Easter Egg Hunt in Central Bridge Tomorrow

Scores of residents participated in last year's Easter
 Egg Hunt in Central Bridge. Photo by Travis Hofmann

The Central Bridge Civic Association is gearing up for its Annual Central Bridge Easter Egg Hunt, set for tomorrow - Saturday, April 4th - at the Central Bridge Community Park beginning at 11 a.m.

There will be three chances to win a Easter Basket, with refreshments being served throughout the egg hunt. If inclement weather, the event will be held at the Central Bridge Methodist Church hall. 

Sponsored annually by the Central Bridge Civic Association, it is a hit with enthusiasts young and old. 

Central Bridge Residents Cry Foul Over Discolored Water

Dispensing a dirty and soiled water that is staining laundry and leaving homeowners hesitant of using their tap for either cleaning or cooking, Central Bridge residents are fed up with their discolored water supply. 

Photo by Sarah Weber

Homeowners, taking to facebook, have posted complaints that the discoloration began approximately three weeks ago, with resident Sarah Grace Weber telling The Schoharie News that there is an accompanying smell that, "is like fish tank water."

Central Bridge, a Hamlet located in both the townships of Esperance and Schoharie, is supplied the majority of their water from the Central Bridge Water and Sewer Districts, which is administered by both towns. 

Attempting to ease fears of contamination on Saturday night, Schoharie County Emergency Services published an advisement on social media that stated the discoloration was due to high levels of Manganese, and that it should be resolved by the end of the week.

A 2011 study by the World Health Organization found that nearly 70% of all groundwater supplies and upwards to 97% of surface water sites in the United States contain Manganese, a naturally occurring substance that is generally below levels of public health concern.

Photo by Sarah Weber

The advisement further noted there is no need for a boil water order and that the water is safe to drink. 

Disagreeing wholeheartedly, Ms. Weber pointed out that officials did not mention a potential cause for the associated smell. Furthermore, responding to their comments that the water is safe to drink, she scoffed, "I don't believe that for a second."

Residents are encouraged to call Water & Sewer Superintendent Robert Barratiere with any questions at 518-265-0662. 

The April meeting of the Central Bridge Water and Sewer Districts is scheduled for Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church Hall on Church Street in Central Bridge. 

Central Bridge Fire Dept Hosting Benefit to Aid Ill Members

The Central Bridge Fire Department will be hosting its regular monthly pancake breakfast on Sunday, March 22nd, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., but this time it is doubling as a benefit to support two of the fire department's members who are ill. 

Benefiting Fire Police Captain Betty Williams and Senior EMT Oliver Alqoutob, the event will feature the famous firehouse breakfast specials of the Central Bridge Fire Department and a Chinese auction to raise funds.

For more information please visit the event's official page on facebook.

Youngsters Hunt for Easter Eggs in Central Bridge

Dozens of local families in the Schoharie Valley area came together on Saturday morning to participate in Central Bridge's annual Easter Egg Hunt festivities at the close-knit hamlet's community park, which included basket drawings and an extensive hunt by Easter Egg seeking kids. 

Photo credit: Travis Hofmann

The event is sponsored annually by the Central Bridge Civic Association.

Photo credit: Travis Hofmann

Easter Egg Hunt in Central Bridge April 19

The Central Bridge Civic Association will be holding the Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19 at 11:00 am. The event will be held rain or shine at the Central Bridge Community Park for youth 12 years of age and under. There will be three chances to win an Easter Basket. 

Refreshments will be served and all are welcome in the community.

Schoharie School Band to March in Central Bridge, Esperance Memorial Day Parades

Months of brewing contention between two local communities and the Schoharie Central School District over the use of the school's marching band on Memorial Day weekend has been resolved, according to a press release issued by the school. 

Controversy was ignited last fall when the school dropped Central Bridge from their parade route, citing scheduling conflicts, and was further inflamed by the Esperance Fire Department when they uninvited the band in solidarity with their neighboring community. 

In a meeting held last week between representatives of all parties and Assemblyman Pete Lopez, who mediated the conflict, a compromise was agreed upon in-which the high school band will march in the Central Bridge parade and the elementary/junior varsity squad will do likewise in the Village of Esperance.

Praising the Schoharie Central School District's commitment to volunteer fire departments and emergency rescue squads to join in honoring this country's veterans, Assemblyman Lopez stated that he was "very pleased that his office could help bring everyone together to work through this." He would later add, "this is the right thing to do." 

Central Bridge Fire Chief Scott Johnson thanked all parties involved for coming together and reaching a compromise that will see Schoharie's youth participate in both communities Memorial Day parades, which will be held on Monday, May 26th. Superintendent Brian Sherman added that both bands have been practicing in anticipation. 

State Police Arrest Parolee Wearing Devil Mask for Burglarizing Central Bridge Church

An ongoing investigation by the Cobleskill State Police has led to the arrest of two local suspects for the January 27th burglary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Church Street in Central Bridge. From the State Police's official release:

During the early morning hours of January 27, 2014 two subjects forcibly entered the church and damaged numerous doors, cabinets and locking mechanisms while attempting to locate items to steal. The value of the damages is approximately $18,000. They stole approximately $160.00 and two backpacks from the Boy Scout Troop 46, which maintains a storage room at the Church.  Also stolen was approximately $40.00 from the church Family History Center.

The suspects have been identified as eighteen year old Roger Graham (pictured left) and twenty-six year old Justin Pethick (pictured right), both of whom reside in Central Bridge. Graham was arrested on February 4th and charged with Burglary in the Third Degree, while Pethick was caught on February 20th and charged with Burglary in the Third Degree, Petit Larceny and Unlawful Possesion of Marihuana. Both were arraigned in the Town of Cobleskill and remanded to Schoharie County Jail. 

Graham

Pethick

According to the press release Pethick, who was also on parole, wore a devil mask during the burglary to conceal his identity. He was charged with Petit Larceny due to a separate complaint filed by Apple Food and Grocery, located on Route 7, in which he is, "accused of stealing tobacco and cigarettes while employed there."

Cobleskill State Police were assisted in their investigation by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the Schoharie County District Attorney's Office. 

Central Bridge Fire Department Joins Facebook

The Central Bridge Fire Department has joined many of the other Fire Departments of the County by joining Facebook. In just several days, their page has attracted hundreds of likes. The site is right here for you to like.

Central Bridge Fire Department Hosts Santa at Community Pancake Breakfast

The Central Bridge Fire Department hosted a successful community pancake breakfast Sunday morning that featured a special guest straight from the North Pole, good 'ole Saint Nicholas, who gave his time this busy holiday season to take pictures with local children in a particularly jolly manner right before Christmas.

Chief Johnson (left) and President Hofmann pose with Santa

Members of the department, who serve as the backbone of the small hamlet located between the Towns of Schoharie and Esperance, came out in full force and volunteered to help during every step of the event from pictures with Santa to serving hungry customers who donated what they could to Central Bridge's finest and everything in between.

In addition to good food and friends, hugs were also available

According to post-event estimates, approximately one hundred and twenty-five people attended the pancake breakfast, which raised four to five hundred dollars for the small community fire department and exceeded that of last year's pre-Christmas event. 



Central Bridge Fire Department Holds July Meeting

The Central Bridge Fire Department held their July meeting last night amid an ominous warning of more flooding for nearby Montgomery County, which has suffered tremendously over the past couple of days from severe flooding, and worries of our own county's potential for even more flash flooding.

 

Approximately three dozen members attended the meeting, where they learned the department raised almost $500 during a mid-June fundraiser held at the firehouse and that Chief Scott Johnson and two other firemen were deployed to Herkimer County over the weekend to aid recovery efforts there.

 

President Travis Hofmann kicked off the meeting by leading the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence honoring their nineteen comrades who perished battling an Arizona wildfire.

 

Members were lively through out the meeting, even during a few serious points where Chief Johnson discussed issues privately addressed to him concerning the department, reminding everyone that they're all in this for the good of their community and not themselves.

 

The Central Bridge Fire Department meets the first Monday of every month and is one of the finest and closet knit departments in the entire county.