News Channel 34: Local News

Ramsaran Murder Arrest

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:34:46 -0400

A New Berlin has been accused of killing his wife whom he reported missing last December.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office has charged 38 year-old Ganesh Remy Ramsaran with 2nd degree murder in the death of 36 year-old Jennifer Ramsaran. Remy had claimed that Jennifer left the house on December 11th to go shopping at the Destiny USA Mall in Syracuse and never returned. Her mini-van was discovered in Norwich 4 days later and in February, her body was found along Center Road in the Town of Pharsalia.

BC Legislature Recognizes Veterans

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:14:22 -0400

The Broome County Legislature has honored 18 veterans for their service to our country.

It held its 3rd annual Veterans of Distinction awards ceremony before its monthly meeting. The servicemen who were recognized served in a variety of wars, including World War 2, Vietnam and Korea. They were nominated by local veterans organizations and officials.

Anthony Moran is one of the distinguished veterans. He is the President of the Broome County Veterans Memorial Association and is also involved with several military organizations. One of his volunteer duties is to attend the funerals of veterans. Moran says, "It's something that I believe is a true honor, as a veteran, to honor a fellow vet and certainly for the families. They really do appreciate what we do and you can't say enough about that. It certainly brings something to my heart that I can do this for them."

Moran and several other volunteers attend about 200 military funerals a year in our area, where they perform a short ceremony to pay tribute to the veteran's service.

Women's Equality Coalition

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:12:30 -0400

There's a continued local push to pass Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposed Women's Equality Agenda.

Supporters says the 10 point plan addresses issues such as equal pay and other forms of discrimination. Representatives from a variety of organizations and businesses and politicians highlighted the agenda this afternoon at Binghamton's Confluence Park. The group wants the legislature to pass the proposal before the end of the legislative session in Albany next month.

Donna Lupardo says, "It's hard to believe that here in 2013 we're still talking about basic provisions such as pay equity and certainly reproductive health and choice is vitally important that we take it out of the criminal code and put it into the health code where it belongs."

Agenda supporters in other cities also held rallies today and delivered petition signatures to state politicians who may be opposed to some aspects of the proposal. One of the things that has drawn criticism from some people is the idea to expand abortion access and coverage.

Music for the Mission Results

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:08:30 -0400

The recent Music for the Mission concert featuring singer/songwriter Jared Campbell far exceeded expectations and will help to feed many hungry kids in our community.

The concert at New Life Ministries was sponsored by Stanley Law Offices and organized by NewsChannel 34, Townsquare Media and the church. The event raised over 14 thousand dollars which will help New Life launch a new effort to feed children. The church plans to provide weekend backpacks of non-perishable food to students who are on free or reduced lunches at Union-Endicott elementaries.

Pastor of Group Life Pam Washburn says she had hoped to raise enough money to provide weekend meals to about 50 kids. Now, she'll be able to serve over 100. Washburn says, "People just want to help and sometimes they don't know how. This was just an amazing opportunity for us to share with other people in the community like Joe Stanley who really has a heart for that. And as a church, we really have a heart for that. To just make a way for people to be able to help. It was awesome to see the community come together. Really awesome."

If you'd like to support the church's backpack program, call Washburn at 785-8579.

Traditions Adds New Features

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:06:50 -0400

Another sign that the Summer season is upon us is the return of Cans and Clams to Traditions at the Glen.

In preparation for the weekly outdoor party, Traditions has installed a new stone deck with tables and chairs, a fire pit and water fall outside of its large catering tent. There's also a new pagoda for wedding ceremonies which will serve as a stage for live bands during Cans and Clams. Even the tent itself is new, the old one was damaged by the remnants of Hurricane Sandy.

General Manager Candace Jones says there will be more room for the growing Friday parties. "We're stuck inside all week long in our jobs, most of us. This is a good way of getting out and taking a breath and enjoying good company, good entertainment, good food, some good cold beverages and friends."

Jones says the new deck will also be used for weddings, golf tournaments and company parties. Cans and Clams runs every Friday from 5 until 10 through September 13th.

CTI Transportation Event

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:56:16 -0400

The Center for Technology and Innovation will host its 2nd annual Technology that Drives Us and Upstate Vehicles event on Sunday.

The special guest speaker will be the inventor of the Lithium Ion Battery and the Director of Fuel Cell Research for Raymond Corporation, based in Greene. There will also be several unique vehicles on display, including a fire engine from the Binghamton Fire Department from 1929, a horseless carriage from 1899 and state of the art electric and energy efficient vehicles from Raymond and Gault.

Rudi says, "You can teach it, which means you basically drive the path that you want the vehicle to go. You can teach certain behaviors, such as slowing down before you go around corners and honking the horn. After it's recorded you can repeat this route as often as you want."

The event, which runs this Sunday from 10 until 5 will be at the Center for Technology & Innovation at 321 Water Street in Binghamton. Three tech talks will take place at 1:30, 2 and 2:30 pm. Admission cost is 5 dollars. Fore more information, log onto ctandi.org.

Vestal Fractivist Petitions

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:15:46 -0400

A group of Vestal residents presented 2,500 petition signatures to the Governor's office Friday.

Vestal Residents for Safe Energy collected the names of people who are opposed to fracking. VERSE says the petition proves that Vestal is not a pro-fracking town, even though the organization believes the town board allows that perception. VERSE doesn't want Governor Cuomo to allow limited fracking in the Southern Tier, which has been talked about.

Pat Roberts says, "We will continue to collect signatures to make it clear to the Governor that a majority of Vestal residents do not want fracking. We do not want to bring a heavy industry, that has polluted air and water elsewhere, into our town."

A representative from the pro-fracking organization, the Joint Landowners Coalition, was at Friday's rally in Binghamton. Victor Furman is the Field Operations Officer. He refutes VERSE's claim that fracking chemicals contaminate water and points to the DEP's and EPA's findings that well water in Dimock is safe in spite of claims by a roup of residents that it's not. He also says anti-frackers don't have that much sway in the town, because if they did there might be a fracking ban in place in the town.

Furman says, "The Vestal Town Board has all been re-elected since this started taking place five years ago so the town of residents did speak. There's a lot more than 2,500 people in Vestal and the vote has spoken like the vote in this area has spoken."

The Governor's Office has been mum on whether it plans to allow hydrofracking in New York State. The State Assembly voted to extend the moratorium, but the Senate did not.

Nanticoke Gardens 40th Anniversary

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:43:38 -0400

Nanticoke Gardens in the Town of Union is celebrating its 40th anniversary and its full recovery from the devastating flood of 2011.

Nanticoke Gardens grows a wide variety of vegetable and flowering plants in over 59,000 square feet of growing space. Brothers Chip and Pete Shafer bought the business from founder Don Ferguson back in 2010. After a successful first growing season in 2011, 7 feet of water inundated the site, destroying the buildings, equipment and inventory, including the poinsettia crop for that year's holiday season. The Shafer's credit their recovery to help from loyal customers, family, state and town government and complete strangers.

Pete Shafer says, "I want to thank the hundreds of anonymous volunteers who showed up in work clothes and gloves and just wanted to be put to work. You challenged us to find work for you and keep you busy, and in turn, showed us that this recovery was something bigger than us."

Among a display of old photographs is a newspaper clipping of Chip Shafer photographed with Ferguson among the marigolds during a kindergarten class trip. Chip would go on to work at Nanticoke Gardens and later purchase it with his brother Pete. Saturday, the celebration continues with free giveaways.

Missing Sex Offender

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:13:24 -0400

The Broome County Sheriff's Office is on the look out for an alleged sex offender who has disappeared.

Police say 54 year-old Paul Terwilliger, of the Town of Chenango, is accused of sexually violating a child less than 11 years of age. He was arrested late last month and charged. However, police say he posted bail and hasn't been heard from. Terwilliger is described as white with brown hair and blue eyes, 5' 6" tall and weighs about 150 pounds. Numerous first responders have been looking for him. If you have seen or know where Terwilliger is, you're asked to call the Broome County Sheriff's Office Tip Line at 778-1196.

Energy Efficiency Program

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:11:53 -0400

Local organizations are trying to broaden awareness of programs that can help you save money on your energy.

A media event was staged outside the Johnson City home of Mary Snyder yesterday to bring attention to the Southern Tier Home Performance Energy Efficiency Program. It provides qualified home owners with free energy assessments and then low-interest loans to pay for upgrades. The borrowed money can then be paid back through on-bill financing. That's where the loan payments are included in your energy bill but presumably offset by the savings you attain by using less energy. In Snyder's case, she received a combination of blown-in cellulose insulation and foam insulation as well as a new more efficient furnace. The 88 year-old homeowner is pleased with the results.

Snyder says, "The front part of the house was a porch. That part, which I use for a living room, was very drafty. There was all this air coming in below. Since I've had the work done, no drafts, it's comfortable."

Contractors even discovered what could have been a life-threatening gas leak in Snyder's home. Some lower-income homeowners can qualify for grants. Organizers say more eligible residents in Broome and surrounding counties should be taking advantage of the opportunity. And local contractors say it's been a big boost to their industry. For more information, call Green Jobs Green New York at 723-0110.