Published: September 15, 2008 12:23 pm         

News Roundup: Crews repair power outages

Winds leave 4,000 without power

ONEONTA _ High winds associated with the remnants of Hurricane Ike that swept through the area late Sunday and early Monday caused widespread power outages.

The heaviest concentration of damage is in Otsego, Chenango, Delaware, Madison and Oneida counties, according to New York State Electric & Gas.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, about 100 NYSEG customers remained without power; down from a peak of about 4,000. NYSEG crews will be restoring customers’ electricity service throughout the day, with power expected to be restored to all customers by midnight tonight.

“The high winds resulted in numerous downed wires. However, due to a quick response from our crews, we believe that we will have power restored to all of our customers by midnight tonight.” said Mark Mahlmeister, NYSEG’s regional operations manager.

To ensure safety as the restoration effort continues, all downed or low hanging wires should be assumed to be “energized.” People should stay away from any affected wires and keep others away as well to ensure their safety.

NYSEG is asking customers who have not yet called to report their power out to call (800) 572-1131.



AG: Watch for gas gouging

ALBANY _ Attorney General Cuomo today warned New York drivers to be on the lookout for possible gas gouging following Hurricane Ike.

Consumers who question the legality of any price increases at their local gas station are strongly encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Office at (800) 771-7755.

While the price of gasoline is not regulated in New York, law states that retailers, distributors, refiners and producers are not free to use a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, to justify dramatic price increases unless those increases are directly attributable to additional costs incurred.

If they do raise prices without such justification, they may be price gouging, which is illegal under New York state law. The law also prohibits deceptive practices, such as misleading consumers about the price that will be charged at pump.



SUCO gets largest gift ever

ONEONTA _ The State University College at Oneonta Foundation has received a gift of $2 million from the estate of Dorothy Anderson Wemple of Johnstown, a 1936 alumna who passed away in November.

The bequest, the largest ever made by an alumni, will be used to establish and endow the Dorothy A. Wemple '36 Scholarship for English and Adolescence Education, for English majors at the college.

Wemple had a long career teaching English at Knox Junior High School in Johnstown, where she also served as chairwoman of the English Department until her retirement in 1974. In the same year, she received recognition from Outstanding Educators of America, based on her nomination by the school's principal.

She was an active alumna of SUCO, participating in events on campus and in the Capital District.

Wemple's gift will support a minimum of 40 scholarships annually in perpetuity _ 10 each to students at the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior levels. The first scholarships will be awarded in the fall semester of 2009.

More information is available from Paul J. Adamo, vice president for college advancement and executive director of the College Foundation, at 436-2535.