On Friday evening, the Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard was proud to lead our Nation’s Colors out onto the Holland Patent High School Football Field for their annual Military and First Responder Appreciation Night. See less

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are facing criticism after video from Friday's 25th-anniversary 9/11 memorial ceremony appeared to show the two smiling and laughing while the names of victims were being read at the World Trade Center site. The ceremony at Ground Zero was held to commemorate the nearly 3,000 people killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Family members of victims participated in the traditional reading of the names during the solemn ceremony. Video circulating online shows Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani together during the name-reading portion of the ceremony. The pair can be seen smiling and appearing to share a brief laugh while the ceremony continues around them. The footage quickly drew criticism online, with critics questioning why the two appeared to be laughing during one of the most solemn portions of the annual commemoration. Former television personality Meghan McCain publicly questioned the interaction, asking why the two were laughing during the ceremony. Other political figures also criticized the appearance, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who characterized the scene as inappropriate. The controversy centers on the appearance of the interaction, rather than any established evidence that either politician was laughing at the victims or making jokes about the September 11 attacks. The available footage does not establish what the two were discussing or what prompted the smiles. Michael Ragusa, a former member of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's security detail who attended the ceremony, said he was standing near Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani. Ragusa disputed the interpretation circulating online, saying the camera captured Ocasio-Cortez greeting Mamdani and that other politicians nearby were also talking and laughing. That explanation, however, does not change what is visible in the circulated footage: Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani are shown smiling and appearing to laugh during the ceremony while the names of 9/11 victims were being read. Mamdani's attendance at the ceremony had already generated controversy. Some relatives of 9/11 victims had publicly objected to his presence and urged him not to attend. Despite those objections, Mamdani attended Friday's Ground Zero ceremony alongside national, state and city officials. The 2026 ceremony marked 25 years since the attacks and included moments of silence and the reading of victims' names. The event brought together current and former national leaders, along with victims' families and New York officials, for the annual remembrance. What the video shows Confirmed: Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani attended the 9/11 memorial ceremony at Ground Zero. Video shows the two together during the reading of the victims' names. They appear to smile and laugh briefly. The interaction generated significant public criticism. There is no verified evidence from the footage establishing that they were laughing at the victims or making jokes about the attacks. The incident has become one of the more contentious moments surrounding this year's 9/11 commemoration, with the debate focused largely on whether their demeanor was appropriate for the occasion.

According to Oneida County Sheriff, Robert M. Maciol, on the 11th of September 2026 a phone call was made to the Camden Middle School from James Collazo, 35, of Rome, who had been upset at the school regarding his child. During that phone call Collazo made a Terroristic Threat to the school and prompted a secure lockout throughout the District. The Oneida County Sheriff's Special Patrol Officer at the school was immediately notified and initiated a law enforcement response. Road Patrol Deputies and members of the Criminal Investigations Unit initiated an investigation. Collazo was located at his residence in Rome and arrested without incident. The secure lockout has since been lifted. Collazo has been charged with making a terroristic threat a Class D Felony and is being held for arraignment at CAP Court. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office is committed to maintaining the Safety and Security of our Communities and our Schools.

A bat has tested positive for rabies in South Utica. The bat was sent to the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center for testing on September 9, 2026 and positive results were reported on September 10, 2026. One person was exposed to the bat and receiving post-exposure prophylaxis.

September 11, 2026 — New York, NY — Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Americans across the country are pausing today to remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives and the countless others whose lives were forever changed. The attacks of September 11, 2001, remain one of the darkest days in American history. In a coordinated terrorist operation, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners after their departures from airports in the northeastern United States. At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Seventeen minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower. The images of the burning towers quickly became known around the world. At 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. A fourth aircraft, United Airlines Flight 93, was hijacked and turned toward Washington, D.C. Passengers and crew members learned what was happening elsewhere through phone calls and information from the ground. They attempted to regain control of the aircraft. At approximately 10:03 a.m., Flight 93 crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. (FBI) All four aircraft were destroyed. Nearly 3,000 lives lost The September 11 attacks killed 2,977 people, including passengers and crew members aboard the four aircraft, workers and visitors at the World Trade Center, people at the Pentagon, and the 40 passengers and crew members aboard Flight 93. The 19 hijackers also died. Among the victims were firefighters, police officers, emergency medical workers, office employees, military personnel, airline crews and passengers, and people who simply happened to be in the wrong place on an otherwise ordinary Tuesday morning. The attacks also launched an enormous rescue and recovery operation in New York City. Approximately 2,000 police officers and nearly 1,000 firefighters responded to the World Trade Center. For many first responders, recovery workers and others exposed to the conditions at Ground Zero, the consequences did not end when the fires were extinguished or the debris was removed. Thousands have suffered illnesses associated with exposure following the attacks, and the 25th anniversary commemoration includes a new moment of silence honoring those who later died from 9/11-related health effects. A day that changed America The effects of September 11 extended far beyond New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. The attacks fundamentally changed American aviation security, law enforcement, intelligence operations and national security. They also led to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and reshaped U.S. foreign policy for decades. But 9/11 was also remembered for the extraordinary acts of courage and compassion that followed. First responders entered the burning World Trade Center towers while others were desperately trying to escape. Civilians helped strangers reach safety. Communities across the country opened their homes, donated blood and supplies, and came together in the aftermath of an attack intended to create fear and division. 25 years later On this 25th anniversary, a new generation is learning about September 11 without having personally experienced it. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum estimates that approximately 100 million Americans alive today are too young to remember the attacks. Its 2026 anniversary programming places particular emphasis on educating younger generations about what happened and the lasting lessons of that day. At the National September 11 Memorial in New York City, family members are gathering to read aloud the names of those killed. The 2026 ceremony includes seven moments of silence, recognizing the times the towers were struck and fell, the attack on the Pentagon, the crash of Flight 93, and those who later lost their lives because of 9/11-related illnesses. Twenty-five years later, the photographs remain. The names remain. The stories remain. And for the families who lost loved ones, for the survivors, for the first responders and for millions who watched the events unfold, September 11 is not simply a chapter in history. It is a day they remember. Twenty-five years later, America remembers September 11, 2001 — and those who never came home. 9/11 Memorial & Museum — 25th Anniversary Sources The article is based primarily on information from the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Honoring Those Who Continue to Serve Twenty-five years later, organizations across the country continue the work of honoring the heroes and families affected by September 11. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries on the legacy of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who was killed on September 11, 2001, after responding to the World Trade Center. The foundation provides support to fallen first responder families, Gold Star families and catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Its work serves as a reminder that remembering September 11 is not only about looking back at what happened that day — it is also about supporting the families and heroes who continue to carry its legacy. As America marks the 25th anniversary, we remember the nearly 3,000 innocent people who were killed, the first responders who ran toward danger, the survivors, and the families whose lives changed forever. Twenty-five years later, we remember. We honor. We will never forget.

ELLENVILLE, N.Y. — September 9, 2026 — New York State Police are investigating a shooting that left a 46-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds Tuesday afternoon in the Village of Ellenville. According to State Police, troopers from SP Ellenville responded at approximately 3:25 p.m. on September 8 to a reported shooting at 15 Spring Street. When troopers arrived, they located a 46-year-old male victim who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his lower extremities. The victim was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. His injuries were described as serious but non-life-threatening. State Police said there is no immediate danger to the public. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information that could assist investigators is asked to contact the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Ellenville at 845-344-5300. State Police said all tips will be kept strictly confidential. Source: New York State Police

WAWARASING, N.Y. — September 9, 2026 — New York State Police have arrested four people from Ellenville following an alleged assault involving a baseball bat at a Wawarsing gas station. According to State Police, troopers from SP Ellenville responded at approximately 9 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, to the Mobil gas station at 8404 State Route 209 in Wawarsing after receiving a report of multiple individuals fighting. Investigators determined that several individuals allegedly assaulted a 43-year-old male victim, including the use of a baseball bat. The victim was transported to Garnet Health Medical Center for treatment of injuries described as non-life-threatening. The four suspects were transported to SP Ellenville for processing without incident. Suspects and Charges Jordan I. Jones, 19, of Ellenville, was charged with: Attempted Gang Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D felony Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D felony Amanda M. Jones, 40, of Ellenville, was charged with: Attempted Gang Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D felony Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D felony Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor Matthew Johannessen, 24, of Ellenville, was charged with: Attempted Gang Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D felony Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D felony Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor A 16-year-old male from Ellenville was charged with: Attempted Gang Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D felony Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D felony State Police said all four were arraigned in Ulster County Court Centralized Arraignment Part and remanded to the Ulster County Jail pending future court appearances. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information is asked to contact the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Ellenville at 845-344-5300. All charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The New York State Police today announced that it issued a total of 11,201 tickets statewide during the Labor Day weekend enforcement campaign. The special enforcement period began on Friday, September 4, 2026, and ran through Monday, September 7, 2026. During the campaign, which was partially funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints and additional DWI patrols and focused enforcement efforts on impaired and distracted driving. In total, troopers arrested 253 people for DWI and investigated 632 crashes, including five fatal crashes. As part of the enforcement campaign, troopers targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. The following is a sampling of tickets issued during the campaign: Speeding: 3,935 Distracted Driving: 308 Seat Belt Violations: 746 Move Over Law Violations: 234 During last year’s Labor Day weekend enforcement campaign, which ran from Friday, August 29, 2025, through Monday, September 1, 2025, State Police issued 9,912 total tickets and arrested 225 people for DWI.

The New York State Police are currently in possession of lost property items that were found and turned in during the 2026 New York State Fair. These items are being securely held at SP North Syracuse. Fairgoers who believe they may have lost personal items such as phones, wallets, bags, or other belongings during the event are encouraged to contact State Police to determine if their property has been recovered. Pickup Location:SP North Syracuse101 North Constellation WaySyracuse, NY 13212 To claim a lost item, individuals must call 315-423-6600 to schedule a time for pickup. Claimants will be required to: • Provide a detailed description of the lost item • Show proof of ownership when possible (e.g., identifying features, serial numbers, receipts) • Present a valid photo ID The New York State Police urge anyone who lost an item at the Fair to reach out promptly. Contact Troop D Public Information Officer: Trooper Jennifer Jiron

According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, Three men were arrested after a dispute that occurred in the Town of Lee On August 10th, 2026, Deputies responded to a report of a Motor Vehicle Accident at the intersection of Frenchtown Road and Streun Road in the Town of Lee. The caller, Stephen Hildenbrandt, and his passenger, Michael Allen Jr., reported that Stephen's 2019 GMC Sierra was struck by another vehicle after a road rage dispute. Stephen stated he and his passenger were not hurt and were able to provide the license plate of the suspect vehicle and a description of the suspect. The suspect vehicle, a 2002 Ford Explorer, was located at a residence in the Town of Lee where Deputies were able to make contact with the driver, Robert Colp. Due to the nature of the case, it was turned over an Investigator in the Criminal Investigation Unit. During the investigation, the Investigator discovered Michael and Stephen had punched Robert causing physical injury to him. In the exchange, Robert had also caused damage to other motor vehicle exceeding $1,500.00. On August 4th, 2026, Stephen B. Hildenbrandt (26) and Michael J Allen (24) were both charged with: Assault in the Second Degree (D Felony) On August 7th, 2026, Robert H. Colp (66) was charged with: Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (D Felony) Hildenbrandt and Allen turned themselves in to the Law Enforcement Building where they were booked, processed and brought to the Oneida County Correctional Facility to await CAP court. Hildenbrandt and Allen both were released after posting bail. Colp also turned himself in to the Law Enforcement Building where he was booked, processed and brought to the Oneida County Correctional Facility to await CAP court.

SHERRILL, N.Y. — The Grand Union grocery store on East State Street in Sherrill is preparing to close its doors. A phone call to the store confirmed that the closure is the result of a corporate decision. At this time, an official closing date has not been announced. Customers should also expect changes to the store’s operating hours beginning next week. The Sherrill closure follows other recent Grand Union store closings in the region. Locations in Rome and Cooperstown also closed earlier this year. The Sherrill Grand Union has served area residents as a local grocery option, and its pending closure will leave another vacant retail location in the community. Additional information regarding the final day of operation and any potential liquidation or closing sales has not yet been announced.

According to the Oneida County Health Department, with assistance from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, seized approximately 30 packets of suspected K2 and five additional packages containing an unknown substance were seized during a compliance inspection Wednesday at Dalaly Deli in Utica. The inspection took place at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Sept. 2 at Dalaly Deli located at 120 Eagle Street, and was conducted as part of the County’s ongoing enforcement efforts targeting businesses that may be selling dangerous and prohibited substances. “This inspection is another example of how we have taken decisive action against dangerous substances that have no place being sold in our communities,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. “We have strengthened our laws, strengthened our public health orders, and most importantly, strengthened enforcement. We are not going to stand by while businesses profit from substances like synthetic cannabinoids and kratom that can devastate individuals, families and entire neighborhoods. Our message is simple: if you sell these products, we will come after you.” The seized materials will be subject to further examination and testing as appropriate. The identity and composition of the unknown substances have not been confirmed. The inspection also determined that the business did not have proper signage for tobacco products. The store did possess a valid New York State Department of Taxation and Finance registration for cigarettes and tobacco products. The inspection comes as Oneida County continues to aggressively enforce its recently enacted measures addressing dangerous substances: a local law prohibiting the sale of kratom and a public health order prohibiting the sale of synthetic cannabinoids, including products commonly marketed as K2, Deuce and Spice. The County has also conducted joint enforcement operations with local law enforcement agencies that resulted in the closure of other Utica businesses for violations involving the sale of prohibited substances. The Oneida County Health Department and its law enforcement partners will continue conducting compliance inspections and investigating reports of businesses selling prohibited substances. “We have spent years building a comprehensive approach to substance abuse that includes prevention, education, treatment, and enforcement,” said Oneida County Director of Health Dr. Daniel Gilmore. “We cannot effectively protect our community if dangerous substances are sitting behind the counter of neighborhood businesses. These inspections send a clear message that we are going to hold businesses accountable and do everything we can to keep these products out of the hands of our residents.” The investigation into the materials seized at Dalaly Deli remains ongoing. Any potential criminal charges will be determined by the appropriate law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities following completion of the investigation.