Bugel Case Delayed

The 22-year-old Oneonta man that was charged with third degree attempted arson for allegedly trying to start a fire behind the Community Bank on Main Street had his case adjourned yesterday in Oneonta city court.

Officials say that results from a competency test among other things are needed before they proceed with the Gable Bugel case.

Bugel is being held in Otsego county jail on $15,000 cash, or $30,000 bail, on the city charge and without bail on a County Charge.

New Child Abuse Legislation Clears State Senate

Legislation sponsored by State Senator John Bonacic, which would require reports made to the State’s Child Abuse hotline to be investigated when made by mandated reporters such as physicians, social workers, or law enforcement, has again cleared the State Senate with wide, bi-partisan support.

The legislation was initially prompted after the 1998 murder of 3-year-old Christopher Gardner of Bloomingburg. Before he was killed, a mandated reporter had called the child abuse hotline claiming the child had been abused, but nobody followed up.

After the 1998 murder, groups sprang up around the Hudson Valley to lobby for stronger laws and better protect children. Parents lobbied Albany for the changes, but the Assembly did not act.

Seward Calls on Assembly to Adopt Alice’s Law

State Senator James Seward announced Tuesday that anti-insurance fraud legislation he sponsors, known as “Alice’s Law”, is fourth on a list of tough anti-crime bills that the assembly needs to adopt before the end of the legislative session.

The top three are: Make viewing child pornography a felony, Create penalties for the sale or possession of synthetic marijuana and bath salts and Strengthen Leandra’s Law to ensure that convicted drunk drivers use ignition interlocks.

In total, 10 anti-crime measures have already passed the state senate. While each of the bills on the list has a sponsor in the assembly, and members of the assembly have talked about the critical need to pass legislation to address these public safety issues, the assembly has either failed to act or has passed weaker versions of these bills.

Young Professionals to Meet at Stella Luna

The Tri County Young Professionals, a group consisting of people from Delaware, Chenango and Otsego County, will celebrate their 5th birthday tomorrow evening at the Stella Luna restaurant in Oneonta.

Kerri Greene, president of the group, is inviting everyone to the Stella Luna restaurant in Oneonta from 5 to 7 p.m. tomorrow to find out more about the young professionals.

State DFS Mandates Proposals from Home Insurers

The state Department of Financial Services has ordered insurers offering forced placed insurance in New York to submit proposals for new premium rates by July 6, after it was found that they overcharged New York home owners to the tune of millions of dollars.

Banks and mortgage servicers place forced – placed insurance on a homeowners property when the homeowner has failed to maintain insurance as required by terms of the mortgage. Rates on force-placed insurance can be 3 to 10 times the cost of normal insurance, while offering less protection.

Schiederman Reaches Agreement with Billing Claims

State attorney General Eric Schiederman has reached two agreements to stop improper billing and claims practices in the health care industry.

The agreements are with Group Health Inc (GHI) a major health insurance provider with well over a million customers in New York State, and New York Medical and Diagnostic Center in New York City.

The two companies are required to cease unlawful activity and refund patients up to $500,000. In both cases consumers followed the rules of coverage, but were hit with unexpected doctor bills which should have been covered.