Pataki to be at I-88 in Sidney
ONEONTA - The part of Interstate 88 in Sidney severed by flooding in June could be partially reopened as early as today, a state Department of Transportation official and others said Wednesday.
Oneonta to DOT: Clean up median
ONEONTA - City officials say they are worried the condition of the James F. Lettis Highway is giving visitors a bad impression.
Ernesto to pass through area Saturday
The National Weather Service in Binghamton issued a special weather statement at 10 p.m. Wednesday for Chenango, Delaware and Otsego Counties that indicated the storm would pass through western and central New York on Saturday.
County reps continue debate over manager
The Otsego County Board of Representatives is not likely to vote this year on whether the county should have an administrator, according to Vice Chairman Ronald Feldstein, D-Otego.
Flood won’t stop Walton school’s opening
WALTON - Two to three feet of water flowed through the primary wing of Townsend Elementary School in Walton during the June flood, Superintendent Jonathan Buhner said.
Telethon searching for volunteers
Volunteers are still needed for help with the local segments of the upcoming Jerry Lewis Labor Day National Telethon being presented by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Oneonta organizers said Wednesday.
Man pleads in rape case in Schoharie
SCHOHARIE - A 59-year-old Fultonham man pleaded guilty in Schoharie County Court on Wednesday to a felony charge of second-degree rape involving a 14-year-old girl.
August 30, 2006
More rain in forecast after storm
ONEONTA - Only minor, localized flooding was reported after a stretch of rainfall Tuesday that prompted flood watches across the region.
Insurers: Katrina ruling won’t affect N.Y.
A ruling in a U.S. district court earlier this month won’t affect how insurance companies provide coverage here, representatives from two groups said Tuesday.
Dylan tickets still available
Bob Dylan and his band are returning to Doubleday Field in Cooperstown this week, and plenty of tickets are available.
Man convicted in Oneonta stabbing gets 10 years
COOPERSTOWN - A Schenectady man convicted of stabbing another man at Messina’s Trailer Park in Oneonta last year was sentenced Monday in Otsego County Court to 10 years in prison.
Walton to host ’50s car show on Saturday
WALTON - The 23rd annual Walton Booster Club ’50s Revisited Car Show featuring fireworks and the 10th annual car cruise through the village will be held Saturday, event spokesman Fran Zujovic said.
Miller named to head OCCA
Former Otsego County senior planner Erik Miller has been appointed executive director of the Otsego County Conservation Association, outgoing director Teresa Winchester said Tuesday.
Job Corps restarts, expands Solo Parent program
ONEONTA - Qualifying single parents will have a better chance to succeed with career training, thanks to a program that has returned to the Oneonta Job Corps Academy, officials said.
Area News Briefs
Four Delaware County communities were among nine in the Southern Tier to share in $3.42 million in grants to provide affordable housing and infrastructure improvements, Gov. George Pataki announced Tuesday.
August 29, 2006
Daily Star up for sale
ONEONTA - The Daily Star has been put up for sale by Dow Jones & Co., the parent company of Ottaway Newspapers Inc.
About 200 see Soccer Hall inductions
ONEONTA - Several soccer fans from outside the area said they were surprised Monday when they drove to Oneonta and found out the National Soccer Hall of Fame game had been canceled.
Locals: Lessons from Katrina helped here
The lessons learned locally in the year since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast still are paying dividends, several people said Monday.
Wilber Corp. promotes wellness
Douglas Gulotty, president and chief executive officer of the Wilber Corp. and Wilber National Bank, can tell you when employee wellness hit a high point at the business.
City fireworks scheduled for Labor Day
ONEONTA - A Fourth of July celebration in Neahwa Park that was washed out by flooding in late June has been rescheduled for Labor Day.
Man pleads innocent to burglary, larceny
DELHI - A Delhi man was arraigned Monday in Delaware County Court on charges related to a burglary at Mountain Transport Corp. on Route 10 in Hamden.
Woodside Hall residents seek homes
Twenty adults in Cooperstown will need to find another place to live this fall as Woodside Hall, an adult home in the village, is being sold.
SUNY Delhi has new look in new year
DELHI - Returning students may be more confused than incoming freshmen when classes start today at the State University College of Technology at Delhi.
Adult caregivers get hot-line help
People who provide care for adults throughout Delaware County now have a support line they can call to ask questions or just to talk to someone.
Sidney to honor departing leader
The Tri-Towns community will say goodbye Tuesday to a longtime resident who is moving to be closer to family.
Officials: Soccer HOF still a benefit
ONEONTA - The National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Weekend has a growing economic impact on the region despite the cancellation of this year’s exhibition game, local officials said Friday.
Flood aid deadlines extended
The deadline for filing for a variety of state and federal aid programs in response to late June flooding has been extended to Oct. 2, officials said.
SHOP TALK
Shop Talk is a weekly column featuring locally owned and operated businesses. This week, we talk to Jason Burton and Autumn Canter, who own and operate the LAN Gaming Center in Oneonta.
August 25, 2006
Soccer Hall cancels HOF game
ONEONTA - The National Soccer Hall of Fame has canceled Monday’s exhibition game between the Columbus Crew and the New York Red Bulls.
No Rx needed to get Plan B
ONEONTA - A Food and Drug Administration decision Thursday allowing over-the-counter sales of the morning-after birth-control pill was hailed by Planned Parenthood but condemned by some anti-abortion activists.
Rite Aid to buy Eckerd stores
Whether Rite Aid’s plans to acquire Eckerd and Brooks pharmacies will have a local impact isn’t clear, company officials said Thursday.
Schools adding wellness policies on diet, exercise
A policy on health and wellness that districts must have by the start of the school year is expected to have a broad effect on students, faculty and community, officials said this week.
Four charged in alleged sexual assault
Two men were charged Monday with raping a girl last month, according to Delaware County sheriff’s deputies, and two others were accused of sexual misconduct with the girl.
Old Franklin Day grows to weekend to honor history
Twenty-seven years ago, a street fair featuring food, an outdoor crafts and flea market and music was organized to raise money to save Franklin’s Stone Hall.
Candidates weigh in on power line, economy
Editor’s note: Capitol Bureau reporter John Milgrim recently posed the following questions to gubernatorial candidates John Faso, a Republican, and Eliot Spitzer and Tom Suozzi, both Democrats. Their answers and Milgrim’s analysis are as follows:
August 24, 2006
Students wired for school
ONEONTA - College student Daniel Nolan said Wednesday that people his age and younger are a wired generation.
Almanac predicted rain, not flood, say weather observers
Rumor has it that the June 27 flood was accurately predicted by The Old Farmer’s Almanac and that the book is also predicting more flooding later this year, but that’s not what the book says, according to Frank Ward, Walton’s National Weather Service observer.
City gets funding for downtown, other needs
ONEONTA - Portions of a $600,000 federal grant announced Wednesday will go toward improving the vacant Bresee’s building on Main Street, city officials said.
Franklin fills principal post
Jason Thomson, the Walton middle and high school vice principal and dean of students, has been named to the vacant principal post at Franklin Central School, Superintendent Gordon Daniels said Wednesday.
Delaware awards funds for flood work, courthouse
DELHI - The Delaware County Board of Supervisors authorized awards Wednesday to fix flood-damaged bridges, remove flood-related debris and renovate the Delaware County Courthouse inmate-holding facility.
BOCES staff levels to have little change
Employment in program-driven areas at the Otsego Northern Catskills Board of Cooperative Educational Services is expected to be nearly unchanged as the school year starts, officials said Monday.
Area News Briefs: Fire departments get flood aid
Several fire departments affected by June’s flooding will receive grants to help with recovery, state Sen. Tom Libous, R-Binghamton, announced Wednesday.
August 23, 2006
Clinton urges flood planning
ONEONTA - When Hillary Clinton visited the area seven years ago, opposing groups cheered and jeered her plans to run for the U.S. Senate.
Senator speaks at SUNY Delhi
DELHI - Renewable energy and economic development brought Sen. Hillary Clinton to the State University College of Technology at Delhi for her third visit Tuesday.
Clinton promotes biomass during visit
ONEONTA - Critics of a proposed woodburning power plant said Tuesday they were surprised to learn that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., knows of the project.
Ex-pastor sentenced to 9 1/3 to 28 years
A former pastor faces up to 28 years in state prison for having sex with a 15-year-old girl, the judge who sentenced him said Tuesday.
Parking garage opening delayed
ONEONTA - With construction running behind schedule at the municipal parking garage, city officials, in cooperation with the Foothills Performing Arts Center, have opened up expanded public parking downtown.
Fire damages Oneonta house
The cause of a house fire early Tuesday in Oneonta is still under investigation, Oneonta fire officials said.
Oneonta City Court Report
Oneonta City Court reported that defendants pleaded guilty, unless otherwise indicated, and were fined and sentenced as listed below:
Hillary Clinton to tour area
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., is coming to Oneonta this afternoon to discuss flood recovery and the federal response.
Otsego changes polling sites in city, some towns
Many voters in the city of Oneonta will have different polling places this fall for primaries and the general election, county deputy election commissioners said.
Birthday wish sent on tape
ONEONTA - Bridget Macaluso received an unexpected and unique birthday present this month.
Man, 21, gets one-to-three years in machete case
DELHI - A Franklin man who admitted attacking two police officers with a knife and a machete was sentenced to one-to-three years in prison Monday in Delaware County Court.
Judge: Confessed burglar may belong to gang
DELHI - A Holbrook man who appeared in Delaware County Court on Monday on burglary charges may be a member of the Latin Kings gang, Delaware County Judge Carl Becker said.
Head-on crash injures nine
A Cooperstown man was arrested over the weekend after a head-on collision that a fire official said sent nine people to Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
Damaschke cleanup meeting set for Monday
ONEONTA - With the second phase of a toxic-waste remediation project in Neahwa Park set to begin next month, the company paying for the cleanup will host a public meeting Monday.
Towns counter wind farms
The town of Stamford is the latest area community to halt commercial wind-farm development.
From sun or beds, tanning concerns doctors
To tan or not to tan, that is the question; the next question, however, may be whether to use a salon or to go outside and wait for rays.
Oneonta officer injured in crash
ONEONTA - An Oneonta police officer suffered minor injuries when his patrol car was hit on the passenger side by a van in the city Friday night.
State, federal representatives ready to help flood victims
With deadlines for registration less than three weeks away, state and federal officials continue their outreach to help New Yorkers who suffered losses from the severe storms and floods in June.
Schoharie board reiterates criticism of NYC
The county’s Board of Supervisors on Friday again criticized the way New York City is handling its working relationship with the county regarding the Gilboa Dam.
Supervisors take action on staff
Among appointments and other business conducted at the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors meeting Friday were:
NYC workers who assisted in flood feted
WALTON - The New York City Sanitation workers who helped Walton residents recover from the flood are being treated to a welcome-back picnic and a free visit to the Delaware County Fair.
Devlin, Beijen use Internet in campaign
With the two-contender Republican primary a little more than three weeks away, each candidate seeking to become Otsego County’s next sheriff says his campaign is running smoothly.
SUCO ranking up
The State University College at Oneonta is in the top tier of colleges and universities in the 2007 ranking by U.S. News and World Report released Friday.
Joint fire district to form in Delhi
DELHI - A majority of the towns in the Delhi Rural Fire District have approved the formation of the Delhi Joint Fire District.
SHOP TALK
Shop Talk is a weekly column featuring locally owned and operated businesses. This week, we talk to Doreen Maurer, who owns and operates the Davenport Center Diner with her husband, Richard.
August 18, 2006
Where will people park?
ONEONTA - With roughly one-third of downtown parking spaces lost to construction and thousands of college students returning next week, Oneonta motorists face "difficult adjustments," officials said.
Cat found amid recyclables at station
Black cats are traditionally unlucky, but Aug. 5 was a lucky day for a black cat that found itself trapped at the bottom of the Davenport transfer-station recycling bin.
Medicaid cuts may hurt, hospital execs say
Finance officials at two of Otsego County’s largest employers said they’re waiting to see what effects proposed Medicaid changes could have on their budgets.
Couple pay Otsego, retain home
COOPERSTOWN - Richard "Black Horse" Phillips and Rena Rose paid $2,914 to Otsego County on Thursday morning, completing Rose’s acquisition of the Algonquin Native American Church.
3 teens arrested on gun charges
ONEONTA - Three teenagers were arrested on felony weapons charges Thursday after a search turned up two semi-automatic handguns inside a city residence, city police said.
Race in 24th begins drawing national attention
The race between Republican Raymond Meier and Democrat Michael Arcuri in New York’s 24th Congressional District is drawing national attention because it is considered very close.
Gift certificates to help area flood victims
DELHI - Delaware Opportunities has 90 $50 gift certificates to distribute to flood victims, courtesy of Delhi American Legion Post 190 and Price Chopper.
More than 120 go to meeting against energy plant
ONEONTA - More than 120 people attended a meeting Thursday night sponsored by three groups opposed to plans for a woodburning power plant within city limits.
Powers loses appeal, is out of GOP primary
Republican primary in the 127th Assembly District this September will not be contested after a state court turned down the appeal of one of the two candidates vying for the nomination, several people involved with the situation said.
Planning Commission: More review for Catalyst power plant
ONEONTA - The city Planning Commission on Wednesday voted to hear more from Catalyst Renewables on the environmental impact of a proposed 35-megawatt power plant within city limits.
Cherry Valley adopts 90-day moratorium
At a special meeting Tuesday night, the Cherry Valley town Board voted unanimously to adopt a 90-day moratorium on major development.
Dozens bicycle against AIDS
WALTON - One by one, 62 bicyclists arrived at Peace Plantation Animal Sanctuary in Walton on Wednesday as the fourth annual Empire State AIDS Ride continued a 560-mile journey from Niagara Falls to Manhattan.
Couple lack $900 to keep church property
Today is the deadline for paying for properties acquired at Otsego County’s 2006 property-tax auction, and a New Lisbon couple said Wednesday they were not sure they’d have enough money to redeem their land.
Meeting shares ex-principal’s new job duties
ONEONTA - More details about the realignment of administrators at Oneonta High School were discussed after Wednesday’s meeting of the Oneonta City School District Board of Education.
Council approves sergeants’ contract
ONEONTA - The five sergeants of the Oneonta Police Department will be getting raises, paid time and a half for working certain holidays and a dental plan under terms of a contract approved by the Common Council on Tuesday.
Children come to Delaware fair for rides, art
WALTON - Children’s day at the Delaware County Fair was a winning one for 135 children whose numbers were drawn in the Merchant Bicycles Giveaway.
Blood-supply levels down in area
Blood-supply levels throughout the region have been negatively affected by June’s flooding and the heat wave that came later, officials said.
Who can donate blood?
About 60 percent of the population in the United States is eligible to donate blood, New York-Penn Blood Services spokeswoman Marianne Schreyer said.
Upcoming blood drives
The following drives are happening in Chenango, Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties within the next few weeks. Appointments aren’t necessary but are preferred. To make an appointment, call (800) GIVE-LIFE.
Oneonta City Court Report
Oneonta City Court reported that defendants pleaded guilty, unless otherwise indicated, and were fined and sentenced as listed below:
August 16, 2006
Crashes rising on I-88 detour
Accidents in the area where detoured traffic from Interstate 88 is being routed may have doubled because of the closure of the roadway in late June, officials said.
Culvert washout called ’act of God’
SIDNEY - Nearly seven weeks after the washout of a culvert under Interstate 88 in Sidney resulted in the two deaths of two truckers and the closure of the highway, officials said they were still analyzing the incident.
Area gas prices
Gas prices in the Oneonta area were still more than $3 a gallon for regular Tuesday, but some had come down from last week and two weeks ago. Stations were surveyed late Tuesday afternoon.
County manager post unlikely in ’07, reps say
COOPERSTOWN - Otsego County is not likely create a county manager’s post in the next year, according to the Republican chairman and the Democratic vice chairman of the Otsego County Board of Representatives.
Aldermen hire company to help with SEQRA phase
ONEONTA - Common Council aldermen voted 6-0 on Tuesday night to contract with an engineering firm to help the city through the State Environmental Quality Review Act process prompted by Catalyst Renewables’ submission of plans for a 35-megawatt, woodburning power plant.
Volunteers, group replace lost plants for Delaware fair
WALTON - The glorious gardens and floral displays at the Delaware County Fairgrounds give no hint of the hours of labor that went into replacing thousands of perennial plants that vanished in the June flood.
Hartwick reports more funds, students
ONEONTA - As Hartwick College prepares for the fall semester, school officials said the endowment is up over last year, and so is the enrollment.
Officials meet, discuss flood measures at Pepacton
A closed-door meeting of officials Tuesday in Delhi was "a giant step forward" in using New York City’s reservoirs to help control flooding, a participant said.
Burglary and rape sentences given out
COOPERSTOWN - In Otsego County Court on Monday before Judge Michael Coccoma, Luman C. Craver, 19, of Mount Upton, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years of probation for third-degree burglary.
DEP expands land-use policies
WALTON - New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Emily Lloyd was at the Delaware County Fair on Monday to announce changes in the DEP’s land-use policies.
Friends: Winsor benefited board
Deane Winsor, who died Sunday at 84, was well-respected by his peers on the Otsego County Board of Representatives.
Two from Star win awards
The Daily Star won two awards in the New York State Associated Press Association’s 2005-06 writing contest, the association announced Monday.
Sculptor finds ’adventure in concrete’
WALTON - Fossil-like concrete leaves scattered among birdbaths and lush foliage lured people into Carlyle Bradford’s display at the Delaware County Fair on Monday.
Sidney refunding fees for park closed by flood
A refund will be going out to people who had season permits at the East Sidney Lake park this season after the closure of the town-owned site during June flooding, officials said.
Walton businesses to get CWC loans
The Catskill Watershed Corp. Board of Directors, meeting in special session Aug. 7 in Margaretville, approved loan packages to two Walton businesses hit hard by recent flooding.
Forum set for Thursday on woodburning project
ONEONTA - Three local citizens groups are sponsoring an informational forum Thursday about the proposal by Catalyst Renewables to build a woodburning power plant in Oneonta.
City reviews tougher regs for summer rentals
The city may need to create a special review board to oversee the process of regulating city houses rented to baseball-camp families, the city’s Intergovernmental Affairs Committee chairwoman said last week.
127th GOP primary race in hands of state court
Otsego County Rep. James Powers said he will challenge a state Supreme Court decision to remove his name from the ballot in the Republican primary to replace Assemblyman Dan Hooker.
Low milk prices squeeze farmers
The combination of low milk prices and increased costs has area dairy farmers and officials looking for relief from the economic squeeze.
Hunting licenses available Monday
Hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for 2006-07 go on sale Monday, with deer-hunting prospects looking better than last year.
Delaware County Fair `ready to go’
WALTON - It would take more than a flood to sidetrack the 120th annual Delaware County Fair that begins Monday, according to a notice on the fair’s website.
Flood-drive focuses on furnishings
A drive to help flood victims refurnish their homes is under way and will continue for weeks, but help is desperately needed, said Debra Stalter of Andes.
Cross-country success
MARGARETVILLE - Sirens were blaring Thursday afternoon when Mike Porter and three other bicyclists swooped into the Margaretville Fire Department parking lot to attend a welcome-home reception.
Crew works to renovate schoolhouse
MIDDLEFIELD - A crew under the direction of Richard Hoag of Middlefield is working to restore the exterior of the District One Schoolhouse in Middlefield.
Delaware official listing properties badly damaged by flooding
DELHI - The Delaware County Planning Department is facing a deadline to compile a list of homes that sustained severe damage in the June 27 flood to qualify for a federal and state flood-buyout program, Shelly Johnson, Planning Department spokeswoman, said Thursday.
Seward urges New York City to pay Schoharie County for Gilboa Dam costs
ALBANY - State Sen. James Seward is threatening to fight against New York City’s bid to avoid a costly water-filtration system for its reservoirs unless the city agrees to pay Schoharie County’s costs to prepare for a potential dam break and flooding.
Firm eyes gas and oil in Otsego
COOPERSTOWN - Experts working for an energy company said they believe there is marketable natural gas in the town of Middlefield, and they want to find it.
Police probe man’s death
The Cooperstown Police Department is investigating the death of Tyler Mathew Adair, according to Diana Nicols, the village’s police chief.
Garage upgrade not likely to be done by Sept. 1
ONEONTA - Deterioration of the city’s municipal parking garage is worse than first determined, city officials said, and reaching the expected Sept. 1 completion date of the renovation project is "optimistic."
Deputies investigate Davenport shooting
State police at Oneonta and Delaware County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a shooting early Wednesday morning in West Davenport.
Official: Bat encounters up
The Otsego County Health Department has had an increase in the number of "bat encounter" calls received this year, according to the county rabies coordinator.
Walton volunteers from flood reconnect
WALTON - Volunteers who bonded while helping feed flood victims had a chance to reconnect at the Walton High School cafeteria Wednesday.
SBA official urges flood victims to file loan applications soon
WALTON - Representatives from the Small Business Administration held a meeting at Walton Central School on Wednesday to encourage flood victims to submit disaster-loan applications before the Sept. 1 deadline.
Local AAA: $4 gas by Labor Day?
The effects on this area of BP having closed its Alaskan oilfield remain to be seen, but some residents said they’re aware that higher prices will be likely.
Walton man, 24, comes up aces
A Walton man who won $247,399 on Monday to finish in 37th place in the World Series of Poker 2006 at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas described his winnings as "bittersweet."
Springbrook plans $20M project
MILFORD - Springbrook is planning a $20 million project that would eventually bring 100 jobs to the area.
Otsego County seeks bids for annex
COOPERSTOWN - Otsego County’s Public Works Committee decided Tuesday to solicit bids for the county annex building situated at 34 Chestnut St. Cooperstown.
Unatego hires principal
A newly hired principal started at Unatego High School on Monday, an official there said.
Two men indicted in Otsego
Two indictments were handed up in Otsego County Court on Friday before Judge Brian Burns.
Area news brief
UNADILLA - Work to upgrade signal and pavement markings at the intersection of state routes 7 and 8 in the town of Unadilla is under way, state Department of Transportation officials said Tuesday.
August 8, 2006
House returned to Indians
COOPERSTOWN - Richard "Black Horse" Phillips and Cory White saved their New Lisbon home Monday at the Otsego County property-tax auction.
Church builds shelters
BAINBRIDGE - Volunteers are needed to set up temporary shelters in Bainbridge this weekend for people donating time to help with flood cleanup throughout the region, organizers said Monday.
City may revise development job duties
ONEONTA - The city may meld the current duties of the downtown developer with new services from the Center for Economic and Community Development, Mayor John Nader said Monday.
Man admits stealing vehicle
DELHI - A Unadilla man appeared in Delaware County Court on Monday and admitted breaking into a house and stealing a car.
Woman sentenced for disobeying judge’s order
DELHI - A Walton woman who pleaded guilty in plea agreement but then disobeyed the judge’s orders received a longer sentence in Delaware County Court on Monday.
Otsego committee to discuss selling annex building
COOPERSTOWN - Otsego County’s Public Works Committee will meet at 10 a.m. today to discuss whether the county should sell its annex building at 34 Chestnut St. in the village of Cooperstown.
Area News Brief: SBA to hold meeting in Walton
WALTON - The Small Business Administration is holding an informational meeting from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Walton High School auditorium to help people understand the process of applying for flood assistance, Walton Supervisor John Meredith said Monday.
Heat, gas prices blamed for fair turnout
MORRIS - Although overall attendance at the Otsego County Fair was down about 18 percent from a year ago, fair organizers said the drop was not unexpected.
C’town plans capital project
COOPERSTOWN - The Cooperstown Central School district will move forward with a proposed capital project of about $5 million that is set to go before voters early in 2007.
Man hurt in dirt-bike accident
TOMPKINS - One person was hurt Sunday after a dirt-bike accident in the town of Tompkins, according to Walton Fire Chief Jim Jacob.
Area News Briefs: CWC board to consider loans
MARGARETVILLE - A special meeting of the Catskill Watershed Corp. Board of Directors will be held at 5 p.m. today at the CWC offices, 905 Main St., Margaretville, to consider loan applications from two Walton businesses.
Fine Arts festival attracts 2,000
ONEONTA - Sponsors and organizers called the fourth annual Arc Otsego City of the Hills Fine Arts Festival on Saturday a great success, saying that an estimated 2,000 people visited Main Street.
August 5, 2006
Website critical of Catalyst, mayor
ONEONTA - A website critical of Catalyst Renewable’s power-plant proposal has deleted a reference to the mayor and city Planning Commission chairman as being boosters of the project.
Flood 2006: Small shops tread water
Five weeks after floodwaters rushed through the downtown business districts of Walton and Sidney, many establishments have reopened and others are in the recovery process.
Businesses have avenues for aid
A hefty amount of paperwork is involved for businesses who need help with recovery efforts after the June flooding.
Morris man dies in motorcycle accident
A 42-year-old Morris man died Thursday night after crashing his motorcycle on a rain-slicked county highway in Otego, state police at Oneonta said.
Couple’s home to be auctioned despite appeals, exemptions
The home of Richard "Black Horse" Phillips and Cory White at 218½ Gardnertown Road, New Lisbon, will be auctioned Monday morning, Otsego County Attorney Rodney Klafehn said Friday morning.
Denofrio: Otsego board did well after flood
The Otsego County Board of Representatives, which in July appropriated $327,000 to help flood victims, deserves praise for its generosity and quick action, according to Daniel Denofrio, the county’s social-services commissioner.
Area News Briefs
U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., requested an update Friday from the Federal Emergency Management Agency with details of damage throughout New York state and any other approvals or denials for federal assistance in dollar amounts.
Two Walton venues are near reopening
WALTON - Two of Walton’s entertainment venues were shut down by flooding in June, but the Walton Theatre and the bowling alley will be up and running soon, officials said.
Flood-damaged Sidney businesses
Sidney businesses that sustained flood damage (list provided by Sidney Village Clerk’s office and may not be comprehensive):<
SHOP TALK
Shop Talk is a weekly column featuring locally owned and operated businesses. This week, we talk to Jamie Potter, who owns of Pie in the Sky, a seasonal produce store in the town of Otego, with his wife, Janet.
August 4, 2006
Fall from car kills man
ONEONTA - A 22-year-old Schenevus man died early Thursday after falling from a moving sport-utility vehicle on River Street, city police said.
Festival features artists with developmental disabilities
ONEONTA - The fourth presentation of the City of the Hills Fine Arts Festival will be more than just a chance for community outreach, Joe Judd, director of The Arc Otsego, said Thursday.
Seward asks state for Canadarago Lake aid
State Sen. James Seward has asked the state Emergency Management Office for its intervention and assistance with continued high water and flooding at Canadarago Lake.
Barber leaves $2M trust to Springbrook
MILFORD CENTER - A longtime supporter of the Springbrook agency for the disabled has left a $2 million living trust to the institution.
Heat wave almost over
A two-day, record-tying heat wave is coming to an end after subjecting people who work outside to conditions they described as "brutal" and "excruciating."
PR battle emerges for Catalyst
ONEONTA - Catalyst Renewables has found itself in a public-relations battle as it continues to pitch plans for a 35-megawatt wood-burning power plant in the city rail yards.
Magazine features 9/11 film creators
Three Oneonta men who made a controversial film about the events of 9/11 are featured in the August issue of Vanity Fair magazine.
Job Corps director selected
ONEONTA - The Oneonta Job Corps Academy got new leadership Tuesday when a South Carolina woman with 27 years of experience with the national program took the helm.
County to pave road to nursing home
COOPERSTOWN - After much discussion Wednesday, the Otsego County Board of Representatives agreed to pave Phoenix Mills Cross Road, which leads to the county’s nursing home, Otsego Manor.
Hartwick names Pine Lake director
ONEONTA - Hartwick College in Oneonta has appointed Patrick Drohan director of the Pine Lake Institute for Environmental and Sustainability Studies.
Man accused of felony sex act
A South New Berlin man was arrested Friday and charged with having deviant sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl, Chenango County sheriff’s deputies said Wednesday.
On the Bright Side: Flood leads to reunion
An unfortunate event sent two Oneonta women on a fortunate journey that united six generations and gave Lucy Ireland an opportunity to meet her great-great-great granddaughter, Cadence Sharayah Brown.
Redmond named chief of city police department
ONEONTA - When Joseph Redmond ended a five-year stint in the U.S. Air Force in 1979 and joined the Oneonta Police Department, he had no idea he would one day be chief.
Advocate for disabled says group didn’t take voting-machine money
Chris Zachmeyer, executive director of the Catskill Center For Independence, said Tuesday that voting-machine manufacturers have tried to contribute money to her organization, which has given testimony on which voting machines Otsego County should buy.
Council asks questions about flood contracts
ONEONTA - The Common Council on Tuesday questioned Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement procedures and the city’s current practice of awarding no-bid contracts to pay for flood repairs.
Catalyst: Information in ad was incorrect
ONEONTA - A town hall-style meeting sponsored by a company proposing a woodburning power plant in the city will be held tonight at the Hunt Union Ballroom at the State University College at Oneonta.
CV board rejects one-year moratorium
CHERRY VALLEY - By a 2-to-1 vote Monday night, the Cherry Valley Town Board opted not to institute a 12-month moratorium on major development.
Temps today could pass 95
ONEONTA - The heat roasting most of the country in recent weeks will move into the region starting today, but it’s not expected to last more than two days.
Local counties get $2 million in housing funds
Gov. George Pataki on Monday announced more than $117 million to support affordable-housing initiatives across the state for working families, seniors, people with disabilities and owners of small retail businesses.
Sweeney to host meeting
Rep. John Sweeney, R-Clifton Park, will host a town-hall meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Sidney.
Contractor pleads innocent to more fraud
DELHI - A contractor sentenced for grand larceny and fraud June 16 in Otsego County appeared Monday in Delaware County Court on 10 additional charges.
Man denied appointed attorney
DELHI - A Hancock man accused of violating his probation will appear in Delaware County court next week.
