Business cards are handy and can be informative. The card I have for Matti has a picture and many basic details about him and his job.
Matti is a K-9 with state police, and his business address is in Albany. He is a male German shepherd and was born May 7, 2007. His specialty is explosives detection.
As with other K-9s, Matti is named after a trooper who was killed in the line of duty. He was named in memory of Cpl. Harold C. Mattice of Troop C in Sidney, who was shot during an arrest April 28, 1923. Trooper Jeffrey T. Dovigh is his partner, and they graduated from the State Police Canine Training Facility on Oct. 17, 2008. The team enrolled for more training at the facility in Cooperstown this year and graduated Wednesday.
Matti had been on tracking exercises when I saw him in November.
I didn't really meet Matti. He just barked at me from his patrol car. He announced my arrival at the scene with a deep, sonorous woof that was all business. His eyes glowered. I knew to stay away.
Robert Barnes, Oneonta's retired fire chief, has been hired as coordinator of the Bradford County Emergency Management Agency, The Daily Review of Towanda, Pa., reported Friday.
Barnes started his new job Monday and replaces Jim Vajda Jr., who retired, the report by James Loewenstein said.
Barnes served for 19 years as the fire chief and emergency manager for the city of Oneonta. Before that he was the emergency services coordinator for Otsego County.
As Bradford County emergency management agency coordinator, he will receive a salary of $15.25 per hour, or $29,737.50 per year, Teresa Jones, director of the county's personnel department, said in the news report.
Maggie Barnes, formerly spokeswoman for A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta and a public relations consultant, joined the public relations office of Guthrie Health Care of Sayre, Pa., this autumn.
"She is expanding her career at Guthrie, and I am able to continue the work I've enjoyed for so many years," Barnes said in the report. "It's a great opportunity."
Commanders of two state police troops released results of the recent Buckle Up New York enforcement efforts.
Of 3,830 vehicle and traffic arrests in the Southern Tier, which includes area towns, more than half were for not wearing seat belts, troopers said in a media release.
Maj. Kevin G. Molinari, New York State Police Troop "C" commander, has released the results for the "Buckle Up New York" enforcement efforts for the Southern Tier of New York.
"The Buckle Up New York Campaign has concluded with very positive results for commuters in the Southern Tier," Molinari said in the release. "While we will never be able to put an end to personal injury accidents, the campaign allows us to remind the public of the importance of seat belt safety and how a seat belt will definitely limit if not prevent an injury."
Statistics from the Nov. 15 to 28 campaign reported in the release included:
"¢ Fatal accident investigations: 1
"¢ Personal injury accidents: 47; the number of people injured: 60
"¢ Property damage auto accidents: 230
"¢ Driving while intoxicated arrests: 30
"¢ Speed arrests: 741
"¢ Safety belt arrests: 1,662
"¢ Child restraint arrests: 42
"¢ Total vehicle and traffic Arrests: 3,830
The objective of Buckle Up New York is to increase seat belt use, which in turn saves lives and reduces the severity of injuries, said a media release issued by Maj. William S. Sprague, Troop G Commander.
Troopers in Troop G, which includes a 10-county area in the Capital/Saratoga region, issued 1,418 safety restraint tickets during the recent two-week period, including 39 tickets for violations of the child passenger safety law, the release said. In addition, nine arrests were made for criminal offenses at checkpoints.
Enforcement emphasis was focused on the three counties that have the lowest seat-belt usage, troopers said, and of the 15 checkpoints in Troop G during this period, 11 were conducted in Washington, Rensselaer and Schoharie counties.
The most-recent observational survey of seat belt use in New York state showed that 88 percent of front-seat occupants of passenger vehicles were properly restrained, up from 75 percent in 1998, before the campaign began. In 1998, 1,505 people died on New York's highways compared to 1,148 in 2009.
The designated campaign is over, but enforcement of seat belt laws will continue, troopers said.
Denise Richardson can be reached at 432-1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 213, or at drichardson@thedailystar.com.
Local News
Reporter's Notebook: Police dog all business in encounter
- Local News
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Area medic recalls Afghan service
Contributed Ed Gyukeri Jr. is shown outside the trauma bay in Afghanistan during Halloween 2012.
Today is Armed Forces Day, a day when the nation honors the contributions that military service members make toward ensuring its security.
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Ramsaran faces murder charge
More than five months after his wife, Jennifer, mysteriously vanished, Ganesh "Remy" Ramsaran of New Berlin was jailed Friday after he was charged with second-degree murder in connection with her death.
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Two schools lock down after threats
Threats at Delaware Academy and Walton Central schools Friday afternoon resulted in safety measures being taken. No incidents occurred, officials said, but the investigations are continuing.
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Country Junction enjoys scent of success
Walking into Country Junction gift shop, customers are greeted with the scents and scenes of country life. Handmade wooden signs with down-home sayings are hung along the walls, and gingham cloth covers the tables.
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Otsego Relay for Life marks 15 years
Progress seemed to be the theme of the 15th annual Cooperstown/Otsego County Relay For Life as events kicked off with an opening ceremony Friday night.
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Ommegang to host bird-watching event
COOPERSTOWN -- Birdwatchers will be bonding over brunch and beer on June 2 at Brewery Ommegang.
- Friday, May 17, 2013
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Threats made at Walton and Delhi schools
Threats at Delaware Academy and Walton Central schools this afternoon resulted in safety measures being taken. No incidents occurred, but the investigations are continuing, officials said. While the events do not appear to be related it was too early to say for sure, Delhi Police Chief Michael Mills said.
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Ganesh 'Remy' Ramsaran charged with 2nd-degree murder
After months of investigation into the Dec. 11 disappearance of his wife, Jennifer Renz Ramsaran, 36, Ganesh "Remy" Ramsaran was arrested today by the Chenango County Sheriff's Department and charged with second-degree murder.
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Area schools: Grads face fierce job hunt
Hundreds of seniors at four area colleges are graduating this month, and college officials said many factors play into their employment success in the world of work ahead.
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Judge tosses charges against Pacherilles
COOPERSTOWN -- A state judge has dismissed charges of aggravated harassment brought against Anthony Pacherille Sr. and his brother, Angelo David Pacherille, in connection with a web site that mocked the father of the youth Anthony Pacherille Jr. was accused of shooting in 2010.
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Panel says conflicted judge must step down
The state Commission on Judicial Conduct recently issued a determination that Middletown Justice Glen R. George be removed from office, according to court documents.
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HOF to host traveling Vietnam memorial
The longtime connection between baseball and America's military will be honored Memorial Day Weekend as part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's fifth annual Hall of Fame Classic.
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Four sentenced in Schoharie court
Defendants were sentenced in Schoharie County Court cases, according to a recently issued media release from the Schoharie County District Attorney's Office.
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Bassett's bucks back Cooperstown scholars
COOPERSTOWN - Robert Clarke Bassett believes in giving back. The great nephew of Dr. Mary Imogene Bassett, founder of Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, came to the hospital complex Thursday to recognize two Cooperstown Central High School seniors for their academic achievements and leadership potential.
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Woman accused of child, animal neglect
A Worcester woman was arrested following an March 20 investigation of a report that a 7-year-old child was missing from her home, Otsego deputies said.
- Thursday, May 16, 2013
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Blodgett plan critics complain at hearing
Pedestrian safety, traffic on Blodgett Drive and water drainage remained top issues raised during a public hearing Wednesday night before the Oneonta Planning Commission.
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Oneidas present CCS with $10,000 for uniforms
Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter presented a $10,000 check to Cooperstown Central School at a board meeting Wednesday, but not before praising the students who pushed to oust the district's longtime name of "Redskins."
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Board gives deed to Manor seller
COOPERSTOWN -- The new directors of Otsego's County's new local development corporation became acquainted with one another Wednesay and swiftly found themselves holding the deed to the 174-bed Otsego Manor nursing home.
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Board hopeful, 29, has Murphy's support
COOPERSTOWN -- Dan Buttermann, 29, is a fresh face in Otsego County politics, and if he is successful in his maiden run for public office, he will be representing the residents of the town of Oneonta on the county Board of Representatives next Jan. 1.
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Three accused of robbery, assault
Three area residents were arrested on robbery and assault charges, state police at Sidney said in a media release.
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