Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs: Annual Meeting November 6

Seneca County to Participate in STOP-DWI Halloween Crackdown

Seneca County Sheriff W. Timothy Luce:

Halloween is meant to be scary, but not when it comes to driving. When it comes to impaired driving Halloween can turn the roads into a horror fest. While we spend time trick or treating and hosting parties with our loved ones, law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives. The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on October 27th and will end on November 1st. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.

Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem. Tragically, Halloween impaired-driving fatalities are on the rise. There were 55 deaths on Halloween night in 2015, up from 17 in 2011—and steadily increasing each year in between. If you plan to go out with the ghouls and goblins to enjoy an adult beverage, make sure you plan a safe ride home before you leave the house. Even if you “only have a couple,” you are in no shape to drive.

The STOP-DWI Halloween Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and implemented by the STOP-DWI Foundation. Throughout the remainder of the year the Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign will also target Thanksgiving and the national Holiday Season in December.
While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.
Let’s make memories, not nightmares! Have a safe and happy Halloween Weekend!

Schuyler County Prescription drug take back day Saturday

Schuyler County law enforcement agencies will take part in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s national prescription drug take back day Saturday.

Collections will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drugs can be taken to the Tyrone Fire Station, 3600 State Route 226, or the Odessa Fire Station, 300 E. Main St.

Residents are encouraged to turn in expired and unused prescription medications for proper disposal.

For more information, click here.

Seneca County SCOPE grades candidates

Finger Lakes Times:

The Seneca County Chapter of the Shooters Committee On Political Education (SCOPE) has issued its ratings of incumbents and challengers for seats on the 14-member board in November.

Given an “A” grade were Republican incumbents Lee Davidson of Lodi, Paul Kronenwetter of Seneca Falls, Ronald McGreevy of Tyre and Michael Reynolds of Covert.

Given a “B” grade were incumbents Walt Prouty of Ovid and Don Trout of Waterloo. Both are Republicans, but only Trout is on the ballot this fall.

Weinstein-DA funding controversy helps inspire reform measures

New York Daily News:

As Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance's campaign contributions have come under scrutiny, a state assemblyman said he’s introducing a bill to reign in how much New York prosecutors can accept in donations from defense attorneys.

The bill by Assemblyman Dan Quart (D-Manhattan) would create a statewide database of lawyers and law firms who have criminal defense practices. Those on the list would be barred from giving more than $320 an election cycle to district attorney candidates.

It also would prohibit lawyers and firms from bundling donations on behalf of district attorney candidates...

Vance has been criticized for taking contributions from defense lawyers whose clients -- [including] disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein -- were targets of criminal probes that did not yield prosecutions.

New York State Appeals Court decides Schuyler County child abuse case.

Albany, NY- The New York State Supreme Court’s Appellate Division issued a decision on Thursday (October 19, 2017) largely upholding a Schuyler County Family Court order that found two local children to be neglected, abused, derivatively neglected and/or derivatively abused.

The Appellate Division further held that that the Family Court should have granted the County Attorney’s application to adjudicate one child to be severely abused at the hands of her father.

The Family Court case was prosecuted by the Office of Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman. The appeal was argued for that office by Assistant County Attorney Kristin Hazlitt.

The decision, “In the Matter of Logan C. and another, alleged to be Neglected, Abused and/or Severely Abused Children” is available on the court’s website here. (The names have been changed to protect the innocent)

New York State’s Limited Sealing Law Takes Effect.

New York State Criminal Procedure Law Section 160.59, entitled "Sealing of certain convictions," took effect Oct. 7, 2017.

Individuals who have been convicted of up to two eligible offenses, but not more than one eligible felony offense, may apply to have those convictions sealed. Eligible offenses may be sealed only after at least 10 years have passed since the sentence was imposed on the latest conviction or, if the sentence included a period of incarceration, at least 10 years since release from incarceration. Offenses that are not eligible for sealing include sex offenses and certain other felony offenses.

Sealing is discretionary with the court and applicants are required to serve notice on the District Attorney in the county of conviction.

Sealing does not equal expungement. Any such sealed records would remain available to the defendant, the defendant’s agent and certain various law enforcement agencies, as well as criminal background checks for firearm purchases.

Notice of Public Hearing: Town of Ovid, Seneca County, New York

Please take Notice that that the Town Board of the Town of Ovid, County of Seneca, State of New York, shall hold a public hearing on the following proposed Local Law at the Ovid Firehouse, 2136 Brown St, Ovid, NY 14521, at 7:00 p.m. on the 11 day of October, 2017: “Proposed Local Law No. 1 of the Year 2017, Town of Ovid, County of Seneca, State of New York, A local law to override the tax levy limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c.”

Please take further notice, that at such time all persons interested in the subject matter of the proposed local law shall be heard concerning same.

Please take further notice, that the complete text of the proposed local law is available during normal business hours at the Office of the Town Clerk, Town of Ovid and at the Ovid Firehouse, 2136 Brown St, Ovid, NY 14521.

The full text of the proposed local law may be found here.

Learning Comic Book Law

Comics Experience is pleased to announce Comic Book Law for Creators,

a four-week online course beginning on October 2, 2017.

Comic Law for Creators exists to correct both the dearth of information and misinformation about what creators should do to give their comics career a strong legal foundation.

Comic Law for Creators will meet weekly in Comic Experience's online virtual classroom from October 2 through October 23, 2017 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., Eastern time. Students will also keep up the discussion about what they are learning through a dedicated online forum for the class.

For more information and to enroll click here.