Allegany County Sheriff Report for January 2019

Crime up during January, compared with December in Allegany County - down from a year ago, though

NY State Police Blotter

2/1/19 8:59am- State police arrested Donald A. Aber, 43, of Wellsville. He was taken into custody on Baldwin Road and charged with falsely reporting an incident that did not occur. The crime allegedly happened on January 18th. He'll answer the charge in town of Wellsville court.
2/1/19 11:30am- After investigating a complaint in the village of Bolivar, state police arrested Jadakiss J. Ray-James, 19, of Niagara Fall. He was charged with sexual misconduct. Bail was set at $250. Troopers also arrested Amy L. Whalen, 41, of Bolivar. She was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. She was released on an appearance ticket for court.
2/1/19 6:34pm- A traffic stop on I-86 resulted in multiple felony counts for a Campbell woman. troopers arrested Nikki J. Russo, 56. She was charged with felony aggravated DWI and felony DWI. Bail was set at $5,000 cash.

Third arrest made in animal cruelty case in Wirt - Corrected

State police on Friday arrested a third person following a significant animal cruelty and seizure case in the town of Wirt. Troopers charged Susan E. Hint, 44, of Wirt with:

1. Failure to Provide Sustenance - 5 counts
2. Failure to Provide Shelter for Dogs Left Outdoors - 3 counts
3. Neglect of an Impounded Animal - 2 counts.

Earlier in the week, troopers arrested Daniel D. Hint, 55, and Joshua D. Hint, 36, both of Wirt. They face similar charges.
Along with Allegany County SPCA Investigators, Troopers investigated a complaint of deceased, malnourished, and neglected animals at three farm properties located on State Route 275 and County Road 8 in the town of Wirt and located nine deceased animals. In total, the SPCA removed 140 other animals from the three locations.

Obituary: Mary Jane Reid (Ormsby), 87, Almond

ALMOND -  Mary Jane Reid, 87, of St. Rt. 21, passed away unexpectedly early Monday morning (January 28, 2019) at St. James Hospital in Hornell.
Born in Hornell, NY, May 28, 1931, the daughter of Elwood and Helen Ormsby, she had resided in the Almond area all of her life. On July 17, 1949 Mary Jane married Berwyn Reid who predeceased her on April 23, 2004. She was a member of the Alfred Station Seventh Day Baptist Church, where every August she would donate flowers. Mary Jane was well known in the area for all of the cooking and baking she did, one Christmas she baked over 12,000 Christmas Cookies. She provided over 440 biscuits for the Almond Historical Society’s Strawberry Festival for many year. In her younger years, in her spare time when she wasn’t baking she enjoyed to bowl. She enjoyed art, decorating cakes and drawing.
She was predeceased by her parents and her husband Berwyn.
She is survived by children; Scott Reid of Delaware, Doug Reid of Almond, Audrey (Gary) Ordway of Hornell, Gary Reid of Alfred Station and Darren Reid of Almond as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
To send a remembrance to the family, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com, or on Facebook @brownpowersfh. The family is being assisted by David W. Ames, Director at the Bender – Brown & Powers Funeral Home of Hornell.
A memorial service has been tentatively scheduled for early April and will be announced at a later date.
Friends may make memorial contributions to: the Alfred Station Seventh Day Baptist Church.

CCAC Announces “A Day Without Water” Essay Contest

Angelica, NY –  Allegany County students in grades 5 through 12 are invited to enter an essay contest sponsored by Concerned Citizens of Allegany County.  The goal of this project is to raise awareness for World Water Day (March 22, 2019) and to encourage students to think critically and creatively about the world's most important resource: water. 

There aren’t many qualities that are true of all life on Earth, but the need for water is one of them.  World Water Day was established by the United Nations in 1993 to focus attention on the importance of water. Only about 3.5 percent of Earth’s water is fresh, and most is locked up in ice and glaciers. In his 2012 book Drinking Water, A History, James Salzman writes, “The United Nations says that by 2030 more than half of the world’s people will live in ‘water-scarce’ areas.”   

Students are encouraged to take part by composing a two-page essay answering the question: “What would a day without water be like?”  Two prizes of $50 will be awarded, to a winning author in grades 5 through 8, and another in grades 9 to 12. Home schooled students are welcome to participate.

Science and English faculty in all county schools have contest guidelines to share with students, or you many request guidelines via contactusccac@gmail.com, or visit www.ccallegany.org to download a packet.

Essays are due Feb. 28, 2019. Entries must include author’s name, grade, contact information and school.  Email submissions to: contactusccac@gmail.com, or mail them to: CCAC Essay Contest, Box 425, Angelica, NY 14709.  Winners will be announced on World Water Day.

CCAC exists to fight pollution, focusing primarily on ending the proliferation of infrastructure related to fracking, and halting the disposal of hazardous and radioactive gas field wastes in Allegany and Steuben county landfills. We meet monthly in Angelica and welcome others to join our efforts to protect our clean water, soil, and air. Visit www.ccallegany.org, email contactusccac@gmail.com or follow us on FB. 

 

Belmont fire Superbowl Chicken BBQ

This Sunday (2-3-19) the Belmont Fire Department will once again brave the cold to bring everyone another Superbowl Sunday chicken barbecue. If the temperature allows it we will start serving at noon as we always do until the 150 dinners are sold.  Price is $10 whole dinner and $6 for half dinner (just the chicken). With only 150 dinners being cooked they won't last long! The middle of the winter is always a good time for the taste of a summer time BBQ!

Tioga Downs, Watkins Glen partnership

Nichols, N.Y. – February 1, 2019 – Tioga Downs Casino Resort and Watkins Glen International announced a multi-year partnership today, making Tioga Downs the ‘Official Casino’ of Watkins Glen International.  At a press reception in the Tioga Downs ballroom today, Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup as well as Tioga Downs President Charles Otto discussed the partnership and the benefits it will have for the Southern Tier.  Watkins Glen International and Tioga Downs will be working together to expand the region’s tourism reach with packages that complement each other’s properties and New York State attractions in general.  These include bringing motor coach groups and tours from other areas so guests can experience all that the Southern Tier has to offer.

“Today is a great day for the Southern Tier with two of the region’s premier destinations coming together to provide additional opportunities to draw and attract visitors from outside the area. Watkins Glen International is a historic organization that has a long-standing reputation of quality and tradition and Tioga Downs is proud to partner with them,” Tioga Downs President Charles Otto said.

As part of the multi-year deal as the Official Casino of Watkins Glen International, Tioga Downs will have the title sponsorship of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race taking place on Saturday, June 29, 2019 during Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen race weekend at Watkins Glen International. The race will now be named the “Tioga Downs 240,” the 240 represents the length of the race in minutes.

“All of us at Watkins Glen International are thrilled with this announcement of Tioga Downs Casino Resort as our ‘Official Casino’,” WGI President Michael Printup said. “For us, the ability to work with another one of the true drivers in terms of regional tourism and economic development, it checks off all of the boxes that you want to see in a partnership. We are excited to grow this into something very meaningful for both sides, and for the Southern Tier at-large.”

In addition, the Daytona 500 viewing party will be hosted at Tioga Downs on Sunday, February 17, 2019.  The Daytona 500 is a 500-mile-long Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series motor race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.  Admission to the watch party will be free and will include interactive games as well as food and drink specials while the big race is broadcast throughout the property.

“We are excited to partner with a great group like Watkins Glen International for the benefit of all those inside and outside of the region.  When I first announced our intent to apply for a casino license here at Tioga Downs, one of the overarching themes was to partner with local organizations for the collective benefit of the area and its residents.  We feel that this partnership with Watkins Glen International is representative of that commitment and both groups will collectively work to bring increased tourism to the region,” Tioga Downs owner Jeff Gural said.

Allegany County District 3 legislators schedule public meeting

Wellsville Police Blotter

Date: Friday February 1, 2019

Wellsville Police, acting on an Arrest Warrant from Wyoming County Family Court, arrested Karissa L. Bleeks age 35 of Wellsville.  Bleeks was located on Pleasant Street and taken into custody.  Bleeks was turned over to the Wyoming County Sheriff Department.  Bleeks is due to be arraigned in Wyoming County Court at a later date.

Congressman Tom Reed: We ARE NOT Being Treated Fairly

Dear Neighbor,
Have you heard the latest news out of Albany?
The Democrat State Legislature just passed a ridiculous plan, with Governor Cuomo’s support, to give free college to illegal immigrants.
We already know the taxes in our state are OUT OF CONTROL.
So how is this fair to YOU – the struggling taxpayer – as you’re forced to pay the college of not just your own kid(s), but those coming to our state illegally?
We care about you and lowered your federal taxes in Washington.
And just this past year we introduced a bill to incentivize, the wealthiest universities to make college expense free for middle class families.
Why won’t Governor Cuomo do the same?
We will continue to stand up and speak out against these EXTREME policies coming out of Albany, because this new New York is causing hard working people to leave our state by the thousands.
Please reach out if our office can ever be of assistance, and know we will continue to call out legislation that does not have your best interests in mind.

Until next time,

Tom

Allegany-Cattaraugus-Chautauqua Fund for Women Grant Application Period Now Open

Alfred Station, NY, February 1, 2019 - Announcing the open period for grant applications through the Allegany-Cattaraugus-Chautauqua Fund for Women (ACC-FFW).  Grant applications, for individual grants, are being accepted February 1st through March 15th, 2019.  A thorough review of applications will precede an award announcement on April 30th 2019.  

Grants are awarded based on demonstration of need and applicant explanation on how the money will be used toward continued betterment.  The amount awarded may vary from year-to-year, based on number of applications and funds available, but will not be less than $200 per grant.

Grant applications are being accepted online, https://www.accffw.org/grants, or by emailing info@accffw.org to request an alternative application vehicle (paper application or individual interview).  

The vision of the Allegany-Cattaraugus-Chautauqua Fund for Women is to be a resource that will provide financial assistance and open doors for women who seek continued betterment.  The Fund for Women exists to invest in the lives of women in our communities in order to promote sustained self-sufficiency.  The goals of the Fund for Women are:

• To establish an endowed fund that will support the vision and mission of ACC FFW.
• To award individual and agency grants, on an annual basis, in direct proportion to our endowment, through a thorough review of applications.
• To promote philanthropy by and for women.

Allegany County: Wirt father and son arrested for animal cruelty UPDATED

L-R: Daniel Hint, Joshua Hint

On January 30, 2019, state police based in Amity arrested Daniel D. Hint, 55, and Joshua D. Hint, 36, both of Wirt, NY for Failure to Provide Sustenance (four counts Joshua and 18 counts Daniel). Daniel Hint was further charged with Neglect of an Impounded Animal (four counts), Improper Disposal of Dead Animals (two counts), and Failure to Provide Shelter for Dogs Left Outdoors (four counts).

Along with Allegany County SPCA Investigators, Troopers investigated a complaint of deceased, malnourished, and neglected animals at three farm properties located on State Route 275 and County Road 8 in the town of Wirt and located nine deceased animals. In total, the SPCA removed 140 other animals from the three locations. Troopers allege the Hints had committed the offenses listed above. Both Hints were arrested and arraigned in Wirt Town Court and released on their own recognizance. They are due to reappear in that court late this month.

ACCORD Small Business Training Course

Beginning on February 26th, the ACCORD Allegany Business Center will be holding the spring session of its EAP Small Business Training Course. The course will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., consisting of a total of 10 classes. Funded by the NYS Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP), this ACCORD course is designed to educate potential and existing business owners about the ins and outs of running their own business. Topics include: writing a business plan, choosing the right business structure, accounting/finance, marketing, legal issues, social media, among others. The curriculum will feature traditional classroom lectures, local guest presenters speaking on their areas of expertise, in-class activities, and ends with a business plan competition.

One past graduate of the class remarked that it helped to build “a road map for the future” of her established business. Another who took the class before beginning his business commented that “the class gave me the base knowledge, guidance, and really the confidence to follow through with my decision to start the company and continue my path to success. Besides my family rooting me on, I don’t think I would have made it this far and this quickly without taking this wonderful little class.”

For more information on the course, or if interested in registering, please contact Bryan Payne, the ACCORD Business and Loan Manager, at 585-268-7080 or bpayne@accordcorp.org.

 

Broome County Deputy Sheriff seriously injured in head-on crash

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office and the Vestal Police department are investigating a two-car motor vehicle accident involving a marked Broome County Sheriff’s Office patrol car where the operator, Deputy Kristy Botsford, 32 years of age with 3 years of service, suffered serious injury.

At about 1:40 a.m. today a vehicle, traveling the wrong way on State Route 17, struck a marked Sheriff’s Office patrol car.  Deputy Botsford was traveling westbound on State Route 17 with her emergency overhead lights activated assisting marked patrols from the Vestal Police Department locate and attempt to stop a vehicle that was reported to be traveling the wrong way, eastbound in the westbound lane. Vestal Police patrols reported the suspect vehicle had stopped on the highway, east of exit 68, but as they approached the vehicle, the driver, later identified as Daniel Butash, accelerated away at a high rate of speed and continued traveling the wrong way. Shortly thereafter Butash drove head-on into Deputy Botsford’s patrol car, a 2014 Ford Explorer.  Deputy Botsford suffered serious injury and was pinned inside the vehicle. Emergency services personnel on scene utilized a HURST tool, commonly referred to as the ‘jaws of life’, to extricate Deputy Botsford.  She was transported to Wilson hospital and is currently being treated. The extent of her injuries are being assessed and include a fractured right femur.

Mr. Butash was operating a 2018 Tesla. He suffered minor facial injuries and some abrasions on his torso. Immediately after the accident Butash was transported to Wilson hospital for evaluation.  Butash showed signs of intoxication by alcohol and was subsequently administered standardized field sobriety testing at the hospital. At the time of this release members of the Vestal Police Department were conducting a driving while intoxicated (DWI) investigation. Charges are currently pending.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office and Vestal Police Department were assisted in this investigation by numerous other agencies including the NYS Department of Transportation, the New York State Police, Johnson City Police Department, Binghamton Police Department, NYS Environmental Police, Vestal Ambulance Squad, and Vestal Fire Department.  Sheriff Harder extends his thanks to all those who assisted at the accident scene.

Addison: Snowmobile driver charged with manslaughter after fatal accident - Corning Leader

Corning Leader
ADDISON - The driver of the snowmobile involved in a fatal accident in the town of Tuscarora on Jan. 21 is facing multiple charges.
David A. Gee, Jr., 45, of Tuscarora was arrested by New York State Police on Thursday and charged with second-degree manslaughter, aggravated driving while intoxicated, and felony driving while intoxicated for the automobile versus snowmobile crash on State Route 417.
According to the state police, Gee’s wife, BillieJo Gee, who was a passenger on the snowmobile, was killed in the accident.
According to official reports, David Gee was driving a snowmobile on Jan. 21 with his wife as a passenger. State police said the snowmobile entered the roadway from private property and struck a Chevrolet Astro Van.
The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit said neither occupants of the snowmobile were wearing helmets.

BillieJo Gee was taken to Corning Hospital via AMR Ambulance, where she was pronounced dead. David Gee was airlifted to Robert Packard Hospital in Sayre, Pa via a LifeNet helicopter.
David Gee was arraigned in Bath Town Court and remanded to Steuben County Jail without bail.
State police said the investigation is ongoing.

Cuba Police Blotter

*** Press Release ***

 

Following a complaint from a business in the Village of Cuba on January 30th, at approximately 9:12 a.m. Cuba Police arrested Kylie J. Wolfanger, 27, of Cuba. Wolfanger was arrested on charges of Petit Larceny (Misdemeanor). Wolfanger was processed and issued an appearance ticket to appear at a later date. Wolfanger is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

DEC Releases New York State Hunting Safety Statistics for 2018

The 2018 hunting seasons in New York tallied the lowest number of recorded hunting-related shooting incidents (HRSIs) and tied the 2016 mark - 13 - as the safest on record, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today. DEC documented five tree stand incidents and zero fatalities in 2018, down from 12 tree stand incidents the previous year.
"The tradition of hunting is enjoyed by nearly 600,000 New Yorkers and visitors each year, and the declining number of hunting incidents prove that today's generation of hunters continue to be the most safety conscious," said Commissioner Seggos. "In large part, hunting in New York continues to be a safe and enjoyable activity thanks to the efforts of 2,600 DEC staff and volunteer hunter education program instructors that teach nearly 50,000 students each year."
Of the 13 HRSIs that occurred last year, seven were two-party firearm incidents, six were self-inflicted, and three resulted in fatalities that could have been prevented if hunting safety rules and common sense were followed. Of the three fatalities, two were self-inflicted and caused by unsafe handling of firearms and one was a two-party firearm incident caused by a failure to positively identify the target. Hunting Safety Statistics (PDF) are available on the DEC website.
Further examination of the seven two-party firearm incidents reveals that six (86 percent) of the victims involved were not wearing hunter orange, reinforcing the importance of identifying the target and beyond, and wearing hunter orange when afield-two major tenets of DEC's hunter safety courses.
"Although the number of hunting-related incidents have declined dramatically in the last several decades, we believe every one of these could be avoided if hunters follow the laws and basic rules of hunting safety," Commissioner Seggos said. "We encourage hunters to wear hunter orange and to be sure, beyond a doubt, of their target and what lies beyond."
New York's HRSI rate recorded 19 incidents in 2017, 13 in 2016, and 23 in 2015. There were 98 incidents in 1991, 110 in 1979, and 166 in 1966, 13 of which were fatal. While the number of hunters is declining, the hunting incident rate (incidents per 100,000 hunters) is falling even faster. Since the 1960s, the number of hunters has declined about 20 percent, while the incident rate has declined almost 80 percent. The current five-year average is 3.1 incidents per 100,000 hunters, compared to 19 per 100,000 hunters in the 1960s.
DEC-trained and certified volunteer instructors teach safe, responsible, and ethical hunting and trapping practices and the important role of hunters and trappers in wildlife conservation. New York has an extremely safety-conscious generation of hunters and trappers, thanks largely to more than 60 years of dedicated efforts of volunteer Hunter Education Program instructors. All first-time hunters, bowhunters, and trappers must successfully complete a hunter or trapper safety course and pass the final exam before being eligible to purchase a hunting or trapping license. All courses are offered free of charge.
In 2017, DEC Commissioner Seggos directed the agency's Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) to begin tracking and investigating tree stand injuries for the first time. Tree stand injuries are under-reported, and DEC is not always notified when tree stand falls occur. In 2017, 12 tree stand incidents were reported and investigated, six of which proved to be fatal. In 2018, there were just five documented tree stand incidents and zero fatalities, and all five falls resulted from the hunter failing to use a body harness. Additional information about tree stand incidents (PDF) is available on DEC website.
Tree stand safety has become a regular part of the hunter education course required of first-time hunters in New York. Tree stand incidents are becoming a major cause of hunting-related injuries. The proper use of tree stands and tree stand safety equipment will help to prevent these injuries and fatalities. Used correctly, a harness keeps the hunter connected from the time they leave the ground to the moment they get back down.
Many, if not all tree stand incidents could be prevented if hunters follow the "ABCs" of tree stand safety:

• Always remove and inspect your tree stand before use;
• Buckle on your full body harness securely every time; and
• Connect to the tree before your feet leave the ground.

While hunting is safer than ever, DEC encourages hunters to remember that every hunting-related shooting incident is preventable. Many, if not all of these incidents could have been prevented if the people involved had followed the primary rules of hunter safety:

• Treat every firearm as if it were loaded;
• Control the muzzle, keep it pointed in a safe direction;
• Identify your target and what lies beyond;
• Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire; and
• Wear hunter orange.

For more information, including the 2018 Hunting Safety Statistics and the 2018 Tree Stand Safety Statistics, is available on DEC's website.

REP. REED: FREE COLLEGE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS UNFAIR FOR TAXPAYERS

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Tom Reed blasted the New York State legislature and Governor Cuomo for the bill to give illegal immigrants free college while taxes remain far too high in the state.
Tom highlighted how people will continue to leave the state, and not because of the weather, if these oppressive polices keep coming out of Albany. 
“Giving free college tuition to illegal immigrants is not fair for the hard-working families of New York already struggling under Governor Cuomo’s oppressively high taxes and college’s ridiculously expensive tuition,” Tom said. “We care about the mothers and fathers who lie awake at night wondering how they are going to pay for both the tax bill and college for not only their kids, but now the college of others as well.
“Albany needs to instead focus on forcing colleges to contain their costs, and this is why we introduced the REDUCE Act last year,” Tom concluded.
The REDUCE Act:

• Requires colleges to have a plan to keep tuition increases below the rate of inflation.
• Mandates reporting of easily digestible information about how colleges are being managed and where their money is spent.
• Requires the wealthiest universities to distribute 25 percent of the profits from their massive endowments to assist students from working-class families.
• Encourages university donors to give money that will assist low and middle-income students and eliminates tax deductions for large restricted college donations.

State Police launch investigation into Binghamton school incident

PRESS RELEASE

 

The New York State Police has launched an investigation, as directed by Governor Cuomo, into allegations that four 12-year old female students were strip-searched by staff at East Middle School in Binghamton on January 15, 2019.

“Given the severity of the allegations and the unrest they are causing in the community, State Police will thoroughly investigate this incident, in consultation with local authorities,” Acting State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett said.

The State Police team assigned to the case includes an investigator who is specially trained in interview techniques designed to assist victims in recalling details of traumatic incidents, as well as a second investigator with training and experience in dealing with child victims. The State Police investigation will be overseen by a Lieutenant from the Troop C Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Members assigned to this case will work in consultation with the Binghamton Police Department and Broome County District Attorney.

On January 30, Governor Cuomo directed the State Police to launch an investigation and called on the State Education Department to investigate allegations that 12-year-old girls were strip searched for drugs at East Middle School in Binghamton.