Search Results

Governor Kathy Hochul made a noteworthy announcement today regarding the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, which is widely recognized as one of the world's most prestigious modern and contemporary art museums. Following a massive $195 million expansion, restoration, and renovation project, the museum now boasts an impressive 50,000 square feet of exhibit space, five spacious classrooms, a brand-new restaurant, and an expansive public green space and community gathering area. This major development project, which includes the stunning new three-story Jeffrey E. Gunlach building and the restoration of two other historic buildings on the campus, is the most substantial in the museum's 160-year history. The expansion has far-reaching economic implications for Western New York and is expected to have an annual impact of $34 million while also creating 134 full-time employment opportunities. With the anticipated increase in annual visitors of over 30 percent, the museum is projected to attract at least 160,000 visitors per year. The impact on the region's economy is expected to be significant, with an estimated $34 million in additional annual revenue from tourism alone. Governor Hochul praised the museum's remarkable expansion, stating that the Buffalo AKG Art Museum is a world-class institution for modern and contemporary art that reflects the economic and cultural revival of Western New York in recent years. The museum's reputation has grown significantly in recent times, and the new expansion and campus are a true work of art that will attract travelers and support the regional tourism industry for many years to come. For those interested in viewing photographs of the expansion project, they are available for viewing online. Sources: https://www.cnyonline.org Read the full press release here.

On the morning of June 24th, 2022, an urgent call was made to New York State Trooper Adam Moen, SP Niagara, regarding an 8-year-old child who was stranded on a steep 20-foot ravine situated on the edge of Lake Ontario at Four Mile Creek State Park in the Town of Youngstown. Trooper Moen promptly responded to the call and quickly located the young victim who was situated on the shore below the ravine. With great expertise and presence of mind, Trooper Moen utilized a nearby rope to rappel down the perilous ravine to reach the trapped child. Without wasting any time, he immediately calmed the young boy and helped him ascend the steep cliff to safety. The child, a resident of Grand Island, NY, was uninjured and was joyously reunited with his relieved parents who had been anxiously waiting at the top of the ravine. Trooper Moen's swift actions and heroic efforts were undoubtedly the decisive factors in ensuring that the child was rescued without any harm.

Konrad Bicher has pleaded guilty to wire fraud related to his fraudulent operation of real estate companies, including entering lease agreements for residential apartments in Manhattan using false and fraudulent pretenses, and making false statements to obtain loans guaranteed by the US government. The guilty plea was made before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave. Bicher rented apartment units in Manhattan from February 2019, and despite the requirement to make monthly rental payments, he failed to do so as per the lease agreements. Bicher also refused to vacate the Units after the expiration of the lease agreements and continued to generate income by renting the Units on a short-term basis, including posting them for rent on Airbnb and other online marketplaces. Bicher and his associates failed to make over $1,000,000 in payments, and Bicher caused the Units to be listed for short-term rent on Airbnb and other online marketplaces, resulting in at least $1,170,000 in rental income to him and his associates. Bicher also obtained government-guaranteed loans through the Paycheck Protection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. He submitted at least four applications for PPP loans on behalf of at least three entities and obtained over $565,000 in loan proceeds by submitting fraudulent documents and false information. Throughout the scheme, Bicher referred to himself as the “Wolf of Airbnb” and explained to media outlets that this nickname referred to the fact that he was “hungry and ruthless enough to get on top of the financial ladder” and had the “ferocity…of a wolf, because wolves are territorial, vicious, and show no mercy when provoked.” Bicher, 31, of Hialeah, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He also agreed to forfeit $1,740,407.12 and to make restitution to victims in the amount of $1,985,251. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted an outstanding investigation, and the case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weinberg leading the prosecution. sources: www.justice.gov, www.cnyonline.org/, U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York

Join us for the 76th Annual NYS Woodmen's Field Days from August 18-20, 2023, where Hud-Son Forest Equipment will be showcasing live demos. Don't miss out on the show specials for Hud-Son Forest Equipment's portable sawmills, firewood processors, wood conveyors, Uniforest winches/grapples, and firewood bundlers. Also, inquire about the show specials for all Stihl products. We hope to see you there!

Come and join us and our residents for an unforgettable FREE experience with the fascinating animals from the Utica ZooMobile! Date: Friday, July 21st Time: 2 PM Location: 801 N James Street, Rome, NY https://fb.me/e/13eHMJKjU

On Thursday, June 22nd, around 12:50 p.m., Officer Eiffe and numerous Special Investigation Division Detectives were conducting a detail designed to target illegal narcotics activity when they received a report of an individual who may be in possession of illegal narcotics, along with a handgun. Detectives observed the suspect, 40-year-old Raymond Rivera, outside of his vehicle on Fabius Street. Rivera got in his vehicle, and Officers followed before initiating a traffic stop as the vehicle turned onto Shonnard Street. Initially, Rivera stopped his vehicle, but once Officers exited their patrol vehicle, Rivera sped off and attempted to flee. Rivera led Officers on a chase throughout the City for 11 minutes, losing two of his tires as he continued to drive recklessly, disregarding stop signs and traffic signals in and out of school zones. Eventually, Rivera's vehicle broke down in the 700 block of Otisco Street. After an arrest team stepped in, Rivera was taken into custody. When Officers searched Rivera's vehicle, they found three cellphones, a 9mm magazine, loaded with three bullets, and a blue and yellow Nautica duffle bag, which contained approximately 19,250 individual doses of heroin packaged in sections of 50, commonly referred to as a brick. Each section was wrapped in white or blue paper. Officers also found 4.1 grams of cocaine in a clear, knotted plastic baggie, and $828 dollars in cash. ​Rivera is charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell in the Third Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of Narcotics in the Fourth Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, one count of Resisting Arrest, one count of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree and one count of Fleeing an Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree. Rivera was taken to hospital after complaining of chest pain before being lodged in the Onondaga County Justice Center. We would like to thank our Officers and Detectives who helped to bring this dangerous chase to a safe conclusion. They were able to arrest the suspect, and save dozens of lives by getting a mass amount of illegal drugs off of the streets of Syracuse. sources: Syracuse Police

On June 30, 2023, at 10:50 a.m., State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Route 29 and State Route 170A in the town of Salisbury, Herkimer County. A 2016 Nissan, operated by Victor C. Cortes, age 43, from Watervliet, NY, was traveling north on State Route 170A when he failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection with State Route 29 and struck a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe, operated by Matthew J. May, age 33 from Newport, NY on the passenger’s side. Cortes was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica and was listed in stable condition. May was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for evaluation. The investigation is continuing. State Police were assisted at the scene by Dolgeville Police, MOVAC, and the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Calvin Bautista, age 37, of Richmond Hill, New York, pled guilty today to smuggling three Burmese pythons into the United States at the Champlain Port of Entry. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Ryan Noel, Regional Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, made the announcement. Bautista admitted that on July 15, 2018, he smuggled the three snakes in his pants as he rode on a bus that crossed the U.S.-Canadian border at the Champlain Port of Entry. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers discovered the snakes while reviewing Bautista’s passport and conducting a border search. The young adult snakes were in bags attached to Bautista’s pants near his inner thigh. Bautista did not obtain the permits required to import these snakes. As their name suggests, Burmese pythons are not native to North America and are an invasive species. Sentencing is scheduled for October 26, 2023, before Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn. Bautista faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and CBP investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting this case. https://www.cnyonline.org