Crews Removing Rubble Of Hartwick Seminary Fire
Crews Removing Rubble
Of Hartwick Seminary Fire

A group of high school students at Odyssey Academy in Greece, near Rochester, tipped off police that one of their classmates was allegedly part of a plot to bomb Islamberg, the small Muslim community in Delaware County.
Officers with the Greece Police Department Saturday arrested Brian F. Colaneri, 20, and Vincent Vetromile, 19, both of Greece, and Andrew C. Crysel, 18, of East Rochester, as well as a 16-year-old student at Odyssey Academy after the tip, allegedly finding three improvised explosive devices, packed with nails and powder, at the home the 16-year-old suspect.
Police additionally found 23 firearms — a combination of shotguns and rifles — across the suspects’ residences.
SIDNEY – I-88 is open again following a tractor-trailer accident that left the truck driver injured and fuel and cargo scattered on the roadside.
James E. Witt, 40, Scio was traveling eastbound on I-88 in Sidney when he traveled off the southern shoulder and traveled approximately 500 feet before striking earth embankment and overturning on its side. Unadilla and Wells Bridge Fire Departments were dispatched to the scene at 5:23 p.m. and the Witt was transported to Wilson Hospital complaining of head and rib pain.
ONEONTA – The Oneonta Police Department this week will host two interactive, discussion-based community-education sessions on what to do in the event of an active shooter in a public place.
The first session will be 11 a.m-1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, and the second 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23. Both will be in Classroom 1 at the Foxcare Center. Both programs are free and open to the public.
COOPERSTOWN – Snow and slippery roads caused 30 car accidents overnight throughout the county, according to Robert O’Brien, Director of E-911 Communications.
Though no serious injuries were reported, O’Brien said that Fire and EMS teams responded to seven of the motor vehicle accidents.
Flurries are expected today, but no accumulation, according to the National Weather Service.
ALBANY — State Police began quietly seizing license plates from unauthorized limousines following the Oct. 6 crash in Schoharie County where 20 people were killed when a stretch limo that was supposed to be off the road careened through an intersection and crashed, the Times-Union is reporting today.
By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
COOPERSTOWN – When Sheriff Richard J. Devlin Jr. took his oath of office last Tuesday, a new term began for him, and a new day for his department.
The allegations against his son, Roz Devlin, were resolved with the younger man’s resignation in December from his correctional officer position, county Board Chair David Bliss said today.
By JENNIFER HILL • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA – A burned spray can was found outside the door of a woman’s apartment at 5 Walling Ave., state investigators told City Judge Lucy Bernier during testimony today.
And the bottom of Heather Engler’s door was “covered,” state Fire Investigator Christopher Lupold testified.
The testimony suggests the woman may have been the target, rather than the man who died: John D. Heller, 38, who was asleep one floor up with his fiancée and his four nephews.
The spray can, burned beyond recognition, was found amid the debris found during the investigation into the fire that killed the former Oneonta firefighter who helped the four boys and fiancée Amber Roe escape before succumbing to the fire.
ONEONTA – City Judge Lucy Bernier has just ruled that there is enough evidence to send the Terrence Truitt case to the Otsego County Grand Jury.
Truitt, 34, was charged with felony arson after a fire at 5 Walling Avenue that killed former Oneonta firefighter John Heller.
By JENNIFER HILL • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA – No motive was specified when Terrance Truitt, 34, accused of arson, first degree, in last Saturday’s fatal fire at 5 Walling Ave., appeared for a felony hearing this afternoon in City Court.
However, Truitt acted suspiciously, testified Oneonta Police Detective Sgt. Branden Collison, who led the investigation. “He was very deceptive in his answers,” said Collison.
The hearing adjourned after one and a half hours, and will be continued, tentatively at 10 a.m. Monday.
ONEONTA – Terrence Truitt, 34, suspected in the arson death of former firefighter John Heller last Saturday in the 5 Walling Ave. fire, had his felony hearing rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. today. He was brought to the city’s Public Safety Center at 8:30 this morning, but did not appear in the courtroom during the regular morning session.
By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA – Within hours of Saturday morning’s fire that claimed the life of former Oneonta firefighter John D. Heller, the leads began to pour in.
“We had more than 70 leads,” said Police Chief Doug Brenner an hour ago at a press conference held jointly with Fire Chief Pat Pidgeon. “And the investigation is continuing.”
The men reported Terrence Truitt, 34, Oneonta, was arrested and charged with first-degree arson, which investigators believe started on the second floor of 5 Walling Ave.
Heller and his fiancee, Amber Roe, lived on the top floor, and had their four nephews staying with them that night. Heller and Roe helped the children escape, but then was unable to get out of the building.
ONEONTA – Terrence Truitt, 34, Oneonta, has been charged with arson in Saturday’s fatal fire where a former fireman died, Fire Chief Pat Pidgeon and Police Chief Doug Brenner report in a press conference earlier this evening.
By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
COOPERSTOWN – Whipped by high winds, flames destroyed three homes in northern Otsego County overnight – in the towns of Middlefield, Springfield and Otsego.
At 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve, crews from the Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department were called to 207 Rezen Road after a passerby called 911 on observing a home on fire.