After flood comes cleanup
Water continued to rise along the Susquehanna River in the Tri-Town area Thursday, while many communities were able to begin cleaning up.
Neighbors help in Laurens
LAURENS - From Main Street by Otego Creek to New Road by Wharton Creek, Laurens was savaged by floodwaters this week.
Oneonta to send sewage into river
ONEONTA - Two million gallons of raw sewage will spill into the Susquehanna River every day from the city’s crippled wastewater-treatment plant, Oneonta officials said Thursday.
Most businesses on Southside reopen
ONEONTA - For merchants on Oneonta’s Southside, Thursday was a day of measuring losses, cleaning up and reopening their doors to customers.
Walton businesses start to pick up the pieces
WALTON - Sump pumps throbbed and helicopters circled overhead as fire department vehicles from far-flung communities arrived in the village of Walton on Thursday to deal with widespread flood damage.
I-88 victim ID’d, second unknown
The identity of one of the tractor-trailer drivers who died when he drove into a chasm that opened on Interstate 88 early Wednesday has been confirmed, state police at Sidney said.
NYSEG works to restore power to customers
New York State Electric & Gas Corp. crews still are working to restore power, according to a news release, but the company’s priority is to ensure that customers, crews and the community are safe.
Unadilla refugees find shelter, plan to return to homes
WELLS BRIDGE - One day after people were forced to flee from their Unadilla homes, people were appreciative of the shelter provided at Unatego Junior/Senior High School.
Unadilla Fire Chief Jeff Jones said that "we hope to get some people back into their homes" today.
Insurers begin to assess flood damage
Claims adjusters and insurance agencies have been busy helping homeowners and others with dealing with flood losses, representatives from some companies said Thursday.
Delhi escapes the worst
Numerous bridges in the town of Delhi were damaged or destroyed by this week’s floodwaters, and a blockage caused by trees wedged against the Steele Brook bridge in the village of Delhi caused the brook to jump the banks.
Record-high rivers cause Chenango evacuations
NORWICH - The most heavily flooded areas in Chenango County continue to be along the Chenango and Susquehanna rivers, where record levels have been seen, county authorities said Thursday.
Tips for post-flood safe food handling
Delaware County’s Department of Emergency Services and the Oneonta district office for the state Department of Health have released further information about safe food handling after the floods.
State appeals court voids Norwich plea bargain
ALBANY - The state’s top court Thursday overturned Tammi Van Deusen’s conviction for a summer 2000 home invasion and murder in Norwich because the judge failed to tell her she faced parole supervision after her release from prison.
Part of I-88 washes away; 2 killed
Two people are dead after a Wednesday-morning accident that occurred after a section of Interstate 88 was washed away during area flooding, state police at Sidney said.
Wastewater-treatment plant shut in city
ONEONTA - Flash floods that hit the city and town of Oneonta Tuesday were a prelude to major flooding of the Susquehanna River on Wednesday.
Norwich crash kills one
SOUTH NEW BERLIN - A South New Berlin man died early Wednesday morning when his pickup truck plunged into a deep, washed-out culvert on Holmesville Hill Road in the town of Norwich.
Otsego damage may reach $20M, official reports
ONEONTA - Otsego County suffered the worst disaster in its history after four days of heavy rain, the county’s emergency services coordinator said Wednesday night.
Delaware faces shortages of food, water
The lower end of Delaware County is "completely devastated" by flooding that hit the area, Delaware County Emergency Service Coordinator Nelson Delameter said.
Flooding shuts Chenango roads
Thirteen months after the last flood, Chenango County was hit hard again Wednesday, and according to local firefighters, this latest episode was worse.
Walton resident ’didn’t dream’ of flood damage
WALTON - Walton residents woke to the sound of gushing rain and rushing water in the early morning hours Wednesday as rising floodwaters inundated the village.
Susquehanna villages forced to evacuate
Several villages along the Susquehanna River were being evacuated Wednesday afternoon in response to flooding or in preparation for what might be coming.
Schumer expects full commitment from FEMA
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said he is acting to make sure that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to the floods here is not like the response to Hurricane Katrina.
NYSEG: 16,000 without power
More than 16,000 electric customers with New York State Electric & Gas Corp. were without power as of Wednesday afternoon, according to a news release from the company.
Emergency Phone Numbers
Several phone numbers are available for those who need assistance after the flood.
Delaware evacuates as roads are closed
WALTON - As daylight began to fade Tuesday, bands of heavy rain continued to move through Delaware County and emergency personnel struggled to evacuate people from flooded homes.
Tips for dealing with floods
Water damage in your home caused by floods can create serious health and safety concerns, according to the Otsego County Department of Health.
Richfield Springs man faces murder charge
A 70-year-old Richfield Springs man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death Sunday of an 85-year-old Richfield Springs man.
Man, 55, killed in I-88 accident
ONEONTA - An area man is dead after his car slammed into the rear of a disabled tractor-trailer along Interstate 88 on Tuesday morning.
Company offers cash for CV wind power
Reunion Power has proposed paying at least $300,000 a year in lieu of taxes if it is allowed to build 24 wind turbines in Cherry Valley.
Speakers to address Mass. health-insurance law
Two leaders of the movement for national health insurance will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Oneonta. The topic is the Massachusetts health-insurance plan that some have said provides "universal coverage."
Area News Brief: Summer-school registration postponed
Summer-school registration in the Oneonta City School District scheduled for today has been postponed until Thursday and Friday because of flooding, high school Principal Scott Rabeler said Tuesday.
June 27, 2006
Flooding strikes Delaware
ONEONTA - Heavy rains that moved through the region starting Sunday caused flooding in Colchester and Hancock on Monday night.
Armory renovations could cost $390,000
ONEONTA - Renovations to the Asa C. Allison Jr. Municipal Building could cost as much as $390,000, the chairman of the Common Council’s Building and Technology Committee said recently.
Fire shuts down section of I-88
ONEONTA - Part of Interstate 88 was closed for about half an hour Monday due to a fire near the highway, said Capt. Patrick Pidgeon from the Oneonta Fire Department.
Couple plead innocent to forgery, theft
DELHI - Cases involving forgery, grand larceny, burglary, rape and driving while intoxicated were among those heard in Delaware County Court last week, according to Lillian Browne, deputy court clerk.
Numbers decline for local villages
Population figures released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau have some local officials searching for answers about what’s happened in their municipalities over the past five years.
Oneonta City Court Report
The Oneonta City Court reported that defendants pleaded guilty, unless otherwise indicated, and were fined and sentenced as listed below:
June 26, 2006
Line could lower power supply
New York Regional Interconnect Inc.’s proposed power line would raise the price of wholesale electricity in upstate New York by about 5 percent, according to the company.
Police: Phillips stole 2nd vehicle
A stolen minivan connected to fugitive Ralph "Bucky" Phillips was recovered Sunday in Chautauqua County, but the jail escapee suspected of shooting a state trooper two weeks ago remained at large.
OHS presents diplomas to 147 graduates
The sun broke through for the Oneonta High School class of 2006 on Saturday, when the school held its 137th graduation ceremony.
Cooperstown honors its 91 graduates
The class of 2006 at Cooperstown Central School left what they’ve known for the past several years to enter a new world Sunday.
Sidney seniors graduate
Past and future achievements were discussed by several speakers during the 117th Sidney High School graduation.
97 graduate from Delaware Academy
On graduation day for Delaware Academy’s class of 2006, smiles, laughter and cheers of the graduates, proud parents, relatives, friends and the school’s faculty filled the school’s gymnasium.
Legislature blocks NYRI’s hopes for land grab
ALBANY - State lawmakers dealt the New York Regional Interconnect power-line developers a major blow Friday by blocking their ability to develop a right-of-way under the state’s power of eminent domain.
Valedictorians look back, forward
Something happens to students between the time they cross the platform at their high school graduations and the time they receive a college diploma.
NYSEG: Some were overbilled
New York State Electric and Gas Corp. budget customers billed between February and May should check their bills for a possible mistake.
Sounds of history through old pipes
When Eugene Roan sits down at the pipe organ in Cornwallville Methodist Church on Monday, those in the audience will be hearing history.
Milford graduates thank community, family
MILFORD - Talk of past and future achievements sent the 31 graduating seniors at Milford Central School on to their next stage in life Friday night.
Troopers uncover meth-lab materials
State police arrested a former resident of South New Berlin on Friday after finding materials that could be used in the production of methamphetamines Wednesday.
N.Y. Senate OKs Canadarago Lake district
The state Senate has approved legislation to create a Canadarago Lake protection and improvement district, according to the office of state Sen. James Seward, R-Milford.
Area news brief: Chenango deputy honored
A Chenango County law-enforcement officer received state recognition Tuesday for his efforts in the case involving a Columbus girl who fled the area with a Baptist minister in March.
Man gets four years for sexual abuse
COOPERSTOWN - In Otsego County Court on Friday before Judge Brian Burns, an Oneonta man was sentenced to four years in state prison for first-degree sexual abuse.
SHOP TALK
Shop Talk is a weekly column featuring locally owned and operated business. This week we talk to Mary Archibald, who operates Mac’s Barber Shop in Oneonta.
June 23, 2006
Audits: Local schools overpaid Medicaid
The latest round of state audits found that the Oneonta City School District and Delaware Academy and Delhi Central School failed to file Medicaid claims that would have resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in reimbursements.
On The Bright Side: UCCCA displays winning contest art
ONEONTA - The breadth of work on display at the Wilber Mansion for the next five weeks is evidence of Oneonta’s thriving arts scene, an art gallery curator said Thursday.
School board president declares for county seat
Democrat Martha "Marti" Stayton, of Oneonta, announced her candidacy Thursday for the District 11 seat on the Otsego County Board of Representatives.
Schumer voices concerns over NYRI proposal
Sen. Charles Schumer on Thursday came up with a list of questions that challenge a proposal to run a power line through the region to feed the growing electricity demands of New York City and its suburbs.
No vote on casino measure
ALBANY - Long-shot legislation meant to give two Wisconsin-based Indian tribes casinos in the Catskills and settle land-claim lawsuits the tribes have against the state died in the Legislature just days after it was introduced.
Patient-information system coming to Bassett
COOPERSTOWN - Once new health technology at Bassett Healthcare gets going, doctors can send information from one building to another in Cooperstown - or even from Cooperstown to the Czech Republic.
Area news briefs: Troopers: Man beaten with log
ONEONTA - A Mount Vision man was charged with first-degree burglary Thursday night for allegedly beating a man with a small log last week, state police at Oneonta said.
Search widens
COLESVILLE - State police have widened the search for a jail escape,e suspected of shooting a state trooper, after ending a manhunt along the Broome/Chenango County border.
Survey: Rail yards might not need cleanup
ONEONTA - The former Delaware and Hudson rail yards may not have high levels of contamination from toxic waste, according to preliminary survey results.
Puritz-Hayes’ resignation may change balance
COOPERSTOWN - Rep. Roberta Puritz-Hayes, D-Oneonta, announced her resignation at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Otsego County Board of Representatives.
The resignation takes effect today.
Town of Otsego outlaws burn barrels
The town of Otsego has outlawed the burning of garbage, trash, rubbish and debris in barrels, open pits, fireplaces, incinerators and wood stoves.
More short-term summer rentals approved in Oneonta
ONEONTA - It’s nearly baseball-camp season in Otsego County, and the city has approved more than twice as many short-term summer-rental units than last year.
Expert: Crisis to come with flu
COOPERSTOWN - About 30 percent of the people in this area would get sick if there were a pandemic flu, officials said during a planning session Tuesday.
Sources: Otsego Rep. Puritz-Hayes to resign
COOPERSTOWN - Otsego County Rep. Roberta Puritz-Hayes, D-Oneonta, will announce her resignation at tonight’s meeting of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, according to sources close to her who declined to be identified.
Fugitive stole van, police say
The search for fugitive Ralph "Bucky" Phillips moved to Hancock on Tuesday as a stolen minivan was linked to the jail escapee suspected in the shooting of a state trooper.
Former treasurer arrested for theft
DAVENPORT - The former treasurer of the Davenport Fire District was arrested Tuesday for allegedly stealing more than $3,000 from the district.
Bill to uphold ticket plea-bargain system
ALBANY - State police will be allowed to ignore a mandate from their bosses and keep arranging plea bargains on traffic tickets they issue under legislation that was expected to pass late Tuesday night.
Energy plan revealed
ONEONTA - Mayor John Nader unveiled initiatives Tuesday night designed to help make Oneonta a more energy-efficient community.
Commission will discuss Brownfields tonight
ONEONTA - The city Planning Commission will discuss the ongoing Brownfields Project in the former Delaware and Hudson rail yards tonight at City Hall.
Child advocates named in Otsego, Chenango
COOPERSTOWN - Otsego County Judge Michael Coccoma swore in 10 people from Otsego and Chenango counties Monday as court-appointed advocates for abused and neglected children.
School supporters make their plea
DELHI - Scott Hudson said he was coming before the Delhi Central School Board of Education to "beg" members to not close the A.L. Kellogg Elementary School.
Suspect search shifts focus
Reports of "minor" burglaries near Harpursville have led state police to shift the focus of their manhunt for Ralph "Bucky" Phillips.
Springfield board rejects moratorium
SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield Town Board has voted against enacting a moratorium on major development in the town but decided to revisit the issue next month.
Experts: Poor teens need help to fight obesity
The trick to breaking the cycle of poverty and becoming overweight or obese could come down to education, according to some in the area who work with children and their parents.
School magazine shows student talent
The Morris Central School community is getting a look at some of the creative endeavors students have been up to this year.
Hospital reps not satisfied with report cards
Representatives from several local hospitals are expressing dissatisfaction at the results of report cards released Sunday by a not-for-profit health organization.
Delhi women, rejecting BPW, forming new club
An organization is forming in Delhi to assist with civic projects and support women through scholarships and grants, Delhi Women’s Club President Doris Tyrrell said Thursday.
Female jail guards to boost skills
Otsego County’s female corrections officers will be going back to school starting today, according to Undersheriff Bruce Carroll.
Unadilla seeks vols for project survey
The village of Unadilla is looking for volunteers for the next phase of a survey to apply for funding for a water project, a village official said.
Father’s efforts go past family
DELHI - Bill Oles is the kind of father, grandfather and great-grandfather who wants what’s best for the children, but that doesn’t mean that the children have to be related to him.
Schoharie board to reserve gas tax
SCHOHARIE - A few of the extra pennies motorists pay in local sales tax on a gallon of gas will go into a special fund created Friday by Schoharie County supervisors for property-tax relief.
Riverside school is beautified
ONEONTA - A six-year fundraising campaign at Riverside Elementary School is bearing fruit - actually, a mixture of more than 90 annuals, perennials and shrubs.
Future of Kellogg school will be topic of hearing
Residents of the Delhi Central School District can voice their opinions about the future of A.L. Kellogg Elementary School at a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday.
The hearing about whether to close the A.L. Kellogg building in Treadwell as an elementary school in 2007-08 or later will be held in the auditorium at Delaware Academy High School in Delhi.
Couple honored as cabin is opened in state park
WESTFORD - On a hill in Westford with a spectacular view to the west, a cottage in the Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park was officially opened Friday.
SHOP TALK
Shop Talk is a weekly column featuring locally owned and operated businesses. This week, we talk to Pat Ashe, who operates The Pine Shop, a furniture shop in Oneonta, with her husband and sons.
NYRI: 5% price hike for upstate
NORWICH - Upstate New Yorkers will pay more for electricity while people downstate will pay less if a power line proposed by New York Regional Interconnect is built, company officials said Thursday night in Norwich.
Volunteers decorate Oneonta storefronts
ONEONTA - A young man picking up a squeegee to clean vacant storefront windows typifies the spirit of volunteerism brightening downtown Oneonta, a local artist said Thursday.
HPV vaccine gets support from area parents, doctor
A vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration last week against the human papillomavirus - a sexually transmitted disease - isn’t designed to give teenagers a license to have sex, but it can prevent cancer.
Assembly proposes ethics reform
ALBANY - State lawmakers accustomed to the gifts, perks and creature comforts that accompany their elected office could be in for a rude awakening under government-reform legislation proposed Thursday in the state Assembly.
Hartwick using donations to revamp field
ONEONTA - Hartwick College’s All Weather Field will have a state-of-the-art playing surface for future student athletes, college officials said, thanks to an overwhelming response from donors and the Fred L. Emerson Foundation.
Area News Brief: Woman accused of forgery, theft
RICHMONDVILLE - A Richmondville woman was arrested Thursday and charged with stealing more than $3,800 and forging bank-withdrawal slips, according to Schoharie County sheriff’s deputies.
June 15, 2006
Catalyst submits plan for power plant
ONEONTA - Plans by a Texas-based energy company to open a wood-fueled electricity plant within city limits are official.
’Wick to cut some sports
Hartwick College cut seven Division III sports Wednesday, citing a lack of finances and facilities among the reasons for its drop from 24 to 17 varsity programs.
Signs prompt petitions
LAURENS - Residents objecting to vulgarities on several wooden signs on a Laurens lawn have petitioned the town board to take action.
State honors Sharon Springs woman
An area woman described as a "spark plug" is one of this year’s recipients of the state Senate "Woman of Distinction" award.
Simon sales slower than expected, says Chamber director
COOPERSTOWN - Tickets for Paul Simon’s Fourth of July concert at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown have been selling more slowly than many people expected, according to Polly Renckens, executive director of the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce.
Schoharie County nursing home closed
A Schoharie County adult home has been "effectively closed" after its operating certificate was suspended June 2, according to the state Department of Health.
U.S. court upholds $5M water penalty against NYC
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit on Tuesday affirmed a $5 million penalty against New York City for discharging contaminated water into the Esopus Creek.
Man reported lost on Pepacton found fishing
A flotilla of boats from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Delaware County Emergency Services and the Downsville Fire Department was launched Wednesday on the Pepacton Reservoir to find a man who wasn’t lost.
A final gift of love
CHERRY VALLEY - Dr. Craig Henson knew that soon after he became a newlywed, he’d be a widower.
Otsego Electric Cooperative manager gets group award
For more than 30 years, Robert Murdock has helped to brighten the lives of thousands of area residents by working to provide their homes and businesses with electricity.
Drug, burglary cases heard in Delaware court
DELHI - Two men accused of selling drugs were arraigned on sealed grand-jury indictments and a homeless man was charged with burglary Monday in Delaware County Court.
Farmers, calf court legislators
ALBANY - Dairy farmers and top cheese makers courted state lawmakers Tuesday at Albany’s annual Dairy Day, an event that includes extensive sampling of products ranging from cottage cheese to ice cream, all made in New York.
Contractor faces more charges
A Worcester contractor being held in Otsego County jail in a fraud case has been charged by Delaware deputies on felony larceny charges.
Board to vote on reorganizing food services
COOPERSTOWN - The school board at Cooperstown Central School is scheduled to vote tonight on a proposal that would restructure the management of its food services, school Superintendent Mary Jo McPhail said.
Towns seek state help to cope with flooding
The towns of Exeter, Richfield and Otsego again are trying to form a district around Canadarago Lake so that property owners can do something about the lake’s perennial flooding problems.
Police continue manhunt
COLESVILLE - As a manhunt continued Monday for a jail escapee suspected of shooting a state trooper in Chemung County, residents of Colesville went about their business.
Charges dismissed against Fox LPN
COOPERSTOWN - Charges against a licensed practical nurse at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta were dismissed Monday in Otsego County Court.
N.Y. legislature OKs tax rebates for homeowners
ALBANY - State lawmakers moved Monday to steamroll Gov. George Pataki and get cash headed into homeowners’ hands before Election Day with a plan that’s expected to give local property owners rebate checks of at least $165.
Students present Oneonta history
ONEONTA - Oneonta’s history was on display Monday at the Greater Oneonta Historical Society on Main Street courtesy of 28 fourth-grade students.
Former Otsego probation director fined
Former Otsego County Probation Director Roy Spina pleaded no contest in Roseboom Town Court on Monday to driving while ability impaired and was fined $300, according to Joseph McBride, special prosecutor in the case.
Empty truck rolls into parked van
ONEONTA - An unoccupied red Ford truck rolled downhill on Union Street in Oneonta on Monday at about 10:45 a.m., Oneonta police said.
Educators want clearer incident-reporting rules
An effort by the state Education Department to clarify how violence and disruptive acts are reported by schools is being welcomed by area administrators.
Neighbors revisit Marcy South power line
BURLINGTON - Almost two decades have passed since the Marcy South power line was built, but Betty Anne Schwerd still hates to look at it out her living-room window in Burlington.
Hartwick art professor ’very excited’ about award for teaching
ONEONTA - Elizabeth Ayer, associate professor of art and art history at Hartwick College, has been presented with the 2006 Margaret B. Bunn Award for Excellence in Teaching, one of the college’s most-prestigious teaching honors.
Man who shot trooper sought in region
A man suspected in the shooting of a state trooper in Chemung County on Saturday may be in the Broome County area, state police at Sidney said Sunday.
Man, 46, crushed by car
A town of Hartwick man was crushed to death Saturday when the car he was working on rolled off wheel ramps and trapped him underneath, according to the Otsego County sheriff’s office.
Winds cancel dairy festival
The eighth edition of the Meredith Dairy Fest was supposed to happen this weekend rain or shine, organizers said.
Converted barn heavily damaged by fire
ONEONTA - A 200-year-old barn converted into a garage was destroyed in a blaze Sunday that fire officials said may have been sparked by a recently used space heater.
`Transplant’ film released as DVD
ONEONTA - An Oneonta teen who recently produced his first film is trying to distribute it through DVD sales.
Women’s fraud trial delayed until September
SCHOHARIE - The trial of two women charged in the wake of a 2002 state audit that showed more than $25,000 missing from Schoharie town justices’ accounts has been postponed until September.
June 10, 2006
Parish plans goodbye for nun
ONEONTA - People will have a chance Sunday to say goodbye to a woman who has ministered to the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church community for nearly two decades.
Cole’s sentence is probation, restitution
COOPERSTOWN - Mark Cole, a former priest at Oneonta’s St. James’ Episcopal Church, pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny and was sentenced Friday in Otsego County Court.
NYSEG reports on surge
The New York State Electric & Gas Corp. issued a news release Friday stating a June 3 surge in the city and town of Oneonta was caused by circumstances beyond its control.
Joy rides end with prison term
SCHOHARIE - A 24-year-old Cobleskill man will spend the next 2 1/3-to-seven years in state prison after pleading guilty Wednesday in Schoharie County Court to charges resulting from a five-day joy ride using stolen vehicles.
Meredith Dairy Fest to have more than cows
A Redneck Beauty Contest, a mechanical bull and a cow train are among the newest attractions at the eighth annual Meredith Dairy Fest this weekend, organizer John Hamilton said.
Power-surge cause remains mystery
ONEONTA - No official cause of last weekend’s power surge has been released by New York State Electric & Gas Corp., but state officials plan to meet with the company today.
Details emerging about power-line project
SHERBURNE - Rudolph Giuliani’s law firm represents New York Regional Interconnect Inc., a firm that proposes to build a 400-kilovolt power line from Marcy to New Windsor, according to a member of the Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition.
Hartwick to review fate of frats
ONEONTA - An 80-year-old tradition at Hartwick College could become a thing of the past, at least officially.
VA data breach widens
Area veterans, active-duty military, National Guard and Reserve members may be at risk for identity theft, Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson announced in a media release Tuesday.
Otsego adds baseball camps to bed-tax collection
COOPERSTOWN - After much discussion Wednesday, the Otsego County Board of Representatives extended the county’s 2 percent occupancy tax to youth baseball camps within the county.
Area hospitals report profits
A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital and Bassett Healthcare are reporting positive bottom-line figures for 2005, officials from each organization said Wednesday.
Sexual-abuse charge lodged against teen
DAVENPORT - A Davenport teen was arrested Tuesday for allegedly having sexual contact with a child under the age of 14, Delaware County deputies said in a media release.
June 7, 2006
Caterpillars boom; trees suffer
They’re small, they’re fuzzy and they’re devouring the leaves on local trees: It’s the return of the forest tent caterpillar.
Power-line opponents to present
Members of the Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition, a group that opposes construction of the $1 billion New York Regional Interconnect power line, will speak at a meeting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at Sherburne-Earlville High School.
Roxbury Arts Group, M-ARK receive $25K grant
The Roxbury Arts Group and the M-ARK Project received a $25,000 Cultural Tourism Initiative Grant for a program called "First Strokes" that will match local artists, hotels, and area attractions with tourists interested in learning to paint, write, sculpt or create fiber art.
Nonretail moratorium pulled from agenda
ONEONTA - The chairwoman of the city Intergovernmental Affairs Committee withdrew a proposed local law establishing a nonretail moratorium from consideration before Tuesday night’s Common Council meeting.
Bridge sidewalk open to bicycles
ONEONTA - The Common Council on Tuesday voted to open the sidewalk on the Neahwa Park side of the Main Street bridge to bicycle traffic.
Schools prepare budgets for revote
Three area school districts have made cuts in proposed 2006-07 budgets that officials said they hope will win voter approval in revotes scheduled for June 20.
Former priest might plead guilty to theft
A former priest at Oneonta’s St. James’ Episcopal Church could plead guilty on a charge of grand larceny Friday in Otsego County Court, according to court officials.
Poll: Farmworkers deserve day off, overtime
ALBANY - New York voters overwhelmingly support overtime pay and a mandatory day off each week for farmworkers, according to a poll released Tuesday.
Pool house rededication set
ONEONTA - A rededication ceremony for the town of Oneonta pool house will be held Thursday.
Area News Briefs: NYSEG plans meeting on outage
ONEONTA - An official with New York State Electric & Gas Corp. said a meeting with company officials will be held today to discuss the power surge and outage that occurred over the weekend.
June 6, 2006
Man’s manslaughter sentencing delayed
COOPERSTOWN - Timothy Beckingham was not sentenced Monday in Otsego County Court after his attorney, Ray Kelly of Albany, said a witness had lied during the trial in March.
Electricity surge leads to inquiry
ONEONTA - New York State Electric & Gas Corp. won’t pay for any damages resulting from a power surge that struck Oneonta over the weekend if the cause was beyond its control, company officials said Monday.
Nursing-home official gets award
An Oneonta woman who worked her way up from a job as a nurse’s aide to be a nursing-home administrator said her award from the New York Association of Homes for the Aging was an honor in several ways.
Man pleads guilty in shooting case
DELHI - A Hamden man pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in Delaware County Court on Monday for shooting his roommate Nov. 13.
Plaintiff wins malpractice suit
DELHI - A state Supreme Court jury in Delhi has handed down a $50,000 malpractice verdict against Bassett Healthcare.
Eltings to be honored by Hartwick
ONEONTA - Dr. James and Karen Elting have been named the Hartwick College Citizens Board Outstanding Citizens of the Year, college officials announced.
The couple will be honored during the board’s second annual benefit gala, "Sparkle and Shine," on Friday.
Residents get garden boost
NEW BERLIN - Weeding the tomatoes won’t be such back-breaking work this summer at Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin because of the efforts of three volunteers.
Area counties not capping sales tax on gas
While area county leaders say they have opted not to seek a cap on the 4 percent sales tax at $2 on gasoline, Schoharie County is poised to use the unexpected gas-tax revenue to offset next year’s property taxes.
Cherry Valley plans wind-farm visit
The town of Cherry Valley will sponsor a trip to a wind farm in the town of Fenner on Saturday, June 17, town Supervisor Tom Garretson said.
Rabies found in raccoon
A case of rabies in a raccoon was confirmed last week by Delaware County Public Health, said Davenport Supervisor Dennis Valente.
Ex-pastor pleads guilty to rape
The case against a former Baptist minister could be near an end, a Chenango County Court official said, following pleas made in Chenango County Court on Friday.
Mental health clinic healing
Otsego County’s Mental Health Clinic is running smoothly these days, county officials said Friday.
Road construction snarling traffic
Summer is almost here and state Department of Transportation road construction projects are already bringing traffic to a halt on state Route 28 in Oneonta and state Route 357 in Franklin. Construction will soon begin on state Route 10 in Delhi.
Jones drops out of race for 24th
Republican Brad Jones, general manager of ITT Industries-Goulds Pumps in Auburn, dropped out of the 24th Congressional District race Friday.
Redneck Tractor Ride to benefit Hospice, teen
The Catskill Mountain Antique Engine and Machinery Club is gearing up for the Second Annual Catskill Mountain Redneck Tractor Ride and Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Walton.
Otego principal to leave
Otego Elementary School Principal Helen Anne Livingston has given notice that she will leave her position at the end of the school year to become superintendent at Chester Central School, Unatego officials said.
SUCO students to take part in symposium
Five students from history Professor William M. Simons’ Baseball and American Culture course at the State University College at Oneonta will participate in the 18th annual Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on Friday.
SHOP TALK
Shop Talk is a weekly column featuring locally owned and operated businesses. This week, we talk to Sewell Neilson, who operates Neilson’s Farm in New Berlin and sells fruit wine.
June 2, 2006
Lawmakers unite to stop proposed power line
NORWICH - Three state senators, two assemblymen and representatives of eight county legislatures pledged Thursday to stop the proposed $1 billion New York Regional Interconnect power line from being built.
GOP picks Faso to run for governor
HEMPSTEAD - New York Republicans designated John Faso as their candidate for governor Thursday, a move away from lame-duck Gov. George Pataki’s power base and one that virtually assured a path toward divisive September primaries.
Four honored by SUCO Alumni Association
A quartet of awards will be given out Saturday as part of Reunion Weekend activities at the State University College of Oneonta.
Utility to turn methane gas into electricity
The Delaware County Electric Cooperative is engineering a facility to generate electricity by burning methane gas at the Delaware County landfill in Walton, according to excutive officer Greg Starheim.
DCMO BOCES, teachers union at an impasse
An impasse has been declared in contract negotiations between the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego Board of Cooperative Educational Services and its teachers.
But the two sides differ as to what this means.
Seward, Meier meet with local leaders
ONEONTA - State Sen. James L. Seward, R-Milford, took fellow senator and congressional candidate Raymond Meier on a tour of several Oneonta institutions Thursday.
Tour to highlight alternative energy uses
The 25th Annual Cooperative Extension Spring Housing Tour focuses on solar and wind energy, Jeanne M. Darling, Extension executive director, said Friday.
Delaware board to offer training
DELHI - The Delaware County Planning Board will hold a training session to help officials and residents understand their role in the review of local regulation of wind-energy systems.
Toto to play Cooperstown fundraiser
The vintage rock ’n’ roll group Toto will play at Edgewater in Cooperstown on June 26 to benefit Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care Inc.
Area News Brief: Garage fire blamed on lightning
Lightning caused a fire that destroyed an unattached garage and its contents Wednesday night on county Route 19 in the town of Burlington, a county fire official said.
June 1, 2006
Ex-pastor pleads guilty to federal charges
A former Chenango County pastor admitted in federal court Wednesday that he fled the state with a 15-year-old girl with whom he was having an inappropriate relationship.
Furniture design is hands-on lesson
COPES CORNER - "This is a unique opportunity," said 16-year-old Gilbertsville-Mount Upton sophomore Peter Schmidt, as he worked on an armoire he designed in class.
N.Y. GOP considers candidates
HEMPSTEAD - State Republicans went into their political nominating convention Wednesday split over the direction of their party and could end up today divided over who is going to lead them.
Judge favors landlord in city feral-cat case
ONEONTA - A state Supreme Court judge who ruled in favor of a city property owner in a dispute over a cat shelter on Fairview Street said the city’s actions were "arbitrary and capricious."
Local speller eliminated from bee
The Cooperstown Central School student who’s been competing in the National Spelling Bee said he’s not taking a break when it comes to 2007.
NYRI touts benefits of power line in application
New York Regional Interconnect Inc. applied to the state’s Public Service Commission Wednesday, seeking approval to build a controversial 190-mile high voltage direct current transmission from Oneida County to Orange County.
