers honored
In recognition of service following the 9/11 attacks, six members of the local state Guard were among soldiers statewide to receive a medal at recent ceremonies. The soldiers received the Defense of Freedom Medal, authorized by Gov. George Pataki, the company commander said.
Tuesday, February 4, 2003
Fires strike fighters' houses
Friends and neighbors are making losses lighter, Doreen Johnson said Monday. Last Thursday night, a fire swept through Seth and Doreen Johnson's home on Rezen Road in Middlefield. Firefighters from several local departments battled the blaze that cold night, but the 180-year-old salt box house sustained heavy damage. "Basically, it's a total loss," said Doreen Johnson, an emergency medical technician. Some mementos and photographs were saved. The Johnsons are affiliated with the Middlefield Fire Department, and Seth, a paramedic, is captain of the department's emergency squad. Not long before the fire kindled, Doreen Johnson said she and her husband were called to a medical emergency in Cherry Valley.
Former coach takes trip down memory lane
For a few brief moments in January, longtime Oneonta resident Anthony "Tony" Drago was reminded of the thrill of "big-time" basketball.
Blaze damages home
A fire broke out at the Mount Vision home of the county fire coordinator Monday afternoon, officials said. No injuries were reported.
Fleischmanns group sues village to put dissolution on ballot
A group of residents is suing the Fleischmanns mayor and village trustees to force them to put the question of dissolving the village on a March 18 ballot. "Papers were filed Monday in Supreme Court in Delhi," said Wayne Horner, a member of the Common Sense Committee, which is pushing for dissolution of the 89-year-old village.
Astronaut had family locally
Astronaut Laurel Clark was a "wonderful example to us all" and got to fulfull her dream of going to outer space, her uncle of DeLancey said Sunday. Clark, one of the seven astronauts who died on the space shuttle Columbia on Saturday, spent some of early years in Delhi and had family members in the area. She was born in Ames, Iowa, but her parents later moved the family to the area. She attended Delaware Academy until 1975, when the family headed to New Mexico, said her uncle Bruce Salton of DeLancey. Both parents graduated from Delaware Academy in the early-1950s and worked in the area for awhile, Salton said.
Area feels tragedy
The loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its crew Saturday touched a number of area residents who had personal or professional interest in the flight.
College skiers helping to enable
Area college students are taking a stab at teaching this winter by hitting the slopes as volunteer ski instructors. About a dozen students from Hartwick College and the State University College at Oneonta have been traveling to Ski Windham this season to teach mentally and physically disabled people how to ski.
Schools preach calmness for tests
What's the secret to success on fourth-grade tests? Get lots of sleep, eat a healthy breakfast and just relax, local educators said Friday.
Eighth-graders can only wait now
It's too soon to tell how eighth-graders fared on the state English tests they took nearly two weeks ago, local educators said Friday.
Panels tackle under-21 drinking
ONEONTA —A group of community members has been organized to combat underage drinking following a forum on the topic last month.
Chinese celebrate new year
ONEONTA - More than 200 miles north of Manhattan's Chinatown, celebrating the Lunar New Year is a much quieter affair. While some 50,000 firecrackers exploded Saturday in Chinatown, Cooperstown resident Mindy Zhang marked the occasion with a special family dinner.
Zoning law in effect
The long-debated and much-discussed zoning regulations for the town of Otego went into effect in January, officials said.
Local Eagle Scouts to soar in recognition ceremony on Monday
Jimmy Stewart, H. Ross Perot, Steven Spielberg and Walter Cronkite. These famous people are among good company. The latest flock of area Eagle Scouts will be honored at the Otschodela Council's annual Eagle Recognition Dinner in Oneonta on Monday. The event, which will be held at the Holiday Inn, coincides with Scouting Anniversary Week. The Boy Scouts of America was established in 1910. Twenty five teenagers from Otsego, Schoharie and Delaware counties — all belonging to the Otschodela Council — will be recognized for receiving their Eagle Scout badges over the last two years.
January '03 cold — but not the coldest
Comparing last month's weather with that of January 2002, which was the third-warmest on record, is like comparing apples to oranges. In fact, last month could go down in the record books as one of the top five coldest in the last 30 years, said Theodore Champney, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Binghamton.
Health priorities set
ONEONTA —The Otsego Public Health Partnership issued its community report card for the county this week, outlining 10 of the areas the partnership is working on to meet national goals.
Topic: County manager
The Community Forum will address the question, "Should Otsego County have a county administrator?" during its 11th session at 8 p.m. Monday.
Cooperstown district calls for lockdown after threat
Cooperstown Central School operated under modified lockdown — with all doors but the main entrance locked — Thursday, because of a bomb threat found in a middle school bathroom Wednesday night, school officials said.
