Pictured from left are, Alex Catera, Michael Betro, Maysara Elazzazi, Zachary Goldsmith and Ryan Payne.

(New Hartford, NY Jan. 30, 2012) The New Hartford RoboSpartans robotics team returned home late last night from the Hudson Valley with the 2012 FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Connect Award Trophy.  The Connect Award celebrates the team most connected to the local and engineering community.

The team was recognized for helping the community understand FIRST and for having a clear plan for outreach and fundraising.   The trophy is one of 8 awards at FTC championship events.  This is the team’s second season as the Hudson Valley’s Connect Award winner.

In addition, this year’s team was a finalist and runner-up for both the FTC Promote Award and the Inspire Award, the top Award in FIRST Tech Challenge.  The RoboSpartans travelled to Pace University’s Westchester Campus Sunday, for the Hudson Valley FTC Championship, competing with 35 teams from New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

Earlier this season, the team received the Young Adult Mentor Award at the FIRST LEGO League FLL@SUNYIT Championship Tournament, where they demonstrated their FIRST Tech Challenge robots for younger competing teams.  The five member team has logged over 1000 hours of community outreach time in which they mentored teams, assisted with summer camps, volunteered for robotics events, and hosted robotics demonstrations.

The RoboSpartans are strong supporters of CNY FIRST, our regions’ FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Operational Partner and host to our area’s Championship FLL robotics event.  The team’s main focus is on growing robotics through FIRST, but they also find time to give back to charitable organizations such as the American Heart Association.  They’ll be walking in America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk on March 3, 2012.

The RoboSpartans started their second season in May with a summer robotics build for the MoonBots Google Lunar X PRIZE Challenge.  For the second time, they were one of 20 teams in the world to reach Phase II of the competition.  Since then, they’ve spent a minimum of two meetings per week perfecting a robot to run in a 12 foot by 12 foot obstacle course of bowling balls, crates and racquetballs as part of the “Bowled Over!” challenge. Their robot consists of both metal and LEGO parts and runs using an NXT LEGO MINDSTORMS brick and RobotC programming.

The RoboSpartans are gearing up for their next tournament, February 11, 2011, the Western Pennsylvania FTC Qualifier at Robert Morris University, outside of Pittsburgh, Pa.

The teams’ ultimate goal is to get more FTC robotics teams in the Mohawk Valley and eventually host local competitions.  The RoboSpartans continue to put on live demonstrations including a scheduled appearance at the Mohawk Valley Tech Ed and Pre-Engineering Showcase on March 8, 2011 at SUNYIT.  They’ll also host a scrimmage at SUNYIT as a part of the 4th Annual CNY FIRST Robot Riot set for May 19, 2012.

The New Hartford RoboSpartans are Michael Betro from New Hartford Senior High, Maysara Elazzazi, Alex Catera and Ryan Payne from Perry Junior High and Zachary Goldsmith of Frankfort-Schuyler High School.  The team is coached by Bob and Lisa Payne of New Hartford.  The main sponsor of the New Hartford RoboSpartans is the Carbone Auto Group.  For more information on the team, become a fan of their Facebook page or contact the coaches at nh.robospartans@gmail.com.

(Schuyler, NY – Jan. 8, 2012) On Dec. 30 David R. Betters, 49, of 506 Bayberry Court, New Windsor, NY was arrested by the New York State Police – Schuyler for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (BAC >.18 percent) after receiving report of a vehicle possibly disabled in the lane on the Thruway near the City of Utica.

Troopers located the vehicle and two witnesses who had removed the car from the roadway.  Due to his extreme level of intoxication Betters was transported by ambulance to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he provided a blood sample to determine the amount of alcohol in his blood.

Betters was released to appear in the City of Utica court on Jan. 23 at 9 a.m.

He was also ticketed for stopping in the roadway, and consuming an intoxicating beverage in a motor vehicle.

(Schuyler, NY – Nov. 1, 2011) On Oct. 31, Matthew D. Helmer, 23, of 50 Curran Road, Whitesboro was arrested by the New York State Police – Schuyler for Driving While Intoxicated after his vehicle ran out of gas on the Thruway.

Helmer was found to have a BAC of .15 percent. He was released to appear in the Town of Minden court on Nov. 10 at 5 p.m.

(Oct. 9, 2011) On Oct. 7 Dennis D. Rodgers, 29, of 1551 Sunset Ave., Utica, was arrested by the New York State Police – Schuyler for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana after he was stopped for traffic violations on the Thruway.

Rodgers was released to appear in the Town of German Flatts Court Oct. 17 at 5 p.m.

(Utica, NY – Sept. 29, 2011) The New York State Police at Schuyler were monitoring traffic for cell phone usage at the Utica toll booths when a Hyundai Sonata approached and one of the passengers had an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.

Troopers then interviewed the driver, who was identified as Tyler E. Langley, 19, of Watertown.

While interviewing Langley, Troopers smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle. Langley and her two passengers, Elijah C. Johnson, 31, of Rome and Shamel B. Greene, 28, of Utica were interviewed regarding the marijuana. Johnson and Greene both gave troopers false names, and Greene fled the scene and was arrested after a short foot pursuit.

Greene was found to have a warrant from Jefferson County for third-degree Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and was charged with Resisting Arrest, False Personation, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

Johnson was charged with False Personation, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and having an Open Container in the vehicle.

Langley was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and released on an Appearance Ticket to appear in the City of Utica.

Greene and Johnson were transported to the City of Utica Police Department, where they are awaiting arraignment.

(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.

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.

(Schuyler, NY – Aug. 2011) On Aug. 14, Lucas D. Williams, 28, of 1 Dexter St., Whitesboro was arrested by the New York State Police – Schuyler for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana after the vehicle he was in was stopped for having a loud exhaust on the Thruway.

Williams was released to appear in the City of Utica Court Aug. 24 at 9 a.m.