Boyfriend of Murdered Student Indicted by Jury

The boyfriend of a New York college freshman beaten to death in her dorm room has been indicted by a grand jury. New Hartford resident Clayton Whittemore pleaded not guilty earlier to murder. He's accused of killing SUNY Brockport student 18-year-old Alexandra Kogut.

Alcohol to go on Sale at Local Farmers Markets

Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed new legislation that will allow licensed farm distilleries to sell their liquor at the New York State Fair, recognized county fairs, and not-for-profit farmers' markets. This new law will help local farms to grow by providing them with the same access to marketing opportunities that other wineries and breweries currently have. According to Cuomo, farm distilleries and the agricultural sector play a major role in New York State's economy and will also give them a chance to reach new customers and grow their business.

Senator Bob Casey Has Called For More Flights in the Bradford Regional Airpoit

US Senator Bob Casey is asking Silver Airways to make more stops in the Bradford area. According to this morning’s Bradford Era, yesterday Casey sent a letter to the chief executive officer at Silver Airways asking him to provide a dependable flight between the Bradford Regional Airport and the Pittsburgh International Airport. Silver Airways provides flights to and from Bradford as part of the EAS or Essential Air Service federal subsidy. Currently the Bradford Regional Airport sees eight passengers per day. 

Bradford Historic Landmark Up For Auction

A historic landmark will be sold at auction later this month. According to this morning’s Bradford Era, The Hooker Fulton Building will be going up on the auction block on October 25^th. A company called Tut Holdings LLC currently owns the building. The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce is presently a tenant in the building, but according to Ron Orris, the Chamber’s executive director, everything will stay the same as far as leases go. 

Fatal Tractor-Trailer Crash in Roulette Village

State Police have released details of the fatal tractor-trailer crash on the intersection of Main Street and Route 6 at the western entrance to the Village of Roulette.  Gordon Daniel Cotter, 73, of Roulette, PA, was killed in the 8 pm crash. The tractor trailer driver, Kenneth Hunter Scott, 72, of Chase City, VA, was not hurt. Cotter was fatally injured as a result of the crash. Both drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

 

Lawyers Urge Against Misleading Voter Advertisements

The lawyers who persuaded a Commonwealth Court judge to postpone the state’s Voter ID law say the state must stop what they now consider "misleading" ads. Under Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson’s ruling issued Tuesday, voters can be asked to show photo ID at the polls in the upcoming general election on Nov. 6, but they can still vote even if they don’t have one. Opponents say advertisements taken out by the state advising voters that they must have an ID to vote in the November election need to be adjusted to reflect Simpson's ruling. Department of State spokesman Ronald Ruman said the state is reviewing its advertising to see what needs to be changed and hopes to have any changes made soon.

Congressman Candidate Shinigawa Hot On Reed's Trail

During a press conference call this morning, Shinagawa, spent time going through inaccuracies that Congressman Reed’s campaign has been telling voters relating to the GRAPE Act, and his overall congressional record. Shinigawa says that after his research none of the bills Reed has sponsored have passed the House, the Senate, or gone to the President’s desk. Shinigawa said that there are resolutions that Reed has sponsored that have passed. These are not bills that become law, and we made that very clear in our press release. There is a clear difference between a bill and a resolution, and resolutions have no opportunity to become public law, and are often just statements of approval or disapproval. 

Political Analysts Give Romney Credit After Last Night's Debate

For presidential candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama they have one down and two to go. Debates that is. Last night was the first of three televised presidential debates and political analysts across the board gave Romney credit for being very crisp in his delivery and being rehearsed in the topics. In contrast, analysts say that Obama was more casual than usual.

Congressman Tom Reed Receives 'Friend of Farm Bureau' Award

Congressman Tom Reed was recently honored with the American Farm Bureau Federation’s congressional award. Reed says that agriculture is the backbone of the local economy and that he looks forward to continuing a partnership with the farm bureau on behalf of all farms in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the “Friend of Farm Bureau” award is given to members who have supported Farm Bureau issues. Reed was nominated by New York State Farm Bureau and approved by the Board of Directors of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Falconer Man Arrested on Suspicion of Sexually Abusing Children

A man is in jail after he was arrested for multiple sex crimes against a child. New York State Police initially arrested 48-year-old Douglas Nelson of Falconer last month. Now police are saying that Nelson allegedly had inappropriate relationships with children in the Chautauqua County and surrounding areas. The investigation is continuing in an attempt to identify any other children who may have had contact with Nelson. He was charged with criminal sexual act in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child among other charges. He is being held in Chautauqua County Jail on a 25 thousand dollar bail or 50 thousand dollar bond. 

Dedication Ceremony at Alfred University This Weekend

A dedication ceremony will take place at Alfred University (AU) this weekend. State Senator Catharine Young will join AU President Charles M. Edmondson and Doreen Edwards, dean of the Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering, to dedicate the Center for High-Temperature Characterization.

St. Mary's Man Charged with Arson

A St. Mary's man has been arrested on suspicion of arson. According to St. Mary's police 25-year-old Steven Hulings is charged with arson and related offenses in connection with a fire that destroyed a house in the city. Hulings is being retained at the county jail on a bail of 50 thousand dollars.

Connecticut Man Arrested After Wellsville Incident

Police arrested a 37-year-old man in the town of Wellsville yesterday. Milton Famania Jr, of New Britain, Connecticut, has been charged with Criminal Trespass and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana after an incident took place on South Main Street. 

October 6th Proclaimed as Chris Eldridge Day for Local Volunteer

This weekend will be dedicated to a local man who has invested years of his life serving others. Saturday October 6^th has been proclaimed Chris Eldridge Day in Wellsville and Allegany County. Eldridge has dedicated over 30 years of his life to volunteering and public service. He is currently battling cancer at Strong Hospital in Rochester. The event will coincide with the annual EMS Expo to be held at Riverwalk Plaza in Wellsville from 9-2. 

Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation on Veteran ID Cards.

Veterans are now able to request proof of their veteran status be placed on their driver's license, or non-driver ID. The new legislation signed by Governor Cuomo yesterday will make it more simple and convenient for veterans to show and verify their status as veterans without having to carry multiple forms of identification. Many local businesses across the state currently provide discounts to veterans. In order to obtain this status from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), applicants will have to submit proof that they were honorably discharged from the armed forces.

Grape Harvest Kicks Off In NY

New York State is beginning its annual celebration of the grape harvest. Of course, in New York, grapes mean wine and state Sen. Catharine Young joined wine retailers yesterday to kick off New York's annual promotional campaign in support of one of the state's leading exports. New York is third place behind California and Washington for wine production. Government leaders like Young would like to see those production numbers improve.

Oktoberfest And Public Auction Coming Soon

The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Oktoberfest and 20th Annual Public Auction later this month--Oct. 18. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the live auction begins at 6:30. The auction is at the Bradford Club on Boylston Street.

Atlantic 10 Reaches Agreement With Sports Networks

Good news for fans of St. Bonaventure basketball. The Atlantic 10 Conference has secured eight year partnerships with ESPN, CBS Sports Network and NBC Sports Group for its media and television rights. The agreements, which were announced Tuesday, more than double the men's and women's basketball national exposure for the A-10 membership and will begin in 2013-2014.

Unemployment Continues To Be Problem In Local Counties

Another anemic report on unemployment in the Twin Tiers. Labor departments reporting no changes and even some further deterioration in the job picture for our rural region. McKean County August's unemployment rate of 8.1 percent virtually unchanged from the previous month. In Elk County, an increase in the unemployment rate, up to 7.2 percent.

Voter ID Law Rejected in Pennsylvania

A critical break for Democrats in Pennsylvania. A commonwealth court judge, ruling a voter identification law supported by state Republicans, could not be initiated in time for the 2012 presidential elections. The main thing to keep in mind: If you're a Pennsylvania voter, don't worry about bringing a photographic voter ID with you when you go to the polls. Democrats in the state celebrating rejection of a law they contended would depress Democratic voter turnout in November.