FOX 40 WICZ TV - Local News

Jobless Number Down for State, But Binghamton Lags Behind

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:59:14 EDT

While the state's economy continues to improve --Binghamton continues to lag behind: That's the picture that is expected to emerge from the latest unemployment figures. They show that between March and April of this year, the state's unemployment rate fell almost half a percentage point --from 8.2 to 7.8 percent. That's the lowest level since March of 2009. Although specific numbers for Binghamton haven't yet been released, Economist Christian Harris says he expects ---status quo: "It's kind of the story of two areas, downstate is largely driving this improvement like New York City. If you look locally at the Binghamton Metro Area, if you take a look at the year over year we're showing flat employment levels," said regional labor market analyst, Christian Harris. Harris says construction jobs from Hurricane Sandy are adding to jobs downstate.

Police Play Basketball for a Special Cause

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:52:09 EDT

There was a heavy police presence Friday night--on a local basketball court Officers and their kids came out to the St. Patrick's Gym to raise money for area police officer Dan Clarke who was recently diagnosed with colo rectal cancer. "It's a coalition of police from different agencies. We've got deputies, we've got all the local PD's like JC, Endicott, Vestal, Binghamton Police. we have correction officers we're all just coming together to play a basketball game and help out a local family," according to Brad Kaczynski, organizer for the event. The money raised through the game, raffles and bake sales will help offset the cost of his medical bills.

Graduating BU Student Overcomes Disabilities

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:46:28 EDT

BINGHAMTON -- Thousands will graduate from Binghamton University this weekend and each has their own story. But the most inspirational one may belong to a young man who has become a trailblazer for disabled students at the school. Graduating with a degree in computer science has its challenges. But how about earning that degree both blind and hearing impaired? "Definitely tough at times. I felt this is such a hard major. How am I going to get through this," said Michael Forzano. Michael Forzano is the first blind student to tackle the major at BU. "People are like, uh-oh, this is such a visual field. How is this going to happen," said Jean Fairbairn, Director of Services for Students with Disabilities at BU. And it did. "I don't let me disability get in my way or stop me from reaching my goals," said Forzano. "He had a can-do attitude. He works hard. He's very bright," said Fairbairn. He gets around campus with the help of his seeing-eye dog, Delta. And the department of disabilities worked thousands of hours to convert graphs and notes into Braile, so Michael could read and learn. One page ends up being three brail pages, resulting in boxes and boxes of textbooks. "I had to store them under my bed," said Forzano. But the long hours and hard work paid off. Forzano will start a job at Amazon in August as as a software development engineer. "I'm blind and hearing impaired, and despite that I'm going to work for Amazon. That should really be an inspiration to people," said Forzano. And he has paved the way for more students with disabilities at Binghamton University. "We hope there will be other blind young people interested in computer science that choose Binghamton. Because we're ready," said Fairbairn. Samantha McDonald, Fox 40 HD News.

Would Lower BAC Limit Make Roads Safer?

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:46:10 EDT

The National Transportation Safety Board has proposed lowering the legal Blood Alcohol Content limit from .08 to .05. More than 100 countries have set the limit at that point or lower. "(There will be) people with interests arguing it should be left where it is. By the same token no one can deny lowering the limit is going to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents," said attorney Ron Benjamin. Broome County Stop DWI Coordinator Chris Marion sees other measures as having a greater impact curbing drinking and driving. "Focusing on drugged driving, focusing on recidivism and the use of ignition interlock devices on vehicles operated by people already convicted of DWIs," said Broome County Stop-DWI Coordinator Chris Marion. Local law enforcement say the majority of DWI arrests involve those with limits far higher than the .08 limit. ".05 and .08, they're still going to go out and consume. And like I said typically the folks we have coming in are in the .15, .17 range. Sometimes over .20," said Sgt. Thomas Williams of the Broome County Sheriff's Office. "We have DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) which covers the lower BACs. We also have Common-Law DWI law where officers can write you a ticket and arrest you for DWI even with a blood alcohol limit of under .08 if the ability to drive is impaired," said Marion. The NTSB made other suggestions such as high-visibility law enforcement and alcohol sensors. "I think it's a good starting point to open up discussion of what can be done to continue to decrease the number of fatalities from impaired driving but this particular recommendation I'm not sure it will gain a lot of traction," said Marion. ****In Broome County, Jason Weinstein, FOX 40 HD News****

Man Acquitted of Attempted Murder

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:09:43 EDT

The man charged in a 2011 stabbing has been acquitted on all charges. On Friday, a jury found Evan Rodriguez not guilty of all charges, including Attempted Murder. Rodriguez was charged with twice stabbing 28-year-old Johnathon Hernandez behind a Walnut Street apartment. It took jurors less than three-and-a-half-hours to reach a verdict.

Church Vandalism Follows Bar Crawl

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:06:44 EDT

A Binghamton church was heavily vandalized late Thursday night or early Friday morning, and a church pastor believes participants in Friday's Bar Crawl were responsible... The New Heights Ministries had its sign kicked in, a cinder block thrown through a window, all of their potted plants smashed, and a tree branch snapped off in their front yard. When Co-pastor Rosemary Simpson arrived at her church, she couldn't hide her frustration: "And by process of elimination, we think it's coming from the bar crawl and if want to have the bar crawl, that's fine. Someone in charge of it. I don't know who it is they need to have some type of format or monitoring of things going on in the late hours of the night," said Simpson. If you have any information on the vandalism call Bnghamton Police at 723-5321.

Family History of Cancer Prompts Woman To Undergo Double Mastectomy

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:42:45 EDT

"My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer.." That is what actress Angelina Jolie wrote in op-ed in the New York Times Tuesday where she announced she had undergone a double mastectomy. Jolie wrote she made the decision because she lost her mother to cancer and learned she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation, which increases the risk of breast cancer. Greene resident and bridal boutique business owner Shelly Howell hasn't been tested for the gene. A history of cancer in her immediate family prompted her to get a double mastectomy in October. "I knew what we were going through as a family and having to see your family members go through shaving your head and going through chemotherapy, it was just heart-wrenching," said Howell. Howell's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago and her sister died from this disease in January. Since her mom's diagnosis, Howell has dedicated her life to raising awareness of the disease and encouraging woman to get annual screenings. "We started doing some local fundraising through my business and then my girlfriend did the Susan G. Komen walk. So we walked kast year in Washington D.C. and this year we'll be walking in Atlanta," said Howell. Dr. Niru Anne says she's scene an increase in double mastectomies over the years as women are diagnosed younger with the disease. "A woman who's diagnosed in their thirties and forties has another sixty to seventy years to live. The longer a person lives the more likely they'll have a second cancer in the same or opposite breast," said Dr. Anne, Breast Surgeon at Lourdes Hospital. Dr. Anne says 10% of cancer is inherited. She hopes Jolie's article inspires those with a family history to get tested and get screened for the disease. Howell says her surgery reduced her risk of cancer by 90% . She says she now feels relief and can focus on bringing awareness to the importance of early detection and preventative measures. "Being a women's based business. We deal with women on a daily basis that have breast cancer or have a family member that passed away of breast cancer and they're nervous of going to even get a mammogram we can reassure them that its okay," said Howell. **Ali Warner Fox 40 HD News**

Delaware County School Goes Into Lock Down Friday

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:42:34 EDT

A lockdown Friday at the Delaware Academy Central School District. It was reportedly prompted by a threat against Delaware Academy, discovered on an internet message board. The lockdown began in the early afternoon, and was lifted a few hours later. Authorities are investigating the incident and ask anyone with information to call them at 607-746-2249.

Bridging The Gap For Equal Pay

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:45:27 EDT

Equal pay and women's rights in the spotlight Friday, Elected officials, business owners and women's advocates are urging support for Governor Cuomo's ten point women's equality act. The goal is to get Albany lawmakers behind the Governor's agenda this legislative session. Supporters of Cuomo's plan say it's time to close the wage gap - which shows women in New York earn 84 cents for every dollar men earn. ""Women in our communities across this country make up the majority of the household and in this case when you have huge wage gaps it impacts families, individuals and it perpetuates poverty and so we're never going to be able to fully actualize economical recovery if we don't address this issue," said Councilwoman Lea Webb. Cuomo's agenda also includes sexual harassment at work, strengthening laws to protect victims of domestic violence and human trafficking laws.

Serling Film Festival

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:43:48 EDT

Te ground-breaking Televsion series that Rod Serling created, ended decades before today's students were born: But what he inspired in terms of imagination with The Twilight Zone, was apparent Friday night, in the latest generation of students who took part in the Rod Serling Video Festival. The winning entries were viewed this evening at the elen foley theatre at binghamton high school-- from which Binghamton native rod serling graduated: "we have a connection with Rod Serling. he was a graduate of Binghamton Central in 1943 and he was a tremendous pioneer in television and we want to both promote and continue his legacy and I think this is the great inspiration for students to try to reach his success," said Lawrence Cassan, founder/director of the Rod Serling Film Festival Winning entries were produced by students in Kindergarten through High School.

Relay for Life

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:45:44 EDT

A Relay for Life Friday night at Seton Catholic High School More than 200 students came out to walk in teams to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Some of them were even committed to going all night, and brought sleeping bags: "We thought that it would be a great thing to do because we've all been affected by it in one way or another. We all know somebody who has either had cancer or had a family member with cancer," said Nicole Kefe, a Senior at the school. "So when we started it, we weren't really sure if it was going to go or how much we were going to be able to raise, so we're really truly impressed by the participation and the level of money that has come in so far to support the students," said Rich Bucci, principal of Seton Catholic Central. By 7PM Friday evening, they had raised 13-thousand dollars for cancer research.

Man Who Asked For Help in Finding Wife Charged For Her Murder

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:27:20 EDT

"He told me that they found the body and if I had any questions," said Remy Ramsaran. "Stuff like this, you know, it doesn't happen. You don't ever think it will happen to you." Those were Ganesh Remmy Ramsaran words one day after they found his wife's body. Friday night the 38 year old was is behind bars, charged with her murder. Ramsaran was arraigned in Chenango County Court Friday. Ramsaran has publicly maintained his innocence since the December eleventh disappearance of his wife Jennifer. Her body was found in February off a roadside in Pharsalia. Ganesh Ramsaran was taken to Chenango County Jail on one-hundred-fifty-thousand dollars bail. He is due to appear in New Berlin Court on May 23.

Preliminary Stages Underway To Extend Natural Gas Pipeline

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:07:53 EDT

A plan to run a natural gas pipeline throughout Broome, Cortland, and Onondaga counties is in it's preliminary stages. According to a spokesman for Millennium Pipeline, government officials in these counties received letters about the study to expand the natural gas pipeline 60 miles. It currently runs about 200 miles along the New York-Pennsylvania border. The company representative says the expansion would be along the I-81 corridor and in areas where there is already existing pipeline. "Essentially this line could help bring gas to people all along this corridor and with it economic development, cheaper heating in their homes and cleaner energy production," said Steven Sullivan, Spokesperson for Millennium Pipeline LLC. Sullivan says if everything goes as planned, the goal would be to have the pipeline complete in 2016.

K-9 Unit Helps Find Lost Child

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:58:01 EDT

A police dog is credited with helping locate a missing 13 year old boy with Downs Syndrome. The boy who lives in the area of Ely Park Boulevard, was found after a two hour search last night near the Ely Park Golf course. The youth was tracked to a creek bed on the south eastern side of the golf course. The boy was returned unharmed to his parents. Binghamton Police say without the help of the police dog, it would have taken much longer to locate the boy.

Friends Remember Angelo Zuccolo

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:57:22 EDT

As friends recalled countless memories of Angelo Zuccolo, they remembered his many talents. "Angelo was truly a renaissance man," said Dr. Francis Battisti, Executive Vice President at Broome Community College. "He started this theater when it was not much of anything and he turned out so many great, great actors and they've gone on to bigger careers," said friend Don Giovanni of The Don Giovanni Show. "Angelo made a name for The Little Theater at BCC because of the treasures and the jewels that were in that little theater with his department. He was actually a genius," said Robert Keller, Founder of the Binghamton Walk of Fame. Aside from being the Theater Director at BCC for 30 years, Zuccolo performed in stage, film, and television, wrote three books of poetry, and taught Italian and Public Speaking. "He really wanted to show the life of who we are as humans. He would make things really come alive. Even in his professional work he was bigger than life," said Battisti. "He really made that little mish mash of students feel like family. We were all stuck down there in this windowless room and he really just opened us all up and was so warm and charismatic," said Heather Kithcart, a former student of Zuccolo's. Zuccolo directed over 100 plays at BCC. But his final production is just now coming together - his funeral. "We talked about it for years and planned it out. He told us everything and what you're going to do. He wants me to do all the music," said Giovanni. "Today when we were at the funeral home he wanted a basic funeral vault. The guy questioned it a little bit. I said you do not want to mess with what Angelo wants because I know he's at a place now where he really is powerful," said Battisti. And Zuccolo's days in the theater may not be done either. "And we now have another ghost. In the theater there's always the ghost that always helps all of us. So Angelo I'm sure will be within this theater and other theaters in this area," said Battisti. ****In Broome County, Jason Weinstein, FOX 40 HD News****

Local Mayors Help Keep Carousel Tradition Alive

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:57:36 EDT

JOHNSON CITY -- Binghamton is known as the Carousel Capital of the world. But what to do as these landmarks age? Some local mayors have a plan to keep this tradition alive and well. Carousels have been a staple in the community for decades. "I still fit [on the horse]. It brings you back to your childhood a little bit," said Johnson City Mayor John Bertoni. Endicott Mayor John Bertoni takes a ride every year. But he says the aging attractions need work. "It needs pampering, it needs attention, And it needs collective decision making," When the carousels were given to Broome County by George F. Johnson, he stipulated that no admission be charged, because as a boy he was too poor to ride. So it is the responsibility of the municipalities to take care of the six carousels throughout Broome County. And Bertoni plans to do just that with a new task force: two representatives from each municipality. "They're monitoring, sharing information, letting each other know where to buy parts," said Bertoni. One carousel in Johnson City is 90 years old. It was made in 1923. And the parts are so old that it's hard to replace them. You can't just go online or go to Home Depot. "They do need tender loving care because they've been around for a while," said Johnson City Mayor Greg Deemie. Johnson City Mayor Greg Deemie says he is on board with Bertoni's call. "Kids love them, I love them, George F.Johnson put them here for a reason, so we need to take care of them as best we can," The rides draw thousands of visitors each summer. And even though Mayor Bertoni remembers a different scene when he was younger -- "There used to be lines wrapped around the corner"-- he says it is our duty to keep the tradition going. "Life changes, but the carousels live on," said Bertoni. Deemie plans to appoint two members to the task force after he consults the village board. The carousels open for the season on Memorial Day Weekend. Samantha McDonald, Fox 40 HD News.

Brick Falls From House

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:57:48 EDT

Be careful if you go by the vicinity of 259 Main Street in Binghamton. Barricades are put up around a house that caught fire in February, and engineers are assessing the situation for any danger to the public. The concern stems from a woman reporting that she'd been hit by a brick that fell over the structure as she was walking past it Thursday afternoon. She did not apparently want, or require medical attention.

Unemployment Rate Falls

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:59:54 EDT

New York State's unemployment rate falls to the lowest level in more than four years. The rate for April is 7.8 percent, falling from 8.2 percent the month before. The dip in unemployment means that there are almost 36-thousand fewer state residents without jobs. In the upstate area, the private sector job count grew by one percent over the past year.

Phelps Mansion Holds Fourth Antique Appraisal Show

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:07:38 EDT

Southern Tier residents who wanted to know the value and the history of their antiques came out to the fourth antique appraisal at the Phelps Mansion Museum in Binghamton Thursday: "People are coming in from all over the Southern Tier with interesting objects that they have at home," said Linda Biemer of the Antique Road Show Committee. "Some of them are family heirlooms. Some are things they found in the attic. We have five different appraisers here. They're all local." "They tell you how old it is and where it was made and an approximately value," said Joan Stephens, who was having artwork appraised. "A lot of people have brought in artwork. Other people have furniture and they want to know is this anything of value? Some items are brought in and they don't even know what they are," said Biemer. "I brought a stake you put in the ground that's wrought iron," said Bonnie Gardner Drumm, who has having her antiques appraised. "I paid $40 for eight of them, so five dollars each. Mr. Makes looked it up and he said because they are 100 years old and they are worth about $150 each. I had no idea. It was made in Germany and they are all iron and they were meant to hold barbed wire." "Four other people, it was worth what they thought. Other people were disappointed--shall we say it wasn't worth what they were hoping. But, it will go back home and hang on the wall," said Biemer. "I never sell anything, I still have it," said Stephens. "My dad had bought it from a stove collector about 40 years ago, so I'm just going to keep it. At least now I can write the history of it," said Gardner Drumm.

BU Students Participate In Annual Pub Crawl

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:07:04 EDT

Police say 22 year old Gavin Clarke, a BU student became disorderly when he was refused service at the bar, and disobeyed officers orders to go home. Authorities say they expect to release him Thursday night. In past years, there were a lot more arrests and a variety of incidents-- in contrast to what police say was a much tamer situation this year. Here's a look at some of the other scenes in downtown Binghamton Thursday evening.

Broome County Legislatures Honor Veterans

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:07:13 EDT

Before their meeting Thursday night, the Broome County Legislature took time to recognize those who served our country. 18 veterans nominated by local organizations received "Veterans of Distinction" awards. The award recognizes them for their accomplishments while in the service as well as their work here in the community. Honored on Thursday was Frank George who served in the United States Army during World War II and was a German prisoner of war. He says if he was asked to serve overseas again, he would enlist. "Yes I would do it again," said Frank George, United States Army Veteran. 18 veterans from the Army, Marines and Navy received awards.

Flash Fire at Compressor Station in Pennsylvania

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:54:20 EDT

They aren't calling it an explosion but company officials and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection are still investigating a flash fire that occurred on Turnpike Road in Brooklyn Township Pennsylvania. Shortly after 11:00 o'clock last night the station experienced an emergency shutdown down. None of the eleven workers on site were inside the building at the time of the fire. All of the workers were able to evacuate without injury. "Thankfully there were no injuries at the time of the incident and there was no third party damage. The facility and all the safety systems worked exactly as planned to minimize the incident," said Chris Staffel, Public Outreach for Williams. The Williams Station will remain closed while the investigation of the cause continues.

Making Your Home More Energy Efficient

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:03:26 EDT

A local homeowner is encouraging the community to take advantage of an energy efficiency program. 88-year-old Mary Snyder of Johnson City was able to get rid of a gas leak in her home with the help of the Home Performance Energy Efficiency Program. Snyder says she was able to afford the services because the program helped her access grants and low-interest loans. The community gathered at her house Wednesday to spread a message: you can make your home more energy efficient, no matter how much money you earn. "It's nice to have these programs. I believe this is through NYSERTA. All the time you have to be looking out for these things. We're always looking for ways to help people with what they need in the village," said Mayor Greg Deemie. If you would like to set up an appointment for a free energy audit, you can call 607-723-0110.

Accused Sex Offender Gone Missing

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:55:11 EDT

A Town of Chenango man police say had a sexual relationship over an extended period of time with a child under 11 years of age has gone missing. Police arrested 54-year-old Paul Terwilliger on April 29th. He made bail and was then reported missing on May 8th. Police searched his home on airport road and quarries at off of neighboring Kattelville Road. Police are now asking for your help in finding Terwilliger. He is described as a white male, five-feet, six inches tall and weighing 150 pounds. "He's lived here a very long time but anything is a possibility. The warrant is a nationwide warrant. That means if he tried to cross a border it would hit. If he got stopped out of state it would hit and we'd bring him back to Broome County if that ends up being the case," said Detective Sargeant Jason Ellis of the Broome County Sheriff's Office. If you have any information about Terwilliger's whereabouts you are asked to call the Broome County Sheriff's Office tip line at 778-1196.

Alleged Sex Offender Turns Down Plea Deal

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:54:54 EDT

The 62 year old sex offender accused of a home invasion in Vestal and armed robberies in several counties isn't accepting a plea deal --he wants to go to trial instead. Police say in February, John Malowsky who'd been released from prison just three months before, forced his way into a home on Jensen road, and held a woman and two young children at knifepoint, before they fled unharmed. Later that night, Malowsky is accused of robbing a CVS Pharmacy in Owego. He's charged with Predatory Sexual Assault and Burglary. The plea deal would have Malowsky serving concurrent sentences of 20 years and 25 years to life. He's also charged with armed robberies that same week in Corning and Big Flats.

Endicott Man Charged with Grand Larceny

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:54:40 EDT

Police say the apartment wasn't his and neither was the copper pipe he cut out of it, and scrapped, for cash. 32 year old Donald House of Endicott is described as a squatter in an apartment in the Town of Union. In addition to the Copper Pipe, he's also accused of removing baseboard heating units. He's charged with Criminal Mischief, and Grand Larceny.

BU Anthropologist Studying Oldest Ear Bones Every Found

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:02:57 EDT

A local link to our earliest ancestors. A Binghamton University anthropologist is leading a study on the oldest ear bones ever found. The 2-million-year-old ear bones are from two species of early human ancestors in South Africa. The bones show a mix of ape and human like features. Professor Rolf Quam says the human-like configuration implies that our hearing evolved very early. "Our hypothesis is that these changes in the ear bones might be something that occurs as early as bipedalism. It might be another hallmark of humanity in the skeleton," said Quam. Qualm says the next step in the study will be reconstructing the hearing in these early human ancestors. It will be the first time an aspect of sensory perception is reconstructed from fossils of our ancestors.

Ride of Silence Honors Endicott Cyclist

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:03:38 EDT

It's called a ride of silence. "It's an international event to raise awareness cyclists are on the road and also to honor folks who've been killed while cycling," said Regina Losinger, president of the Southern Tier Bicycle Club. This year's ride in Binghamton had a special meaning-,encouraging riders to get back on their bikes. "One wheel at a time. One crank at a time. You know Dottie would want you to do that," said Don Rice, Dottie's husband. The Southern Tier Bicycle Club is riding four miles throughout Binghamton in honor of one of their own. Dottie Rice of Endicott was killed last year while riding her bike in Owego on Route 434. "I met her a good 25 years ago on a bicycle ride on Castle Creek Road on the way to Whitney Point and we were side by side riding down a hill and laughed. I knew we were going to be friends from that moment on," said Losinger "She was a fantastic person, she worked with the deaf community. She was all about helping others," said Geri Demarco, friend of Dottie's. Dottie even helped her niece get back on a bike after her own biking accident. "After she and my uncle took to the roads and went across country 4,000 miles, I thought if they could do that, I could get back on a bike and she kind of road with with me. She helped me get through my fear of riding a bike again," said Brienne Schmidt, Dottie's niece. For some, Wednesday's four mile ride will be the first time they are getting back on a bike since Dottie's accident. Although the ride is called silent, this year they plan to bend the rules a little. "We have been mourning for six months. It's time to speak and it's also time to tell passersby what we're up to and to ask them to share the road with us," said Losinger. ***Ali Warner Fox 40 HD News***

Kopernik Helps Launch Students Interest In Science

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:03:12 EDT

A day at Kopernik Observatory helps launch students interest in science. Tioga County Middle School students got to watch a rocket blast off and gaze into telescopes on Wednesday as a part of "Space Day." They also got to handle NASA artifacts. Educators say it is important to inspire kids to pursue a career in science and technology. "I think it's been identified, especially here in the US, STEM education is really where the growth is going to be," said Drew Deskur, Executive Director of the Kopernik Observatory. "I'm kind of leaning towards science a bit more. Maybe an astronomer, it would be really cool to be working with all this stuff," said student Paul Girolaol. This is the fifth year of the four day event, which is sponsored by Lockheed Martin.

Alzheimer's Disease Education

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:53:48 EDT

Alzheimer's disease has been called the long goodbye. and caring for a loved one with the disease can be a grueling, heartbreaking experience. Those facing that challenge got some help Wednesday at the Broome County Library as an official from the New York Chapter of the Alzheimer's association explained communication strategies and the importance of promoting a sense of dignity in those who are battling dementia. "We need to recognize that the neurological changes that are occuring don't allow for that person to interact with the world the way that they used to so we need to adjust our expectations and our abilities to communicate," said Jessie Cornell, Associate Program Director of the Central New York Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. If you need help in caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease, you can call the Alzheimer's Tipline at 800-272-3900 or go online to www.alz.org.

Prospect Mountain Bridge Project Starts Setting Steel

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:54:07 EDT

A milestone Wednesday for the Prospect Mountain Bridge Project. Construction workers started setting steel on the new bridges over the Chenango River. Each steel girder weighs between 30,000 to 60,000 pounds and are 60 to 125 feet in length. 50 of these girders will be put in place over the course of the next four weeks. A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation says traffic will be slowed down during the process state police will be on hand, the same as last year. "And we are very fortunate in that state police what they were able to do is that they actually kept traffic rolling at a very slow speed and traffic never stopped and we're hopeful we'll be able to achieve the same thing again this year," said David Hamburg of the State Department of Transportation. The bridges are set for completion in the spring of 2014. After the new bridges start taking traffic the old bridges will be destroyed.