http://www.newschannel34.com/news/local/ News Channel 34: Local News en-us Copyright 2012 Newport Television LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wed, 16 May 2012 01:00:01 -0400 Wed, 16 May 2012 11:42:47 -0400 Local News http://www.newschannel34.com/site/wbgh/nc34sm.jpg http://www.newschannel34.com/news/local/ 100 35 15 http://www.newschannel34.com:80/news/local/story/Libous-Ethics-Investigation/NC9WKQBIQk2nBFSpE-gUEg.cspx?rss=120 http://www.newschannel34.com/s/NC9WKQBIQk2nBFSpE-gUEg.cspx An Albany newspaper is reporting that a state ethics panel has agreed to investigate allegations that Republican State Senator Tom Libous used his political clout to secure a job and pay raises for his son.

According to the Times Union, the newly created Joint Commission on Public Ethics is responding to a complaint filed by Binghamton Mayor Mat Ryan, who is a Democrat. The accusations stem from an unrelated Yonkers corruption trial in which a disbarred attorney testified that Libous had offered to steer work toward a law firm if it hired his son Matthew. The witness, convicted felon Anthony Mangone, also testified that Libous later sought a salary boost of 50 thousand dollars for Matthew in exchange for a $50,000 account with a consulting firm that the senator is close with. The Senator's spokesperson did not respond to an email seeking comment on Tuesday. However, Libous has previously, and adamantly, denied any such quid pro quo arrangement ever existed regarding his son's position with the firm. ]]> Local News Tue, 15 May 2012 16:56:37 -0400 http://www.newschannel34.com:80/news/local/story/Hinchey-Accolades/Vvt07kWolUakdaNDTZgsoA.cspx?rss=120 http://www.newschannel34.com/s/Vvt07kWolUakdaNDTZgsoA.cspx Congressman Maurice Hinchey has been honored with two awards for his support of cancer research and environmental protection.

Hinchey received the Capitol Dome Award from the American Cancer Society. That's the highest national award given by the group in recognition of legislative leadership. The Woodstock Land Conservancy also honored Hinchey with its Second Annual William Ginsberg Stewardship Award. WLC gave Hinchey the honor, in part, because he has authored numerous laws designed to promote and protect the region's resources and landscapes. ]]> Local News Tue, 15 May 2012 16:55:25 -0400 http://www.newschannel34.com:80/news/local/story/School-Budget-Vote/KZQWBQb3W0WRaZZEVAYVGQ.cspx?rss=120 http://www.newschannel34.com/s/KZQWBQb3W0WRaZZEVAYVGQ.cspx Tuesday was school budget vote day across our area.

It was a good turn-out early on at the Union-Endicott District Office building. It's one of the district's three polling places. U-E's proposed budget stands at about $71 million. Its proposed tax levy increase is 2.7 percent. That is the district's tax levy limit after budget numbers are put through a complicated formula under the state's new tax increase cap plan. U-E lost out on about $5 million of state aid this year as the state looks to balance its budget. ]]> Local News Tue, 15 May 2012 16:53:00 -0400 http://www.newschannel34.com:80/news/local/story/Yogurt-Spill-on-Highway/sVtafRSqB02hW7H4QHsTYA.cspx?rss=120 http://www.newschannel34.com/s/sVtafRSqB02hW7H4QHsTYA.cspx A tractor trailer rollover last night in the Town of Chenango spilled 36,000 of yogurt onto the road's shoulder and embankment. The accident occurred on Interstate 88 West near the on ramp to 81 South. The driver, 24 year-old Oleksandr Brychka of Lincoln, Nebraska was ticketed for failure to reduce speed and improper lane use. He was not injured in the accident. ]]> Local News Tue, 15 May 2012 16:51:48 -0400 http://www.newschannel34.com:80/news/local/story/Water-Buffaloes-in-Franklin-Forks/C1dJHXd3wUqXlNAeamUYjA.cspx?rss=120 http://www.newschannel34.com/s/C1dJHXd3wUqXlNAeamUYjA.cspx More water buffaloes have been brought in for families in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.

The water supplies have been installed at three homes along Route 29 in Franklin Forks, between Conklin and Montrose, where wells have elevated levels of methane. In some cases there are also unacceptable levels of barium. The Pennsylvania Department of Protection asked WPX Energy to bring in the large tanks of water while testing is done. A DEP spokeswoman says elaborate water testing will determine if the methane was recently released from a gas drilling operation or if it was a preexisting condition at the homes. Gas drilling operations in the area are thousands feet away from Route 29. A deli in Franklin Forks is also having its well tested. It does have a methane vent on it. ]]> Local News Tue, 15 May 2012 16:50:22 -0400 Water Buffaloes in Franklin Forks http://www.newschannel34.com:80/news/local/story/Water-Testing-Concerns/MO_bGJjk00eT_xdKpYIAqA.cspx?rss=120 http://www.newschannel34.com/s/MO_bGJjk00eT_xdKpYIAqA.cspx A Silver Lake Township resident says Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection needs to do more to try to prevent potential contamination of public water supplies.

Craig Stevens says situations like in Dimock and Franklin Forks highlight the need. He says in areas where well testing is being done or methane vent systems are being installed on private wells, the issues should trigger additional testing at nearby farms and restaurants. Stevens says farm and restaurant owners may be hesitant to report problems because it could mean they would be put out of business. "It's safety for the whole community. It's not safety for my pocketbook or neighbors pocketbook. What I noticed is if you have problems with water in an area where there is a restaurant, that's a public water supply. When the public is involved that's not a private property issue anymore. That means the state is involved, local authorities are involved. The same with farms."

A spokeswoman for the DEP says if Stevens can provide scientific evidence to back his concerns, the DEP will act aggressively. ]]> Local News Tue, 15 May 2012 16:46:44 -0400 Water Testing Concerns http://www.newschannel34.com:80/news/local/story/Relay-for-Life-Preview/kk2hezUCEkKkc9vcY2808g.cspx?rss=120 http://www.newschannel34.com/s/kk2hezUCEkKkc9vcY2808g.cspx Binghamton's Relay for Life will have a new home this year: Broome Community College.

For its 20th year, the relay is leaving MacArthur Park on Binghamton's Southside for the soccer field at BCC. While MacArthur's outdoor track has recovered from flooding, the school is still not inhabitable for all of the indoor functions that the relay requires. Organized by the American Cancer Society, the Binghamton Relay attracts about 3 thousand participants each year with a goal of raising over 200 thousand dollars for cancer research and other services. Aside from the change of venue, this year's event, taking place on June 15th and 16th, will be very similar. It all begins with a survivor's lap at 6 pm on Friday and includes candle luminaries in the evening in honor of loved ones who've had cancer.

Director of Special Events Denise Woods says aside from those solemn moments, the event is a celebration. "Literally, we're asking the community and teams to come out, camp, dance, party, have a good time with us and really celebrate life. Because really that's what the American Cancer Society is all about: encouraging people to take good care of themselves so that they have a healthy life, a long life and a happy life."

This Saturday, the Western Broome Relay for Life will be held. It will be at Sammon Field, across from Vestal's Clayton Avenue Elementary School. There will be activities, games, dj's and more.

"We have some really large teams this year, which is fantastic. We have a team that's raised almost $20,000 already and they're doing a bangup job. Other teams are working just as hard and raising great amounts of money as well. It's just an all around wonderful event."

A survivor luncheon will take place at Noon. The opening ceremony starts at 2 pm. It is open to the public and will go all night, ending at 8:00 Sunday morning. ]]> Local News Tue, 15 May 2012 16:45:47 -0400 Relay for Life Preview http://www.newschannel34.com:80/news/local/story/Man-Plans-Trek-to-Alaska/Ic7AgOdcjE-Ct54DvNNiEA.cspx?rss=120 http://www.newschannel34.com/s/Ic7AgOdcjE-Ct54DvNNiEA.cspx A Newark Valley man has quite an adventuresome spirit.

In September, he plans to take his love for the outdoors to a new level. Patrick Malyszek plans to hike across part of Lake Clark National Park in Alaska by himself. Two of the main things he'll have to watch out for are bears and protecting himself against hypothermia. Malyszek will be dropped off in a remote corner of the park. He only plans to carry about 50 pounds, fishing rods and a gun.  He'll then have 30 days to cross a portion of the park.

Malyszek says, "One thing I found out by doing all of these trips is that whenever I come back there's a great deal of interest in them. People want to sit down and hear the stories of what happened. Instead of telling the stories broader, I thought it would be a good avenue to get hooked up with Make A Wish Foundation to give kids and other people a chance to get more involved with what I'm doing."

Malyszek will make his trip in the month of September. His progress can be tracked through Make A Wish's website. ]]> Local News Tue, 15 May 2012 16:44:53 -0400 Man Plans Trek to Alaska http://www.newschannel34.com:80/news/local/story/Quality-Market-Mural/fuHVIiEMDk27OcqK24y38w.cspx?rss=120 http://www.newschannel34.com/s/fuHVIiEMDk27OcqK24y38w.cspx Two women known for their public art installations are collaborating on a new project to put the Bling in Bing.

Mosaic artist Emily Jablon and muralist Kady Perry are decorating the side of the Quality Market on Vestal Avenue in Binghamton. We caught up with them Friday as they were putting the finishing touches on the mosaic tiles that will frame the image they're calling "Oh My Goddess." Inside will be a painting of hands holding flowers to represent growth and rebirth. The project has received assistance from both Binghamton University and Binghamton High School students.

Kady Perry says, "Bridging that gap between the students and the community was a success in that aspect." Emily Jablon says, "I teach mosaics at the Regents Academy. 'Club Bling.' They came after class today to help as well. So, they were really excited to get out of the classroom and into the world with their mosaics."

Resident Assistants from BU's College In The Woods dorm community provided both funds and volunteer labor to help with the project. ]]> Local News Tue, 15 May 2012 16:44:08 -0400 Quality Market Mural http://www.newschannel34.com:80/news/local/story/Flood-Victim-Survey/o5zF9uA3EEK4aCEJWjsdJw.cspx?rss=120 http://www.newschannel34.com/s/o5zF9uA3EEK4aCEJWjsdJw.cspx Over 8 months after the devastating flood hit our region, some victims still need help with recovery.

Broome County Community Organizations Active in Disaster, or COAD, announced on Monday plans for a door-to-door survey of flood victim needs. It has enlisted the help of the volunteer group Christian Reformed World Relief Committee which has extensive experience in both flood recovery work and needs assessment. For the first two weeks of June, roughly 20 volunteers, all wearing World Relief Committee green shirts, will attempt to contact the nearly 9,000 people who applied for FEMA assistance in Broome County, plus others that may have fallen through the cracks. The goal: find out what it will take to provide them with a safe, sanitary, secure and functional living environment.

Doug Guikema says, "What we do is not only helping the people but, we hope, helping the community to stay a community and support itself."

Officials from both groups signed an agreement today for the service. BC COAD will then use the voluntary and confidential information to help it lobby for more aid and plan flood recovery strategies. ]]> Local News Mon, 14 May 2012 16:54:41 -0400 Flood Victim Survey