According to the Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, on June 22, 2025, during the early morning hours, Deputies were dispatched by the 911 center to multiple residences, in the Town of Kirkland, regarding trees collapsing onto residences. On June 22, 2025, multiple reports of trees down were reported throughout Oneida County, stemming from the severe storm that occurred during the overnight and early morning hours. Deputies were notified by the 911 center that a tree collapsed onto a residence on Millstream Court and was occupied by a male and female. The caller notified the 911 center the female occupant appeared deceased. The caller was unable to assist or access the female, due to the size of the tree and damage sustained to the residence. The case was turned over to members of the Criminal Investigations Unit and Forensic Identification Unit. Further investigation lead to discovering the female, Shelly Johnson (50), was located inside of the residence and pronounced deceased on scene. Deputies were also notified that a tree collapsed onto a residence on Hoyland Avenue, occupied by a mother and her two children. It was reported by the caller that the roof collapsed onto her, causing her to become temporarily entrapped and she was unable to locate her two daughters. The case was turned over to members of the Criminal Investigations Unit and Forensic Identification Unit. Further investigation lead to locating both, Emily Bisson (6) and Kenni Bisson (6) inside of the residence. Both female juveniles were pronounced deceased on scene. At this time, all three fatalities appear to be caused by natural causes and as a result of the severe storm. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office would like to express our deepest condolences to the families involved through this difficult time. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office was assisted by members of the Town of Kirkland Police Department, New York State Police, Clark Mills Fire Department, NY Mills Fire Department, Westmoreland Fire Department, Clinton Fire Department, Ilion Fire Search & Rescue, Central Oneida County Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Red Cross, Homeland Security, Oneida County Office of Emergency Services, Oneida County Department of Social Services, Onondaga Medical Examiners Office and Greater Heights Tree Care.

June 22, 2025 — Clark Mills, NY   — The National Weather Service (NWS) in Binghamton has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Clark Mills, Oneida County, during the early morning hours on Sunday. The tornado began at approximately 3:58 AM EDT and lasted five minutes, carving a 2.43-mile path with estimated peak winds of 105 mph. The twister started just north-northeast of Clark Mills and ended one mile north of Clinton. Tragically, three residents were killed as trees fell onto their homes. No other injuries were reported. According to the NWS Public Information Statement, the tornado formed as part of a severe line of thunderstorms and quickly intensified as it moved southwest. Several trees were snapped or uprooted along its path, damaging multiple houses and even destroying a historic grist mill along Oriskany Creek. The tornado dissipated around 4:03 AM after moving south along Kirkland Avenue. While the tornado’s damage was confined to a narrow corridor, damaging winds up to 70 mph also caused scattered tree damage throughout the region. Local agencies — including Oneida County Emergency Services, the Town of Kirkland Department of Highways, New York State Office of Emergency Management, and the Clark Mills Volunteer Fire Department — assisted NWS Binghamton in the storm survey. About the EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale rates tornado intensity based on estimated wind speeds and observed damage. An EF-1 tornado has winds between 86–110 mph. For more information and full survey details, read the NWS Public Information Statement here: https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=PNSBGM&e=202506230203&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZzBNVnNSaEgyc1ZqTEFsMwEeoAtFsCk3uh34kLwyUnGECmPceZp_Fa2ug_uc1JEYkJ5snYOrANdVmcRU03Q_aem_O9h7uyiAShQSa6d5orkQAA

On June 19th, 2025, around 2:00 AM, a Deputy assigned to the Oneida County Road Patrol Division conducted a traffic stop in the Town of Verona when noticing a motorcycle was operating on State Route 13 with no taillamp. Subsequent to the stop, the Deputy detained the male and conducted a pat frisk of the operator, David Babenzien (43), prior to placing him in his marked Patrol Car. During the pat frisk the Deputy had located a knife in David’s shorts pocket. After inspecting the knife, he learned the knife was a switchblade, which is illegal to possess in the State of New York. As a result, David was taken into custody and transported to the Oneida County Kurt B. Wyman Law Enforcement Building where he was booked and processed. Due to having previously been convicted of a crime, David was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony along with several traffic tickets from the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law which include: No/insufficient tail lamps, a Traffic Infraction of Section 3752A3 Unregistered Motorcycle, a Traffic Infraction of Section 4101 Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 2nd Degree, a Misdemeanor of Section 5112A4 Aggravated Unlicensed Operator 3rd Degree, a Misdemeanor of Section 5111A Unlicensed Operator, a Traffic Infraction of Section 5091 Operating without Insurance, a Traffic Infraction of Section 3191U Failure to Comply with Lawful Orders, a Traffic Infraction of Section 1102 After being processed, David was transported to the Oneida County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.

ALBANY, NY — June 19, 2025 Federal prosecutor John A. Sarcone III was the target of a knife attack in downtown Albany on Tuesday, June 17, as he was leaving his office. The attacker, identified as Saul Morales-Garcia, is an illegal immigrant from El Salvador who had previously been deported but re-entered the U.S. in 2021. According to authorities, Morales-Garcia approached Sarcone aggressively while yelling in a foreign language and holding a knife. Sarcone ran to the nearby Hilton Hotel for safety. Morales-Garcia briefly walked away but then returned and charged Sarcone again, making a throat-slashing gesture with the knife while continuing to shout. Sarcone again fled into the hotel lobby. Albany County Sheriff's deputies quickly arrived and arrested Morales-Garcia. The weapon was recovered at the scene. Sarcone was not physically harmed, but described the incident as life-threatening. “I feared for my life, but I couldn’t let this individual harm and potentially kill others,” Sarcone said. “As the chief federal law enforcement officer in this district, I felt it was my duty to act.” Sheriff Craig Apple praised Sarcone’s bravery, saying, “U.S. Attorney Sarcone’s selfless actions likely saved lives.” Morales-Garcia now faces several serious charges: Attempted second-degree murder Criminal possession of a weapon (3rd degree) Menacing (2nd degree) He has been denied bail and is being held in custody. A protective order has been issued for Sarcone. The FBI and Homeland Security are also investigating, and Morales-Garcia may face federal charges for re-entering the country illegally. That case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York due to Sarcone’s recusal. Sarcone was appointed as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York in March. Since then, he has visited 27 counties, working closely with local and state law enforcement to crack down on gangs, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and violent crime. “Our communities should be safe for everyone,” Sarcone emphasized. “What happened this week only reinforces the need for strong partnerships between federal and local law enforcement.” Read the press release here at - https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/united-states-attorney-john-sarcone-iii-attacked-salvadorian-national-knife-downtown

June 18, 2025 $8 Million State Investment Supported the Installation of Cutting-Edge Packaging and Ingredient Product Systems and the Creation of up to 150 New Jobs   Efforts to Support Agribusiness are an Integral Part of Central New York’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Regional Communities and Grow the Economy   Governor Hochul’s Proclamation Celebrating June as Dairy Month in New York State  Here   Governor Kathy Hochul and Cayuga Milk Ingredients today marked the grand opening of a two-phase, $270 million expansion project in the Town of Aurelius, Cayuga County, allowing the company to better assist their clients and create opportunities for New York State dairy farmers. The state-of-the-art facility will also allow the company to more than double its workforce, adding up to 150 new jobs to the existing workforce of 100 employees. The State is supporting this transformative project through a $4 million capital grant and up to $4 million made available through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for job creation commitments. Cayuga Milk Ingredients is a farmer-owned dairy processor, producing premium milk and innovative dairy ingredients for customers across the globe. This announcement comes as the State celebrates  Dairy Month this June .  “Cayuga Milk Ingredients’ continued expansion in Cayuga County marks another exciting chapter in New York’s agricultural success story,” Governor Hochul said. “New York’s dairy industry serves as a crucial economic engine for our state, and our support for this project reinforces our commitment to those efforts and to our hard-working dairy farmers, further cementing our position as one of the nation’s top dairy producers.”  Phase one of the expansion at the Eagle Drive facility included the purchase and installation of an ultra-high temperature (UHT)/aseptic low acid packaging system and a new reverse osmosis filtration system. The second phase included the addition of machinery and equipment, and the expansion of the facility’s wastewater treatment plant.  At the facility, Cayuga Milk Ingredients (CMI) monitors all aspects of product integrity, offering a high level of traceability and sustainability, combining innovative manufacturing technology with a focus on reducing their environmental impact. With a vertically integrated model and state-of-the-art processing capabilities, they transform high-quality milk into value-added products including high-protein milk, powders, and ultrafiltered dairy ingredients. CMI is committed to advancing sustainable agriculture, supporting the well-being of its farmers, employees and cows, and delivering exceptional ingredients for the future of food.  Read the full press release here . https://esd.ny.gov/esd-media-center/press-releases/governor-hochul-announces-grand-opening-cayuga-milk

Press Release On June 17, 2025, State Police arrested Joshua R. Snide, 35, of Ellenburg, NY, on charges of Vehicular Manslaughter in the 1st Degree, Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, and multiple vehicle and traffic violations. The incident occurred on June 17, 2025, at approximately 6:09 p.m. Troopers responded to Plank Road in Altona for a serious personal injury accident. An investigation revealed that a black 2005 Jaguar X, driven by a 76-year-old of Mooers, NY, and a red 2014 Ford F-150, operated by Snide, were both traveling southbound on Plank Road. The Jaguar was slowing down to turn left into a residence when Snide, failing to notice her vehicle, attempted to pass on the left, striking the driver's side of the victim’s car. As a result of the collision, the Jaguar came to rest on the east shoulder of the roadway. Snide fled the scene but later returned. During the interview, he showed signs of intoxication. Troopers administered Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), which he failed. He was subsequently arrested and taken to SP Champlain, where he provided a breath sample, indicating intoxication. Snide was arraigned in the Town of Champlain Court and remanded to Clinton County Jail with bail options set at $8,000 cash, $25,000 fully secured bond, or $80,000 partially secured bond. The victim was transported to CVPH, where she unfortunately succumbed to her injuries. This investigation is ongoing. State Police received assistance from Ellenburg Fire and Rescue. https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-investigate-fatal-collision-town-altona

On Monday, June 9, 2025, at approximately 8:30 PM, the Rome Police Department’s Patrol Division responded to a report of a robbery at Burger King, located at 106 S. Madison Street. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a store employee who reported that an unknown suspect entered the business, brandished a knife, and demanded money from the cash register. The suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. No injuries were reported during the incident. On Monday, June 16, 2025, 41-year-old Paul B. Williamson, of Utica, was taken into custody by the Rome Police Detective Division and Street Crimes Unit. Williamson was charged with Robbery in the first degree, a class B felony. Williamson was processed at Rome Police Headquarters and transported to the Oneida County Jail for arraignment. SOURCES: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1125170249651316&set=a.302652858569730

UPDATE - On June 14, 2025, Rebecca Woodcock died from her injuries at Upstate Hospital.   _____________________________________________________________________________________ On May 30, 2025, at 2:59 p.m., State Police responded to a vehicle collision on Factory Ave and Lemoyne Ave in the town of Salina. Investigation revealed that Rickey Belcamino , age 67, from Syracuse, was operating a 2004 Dodge pickup truck south on Factory Ave when he ran a red light at the intersection and struck a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle that was traveling west on Lemoyne Ave.  The motorcycle was being operated by Michael Lembo , age 35, from Syracuse. A passenger on the motorcycle, identified as Rebecca Woodcock , age 23, from Syracuse, was ejected from the motorcycle and struck a stopped 2018 Dodge SUV being operated by Gregory Pacicca , age 71, from Solvay. Woodcock was unconscious and transported by Ambulance to Upstate Hospital.  No other injuries were reported. Belcamino received a ticket for Failure to obey a Traffic Control Device. SOURCES: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/update-car-versus-motorcycle-collision-mattydale-0

On June 16, 2025, at 3:05 a.m., State Police were dispatched to the Steet Ponte Chevrolet store on State Route 28 in the town of Herkimer for two males going through a dumpster. State Police arrived on scene and interviewed the two males and through the course of the investigation, it was learned that both males had active warrants from different police agencies.   Troopers detained the two males due to the active warrants and during a search, one male was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine and a pipe.  That male, identified as Kaleb Horan , age 24, from Herkimer, was placed under arrest and charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th, a Class A Misdemeanor.   Horan was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the town of Herkimer Court at a later date.   SOURCES: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/suspicious-person-complaint-leads-drug-arrest-herkimer

On June 11, 2025, at 11:14 p.m., New York State Police conducted a traffic stop on Main Street in the village of Sylvan Beach on a vehicle with an expired inspection.   Troopers interviewed the driver, identified as Thomas J. Spear , age 58, from Blossvale, NY, who provided inconsistent answers to questions and refused to make eye contact with Troopers.  Troopers also attempted to interview a passenger, later identified as Brian A. Blowers , age 50, from Taberg, NY, however Blowers refused to answer questions or cooperate. Through investigation, the identity of the passenger was learned and found that he had an active warrant out of the city of Oneida.  Blowers was placed under arrest for the warrant and during a search, a clear plastic container containing Methamphetamine was found in his pocket. A search of the vehicle was then conducted and Troopers located a clear plastic bag containing Methamphetamine in between the drivers seat and the center console, as well as a clear plastic bag containing Methamphetamine in a storage area above the visors.   Spear was also placed under arrest.   Spear and Blowers were transported to SP Sylvan Beach.   Spear was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree (Class A Misdemeanor) and operating a vehicle without an inspection.  Spear was released with an appearance ticket returnable to the village of Sylvan Beach Court at a later date.  Blowers was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree (Class A Misdemeanor) and released with an appearance ticket to the village of Sylvan Beach Court at a later date.  Blowers was then turned over to the Oneida City Police Department for an active warrant. Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/traffic-stop-sylvan-beach-leads-drug-and-warrant-arrest-two-oneida-county-men

Marcy, NY - On June 15, 2025, at 12:08 am, State Police responded to an address on Fox Road in the town of Marcy for a dispute in progress with reports of gunshots being fired. Troopers arrived on scene and interviewed the parties involved. Preliminary investigation revealed that an adult male discharged a rifle in the air. That male was taken into custody and transported to Wynn Hospital by Kunkel Ambulance for a mental health evaluation and injuries he sustained when he punched a glass reptile tank.  No other parties involved sustained injuries. The case remains under investigation by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and criminal charges are pending.  Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-respond-dispute-town-marcy

June 8, 2025 — Utica, NY  — At approximately 11:00 PM on June 8th, Utica Police responded to a reported robbery at the intersection of Blandina Street and Albany Street. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim, who reported that an acquaintance had approached him and demanded money. When the victim refused, the suspect forcibly removed a gold chain from the victim’s neck and fled the scene. Police immediately began searching for the suspect. Shortly thereafter, a nearby homeowner called the police to report a male hiding in their yard matching the suspect’s description. Officers located the individual, later identified as 29-year-old Justin Stevens of Syracuse, but he fled on foot. During the pursuit, officers witnessed Stevens climb a ladder onto the rooftop of a commercial building on the 900 block of South Street. After some time, Stevens exited the roof and was taken into custody without further incident. Stevens has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree. The investigation remains ongoing. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1139023868267672&set=a.223509269819141