WCDO Radio News

The Oxford Police Department has teamed up with "Truth Pharm" to try a different approach to the growing heroin problem; they will be holding a free Narcan training session for anyone interested on January 28th at the Oxford High School at 5:30 PM. Oxford Police Chief Richard Nolan comments:

(Oxford Police Chief Richard Nolan 1-20-16)

Chief Nolan said that they will also be holding another session in more detail for first responders in February, they are also receiving grant money to set aside an area for people struggling with addiction to come & talk with Police & Volunteers on how to get treatment to beat the heroin addiction.

Governor Cuomo announced $2 million in new funding to support 50 new treatment beds to help New Yorkers with substance use disorders in upstate New York. The funding will support 50 new residential treatment beds in the Southern Tier, the Finger Lakes region or Western New York. The new residential treatment beds must be located in Areas such as Broome, Delaware, & other upstate Counties. The new beds will be in addition to recently announced funding for expansion of services at Fairview Recovery Services on Merrick Street in Binghamton which includes $3.6 million for a new 18-bed community residence offering substance use disorder treatment for women, and approval of new treatment capacity at Fairview’s existing Crisis Detox facility on Court Street.

The Southern Tier & Central New York Regions won big again this year, when Governor Cuomo announced these years’ winners for the Regional Economic council awards and the Upstate revitalization Initiative awards Thursday. State Senator Fred Akshar comments:

(Akshar 12-11-15)

The Top projects this year include the 7 Hawley Street Redevelopment in Binghamton & the Southern Tier Health Sciences and Technology Innovation Park in Binghamton.

Area Resident Gene Schmidt is coordinating the 3rd Christmas Community Dinner on Christmas Day, which has now been moved back to the Sidney Fire Department's Training Center on River Street. Schmidt said that they still are looking for volunteers & donations:

(Gene Schmidt 12-11-15)

Schmidt can be reached at 610-4030, Donations can be sent by check to the Sidney United Methodist Church, with Community Christmas Dinner on the memo line. Schmidt said that last year they served about 250 dinners on Christmas day.

Tioga Downs Owner Jeff Gural is now the only one left with a proposal before the state gaming commission for a casino in the Southern Tier. Gural said that his plan calls for a 125 million dollar expansion, and should add about 500 jobs; a previous group out of Albany has dropped their proposal for a Broome County facility.

Greater Chenango Cares is a partnership with the Department of Defense to provide an opportunity for residents of Chenango County & neighboring counties to participate in a no-cost military training program July 13th. through the 22nd, for Medical, Dental, & Eye care, plus veterinary services. the Chenango United way is assisting with lining up local volunteers from many different functions during the event, Spokesperson Elizabeth Monaco explains:

(Elizabeth Monaco 7-8-15)

Monaco said that volunteer opportunities and sign ups are available on-line at volunteer.chenangouw.org. Appointments are needed for veterinary services are available at 334-9724 ext. 3, dental appointments can be made at 337-1643, more information is available at the Greater Chenango Cares Facebook page.

The 10 regional councils are making their presentations today & tomorrow, to funding projects with a portion of the $700 million in state aid being offered. The Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes councils will make their presentations Monday afternoon. The Southern Tier council will make its pitch Tuesday. The next round of funding is expected to be announced in December.

Otsego County held its 17h annual Hazardous Waste Collection Day this past weekend. On Friday morning, a satellite event was held in Unadilla at the Town Highway garage, where 110 cars dropped off hazardous materials from 116 households. The main event was held on Saturday at the Meadows Office Complex, with 362 cars dropping off hazardous materials from 378 households. Volunteers diverted latex paint from the waste stream, it will be re-mixed by Golden Artist Colors & distributed at a later time.

Southern Tier residents are advised to sign up soon to be a disaster volunteers with Southern Tier Volunteers until August 31, 2014, and receive a free personal disaster preparedness kit. The Offer is limited to the first 300 new signups. Volunteers must reside in the 8-county Southern Tier Region more information is available at southerntiervolunteers.org.

In 2011, Governor Cuomo divided the state into 10 regional councils and awarded the Southern Tier close to $50 million for 58 projects, which are on track for completion.  Locally, Norwich Pharmaceuticals is using $2 million for a new lab and equipment, allowing it to test and develop medications. It also retains 350 jobs in Chenango County

Members of Habitat for Humanity of Delaware County are planning to undertake a building renovation project in Delhi this summer.    Currently the organization is looking for volunteers and volunteer organizations to assist with all components of the build.   The existing structure is on 3 acres along Spring Valley Road, it was donated to the local Habitat Board last year and is in need of an addition to accommodate the average needs of a family.  More information is available at 746-9987 or by email at: habitatdelawarecounty@gmail.com.

18 southern tier nonprofit organizations received grants totaling $117,200 from the Community Foundation for South Central New York in their Fall Community Fund and Women’s Fund competitive grant cycles. The grants were awarded to local organizations such as the New York State Historical Association, Opportunities for Otsego, the Roberson Museum & Science Center, Planned Parenthood of South Central New York, & Mom’s House of Johnson City, among others. The competitive proposals were reviewed and recommended by panels of community volunteers. More information about the Foundation can be found on its website at donorswhocare.org.