Three attorneys with the county District Attorney’s office have confirmed the source of conflicts with Oswego County Court Judge Walter Hafner Jr. Because of pending complaints filed by Hafner, the judge has been required to recuse himself from many of the cases that would normally appear on his docket because of the appearance of personal bias or prejudice against the attorneys he has grieved.

BREAKING NEWS: The man accused of murdering his 11-year-old stepsister will remain in custody on $100,000 cash bail or $250,000 bond. His attorney sought to have him released on his own recognizance, or at least have his bail reduced.

An Assistant District Attorney in in Oswego County has decided to make some of the complaints that a judge has filed against her public; complaints which she calls ridiculous. Because of those complaints, Oswego County Court Judge Walter Hafner Jr., has been required to recuse himself from cases that are prosecuted by assistant DA Mary Rain. Hafner still won’t discuss the complaints. However, he suggests Rain’s decision to talk is a political maneuver.

Jessica Burger, the woman accused of firing shots at another woman’s car after a dispute over Burger’s fiancé in May, has been indicted. Though originally accused of attempted murder and several counts of reckless endangerment, a grand jury has decided that Burger will face one count of first-degree reckless endangerment in Oswego County Court.

Howard Middleton could have gone to prison for a long time for growing marijuana in his Phoenix home. Instead, he pleaded guilty to a violation, paid a fine and walked out of court because a judge ruled police did not have the right to search his home.

In light of new charges brought against 20-year-old Andrew J. Stoughtenger in Onondaga County Oct. 14, Oswego County Court Judge Walter Hafner Jr., decided this week that he should pay a $500,000 in cash to be released from Oswego County’s jail relative to an indictment brought against him in July that charges him with 12 counts of second-degree burglary.

Arraignment proceedings for Jay Barboni, the man accused of murder in the death of his girlfriend’s son, have been delayed. By decision of the grand jury, Barboni is facing a three-count indictment that includes second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter.

Erin Maxwell’s step-brother, father, and step-mother remain in jail as a judge refused to lower their bail. Alan Jones was arraigned on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with her death. Her father and step-mother are each facing six counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Republican voters refused the advice of the party on Tuesday, voting for two candidates who did not get the party’s official backing.

Oswego County Court Judge Walter Hafner spoke to the Oswego Sunrise Rotary Club.

Oswego Harborfest has announced that the popular 50-50 Raffle to benefit Harborfest will return in 2009.

Farnham Family Services, an Oswego-based substance abuse treatment and prevention center, is now selling tickets for its 2009 Changing Lives Raffle.

As this column goes to press the 152nd Oswego County Fair should be in full swing at Sandy Creek. During the previous week the Heritage building was stocked full with many new and unique exhibits. We even brought down a piano for some live music!