CNY News
Retired Police Officer Convicted of Sexual Abuse in Tompkins County
ITHACA, N.Y. (AP) — A retired New York state police investigator who once served on a sex abuse task force has been convicted of sexual abuse.
The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin says 61-year-old Randolph B. Stark was convicted Wednesday in Tompkins County Court.
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NY State Senator Fights DEC Plans to Eradicate Mute Swans
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A State Senator from Queens is trying to stop the slaughter of mute swans proposed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
A bill introduced last week by Senator Tony Avella would put a two-year moratorium on DEC's plan to eradicate all 2,200 wild mute swans in the state by 2025...
New Poll Finds Majority of New Yorkers Support Marijuana Legalization
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A new poll finds 88 percent of New York voters support the legalization of marijuana for medical use, and 57 percent also favor legalizing recreational use.
The Quinnipiac University poll released Monday finds only 9 percent oppose legalizing medical marijuana...
NY Legislation to Address Problem of Derelict ‘Zombie’ Properties
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York's attorney general is drafting legislation that would deal with abandoned houses by having mortgage lenders take responsibility for them sooner.
According to the attorney general's office, homeowners behind on bank payments too often get a notice of foreclosure or saying they are in arrears and abandon their property, though they have the right to remain until a judge
NY Attorney General Seeks to Limit Voter Eligibility Challenges
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is pushing legislation intended to limit baseless challenges to voter eligibility at the polls on Election Day.
Under current law, challenged voters are required to recite an oath affirming their right to vote to an election inspector...
First License Issued to New York Farm Cidery
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A producer of hard cider in Albany has become New York's first licensed farm cidery.
The "Farm Cideries" law approved last year created a license for operations that make and sell no more than 150,000 gallons of cider annually from crops grown in New York...
Central New York Woman Gives Husband the Greatest of Gifts
FAYETTEVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — It'll be tough for Dana LaVoie to top what his wife of 27 years gave him in time for Valentine's Day: one of her kidneys.
The couple from Fayetteville, near Syracuse, are back home after Robyn LaVoie donated one of her kidneys to her husband, who only had about 10 percent kidney function because of renal failure brought on by an autoimmune disease...
Utica Man Sentenced for Manslaughter of Infant Son
UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — A central New York man has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for causing the death of his infant son, whose body was found in the Mohawk River last year.
Local media report that 28-year-old Jevon Wameling of Utica didn't reveal details during Thursday's sentencing of how nine-month-old Levon Wameling died...
NY State Offering Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Licenses
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York is offering lifetime licenses to hunt, fish and visit state parks.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says Wednesday that he hopes a portion of the 2 million people who buy annual hunting licenses, fishing licenses and park permits in New York will make the switch...
General Contractors Call for Reform of New York’s ‘Scaffold Law’
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Builders and business owners from across New York plan to gather in Albany to push Gov. Andrew Cuomo and lawmakers for changes in a law blamed for driving up the cost of every construction project in the state.
The Associated General Contractors of New York State says hundreds of advocates from various professions will gather today at the state Capitol to urge reform of New Yor