Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

From the “Seriously? You called state police for this?” file: A 19-year-old is facing charges for stealing a can of pop. Troopers say Bradley Barnard of Byron, New York, took the beverage from the cafeteria lunch line at Genesee Community College and put it in his backpack. A review of surveillance video confirmed the theft. Barnard was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Florida man is charged with one count of Murder 1st degree after intentionally striking a New York State Trooper along I-81 in Broome County. Almond Upton, 60, Melrose, Florida was arraigned in Town of Chenango Court on one count of Murder 1st degree after he intentionally struck Trooper Christopher G. Skinner along I-81 in Broome County. Just after 12:00 p.m. on May 29, 2014, Upton was traveling on I-81 when he intentionally hit two cars driving north. One driver suffered minor injuries and was treated at Wilson Hospital. After traveling approximately one mile, just north of exit 6, between Chenango Bridge and Castle Creek, Upton spotted Trooper Skinner conducting a traffic stop, traveled from the passing to driving lane intentionally striking Trooper Skinner and sideswiped the car he stopped. Trooper Skinner was killed instantly. Upton's vehicle continued on a short distance before stopping and he ran into nearby woods. He was taken into custody approxim...

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico is saddened to announce the death of Trooper Christopher G. Skinner. Trooper Skinner was last assigned to the Traffic Incident Management Unit (TIM Detail), Troop C, Delaware County. Around 12:00 p.m. on May 29, 2014, Trooper Skinner was outside his marked State Police car conducting a vehicle and traffic stop on I-81 north of exit 6, between Chenango Bridge and Castle Creek, Broome County, when he was struck by a passing vehicle. Trooper Skinner was killed instantly. The driver continued on a short distance before stopping and running into nearby woods. The operator was taken into custody shortly after 1:00 p.m. following a search. Trooper Skinner was a 13 year veteran of the New York State Police. He worked in Troops C, E and G. He was assigned to the TIM detail in June 2008. Trooper Skinner is from Binghamton, NY and is survived by his mother, Sharyn, brother, Shawn, fiancé, Surrena, and two children, 15-year-old Kyle an...

32 people, including a Jamestown man, have been charged with running a drug ring that brought heroin and cocaine into western New York. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico announced this afternoon that a 13-month investigation known as “Operation Crazy Train” dismantled the operation. The suspects were arrested during a series of overnight raids. Bryan Moore is the Jamestown man who was arrested. Schneiderman says over the course of the investigation authorities seized nearly $1 million worth of heroin, several hundred thousand dollars’ worth of cocaine and tens of thousands of dollars in cash. Pictured, New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D'Amico (right) with Canine Handler Trooper Eric Harper and K9 J.D., who played a major role in the operation. This is police dog appreciation week. New York State Police photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Impersonating a state trooper has landed a Hinsdale man in jail. Police say 37-year-old Richard Williams Jr. contacted a woman’s employer in Jamestown, attempting to discredit her and get her fired. He allegedly stated on several occasions that he was with New York State Police. Williams is charged with criminal impersonation and aggravated harassment. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A New York State Trooper is dead after being hit by a tractor-trailer while he was conducting a traffic stop on the Thruway near Albany Monday night. New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico says Trooper David W. Cunniff died this afternoon in Albany Medical Center. The 35-year-old trooper was in his patrol car with emergency lights activated when the tractor-trailer hit his car and the car Cuniff had stopped. The impact forced the trooper’s car off the road and partially ejected him from the vehicle. Trooper Cuniff is survived by his wife and two sons, ages 6 and 4. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

(News Release) Effective Monday, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office 911 Center will begin dispatching for the New York State Police Barracks in both Jamestown and Fredonia. Currently, the State Police dispatches Troopers from the Jamestown Barracks on Rt. 60 in the Town of Ellicott. On December 16th, the police phone lines from the Barracks will be transferred to the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office 911 Center and the Troopers will switch to the Sheriff’s Office police radio frequency as their primary channel. All 911 calls via cell phones are currently received by the Sheriff’s Office 911 Center. Staff at the State Police Barracks for non-emergency business may still be contacted by calling 716-665-3114 or 716-679-1520. There will also be an emergency call box located at the front door of the Jamestown and Fredonia Barracks in the event a citizen arrives at the Barracks with an emergency. The call box will ring into the 911 center and the closest available police car will b...

Thousands of people – including law enforcement officers from across New York State – attended the funeral for Trooper Ross Riley this afternoon in the Reilly Center at St. Bonaventure University. During the service State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico said Riley was an outstanding state trooper and marine, but his family meant the world to him. "During his Power Point presentations when he was teaching," D'Amico said, "he'd slip in pictures of his daughters. Some of him holding them. And even one of him and his daughter at the father/daughter dance. Not something a lot of guys would do. But for Ross, family came first and he was proud to show it." His daughters are 10, 8 and 3 years old. Riley died last week during a training exercise at Letchworth State Park. NY State Police photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Funeral arrangements have been set for New York State Trooper Ross Riley, who died Wednesday after falling into a gorge at Letchworth State Park. Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home on Route 417 in Olean. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Reilly Center at St. Bonaventure University. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

From the NYSP News Conference: 44-year-old Trooper Ross Riley and two other troopers with the Special Operations Response Team were simulating a rescue on a ledge when Riley fell backward onto a creek bed 30 feet below. He suffered critical head injuries. The plan was to fly him to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester but he died at Wyoming County Community Hospital. Riley received a commendation for his work at the World Trade Center after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was also a veteran of the Gulf War. Besides his wife Heidi of NYSP-Olean, he leaves behind three daughters ages 10, 8 and 3. ~~~ UPDATE: WIVB-TV is reporting that Trooper Ross Riley has died of his injuries. His wife Heidi is the station commander of the Olean barracks. A New York State Trooper who fell into the gorge at Letchworth State Park this afternoon is being treated at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Emergency officials tell www.dansvilleonline.com that the trooper fell duri...

Rep. Tom Reed, county police, sheriff, fire and emergency services departments gathered at Cornell University Thursday for an Emergency Responders Advisory Board meeting. The group focused primarily on funding opportunities including grants made available to emergency and first responders. “With the relationships we’re building with local emergency and first responders, we have a better understanding of what they are looking toward Congress to help them with,” Reed said. “Fire departments, EMS organizations, police departments – they all have specific equipment and personnel needs and the better we understand those needs, the better equipped Washington will be to address them and address them fairly.” “As the Chief of Police at a large Ivy League University that works closely with other first responders in our community, this type of forum is essential to communicating what our needs are to do the best job in responding to and preventing emergencies,” said Chief Kathy Zoner o...

New York State Police are hoping Erie County Fair-goers can help them connect with their past. As they are looking at revisions to the museum at the State Police Academy in Albany, troopers are inviting people to bring New York State Police memorabilia to their display area at the fair. Everything will be scanned into a computer file. Also, as the 100th anniversary of the New York State Police approaches, troopers are reminding retired members, their family and friends to stop in and tell tales of their days “on the job.” These stories may be used as part of an anniversary celebration. During the fair troopers will be participating in canine and rapelling demonstrations. Photo of 2012 NYS Police rapelling demonstration by Anne Holliday The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A firefighter from Westons Mills collapsed Wednesday while an accident scene was being cleared, and quick action by a state trooper saved his life. Troopers say they were investigating the three-car crash at the intersection of Route 417 and Promised Land Road in Portville. Two drivers were taken to Olean General Hospital for treatment. A few firefighters stayed on the scene to help with traffic control and, while waiting for tow trucks to take the vehicles away, a firefighter collapsed, was not breathing and had no pulse. While the other firemen rushed to help him and started CPR, Trooper John Zeigler got an Automated External Defibrilator from his cruiser, and used it on the collapsed fireman. Then they continued CPR until he started breathing again. The fireman was taken to Olean General, and is expected to make a full recovery. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The State Police in Western New York encourage motorists to exercise due care over the next few days. The temperature will be hovering in the single digits in addition to somewhat windy conditions which will result in sub zero wind chill temperatures. State Police will be out across the region checking all major routes of travel to ensure that motorists are as safe as possible. The State Police need your assistance to make this possible. Use your best judgment to determine if driving is prudent and also be prepared in case you either become stranded or you encounter a long traffic delay. Keep the following tips in mind: - Get the latest weather forecast before leaving – www.weather.gov , monitor radio or TV stations or contact your nearest State Police station • - Start with a full tank of gas and try to maintain it over half full at all times • •- Fluid levels are sufficient ( windshield washer fluid, ant-freeze) • •- Cell Phone in case of an emergency If yo...

The Addison, New York, man who tried to kill two state troopers in September of 2011 has been sentenced to 40 years to life in state prison. 38-year-old Richard VanGorden was convicted in November of attempted murder and other charges related to a high-speed chase in Hornellsville. VanGorden held police at bay during a three-hour stand-off at a trailer park in Wellsville that ended when police used tear gas to force him out. VanGorden still insists he did not try to kill the troopers. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Major Christopher L. Cummings, Troop “A” Commander announces that the New York State Police in Troop “A” are participating in a national impaired driving enforcement campaign called the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over National Crackdown.” Beginning Friday, December 14, 2012 through New Years Day. More than 20,000 police agencies nationwide are expected to participate. Around the State, the New York State Police are planning 30 sobriety checkpoints, 10 saturation details, 18 underage drinking details, and 41 additional dedicated local DWI patrols. Saturation details consist of multiple roving units that target a specific area of focus. It is a massive effort supported largely through grants from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, aimed at preventing tragedies during the Holiday Season. There are a number of these concentrated details planned throughout Western New York and they will be conducted for the remainder of December. “The Holiday Season is all about...

Indianapolis, Indiana - Captain Steve Nigrelli of the New York State Police has been awarded the 2012 John Carion "Unsung Hero" award at the International Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Conference. This award recognizes outstanding individuals who have contributed to the success of their local and state Special Olympics programs. Nigrelli has been involved with Special Olympics New York and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for more than 19 years. He is the current New York State Torch Run Director (2010 to present), a volunteer based position, elected by his peers and served before this as the Western Regional Director from 2006 to 2010. He is the Chairman of the WNY Polar Plunge (December 1, 2012 at Woodlawn State Park) which has raised nearly half a million dollars in six years. He is also a member of numerous LETR event committees such as the Over the Edge, Applebee's Law & Orders, he plans and implements more than 10 Torch Run Legs across WNY and is a part o...

New York State Police have released more information about the helicopter crash that injured a state trooper near Bath, New York. At around 10:30 Thursday morning 41-year-old Trooper Thomas Shultz had to make a “controlled, powerless descent” after the helicopter experienced mechanical problems, and that resulted in what they are calling a “hard landing.” Shultz, who is a highly trained and experienced US Army combat pilot, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for treatment. Shultz is assigned to the State Police Aviation Unit in Batavia. He was part of the team looking for 28-year-old Melissa Sherry of Hammondsport, who had been missing since Saturday. She was found dead in the Town of Campbell. NY State Police photo The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The dog who helped police track Ralph “Bucky” Phillips into the woods where he eventually surrendered back in 2006 has passed away. 12-year-old Harry was also the last living member of the New York State Police K-9 unit who worked at the World Trade Center after 9/11. Harry met and protected several dignitaries including President Bill Clinton, worked at the US Open Golf Tournament on Long Island, and performed demonstrations at the Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Allegany and Erie county fairs as well as the New York State Fair in Syracuse. He was assigned to Trooper Jeff Kaduc of the Amity-based state police, and retired in 2008. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947 Photo provided

A Cattaraugus County meth lab has been shut down. The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task force, working in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency in Buffalo, arrested 24-year-old Donald Johnson of Ischua and charged him with unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine. Task force and DEA members seized lab equipment and items used in the production of meth from Johnson’s Yankee Hill Road home. Johnson is in Cattaraugus County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail following his arraignment by Judge Stephen Riley in Town of Ischua Court. Additional arrests and charges, including federal charges, are pending the completion of the investigation. The task force and DEA were assisted by the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police K-9 Unit and the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET). Also assisting at the scene were Cattaraugus County Emergency Services Unit and members of the Ischua Volunteer Fire Department. Cattaraugus County District Attorney L...