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VISIT www. Volume 15, No. 40
AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE COMPLIMENTARY
Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, July 27, 2023
Dead Man Found at Fox Hospital Was Exeter Kidnapping Victim
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ONEONTA he man found dead in a public restroom at AO Fox Hospital on May 31 was the victim of the infamous April kidnapping case in Exeter, the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday, July 20. Michael A Morton, 32, of West Winfield, entered Fox some time on the evening of May 30. He died of an accidental drug overdose and was found at 10:30 the next morning. Otsego County Coroner Terry Knapp said that the toxicology report found 11 different medications in Morton’s body, including oxycodone,
fentanyl and at least one prescription drug. Morton had been hospitalized at O’Connor Hospital in Delhi from April 30 to May 30. He sustained severe injuries during an unlawful imprisonment in the Town of Exeter. Tyler A Rose, 26, of Exeter, was arrested on at least nine charges on April 30 after Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the West Exeter Fire Department. Fire personnel had located an adult victim with serious injuries. Interviews with Morton revealed that Rose had held him against his will at Rose’s home and continuContinued on page 13
Photo by Derrick P. Begin
Derek Jeter, aka “The Captain,” was one of the many Hall of Famers who returned for this year’s Parade of Legends on Saturday, July 22.
Fans: Parade Did Not Disappoint kill this year. The visitors with the prize for the longest travel belonged to the Elliot family, who COOPERSTOWN nder a sky both sunny and cloudy sported Toronto shirts but came from by turn, and blessed with a pleas- South Korea. As their shirts foretold, they antly warm evening, a relatively were here to cheer for Fred McGriff. “We’re really big baseball fans,” said small but enthusiastic crowd witnessed Rob Elliot, and living in the Far East has the Parade of Legends that forms a part not diminished their love for the game. of Cooperstown’s annual Hall of Fame Not far behind on the international Induction Weekend. travel scene were avid ball fans Juan and “I’ve been doing the security detail for Rebekah Guzman, who call Tampa and the Hall of Fame for 18 years, and this year Puerto Rico their home. is definitely quieter,” Joe Pavone noted. “When we’re in Tampa, we root for the However, other than the crowd size, Jays,” Juan said, “but when in Puerto Rico Pavone said his duties didn’t change too we have ‘winter ball’ from November much since, “on the whole, those attending through January, so we can attend games Induction Weekend in Cooperstown tend during winter, all of which culminates to be cooperative and respectful.” in a Caribbean Series with teams from Along the parade route—starting at Panama, Cuba, and the Dominican The Otesaga Resort Hotel, wending Republic, among others.” along Lake Street, turning onto Chestnut “And,” Rebekah added, “Juan eventuand then onto Main—many townspeople ally wants to continue the quest begun and visitors had staked out their posiin 1981 to attend a game in all the major tions. Those with experience actually put league ball parks.” their folding chairs in place the previous Some, like the Janzers from St. Louis, evening, although that was a bit of overwere here to cheer for Scott Rolen, but also took the time to do some hiking and sightseeing. Others, including Rick Rosenfeld, were continuing an attendance streak. “I’ve been coming to Induction Weekend since 1989, and this one sure is quiet, but not as quiet as 2013,” Rosenfeld recalled. Rolen’s former teammates—Chris Heisey, Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs— were also on hand. “We had to come,” Bruce said, “to honor a man who was really a quiet leader: a pro’s pro.” To which Stubbs added, “He was the best model a young player could follow.” The parade consisted of 52 flatbed Photo by Derrick P. Begin “Big Papi,” Dave Ortiz, waves to the crowd dur- trucks, each carrying one of the 50 prior ing the 2023 Parade of Legends. Continued on page 13 By CASPAR EWIG
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Photo by Tara Barnwell
Bloodstained Men Bring Protest Tour to Otsego ONEONTA—A group protesting genital cutting spent day three of its 13-day New York State tour at the NY-23/NY-28 concurrency near Southside Oneonta on Sunday, July 23. Read more on page 12. INSIDE ► oneonta charter CHANGES CONSIDERED, page 3 ► bfs releases july water test results, page 3 ► jamie zvirzdin visits ‘biasville,’ page 4 ► recap of stagecoach run art festival, page 6 ► celestial show planned at hyde hall, page 10 ► local woman has history with ozzie smith, page 12 ► OPERA ANNOUNCES SHORTER SEASON FOR 2024, page 13 ► COACH ANNA MEYER NAMED TO HARTWICK HOF, page 13 Follow Breaking News On
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Middlefield To Hold Focus Group Meeting
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MIDDLEFIELD own of Middlefield Supervisor David Karl announced on Monday, July 24 that there will be a meeting of the Middlefield Comprehensive Plan Workgroup on Tuesday, August 15 at 6 p.m. at the Middlefield Town Hall. According to Karl, the meeting will focus on the topic of housing, with attention to short-term rentals and accessory dwelling units. The workgroup is reviewing the town’s Comprehensive Plan and gathering information in order to update the document. According to “Zoning and the Comprehensive Plan” by James A. Coon, “The comprehensive plan is the culmination of a planning process that establishes the official land use policy of a community and presents goals and a vision for the future that guides official decision making. The comprehensive plan invariably includes a thorough analysis of current data showing land development trends and issues, community resources, and public needs for transportation, recreation, and housing.” “I would like to disseminate information about public meetings that the Town of Middlefield Comprehensive Plan Continued on page 13
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