(Town of Vienna, NY – Jan. 17, 2012) On Jan. 16 at about 1:05 p.m., a Trooper from the State Police station in Lee observed a suspicious vehicle parked on Oswego Road in the Town of Vienna.

Upon further investigation Lawrence C. Anken, 43, of 9344 Taberg-Florence Road, Taberg was located with the vehicle. A check of the area indicated that Anken had just burglarized a nearby residence and was returning to his vehicle to pick up the proceeds from that burglary.

All the stolen property was recovered and Anken was charged with third-degree Burglary. He was arraigned in the Village of Sylvan Beach court and remanded to the Oneida County Jail on $15,000 bail.

After Anken had been arrested, the State Police received further information that two white males were observed leaving a wooded area on Oswego Road near Meadows Road at the Town of Vienna/City of Rome line.  A check of that area revealed that a barn at 4058 Oswego Road had also been burglarized and the proceeds of that burglary had been staged near the roadway so that they could be picked up at a later time.  The suspects are believed to be associates of Anken’s and the two burglaries are believed to be connected.

The State Police are asking that anyone with any information regarding these burglaries call the State Police at 762-4441.

(Town of Lee, NY – Jan. 2012) Hayley Heffernan, age 7, of the Town of Lee, will appear in the role of “young Jenna Maroney” on the Feb. 9 episode of the Emmy winning NBC show, “30 Rock.”

Hollywood actress Jane Krakowski plays the role of Jenna; which can be seen every Thursday night at 8 p.m.  Created by Tina Fey of Saturday Night Live fame, the show also features a slew of acting heavyweights including Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan and Jack McBrayer.

Hayley, along with her brother Sam, age 8, work with Prestige Management Group out of New York City.  Hayley is now eligible to join the prestigious Screen Actors Guild for her participation in this episode.

Currently, Hayley can be seen locally on the “Oneida Savings Bank” commercial and in the short film “8:46 “, filmed in New York and Connecticut.

A special private screening for friends and family will be held at the Grand Opening of “Knock Out Pizza,” Elm Street, Oneida from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9.

Hayley is the daughter of Kelly Heffernan, Town of Lee and Sean Heffernan, Sherrill.

(Sylvan Beach, NY – Dec. 5, 2011) The State Police in Sylvan Beach hold active warrants on the below listed subjects. In most cases these people have failed to pay fines or have failed to appear in court after having been arrested.

The State Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating these people. Anyone who can provide information regarding any of these subjects is asked to contact the State Police at the Sylvan Beach barracks at 762-4441.

The names, last known address, arrested for and court appearances are as follows:

Johnathan Arbes, 10156 Coal Hill Road, Taberg, third-degree AUO, town of Lee Court.

George Ballou, 11 Wolcott St., Camden, DWI, Camden Court.

Gary Bergeron, 34 Hope St., Greenfield, Mass., third-degree AUO, Vienna court.

John Bielby, 3717 McConnellsville Road, Blossvale, third-degree AUO, Sylvan Beach Court.

Robert Campbell, 9 College View Dr., Albany, Open Container, Sylvan Beach Court.

Travis Clute, 7323 Seifert Ave., Rome, third-degree AUO, town of Lee Court.

Joemaine Coleman, 345 Northlake St., Sylvan Beach, third-degree AUO, Sylvan Beach.

Sara Coonrod, 233 Wilson St., Oneida, Open Container, Sylvan Beach Court.

Anthony Duncan, 7438 Lake St., Cleveland, DWI, Verona Court.

Christopher Duncan, 333 North Levitt St., Rome, third-degree AUO, Vienna Court.

Travis Ellsworth, 7930 John Huss Ave., Bridgeport, Petit Larceny, Sylvan Beach Court.

Jordanna Engel, 785 Fyler Road, Kirkville, DWI, Verona Court.

Samantha Ferlo, 8117 West Thomas St., Rome, Open Container, Sylvan Beach Court.

Jack Fisher, 1624 West Genesee St., Syracuse, Open Container, Sylvan Beach Court.

George Foster, 745 Sickle Hill Road, Berne, third-degree Assault, Town of Lee Court.

Danny Fuller, 103 Sol-Davis Road, Williamstown, third-degree AUO, Camden Court.

Gary Goldthwait, 710 Hickory St., Syracuse, Disorderly Conduct, Sylvan Beach Court.

Reyes Gonzalez, 8723 Preston Hill, Camden, DWI, Vienna Town Court.

Jerry Holmes, 410 Embargo St., Rome, Petit Larceny, Town of Lee Court.

Dametrias Jones, 739 West Dominick St., Rome, Open Container, Sylvan Beach Court.

Elliemae Jones, 8244 Deeley Road, Blossvale, second-degree Harassment, Sylvan Beach Court.

Kenneth Keehner, 3431 Center St., Durhamville, second-degree Harassment, Sylvan Beach Court.

Robert Laubengayer, 109 Brookline Road, Syracuse, Disorderly Conduct, Sylvan Beach Court.

William Libby, 409 W. Embargo St., Rome, False Statement, town of Lee Court.

Brandan Lindsey, 2068 Route 49, West Monroe, Assault, Vienna Town Court.

Alonzo Loaiza, 1500 Main St., Sylvan Beach, Disorderly Conduct, Sylvan Beach Court.

Gene Maine, 361 State Route 31, Bridgeport, Disorderly Conduct, Sylvan Beach Court.

Antonia Mantaro, 161 Cresline Dr., Syracuse, Open Container, Sylvan Beach Court.

Joshua McKerchie, 108 N. Doxtator St., Rome, Menacing, Vienna Town Court.

Kyle Mitchell, 2807 State Route 69, Camden, Disorderly Conduct, Camden Court.

Michael Mitchell, 346 Lenox Ave., Oneida, second-degree AUO, Sylvan Beach Court.

Brad Muncy, 1024 8^th St., Hunnington, WV, Trespass, Sylvan Beach Court.

Kirsten Murrel, 1007 N. Townsend St., Syracuse, Open Container, Sylvan Beach Court.

Nicole Odell, 560 Westmount St., Rochester, Aggravated Harassment, Vienna Town Court.

Arnold Olson, 41 Davis St., Johnson City, Harassment, Sylvan Beach Court.

Asmira Palic, 1119 Hilton Ave., Utica, Open Container, Sylvan Beach Court.

Michael Perron, 5432 Lee Valley Road, Lee Center, Public Health Law, town of Lee Court.

Anthony Pierce, 153 Bloomfield St. Richfield Springs, Trespass, Sylvan Beach Court.

Mathew Relyea, 3505 Oswego Road, Blossvale, third-degree AUO, Sylvan Beach Court.

Derek Rougeux, 1828 State Route 69, Camden, DWI, Sylvan Beach Court.

Gergory Saez, 434 Washington Ave., Oneida, DWI, Verona Town Court.

Gilbert Salazar, 209 Yates St., Apt. 2, East Syracuse, Open Container, Sylvan Beach Court.

Jerry Sequin, 120 Dryden Ave., Utica, Disorderly Conduct, Sylvan Beach Court.

Zachary Snyder, 117 Old Farms Road, Verona, Disorderly Conduct, Vienna Town Court.

Kaylee Vann, 2253 Route 31, Canastota, Trespass, town of Lee Court.

John Wagner, 200 North Levitt St., Rome, Open Container, Sylvan Beach Court.

Paul Walker, 303 North Main St., Oneida, Endangering, Sylvan Beach Court.

Edward Williamson, 1327 Floyd Ave., Rome, Criminal Mischief, town of Lee Court.

Robert Young, 401 North Levitt St., Rome, Open Container, Sylvan Beach Court.

Nicholas Zobro, 151 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool, Open Container, Sylvan Beach Court.

(Lee Center, NY – Nov. 14, 2011) On Nov. 13 The New York State Police and Oneida County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of shots fired in the Town of Lee Town Park.

Subsequent investigation showed that two people were riding in a motor vehicle on Pillmore Drive in the Town of Lee at approximately 4:30 p.m. when their vehicle was stuck with a projectile fired by a person who the people in the car knew.

The gun used turned out to be a BB gun.

Brandon J. Trautner, 17, of 6326 Pillmore Drive, Lee Center was arrested and charged with second-degree Menacing, second-degree Reckless Endangerment and third-degree Criminal Mischief.

He was arraigned in the Town of Lee Court and was released after posting bond

(Oneida County, NY – Oct. 2011) October 2-8 is National 4-H Week, and Oneida County is celebrating the 4-H youth who have made an impact on the community, and are stepping up to the challenges of a complex and changing world.

Recent findings from Tufts University’s 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that young people in 4-H are three times more likely to contribute to their communities than youth not participating in 4-H. Notably, the Tufts research discovered that the structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that 4-H’ers receive play a vital role in helping them actively contribute to their communities.

In Oneida County, more than 300 4-H members and 120 volunteers are involved in 4‑H.  The Oneida County 4-H program reaches over 3000 total youth through after-school programs and other 4-H sponsored activities throughout the year.

Oneida county 4-H members are involved in a wide variety of projects from animals to robotics.  They actively participate in public communication events, community service and project specific shows and competitions.  4-H volunteers guide youth by using their individual expertise and mentoring them throughout the year.  An abundant amount of local, state, and national opportunities are available to those involved in 4-H.  These opportunities and more are available through the 4-H program and help us build our leaders of tomorrow.

Learn how you can become involved in 4-H by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County at (315) 736-3394, extension 122 or email Kristi Cranwell at kac292@cornell.edu

(Syracuse, NY – Sept. 28, 2011) The Central New York Region has everything a traveler could want out of a visit to New York State, from something old (historical landmarks, museums and rustic B&Bs) to something new (state-of-the-art science centers, modern theatrical performances and high-end spas). To emphasize the “something old,” the area is overflowing with quaint shops touting eclectic antiques and collectibles, offering a slice of the region’s rich past. It is truly a picker’s (and a historian’s) paradise.

For starters, the Madison-Bouckville area offers a year-round antique venue with over 30 shops featuring hundreds of dealers, plus the largest antique show in New York State every third week in August. This event, the Madison Bouckville Antique Week, draws more than 2,000 dealers for a weeklong show along one two-mile stretch of Route 20. Another superb find for antique hunters in Madison County is The Market at Oneida Commons, a neat little mall open year-round that’s packed with vintage items, crafts, jewelry, books, furniture, locally-produced Pride of NY foods and other odds and ends that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Cobbler & C. in Sharon Springs, Schoharie County, offers a treasure trove of antiques. Up on the second floor is a wide array of used, but “new to you” goods: a collection of old dishes, glassware, books, magazines and other collectibles.

In Oneida County, the Westmoreland Antique Center features 80 dealer spaces with a vast array of antiques and vintage collectibles like holiday merchandise, milk bottles, postcards and advertising collectibles, plus a vast selection of glassware, china and furniture.

Charlotte’s Antiques in Chenango County welcomes antique enthusiasts to pore over home décor, women’s clothing and jewelry, and rare collectibles, among other specialty items. For Iroquois artifacts, one-of-a-kind classics and various collectibles, Carriage Barn Antiques, Iroquois Antiques and Pheasant Farm Antiques are a few popular stops in the area.

The Little Falls Antique Center in Herkimer County showcases oldies but goodies from 18 dealers. Just a ways down the street, Stone Mill of Little Falls houses everything vintage from lighting, to clothing, to decorative arts and prints, plus local treasures like Oriental carpets from Erie Canal Carpets, sterling silver and cookbooks. The unexpected can be expected in the old factory atmosphere of this 1839 mill built on the banks of the Mohawk River, as the inventory is ever changing. Greater Binghamton’s Clinton Street, aptly named the “Antique Row,” is a hot spot for antiquing, hosting as many as 30 dealers at a given time. The locale makes perfect sense, as Clinton Street itself is an antique – it existed long before the city of Binghamton.

Cooperstown in Otsego County is saturated in antiquing opportunities. More than 50 shops line the area, from main streets to country roads, including NYS Route 7 corridor from Unadilla to Oneonta, the NYS Route 28 corridor from Oneonta to Cooperstown, and US Route 20, the road to the Madison-Bouckville Antique Show. For those seeking a myriad of vintage items, from china and glassware to historic textiles and furniture, shops like Barkley Barn Blue Ribbon Antiques, Lake Antiques and Antiques & Artifacts are must-sees. Even the antiquing venues themselves are fascinating and range from charming homes to old barns brimming with collectibles.

For some, a successful hunt for the perfect antique can take months or even years. The Central New York Region’s seemingly limitless supply of rare antiques and collectibles in dozens of shops across the area, however, can certainly help to shorten the duration of that hunt and make it quite enjoyable along the way.

For more antiquing opportunities and other information about the Central New York Region, check out:www.JustGoCNY.com.

(Lee, NY – Sept. 2, 2011) - On Sept. 1 State Police in Lee investigated a one-vehicle accident at 11:45 a.m. on Thomas Road in the Town of Lee.

The investigation revealed that a 2000 Jeep was being driven by 18 year-old Naline J. Ernst from 5412 Brookfield Road in Lee Center south on Thomas Road when she lost control, and left the roadway, rolling over several times.

The passenger, 17-year-old Jessica A. Edwards from Rome was ejected from the vehicle.  She was transported to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse.

The driver was not injured in the crash.

The investigation is continuing.

Pictured from left, are, Officer Joseph Dare of the Utica Police Department, Riley Kohl (5 years old), Ella Lorraine (5 years old) and Edward P. Welsh, General Manager – AAA NY Central Region.

(Utica, NY- Sept. 2, 2011) The Utica Police Department and top state

and local officials have joined to urge vigorous public support of AAA’s annual “School’s Open—Drive Carefully” campaign to help preserve the safety of children traveling to and from school.

AAA’s yearly “School’s Open—Drive Carefully” campaign alerts motorists to the special risks to school-age children from motor vehicle crashes, the leading cause of death for children from five to fourteen years old.

To encourage drivers to exercise caution, Edward Welsh, General Manager of AAA New York’s Central Region said that “AAA will be placing colorful posters bearing the “School’s Open” legend to local police departments and will display them at many busy intersections and school crossings during the month of September.”

Motorists will receive an additional reminder each time they see one of the “School’s Open” bumper stickers, also distributed by AAA New York for display on trucks, buses, official vehicles, school buses and passenger cars. Among the prominent officials who have endorsed AAA’s “School’s Open” campaign this year are: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo; Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, Barbara Fiala; Commissioner of Education, John King and Acting Superintendent of State Police, Joseph D’Amico. The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police also supports the campaign.

Officer Joseph Dare similarly endorsed the efforts of AAA New York and reminded motorists, “School’s Open – Drive Carefully.”

Ed Welsh also emphasized the need to show extra caution when driving as schools reopen, since it is then that vacation-minded children are apt to be less careful.  Motorists should be particularly alert for children darting out between parked cars on busy streets.

(Aug. 30, 2011) The Cultural Resources Council has expanded its role in providing grant support for Central New York artists and public arts programs.

A regional arts agency based in Syracuse, the CRC is now accepting applications for four different arts grant programs serving nine counties.

“The arts are an important element in the vitality of our communities,” said Steven Butler, CRC Executive Director. “In this time of economic retrenchment, we are pleased to offer support for arts activity in a wider geographic area.”

While the geographic reach of the four programs differs, support is now available to artists, not-for-profit organizations and municipalities in Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Otsego and Oswego Counties. Potential applicants should check the specific program descriptions to determine eligibility.

Community Arts Grants are offered to not-for-profit organizations that sponsor community-based arts projects. Grants of $500 to $5,000 are awarded competitively for activities such as performances, arts festivals, exhibitions, public arts classes, mural projects, and many other programs that enhance local cultural life.

Funds are provided by the State and Local Partnership Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), through its Decentralization initiative. Counties served by CRC Community Arts Grants are: Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego. Applications must be received by November 1.

Individual Artist Grants are offered to artists in the visual, performing, literary and media arts for carrying out creative projects that strengthen their connection to the community. Grants of $1,000 are awarded for activities such as the creation of art in public places; the creation of new music, choreography or scripts for public performance; the creation and public dissemination of film or video works.

Funds are provided by the State and Local Partnership Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), through its Decentralization initiative. Counties served by CRC Individual Artist Grants are Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego.

Strategic Opportunity Stipends (SOS) are grants of $200 to $1,500 offered to working artists in all disciplines for specific opportunities that significantly benefit their career development. The CRC is one of eight regional organizations throughout New York who administer this program for the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA).

The CRC administers Strategic Opportunity Stipends for artists residing in Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and Otsego Counties. Applications must be received by Sept. 12 or April 5.

Art$TART Grants of $500 to $2,000 support creative teaching partnerships between schools (Pre-K through Grade 12) and arts organizations or individual artists.

With funds from the Arts Education Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, the program supports curriculum-related projects in public or private schools of Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego counties.  Applications must be  received by Nov. 15.

Details and application procedures for all CRC arts grant programs are available on the CRC website at www.mycnyarts.org. The website also provides a listing of currently scheduled information meetings throughout Central New York.

(Lee, NY – August 23, 2011) State Police in Lee are investigating a Personal Injury Accident that occurred shortly after 5 p.m. Aug. 23 on Pillmore Drive just east of State Route 26 in the Town of Lee.

The investigation revealed that a 2007 Chevrolet Equinox was eastbound on Pillmore Drive being driven by 34 year-old, Laura A. Woodill from 6347 Milles Drive in Rome and was stopped behind another vehicle when a 2001 Harley Davidson Motorcycle being driven by 49 year-old Todd A. Bowers from 6388 Anderegg Drive in Rome  approached the Woodill vehicle from behind and failed to stop, causing him to strike Woodhill’s vehicle in the rear.

Bowers was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained chest trauma and injuries to his left arm and leg. He was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for treatment.

Woodill did not sustain any injuries.