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Verona, NY — A Town of Verona man wanted on several felony warrants was taken into custody early Tuesday morning after a late-night standoff, according to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol. On November 24th, 2025, around 10:15 p.m., Road Patrol Deputies responded to a residence on State Route 31 near Germany Road for a reported dispute in progress. Upon arrival, deputies learned that one of the individuals involved, Patrick Higgins, 36 , was a wanted suspect out of the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office for Burglary in the Second Degree , a Class C felony. Deputies also discovered that Higgins was wanted by the New York State Police on additional felony charges. When deputies attempted to make contact, Higgins refused to exit the residence. A perimeter was quickly established, and OCSO Negotiators were called to the scene. After several hours of communication, Higgins surrendered without incident at approximately 1:00 a.m. Higgins was taken into custody and will be transported to the Oneida County Jail, where he will be held pending an appearance in Oneida County Court. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Road Patrol Division was assisted by the OCSO Criminal Investigations Unit, OCSO Negotiators, and the New York State Police.

New Hartford, NY — Two Utica women are facing felony charges after allegedly stealing nearly $2,000 worth of merchandise from Victoria’s Secret at Sangertown Square Mall on October 30th, 2025. New Hartford Police responded to the store on Seneca Turnpike after staff reported that two females had fled with concealed merchandise. Officers arriving on scene gathered witness information, identified that the suspects fled in a vehicle, and collected additional evidence. The case was turned over to the New Hartford Police Criminal Investigation Division, where investigators reviewed surveillance footage and other evidence tied to the incident. Victoria’s Secret staff determined the total value of stolen merchandise to be $1,859. Following the investigation, police charged Odasha Watson, 29, of Utica , and Judith Bennett, 27, also of Utica , with: One count each of NYS PL 155.30 — Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree , a Class E felony. Both Watson and Bennett were processed and released on appearance tickets. They are scheduled to answer the charges in New Hartford Town Court in December.

Press Release Troopers from Troop T, SP Tarrytown, responded to a bus fire at approximately 1:37 p.m. today on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. Investigation revealed that a Hudson Link bus carrying four passengers became engulfed in flames as it was traveling south.  The passengers and driver were safely removed from the bus and transferred to another carrier. No other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported. The Pocantico   Hills, Tarrytown, Central Nyack, and South Nyack fire departments responded to extinguish the fire. Southbound lanes were temporarily shut down for bus removal, and traffic was moving in the left lanes. The bus has been removed, all lanes are open and traffic is moving with residual delays.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that MARIO POWELL was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan to 97 months in prison for assaulting a corrections officer with a contraband weapon on May 30, 2020, while incarcerated at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York (“MCC”).  In September 2025, POWELL was convicted of assaulting a corrections officer with a deadly and dangerous weapon and possession of prison contraband following a five-day trial before Judge Cronan. “Mario Powell brazenly ambushed a corrections officer at the Metropolitan Correction Center in New York City, trying to slit his throat,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “This sentence shows that violence in our corrections facilities will trigger meaningful consequences.” According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and the evidence presented during the trial: On May 30, 2020, at the MCC, POWELL forcibly assaulted a corrections officer with a deadly and dangerous weapon and, in doing so, lacerated the officer’s neck.  In order to commit the attack, POWELL obtained and possessed a weapon made of razor blades.                                  * In addition to the prison term, POWELL, 34, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. Mr. Clayton thanked former MCC staff for their assistance and praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas John Wright, Henry L. Ross, and Leslie B. Arffa are in charge of the prosecution.

New Hartford, NY – Upscale Resale Events  is thrilled to announce the return of its premier seasonal event, The Holiday Family Spectacular , taking over the former Jo Ann Fabrics location in New Hartford for two weekends in December. Utilizing a massive 25,000 square feet  of retail space, the Spectacular is set to be the largest local market for holiday shopping and selling. The event will run across two consecutive weekends: December 4th – 7th  and December 11th – 14th , offering community members an opportunity to shop for unique, gently used and handmade gifts while also earning extra cash for the holidays. The market will feature goods from over 80 local families and vendors , ensuring a diverse selection of items for the entire family, from babies and children to adults. "We are committed to helping our community both save money on gifts and make money by cleaning out their homes before the new year," said a representative from Upscale Resale Events. "Securing the huge former Jo Ann Fabrics space allows us to maximize the number of vendors and provide a truly grand, festive shopping experience." Community Focus and Family Fun Beyond the extensive shopping selection, the event prioritizes family entertainment and community support: Feed Our Vets Partnership:  On the main opening day ( December 4th ) and Restock Day (December 11th ), guests can gain exclusive early shopping access (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) by bringing a non-perishable food item to benefit Feed Our Vets . Festive Activities:  Families can enjoy Pictures with Santa Claus  (dates/times to be announced), participate in The Great Elf Hunt  throughout the enormous venue, and take advantage of various vendor exhibits, photo experiences, and a dedicated kids' corner. Key Shopping Dates Upscale Resale Events has structured the schedule to offer multiple access points and deals: Date Time Highlight/Special Event Monday, Dec 3rd 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM Consignor Exclusive Pre-Shop Day Tues, Dec 4th 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Opening Day:  Early access with Feed Our Vets donation (10am-4pm) Mon, Dec 11th 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Restock Day:  Fresh inventory & early access with Feed Our Vets donation (10am-4pm) Thurs, Dec 14th 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Half Price Day:  Items marked for discount will be 50% off The event's final day, December 14th, offers the deepest discounts, allowing shoppers to grab last-minute deals. All other days (Dec 5th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th) are open to the public from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Location:  The Old Jo Ann Fabrics Location, New Hartford. About Upscale Resale Events:  Upscale Resale Events specializes in creating large-scale, organized consignment and resale marketplaces, providing a trusted, high-quality environment  for families to shop and sell.  Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/UpscaleResaleEvents Website:   https://www.upscaleresaleevents.com   Media Contact:  Tiffany Chrisian, Owner Tiffany@upscaleresaeevents.com

Verona, NY — November 19, 2025 — According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, Deputies responded to a serious motor vehicle accident on Blackman's Corners Road in the Town of Verona on November 18th, 2025, at approximately 9:50 p.m. Upon arrival, Deputies discovered that a single vehicle traveling northwest on Blackman's Corners Road had left the roadway and collided with a tree. The investigation revealed that the operator lost control of the vehicle prior to the crash. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene as a result of the collision. A passenger in the vehicle sustained serious injuries and was transported to Wynn Hospital for treatment. Their condition has not yet been released. The identities of both the deceased and the injured passenger are being withheld pending notification of the family. Blackman ' s Corners Road was closed for the duration of the on-scene investigation but has since been reopened to the public. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The Verona Fire Department and Vineall Ambulance Service provided assistance at the scene. Further information will be released as it becomes available. ..

On Thursday, November 13, 2025, following an investigation, the New York State Police arrested Lieutenant James R. Spencer, age 57, of the Watertown Police Department, for Harassment in the Second Degree (violation) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class A misdemeanor). The investigation began after the Watertown Police Department reported an incident involving a use-of-force occurrence at the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building on September 24, 2025, at approximately 10:30 a.m. involving a male juvenile. The investigation determined that the juvenile’s guardian drove to the Jefferson County Public Safety Building to have an officer speak with the juvenile. The juvenile refused to enter the building and ran into nearby bushes. Two Watertown Police Department officers and a Jefferson County Detective made contact with the juvenile and began escorting him toward the building while holding his hands. As Spencer approached to assist, the juvenile kicked off one of his shoes, striking Spencer near the groin. Spencer then used force to place the juvenile on the ground in order to handcuff him. The juvenile was brought to the front of the building and released back to his legal guardian. Spencer was arrested at SP Watertown based on a criminal summons issued by the City of Watertown Court. He is scheduled to appear in the City of Watertown Court for arraignment on November 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. https://troopers.ny.gov/news/new-york-state-police-arrest-watertown-police-lieutenant

On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the New York State Police Troop D Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (VGNET), with assistance from the Community Stabilization Unit (CSU), Special Investigations Unit (SIU), and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at a residence located at 138 Cornwall Avenue, 2nd floor, left side apartment, in the City of Utica. The execution of the search warrant resulted in the seizure of more than 3 ounces of cocaine, more than 2 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, more than 1 ounce of crack cocaine, over 1/8 ounce of fentanyl, as well as cutting agents, various drug packaging materials, a scale, and cell phones. As a result of the investigation, Richard Brown , age 52, of Utica, NY, was arrested and charged with:   •    Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd degree (Class A-II Felony)   •    Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree (Class B Felony) Brown was transported to the Oneida County Centralized Arraignment to await arraignment.

On November 13, 2025, at approximately 5:22 p.m., State Police responded to a personal injury motor vehicle accident on Interstate 481 in the town of Cicero. Preliminary investigation determined that a 67-year-old male was operating a 2011 Chevrolet Express van southbound on Interstate 481 and attempted to take the exit 10 off-ramp to Bear Road. The vehicle left the east shoulder of the roadway, overturned, and came to rest on the passenger side. As a result of the accident, the operator was pronounced deceased at the scene. The investigation remains ongoing. https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-investigate-fatal-crash-interstate-481

On November 13, 2025, members of the State Police Community Stabilization Unit (CSU), the Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (VGNET), and the Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit (CTIU) executed a vehicle stop. They searched the vehicle following an undercover narcotics investigation. Subsequently, search warrants were executed on Johnson and his vehicle. Investigators located a digital scale with cocaine residue inside the vehicle and recovered five bricks of fentanyl concealed in his shoe. He was taken into custody and transported to SP North Syracuse. A residential search warrant was then executed at 115 Erie Street. Inside the residence, investigators located Frederick L. Johnson, a 54-year-old male, and two 15- and 17-year-old males. During the search, investigators seized: • Numerous knotted plastic bags containing cocaine HCL and cocaine base, with an approximate aggregate weight of 5.8 ounces • A loaded privately made “ghost gun” equipped with a large capacity ammunition feeding device • Two glassine envelopes containing fentanyl • Two digital scales containing cocaine residue • Drug paraphernalia • U.S. currency estimated to exceed 70,000 dollars • Two rifles Frederick L. Johnson, age 54, of Syracuse, NY, was arrested and charged with: • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd degree (Class A II felony) • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree (Class B felony) • Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd degree (Class C felony) • Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd degree (Class D felony) • Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class E felony) • Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th degree (Class A misdemeanor) • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree (Class A misdemeanor) • Three counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor) • Three counts of Failure to Safeguard a Rifle or Shotgun Eric L. Johnson, age 18, of Syracuse, NY, was arrested and charged with: • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd degree (Class A II felony) • Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree (Class B felony) • Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree (Class B felony) • Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd degree (Class D felony) • Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class E felony) • Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th degree (Class A misdemeanor) • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree (Class A misdemeanor) • Three counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor) The 15-year-old male was arrested and charged with: • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd degree (Class A II felony) • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree (Class B felony) • Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd degree (Class D felony) • Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class E felony) • Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th degree (Class A misdemeanor) • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree (Class A misdemeanor) • Three counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor) The 17-year-old male was arrested and charged with: • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd degree (Class A II felony) • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree (Class B felony) • Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd degree (Class D felony) • Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class E felony) • Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th degree (Class A misdemeanor) • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree (Class A misdemeanor) • Three counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor) Frederick L. Johnson and Eric L. Johnson were transported to the Onondaga County Justice Center pending arraignment. The two juveniles were arraigned in Youth Part Court.

Press Release On November 17, 2025, at approximately 9:57 a.m., New York State Police members responded to Centre Drive in the town of Plattsburgh for a report of an individual who had been stabbed while attempting to detain a shoplifter from Runnings. A preliminary investigation determined that a male entered Runnings on Centre Drive and filled a shopping cart full of tools, described by witnesses as being of significant value. As a civilian was checking out, they observed the male pushing the cart past all points of purchase without paying. The civilian notified an employee; however, due to store policy, employees are not permitted to pursue suspected shoplifters. The civilian then approached the male suspect on their own. The suspect exited the store and fled on foot with the stolen merchandise. The civilian pursued the suspect and caught up to him, leading to a physical altercation. A second civilian driving by stopped to assist. During the struggle, the suspect displayed a knife and stabbed the first civilian in the leg, causing a laceration. The suspect fled the scene. Both civilians remained on scene until law enforcement and EMS arrived. A tourniquet was applied to the victim’s leg, and the victim was transported to CVPH for non-life-threatening injuries. Further investigation identified the suspect as Dylan M. Blake, age 25, of Plattsburgh, NY, a NYS parolee, who has recently been arrested for stealing a motorcycle, unlawfully fleeing a police officer, and other various charges. New York State Police members actively searched for Blake. On November 18, 2025, Blake was located, arrested, and transported to SP Plattsburgh for processing. He was charged with Robbery in the First Degree. Blake will be arraigned in the Town of Plattsburgh Court, and the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office recommended he be remanded to the Clinton County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond, or a $100,000 partially secured bond. The New York State Police would like to thank the courageous civilians who assisted during this incident. However, we remind the public not to approach or attempt to detain individuals suspected of committing crimes. Suspects may be armed or violent, and confronting them can result in serious injury. If you witness a crime, contact law enforcement immediately. The New York State Police were assisted by the Clinton County Sheriff's Department. Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/suspect-arrested-after-civilian-stabbed-while-intervening-shoplifting-incident

On November 12, 2025, the New York State Police in Herkimer arrested Kenneth M. Ward , age 44, of Herkimer, NY, and Michael N. Walz , age 34, of Herkimer, NY, for one count each of Official Misconduct (Class “A” Misdemeanor) involving the Town of Herkimer Highway Department. An eleven-month investigation began after the Town of Herkimer Board of Directors and the Herkimer County District Attorney’s Office were notified of a possible larceny involving the Town of Herkimer Highway Department. The investigation revealed that while employed by the highway department, both Ward  and Walz  were aware of town-owned material being scrapped for profit. Replaced water meters and other scrap material that were dropped off by residents during spring and fall cleanup days were allegedly taken and sold, primarily at Mohawk Valley Recycling, with proceeds collected by department employees. Although investigators were unable to determine an exact dollar amount, the cash was reportedly stored in a box and used for non–town-related expenses. Ward  and Walz  were processed at SP Herkimer and released with appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Herkimer Court on December 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-arrest-two-herkimer-men-following-investigation-misconduct-town-highway