Lowville Man Facing Rape Charges for 2015 Incidents with Child

A Lowville man who has been arrested multiple times is facing rape charges for allegedly having relations with a child under the age of 17.

Scott E. Cooley is 51 years old. He is facing felony charges for third degree rape. In a written release New York State Police say charges stem from several incidents that allegedly occurred in 2015 where he allegedly had sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 17.

The six-foot, 200-pound man who usually wears glasses is being held at the Jefferson County Public Safety Building on $5,000 cash bail/$10,000 bond and will answer the charges in court at a later date.

[Author's Note: This post is informational only and is based largely on a press release from the New York State Police. WIBX has contacted authorities for an update but none are available at this time.]

Scott Cooley Mugshots Courtesy NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services

Gallery Credit: Kristine Bellino

Did You Know This?? 13 Upstate Food Favorites You Can't Buy Outside of New York State

Upstate New York is the home to many fantastic food favorites. Mention sponge candy to somebody 100 miles outside Buffalo and you are probably going to get a blank stare. Mention a Michigan hot dog to anybody not from around Plattsburgh. Same stare. So here is a list of 13 regional food icons that you cannot buy outside of the empire State.

I will add this asterisk. You certainly can buy some of these items online, like the Saratoga Peppermint Pigs. Perhaps the Stix and Sauce item is known by another name somewhere in the country. Salt potatoes may have gravitated elsewhere but if so nobody knows where they started. And Grandma Brown's Baked Beans (God rest her soul). Well, you can buy that sweet lady's baked beans on eBay (check out that expiration date; she hasn't manufactured them since the pandemic). But for the most part you would have to walk into a store or restaurant in Upstate New York to enjoy these "regional" fan favorite foods.

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

Utica Police K-9 Varick

Utica Police K-9 Unit Member Varick

Gallery Credit: Kristine Bellino

11 Ways to Avoid Getting Ripped Off When Holiday Shopping Online

The world-wide shipping delays have shoppers buying holiday gifts early this year and much of the commerce is happening online. After all, how can you avoid the amazing deals? Now more than ever, these amazing deals are shady transactions that look authentic and safe.

One way to shop safely online is to buy from local vendor websites, or visit sites like Etsy which touts small meaningful gifts, often times created by small businesses and crafters.

The Better Business Bureau recommends online buyers do research before they click the checkout button.

Here are 11 things you can do to avoid getting ripped off online, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Gallery Credit: Bill Keeler