Man charged with making terror threat
Law enforcement agencies and other officials were tight-lipped Sunday night after a Hancock man was jailed without bail on terrorism charges.
DEC shoots for changes after deer take drops
Preliminary data show a 20 percent decline in the deer take for the 2004 hunting season, and state officials have scheduled meetings to address the issue.
Teen nabbed in torching of monument
MILFORD - A Cooperstown teenager has been arrested after a floral arrangement at the World War II memorial in Milford was set on fire, Otsego County sheriff’s deputies said.
Decision on Sidney schools in March
A decision is expected in March on the future configuration of the five Sidney Central School campus buildings, Sidney Superintendent Dominic Nuciforo said Thursday.
Man killed in snowmobile crash
An Oxford man died Friday night after a snowmobile accident, according to Chenango County sheriff’s deputies.
January 29, 2005
City, Otsego disagree over EMS system
Almost a month after the city of Oneonta’s emergency squads stopped intercepting other squads on the way to the hospital, city and Otsego County officials remain at odds on how to improve the EMS system.
Man aids Thailand tsunami survivors
When Hank Nicols of Milford was standing on the beach of Phuket, Thailand, about three weeks after the tsunami hit there, he said he thought briefly of home in Otsego County.
Cat blamed for Deposit building fire
DEPOSIT - A fire in the village of Deposit that destroyed two commercial buildings early Friday and heavily damaged another was started by a candle probably knocked over by a cat in a second-floor apartment, Deposit Fire Chief Craig Conklin said.
Edmeston players to stage mystery spoof
EDMESTON - The Peet Hook Players will perform "The Butler Did It" at Edmeston Central School on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 2, 5 and 6.
Area News Briefs
UNADILLA- A fire that left a Unadilla couple homeless was caused by a candle, said Sidney Fire Chief Jack Steffen. The fire was located in his district.
Science symposium to return
A lecture room at Richfield Springs High School will provide a showcase Thursday for presenters at the forefront of science fields, organizers said.
Lawyer elected OCCA president
Oneonta lawyer Carol Malz has been elected president of the Otsego County Conservation Association.
Water released at Pepacton Reservoir
COLCHESTER - Water releases at the Pepacton Reservoir began at 10 a.m. Wednesday as part of an agreement to protect Colchester residents from spring flooding, officials said.
Area news briefs
ONEONTA - Oneonta police charged a man and woman with felony drug possession after a traffic stop Thursday night.
CV-S sophomore moves from opera to film
Actor Jonathan Press, who appears in the upcoming movie "High Roller: The Stu Unger Story," is a sophomore at Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School.
Source of odor that closed Oneonta schools not found
ONEONTA - The source of an odor that caused classes at Oneonta city schools to be canceled Wednesday had not been identified by that night, officials said. The odor dissipated before 9 a.m.
Schumer opposes Bush plan to change college-aid program
Almost 1,300 students attending local colleges would lose financial aid under a Bush administration proposal to change the Pell Grant program, a U.S. senator said Wednesday.
Twelve Tribes to hold informational forum
ONEONTA - A local man says his family was banned from church because of a friendship with members of the Twelve Tribes, a religious community with enclaves in Ithaca and Albany.
Cooperstown contract not yet signed, officials say
Although a tentative agreement for a new contract was signed Dec. 21 between the Cooperstown Central School Board of Education and the Faculty Association, the final contract has not yet been signed, both sides said Wednesday.
Drug case going to grand jury
SIDNEY - The case of a Brooklyn man charged with selling crack cocaine in Sidney a week ago will be going to a Delaware County grand jury, court officials said.
N.Y. lacks money to complete I-86
ALBANY - The state does not have the money to complete the upgrade of Route 17 into an interstate, the state’s top transportation officials said.
Family from Sudan resettling in Unadilla
UNADILLA - It is a long way from eastern Africa to Unadilla, but a Sudanese family has made the trip thanks to the efforts of the Unadilla community.
Dance to benefit Pine Lake programs
Dancers will be swinging at the Elks Club in Oneonta on Saturday to raise money for Hartwick College’s Pine Lake Environmental Campus.
State program could boost aid to Oneonta
Gov. George Pataki’s proposed Aid and Incentives for Municipalities program would provide more funding to cities, including Oneonta, which could see 12.5 percent more aid in 2005-06.
Bill may change tax plan
A proposal to switch from property taxes to local income taxes to pay for schools is packed with potential problems, but is still worth a look, housing industry and local government advocates said Monday.
’First big one’ drops a foot of light snow
A snowstorm blanketed the area with at least a foot of light, powdery snow this weekend, weather observers said Sunday, and below-normal temperatures are expected to last through this week.
BOCES contest winner celebrates opportunity
Illustrations with flowers, patriotic symbols and holiday themes were chosen for this year’s ONC BOCES calendar after a student contest.
State not affected by federal contraception ruling
While the U.S. Department of Justice issued a lengthy sexual assault treatment protocol that doesn’t mention emergency contraception, local providers said it wouldn’t change how women are treated in this state.
Budget holds green goodies
Count forests, farm fields and wetlands among the winners in Gov. George Pataki’s executive budget.
Family left homeless
Fire damaged a trailer Saturday, leaving a man and his two sons homeless, the fire chief said Sunday.
January 22, 2005
Injured soldier to get quilt
ONEONTA - A friendship between Army wives in South Korea has led to the shipping of an Oneonta-made quilt to an injured soldier.
Author Durrow to present reading, discussion at SUCO
Author Heidi Durrow, whose "Light-skinned-ed Girl" won the 2004 Lorian Hemingway Short Story Award, will present a reading and discussion at 7 p.m. Thursday at the State University College at Oneonta.
Locals watch history
Two Cooperstown students said it was fun to be in Washington on Thursday to see President Bush take the oath of office and attend the hours-long parade.
Boy with leukemia receives donations after fund stolen
People were outraged when they read about the burglary at a Stamford restaurant in which $200 in donations for a 3½-year-old child with leukemia were stolen, said Croce Basile, a member of the family that owns Mama Maria’s Restaurant.
Speaker coming to ’Wick will discuss health issues in developing world
ONEONTA - Dr. Ronald O’Connor, founder and senior adviser to Management Sciences for Health in Boston, will give a free public lecture at Hartwick College titled, "What Are the Prospects for Healthy Lives for Those in the Developing World Today, and Do They Matter to Us?"
Wind-measuring tower raised in Cherry Valley
A tower with equipment to measure wind speed and direction along a ridge of hills east of the village of Cherry Valley was inched into position Wednesday.
Public weighs in on Countryside Care
DELHI - The majority of the people who spoke at a public hearing Wednesday about the future of Delaware County’s Countryside Care Center opposed selling the nursing facility.
Hearing adjourned on plea of Cutting defendant
DELHI - A hearing to determine whether Gregory A. Hunt, one of the defendants in the Timothy Cutting case, can withdraw his guilty plea was adjourned for a month Wednesday in Delaware County Court.
Area News Brief
ONEONTA - A local woman was accused of grand larceny in connection with unemployment benefits, state police at Oneonta said Wednesday.
Area Business Briefs
AFTON - Jockeyport Veterinary Services has again received accreditation after a comprehensive evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association.
January 19, 2005
Gov. calls for more aid to needy schools
ALBANY - More than 200 needy school districts outside of New York City would share nearly $83 million in targeted aid under the governor’s executive budget proposal released Tuesday.
Plan would raise SUNY tuition
ALBANY - Students at state-run colleges would face higher tuition and delays in getting some of their financial aid under the executive budget proposal released Tuesday.
Duke Diner to close its doors tonight
ONEONTA - For regular patrons at the Duke Diner, the Joni Mitchell lyric, "They paved paradise to put up a parking lot," will take on a new meaning after today.
Class in Stamford holds ’lovely’ tea party
STAMFORD - The blue-patterned tea set may have been a little out of place at the pint-size table in the Stamford preschool. But you can’t use Dixie cups at a tea party.
Meadows won’t be ready for offices
The Meadows, Otsego County’s former nursing home, will not be ready to accommodate social services employees by the end of January.
Man pleads innocent to drug possession charges
During his arraignment in Otsego County Court on Friday, a West Winfield man pleaded innocent to charges of possession of methamphetamine or its component parts.
January 18, 2005
Gov. wants Medicaid overhaul
Gov. George Pataki’s budget proposal will include more than $1 billion in Medicaid cost savings for the state, including cuts to hospital, mental-health and dental care for the needy, administration officials said Monday.
Schools send out info on offenders
A national organization is pushing for a state law calling for all school districts to notify parents when a registered sex offender of a certain level moves into a district.
Group names farmer, author woman of year
Sylvia Jorrin of Meredith has been named "Woman of the Year 2005" by the Delhi Business and Professional Women’s Organization, said Doris Tyrrell, a member of the group.
Deputies arrest man 1 year after finding meth lab
PLAINFIELD - More than a year after finding a methamphetamine laboratory in Plainfield, Otsego County sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man based on a county court indictment.
Family displaced by fire
SHARON SPRINGS - Fire forced members of a Sharon Springs family from their home Monday morning, according to the Schoharie County Fire Coordinator.
Woman organizing group for friends and family of troops
WALTON - A Walton woman whose son is a Marine serving in Iraq is organizing the Military Family & Friends Support Network for those with friends and relatives in the service.
Area group recalls why MLK Day celebrated
Martin Luther King Jr. Day shouldn’t just be a time for a holiday, members of the Oneonta branch of the NAACP said at a celebration Sunday.
Rather, people should take the time to remember King, what he did and what his beliefs were, speakers and members said.
County road not aging gracefully
The surface of county Route 59 in Hartwick is breaking up, and the county Highway Department has lowered the speed limit in sections of the road to 25 mph.
The road, which connects routes 11 and 26, was redone in 2000, according to Ron Tiderencel, the county’s highway superintendent.
Pataki may rely on budget powers
ALBANY - By Tuesday, New Yorkers will know which Gov. George Pataki they are getting this year, and most bets are he’ll be taking a hard turn to the right.
Money for child stolen
Whoever burglarized Mama Maria’s Restaurant in Stamford earlier this week stole about $200 from a 3½-year-old child with leukemia.
Delhi ambulance on display in Albany
A retired Delhi ambulance got a new lease on life when it was chosen to be showcased in the New York State Museum emergency medical services exhibit in Albany.
Two suspects in bank robbery plead innocent
Two of the three men accused in a Nov. 24 armed robbery at the Franklin branch of the National Bank of Delaware County were arraigned in Delaware County Court on Friday, according to Allison Barnes, county court clerk.
SPUR to target upstate economy
New York will spend more than $350 million on new business tax breaks, capital improvements and other incentives under a program to encourage upstate economic growth, Gov. George Pataki’s administration said Thursday.
Bank heist suspects indicted
DELHI - A Delaware County grand jury handed up indictments Thursday for three men accused in an armed robbery Nov. 24 at the Franklin branch of the National Bank of Delaware County, District Attorney Richard Northrup said.
Wilber dresses for success
ONEONTA - Douglas Gulotty, Wilber Bank president, was told to wear a plum-colored suit when he was working at the bank as an investment officer in the late 1980s.
Group protests sale of Countryside Care at special meeting
DELHI - A group of 65 to 75 senior citizens and Countryside Care Center employees attended a special meeting of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors on Thursday to protest the possible sale of the county-owned nursing home.
Kraft helping employees find jobs
Kraft will end yogurt production at its South Edmeston plant this month, a company official said recently.
MLK event to feature music, dinner
ONEONTA - "Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On! Not a Day Off!" is the 2005 theme for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration sponsored by the Oneonta branch of the NAACP.
Main Streets to see changes
State money is coming to Main Street revitalization projects in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties.
CV-S senior to attend inauguration events
A Cherry-Valley Springfield High School senior is taking advantage of the opportunity to participate in ceremonies surrounding George W. Bush’s presidential oath of office in Washington, D.C.
Bassett program seeks heart-healthy workplaces
Some things seem to be workplace staples: tempting vending machines filled with junk food, 15-minute cigarette breaks and alluring candy dishes within an arm’s reach.
Bank robbery suspects to go to grand jury
A grand jury will hear testimony about an alleged armed robbery Nov. 24 at the Franklin branch of the National Bank in Delaware County, said Delaware County District Attorney Richard Northrup.
More layoffs announced at The Hospital
SIDNEY - Layoffs were announced Wednesday at The Hospital in Sidney after two days of talks between administration and CSEA officials.
City proposal could hurt pets, cat advocates say
ONEONTA - Cat lovers told aldermen at the Board of Public Safety meeting Wednesday that a proposed change to city law would jeopardize the feline population.
3 assessment awards given
The city of Oneonta and the town of Laurens were among municipalities across the state that qualified for assessment awards, the Office of Real Property Services said Wednesday.
Schools, union discussing contract
ONEONTA - Negotiations for a new contract for the more than 150 members of the Oneonta Teachers Association are expected to continue today.
Area News Briefs
HAMDEN - A Hamden woman was arrested Wednesday for allegedly taking money from a residence, Delaware County deputies said.
January 12, 2005
23 dogs rescued in Worcester
Twenty-three Akita dogs were rescued from Brady Road in Worcester last weekend by local residents and Akita Rescue of Western New York, an organization dedicated to promoting the breed.
Foundation president to receive service award
ONEONTA - The president of the local College Foundation will receive a prestigious award for service, officials at the State University College at Oneonta said Tuesday.
Cooperstown students to attend inauguration
Sixty-nine students and 11 chaperones from Cooperstown Central School will ride through the night to visit Washington, D.C., and watch the inauguration of President Bush on Jan. 20.
FEMA awards Delaware County $19,000
Delaware County has been awarded more than $19,000 in an emergency food and shelter programs grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Meeting to focus on beer, wine sales
A public hearing on proposed changes to the Sunday hours for retail beer and wine sales in Delaware County will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Sen. Charles D. Cook County Office Building at 111 Main St. in Delhi.
Myers named to Cobleskill Tech post
Dr. Thomas J. Haas, president of the State University College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, has appointed Dr. Anne Myers vice president for academic affairs after a national search.
Pataki hints at cuts in state health funds
ALBANY - Calling state Medicaid costs "dramatically out of line," Gov. George Pataki indicated Tuesday he would cut health-care spending and propose significant reforms in his executive budget.
Community helps boy fight cancer
As a Mount Vision boy starts the toughest battle of his young life, he and his family won’t be going into it alone.
Ice rinks at park ready for skaters
The rinks are ready, the skaters are eager, and the weather is on the verge of cooperating, Todd Foreman of Oneonta said Monday.
Director: Cat and dog control program working well
ONEONTA - Shep was picked up on Main Street, near Market Street, in November. Some might have said he was loitering. Others might have said he was lost or homeless.
Two suspects in bank heist jailed on bail
ONEONTA - Three suspects charged in connection with an armed robbery Nov. 24 at the National Bank of Delaware County in the Franklin were arraigned Saturday.
Saturday snow ices highways
ONEONTA - The winter weather Saturday caused about 20 minor traffic accidents, police said.
Young Meredith town justice resigns
Meredith town Justice John W. Bagley resigned Wednesday.
Elected in January 2002 at age 22, Bagley, a Republican, had the distinction of being the state’s youngest justice.
Eagles create stir for hawk watchers
ONEONTA - The Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch, sponsored by the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, reached its second-highest count for most of the species of hawks in 16 years.
Area News Briefs
An East Springfield man was arrested Jan. 3 after a five-week investigation by Otsego County’s Adult Protective Services Unit and sheriff’s deputies into the care of an elderly woman.
United Way has FEMA money
ONEONTA - Organizations that provide emergency food and/or shelter and meet specific criteria are being asked to apply to United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties for federal funds.
January 8, 2005
3 arrested for robbing local bank
Three men were arrested Friday night in connection with the November robbery of the Franklin Branch of the National Bank of Delaware County, said state police in Oneonta.
Area residents to attend inauguration
The Rev. Paul Messner of Worcester will travel to Washington, D.C., to be at President Bush’s second inauguration Jan. 20.
Some Dems may demonstrate
Some people opposed to the Bush administration will demonstrate in the park in front of the Chenango County Courthouse at noon Jan. 20, the same time President Bush will be sworn into office.
History wall honors business
WALTON - The colorful history of the building that houses Klinger Power Sports in Walton is being preserved by its owners.
Assembly bill would restore vetoed items
ALBANY - Assembly leaders have started the state spending battle early by introducing legislation to restore $1.7 billion that Gov. George Pataki vetoed last year. And the Senate could soon follow.
Man to be arraigned on Walton fire charges
A Great Neck man who was indicted Dec. 17 on charges related to a fire in Walton will be arraigned in federal court in Albany on Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney James C. Woods said Friday.
Program offering counselor training
ONEONTA - The Violence Intervention Program of Opportunities for Otsego is offering training to be a rape crisis counselor.
MRI system for pets helps area dog
Nine-year-old Brando of Stamford was taken to Cornell University after it was discovered he was having vision problems and his balance was off-kilter.
Delaware Board to hold meeting about care center
DELHI - A special meeting to discuss the possible sale of Delaware County’s Countryside Care Center will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Sen. Charles D. Cook County Office Building on Main Street in Delhi.
SUNY plan to increase tuition $600
ALBANY - Tuition at state-run colleges and universities would go up by $600 next year, and students would see incremental increases in the future, under a plan from State University of New York Chancellor Robert King.
Cooperstown expects boost from Boggs, Sandberg
COOPERSTOWN - Shortly after the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg as this year’s inductees, the telephone at the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce began ringing.
Board asks residents to help tsunami victims
The Otsego County Board of Representatives is asking local residents to donate money to help victims of the tsunami that struck countries in Asia last week.
Chaplain cut from Delaware care center
The elimination of the staff chaplain at Delaware County’s Countryside Care Center has created a spiritual void for the residents, said Dory Botsch, charge nurse at the skilled-nursing facility.
Advocacy group: Cat population under control
Board of Public Service commissioners said Thursday they wanted to hear from the city’s code enforcement officer before acting on a request from an animal advocacy group.
Governor plans to target ailing upstate
Gov. George Pataki said Wednesday that he wants to target upstate communities suffering from economic stagnation and a lack of jobs.
Superfans receive thanks from Osmond
Two listeners of a local interview with Donny Osmond on Wednesday morning were surprised when they heard their favorite pop singer thank them on the air.
Board orders Shields to comply with federal audit
DELHI - The Delaware County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution during its meeting Wednesday directing Treasurer Beverly Shields to comply with a federal Social Security Administration audit.
Representatives elect Higgins to 20th term
COOPERSTOWN - Republican Carl Higgins of Edmeston was elected Wednesday to his 20th consecutive term as chairman of the Otsego County Board of Representatives.
4 to 8 inches of snow predicted
A winter storm warning is in effect through 4 p.m. today, a meteorologist with the national Weather Service in Binghamton said.
4 teens charged in tower damage
OTEGO - Four teenagers have been arrested after a water tower in Otego was vandalized, according to state police at Oneonta.
Man kills woman, himself in Worcester
A Worcester woman was killed Saturday by her boyfriend, who then committed suicide, at their home on Brady Road, said Sergeant Richard Devlin of the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department.
Officials: Snow and ice likely
Highway crews in Chenango County were getting ready Tuesday afternoon for snow and ice that may be on the way to the area today.
Mayor says she’ll sign bar ordinance into law
ONEONTA - Mayor Kim Muller said she would sign Ordinance No. 5 to regulate bars, despite a plea Tuesday night from the Oneonta Tavern Owners Association spokesman to "make a bold move" and not put the law into effect.
’Wick professor recalls aftermath of Asian tsunami
ONEONTA - Neil DeVotta, associate professor of political science at Hartwick College, wrote that "people are still numb over the number of lives lost and the number displaced in Sri Lanka due to the tsunami" in e-mail messages from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to college administrators Tuesday.
Jan. class in Thailand will happen
ONEONTA - Hartwick College’s plans to hold a course in Thailand haven’t changed because of the disaster in Southeast Asia, an administrator said Tuesday.
Poor-quality hay could hurt milk output
Local milk production could be down because of last summer’s cool, wet weather, which caused a poor hay crop on some farms, area farmers said.
Chairman seeking record 20th term
When the Otsego County Board of Representatives meets Wednesday morning, Republican Carl Higgins of Edmeston will be seeking a record 20th one-year term as chairman.
Dairy industry leader, farm to receive awards
Awards to a local dairy industry leader and a family farm will be among those handed out at Thursday’s annual meeting of the New York State Agricultural Society.
Man faces several felony charges
COBLESKILL - A Summit man was brought back from Maine to answer multiple felony charges, according to Cobleskill Village Police.
Eisel to seek fifth term
Jim Eisel of Harpersfield said Monday that he will seek a fifth term as chairman of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors when the board meets at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
52-year-old arraigned on counts of sex abuse
SCHOHARIE - Patrick D. Cascanet, 52, was arraigned on sexual-abuse charges Wednesday afternoon in Schoharie County Court, according to a lawyer representing some of the victims.
3 sentenced in Delaware court
A number of cases were heard by Delaware County Judge Carl Becker in Delaware County Court on Monday.
New babies ring in year
NORWICH - The stork came too late to deliver a baby on New Year’s Day, but the New Year’s babies still came - just on their own time.
Safety tips
Even though carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless poison, homeowners can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning before it causes serious problems.
New year enters with fireworks
ONEONTA - Downtown Oneonta was a hotbed of activity as First Night Oneonta ushered in the new year Friday.
Area News Briefs
STAMFORD - Driving without license plates resulted in multiple charges for a Stamford man on New Year’s Day, according to Delaware County sheriff’s deputies.
