Samantha Springstead Named SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tiger Athlete of the Week

The SUNY Cobleskill Department of Sport & Exercise announced today that freshman Samantha Springstead, Staten Island, N.Y., Notre Dame Academy, women’s soccer team has been named the athletic program’s Fighting Tiger Athlete-of-the-Week for the week ending Sunday October 30th.
The freshman goalkeeper recorded 16 saves in a season closing 2-0 victory over North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) rival Wilson College in a game played on the turf at Keystone College in La Plume, Pa. on Sunday afternoon. With the win the Fighting Tigers close the season with a 7-11 overall record including a 3-10 mark in conference play.

During her rookie season with Cobleskill Springstead appeared in all eighteen contest posting a 7-11 overall record including six wins by shutout. The Notre Dame Academy alumnus allowed 3.46 goals per contest this season making 201 saves with a save percentage of .781 on the year.

Upcoming Middleburgh Library Schedule

November 4 to 17, 2016 - Schoharie News

11/5 - 3:00 PM to ? - Board Games for Adults - Come and join us for some fun and different board games

11/9 - 9:00 AM - Chair Yoga -  With Vicki DeGroff.  Donation $5.00.  Chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is practiced sitting on a chair, or standing using a chair for support.   Please use back entrance.

11/9 - 11:00 AM - Discovery Wednesdays  -  Join Miss Doreen as she welcomes children ages 3-6 to her storytime.  Lots of fun with stories, songs, fingerplays and a craft!  No registration required.

11/9 - 1:00 PM - Wednesday Matinee - Free Popcorn - "Cafe Society" (PG-13) - In the 1930s, a young Bronx native moves to Hollywood, where he falls in love with the secretary of his powerful uncle, an agent to the stars. After returning to New York, he is swept up in the vibrant world of high society nightclub life.

11/9 - 7:00 PM - Concert - "Still Holler" - String band 'Still Holler' was formed when local fiddler / banjo  player Tom White invited guitarist / harmonica player Hank Lamont  and mandolin player Tom Wadsworth to join him for a Sunday  afternoon performance at the 2014 Gas Up in Gallupville.

11/10  - 7:00 PM – Knitting Circle - These friendly ladies (men are welcome, but we haven't seen any yet!) knit and crochet, embroider and quilt, and more. You can learn a new skill here or share your own special talents with others - or just craft in the company of friends. Drop in anytime! No registration required.

11/14– 6:30 PM – Board of Trustees Meeting - Our meetings are open to the public.  Please join us!  The holiday does not affect the board meeting.  Please use back entrance.

11/ 15   - 10:45 AM - Drop-in Storytime - Get ready to move in this interactive storytime designed especially for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. We'll read books, sing songs, recite fingerplays, dance and watch a short movie based on a weekly theme. No registration required.

11/15      - 1:00 PM - Mahjong Mania - Every Tuesday afternoon at 1:00 a spirited group of people get together in the Community Room to play Mahjong.  Don't know how to play?  No problem!  They will teach you how.  No registration required.

11/15, - 5:15 PM - Insight Meditation - Join us for a simple group Zazen meditation practice.  All are welcome.  No registration required.

11/16- 11:00 AM - Discovery Wednesdays -  You never know what Miss Andrea will come up with in her discovery Wednesday!  Art, science, stories  and more in this interactive program for ages 3 and up and their caregivers.  Registration Required.

11/9- 1:00 PM - Wednesday Matinee - Free Popcorn -   "Cafe Society"   (PG-13)
11/16 -  "Mr. Church" - (PG-13)


11/ 16– 5:00 PM - Kundalini Yoga - Kundalini Yoga involves repetitive movements with the breath, building strength, toning the nerves and clearing the adrenal glands.   Wear comfortable clothing and bring 2 blankets or a mat and blanket. A $5.00 donation is requested. Please use the back entrance when entering the building.  No registration required.

11/17   - 7:00 PM – Knitting Circle - These friendly ladies (men are welcome, but we haven't seen any yet!) knit and crochet, embroider and quilt, and more. You can learn a new skill here or share your own special talents with others - or just craft in the company of friends. Drop in anytime! No registration required.


For more information and added programs, see our website at www.middleburghlibrary.info.

Richmondville Woman Arrested for Stalking

On October 29, 2016 the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office arrested a Richmondville woman on charges of Stalking in the 4th degree. The suspect, Jodi A. Bell was taken into custody following an investigation.

She was arraigned in Cobleskill Town court and released to appear in Richmondville Town Court at a later date

SUNY Cobleskill Ranks Among “Best for Vets” for Second Year

SUNY Cobleskill has been named to Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Colleges 2017” rankings for the second consecutive year. This exclusive distinction recognizes SUNY Cobleskill for its commitment to educating and providing opportunities to America’s veterans, service members and families.

The eighth annual rankings, announced Nov. 1, are based on Military Times’ comprehensive survey of veteran and military student offerings and rates of academic achievement at more than 500 colleges across the country.

“SUNY Cobleskill’s continued ‘Best of Vets’ recognition is a testament to the veteran-friendly culture that the College has cultivated over the years,” said Matthew LaLonde, Director of Judicial and Veteran Affairs at SUNY Cobleskill. “Each year SUNY Cobleskill has strived to enhance the veteran services we provide, to assist student veterans with the transition from military to college life, and ensure academic and personal success.”

SUNY Cobleskill is recognized as a Military Friendly School and Military Spouse Friendly School by G.I. Jobs. It is also a member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges and the Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps make higher education more affordable for veterans. This past year, SUNY Cobleskill launched its new Student Veteran Resource Center dedicated to serving student veterans and active duty service members.

“Best for Vets: Colleges 2017” is an editorially independent survey that asks colleges and universities to document the services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties and to describe many aspects of veteran culture on campus. The institutions were evaluated in several categories, with university culture and academic outcomes bearing the most weight.

Military Times also factors in data from the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments, as well as three Education Department sources: the IPEDS Data Center, College Scorecard data and the Cohort Default Rate Database.

For the full “Best for Vets: Colleges 2017” rankings, and survey methodology, visit www.militarytimes.com/bestforvets-colleges2017.

SUNY Cobleskill's Emma Bayuk Named NEAC Women's Cross Country Runner and Rookie of the Year

The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) announced today that SUNY Cobleskill women’s cross country team member; freshman Emma Bayuk, Sandy Hook, Conn., Newtown High School, has been honored as both the conference’s 2016 Women’s Cross Country Runner-of-the-Year and Rookie-of-the-Year by the league’s coaches. The Fighting Tiger newcomer won the conference’s individual championship at the 2016 NEAC Cross Country Championships hosted by Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, Pa, on Saturday October 29^th. She becomes the first Fighting Tiger runner to ever be honored with both awards in a single season and the fourth consecutive Cobleskill runner to be named the conference’s Women’s Rookie-of-the-Year. She joined her current teammates: Senior Taylor Tommell, Guilderland, N.Y., Guilderland High School, (2013), junior AnnaClaire Piersiak, Staten Island, N.Y., Curtis High School, (2014), and sophomore Quinn Porter, Ballston Spa, N.Y., Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, (2015), as rookie-of-the-year honorees. 

The Newtown High School alumnus helped lead the Fighting Tigers to the program’s record setting eighth consecutive NEAC Women’s Championship by defeating the 92-runner field by covering the 6000-meter course in a time of 23:21.22. With her victory the Sandy Hook, Conn.  native becomes the second consecutive Cobleskill women’s runner to capture the NEAC Individual Championship and the program’s sixth conference champion. Led by her effort the Fighting Tigers posted a score of 25 points to win the team title by 74 points over their nearest rival at the meet.

During the regular season the talented first-year performer was named the NEAC Women’s Cross Country Athlete-of-the-Week three times and the both the Eastern Conference Athletic Conference’s (ECAC) Division III North Division Women’s Runner-of-the-Week and Rookie-of-the-Week during the campaign.

When notified of his freshman harrier taking both of the league’s major awards, Fighting Tiger Head Coach Mitch Tomaszkiewicz spoke highly of his freshman harrier.  

“Emma was the final piece to the puzzle in terms of us winning the conference championship this year. This young lady is a very polished and serious runner who was well prepared to run at the collegiate level by the people at Newtown High School. When she came off the disabled list, she infused us with an incredible amount of positive energy which almost immediately made us much better as a team. We’re very proud of her and happy that she is in our program.” 

  

The Fighting Tigers will next be in action on Saturday November 5^th when they travel to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Championships hosted by the association at the Hudson Valley Sports Dome Course in Milton, N.Y. beginning with the men’s race at 11:00 a.m. followed by the women’s race at 12:00 p.m.

NEAC Names SUNY Cobleskill Coach 2016 Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year

The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) announced today that SUNY Cobleskill Head Cross Country Coach Mitchell Tomaszkiewicz has been selected as league’s 2016 Women’s Cross Country Coach-of-the-Year. This marks the sixth time that the Fighting Tiger mentor has been honored as the league’s women’s coach-of-the-year award and his ninth Coach-of-the-Year honor overall since Cobleskill joined the NEAC in 2008.

Tomaszkiewicz helped guide his harriers to their eighth consecutive league title on Saturday October 29^th as Cobleskill won the 2016 NEAC Women’s Cross Country Championship at the conference’s championship meet hosted by Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, Pa. The Fighting Tigers posted score of 25 points to outdistance their nearest competitors in the 12-team field by 74 points with five team members earning All-NEAC Team honors. 

Among those all-conference honorees were 2016 NEAC Women’s Rookie-of-the-Year and Runner-of-the-Year league champion freshman Emma Bayuk, Sandy Hook, Conn., Newtown High School, senior Taylor Tommell, Guilderland, N.Y., Guilderland High School, the first runner in program history to earn NEAC First Team honors four times, junior AnnaClaire Piersiak, Staten Island, N.Y., Curtis High School, a three-time First Team All-NEAC honoree, sophomore Quinn Porter, Ballston Spa, N.Y., Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, a two-time NEAC First Team selection and freshman Abigail O’Brien, Stockton, N.Y., Cassadaga Valley High School, who earned a spot on the NEAC Second Team. 

Once again, when he was informed of his selection as Coach-of-the-Year Tomaszkiewicz thanked the many people he felt had a hand in helping him receive the award.  

“While it is always great to be honored by your peers, a Coach-of-the-Year award is really the result of many people doing hard work behind the scenes. My assistant coach Craig Sargent was a former high school coach for 40 years and for my money he’s one of the best in the business, our athletic trainer Kyle Liang is a rising star in the field who did an outstanding job this year getting us and keeping us healthy, our department secretary Cindy Handy  handles all of the necessary paperwork that allows us get to all of our meets prepared to run and our equipment management staff  of Mike Jorgensen and Ryan Gunzinger make sure that things like course set-up and equipment are things I never have worry about. Finally the young men and women in our program are the ones who enable me to take a lot of bows. As a coach you are only as good as your athletes and I am blessed to work with some exceptional young people who work hard in practice and the classroom on a daily basis. Without all of their efforts awards like these would never come my way. ”

     

Tomaszkiewicz is the longest tenured coach in SUNY Cobleskill Cross Country history having completed his 24^th season with the Fighting Tigers. During this time he has guided the program to 94 invitational titles, 16 conference championships, two NJCAA Region III Championships and the 2000 NJCAA Division III Women’s National Championship. The Illinois native graduated from St. Laurence High School, in Burbank, Ill. in 1980, Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Mass Communications and from Loyola University of Chicago in 1989 with a master’s degree in Higher Educational Administration.

SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tiger Weekly Recap

The SUNY Cobleskill women’s cross country team captured their eighth consecutive North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) by posting a team total of 25 points to better a field of 12 teams at the league’s 2016 championship meet hosted by Lancaster Bible College on Saturday in Lancaster Pa. Freshman Emma Bayuk, Sandy Hook, Conn., Newtown High School, captured the league’s individual title by completing the 6000-meter course in a time of 23:21.22 to better the 92-runner field. 

The Fighting Tiger men’s cross country team posted a team score of 79 points to finish in third place in a 12-team field at the 2016 NEAC Cross Country Championships hosted by Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, Pa. on Saturday. Junior Anthony Bouchard, Wantagh, N.Y., Wantagh High School, earned First Team All-NEAC honors to lead Cobleskill by completing the 8000-meter course in a time of 27:22.22 to place third overall in a field of 102-runners. 

Junior Morgan O’Sullivan, Killingworth, Conn., Middletown High School, led the Fighting Tiger Western Equestrian team to a first place finish and a second place finish in the opening Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) events of the season at Morrisville State College on Sunday. O’Sullivan captured High Point Rider honors in both competitions to open the season.

The women’s soccer team closed the 2016 by splitting a pair of conference home contests over the weekend falling to SUNY Polytechnic Institute on Saturday by a score of 4-0 then defeating Wilson College on Sunday by a 2-0 margin. Junior forward Morganne Dick, Johnstown, N.Y., Johnstown High School, scored the game winning goal on Sunday versus the Phoenix as the Fighting Tigers closed the year with a 7-11 overall record including a 3-10 mark in NEAC play. 

The Fighting Tiger men’s soccer team won one-of-three contests during the week defeating Yeshiva University on the road Thursday night 6-4 in non-conference play prior to losing a pair of NEAC home games over the weekend falling to SUNY Polytechnic Institute on Saturday 5-1 before losing on Sunday to Wilson College 3-2. Cobleskill is currently 8-8-2 overall including a 5-6-2 mark in league action. Senior forward David Vosatka, Schenevus, N.Y., Schenevus High School, had a pair of goals and an assist in the win over Yeshiva for Cobleskill.

The Fighting Tiger women’s volleyball team closed their 2016 season on Tuesday evening by dropping a 3-0 home decision to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) by set scores of 25-22, 25-22 and 25-16. Sophomore setter Mackenzie Holbert, Sauquoit, N.Y., New Hartford High School/Herkimer Community College, had a game high 16 assists for the Orange & Black who closed the year with a 9-18 overall record.  

The Cobleskill women’s swimming & diving team dropped a 103-84 decision to visiting William Patterson University on Saturday at the Bouck Hall Natatorium to fall to 0-2 overall on the year. The Fighting Tigers received an individual win in the 500-yard freestyle from freshman Michelle Moffet, Staten Island, N.Y., Saint John Villa Academy, in a time of 7:10.28

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The men’s swimming & diving team lost a 117-93 decision to visiting William Patterson University on Saturday at the Bouck Hall Natatorium to fall to 0-2 overall on the year. Sophomore diver Sam Datri, Ravena, N.Y., Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School, posted an 11-dive total score of 408.35 points to win the event for the Fighting Tigers

The hunt seat equestrian team posted a team score of 24 points place eighth overall in a field of 11 teams at an Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Zone 2 Region 3 show hosted by Skidmore College at the Van Lennep riding Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

UPCOMING HOME EVENTS:

Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving vs. Sarah Lawrence & Mount Saint Vincent 11/5    

 Women’s Basketball vs. MCLA 11/15, Southern Vermont College 11/22                                       

Men’s Basketball vs. SUNY Polytechnic Institute 11/30

Seward Supervisor Barbic Resigns

Seward Supervisor Carl Barbic resigned from office after a return to service in 2013. Barbic had previously served as Supervisor before retiring from office about several years prior. He was elected back in 2013 following the term of Larry Phillips with 59% of the vote then reelected last year. His first tenure was approximately 40 years.

Barbic served on the Finance Committee.

We spoke with Barbic briefly this morning, who was thankful for his time in office.

Town Clerk Brenda Southworth sent the following email

 J. Carl Barbic has officially resigned as the Town of Seward Supervisor effective 10/31/2016 at 11:59 P.M. He did not come to this decision lightly and had given this very careful and lengthy thought. We support Carl in his decision and will miss him greatly. He has contributed to the Town for better than 40 years in variety of roles. He asked that I let you know.
Thank you.

County Building Floodgates Opened in Ceremony

The County Building was bustling Friday night. A crowd of about fifty people gathered for the opening of the floodgate project surrounding the building. Introduced by Darlene Patterson of the Schoharie Promotional Association, the event started around 5pm. County Treasurer and Flood Recovery Manager Bill Cherry was the emcee, discussing the logistics of the project and thanking those involved.

Cherry began by saying the project had a "slight asterisk." The wall is designed to withstand a 100 year flood plus another two feet. It would not be enough to sustain another Irene. The County government pushed for a wall tall enough to do so, but FEMA responded by saying that Irene was the "flood of record" and unlikely to happen again.

 Cherry referred to the project as a "terrific accomplishment." He began to thank those involved, giving credit for the idea to Darlene Patterson and Diana Jackson of the Promotional Association. The new structure is a "community courtyard," he said.

Cherry thanked Dave Nichols of Labella Associates Engineering, referring to him as the "father of the floodgates." Nichols determined how to install a giant curtain of concrete to protect the building from 32 feet of groundwater.

The Treasurer also thanked members of BBL Construction, Lamont Engineering, and Simmons Recovery. He said that Simmons acquired the money for the project and found a way for FEMA to pay for their expenses.

Cherry continued, calling the project "one small piece of the County government's recovery efforts." He also thanked the County employees for their hard work, especially Sheryl Largeteau. He then introduced Supervisors Earl VanWormer of Esperance, Chris Tague of Schoharie, and Harold Vroman of Summit.

Supervisor VanWormer, the current Board Chair, thanked many. He said that this project was especially important to him considering that he was personally affected by the flood. The Chair then thanked Assemblyman Lopez for finding state funding for the project. Lopez said that it was his "goal to give people peace."

Supervisor Tague then thanked the Treasurer, saying that the project was "beautiful." Tague said that the project showed that Schoharie's "best days are yet to come."

The last remarks came from County employee and Schoharie Village Trustee Larry Caza, who complimented the hard work on the project. He said that "The Village's downtown is the Town's downtown. The Town's downtown is the County's downtown." Cherry thanked his support and that of Mayor John Borst. Caza thanked the Promotional Association.

The group traveled outside for a symbolic ribbon cutting, followed by a cake and coffee.

Vote in Our New Poll: Your Choice for Congress

Make sure to vote in our new poll about your choice for Congress. Our poll is on the right hand side of the site.

Trump Leading in Newest Schoharie News Poll

The Schoharie News' latest poll places Donald Trump significantly in the lead of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The non-scientific poll, which ran for three weeks on our website, collected 129 votes. Of these, 66, or 51% sided with Trump. Clinton gained 31, or 24%, with Gary Johnson and Jill Stein taking 8% and 3%, respectively. Another 14% stated that they would either vote for another candidate or none of the above.

If the undecided individuals were removed from the equation, the situation would look slightly different. Clinton would improve to 28%, Trump to 59%, Johnson to 9%, and Stein to 4%. While this poll was conducted online, the Schoharie News' polling before the 2014 Governor's race was close to the actual results. Take a look online for our newest poll, regarding the Congressional race.

Bank of Coxsackie Preparing for Four Year Anniversary in Middleburgh

National Bank of Coxsackie is gearing up to celebrate their 4 year anniversary in Middleburgh next month! NBC opened their doors in Middleburgh in November of 2012, shortly after the area was heavily damaged by Hurricane Irene. Since then, NBC has stood by their commitment of contributing to the community and assisting those in need. Their branch staff include Debra Mickel (Branch Manager),Jaclyn Kossmann (Platform Administrator), Dawn Leggiadro (Teller), and Jamie Casterlin (Business Development). Debbie Mickel has been with NBC since they opened their doors in Middleburgh. Herself, Jackie, and Dawn all reside in the community and quickly agreed that they “love working together, and have essentially become family” as Debbie Mickel put it. “It’s easy to love living and working in Middleburgh with how close knit the community is” Dawn and Jackie echoed.

Jamie Casterlin was the most recent addition to the NBC Middleburgh team earlier this year. “I truly enjoy working for NBC in the community I have come to love” Jamie said, “Middleburgh is a veryspecial place with great people and a real sense of unity. Working for National Bank of Coxsackie hasgiven me the ability to help customers meet their financial needs in creative ways”. National Bank of Coxsackie made a promise to Middleburgh when they opened their doors nearly 4years ago. That they are here to stay. They have stuck by that pledge by immersing themselves in the community and supporting many local events. You’d be hard pressed to attend a Middleburgh function and not see an NBC balloon and tote bag walk by. Currently at NBC, they are running a special on Christmas Club accounts and New Basic Checking Accounts. They pride themselves on offering the same products and service as the bigger banks,simply with that hometown, local feeling. To learn more about National Bank of Coxsackie, or to simply stop in for a cup of coffee, contact Debbie Mickel at the branch – (518) 827-3333 ordmickel@nbcoxsackie.com.

PA Creates New Fracking Restrictions

Pennsylvania has seen a mixed bag from natural gas hydraulic fracturing. One the one hand, thousands of jobs have been created, while on the other activists argue that there has been irreparable damage to the environment.

 The state's Department of Environmental Protection announced that their Chapter 78(a) regulations went into effect October 22nd. The current governor, Tom Wolf, ran and won the 2014 gubernatorial race based on a promise to restrict fracking.

The new regulations have a multitude of effects, including:

• Allowing the DEP to require special protective measures for drilling near school property, playgrounds, parks, forests, and other public property.
• Operators must remediate any water supply affected by oil and natural gas development.
• Electronic filing provisions for the DEP to track well development and operations.
• Strengthen regulations for storage of fracking wastewater. This includes a general, but not complete, prohibition of disposal of drill cuttings at well sites.

According to the Marcellus Shale Coalition the new requirements will increase filing requirements of 70 new forms per well. They estimate that the regulations could cost $2 million per well, which could cause a reduction in well drilling.

Cobleskill Minor Arrested after Fight at Cobleskill-Richmondville

On October 26 the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office arrested a 16 year old female for Assault  3rd Degree after an incident at the Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School involving a 17 year old female.

The 16 year old was arraigned in Richmondville Town Court and released pending a court appearance at a later date.

Soil Scientist Dr. Laura Lengnick to Speak at SUNY Cobleskill

How do we feed a growing world population when the way we eat fuels climate change? On Thursday, November 3, Laura Lengnick, renowned sustainable agriculture expert and author of Resilient Agriculture: Cultivating Food Systems for a Changing Climate, will discuss how to adapt agricultural practices and food systems to survive and thrive in a changing climate. The lecture will be free and open to the public.

“Climate change is upon us, and agriculture is inextricably involved,” Lengnick said. “Farming is fundamental to our identity as a species, and it is crucial to the health and well-being of our communities.  But the way that we eat fuels the 21st-century challenges that threaten our way of life. How do we resolve this dilemma?”

Lengnick’s book draws on the adaptation stories of 25 award-winning sustainable U.S. producers of vegetables, fruits and nuts, grains, and livestock to find answers to this question. The book features local livestock farmer and retired SUNY Cobleskill faculty member Jim Hayes.

“These producers, many of them third- or fourth-generation farmers and ranchers, have managed sustainable businesses in the same location for 25 to more than 40 years,” Lengnick said, “Since about 2000, most have experienced increased challenges associated with more variable weather and more frequent and intense weather extremes.” Lengnick discovered that these producers are innovating new strategies of sustainable agriculture to reduce climate risk and cultivate resilience on their farms and ranches and in the communities they serve.

Laura Lengnick is an award-winning soil scientist who has explored agricultural sustainability for more than 30 years as a researcher, policy-maker, educator, and farmer. Her work in sustainable farming systems was nationally-recognized with a USDA Secretary’s Honor Award and she contributed to the 3rd National Climate Assessment as a lead author of the USDA report Climate Change and U.S. Agriculture: Effects and Adaptation.

Laura led the academic program in sustainable agriculture at Warren Wilson College for more than a decade, where she also served as the Director of Sustainability Education, and taught courses featuring agroecology, change leadership, whole farm planning with holistic management, sustainability assessment, and sustainable decision-making. In 2015, Laura left the college to launch Cultivating Resilience, LLC, a private consulting firm offering ecosystem-based climate risk management services to government, business, and communities.  She serves as an advisor to the USDA Climate Science Learning Network, NC Adapt, and the North American Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance. She holds an adjunct faculty position in Horticulture at North Carolina State University.

Laura Lengnick’s visit to SUNY Cobleskill will precede and complement a presentation at the annual Farmers’ Museum Conference on Food & Farming in Cooperstown, where she is being sponsored by SUNY Cobleskill as the keynote speaker. This year’s conference is titled “Climate Change & Its Impact on Farming in Central New York”.

During her visit, Lengnick will meet with SUNY Cobleskill students in their classes for conversations about sustainable agriculture. Her book, Resilient Agriculture: Cultivating Food Systems for a Changing Climate, will be available in the SUNY Cobleskill bookstore and Lengnick will be signing copies.

Schedule for Thursday, Nov. 3:

5 p.m. - Book signing at Farm Fresh Café in Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources

6 p.m. - Lecture in Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources 101

7 - 8 p.m. - Book signing reception at Farm Fresh Café in Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources

Richmondville Man Arrested in Interstate Murder for Hire Plot

In a story that has hit national headlines, a Richmondville man was arrested on charges that he was acting as a hitman. The man met with an undercover agent he believed was seeking his services.

Joshua Craig Rowling, 18, of Richmondville, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit murder for hire, one count of possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, one count of unlawful possession of a weapon and one count of possession of a silencer. He was arrested after an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO) Cyber Crimes Unit.

Photo credit NJ.com and Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office

The case was profiled on the ICE website, with more details about the circumstances. According to law enforcement, Rowling used internet in an attempt to obtain a firearm outfitted with a silencer and cash in exchange for committing a murder.  Allegedly, Rowling went to Mahwah, New Jersey to meet with an undercover officer he believed was intent on hiring him for murder. Search warrants at his home in New York as well as his vehicle in New Jersey, resulted various evidence.

Bail was set at $1,000,000 with no 10 percent option.  Rowling was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of bail pending his first appearance in the Bergen County Central Municipal Court in Hackensack, New Jersey, on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016.

Board of Supervisors Hears Report on Youth Drug Addiction

On Friday, October 21st the County Board of Supervisors heard a report from Norine Hodges at the Schoharie County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, or SCCASA. She presented as part of the organization's twelve year strategic plan intended to take place between 2006 and 2018.

Over the last ten years the group has been attending local schools with the goal of reducing alcohol and drug use by 85% during the twelve years. The organization works with the Cobleskill-Richmondville, Schoharie, and Middleburgh Central School districts to monitor the amount of substance abuse and other key factors affecting young people. It also works with Jefferson and Sharon Springs on other programs to prevent drug addiction.

The agency has worked on a number of programs, including staff trainings, parent training, and adult presentations. Currently, there is one full time and two part time staff members, with flat state funding since 2006. Hodges asked the County Board to request more funding from the state.

According to Hodges' presentation, approximately 45-50% of students believe in positive factors that help prevent drug addiction. She was proud to present that this year represents the first group of students graduating that went K-12 through the program.

The statistics are stark. In 2006 almost half of local 12th graders had friends that used drugs. In 2013, the most recent statistics available, that number had fallen to 29.4%. There was a similar story with 8th graders that used alcohol in the past 30 days. In 2006, that number was 31%. In 2013 it was 14%. In 2006 66% of 12th graders had used alcohol in the previous month, with 51.5% using it in 2013.

Hodges cited heroin as a major issue for the area. She said that opiod treatment "restructures the brain." She referred to opiate addiction as a "cognitive disease." She also mentioned a twenty year cycle of opiod drug use in the County that overlapped with the age of Oxycontin. Hodges said that in many ways, doctors were penalized for not prescribing painkillers.

New anti-opiod drugs help, Hodges said, but often the problem are parents that are addicted. Their children are often in foster care. Such cases have doubled in Schoharie County. She would like to increase communication between doctors and treatment options. There are currently two drug drop-off stations in the county, including one at the Cobleskill Police Station. Typically, the group collects a hundred pounds of meds per pickup. She also cited concern about sharps, including needles, around the area.

Supervisor Leo McAllister of Cobleskill recommended presentations at every town meeting. Supervisor Larry Bradt of Carlisle complimented SCCASA and asked where the drugs were coming from. Hodges replied that the former drug center in the area was Schenectady, but recently has been Syracuse. Both agreed that sealing the border with Mexico would help the problem. Hodges said that another investigator would help handle the problem. Ultimately, the supply would keep coming but Hodges said that important action could be taken to lower the demand, as well.

"We're at a crossroads," she said.

Supervisor Chris Tague of Schoharie said he was "impressed by the staff" of SCCASA. He asked what the Board could do to help. The Board members agreed to send a letter to the state requesting more funding for the agency.

Summit Halloween Party a Success

Photo and Information from Karen Cuccinello

Summit Halloween prize winners- Leo and Leah VanValkenburgh; Danny Schaffer; Jayden Cumino; Lilly St. John; Trevor Babcock; Kale, Alaina and Nathaniel Michasiow; Shavonne, Alexander and Gemma Travers. The children enjoyed arts & crafts, refreshments, a hayride and games on October 23, thanks to the Summit Rescue Squad.

Canines and Handlers Graduate from the NYSP Canine Handler Basic School

The New York State Police held a graduation ceremony Friday, October 21, for the 2016 Canine Handler Basic School. The ceremony was held at the New York State Police Academy in Albany.

The 11 graduates include members from the New York State Police, Albany Police Department, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Schenectady Police Department and Tupper Lake Police Department.

Interviews with the canine handlers listed below and B-roll of training techniques is available at www.youtube.com/nyspolice.

Interviews:  
Trooper Andrew W. Gargiulo, Canine TJ – Troop L (SP Riverside)
Trooper Heidi L. Lyndaker, Canine Ram – Troop D (SP Alexandria Bay)
Trooper Shannon J. Saunders, Canine PJ – Troop B (SP Blue Ridge)
Trooper Jason S. Sedita, Canine Rickie – Troop F (Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit)
Trooper Matthew G. Strobeck, Canine Simpson – Troop C (SP Stamford)

The canines and their handlers underwent 20 weeks of training at the New York State Police Canine Training Facility located in Cooperstown, New York. During the training, students and their partners received instruction in basic obedience, agility, handler protection, building searches, explosive or narcotic detection, tracking for fugitives and lost or missing persons, basic veterinary care and land navigation and grid searches.

The current strength of the State Police Canine Unit is 90 teams, including those who graduated today. During the first 9 months of 2015, the members of the Division Canine Unit responded to 7,434 calls for service.
Canines that are part of the Division Canine Unit are donated through the generosity of breeders, private individuals, and humane societies.  All canines are put through extensive testing and evaluation prior to assignment in the Canine Basic Handler’s School.  State Police canines are named after members killed in the line of duty.

The following is a full list of the graduating handlers, their canines and namesakes, and assigned troop or agency:
 
Trooper Travis C. Bauer, Canine Hugh – Troop D (SP Herkimer) Lt. Tremain M. Hughes
Trooper Andrew W. Gargiulo, Canine TJ – Troop L (SP Riverside) Trooper Thomas J. Consorte
Trooper Matthew S. Hinz, Canine Tomi – Troop F (SP Liberty) Senior Investigator Thomas G. Moran Jr.
Trooper Heidi L. Lyndaker, Canine Ram – Troop D (SP Alexandria Bay) Trooper Robert A. Moore
Trooper Shannon J. Saunders, Canine PJ – Troop B (SP Blue Ridge) Trooper Peter J. Formosa
Trooper Jason S. Sedita, Canine Rickie – Troop F (Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit) Investigator Richard B. Snyder
Trooper Matthew G. Stobeck, Canine Simpson – Troop C (SP Stamford) Trooper Ernest M. Simpson

Patrolman Bret C. Phillips, Canine Doug – Albany Police Department, Detective Douglas Mayville
Correction Officer Michael B. Kasper, Canine Loki – NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, no namesake
Patrolman Kevin C. Derkowski, Canine Flynn – Schenectady Police Department, Patrolman John R. Flynn
Officer Jordan R. Nason, Canine JD – Tupper Lake Police Department, Retired Chief J.D. Auclair
 

Tague: Zicha Site Figures Inaccurate, Believes Site Could Open Economic Opportunities

Last night we were contacted by Schoharie Supervisor Chris Tague about our article Saturday regarding potential jail sites. He emailed us several updates on the project, including updated estimates regarding costs.

In our article we cited figures from Flood Recovery Manager Bill Cherry's October 3rd letter to the members of the Buildings and Purchases Committee and Law Enforcement Committee. In our piece, we wrote, "Water lines would need to be extended either from Schoharie four miles away or five to six miles from Cobleskill. Sewer lines may be extended one mile from Central Bridge depending on capacity. It is currently unknown if the site is still for sale."

Supervisor Tague sent us an email from October 17th, in which he cites information from Jack McDonald, the engineer of record for the Cobleskill to Howes Cave water system and the Central Bridge Water and Sewer District. McDonald's estimate is that running water from the corner of Route 7 and Zicha Road, a distance of 3.8 miles, would cost $2.9 million. McDonald stated that a one mile extension from Central Bridge would cost approximately $686,000. Tague called either "a cheap investment in the possibility of serious economic development to benefit the entire county down the Route 7 Corridor."

For Tague, this is the best possible location for the jail as it is near access points to the Capital District and near the courthouse in Schoharie. He cites the fact that the Central Bridge sewer system is new and the District recently received $5 million in grants for projects expected done by the end of 2017.