Sheriff Detectives arrested Brigid A. Corcoran (31) of St. John Drive in the Town of Onondaga, after an investigation into the alleged scam was discovered to be a hoax.

Detectives received information from a concerned relative that Corcoran had possibly fabricated her diagnosis to have a benefit in her name which she raise thousands of dollars. Corcoran claimed to be diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which is cancer of the lymphoid tissue. Corcoran even shaved her head to keep up the pretence of having the illness and went as far as placing a device on her chest that resembled a chemotherapy port to give the appearance and impression that she was receiving chemotherapy treatments.

On July 25, a large fundraiser benefit was thrown at Damon’s Banquet Hall in Cicero on Corcoran’s behalf.

This fundraiser drew a crowd of people from the community to include friends, relatives, neighbors and people whom she did not even known, all in support of her battling this illness and to help raise money to pay for her chemotherapy treatments and medical bills.

After Detectives began investigating Corcoran they found no physical evidence of her being treated for cancer and no medical evidence that would suggest she was diagnosed with cancer. When Detectives confronted Corcoran and questioned her about the discrepancy, she confessed. Corcoran admitted to faking the diagnosis and claimed it was all done for attention.

Corcoran was subsequently charged with Grand Larceny in the 4th degree and Scheme to Defraud in the 1^st Degree, both felonies.

Corcoran was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Cicero Court on September 7 to answer to the charges.

According to Sheriff’s Accident Investigator’s the investigation is expected to take a couple of weeks to complete.

At approximately 12:33 pm, Aug. 16, Sheriff’s Deputies and rescue crews were called to the Onondaga Lake Parkway, just south of the railroad bridge to investigate a four car crash.

Witnesses told deputies that a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, operated by Matthew Stephan, 22, of 3730 Theodolite Drive in Baldwinsville, was seen traveling south on Onondaga Lake Parkway at a high rate of speed attempting to pass another southbound vehicle. Stephan began passing the other vehicle on the left, crossing the center median markings and entered the northbound lane when he collided head on with a 2007 Ford Taurus, operated by Denny.

The impact from the crash forced the victim’s Taurus into a 2002 Chevrolet pickup, operated by Donna Tartaglia, 48, of 706 Oswego St. in Liverpool, and caused Tartaglia off the east side of the roadway. The engine from Stephan’s car was ripped from the Jetta’s frame and debris was scattered across all four lanes of the Parkway.

A fourth vehicle, a 2000 Dodge Caravan, operated by Robert Phillips, 35, of 5937 Farrington Road, Cicero, was also traveling north when he inadvertently struck Stephan’s engine, which was in the middle of the roadway.

Rescue crews from the Liverpool and Mattydale Fire Departments responded, and paramedics pronounced Denny dead on the scene. The victim’s passenger Kristen Kelly, 20, of 330 Plymouth Dr. in Syracuse, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to University Hospital.

Matthew Stephan also sustained multiple injuries and was transported to University Hospital for treatment. Tartaglia was not injured, however was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and Phillips was not injured.

Sheriff’s Deputies had shut off all traffic on the Parkway so members of the Sheriff’s Accident Investigation Team could process the crash scene.

Accident Investigators will conduct a complete investigation and work closely with the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office to determine what charges will be filed against Stephan.

Deputies are attempting to locate the vehicle Stephan was attempting to pass, which witnesses described as possibly a silver colored older model Nissan sedan, being operated by a white male with a beard. Deputies believe the driver of this car may have witnessed the crash and may have additional information to assist the investigation.

Anyone with information should contact the Sheriff’s Office by calling 425-2111.

The Lifesavers Party – or blood drive – is sponsored by Assemblyman Stirpe and the American Red Cross. Stirpe sponsors the Lifesavers Party every summer when blood donations typically decrease by up to 15 percent.

“Blood shortages occur during the summer months because families are on vacation, schools are out and donating blood is not on the top of people’s minds,” Stirpe said. “About every two seconds a blood transfusion is needed to save a life so it’s very important that we all do our part to keep the blood supply healthy during the summer months.”

In addition to the Lifesavers Party, Stirpe’s event will include an all-encompassing Health Fair. Several local, regional and state organizations will participate, including The American Cancer Society, AARP, Benefit Specialists of NY, Community General Hospital, Crouse Hospital, Meals on Wheels, The National Kidney Foundation, NAVAC, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Upstate University Hospital and more. These organizations will provide free health screenings and seminars, preparedness and first aid information, smoking cessation information and other health-related demonstrations.

“The Lifesavers Party and Health Fair is a great event for families, seniors and individuals,” Stirpe said. “In addition to the blood drive and health demonstrations, we’ll be offering refreshments, live music and prizes.”

About Donating Blood

Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration, medical history and mini-physical, donation and refreshments.  The entire process only takes about 45 minutes, but the actual donation lasts between 8 and 10 minutes.  In order to donate, Blood donors must:

Bring valid photo or signature identification;

Be healthy;

Be at least 17 years old (or 16 with parental consent); and

Weigh at least 110 lbs.

With one donation, donors provide whole blood, which consists of red cells, plasma and platelets. But, with the automated process of double red cell donation, donors can produce two units of just red cells – the component of blood that is in greatest demand. Red cell donation doubles the effectiveness of a donation. There are several other advantages to double red cell donation, including fluid replacement and a smaller needle.

“One pint of blood can save up to three lives. Whether you’ve donated before or it’s your first time, I strongly encourage you to come by and give blood – you could save a life,” Stirpe said.

To sign up for Stirpe’s Lifesavers Party, contact his office by calling 452-1115 or emailing stirpea@assembly.state.ny.us. For more information on donating blood, call the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.DonateBloodNow.org. You can also visit www.aabb.org or www.americasblood.org for more information on donating in your area.

On July 4, at approximately 3:23 pm, sheriff’s deputies responded to the ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip, located at 8091 Eastwood Road, to investigate a fatal accident.

Chad Wilcox (24), of 9944 Lamb Road, in West Edmeston, NY died from injuries after being ejected from his custom made asphalt snowmobile.

Wilcox sped down the quarter-mile track at a speed of over 160 mph during his third attempt at time trials, when he struck a guide rail. Wilcox was ejected from his snowmobile and thrown approximately 300 feet from the initial point of impact while his machine continued traveling down the track for another several hundred feet. Rescue crews rushed to Wilcox who was pronounced dead on the scene.

Members of the Sheriff’s Accident Investigation Team responded to the accident scene and will conduct a complete investigation.

Phillip Smith

(Clay, NY – June 30, 2010) On June 24 State Police in North Syracuse arrested 19 year-old Phillip J. Smith of Amor Drive, town of Clay and 19 year-old Marcus M. Drummond of Mudmill Road, town of Cicero for third-degree assault, a class ‘A’ misdemeanor.

On June 24 Smith and Drummond attacked a 19 year-old as he was walking on State Route 11 in the town of Clay. The victim reported that two males had jumped out of a white Chevrolet Trailblazer and punched him in his head causing him to fall down. He stated he was then kicked in the head.

After the state trooper arrived on scene, the victim pointed out a white Chevrolet Trailblazer drive by as being the same vehicle that his attackers had been driving earlier.   The state trooper caught up to the vehicle and determined that the operator matched the description of one of the suspects. The operator was identified as Marcus Drummond.

Drummond was issued an appearance ticket returnable for July 6 in the town of Clay Court.

Smith was issued an appearance ticket returnable for July 8 at 5 p.m.

The victim was taken to University Hospital in Syracuse where he was treated for his injuries.

Now through July 30, participating charitable organizations are selling tickets to the tournament, receiving 100 percent of the face value of all tickets sold. Good Any Day tickets, priced at $25, can be used any day during tournament week from Wednesday through Sunday. A Weekly Booklet is available for $100.

Tickets for Charity is administered by the Upstate New York Empowerment Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Oneida Indian Nation and The Turning Stone Resort Championship. Its Honorary Host Committee, comprised of community leaders from across the region, plays a significant role in the success of the Empowerment Fund by creating awareness and generating widespread support.

Ticket-buyers can support their favorite causes by purchasing directly from the charities or they can log onto The Turning Stone Resort Championship web site at www.turningstonechampionship.com for a list of participating organizations, allowing them to designate a charity when purchasing tickets online.

2010 Tickets for Charity participants (listed by county)

Albany

Addictions Care Center of Albany, Inc.

Cayuga

SGMA, Inc.

Cortland

Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks #748

Preble Children’s Center

Fulton

Mountain Valley Hospice

Herkimer

Federated Church of West Winfield

Madison

Building Futures Foundation

Chittenango Rotary Foundation

Community Action Partnership for Madison County

Greater Lenox Ambulance Service, Inc.

Madison County Habitat for Humanity

Madison County Office of the Aging, Inc.

Madison Hall Association, Inc.

St. Patrick’s School

Monroe

The First Tee of Rochester, NY

New York

Autism Speaks

Oneida

American Red Cross – Rome Area Chapter

Central Association for the Blind, Inc.

Clinton ABC Program, Inc.

Clinton Swim Club

Clinton Youth Foundation

Clinton Youth Hockey

Constable Hall Association

Family Services of the Mohawk Valley, Inc.

Friends of the Arc Foundation

House of the Good Shepherd

Humane Society of Rome

Jervis Public Library Assoc., Inc.

Kids Oneida, Inc.

Kirkland Town Library

Masonic Care Community

New Hartford First United Methodist Church

North Utica Senior Citizens Community Center, Inc.

Notre Dame Jr/Sr High School

Rome Catholic School

Rome Sports Hall of Fame & Museum

Sauquoit Valley Foundation

St. John the Evangelist Church

St. Paul’s Church

Stevens-Swan Humane Society

The Neighborhood Center, Inc.

Thea Bowman House, Inc.

Zion Episcopal Church

Onondaga

Alumni Association of SUNY College E.S.F.

American Red Cross of Central New York

Baldwinsville Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse

Camp Good Days & Special Times

Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Foundation of CNY

Chadwick Residence, Inc.

Children’s Consortium

Cicero Hockey League

Clay Panthers Football Pop Warner

CNY Challenged Champions Fund

Crouse Health Foundation, Inc.

Eastwood Rotary Foundation, Inc.

Elmcrest

Erie Canal Museum

Everest Foundation

Fayetteville Senior Center, Inc.

Friends of The CanTeen, Inc.

Friends of the Central Library

From the Ground Up Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc.

Interreligious Food Consortium

Jewish Community Center of Syracuse

KARE Foundation

Longhouse Council, Boy Scouts of America

Loretto Foundation

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York

Meals on Wheels of Syracuse

Mercy Works Inc.

Multiple Sclerosis Resources of CNY, Inc.

National Kidney Foundation of Central New York, Inc.

Positively Pink Package

The Rescue Mission

Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY

St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center Foundation

St. Lucy’s Church

Syracuse University Whitman Alumni Club

Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Inc.

The First Tee of Syracuse

Transitional Living Services of Onondaga County, Inc.

Troop 62 Tully NY – Boy Scouts of America

Upstate Medical University Foundation

Vera House, Inc.

Oswego

United Way of Greater Oswego County

Rensselaer

New York State Association of Fire Chiefs

St. Lawrence

St. Joseph’s Foundation

Skotniski III was issued traffic tickets returnable to the Town of Cicero Court on June 24, 2010.

The President’s List recognizes students have earned a minimum 3.8 average on a 4.0 scale for the past semester (President’s List students are noted with *).  The Dean’s List recognizes students with an average between 3.25 and 3.8.

ONONDAGA COUNTY

Cicero

Zachary D. Lansing, Music Industry (A.S.)

Kirkville

Trisha L. Abounader, Travel and Tourism: Hospitality and Events Management (A.A.S.)

Liverpool

Sarah G. Dorosz, Radio-Television Broadcasting (A.A.S.)

North Syracuse

Matthew D. Harper, Business: Business Administration (A.S.)

Syracuse

Catherine V. Bluto, Paralegal (A.A.S.)

Justin P. Janowski, Radio-Television Broadcasting (A.A.S.)

Justin M. Parkinson, Radio-Television Broadcasting (A.A.S.)

Jeanie V. Walts, Business: Accounting (A.A.S.)

“Statistics show that 34 percent of parents in the United States do not know their child’s exact height, weight and eye color,” Stirpe said. “When a child is reported missing, time is of the essence. Possessing up-to-date photographs and detailed information about a child can greatly assist law enforcement in quickly responding to a child’s disappearance.”

The Safe Child ID cards contain information which is critical to helping the return of a missing child, including the child’s name and photo and important biographical information – such as date of birth, gender, height, weight, hair color and eye color. Also included on the card is a fingerprint image of both index fingers. In the event a child is missing, the card can immediately be turned over to law enforcement officials and eliminate the wasted minutes used to gather information instead of searching for the missing child.

“The possibility of a child going missing is devastating for parents, but it’s best to be prepared in case the unthinkable happens,” Stirpe said. “The Safe Child ID card is a valuable tool in keeping kids safe. That’s why we’re making them readily available for parents who attend the Cicero Community Festival.”

For more information on the Safe Child ID program, visit www.operationsafechild.org. For more information on the 18th Annual Cicero Community Festival, visit www.cicerofestival.com.

Legislative Update

In addition to providing Safe Child ID cards, Stirpe will be updating parents on recent measures the Legislature has taken to keep kids safe:

* The new E-Alert law, which took effect in March, allows citizens to receive automatic e-mail notifications about the presence of Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders in their community (Ch. 478 of 2009).  Under previous law, concerned residents had to continually check the sex offender registry for updates themselves, which proved to be a time-consuming chore. E-Alert now allows any New York State resident who signs up with the Division of Criminal Justice Services to receive automatic e-mail notifications when a registered sex offender moves into his or her neighborhood. To sign up, visit https://users.nyalert.gov/.

*The Assembly recently passed legislation Stirpe authored that would prevent registered sex offenders from entering the school that their victim attends or formerly attended (A.2257). The legislation would close an existing loophole that only forbids sex offenders from school grounds if they are on probation or parole. Stirpe authored the bill in 2007 after a convicted sex offender walked into Tully High School and demanded the grades, disciplinary records and mental health records of a student he was convicted of raping.

(Herkimer, NY) Herkimer County Community College announces the candidates for the College’s 42^nd annual commencement, which was held Friday, May 21 in the gymnasium of the Physical Education Building. There are 603 candidates for the associate degree and 41 candidates for certificates. High honors are accorded to 56 seniors who earned a 3.80 average or higher as of the fall 2009 semester (noted with +) and honors accorded to 162 seniors who earned a 3.25 average or higher as of the fall 2009 semester (noted with*).  Honors Program graduates are designated with a pound sign (#).

Candidates for degrees and certificates are:

Brewerton

* Christina Dombroski, A.A.S., Business: Business Administration

Cicero

Zachary D. Lansing, A.S., Music Industry

Clay

Karin M. Brown, A.A.S., Business: Accounting

East Syracuse

Suelene R. Hagen, A.A.S., Paralegal

Heather E. Martinez, A.A., Liberal Arts & Sciences: Social Science

Fayetteville

Abdulwali Abdulah Bernard, A.A.S., Radio-Television Broadcasting

Kirkville

Christina M. Monica, A.S., Criminal Justice

Lafayette

Heather E. Heilig, A.A., Liberal Arts & Sciences: General Studies

Liverpool

* Cali Anne Marshall, A.S., Business: Accounting

Syracuse

John Richard Czelusniak Jr., A.A.S., Business: Accounting

* Justin P. Janowski, A.A.S., Radio-Television Broadcasting

Brittney R. Massie, A.A., Liberal Arts & Sciences: General Studies

Justin M. Parkinson, A.A.S., Radio-Television Broadcasting

Bennie   Kentrell Redfield, A.S., Business: Business Administration

Bentray L. Reed, A.S., Liberal Arts & Sciences: Childhood Education

Marqesha D. Sanders, A.S., Criminal Justice

* Jeanie V. Walts, A.A.S., Business: Accounting