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Drunk-driving law praised
Several area officials who address drunken-driving issues applauded passage of a state law that increases the penalty for people who drive drunk with children.
Leandra's Law creates a new crime, aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child, state Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, said in a media release on the law's passage.
Anyone who drives drunk with a child younger than 16 would be charged with a class E felony and faces up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, he said.
The legislation is named for 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed in October after a car driven by the mother of one of her friends was overturned on
the Henry Hudson Parkway.
The driver was charged only with misdemeanor crimes, carrying a lesser sentence and spurring the calls for the stronger legislation, Seward said.
It also requires any person convicted of driving while intoxicated or related crimes to install an ignition system that will prevent the car from starting if the driver's breath shows he or she is above the legal blood-alcohol limit. Violating that would be a class A misdemeanor.
"I think it's a good thing anytime you can get some preventive measures," said David Ramsey, executive director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County.
"With a law like this, there is usually a honeymoon, where there is compliance and numbers come down," he said.
If the enforcement is not consistent, "the behavior will creep back," he said.
The interlock system is an important feature in making sure people obey the law, he said.
Oneonta High School Students Against Destructive Decisions adviser Catherine Lynch said it's unfortunate that tragedies have to happen before laws are made tougher. But sometimes that is what it takes before a problem is addressed, she said.
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All drunken-driving laws should be made tougher, but she was hopeful that this action will make people think twice in this situation.
Delaware County Stop DWI Coordinator Lisa Barrows said she agreed that the penalty should be increased. "There are a lot of choices people make in life _ drinking and driving should not be one of them," she said.
The decision is made worse when there is an "innocent victim" and the driver should be punished accordingly, she said.
"A vehicle is a ... killing machine in the wrong hands," she said.
Seward said, "Leandra's Law sends a clear message to anyone who even thinks of getting behind the wheel after drinking, especially if a child is in the car."
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Police departments investigating apparent murder-suicide in Walton
WALTON _ An apparent murder-suicide shooting is being investigated by the Walton Police Department, the state police and the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, Walton Police Officer Brian Laauser said Monday. The shootings occurred at 32 Union Street at about 10 p.m. Sunday, police said.
- Police departments investigating apparent murder-suicide in Walton WALTON _ An apparent murder-suicide shooting is being investigated by the Walton Police Department, the state police and the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, Walton Police Officer Brian Laauser said Monday. The shootings occurred at 32 Union Street at about 10 p.m. Sunday, police said.
- Anna L. Bliss COOPERSTOWN _ Anna (Nonnie) Bliss, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown on Sunday evening, May 9, 2010. She was 88.
- Holocaust survivor to speak ONEONTA _ Hartwick College will host a lecture by Holocaust survivor Helen Sperling at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Celebration Room of Shineman Chapel House on the college campus. The presentation is free and open to the public.
- Ignore protesters; Arizona law protects citizens Congratulations go out to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and the state's legislature for having a backbone and passing a tough new law dealing with illegal immigration.
- Holocaust survivor to speak ONEONTA _ Hartwick College will host a lecture by Holocaust survivor Helen Sperling at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Celebration Room of Shineman Chapel House on the college campus. The presentation is free and open to the public.
- Motorist rolls truck, charged with drunken driving A motorist who continued driving after his truck rolled 360 degrees in Summit early Monday was charged with drunken driving, state police at Cobleskill said.
- Motorist rolls truck, charged with drunken driving A motorist who continued driving after his truck rolled 360 degrees in Summit early Monday was charged with drunken driving, state police at Cobleskill said.
- Mary Lorraine Hawkins RICHFIELD SPRINGS _ Mary Lorraine Hawkins, 85, went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 10, 2010, she was at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
- Area briefs: Video on natural gas drilling to be presented COPES CORNERS _ The Concerned Citizens of the Butternut Valley will sponsor a video presentation about natural gas drilling at 7 p.m. today at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School at 693 State Highway 51.
- Area briefs: Video on natural gas drilling to be presented COPES CORNERS _ The Concerned Citizens of the Butternut Valley will sponsor a video presentation about natural gas drilling at 7 p.m. today at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School at 693 State Highway 51.
- Evelyn E. Kinney MORRIS _ Evelyn E. Kinney, 81, of Morris, passed away Jan. 17, 2010.
- Frost may have damaged plantings Traces of a visit by Jack Frost overnight might leave severe damage to plant life in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties, weather officials said Monday.
- Daisy Wagner Schultz WALTON _ Daisy Meda Wagner Schultz, 65, of Walton, passed away unexpectedly Sunday evening, May 9, 2010, at home.
- Frost may have damaged plantings Traces of a visit by Jack Frost overnight might leave severe damage to plant life in Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties, weather officials said Monday.
- Edward Luke Ryder MOUNT VISION _ Edward Luke Ryder, 71, passed away Monday, May 10, 2010, at his home.
- Police probe apparent murder-suicide WALTON _ An apparent murder-suicide shooting is being investigated by the Walton Police Department, the state police and the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, Walton Police Officer Brian Laauser said Monday. The shootings occurred at 32 Union Street at about 10 p.m. Sunday, police said.
- Police probe apparent murder-suicide WALTON _ An apparent murder-suicide shooting is being investigated by the Walton Police Department, the state police and the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, Walton Police Officer Brian Laauser said Monday. The shootings occurred at 32 Union Street at about 10 p.m. Sunday, police said.
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3 area lawyers say Kagan likely to be confirmed
Elena Kagan is likely to be confirmed as United States Supreme Court justice and seems qualified for the post, according to three area lawyers.
Kagan, the nations solicitor general and a former dean of Harvard Law School, is President Barack Obamas choice to succeed retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. - Alyce H. Roberts ONEONTA _ Alyce H. Roberts, 89, of Oneonta, passed away Sunday, May 9, 2010, at home.
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Police departments investigating apparent murder-suicide in Walton
