New York State Traffic Ticket Data Available

New York State officials have announced that comprehensive traffic ticket data is available in an online systems, the Traffic Safety Statistical Depository.

The TSSR generates ticket reports at the statewide and county levels, showing the overall numbers of traffic tickets issued and separate totals for speeding, cell phone, texting, safety restraints, and impaired driving citations. For selected types of tickets a variety of information is displayed, including:

• Adjudication status and conviction rates
• Enforcement agencies that issued the tickets
• Driver age and gender
• Region
• Day of week/time of day
• Month
• Tickets issued for companion violations
• Driver license jurisdiction
• Driver penalties, sanctions and fines

State officials hope that the database "will enable both the public and traffic safety professionals to quickly find statistical data about traffic tickets as well as crash information (to) reduce motor vehicle crashes, fatalities and injuries.”

For more details, click here.

Seneca County sheriff urges 'extra caution' for boaters on Seneca, Cayuga Lakes

Seneca County Sheriff Tim Luce is announcing a Lake Level advisory for Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, along with the Seneca- Cayuga Canal.

Sheriff Luce reports that with the recent rain - the water levels are high and extra caution is needed for any boat traffic. As the weather gets warmer and people are getting back on the water- the Sheriff's Office is urging extra caution. Submerged logs and various debris pose an extra hazard for boaters. Until the water levels go down boaters are also advised to operate at a reduced speed so as not to create a wake that will damage other boats and docks etc.

Sheriff Luce reports that at this time there is not a ban on boat traffic but urges extra caution, the Sheriff's Office will be monitoring the situation.

Crackdown on distracted driving during Operation Hang Up

New York State Police:

The New York State Police announce a statewide crackdown on distracted driving as part of April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The crackdown, called Operation Hang Up, is a special enforcement effort to step up patrols and checkpoints targeting drivers on electronic devices from April 6 through April 10.

While tickets for cell phone use continue to decline, the proliferation of smartphones have caused texting tickets to rise every year since 2011.

April traditionally marks the start of the spring driving season. In order to minimize tragedies as the traffic volume increases, State Police and local law enforcement agencies will be cracking down on distracted driving, along with other vehicle and traffic law infractions.

New freshwater fishing rules effective April 1

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has released multiple new freshwater fishing regulations that were effective April 1.

These changes are published in the 20176-2018 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide, in addition to being online on the DEC website.

According to the DEC, the changes are the result of a two-year process that included biological assessment, discussions with anglers and a formal 45-day comment period.

Schuyler County Public Health Open House April 6

Celebrating National Public Health Week:

Justice Task Force Report on attorney responsibility in criminal cases released

The New York State Justice Task Force has released a report on attorney responsibility in criminal cases.

The Task Force recommendations are grouped into eight categories: Use of the Term Misconduct; Encouraging Reporting of Attorney Misconduct; Grievance Process; Data Collection and Statistics; Role of Judiciary in Making Referrals; Training; Order Regarding Disclosure Obligations for Prosecutors; and Order Regarding Obligations for Defense Attorneys. Some of the sppecific recommendations relate to:

• Use of the Term Misconduct;
• Encouraging Reporting of Attorney Misconduct;
• Orders Regarding Disclosure Obligations for Prosecutors;
• Orders Regarding Obligations for Defense Attorneys.

The complete report can be found here.

Mars needs lawyers?

FiveThirtyEight says "escaping Earth’s gravity is way easier than escaping its international legal issues":

(T)he governance of space has always been affected by the governance of Earth. The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, for instance, was the political driver behind the race for the moon and set the stage for the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies — which is still our primary legal document outlining the rules for space.

The 1967 treaty — known as the Outer Space Treaty, for short — was signed by 104 countries and was the document that helped humans create a space environment that’s more “Star Trek” than “Star Wars” — but it primarily addresses individual, independent governments bumping into one another as they go about their separate business, according to von der Dunk and Joanne Gabrynowicz, a retired professor of space law at the University of Mississippi and the editor-in-chief emerita of the Journal of Space Law. The countries with space programs have all signed it, but the document still leaves ambiguity and unanswered questions when it comes to issues such as corporate spaceflight and multinational coalitions.

Legal Notice. Town of Ovid Request for Proposals: Lawn Care, 2017

The Town of Ovid, Seneca County, New York (the Town) is seeking Request for Proposals (RFP’s) for the lawn care and landscaping maintenance of the described public areas (“locations”) listed below.

Location. Address.
Cemetery Village of Ovid, behind Community Bank
Cemetery Munson Road, Near Intersection of Brokaw Rd
Cemetery County Rd 139, Between Rt 96 and Rock River Rd
Sheldrake Park Below intersection of County Rds 1319 and 153 and Wyers Point Rd

The contract start date shall be May 1, 2017 and contractor(s) should be prepared to perform the duties as outlined on that date. The full RFP package is available from the Town of Ovid by contacting the Town Clerk, James Vangalio Office Tel. (607) 869-3907, email jvangalio@townofovid.net, mailing address TOWN OF OVID 2136 Brown Street PO Box 452 OVID, NY 14521, or on the town’s website: http://www.townofovid.net

Contract pricing must be as outlined, and bids for services indicated must follow the format of the RFP using the town’s RFP Response Form.

Sealed bids are due no later than 5:00 PM April 12, 2017 to the Town Office by mailing to: Town of Ovid, 2136 Brown Street PO Box 452 Ovid, NY 14521. Two copies of a Contractor’s bid must be provided. Faxed or emailed bids will NOT be accepted. Responses may also be hand delivered (prior to the deadline time & date) directly to the Town Office, Attn: Mowing Bid, at 2136 Brown Street Ovid, NY 14521. Each sealed envelope containing a proposal must be plainly marked with the “CONTRACTOR’S NAME”, “RFP TITLE”, and the “RFP OPENING DATE & TIME”.

All submitted bids will be reviewed at the bid opening, Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the Ovid Fire Department/Ovid Town Hall, 2136 Brown Street PO Box 452 Ovid, NY 14521. All bidders are welcome to attend.

National Public Defense Day: March 18, 2017

March 18, 2017 marks the Second Annual Public Defense Day and the 54th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright.

For more on National Public Defense day, click here.

Seneca County Travel Restrictions Extended

Finger Lakes Daily News:

Seneca County Sheriff Tim Luce has extended the NO UNNECESSARY TRAVEL ADVISORY throughout Wednesday March 15,2017 till 5:00 A.M. Thursday. The No Unnecessary Travel advisory does not restrict travel . It is however, a warning to motorist that hazardous driving conditions will exist