“What Do Fireworks and Textbooks Have in Common? 🎆📚” From explosions on the Fourth to enlightening futures at FMCC, this episode of Montgomery County Now brings the boom and the brainpower. Sheriff Jeff Smith shares summer safety reminders, recent incidents across the county, and exciting updates from the Sheriff’s Office. Then, we take a front-row seat on a tour of Fulton-Montgomery Community College (FMCC) with its president, discovering why it's one of the county’s most valuable educational treasures.

• 🚨 Extreme Weather: First official heatwave hit the county—multiple EMS calls, but no fatalities

• 🚗 Traffic Incidents: Major accidents in Fultonville, Charleston (38 tons of lime spill), and a truck into a house

• 💥 House Explosion: Propane tank explosion in Minden/Canajoharie—victim seriously burned but recovering

• 🎓 Training Updates:

  • Investigator Cody Fabian graduates FBI Crisis Negotiation Training

  • CPR recertification for all dispatchers and deputies

  • Marine Unit out patrolling rivers due to high-speed complaints

• 🚤 Boater Reminders: Speed limits enforced—No Wake Zones and 5–10 mph restrictions stressed

• 💰 Grants at Work: Two fully grant-funded patrol vehicles added—no local match funds required

• 👮‍♀️ Community Outreach:

  • Graduation & prom season passed safely

  • Ongoing child safety ID events and demonstrations

  • Partnership with Kyla’s Care Packages—deputies now carrying support kits for those in need

• 🛍️ Crime Updates: Continued arrests for welfare fraud, retail theft, domestic disturbances

• 🧯 Holiday Advisory: Fireworks safety reminder for pets, veterans with PTSD, and community peace

Dr. Greg Truckenmiller President, Fulton-Montgomery Community College Highlights:

• Full facility tour of FMCC with Sheriff Jeff Smith

• Emphasis on FMCC’s impact and importance in county development

• FMCC praised as a "gem" of Montgomery County with programs that prepare youth for brighter futures

• Sheriff encourages families to visit and consider FMCC for education and training

🔗 Full Events Calendar

• July 4 – Independence Day

  • County-wide celebrations — fireworks, parades, BBQs

  • Reminder: Be respectful of neighbors, pets, and veterans. Use fireworks safely and legally

• July 8 – Montgomery County Youth Day

  • 📍 Annex Building Field, Park Street, Village of Fonda

  • 🎈 1,000–1,500 kids expected

  • Activities: Safe child IDs, bounce houses, educational demos, giveaways

  • 🎉 Free & open to the public

  • 👏 Special thanks to Brenda Rabbit, Youth Bureau Director

• 📲 Download Our App for real-time updates: Get the APP

• 🚨 Emergency? Dial 911

• 📞 Non-Emergency? Call us at (518) 853-5500

June 10, 2025

"Amazon Eyes Montgomery County + 750 Jobs? What the Sheriff and Ken Rose Just Revealed!" From chocolate milk to multi-million dollar investments—this episode of Montgomery County Now covers it all. Sheriff Jeff Smith shares updates from the Sheriff's Office, gives a big shout-out to recent community efforts, and sits down with Director of Economic Development Ken Rose to discuss a potential Amazon distribution center, housing developments, and revitalization efforts across the county.

Follow for real-time community stories → Montgomery County Sheriff on Facebook

• International Firefighters Day Honored

• Correction Officer Week Recognized

• MADD Event at OESJ with State and Local Police

• Mental Health Awareness Month Acknowledged

• Multiple Arrests for Welfare Fraud, DWIs, and More

• 911 Center Faced Outages—All Services Restored

• Safe Return of Runaway Juveniles

• Blue Friday Law Enforcement Memorial Attended

• Operation Safe Stop Enforced on County School Buses

• Emergency Preparedness Trainings Held Across County

• Civil Office Earns Accreditation from NYS Sheriff's Association

• Correctional Facility Cleanup Crew Aids Earth Day Trash Pickup

• Venison Delivery to Veterans & Seniors across Counties

• EMS Staff Awarded for Life-Saving Response in Fonda

• Boater Safety Course Conducted (New Law in Effect)

• Officer Bill Blair Retires After 27 Years of Service

Ken Rose Director, Montgomery County Economic Development Highlights:

• Discussed Montgomery County Business Development Center’s evolving mission

• Shared the 3.2M sq. ft. proposed Amazon Distribution Center in Town of Florida (750+ jobs, $300M investment)

• Explained growth in the 5S Corridor: Target, Dollar General, Beechnut, Alpenhaus

• New Dollar General Refrigeration Center: 163,000 sq. ft., $75M project, 150 jobs

• Addressed housing initiatives: Echo Flats (Amsterdam), Dutch Hollow (Golf Course Rd)

• Previewed redevelopment efforts at the old Beech-Nut site in Canajoharie

• Highlighted potential new daycare in the Nelliston school building

• Stressed need for sewer/water infrastructure and collaborative grant work with municipalities

View full event list: Montgomery County Events

• May 17 – 250-Year Celebration of Freedom

  • Saint Kateri Shrine, State Hwy 5, Town of Mohawk

• May 18 – Opening Day at Fort Klock

  • 10 AM–4 PM, St. Johnsville

• May 25 – Tribes Hill Fire Department Annual Breakfast + Memorial Day Parade

  • Breakfast in morning, Parade after, Tribes Hill

• May 25 – Memorial Day Ceremony

  • 2 PM, Town of Florida Memorial Site

• May 26 – Memorial Day County-Wide Parades

  • Locations: St. Johnsville, Fonda-Fultonville, Glen, Hagaman, Charleston (4 PM)

• 📱 Download Our App for real-time updates: Get the APP

• 🚨 Emergency? Dial 911 for immediate assistance.

• 📞 Need Support? Call us at (518) 853-5500 for non-emergency help

April 8, 2025

“Forget donuts—this week, we’re talking chocolate milk and cow encounters!”

Sheriff Jeff heads out to Digert’s Dairy Farm for a fresh-air episode full of chocolate milk, four-legged friends, and a few hoof-stomping surprises. From Easter eggs to venison deliveries, distracted driving enforcement to autism awareness, this show hits every corner of the county.

🔵 Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Stay alert behind the wheel—it could save a life.

🔗 https://www.facebook.com/nymcso/posts/pfbid0ncq3ZhjUMR2EKnmfjKHXnRXGfhmmVtLNmGexwfaCyJgdLrJu2NVu6AomhsLZvZNml

🧩 Autism Awareness Month

Supporting inclusion and understanding across Montgomery County.

🔗 https://www.facebook.com/nymcso/posts/1077603364409785:539977508724702

🛟 Boater Safety Course Available!

2025 requires certification—free courses offered at the Sheriff’s Office.

👮 Billy Blare Retires After 27 Years

A heartfelt thank you for decades of service.

⚠️ Rabies Alert from Public Health

Stay informed and keep pets safe.

🚨 Major Arrests for Welfare Fraud

Over $130,000 saved in false claims.

🔗 https://montgomerycountysheriffny.com/press?fbclid=IwY2xjawJh7uNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHj2yeFPFQa28yc38JmyqT3L7GH3vivPel2SbyCg7twOOjSfKwVuoJ3r4QDOh_aem_9Hw46t1P4BBDucpMR0Wrdw

🔒 Weapons, Contraband & Larceny Cases

More details in our press room.

📊 Monthly Stats Report

Transparency matters—see what’s happening.

🔗 https://montgomerycountysheriffny.com/reporting

LIVE from Digert’s Farm!

Chocolate milk. Cows. Sheriff Jeff. Enough said.

See full calendar: https://montgomerycountysheriffny.com/events

🥚 Easter Events & Egg Hunts

County-wide fun throughout the week!

🦌 April 17: Venison Program

Fresh venison for seniors in Montgomery, Fulton & Hamilton Counties.

🐟 April 18: Fish Fry @ Amsterdam Elks Lodge

🍗 April 19: Amsterdam WingFest

Downtown will be spicy, saucy, and packed!

📱 Download Our App

Get real-time updates: https://apps.myocv.com/share/a63812072

🚓 Emergency? Dial 911

📞 Non-Emergency Support: Call (518) 853-5500