WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo announced that there were 727 new COVID 19 cases discovered Thursday or .85% of all those tested.  The State total is now 424,167; there were 3 virus related deaths Thursday, bringing the state death toll to 25,232.  Patient Hospitalization were down to 554, there were 127 ICU patients, with 59 on ventilators

Governor Cuomo announced today that Bowling alleys, gyms, museums and other low-risk indoor cultural venues will be allowed to open shortly with strict COVID-19 guidelines.  Cuomo said that Bowling alleys will be allowed to open Monday, with 50% occupancy capacity, face masks & social distancing must be followed & every other lane will be closed, thorough cleaning and disinfection of shared or rented equipment between each use will be required; and all food service must follow all state-issued guidance.  The opening date and rules for gyms will be revealed on Monday.

Chenango County Department of Public Works will be holding their household Hazardous waste collection Tomorrow in Norwich, DPW Spokesman Dustin Hendricks explains:

(Dustin Hendricks 8-14-20)

More information is available by calling Hendricks at 337-1792, or email him at dhendricks@co.chenango.ny.us.

The State Department of Motor Vehicles is expanding New Yorkers' ability to complete certain transactions through secure drop boxes. The drop boxes can be used for license plate surrenders, address changes, and license and registration renewals. Customers using drop boxes must wear face coverings and maintain social distancing. Drop boxes are located at all state-run DMV offices and are available during regular office hours.  More information is available at dmv.ny.gov.

The Oneonta City School District has posted their extensive District Re-opening plan on their website.  With the expected influx of college students coming from all over the country to Oneonta, the district announced that they will remain in the remote learning environment to start the 2020-2021 school year; they will reevaluate that model when they approach the Interim Progress Report period of October 9th.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi announced over $290,000 in grant funding for fire departments across New York’s 22nd District.   The grant money is awarded through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, will help local fire departments prioritize operations and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  Locally the New Berlin Fire Department will get over $29,000; the South Otselic Volunteer Fire Department will get over $74,000.

The State DOT is advising motorists that State Route 28 is closed between Margaretville and Andes just north of the intersection of NYS Route 28 and NYS Route 30 to allow construction work required in response to recent storm. Detours will be posted.  During the closure, southbound motorists will be directed to County Route 1 to Tremperskill Road, to State Route 30, back onto NYS Route 28. Northbound motorist will follow the same path in reverse. Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Up-to-date travel information is available by calling 511, visiting 511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

The Unatego Central School District will hold 3 meetings next week to get parents up to date about the district's re-opening proposal, Superintendent Dr. Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 8-13-20)

The Virtual meetings with parents will be on Monday at 2:00 & 6:00 PM & Tuesday at 3:00 PM, more information is available on the Unatego District website.

The Afton Central School district announced that there will be a remote Special Community Meeting today at 2:00 PM; the link to the virtual meeting is available on the district website.  Afton Superintendent Tim McNamara told WCDO News what their plans are for students for the fall:

(Tim McNamara 8-14-20)

McNamara said that on August 21 at 9:00 A.M. there will be a special live presentation in the Margery Secrest Memorial Auditorium and available remotely by clicking Special Community Meeting on the school website. The district's reopening plan is also available on the district website.

The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced more than $100 million in additional emergency food assistance for New Yorkers adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, is available.   About 700,000 low-income individuals and families enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or "SNAP" will receive a supplemental payment to bring them up to the maximum allowable benefit for August to help them avoid food insecurity.   More information is available at otda.ny.gov/SNAP-COVID-19.

Delaware County Public Health received 1 new positive test result for COVID-19 Thursday and no additional recoveries have been reported, the known active cases is 2. To date there have been 98 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, with 23 people now under mandatory quarantine.  The 2 people are receiving care at home, since March, 6 people have died and 90 have fully recovered.

2020 SCHOOL BUDGET VOTES

DELAWARE COUNTY
Voters in the Sidney Central School District approved the district's proposed budget 538-131 & also approved a capital reserve fund 547-113.
Voters in the Walton Central School District approved the budget 796-292.
Voters in the Franklin School District approved their budget 289-130, and their bus proposition 289-147.
Voters in Deposit approved their budget 472-177, they also approved of their bus & library propositions.
Voters in the Charlotte Valley District voted in favor of their budget 336-188 & their capital reserve proposition 357-164
Voters in the Hancock Central School District voted for their budget 352-135.
Voters in Downsville approved of their budget 199-61
Voters in South Kortright approved their budget 196-64
Voters in the Delaware Academy District approved their budget 845-399 they also approved of the bus proposition & the asbestos abatement proposition.

CHENANGO COUNTY
Voters in the Afton School District approved of their budget 326-169, their bus proposition 285-207 & their building project 247-244.
Voters in the Bainbridge-Guilford Central School approved their Budget 541 to 255 & approved the bus proposition & the proposition for a Student on the Board of Education.
Norwich City School District voters approved their budget 1179-522, they approved the Leased Vehicles Proposition & the Library Budget.
Greene Central School District Voters approved their Budget 794-436 & passed both Propositions
Unadilla Valley district voters approved a $22.2 million budget by a vote of 534 to 219; Voters also approved a bus lease proposition by a vote of 557 to 194.
Oxford Academy district voters approved their budget School Budget 535 to 236; they also approved a Vehicle Purchase & the Oxford Memorial Library budget

OTSEGO COUNTY:
Voters in the Unatego School District voted in favor of their budget 594-293
Voters in the Edmeston School District approved their budget 171-18, they also approved of 3 vehicle purchases.
Gilbertsville Mount Upton Voters approved of their budget 267-133
Laurens School district voters approved of their budget 231-24, & voted in favor of purchasing busses by a similar margin.
Milford central School District voters approved their budget 467-272

Voters in the Morris District approved their budget 245-38
Voters in the Oneonta City School district approved of their budget, Bus proposition & Capital Project

BROOME COUNTY
Harpursville District Voters approved their budget, 508-194.

WINDSOR Central School district voters approved of their budget 991-537.

Governor Cuomo announced Thursday that the State has over 159,000 cases of the Coronavirus; they have reported 7,067 deaths so far, with another record breaking amount on Wednesday of 799 deaths.  Governor Cuomo said that people still need to stay at home, and there is no good estimate as to when this ends:

(Cuomo 4-9-20)

Meanwhile, over 800,000 New Yorkers are filing unemployment claims in recent weeks, crashing the state labor department’s system, Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa said that the systems gets a reboot & new application tonight:

(DeRosa 4-9-20)

State Budget Director Robert Mujica said that the state will freeze the 2% increase in wages for state workers for 90 days, and they hope for Federal assistance:

(Mujica 4-9-20)

Governor Cuomo said that there are over 18,200 Hospitalized, the Number of people in ICU beds went up by only 60 Wednesday, the number of recoveries continues to increase.

Chenango County Health officials announced Thursday that they have 53 confirmed Coronavirus cases, there are 62 Precautionary Quarantines, 358 Mandatory Quarantines,  9 people are being treated in Hospitals, 10 people have Recovered they have administered 265 tests.

Delaware County Solid Waste Management Center & Compost facility is open but with reduced staff.  Spokesman Tyson Robb asks that County residents try to hold off on bringing recyclables to the Center at this time:

(Tyson Robb 4-9-20)

Robb said that hours are currently Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM, they also suggest that visitors to the Center try to get in & out as quickly as possible.

Good Shepherd Communities Board and Senior Management announces $2 per hour differential for staff at their Binghamton Facility.  The Board reported that this is their way of thanking employees for the exceptional care they are providing to residents at all facilities during the Covid-19 crisis. All employees, except senior management, will receive a $2 per hour differential along with a free meal during lunch periods.

Caregivers at UHS Chenango Memorial are in for a sweet treat thanks to The Parson's Daughter chocolate shop of Norwich, by donating their stock of Easter candy to the UHS staff.  The Parson’s Daughter will re-open as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Broome County Health department announced that they have 93 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus.  Officials reported 6 deaths, 14 recoveries, 53 in Precautionary Quarantine, 194 in precautionary quarantine, they have conducted 700 tests.

Delaware County is reporting no new cases of the Coronavirus.  There are 42 confirmed positive cases, with 36 people under mandatory quarantine and 2 people under precautionary quarantine. To date 289 people have been tested, 5 confirmed cases have been transferred out of the county to where the person actually resides. Of the 37 confirmed positive cases, 6 are isolated in a hospital, 23 are recovering at home, 1 person is deceased and 7 have fully recovered.

The Otsego County Department of Health is reporting a 2nd death from COVID 19, they currently have 35 confirmed cases, 5 are hospitalized, 12 have recovered, 94 people on mandatory quarantine, 4 people on precautionary quarantine, 46 people have been released from quarantine.

The State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment will meet today at 10:30 AM to consider petitions for rehearing of the Siting Board’s December 2019 approval of Bluestone Wind, LLC’s application for Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need to build and operate a 124-megawatt wind facility in the Towns of Windsor and Sanford.   The parties seeking rehearing are Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, Broome County Concerned Residents and a resident of the Village of Johnson City. Bluestone Wind applied to construct and operate 27 wind turbines & its associated network, to reduce the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, member of the public will be able to listen at dps.ny.gov/Webcasts.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a SPECIAL Board of Education Meeting  Today in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM with open session starting at 7:00 PM. Check the BGCSD website for information on on-line or phone-in options for public viewing that will be available or call the District Office at 607-967-6321.

Due to the Coronavirus situation, The Village of Afton will be conducting their monthly board meeting through Zoom; the next meeting will be April 13th at 7:00 PM.