Pictures: Massive Fire Engulfs Barn in Cobleskill

A tremendous farm burnt down a barn in Cobleskill earlier today. There were multiple fire departments on the scene. Photos credit the Schoharie County Fire Wire.

Silver Allegations May Lead to Obstruction of Justice Charges Against Cuomo

Sheldon Silver's role in the limelight are not over. While he will be leaving the Speaker's chair in the State Assembly Monday and undergo a grueling trial, he may have one more trick up his sleeve. Silver presided over one of the most dysfunctional state legislatures in the country, and allegedly used his influence to make millions of dollars.

However, the national media is reporting that there is concern that Silver's fall may also bring dwon Governor Andrew Cuomo. One suit alleges that Cuomo disbanded the Moreland Commission, meant to find improper pay for play in the legislature, due to Silver's influence:

The Silver-led state assembly then filed a court motion to quash the commission’s subpoenas related to legislators’ outside income. In exchange for allowing the campaign finance bill to pass,
Silver allegedly demanded that Cuomo disband the commission, according to the complaint against Silver

US Attorney Preet Bharara’s case against Silver has been buffeted by months of investigation. His statement that watchers should "Stay tuned" seem to indicate that more heads may roll very soon.

Woman Arrested for Window Tint, Marijuana

Savannah H. Rossman, 21, was stopped in the town of Gilboa for operating a vehicle with excessive window tint. During the traffic stop deputies noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and subsequently located an amount of marijuana inside. She was charged with having excessive window tint of over 70% light transmittance and for possession of marijuana. Ms. Rossman was issued an appearance ticket and released. She is scheduled to return to the town of Gilboa court on the above listed date.

Letter to the Editor: Time to Stand Up to Pipeline

I see where the Constitution Pipeline has created its first jobs for the county. Schoharie County Deputies are out serving papers notifying landowners that they now have become defendants and their land will be confiscated from them. Following right behind constitution is another land grabber Kinder Morgan who wants to run a pipeline through the same towns and they want a seperate easement. That means between the 2 pipelines a football field wide swath will have to be cut through our properties, woods, fields, and backyards thus bringing a pipeline even closer to our homes and drinking water. I can only hope the Schoharie Supervisors will not remain silent again as its residents get put through another nightmare Maybe with the new leadership on the board, they will take a stand and say enough already. Do we really want our county to become an interstate for pipelines? Chairman Lape did state that his number 1 priority was to protect the health and saftey of our residents. Well here is your chance Mr. Lape back up your words. Also Assemblyman Lopez before you start thinking about the next rung on the political ladder and riding down 95 south to Washington, HELP US!

Jerry Fiore
Summit

Middleburgh Town Board Member Hosting Coffee Discussions

After a six year absence "Coffee & Conversation" returns to Middleburgh.

Town of Middleburgh Councilman Brian DeFeo will be hosting Coffee & Conversation the first Saturday of each month from eight to nine am at the Middleburgh Diner. Residents with questions, comments, or concerns are welcome to stop in.

The idea behind Coffee & Conversation is to give residents an opportunity to meet with Town Officials, who otherwise may not be able to do so during the week or are reluctant to speak during the public comment section of the regular monthly meeting.

Son Arrested for Assaulting Mother Over Money

Brian P. Ouimet, 37, was arrested by State Police after an investigation into an incident at his residence. Ouimet resided with his parents and girlfriend in Duanesburg NY and it is alleged that on January 21, 2015, he requested cash from his 69 year old mother. She refused. The suspect is alleged to have then struck his mother in the head with a blunt object causing her injury. The victim was forced to provide the suspect with her ATM card in order to prevent further injury and keep from being assaulted again.

 The suspect then withdrew money from his mother's account. The suspect and his girlfriend fled the area in a vehicle owned by his parents. Ouimet was located on January 22, 2015 and arrested for Robbery 2nd degree and Assault 2nd degree. He was arraigned and remanded to the Schenectady County Jail in lieu of bail.

Middleburgh Man Arrested for Felony Credit Card Fraud

Briefly mentioned in the Cobleskill police blotter, more information is coming from the Sheriff's Department. Sheriff's Deputies arrested Jesse A. Colegrove on one count of felony grand larceny in the 4th Degree and five counts of felony forgery in the 2nd Degree. The arrest occurred following an investigation into a reported stolen credit card and unauthorized purchases. Deputies allege that after procuring the card, Mr. Colegrove made purchases at a number of establishments within the Villages of Middleburgh and Cobleskill. Mr. Colegrove was turned over to the Cobleskill Village Police who handled the charges from unauthorized purchases that occurred within village limits. He was released to reappear at a later date.

Silver to Leave Speakership Next Week

Sheldon Silver is out, at least for the time being. The NYS Assembly Democratic Party caucus is set to remove Silver from his position as speaker on Monday. He will be replaced with an interim speaker, Joseph Morelle, until a full election is held on February 10th.

Silver has been speaker since June 1994 and was indicted for his alleged role in steering millions in illegal contracts. While such activity has been suspected for years, documentation has come to light form a special prosecutor.

Cobleskill Police Blotter

Sunday, January 24

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested Sean A. Ford, 24, of Coram on charges of third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. He was arraigned and released to return to court on January 27.

Friday, January 16

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested Jaylene R. Stowell, 22, of Richmondville on charges of driving while intoxicated, aggravated DWI, and other traffic tickets. She was released to return to court on February 17.

Thursday, January 22

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested Jesse A. Colegrove, 22, of St. Johnsville on charges of three counts of second-degree forgery. He was arraigned and released to return to court on February 6.

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested Naiquon A. MacKey, 19, of the Bronx on charges of second-degree trespass. He was issued an appearance ticket and released to return to court on February 17.

Wednesday, January 21

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested Nathaniel Lesinski, 27, of Sprakers on a warrant on charges of petty larceny. He was arraigned and released to return to court on January 27.

Letter to the Editor: Where is Seward and Lopez?

If there is one thing more upsetting and disheartening than having our land seized and eventually ravaged to bury this unnecessary pipeline. Which by the way serves no one who will have their land confiscated from them. It is the lack of support from my state and local officials. Of the 16 Schoharie County Supervisors only Gene Milone of Schoharie has stood steadfast in his opposition to this pointless pipeline, and I want to thank him for that. As for Senator Seward and Assemblyman Lopez your silence tells me everything, to you two. Thanks for nothing!


Jerry Fiore 
Summit 

Vote in Our New Poll: Lape as Chair

Make sure to vote in our newest poll on the sidebar. Do you approve of the County Board's decision to name Richmondville Supervisor Richard Lape as the new Board Chairman?

Winter Storm Warning from Monday to Wednesday

The area is could face anywhere from a medium storm to a massive snowfall, depending on estimates. The National Weather Service put out this warning:

...Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 1 PM Monday to 1 am EST Wednesday...* locations...greater capital region...helderbergs...Schoharie County...Saratoga region...Glens Falls area and northern Washington County.* Hazard types...heavy snow.* Snow accumulations...8 to 14 inches.* Maximum snowfall rates...1 to 2 inches per hour.* Timing...snow will overspread the region from southwest to northeast Monday afternoon...and will continue heavy at times Monday night into Tuesday...before gradually tapering off late Tuesday night.* Impacts...dangerous travel conditions due to snow covered roadways and low visibility. Blowing and drifting snow will also be likely.* Winds...north 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.* Temperatures...in the teens.Precautionary/preparedness actions...A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel...keep an extra flashlight... food...and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

Keep track on our always updated weather page here.

Middleburgh Hosting Skating Day January 31st

Middleburgh is hosting a community ice skating day January 31st. The event, sponsored by the Rotary and Middleburgh Area Business Association will run from 5-8pm at the skating rink at Badgely Park. Hot drinks and popcorn will be available and the Middleburgh Firehouse will act as a warmup shelter.

Richmondville Man Arrested for DWI after Chase

The New York State Police in Cobleskill, NY arrested a Richmondville man for felony driving while intoxicated following a short pursuit that occurred in the Town of Richmondville.

Troopers arrested Mark T. Mcmahon age 49 of Richmondville for Felony DWI following a vehicle pursuit that began in the Village of Richmondville. Troopers allege that Mcmahon was originally stopped for a traffic infraction, before the Trooper could approach the vehicle Mcmahon drove away and led police on a short pursuit that ended on Rigley Road in the Town of Richmondville.

Mcmahon was charged with felony DWI, unlawfully fleeing a police officer 3rd degree and reckless driving. He was arraigned in the Town of Richmondville Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Correctional Facility on cash bail to return to the Town of Richmondville Court at a later date.

Gallupville Man Sentenced to Four Years for Forcible Teeth Pulling

Steven Walker, 35, of the Town of Wright was sentenced to four years in prison. He made headlines in 2013 for pulling three teeth from an developmentally disabled eight year old girl. He pleaded guilty to second degree assault in June and accepted an assault charge. The four years handed down by Schoharie County Judge George Bartlett was the maximum sentence.

Cobleskill Police Blotter

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested Mark A Scofield, 40, of Sprakers on charges of driving while intoxicated. He was released to return to court on January 27th.

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested a 16-year-old East Berne boy on charges of petty larceny. He was issued an appearance and released to return to court on February 10.

The Cobleskill State Police arrested Clifford H. Swart, 32, of Berne on charges of unlawful possession of marijuana after a traffic stop in the Town of Middleburgh. He was released on an appearance ticket to return to court on January 21.

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested Benjamin J. Urrey, 27, of Cobleskill on charges of second-degree reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, failure to obey a police officer, and traffic tickets. He was arraigned and sent to jail in lieu of $15,000 bail or $45,000 bond to return to court on January 27.

Thursday, January 15 The Cobleskill State Police arrested Johnnie D. Brown III of Middleburgh on charges of driving while intoxicated and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation after a traffic stop in the Town of Middleburgh. He was released on traffic tickets to return to court at a later date. Wednesday, January 14 A joint investigation by the Schoharie County Department of Social Services, the Sheriff’s Office, and the district attorney’s office resulted in the arrest of Kellie Rabbitt, 42, of Cobleskill on charges of welfare fraud and offering a false instrument. It is alleged that income as a home health aide was not reported on applications for assistance which resulted in benefits being fraudulently issued.

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested Nicole Kruger, 21, of Cobleskill on a warrant on charges of failing to appear for a court date. She was arraigned and released to return to court on February 10.

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested Margaret VanHoesen, 43, of Richmondville on charges of petty larceny. She was arraigned and released to return to court on January 27.

Tuesday, January 13 The Sheriff’s Office arrested William Harran, 36, of Richmondville on a parole warrant. The Sheriff’s Office, state Parole, and U.S. marshals executed the warrant at an apartment in Richmondville. Mr. Harran allegedly absconded from parole in June 2014. Mr. Harran has been jailed awaiting further proceedings.

Poll: Public Split on Effects of Fracking

With gas prices plunging across the country, the effects of fracking are split among Schoharie News readers. Some want the practice elsewhere with a similar number declaring that gas prices should not be a factor. Even was the idea about environmental degradation versus local fracking.

 Have Low Gas Prices Affected Your View on Fracking?

- Yes-- it's fine but not in my backyard 15% - 17
- Yes-- perhaps we can drill here 35% - 40
- No-- it shows how much the environment has been degraded 35% - 40
- No-- who cares about low gas prices? 14% - 16
113 total

Richmondville Man Arrested for Parole Violation

A 36 year old Richmondville man was arrested on Tuesday on a Parole Warrant.

The Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Parole, along with the U.S. Marshalls executed the Parole Warrant on 01/13/2015 at an apartment in the Town of Richmondville, and located and arrested a William Harran who had absconded from Parole in June of 2014.

Mr. Haran has been incarcerated at the Schoharie County Sheriff’s awaiting further court proceedings.

Drug Arrest in Middleburgh

Troopers in Cobleskill arrested a Berne man for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana following a traffic stop in the Town of Middleburgh.

Clifford H. Swart age 32 of Berne New York was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of Marihuana following a traffic stop. During the stop it was determined that Swart was in possession of approximately 2 grams of marihuana. Swart was released on an Appearance Ticket to return to the Town of Middleburgh Court at 6:00 pm on January 21, 2015.

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.