Middleburgh Man Arrested for DWI

State Police in Cobleskill arrested a Middleburgh man for Driving While Intoxicated following a traffic stop in the Town of Middleburgh.

Johnnie D. Brown III was arrested and charged with DWI and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 2^nd following a traffic stop in the Town of Middleburgh.  Brown was initially stopped for a traffic violation and further investigation led to the listed charges.  Brown was released on traffic tickets and is scheduled to return to the Town of Middleburgh Court at a later date.

Conesville Receives over $30,000 for Park Project

Conesville received a $32,500 grant from the Schoharie Watershed Advisory Committee. The Town has received the money to continue with improvements to the Town Park. This will include the restoration of the walking tack, access to the Manorkill at two points for fishing and recreation, and the installation of exercise fit stations. Design for the stream bank remediation is continuing with a tentative start date of mid-summer planned.

The project was announced by Town Supervisor Bill Federice who has been working to reverse creek issues and improve the standard of living for residents.

Knight: Je Suis Charlie

The world watched in horror last Wednesday as radical jihadists launched a deadly assault on Charlie Hebdo, a satirical newspaper published in France. Twelve people were killed, but millions of French citizens marched in support of freedom of speech just days later in Paris. 

Untold amounts of ink and web space have already been devoted to the motivations behind the attack, the western world's response to this unexpected assault on freedom of expression, and the very rude awakening Europe suffered as a result of this appalling terrorist act.

However, there is one question that remains unanswered: what now?

Journalism - regardless of which form it takes shape in - is not an easy business. There is a constant threat of lawsuits, negative comments from readers and politicians unhappy with your reporting, and pressures to report the news as fast as possible while remaining accurate. 

But never before, until last Wednesday at least, was the possibility of being the target of a coordinated terrorist attack ever on that list... And now that it is... What now? 

I get that the circumstances surrounding Charlie Hebdo are special, due to the controversial nature of the publication, but if the media's ability to offend by means of cartoons has been placed on the "potentially hazardous to your health," list. Where will the slippery slope end?

That is a question I cannot answer, but it does deserve a follow up: as a society, western culture has long treasured the right of a free, impartial, and truth seeking press to serve as our collective fourth estate, however, what happens when that fourth estate becomes afraid to do its job?

Again, I do not have the answer to that very troubling question... 

We live in uncertain times, as terrorism remains a threat to our daily existence and, in some cases, the very act of drawing a cartoon or taking a unpopular stance could draw that very real existence to your front door step. 

That is a threat that many a good journalist is unable to tolerate, for fear of their personal well being or that of their family, or even that of their newspaper. However, the day that fear becomes the norm and the norm becomes an inability to offend, is the day we all lose this battle. 

I don't know what all of you say, but as for me: Je Suis Charlie.

Ice Harvest Festival at Hanford Mills Museum February 7th

The first Saturday in February, people from across the region bundle up and head to Hanford Mills Museum for its annual Ice Harvest Festival. Using historic tools, children and adults can walk out on the frozen mill pond to cut and maneuver blocks of ice. The ice blocks are pushed up a ramp and then loaded onto sleds, which are hauled to a traditional ice house.

The Ice Harvest Festival, which runs 10 am–4 pm on February 7, includes a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. The SUNY Delhi Hospitality Center Ice Team will be making ice sculptures. The Dave Brandt Chapter of Trout Unlimited will teach visitors how to ice fish on the mill pond. Visitors can warm up by outdoor fire pits, and also at the soup buffet, which features soups from area restaurants. At the Hanford House, which shows family life in the 1920s, visitors can play tabletop games and see historic cooking demonstrations. Throughout the day, films of ice harvests from the1920s-1940s will be screened. The festival also includes horse-drawn sleigh rides and blacksmithing demonstrations.

“We call Ice Harvest the region’s coolest tradition. There is a great spirit of community as everyone joins together to fill the ice house,” says Liz Callahan, the Museum’s executive director. She noted that the popular Disney movie Frozen opens with an ice harvest.  “Frozen fans are invited to come participate in a real ice harvest, and impromptu sing-a-longs are very welcome.”

The Museum Shop will be open, offering Mill-made crafts, traditional toys, books and local products. Local food and craft vendors onsite will include: Ate.o.Ate Food Truck (snacks and lunch items), Byebrook Farms (Gouda cheese), Promisedland Farms (knitted hats, mittens and more), LeRoux & Co. (handmade soaps), and Cooperstown Distillery (tastings).

Up until the early 20^th century, ice harvesting was an essential winter activity in rural communities. “Before refrigeration, ice was the only way to keep food cold,” explains Liz Callahan, executive director of Hanford Mills Museum. “Ice blocks were cut from frozen rivers and ponds and then stored until the warmer months.” She said that area farmers used the ice to keep milk and other agricultural products cold, and also as an item to sell.

Callahan noted that the Ice Harvest Festival can attract more than 1,200 people. “It’s a great way to beat cabin fever.”

The ice harvested at the festival will be used to make ice cream at the Museum’s Independence Day Celebration on July 4.

See the website for more information, hanfordmills.org. This event is wheelchair accessible.

Admission and Information

Children 12 and under receive free admission. Admission for adults and teens is $9; senior admission is $7. AAA and other discounts available. Museum members receive free admission. Those living in zip codes (13757, 13739, 13786, 13750, and 13806) neighboring Hanford Mills also receive free admission.

About Hanford Mills Museum

Hanford Mills Museum operates an authentic water- and steam-powered historic site. The mission of Hanford Mills Museum is to inspire audiences of all ages to explore connections between energy, technology, natural resources and entrepreneurship in rural communities with a focus on sustainable choices. The museum, which is listed on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places, will open for the 2015 season on May 15.

Hanford Mills Museum is located at 51 County Highway 12 in East Meredith, at the intersection of Delaware County Routes 10 & 12, just 10 miles from Oneonta, and 15 miles from Delhi.  For more information, visit www.hanfordmills.org or call 607-278-5744.

Rabies Clinic on January 24th

The SC DOH will be holding a Rabies Clinic on Saturday, January 24, 2014 from 1-3pm at Richmondville Volunteer Emergency Squad (RVES), 388 Main Street, Richmondville. Vaccinations are available free of charge by Cobleskill Veterinary Clinic. Donations to offset clinic expenses are appreciated.

Snowmobile Safety Course January 17th

SC OES Safety Officer is holding a Snowmobile Safety Course on January 17, 2014 from 8am and 4pm, at the Main County Office building (Basement), Schoharie. This safety course is intended for youth between the age of 10 and 17. All persons attending should register at 518 296 8606. A safety certificate will be awarded after passing a test at the end of the course.

Pictures: State Plow Catches Fire on Route 20

These photos are coming to us via the Schoharie County Fire Wire page. A New York State DOT plow caught on fire on Route 20 near the intersection of Route 145 in Sharon Monday. The driver appeared to make it out, although no word on injuries yet.

Cobleskill Rink Hosting Skate Day January 17th

Residents of Cobleskill are invited to come to skate at the community skating rink this Saturday.

Photo: Rollover Crash in Carlisle

A rollover crash in Carlisle Sunday caused scares but no major injuries.

Photo credit: Schoharie County Fire Wire

Apple Barrel Holding Fundraiser for DAR House January 29th

The Apple Barrel is continuing its role in local giving by hosting a major fundraising push later this month. The event, known as 'Cabin Fever,' will be held to assist the Daughters of the American Revolution house on Main Street, Schoharie.

The event will include a dinner, shopping, raffle, wine tasting, and more.

Photo credit: Schoharie Promo Association

Schoharie, Middleburgh Skating Rinks Ready

While the lower temperatures may be putting a strain on local heating sources and energy bills, there is one upside for local residents.

Both the Schoharie and Middleburgh skating rinks have been filled and are open for use. Schoharie's is in the Fox Creek Park near the little league field and Middleburgh's is in Badgely Park near the fire house.

Photo credit: Schoharie Promotional Association

SALT Announces 2015 Goals

Schoharie Area Long Term Recovery has announced several resolutions for 2015 that read in part a new commitment for recovery.

Part of these projects includes:

THE TRAIL PROJECT: Building on a long held community vision with a SALT facilitated, multi-organizational effort around the Schoharie Creek. In 2015, with other partnering organizations and the community we will create a feasibility study for a 38 mile multi-use trail from Esperance to Blenheim as a vehicle for community driven economic renewal.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: The United Nations defines Community Development as “a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.” Going forward as we shift from recovery to renewal SALT will continue to seek out, facilitate and coordinate community development projects like the Trail Project.
ECONOMIC RENEWAL: 2014 saw many new businesses open post-flood across the county. 2015 will be the first full year that SALT is placing one of our VISTA members jointly at the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce to further support local business revitalization.

Find the whole list on their website.

Local Early Intervention Coordination Council Meeting January 20th

The next meeting of the Local Early Intervention Coordination Council (LEICC) will be held on

Tuesday, January 20, 2015 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, 3rd floor conference room #360 at the County

Office Building at 276 Main Street, Schoharie, NY.  All meetings are open to the public.


The LEICC was formed to advise the Schoharie County Department of Health in identifying

families with infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities so appropriate

intervention services can be provided.


For more information, contact the Health Department at 295-8705.

Letter to the Editor: Time for a Shakeup in Local Media

Dear editor,

As much as your publication seems mainly hinging on arrest reports and poor editorials, at least you publish letters sent to you. How many people in this county have seen their letters to the Times Journal thrown away and never published?

While we're talking about the oldest paper in the county, how many times do people need to get yelled at by their editor? The amount of business owners, public officials, and regular ol' people that she's cursed out has probably exceeded the subscription base. Well, at least she gets good pictures of people's behinds and half-filled parking lots from events. Makes you wonder what secret she has on old Jim anyway?

The Gazette doesn't seem to do much around here. The Mountain Eagle is useless. Any satirical crap from disgraced former kleptocrats is a joke (and not the way ol' Dan or any young former members of the Planning Department wants it to be).

So we the people of the county are seriously underserved. Maybe the Schoharie News can pick up its game. Maybe we can do something about corruption and local products. Maybe we should, considering not much is working now.

Richard "Halliburton"
Summit

Vote in Our New Poll: Affects of Gas Prices and Fracking

Make sure to vote in our new poll regarding the effects of falling gas prices, mainly due to fracking on your opinion of the practice.

Poll: Most See County as Corrupt

Readers believe by an overwhelming margin that corruption is still embedded in local government. In fact, a quarter believe that corruption today has surpassed even the levels under Cassandra Ethington several years ago.

Do You Think That Corruption Has been Removed from County Government?
Virtually all of it 2% - 3
 Mostly 10% - 17
 No 63% - 107
 It's worse than ever 25% - 42
 169 total

Middleburgh Man Arrested for Controlled Substance, Trespassing, and Harassment

State Police in Cobleskill arrested a Middleburgh man and charged him with multiple offenses including a drug charge following a complaint of harassment in the Village of Middleburgh.

Troopers arrested Noel Ortiz age 37 of Middleburgh and charged him with Trespass, Harassment 2nd and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th following a complaint on January 6, 2015. Ortiz was charged after he allegedly threatened another man following an argument. During the arrest it was determined that Ortiz was in possession of a controlled substance. Ortiz was released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Middleburgh Court on January 14, 2015 at 7:00 pm.

Ortiz was arrested for heroin possession and driving with a suspended license in December.

Cobleskill Man Arrested for Trespassing, Harassment

State Police in Cobleskill arrested a Cobleskill man following a domestic incident that occurred in the Town of Seward.

Troopers arrested Zachary W. Boggs age 41 of Cobleskill and charged him with Criminal Trespass 2nd and Harassment 2nd following a domestic incident. It was alleged that Boggs entered a residence without permission where he then made verbal threats to a female subject. Boggs was arraigned in the Town of Cobleskill Court where an Order of Protection was issued. Boggs was then released to appear in the Town of Seward Court on January 14, 2015 at 7:00pm.
 

Conesville Woman Arrested for Welfare Fraud

Sheriff's Deputies arrested Kimmarie Uhalde OF Conesville, NY for the class D felony of welfare fraud in the 3rd degree and the Class A Misdemeanor of offering a false instrument for filing in the 2nd degree. The arrest follows an investigation by the Schoharie County Department of Social Services Fraud Unit and the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office. The defendant was arrested and arraigned in the Village of Schoharie Court and Released to reappear on January 26th, 2015.

Letter to the Editor: Lape a Poor Choice for Chair

Dear Editor,
Congratulations, or should I say condolences to Dick Lape on becoming Chairman of the Board. I see the voting went right along party lines, guess I shouldn't be surprised. But one has to wonder if the best person was chosen for the job or did Mr. Lape just have more friends on the board? Another reason why this taxpayer does not have any faith in this board. This just proves to me that they all put their political parties first and the people of the county second. I am intrigued by the new Chairman's comment. His number one priority is to protect the health and safety of our residents. Does that mean he is against the land grabbing pipeline companies that want to take our land and ravage our county to bury 30 inch pipes in the ground to transport volatile gas somewhere else? I'd say that might be a health and safety issue to all of us. Will Mr. Lape back up his words and stand up and fight for the people or will he remain silent like Senator Seward and Schoharie's favorite son Assemblyman Lopez? Again, I am not surprised, but unfortunately this is the way career politician's work. Why take a stance or come out strong against anything that might affect your future political endeavors. After all, the rich people behind the pipeline companies might want to donate money to campaigns down the road. If a political office is not in one's future, there could always be a job. We all see who John Faso is working for. He tried to become a career politician, but he couldn't make it. However, I'm sure he is being well compensated by the Constitution Pipeline.

Thank you,
Jerry Fiore
Summit, NY