Search Results

Mayor Announces First-of-its-Kind Public Double-Waterslide Utica Mayor Robert M. Palmieri today unveiled a first-of-its-kind, 25-foot, public double-waterslide in Thomas R. Proctor Park. The waterslide will provide another alternative for residents looking to cool off in the summer and will be another amenity to attract residents and visitors to T. R. Proctor Park. Work on the slide will begin imminently and the entire construction is expected to be completed by the first day of summer 2024. The slide is custom-design by internationally-acclaimed water ride supplier Splashtacular and Weston & Sampson, an Albany-based design and engineering firm that is one of the most sought after such firms on the east coast. The slide is designed to be self-contained, meaning no pool or deep water is necessary to run the slide. Instead, riders will be stopped by a self-contained unit at the foot of each slide. The slide color scheme is meant to match the newly-built splashpad and playground, just north of where the waterslide will be located. The height, bend and structure of the slide and tower are a result of local factors, such as seasonal considerations, maintenance resources, staffing levels and target audience. The slide is being built using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and is part of the Utica Prosperity Initiative. The total cost of the slide, water recirculation unit, tower and sewage infrastructure is just shy of $1.5 million. It is the latest effort in the Mayor’s plan to make T.R. Proctor, along with Roscoe Conkling Park, a family-friendly play area that is accessible and fun for all of Utica’s residents. As part of the research for this project, the Mayor visited Watervliet, a city that recently installed a public waterslide that has become popular with residents and visitors – although Utica’s is cooler. It features several unique play features that have not been seen in the Utica area to date. The splashpad is part of an effort to upgrade several of the city’s park systems to allow for more outdoor recreation spaces that can be safely used by a wide-range of residents following lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic. Several of the recent improvements to local parks have been geared toward TR Proctor and FT Proctor Parks to make a destination recreation area. Some of these improvements include: A new dog park at the east end of the park A new skatepark at TR Proctor Park A new parking lot adjacent to Buckley Pool A new waterslide near Buckley Pool. A new pavilion at F.T. Proctor Park. More accessible pathways throughout the park system. Mayor Robert M. Palmieri said: “The waterslide we’re building is going to give all of our residents access to something that will create memories that will last lifetimes. Children, families and visitors will all remember the times they had plunging into the water to beat the heat. We want to have the best park system in the entire state. With our recent investments, including this new way for residents to cool off, Utica will be more fun, more sustainable and more enjoyable for people from all over. I ask the residents to help us get the most out of these improvements by using all equipment properly and with care.” Councilman Frank Meola said: “I commend the Mayor and the administration for investing in families and in our parks. As a councilmember, I hear constantly, that we need to provide more things for people to do and enjoy in our city, and we’re delivering on those requests. I can’t wait to see families with children of all abilities enjoy our new waterslide.”

Ronald Wagner, the longtime owner of Wagner Farms on Old Oneida Road, has passed away, as announced by his family on their Facebook page- "As many of you are aware on Saturday, November 11th Ronald Wagner passed from this life. He died in an accident in his workshop. Per his wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral services. The farm will remain closed until further notice. This page will remain open to communicate with all of you during this time of transition. I am not a “computer person” but my daughter and grandchildren will maintain this page. If you have any concerns you can reach us at the farm. Thank you for all your prayers and concerns. Judith and Albert Wagner. “Mom” and “Dad”" Our team here at "Cny Online News" is deeply sorry for your loss. Wagner Farms held a special place in our community. We adore the sunflowers and look forward to seeing them every year. Maintaining a small farm in today's world is no easy feat, and it is a remarkable achievement. We highly recommend following their page, and please respect the family's wishes. https://www.facebook.com/WagnerFarmsRomeNY

On November 11th, 2023 Utica Police units were dispatched to an address on the 100 block of Eagle St relative to a call of possible blood leaking from the ceiling. As the officers arrived they spoke with the original caller and noticed that it was in fact blood that was coming from the ceiling to his floor. Based on this the officers went to the apartment above to conduct a welfare check of the parties inside. Upon arrival at that apartment, the officers knocked and announced themselves. Soon thereafter a male exited the apartment covered in blood. He immediately locked the door behind him and walked to the officers where he was promptly detained due to the nature of the call. Ultimately the officers were required to make entry in order to conduct a safety check of the apartment. Immediately upon entering they located a large pool of blood, and what appeared to be an area where something had been dragged throughout the apartment. Upon following the path of this evidence, the officers entered a bathroom where they located a deceased male in the bathtub. The Utica Fire Department arrived on the scene and ultimately pronounced the male deceased. At that point, the officers exited the apartment and the Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Unit were called to return to investigate the incident. Upon processing the scene it was learned that the male was shot several times, stabbed multiple times, and suffered other injuries during the incident. At this time the victim is not being identified pending familial notifications. The male whom the Police Officers detained was identified as Colton Shaffer age 25 of Utica. This morning Shaffer was charged with: Murder in the second degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the second degree Criminal Possession of Weapon in the third degree Additional charges may be levied pending consultation with the District Attorney's Office https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=734959712007425&set=pcb.734959832007413

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Susan Salanitri, age 60, of New Paltz, New York, was sentenced today to 2 years of probation, and to pay $307,665 in restitution, for filing false tax returns. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Division, made the announcement. Salanitri, the owner of two restaurants in New Paltz, previously pled guilty to five counts of filing false tax returns. She admitted that during each of the tax years 2015 through 2019, she deliberately underreported her restaurants’ revenues on her individual tax return filed with the IRS, resulting in a total underpayment of taxes in the amount of $307,665. IRS-CI investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett prosecuted this case. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/new-paltz-business-owner-sentenced-filing-false-tax-returns

PRESS RELEASE On November 3, 2023, State Police arrested Steven D. Vitalo, age 29 from Herkimer, NY for Grand Larceny 3rd degree, class “D” felony and Falsifying Business Records 2nd degree, class “A” misdemeanor. Vitalo is charged with not paying for numerous items at Lowes in the town of Herkimer while going through the self-checkout. The total value of items taken is $5,521. It was also discovered that Vitalo would switch bar codes on different items paying significantly less for a specific item. Vitalo was arraigned in Herkimer Town Court and released on his own recognizance (ROR’d). He is scheduled to return to Herkimer Town Court on November 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. nyspnews.com/herkimer-man-arrested-on-grand-larceny-charges.htm

PRESS RELEASE On November 7, 2023, at 2:12 a.m., State Police on patrol stopped a vehicle, a 2017 Acura ILX, on State Route 365 near Blackmans Corners Road in the town of Verona for speeding, 85 in a 55-mph zone. As Troopers began to interview the male driver, later identified as Howard N. Griswold Jr., abruptly rolled the window up and drove off at a high rate of speed. Troopers returned to their patrol vehicle and initiated a traffic pursuit. The suspect vehicle continued east on State Route 365 and then onto Lamphear Road. The operator then drove through a steady red signal at the intersection of State Route 233 and continued onto Rome-Oriskany Road until making a right turn onto Monument Road. The vehicle continued south on Monument Road until taking another right turn onto Sutliff Road and traveling west at a high rate of speed. Troopers lost sight of the suspect vehicle and as they were approaching the intersection of State Route 233, they found the vehicle had crashed into a tree and came to rest on the front lawn of 6405 State Route 233. Griswold, age 24 from Utica, NY was transported by ambulance to Rome Health Hospital and then transferred to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse with severe internal injuries. A passenger in the vehicle, 22-year-old Shana Reahoo Chourb from Utica, NY was transported by ambulance to Rome Health Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. State Police were assisted at the scene by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. Pursuant to Executive Law Section 70-b, the New York State Attorney General’s Office is investigating the incident in conjunction with the New York State Police and the Oneida County District Attorney’s office. https://www.nyspnews.com/state-police-investigate-fatal-roll-over-crash-in-town-whitestown.htm

On November 9, 2023, at 5:21 P.M., Troopers out of SP Batavia responded to a collision involving a pedestrian State Route 5 in the town of Stafford. Investigation determined that a 2010 GMC Sierra was traveling west bound on State Route 5. The GMC entered the turn lane at Batavia-Stafford Townline Road and stuck James R. Ehmann, 74 of Stafford, NY while he was getting his mail. Paramedics at the scene attempted life saving measures and Ehmann was transported to United Memorial Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. It was determined that the 52-year-old operator of the GMC had no signs of impairment or utilizing an electronic device at the time of the collision. The NYSP Collision Reconstruction Unit and Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted in this investigation.

PRESS RELEASE On October 30, 2023, State Police of Fonda arrested Jeffery J. Belrose, 55, of Canajoharie, NY, for Grand Larceny in the third degree, a class “D” felony. On October 16, 2023, at about 10:50 a.m. Troopers received a complaint from a Fort Plain, NY, resident that a contractor took money for a home improvement project but never completed the work. The investigation determined Belrose owned and operated "J’s and Sons Construction". Belrose reportedly accepted over $3,000 in May 2023 as a deposit for agreed-upon contracted roof work. Belrose never began the project and failed to return the deposit to the victim. Belrose was arrested and processed at SP Fonda. He was given an appearance ticket returnable to the Minden Town Court on December 14, 2023, and released.

On Monday, November 6, 2023, members of the Rome Police Department Special Investigations Unit, Patrol Division, and Forensics Unit executed a search warrant at Rome Dairy Market LLC, 603 North James St. and Rome Habib Market, 301 Lawrence St in regards to the possession and sale of unstamped/untaxed cigarettes. • At Rome Dairy Market LLC, a quantity of unstamped/untaxed cigarettes was seized, along with a quantity of cannabis products and over 4500 flavored nicotine vapor products. Store employee, Cheikhsid Mohamed Chafi, 33-year-old of Syracuse, was arrested and charged with Possession or Sale of Unstamped Cigarettes and subsequently released with an appearance ticket. • At Rome Habib Market 63 Cartons and 101 loose packs of unstamped/untaxed cigarettes were seized, a quantity of cannabis products, a quantity of US Currency, and about 254 flavored nicotine vape products. Store employee, Abdulrazzaq H. Al-Samet, 47-year-old of Rome, was arrested and charged with Possession of 10,000 cigarettes or more (50 cartons), E-Felony, and subsequently released with an appearance ticket. The Rome Police Department was assisted by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, the Oneida County Health Department, and the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. Rome Habib Market was the target of a similar investigation in May of 2023. In that case, the Rome Police Department had executed a search warrant on the Rome Habib Market, at that time a different employee was charged with Possession of 10,000 cigarettes or more (50 cartons) E-Felony. This case is still pending in Oneida County Court. Rome Dairy Mart was also the target of a similar investigation in May of 2023. In that case, a different employee was charged with Possession of untaxed/unstamped cigarettes (A Misdemeanor). This case is still pending in Rome City Court.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Bernabe Lopez, age 58, of Utica, New York, pled guilty yesterday to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Carla Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office. In pleading guilty yesterday, Lopez admitted that from May 2020 through October 2021, he acquired quantities of fentanyl from co-conspirators, which he then re-distributed to others in the Utica, New York area. Lopez admitted that the combined amount of fentanyl that he distributed during this time frame exceeded 40 grams. Lopez also admitted that during the conspiracy, he sold a cutting agent to member of the conspiracy for $10 a gram knowing that the co-conspirators were adulterating fentanyl with the cutting agent to increase volume for sales. Sentencing is scheduled for February 29, 2024, in front of United States District Judge David N. Hurd. Lopez faces a minimum of 5 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, New York State Police, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, Utica Police Department, Syracuse Police Department, Rome Police Department, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, New York Army National Guard Counter Drug Program, Yorkville Police Department, Whitesboro Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson. Updated November 2, 2023 https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/utica-man-pleads-guilty-fentanyl-conspiracy-and-distribution-0

On November 2, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., State Police responded to a one-vehicle rollover that occurred on Interstate 81 northbound just north of the Mudd Mill Road overpass. The investigation has determined a 2003 Jeep Liberty, operated by Scott A. Carpenter, age 60 from Hastings, NY was traveling north on I-81 when he drove off the shoulder of the roadway, struck a large DOT sign, and rolled over several times. Carpenter was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. State Police were assisted at the scene by the Brewerton Fire Department and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office Air1 helicopter. The investigation is continuing. https://www.nyspnews.com/fatal-i-81-crash-in-town-cicero.htm

PRESS RELEASE Queens, New York – On Tuesday, October 31, 2023, troopers from SP Bronx arrested Pero Drljevic, age 25, of West Hazleton, Pennsylvania, for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 2nd Degree – a class C felony, Illegal Possession of a Vehicle Identification Number – a class E felony and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the 3rd Degree – a class A misdemeanor. The troopers were patrolling near the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge and conducted a traffic stop on a 2022 Dodge truck, operated by Drljevic, because the vehicle was reported stolen. The investigation revealed Drljevic to be operating a stolen vehicle, and he was subsequently arrested. Drljevic was charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 2nd Degree, Illegal Possession of a Vehicle Identification Number and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the 3rd Degree. Drljevic was remanded to Queens County Central Booking pending arraignment. https://www.nyspnews.com/pennsylvania-resident-arrested-after-driving-stolen-vehicle.htm