Worcester dairy farmer Dan Stannard -- charged last November with discharging a firearm too close to a dwelling -- has succeeded in having the charge withdrawn after vigorously asserting his innocence.
The Daily Star reported in February that Stannard defended his conduct by asserting he had no choice but to shoot and kill a raccoon that he believed was rabid and posed a threat to his livestock.
Stannard tried to draw public attention to his protest over the charge brought against him by a state environmental conservation officer by displaying home-made billboards on Route 7 in Worcester that made derogatory comments about Otsego County District Attorney John Muehl and the officer who cited him.
"I told everybody there was no way in hell I would ever take a plea bargain," Stannard said this week. "I had witnesses who saw the coon trying to attack me."
The dead animal was never tested to determine if it was rabid. Stannard said some officials in Worcester also tried to pressure him to remove the signs, but he refused, saying he was simply exercising his right of free speech. However, the signs have since been taken down.
"I've got no arguments with anybody now," he said.
The case against Stannard was recently transferred from Worcester Town Court to Maryland Town Court. Assistant District Attorney Marvin Parshall Jr. said Stannard urged Maryland Town Justice Paul Barnhart to dismiss the charge.
Parshall said he did not oppose the request, and the judge agreed to squash the charge.
Local News
Charge dropped against raccoon-shooting farmer
- Local News
-
-
Vote divides area scoutmasters
Local scouting leaders interviewed Friday were on both sides of the recent decision by the Boy Scouts of America to allow openly gay boys into their ranks.
-
Pipeline planners poised to file
The planners of the $750 million Constitution Pipeline project say they expect to submit an application for a federal license to build the natural gas transmission system the week of June 10.
-
Two men to interview for Oneonta superintendent
Two finalists in the Oneonta City School District search for a superintendent will be coming to the district June 7 for interviews with a variety of committees, officials involved with the process said.
-
Parade set in Worcester
-
Otego quilters offer a stitch in time
Barb Utter of Otego had been in the quilting business for more than seven years when she invited her friend, April Neske, to share her store space.
-
Man honored for power co-op work
"The recognition was a complete surprise," said Wayne Marshfield, assistant general manager at Delaware County Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Delhi, and recipient of the "Governor George D. Aiken Award."
- Friday, May 24, 2013
-
Local troopers salute fallen comrades
-
Numerous events set for Memorial Day weekend|
Besides traditional Memorial Day services this weekend, there will be several other events in the area.
-
Correction
Because of an editor's error, the headline of a photo that appeared on Page 3 of Thursday's Daily Star incorrectly identified the St. James Rectory on Walnut Street as the church. The rectory is the home of the Rev. Kenneth Hunter and his family.
-
Ramsaran indicted on murder charge
A Chenango County grand jury handed up an indictment Thursday, charging Ganesh "Remy" Ramsaran with second-degree murder in connection with the Dec. 11 disappearance of his 36-year-old wife, Jennifer, in the couple's home at 473 Sheff Road in New Berlin.
-
Firefighters spark blaze for OHS safety event
Firefighters built an 8-by-8-by-8-foot structure, added a bed, some furniture and shredded paper, then set the room ablaze.
-
Traveling Vietnam wall arrives in Cooperstown
While the fifth annual Hall of Fame Classic will bring a lot of fun to Cooperstown on Saturday, with its switch to Memorial Day Weekend, the organizers wanted to do something special to honor local veterans as well.
-
Fairy Spring Park to mark 75th anniversary Saturday
The Cooperstown group Friends of the Park will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Fairy Spring Park this weekend at the park.
-
Union leader seeks to spark activism
COBLESKILL -- As the incoming leader of the nation's largest union for professionals working in higher education jobs, Fred Kowal has an ambitious agenda that includes giving his organization greater clout in the halls of the state Capitol.
-
Area man charged with reckless driving|
A Burlington Flats man was charged with reckless driving and issued multiple other tickets after a traffic stop, Oneonta city police said.
-
Chenango railways receive $4.7M boost
The County of Chenango Industrial Development Agency was notified Thursday that the Federal Economic Development Administration has approved a $4.7 million award for the Revitalization of the Chenango County rail system.
-
Police: Man stopped with heroin, cocaine|
Oneonta police arrested an Oneonta man on drug charges after a traffic stop.
-
Tree falls, disrupts downtown power
- Thursday, May 23, 2013
-
Grand jury indicts Ganesh Ramsaran for 2nd degree murder
A Chenango County grand jury today handed up an indictment charging Ganesh "Remy" Ramsaran with second-degree murder in connection with the Dec. 11 killing of his 36-year-old wife, Jennifer, in the couple's home at 473 Sheff Road in New Berlin.
-
Power restored in downtown Oneonta
After about a 4:30-minute power failure, power was restored to downtown Oneonta at 2:30 p.m., according to Ann Carnrike, field customer service representative for New York State Electric and Gas.
-
Vote divides area scoutmasters
