Charles David Barnes, 83, passed away April 29, 2025 at his home, The Hampshire House in Oneonta. He was born March 30, 1942 in Oneonta, the only child of Charles H. and Lucy Marguerite (Wilber) Barnes.…
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Oneonta Fire Department
In an update on Monday, December 11, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed the investigation is still ongoing but that officials are confident in their knowledge of the events preceding the explosion at 18 Richards Avenue.…
In Memoriam Kenneth C. Leslie, 86 August 29, 1936 – October 5, 2022 ONEONTA – Kenneth C. Leslie, 86, of Oneonta passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown. He was born August 29, 1936 in Franklin the son of the late James and Caroline (Gesell) Leslie. Growing up Ken worked on the family dairy farm. He graduated from Franklin Central School the Class of 1954. Following graduation, Ken joined the United States Navy and served on the…
Motel 88 fire in Oneonta under investigation The Oneonta Fire Department responded to a fire at Motel 88 in Oneonta yesterday around noon. Firemen were met with heavy flames from an unoccupied room. There were no injuries. The fire was brought under control in a half hour.…
Fire at Oneonta Motel About an hour ago there was a fire at Motel 88 on Chestnut St., Oneonta. Fire crews are still on the scene. Check back for more details. (Photo by Joe Harmer)…
New Oneonta police chief ‘humbled’ by role By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com The Oneonta Police Department has a new chief of police, Christopher Witzenberg, who has a long history of serving in leadership roles. Witzenberg was previously an OPD lieutenant and became acting chief after Doug Brenner retired last winter. “It’s humbling,” Witzenberg said. “I’ve been pretty pensive the last week about the things I’ve done to get here.”…
AllOtsego people New fire chief credits parents with his success By Kevin Limiti • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA — The City of Oneonta’s new fire chief appropriately comes from a long line of firemen. A Schenevus native and fourth-generation firefighter, Brian Knapp started his position as the Oneonta fire chief officially Sunday, Aug. 1. “Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to be a firefighter,” Knapp said Monday, Aug. 2. Knapp’s great-grandfather was a firefighter in West Laurens,…
Raging Fire Has Oneonta Lanes’ Future In Doubt Avid bowlers may be pursuing their sports in Sidney, Norwich or even Van Hornesville after a raging fire gutted the Holiday Lanes on Oneonta’s Southside in the early morning hours of Friday, April 9. The Oneonta Fire Department received the call at 1:30 a.m., and fought the blaze with the help of multiple fire departments until 5 a.m., Fire Chief Mike Mancini reported. With the Town of Oneonta’s water system not expected…
LETTER from JAMES S. CLOSE Since 1974 D&H Crash, Errors Often Repeated To the Editor; Your article about retiring Oneonta Fire Chief Pidgeon notes his recounting to you his memories of the D&H Train Disaster of Feb. 12, 1974. You state, “…when a D&H train derailed at Emmons and one of the tankers exploded.” In fact, seven tankers carrying LPG or propane exploded that day – I know, because I was there, and saw the whole thing unfold from start…
Hail To The Chief! Life’s Goal Accomplished Pidgeon Retires By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ‘The Dark Horse fire,” Oneonta’s retiring fire chief, Pat Pidgeon, immediately responded when asked about the worst blaze he tackled in 36 years with the OFD. Pidgeon was strapped into the jump seat of the fire engine as it arrived around 5 a.m. March, 1, 1992, at 18 Market St. “There was an explosion,” he said. He looked over his shoulder. “A beam blew…
