WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 6-22-22

The Tri Town Theater is holding a Summer Youth Theater workshop in July, for area children Grades 3 to 12, to learn about all aspects of the theater, Workshop Coordinator Morgan Sturdivant explains:

(Morgan Sturdivant 6-22-22)

The Workshops will be held at the Gateway Alliance Church in Sidney July 18th through the 22nd & July 25th through the 29th, more information is available at the Tri Town Theater Facebook Page.

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The Southern Tier Virtual Job Fair will be held online tomorrow with businesses from all over the region looking for prospective employees. Margaret Burkett of the New York Department of Labor explains:

(Margaret Burkett 6-22-22)

The live event is tomorrow from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the link to Pre- Register & participate is at the WCDO Facebook Page and WCDO website. More information is available at 607-432-4800 extension 125

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Legislation co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo of Endwell, is elevating care standards at animal shelters and animal rescue organizations in New York State. The new legislation will require shelters to pass state inspections, to be administered under the division of Agriculture and Markets. Violations could result in denial, revocation, suspension or refusal of license renewal as well as possible fines of between $100 and $1,000 per violation. The new standards take effect in 2025.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County is sponsoring the Walton Farmers’ Market throughout the summer, the Market will be held at the Veteran’s Plaza, 181 Delaware Street in Walton, every Friday, from July 1st to September 30th from 11:00 am to 4:00 PM, more information is available at the Walton Farmer's Market Facebook page.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 6-22-22

New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer made a rehab start Tuesday night for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in a 7-6 loss, in front of a record-setting crowd of 7,491 at Mirabito Stadium against the Reading Fightin Phils, he talked to reporters after the game:

(Max Scherzer 6-22-22)

Scherzer, was throwing to fellow New York Mets Catcher James McCann, he went three and a third innings, allowing three hits and two runs, with one walk and six strikeouts on 65 pitches. McCann was 1-4 with a run scored and a walk in his fourth game with the Rumble Ponies on a rehab assignment.

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The American Red Cross continues to report low Blood Supplies, and a Blood Drive is being held today in Walton, from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM, at the New Hope Community Church, 45 Stockton Ave, another Blood Drive is being held in Cooperstown from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 31 Elm Street. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

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19th District Congressman Antonio Delgado visited the CDO
Workforce Oneonta Career Center Tuesday.
Delgado met with workforce center leadership and clients and discussed
his efforts in Congress to support workforce development programs.   Earlier this month, Congressman Delgado
introduced the Gateway to Careers Act to create a career pathway grant program
that would fund partnerships between community or technical colleges and
workforce development partners such as state workforce development boards, industry
associations, and community-based organizations. These programs would support
efforts to offer wrap around services including child care, opioid addiction
treatment, transportation, and other forms of assistance for community college
and CTE students.

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State Police are searching for Aaron Rifanburg, who is
wanted for criminal possession of controlled substance.  Rifanburg is wanted on a bench warrant for
failing to appear in the village of Oxford Court, he was arrested on a drug
possession charge in May 2019 after a vehicle he was a passenger in was
stopped, was in possession of drugs. Anyone with information should call the
State Police in Norwich at 334-3291 or email Crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s
Deputies arrested 21-Year-Old Brendon Frank of Otego for Harassment following
an investigation of a domestic dispute which occurred in the Town of
Walton.  Frank is scheduled to appear at
the Town of Walton Court at a later date to answer the charge.

The annual Regional Spelling Bee competition is scheduled to
be held in Oneonta next month, with the goal of sending the winner to the
National Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington DC later this year.  Martha Ryan of the DCMO BOCES explains:

(Martha Ryan 2-19-20)

Ryan said that anyone wishing to donate to the fund to send
the winner's family to the Scripps Competition can call her at 335-1292 for
more information.

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Republican Attorney Kyle Van De
Water of Dutchess County announced today that he is seeking the Republican
Party nomination to run against incumbent Democratic Congressman Antonio
Delgado in November.  Van De Water joins
Green party candidate Steve Greenfield in the race for the congressional seat.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 48-year-old
Steven Burnside of Oneonta on 20 counts of Criminal Contempt & 2 counts of
Harassment, following multiple reports of an ongoing domestic dispute in the
Town of Kortright.  Burnside is accused
of engaging in an on-going course of conduct and repeatedly violating a court
order of protection by contacting a protected party 20 times, he was arraigned
at the Town of Kortright Court and was remanded to the Delaware County
Correctional Facility on $500 cash bail or $1,000 in secure bond.

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Congressman Anthony Brindisi visited with business owners in
Norwich Tuesday afternoon at Commerce Chenango; he told WCDO News the
importance of meeting with small business owners:

(Brindisi 2-19-20)

Congressman Brindisi also said that he met with the Deputy
Commissioner of Major league baseball recently, regarding the importance of
keeping the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and the other 40 minor league baseball
teams operating, following a plan from the Commissioner's office to eliminate
about 25% of minor league teams nationwide.

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The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will move into its new
headquarters at 31 Main Street in Oneonta on March 4.  The Chamber’s telephone number will remain
the same as 432-4500. Mail can still be sent to The Otsego County Chamber of
Commerce, P.O. Box 18, Oneonta, NY 13820.

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Chenango Arts Council and Guernsey Memorial Library will
bring another free film classic tonight at 6:30 pm, at the Arts Council
tonight.  The Quiet Man starring John
Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, and the Dynamic Duos series concludes February 26 at
the Guernsey Library with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn in Guess Who’s
Coming to Dinner.   More information is
available at 336-ARTS or Guernsey Memorial Library at 334-4034.

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11 people were displaced following a fire at 16 Carlton
Street in Binghamton early this morning.
The fire was confined to a 3rd floor apartment buy Binghamton
Firefighters, no injuries were reported.
The American Red Cross assisted those who were displaced by the blaze.

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52 Year old James Muller of Fly Creek has been arrested by
the Otsego County Sheriff's Department, for failing to notify authorities of an
address change, Muller is a registered sex offender.   State law gives a registered sex offender 10
days to report a change of address; Muller will answer to the charge in town of
Middlefield Court at a later date.

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The Tri Town Relay For Life will have their 2019 kick off
events" Carnival For A Cure" on March 6th at the Sidney Elks Lodge on
River Street.  RSVP's are requested by February
27th at 267-0014.  The event will run
from 5:30 to 7:30 PM on March 6th.

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The AO Fox Hospital tri Town
Campus will hold an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday February 18th from
1:30 to 6:30 PM.  Appointments can be
made with the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, at redcrossblood.org or by
calling 1-800-REDCROSS.  All blood types
are needed.

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The Binghamton Devils announced that they have partnered
with USA Hockey & the Southern Tier Hockey Association to host a "Try
Hockey Free Day" on February 23rd at the Broome County
Arena.  Parents can register their
children for one of 2 time slots on the 23rd, by calling the devils office at
722-7367, more information is also available at binghamtondevils.com

Governor Cuomo launched a nationwide campaign to fight for
tax fairness following Tuesday's meeting with President Trump on the impact of
the elimination of full state and local tax deductibility, which took from 12
Democratic states to give to Republican states:

(Cuomo 2-14-19)

Governor Cuomo and State Comptroller DiNapoli said that an
update on State revenues from the Division of the Budget observed a decline by
$2.3 billion in estimated payments of Personal Income Tax receipts in December
and January, which was attributed to the federal tax legislation change which
eliminated state and local tax deductibility.

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State Senator Fred Akshar released the results of his latest
online survey regarding the proposal to legalize recreational marijuana.  Within the 52nd Senate District, 48% of
respondents support the proposal, 46% oppose it and 5% are undecided.  Outside of the 52nd Senate District,
respondents supported the measure 75% to 23% with 2% undecided.   Supporters said the legalization would increase
tax revenues for the state, could reduce incarceration rates, Opponents cited
potential dangers of more marijuana users driving under the influence, that marijuana
is a gateway drug to harder drugs like heroin, along with negative affects to
public health and safety.

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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is advocating for the
restoration of proposed cuts to Aid and Incentives for Municipal Funding in the
Governor's budget proposal on behalf of Delaware County villages, towns and
businesses. The Chamber has provided a draft resolution, created by elected
officials in Masonville, to local municipalities for adoption, asking Governor
Cuomo to stop slashing the funding, which would cut aid to Delaware County
towns and villages by $339,000 in the 2019-20 tax year.

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State Lawmakers did not complete the 2017 session Wednesday, and are being called back to Albany to wrap up the session Friday Morning. A few items were left on the table when work completed late last night, but are likely to be voted on Friday, they included bills extending control of New York City Mayor authority over the public school system & the continuation of sales taxes in upstate and Long Island counties.

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A decision could come next week on the Division of Veterans Affairs re-opening an office in Sidney, local assemblyman Cliff Crouch explains:

(Cliff Crouch 6-22-17)

The previous office was closed after the Division learned that a rent was being charged to stay in the Sidney Civic Center, after the village of Sidney sold the building to a private developer, prior to the sale, the village allowed the office to be in the building at no charge.

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The State Department of Health today announced several new enhancements to the state’s Medical Marijuana Program. Changes increased the number of certified patients to the program, since the addition of chronic pain as a qualifying condition. The enhancements will streamline and simplify the registration process for practitioners, making it easier to certify patients for the medical marijuana program. There are 1,066 registered practitioners in New York’s Medical Marijuana Program, Nurse practitioners and physician assistants were certified & now make up more than 10% of the registered practitioners in the program.

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Construction is underway on a $4.2 million bicycle and pedestrian trail that will link downtown Binghamton with the South Side neighborhoods. The Greenway is part of Governor Cuomo's $59 million investment in the multi-phase Route 434 Greenway / Route 363 Gateway project ; The 1st phase includes the Route 434 Greenway trail from the South Washington Street Pedestrian Bridge to the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Vestal Avenue in Binghamton’s south side The Greenway phase will also provide a crossing over Route 434 on the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge. The rest of the phases of the project should begin in 2020.

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New York Regulators are taking public comments on proposed changes to the solid waste management rules. The DEC launched a revision last year, which includes changes to deal with the illegal disposal of construction & demolition debris, and a stronger oversight of Mulch Processing facilities. Comments will be accepted to the DEC through July 13th.

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New York state's maple-syrup production jumped by 7.5% this year to a record 760,000 gallons, up from 707,000 gallons the year before, according to the USDA. New York ranked 2nd again for maple syrup production, behind Vermont, which produced 1.98 million gallons in 2017.

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State Police arrested 45-year-old Vernon VanValkenburg of Masonville, for Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 4 counts of Reckless Endangerment, and Illegal Discharge of a Firearm within 500 feet of a Residence. Troopers responded to a report of shots fired by a subject at a residence on Finnerty Road in the Town of Masonville, VanValkenburg is accused of firing at a neighbor's house, VanValkenburg was unable to possess a firearm due to a prior felony conviction, he was arraigned in the Town of Masonville court and remanded to the Delaware County jail on $1,000 cash bail. An order of protection was issued, no injuries were reported.

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The towns of Unadilla crews are working on paving Idumea road today. The road will be closed to Through Traffic until completion late this afternoon.

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Former First Lady of Canada Margaret Trudeau will give the keynote speech today at the Women’s Fund Annual Breakfast at the Holiday Inn in Binghamton. Trudeau’s speech will focus on her life as First Lady, Mother of current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the loss of a son and her former husband, & living with bipolar disorder.

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Delaware County Public Health announced another Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic For dogs, cats and ferrets today, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at the Masonville Fire Hall. Previous vaccination records are requested to verify if pets are eligible for 3-year coverage. More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com

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State tax collections through the first three quarters of the fiscal year are down, According to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The decline was 2.2% or around $1.2 billion, which is about $30 million lower than mid-year projections. DiNapoli’s report showed that there was Significant increases in spending for Medicaid and other public health programs.

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New regulations will be issued by the New York State Department of State, requiring structural inspections of above-ground parking garages. The State does not currently have laws or regulations requiring public or private parking garages to undergo structural inspections, only fire and general safety rules. The regulations follow the collapse of a parking ramp at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City in July 2015, and the November 2015 closure of the Collier Street parking ramp in Binghamton, due to safety concerns. The State Department of State will soon begin drafting the regulations.

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The head of New York State’s Public Service Commission is stepping down to take a job in Australia. Audrey Zibelman announced her departure Monday, she will stay on until the end of March before going to work for the Australian Energy Market Operator, which oversees electricity and natural gas markets and networks.

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Governor Cuomo announced the state would invest up to $20 million for major upgrades at Whiteface and Gore Mountains to attract more visitors to the upstate region in the winter time. The investments will enhance the current facilities at Gore and Whiteface Mountains and create state-of-the art skiing, lodging, dining and retail opportunities and year-round activities. The project will be the first major upgrade at both Whiteface and Gore in 30 years.

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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold an information session in conjunction with the regular Board of Education Meeting tonight, which starts at 6:30 PM with the business portion of the meeting starting at 7:00 PM. A special Board Meeting will be held tonight for Board members to vote on SEQRA and the Capital Project, which will likely go before the public for a vote in March.

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Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Matthew Maclaury of Oxford for aggravated driving while intoxicated and DWI after a report of a 2-car accident on County Road 32 in the Town of Norwich it was found that Maclaury went off the roadway and struck a parked vehicle & that Maclaury was driving with a blood alcohol content of .18 or higher. Maclaury will appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the guilty plea of 44 year old Darin Cox of Johnson City, who is the owner and operator of Broome Taxi, for his fraudulent actions in obtaining over $3,000 from the Medicaid system by operating his business without the licensing necessary to operate a taxicab in Broome County. Cox pleaded guilty to 1 count of Grand Larceny, he faces a sentence of up to 7 years in prison.

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Governor Cuomo today announced the opening of the $12.3 million “Binghamton Gateway,” which is a 37-unit affordable housing development located on Front Street, for low-income New Yorkers, six of which are designed to support people who have physical disabilities. The project rehabilitated 11 buildings and constructed a new mixed-use building with 2 commercial storefronts and 10 residential units on the site of the former Lincoln Hotel that was destroyed by fire.

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The State DEC announced the renewal of 2 general permits for technical programs designed to reduce the potential for water pollution on large livestock farms. The permits provide new requirements for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations to ensure proper management of nutrients while increasing water quality protection. Governor Cuomo’s proposal for the $2 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 will also invest resources for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and other water quality protection across the state, including funds for ensuring proper management and storage of nutrients such as manure on farms.

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Gwen Wright, of the State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence will deliver Governor Cuomo's Regional Budget Briefing today in Delhi. The presentation will begin at 1:00 PM at SUNY Delhi.

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The Otsego County IDA will hold a public hearing this morning on the State Eminent Domain Procedure Law at 11:00 AM at their offices at 189 Main Street, Oneonta. The purpose of the hearing is to outline and/or describe the proposed acquisition by the Agency of the parcels commonly known as the Ford Block at Market Street in Oneonta.

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The Matthews Auto Group held a ribbon cutting at the Grand Re-Opening of the newly remodeled Matthews Ford dealership and the Grand Opening of the new Quick Lane in Norwich this morning. Matthews company president Rob Matthews told WCDO News that when they thought about expanding out of the Binghamton market, Norwich was considered as middle of the pack, until they visited the location at 175 East Main Street:

(Rob Matthews 6-2-15)

Commerce Chenango President Steve Craig said that the remodeling of the facility after only 3 years of doing business in Norwich, says a lot:

(Steve Craig 6-2-15)

The complete overhaul began in May 2014 as part of a Ford image program to upgrade facilities nationwide to current standards, the building was first opened in 1967.

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The family of Former Tri-Town News Publisher, Ken Paden announced that a celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 6th at 1:00 PM at the Sidney American Legion at 22 Union Street. A memorial donation may be made to Ken’s family toward a plaque in his name at the Sidney Veterans Memorial Park, they can be sent to C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 2086, Sidney, 13838. Any excess donations will go to the Delaware Valley Humane Society. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at landersfh.com. Paden passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 25th he will be laid to rest in Albany Rural Cemetery.

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Former State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos & His son Adam have pleaded not guilty in a federal court for corruption charges. A federal indictment accuses Skelos & his son of conspiracy and extortion, they were arraigned Monday in a federal court room in Manhattan, Adam Skelos is accused of having a no-show job with a business that lobbied Dean Skelos on legislative matters, with the younger Skelos receiving about $300,000. Dean skeos resigned as leader of the state senate, but is still holding on to his senate seat representing his Long Island district.

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The Broome County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 2 vehciel accident at about 8:50 this monring between a minivan & a Harpursville School bus on Smith Hill Road in the town of Chenango. 17 year old Katarina Stockton of Conklin lost control of her minivan on a curve and hit the Harpursville school bus head on. Cindy Wilcox of Harpursville was operating the school bus, with 12 students on board, she steered the bus into a ditch to try to avoid the collision. Wilcox was transported to Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton with neck & back pain, Stockton suffered minor injuries and was taken to Wilson Hospital, none of the students were injured. Stockton was ticketed for failure to reduce speed under wet conditions & driving left of pavement markings, she is due to appear in the Town of Chenango Court at a later date.

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The state DEC Announced that local governments and non-profit organizations in the Catskill region received $400,000 in Catskill Smart Growth Implementation grants. The grants will support projects in Catskill communities, in Delaware county, the Catskill Watershed Corporation will get $50,000 for the Catskill Park Wayfinding Sign Project, the Village of Fleischmanns will get over $45,000 for their Gateway Enhancement Project, the Town of Andes will get over $45,000 for the Ballantine Park Improvements Project.

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Multiple area fire departments responded this morning to a structure fire at 348 Chestnut Street in Oneonta.  The fire was reported at around 9:30 AM with fire fighters called in from as far away as Sidney.  The fire was brought under control in about 1 hour; the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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The Chenango county sheriffs department, Norwich city police and from the US Marshals, apprehended Shawn Fowlston in a room at the Sherburne Motel last night.  Fowlston was wanted on 2 warrants for forcible touching and harassment.  Fowlston had been released on parole on Monday following a recent conviction for 3rd degree rape; the alleged incident occurred on Tuesday, Fowlston faces action in Norwich city court today.

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There have been alarming changes in the drugs used illegally in Delaware County in the last year, with the comeback of one drug particularly troublesome, according to Delaware county sheriff Tom Mills:

(Sheriff Tom Mills 4-4-13)

Mills said that strong Marijuana is also a problem, leading many to gateway into heroin.  Another problem is prescription medications making there way out of the medicine cabinet & into the black market, according to Dave Ramsey of the Delaware county Alcohol & drug Abuse council:

(Dave Ramsey 4-4-13)

Those who have questions about heroin, prescription pain medications or other abused substances can call the council at 746-8300.

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The State labor Department released the February unemployment numbers today.  The state’ rate was at 8.4%, the upstate counties suffered through 9.2% unemployment for the 2nd straight month, the southern tier region was stuck at 9.6% in February.

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The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested 27-year-old Brad Perry of Plymouth for unlawful possession of marijuana, & 22-year-old Todd Williams for failure to appear.  The arrests followed a traffic stop in oxford Monday; Perry was issued an appearance ticket for oxford court at a later date.  Williams was taken into custody and was transferred over to the Norwich City Police Department for failing to appear in court to answer to a charge of disorderly conduct.

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New York State Assemblyman Eric Stevenson of the Bronx & 4 others have been arrested by the FBI on Bribery, Conspiracy & other charges.  Another state assembly member is unidentified, but was listed in a sealed indictment and is cooperating with authorities in the corruption probe.   Stevenson is accused of receiving $19,000 in cash from 3 businessmen seeking preferential treatment for their businesses.

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State Troopers arrested 21-year-old Michael Nodine of Sidney for Criminal Possession of Marihuana and Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. The arrest was the result of a traffic stop for failing to obey the "Move Over Law" in Oneonta, Nodine was released on an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court on April 23rd.

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Spring Valley Mayor Noramie Jasmin (http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/04/02/sen-malcolm-smith-arrested-in-alleged-plot-to-rig-nyc-mayors-race/) was charged Tuesday with mail fraud as part of the corruption case involving former State senator Majority Leader Malcolm Smith.  Jasmin is accused of voting to approve a development in exchange for receiving a secret part ownership of the land where the development would be built.  Spring Valley Deputy Mayor Joseph Desmaret has also been charged with mail fraud, all 6 involved in the Malcolm Smith case face court action on April 23rd.

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The New York State Office of General Services announced that surplus vehicle auctions will be held on May 23rd at 9:30 at the DOT facility at 241 Colesville road in Binghamton and SUNY Binghamton.  More information is available at ogs.ny.gov (mailto:ogs.ny.gov), or at  (518) 457-6335.

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