At 10:47 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Savanna Jo Hotaling, 25, of Cobleskill, NY, for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd. She was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and released. She is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on May 9th at 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
At 1:41 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Dylan G. Hendrick, 21, of Rensselaer, NY, for Trespass. He was issued an appearance ticket and released. He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on April 11th at 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
At 2:25 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Keith Craig, 36, of Cobleskill, NY, for Disorderly Conduct. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.. He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on April 25th at 5:00 p.m.
A quick shout out to everyone to let you know that you can stop by the table outside of the DMV today and find out about becoming an Organ Donor.
Volunteers from the Center for Donation and Transplant will be there on April 11th, from 10am till 2pm. It’s simple to learn more, to register, and find out how you can help save a life. You can also check a box on your DMV license form anytime you have a Driver License transaction at the DMV.
There are also lots of free gifts! And Plenty of Information - - - so please stop by when you have a chance. Don’t forget that they’ll be here next Tuesday also, April 11th, from 10am till 2pm.
To learn more about how to register as an organ donor and to discover more about the urgent need for organ and tissue donation here in New York State, you can also visit their website at: www.donatelifecdt.org
Issued By: NWS Binghamton (South Central New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania) Affected Jurisdictions: Delaware County
Headline: Flood Warning issued April 06 at 3:58PM EDT until April 07 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton
...The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a flood warning for thefollowing rivers in New York...West Branch Delaware At Walton affecting Delaware CountyThe National Weather Service in Binghamton New York has issued a* Flood Warning forThe West Branch Delaware At Walton.* From late tonight until Friday evening.* At 4 PMThursday the stage was 7.3 feet.* Flood stage is 9.5 feet.* Minor flooding is forecast.* Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage by 12 AMFriday andcrest near 10.3 feet around 8 AMFriday. The river will fall below flood stageafter 5 PMFriday.* Impact...At 10.0 feet...The county Fairgrounds begin to flood at 10 feet.&&
Do not drive over flooded roads or bridges...Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, the Official Voice of the National WeatherService for later developments.For further river and weather information, you can visit ourwebsite atweather.gov/bgm
Flood Watch in effect from 2 am EDT Tuesday through Saturday
morning
The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a
* Flood Watch for all of eastern New York and western New England.
* From 2 am EDT Tuesday through Saturday morning.
* Rainfall ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches is expected from tonight
through Wednesday morning. Rain may be heavy at times Tuesday
morning. Flooding of small streams, urban areas, and other low-
lying, flood prone areas are possible. Rainfall and snow melt
from the past several mild days has resulted in nearly
saturated grounds.
* Another storm system is forecast to move through the region on
Thursday and Friday with additional moderate to heavy rainfall.
The potential for additional flooding, or new areas of flooding
will increase through late week.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on
current forecasts.
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible
flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be
prepared to take action should flooding develop.
On Thursday, April 6, a dessert reception will be held during which recipients of New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) grant funds will be recognized. These grants are awarded to Schoharie County artists and producers via a competitive process and are used to help create arts and cultural events held throughout the county in 2017.
The 2017 recipients are: Individual Artist, Neil Driscoll; Arts Education, West Fulton Puppet Festival, and Project Support Grants are awarded to: Deborah Hecht, Depot Lane Singers, George Landis Arboretum, Greg Zeh, Jefferson Historical Society, Richmondville Historical Society, Schoharie Colonial Heritage Society, Sharon Joint Youth Commission, Sonny Ochs, Theater Project of Schoharie County, Upper Catskill String Quartet and the West Fulton Puppet Festival.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend as these grants utilize taxpayer monies to enrich and broaden the cultural fabric of life in Schoharie County.
Come meet artists and producers, elected officials and county residents as we celebrate another season of arts funding! Keynote speaker: Sonny Ochs. Musicologist, radio personality, activist, mom, octogenarian, producer and more- Sonny shares her wit and wisdom. See you there!
In keeping with tradition, the reception will be held at a local business:
CeCe's Wool Farm Store
169 Main Street (Rt. 20)
Esperance
7PM
For additional information as well as questions about the upcoming funding cycle, contact Renee Nied, Grant Coordinator, Greene County Council on the Arts
(serving Schoharie County)
www.schoharieartsgrants@gmail.com
Many companies go back and forth on the type of insurance to carry on their property. Parents want the best type of insurance for their kids before they get behind the wheel of a car. There are many varieties of insurance and more companies willing to sell it to you. However, many of these companies instead sell a bill of goods. In some cases, some of the largest insurance companies also rook their own policy holders. State Farm was slapped by multiple lawsuits recently for doing such that. Companies from large to small are not immune fromt he allure of greed or incompetence. A discerning consumer will be able to make the best of the situation.
Bad faith insurance actions are more common that you think. Not honoring the policy signed by both parties is a breach of contract and a violation of the consumer’s rights. Whether it be car, home, or business insurance, they’re taken out in case of an emergency. The policy holder depend on it when they need it the most. To pull out the rug on accident victims or a business owner being sued at that moment is often cruel and unexpected. We see such things happen every day.
To avoid such a situation, it is important to weigh the many factors of an insurance policy. Research that company’s record with consumers and watchdog groups. Have they been cited by local, state, or federal agencies for refusing to live up to their obligations? Are they frequently involved in litigation? All of these help you make up your mind and get the best possible policy for the worst possible moment.
Legal Notice for Reorganization/Abandonment Notice of Meeting.
A special meeting will be held for the lot owners and members of the Harpersfield Cemetery Association for the purpose of reorganizing and determining the future of the cemetery. Without sufficient interest in reorganizing, the cemetery will be subject to abandonment to the town of Harpersfield NY 13786. Meeting time April 2, 2017 at 2:00pm. Meeting location: Harpersfield United Methodist Church, Col. Harper Drive, Harpersfield, NY. Contact Thomas Hornbeck with questions at 607-434-6613.
This notice also ran in our March 17th and 24th editions.
The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors has called a Special Board of Supervisors Meeting on Monday, April 3rd 6 pm. The only item on the agenda is a report from the Flood Committee.
The Mountain Eagle is proud to announce our Spring quarterly edition April 7th is going to every household in Schoharie County, as well as eastern Delaware and northeastern Greene Counties. We're sending out 20,000 copies, reaching over 40,000 readers.
If you're opening your business up for the season, expanding, or want to get the word out to literally everyone, here's your opportunity. Don't be the only one of your competitors that didn't have an ad in this edition!
If you're interested in having your ad or information in the largest edition in the region, contact us at mountaineaglenews@gmail.com for more information.
The SUNY Cobleskill Department of Sport & Exercise announced today that the women’s softball team’s home North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) doubleheader versus SUNY Polytechnic Institute that was originally scheduled to be played on Wednesday March 29th, at the college’s Fighting Tiger Park been rescheduled due to field conditions brought about by the region’s recent weather conditions.
The doubleheader between the Wildcats and Fighting Tigers will now be take place on Tuesday April 11th beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Cobleskill’s Fighting Tiger Park.
For further information regarding Fighting Tigers athletic team schedule adjustments; interested parties can consult the athletic program’s website at http://fightingtigers.cobleskill.edu or can contact the SUNY Cobleskill Department of Sport & Exercise via phone at (518) 255-5127 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Price is $19 per adult and children pay their age. The price includes the farm tour. Reservations are necessary by calling 518-239-6234 or e-mailing heatherridgefarm@aol.com.
The menu includes pancakes, both fluffy buttermilk and gluten free cornmeal cakes, and several grades of warmed maple syrup can be sampled. Corned beef hash, scrapple, spinach tart with Barbers Farm greens, potato torta with wild chives and local Brovetto cheese, fresh farm eggs to order, maple cupcakes, gluten free apple crisp are also on the buffet. Freshly roasted organic fair trade coffee, assorted teas, juice, Cowbella milk and farm-made “Patent Root Beer” round out the menu.
On the tour, guests will see the herd of goats, including some very pregnant does due to kid in a couple weeks, the flock of breeding sheep, the guard llamas, rams, buck, donkeys, alpacas, geese, guinea fowl and laying hens. Heather Ridge Farm is proud to be certified Animal Welfare Approved and Certified Grassfed.
At 3:15 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested John T. Rundblad, 24, of Worcester, NY, for Grand Larceny 4th and Petit Larceny. He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and released. He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on March 28th at 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
At 6:34 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Jonathan M. Winnie, 25, of Sharon Springs, NY, for Disorderly Conduct. He was released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on March 28th at 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
At 9:34 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Daniel St. Louis, 33, of Schoharie, NY, for Forcible Touching. He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and released. He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on April 11th at 5:00 p.m.
At 11:28 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Samantha Medico, 28, of Summit, NY, for a Bench Warrant for Failing to Appear. She was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and released after paying $250 Bail. She is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on April 4th at 5:00 p.m.
On March 25th, 2017, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Hannah M. Sage 21 years old of Hamden, New York for the Misdemeanor Offense of Petit Larceny. It is alleged that over a period of time the defendant stole and consumed medication belonging to a family member. She was arrested, processed and released on an appearance ticket directing her to appear in the Town of Hamden Court to answer the charges.
Premises liability is one of those unspoken parts of owning a home or operating a business. We don't always think of someone falling down or slipping on the floor but the risk is always present. In fact, in many cases liability is a slippery slope-- and it's not always clear whose responsibility or fault it is for an accident.
In some cases the risk splits between the property owner or manager and the injured. Courts must determine whether the injured party understood the risk to themselves and went beyond the ordinary scope of services for the establishment. In some cases, this may involve going through doors that say "Utility Room" or into an active construction zone.
For the owner or operator, there is a responsibility for reasonable access and use. This often includes the ability for customers or visitors to transit safely. If the owner knows there is a hazard and does nothing about it, they are usually liable. In some cases, this can be proven through a notice of claim or other evidence that the owner understood the risks and disregarded them. Furthermore, the owner may have allowed the danger to grow through a lack of action. This is often found with cases of neglect or lack of maintenance.
Additionally, precautions reduce the chance of injury. Even a notice or sign letting patrons know not to go beyond a certain point helps. Wet floor signs and cordoning off areas keep otherwise unwitting visitors where they need to be. There are many cases where fault is shared, but the owner has an obligation to keep the area as safe and accessible as possible. This is often considered the bare minimum standard.
Michael Ehline is an auto and personal injury expert. He is head of the Ehline Law Firm APLC. Reach him at michael@ehlinelaw.com.
Blenheim Supervisor Shawn Smith announced his candidacy for Schoharie County District attorney at a bipartisan event held on March 25th.
Smith said that he had a variety of life experiences growing up in Schoharie County, including as a logger, mechanic, student, attorney, and Supervisor. He serves as municipal attorney to several Towns and Villages across the County. He served as public defender over the last
Photo Credit: Warren Burton
"What drives me to run for District Attorney is my experience as a criminal defense attorney. It gives me a unique insight into the criminal justice system," he said. He serves as a Public Defender in Delaware County.
Smith then spoke next about the "heroin epidemic in the area," stating that it would be the number one issue law enforcement deals with in Schoharie County.
"Some of my colleagues both as attorneys and fellow legislatives say that the problem is out of control and too big for us to control as a county," Smith said, "We have a lot of resources here in the County, in the DA's office, the Sheriff's Office, the Village of Cobleskill Police... the State Troopers. If everyone works together we have a lot of resources we can put in and hopefully reverse the trend and reverse it and turn it around."
The candidate gave several examples of clients he defended over the years. One was a young woman accused of petit larceny. He said that it wasn't obvious that she had a drug problem, but she explained that she had a problem with prescription pills. "That's what drives people to heroin," he said. The young woman stole to pay for drugs. Smith said many people can't reverse the trend without help. She was thinking about enrolling in college, she said.
Because she wasn't charged with a drug crime, there were no immediate resources open for treatment at the time. Smith pursued options for her. In the meantime, he was asked to represent her in a family court matter after she was beaten up by her boyfriend, an alleged heroin dealer. She sought and received a temporary order of protection against the boyfriend. Smith called around for treatment options for her in the meantime and called her mother several days later. "It was one of the toughest phone calls I ever had," he said. The young woman died of a heroin overdose.
"It made a big impression on me. It's weighed on me a lot," he said. Even worse, the boyfriend is still on the streets, even though he was arrested and released. "In a way, he's responsible for her death."
Smith spoke of another client that requested supervision of his children before the mother died of a heroin overdose.
The candidate called for a three-pronged approach to fighting the local heroin. "We can make a big difference in this," he said. "It keeps getting worse and worse. That's why I'm dedicated to running for District Attorney."
Smith's plan included a plan to assist first time users. "They need help, they need treatment," he said, citing successful programs in other counties. "There's things we can do without spending a lot of money." He said that in cases where defendants have charges that likely drug related, any plea deals will require drug treatment options. He said there are cases where some users are unrepentant and think it's a "victimless crime." He cited broken families and that these types of users are "part of the problem" and would be dealt with harshly.
Smith said of the 16 towns of the county, none are spared drug issues. He said that drug dealers and pushers should be cracked down on. "retribution is swift and severe. It has to be severe enough that they'll think twice or decide that it's totally unworth it to sell drugs." He promised the "stiffest punishment possible."
Thirdly, Smith said the District Attorney's office can work with early intervention programs. He said that the DA's job is a 24-7 job and requires the office holder to be "active in the community."
Smith closed by saying that he wants to open a dialogue with everyone, whether they supported him or not. "I encourage you to talk to me about it. It's a problem we're all dealing with."
Schoharie's Quality Inn Hotel was packed with 140 people for the launch of Blenheim Supervisor Shawn Smith's candidacy for District Attorney.
A litany of public officials were present for the event, sponsored by the Democratic Party Chair Clifford Hay and Ten Pin Catering of Middleburgh.
Smith's campaign launched emphasized a non-partisan approach to local law enforcement issues, with a particular focus on eradicating heroin use in the County. Officials from a variety of communities were there. Present were the Democratic Supervisors of Fulton and Sharon, Phil Skowfoe and Sandra Manko, respectively. Republicans, Sheriff Tony Desmond and Supervisor Dave Simkins of Broome were there. Republican Supervisors Leo McAllister of Cobleskill and Pete Coppolo of Middleburgh both intended to go, but had other obligations, Smith said. Mayor of Cobleskill Linda Holmes and former Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon were also there.
The event included several speakers before Smith's campaign launch speech.
First was Sheriff Anthony Desmond, who spoke to Smith's commitment to law enforcement. "He's a good supporter of the Sheriff's Office," he said. "Shawn, like I said, is a great guy. You can talk to him. He'll listen to what you have to say. He comes up with a solution we can both live with.
Retired State Trooper Butch Ostrander spoke after the Sheriff. He told a personal story of watching the Supervisor grow up. Ostrander said he first met the candidate while Smith was working as a mechanic with his father. Smith, he said, spent his younger days logging and working on cars.
Sharon Supervisor Sandra Manko spoke next, explaining that Smith is a hard working member of the County Board and told a story of his early days in practice.
He decided to leave high school to become a mechanic full time. Ostrander said it's easy to drop out and chase an "easy buck" but that Smith then attended SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Albany, and finally Albany Law School.
Schoharie Town Attorney Michelle Storm spoke last. She was a classmate of Smith's at Albany Law and saw him as an energetic and skilled attorney who excelled at his coursework.
International Club students at Columbia-Greene Community College, from left,
Saher Alamri, Reafa Tamanna and Tahoor Fatima, all from Hudson, raise funds
for the "Educate a girl. Change the world." campaign, sponsored by WomenOne,
a nonprofit devoted to creating positive change in the lives of women and
girls globally through access to quality education.
Friday, April 21st
8:00pm – 10:00pm
Octagon Barn Star Party and Lecture –
Professor Ralf Schauer (SCCC)- “Explorations of Jupiter”
Join us for an astronomy lesson and dark sky observing at the Octagon Barn in Delanson, NY! Programs include a 1 hour talk by local astronomy enthusiasts, followed by night sky observing if the weather is clear. Amateur astronomers and families are invited to bring binoculars or telescopes. Telescopes will also be set up for public use. Great for older children and adults!
Cost: Free! (donations graciously accepted)
Knox Octagon Barn, 588 Middle Rd, Delanson, NY 12053, Sponsored by the Lauterbach Pokorny family
Presented by Dudley Observatory at miSci, Dr. Valerie Rapson, Outreach Astronomer
www.dudleyobservatory.org, info@dudleyobservatory.org, 518 382-7890 ext 259
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