As 2025 comes to a close, The Reporter reflects on a year of compelling stories that captured the attention of our readers and shaped Delaware County’s narrative.
In a year marked less by spectacle than by consequence, readers gravitated to stories that revealed how power is exercised - and sometimes misused - in everyday places: a town Facebook page, a dairy barn, a courtroom, a traffic stop on a cold night. The most read stories of 2025 traced fault lines running through Delaware County life, where small decisions carried outsized weight and where residents turned, again and again, to reporting that explained not just what happened, but why it mattered.
In October, a campaign message urging votes for Hancock Supervisor Jerry Vernold briefly appeared on the town’s official Facebook page, prompting resident complaints and renewed attention to New York ethics rules that bar electioneering on government platforms. Vernold acknowledged the post was improper, apologized in writing, and said he removed it. In the articled titled Town of Hancock Facebook Post, Now Removed, Sparks Ethics Questions Over Campaign Pitch, Vernold said: “I know you’re not suppose to do this, but apparently somehow I did. Anyway, I just believed I trashed it so if you could check and see if it’s gone, I’d appreciate it,” he wrote, adding, “I apologize and thanks for pointing this out.”
A subsequent check showed the post was removed from the town page.
State law and court rulings make clear that taxpayer-funded channels must remain informational, not political. As of publication, the town board had not said whether it approved the post or would review its social media practices.
In June we wrote: Stewart’s plans to replace former Great American in Sidney Plaza, code officer confirms and detailed the business is expected to replace the long-vacant Great American grocery store in Sidney Plaza on Steiner Road, according to Sidney Code Enforcement Officer Jamie Cole.
The existing building will be demolished, according to Cole. Cole stated that discussions with the developer confirm the new build will be a “Stewart’s Plus.”
A boundary line adjustment, consolidating multiple parcels into one lot stretching from the back road of the former grocery store to Steiner Road, and from West Main Street to the neighboring smoke shop, was necessary.
In May we reported on long-delayed tax foreclosure auctions in Delaware County. In the article Years in Arrears: Why DelCo tax auctions are years behind, Delaware County Treasurer Beverly Shields cited pandemic policies, legal rulings, and procedural bottlenecks as the problem in addition to a lack of movement on sign-offs by the county attorney’s office. Under new rules, the county attorney must now file all foreclosure paperwork and deeds, extending the process to about 445 days from first notice to sale. Shields said County Attorney Amy Merklen has declined to approve foreclosures without complete, date-sensitive documentation, forcing staff to redo months of work. “I’ve worked nights, weekends, and holidays,” Shields said. “But now we have to redo all that work because the materials are date sensitive.”
The last full auction covered 2018 taxes, with upcoming sales expected to include 2019 and 2020.
Recent online results underscored strong demand: all listed properties sold, sometimes well above taxes owed.
In March, we published an article about a SUNY Delhi student who called for awareness in police interaction. In the article Traffic Target or Community Policing? we wrote that the late-night traffic stop of a SUNY Delhi student has raised questions about racial profiling and policing practices after what began as a minor equipment violation escalated into a prolonged roadside investigation.
Giovanni Grey, 22, said he was stopped by New York State troopers in the early hours of March 21 for a dim license plate light. “I wasn’t speeding, I wasn’t doing anything wrong,” Grey said, recalling that he was returning to campus from the gym. The stop lasted about 20 minutes and included repeated questioning, three field sobriety tests—none indicating impairment—and scrutiny of both Grey and his passenger, Sebastian Damas.
“They asked if I’d been smoking because they smelled cannabis,” Grey said. “I told them I smoked earlier in the day, but it’s legal.” Despite passing the tests, he said, “I passed the tests, but he wasn’t satisfied.”
Grey, who is Black, said the encounter felt excessive and intimidating, leaving him standing in freezing temperatures while officers continued their investigation. Ultimately, troopers issued four minor “fix-it” tickets, including for an inadequate plate lamp and expired inspection.
Grey believes the stop amounted to racial profiling. “I feel they pulled me over for driving while Black,” he said. His passenger, Damas, said he was “too terrified to even move,” during the stop.
After reviewing Grey’s video, Joyce St. George, an adjunct professor at SUNY Delhi and a former law enforcement trainer, praised Grey’s conduct as exemplary but criticized the escalation. “The police did everything right for all the wrong reasons,” she said, calling it “one of those driving while Black incidents.”
Grey said he wants awareness, not retribution. “I just want people to know this is happening,” he said. A request by The Reporter for body-camera footage was denied by New York State Police, citing privacy concerns.
In our coverage of cops, courts and crime, we reported Former Colchester Police Chief resigned to avoid disciplinary charges in June. Former Colchester Police Chief Earnest “Ernie” Cawley resigned on June 24, after being placed on unpaid leave in May. His resignation was accepted by Colchester council members during a special meeting held the same day. To avoid disciplinary charges, Cawley resigned, according to the agreement obtained by The Reporter under a Freedom of Information Law request. According to the agreement, Cawley faced allegations including multiple breaches of confidentiality involving sensitive police matters; repeated dereliction of duty; unauthorized time off/abuse of time; unprofessional and unbecoming conduct; and insubordination, including violations of department policies.
Cawley also agreed not to apply for, seek, or accept a position in any police or law enforcement agency in Delaware County.
In response to our article, Cawley sued the town of Colcester. In the article Former Colchester Police Chief Sues Town Over Alleged Leak of Confidential Exit Deal, we write about the lawsuit, filed Oct. 16 in Delaware County Supreme Court, where Cawley claims the town breached an agreement that required strict confidentiality and a mutual pledge of “no comment” and non-disparagement. According to the complaint, those terms were central to Cawley’s decision to resign and waive his civil service rights.
Less than a week after the town approved the agreement, Cawley alleged, The Reporter published “numerous disparaging allegations” about his performance and printed the agreement itself. Cawley contends the disclosure violated the contract’s confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses. Cawley says the alleged breach caused “serious financial and reputational injury,” harming his ability to continue in law enforcement. He is seeking damages or, alternatively, to void the agreement, restore him to his position with back pay and benefits, and reinstate his civil service rights.
Colchester Supervisor Arthur Merrill said at a Nov. 19 council meeting, “I haven’t even mentioned it to the board yet,” before calling for an executive session to discuss possible litigation. Attorneys for Cawley declined to comment.
An abrupt decision by Worcester Creameries Corp. to stop buying conventional milk dealt a sharp blow to Delaware County’s remaining dairy farms, leaving about 20 producers scrambling to find new buyers with little warning. In May, we reported Creamery Cuts Deliver Blow to Delaware County Dairy Farms about a letter received by farmers, from milk procurement manager Aaron Jonas of Worcester Creameries Corp.: “It is with great sorrow that we must inform you that we will cease purchasing from you effective Saturday, June 21, 2025,” adding, “You have been a valued supplier.” Farmers say the notice-later reissued to meet the state’s 30-day requirement - came without explanation and with no viable alternatives in place.
For Garret Sitts of Sitts Family Dairy in Franklin, the loss threatened a farm operated by his family for more than a century. “I always thought if the day came, it would be on my terms. Not like this,” he said. With no buyer secured, Sitts warned he could be forced into “a fire sale” of his herd. “That means you take what you’re offered and walk away.”
The plant reported that it shifted to organic-only operations, severing ties with conventional producers.
The fallout extended beyond farms with a ripple effect on truckers, suppliers, and local jobs.
Delaware County once had more than 400 dairy farms; fewer than 40 remain. For farmers still milking, the letter’s closing line—“We are sorry but we will not be able to purchase your milk anymore”—offered little comfort.
After weeks of uncertainty and the prospect of dumping milk or closing operations, the farms found a new buyer. By June 14, Sitts confirmed that all affected farms had secured contracts, with most shifting shipments to Clover Farms Dairy in Pennsylvania. “There’s not a sure thing anymore in this world, but I get to milk another day,” Sitts said, calling the arrangement a potential long-term partnership.
Clover Farms said it committed to the farms “long term,” keeping existing haulers and inspectors and expanding its New York supply to meet institutional contracts. “We have a gentleman’s agreement to market their milk,” said general manager Brian Ohlinger, who acknowledged industry headwinds but added, “I think the dairy industry is poised for a comeback.”
While prices changed only slightly—“Pennies,” Sitts said—the outcome preserved continuity for family farms amid a consolidating milk market that has squeezed small operations statewide.
In related reporting at the beginning of August, for the first time in nearly 20 years, the Delaware County Fair reported it had no buyer for milk produced during fair week, potentially forcing the Fair Board to dump the milk while still paying farmers about $5,000 for their product.
In our report ‘Milk Mafia’ squeezes out DelCo Fair milk, Fair Board President Jason Craig said Mountainside Farm, which had purchased the fair’s milk for more than 15 years, announced it would not pick up milk in 2025. “The milk will be dumped,” Craig said. “We’ll pay the farmers what they’re owed, but it’s a loss the Fair Board will have to absorb.”
Craig attributed the situation to long-standing market control by Dairy Farmers of America, which he said restricts fair milk pickups unless all producers are cooperative members. “DFA blocked all county fair milk,” Craig said, likening the system to a “milk mafia.”
The fairgrounds operate as a full dairy for one week each year, with two bulk tanks and a working milking parlor. Last year, about 50 cows produced thousands of pounds of milk. Fairgoers would not see changes to exhibits or events, Craig said, but the potential loss put pressure on small producers.
Following that reporting, a surprise last-minute save helped preserve the lost market as reported in our article From Deadline to Lifeline: How a new buyer rescued Delaware County dairy farms.
The Delaware County Fair also avoided dumping an estimated $5,000 worth of exhibitor milk after Mountainside withdrew, Lactalis stepped in to purchase the milk. “They are the rock star in this story,” said Craig.
Drew Garnier, 33, of Masonville, was sentenced in May to 30 years in state prison for the 2024 stabbing death of his pregnant wife and the violent assault of his two young daughters reported in our article Masonville man sentenced to 30 years in wife’s stabbing death, assault on daughters.
In a packed Delaware County courtroom, Judge John Hubbard imposed consecutive prison terms and a full stay-away order barring Garnier from any contact with the children through 2056.
Garnier pleaded guilty in March to first-degree manslaughter and two counts of first-degree assault under a negotiated disposition. He was originally charged with second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. The sentence totaled 30 years, followed by post-release supervision.
The district attorney’s office called the term “lengthy, but the best possible outcome under the law,” adding, “It’s not perfect. But it is a 30-year sentence that spares the children the trauma of trial.”
A victim impact statement read by the slain woman’s father described lasting trauma for the girls. “This man took my daughter’s life and my unborn granddaughter’s life,” he said, adding that one child was stabbed in the eye and “we still do not know if she will regain sight.” He said the girls now panic when doors close and that he had adopted them: “I’m the father now. I will protect them.”
Public Defender Joseph Ermeti said there was no clear motive or medical explanation. “My client has no explanation,” he told the court. Garnier expressed remorse, saying, “I’m sorry to all my in-laws… especially my children,” and added, “I would trade my life for my wife’s.”
Granting the prosecution’s request for a decades-long protective order, Hubbard said the children’s safety required it. “You took a life and injured your children,” the judge said. “They had a right to expect protection from you.”
