WCDO Radio News

A verification change was announced for STAR or School Tax Relief Program. Homeowners are now being required to verify their income with the state. Previously income was verified by the municipalities and towns. The state is asking those enrolled in the STAR Basic program to add one more step after an audit revealed potential waste and abuse. People enrolled in STAR Basic will be able to verify by phone, or online at tax.ny.gov. All paperwork must be submitted by December 31. The state will mail information this month to affected homeowners.

Governor Cuomo announced measures to support and encourage farmers to reduce energy costs, improve business operations and enhance environmental planning. The Department of Agriculture and Markets is launching the Dairy Acceleration Program, and making available $1 million in funding, to help dairy farmers develop individualized business and environmental plans. To be eligible, a dairy cattle farm must have complete financial records. Preference will be given to farms with under 300 cows. For more information go to agriculture.ny.gov

Civil Service Commissioner Jerry Boone announced today that New York State has hundreds of internships available, and reminded college students to apply for Fall semester internships before the application deadline on September 3. New York State created a website that allows students to view and apply for internship opportunities across an array of state agencies both downstate and upstate. The program is open to resident graduate and undergraduate students as well as students who attend schools in other states, but reside in New York. To apply, visit nysinternships.com.

State Health Commissioner Nirav Shah announced the name for the New York Health Benefit Exchange, ‘NY State of Health.’ Also announced were the insurers that will offer health and dental plans to individuals and small business owners when NY State of Health opens for enrollment on Oct. 1st. For more information go to nystateofhealth.ny.gov

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Town of Greene woman for Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine, Criminal Possession of Precursors of Methamphetamine, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. 28 year old Kimberly Haughton was found to be in possession of precursors, solvents, and chemical materials used to manufacture meth in the Town of McDonough. Haughton was released and will reappear in Town of McDonough Court at a later date

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Department arrested a town of Norwich man for resisting arrest. 33 year old Todd Vance was charged following a traffic stop in the town of Smyrna. Vance fled from the scene into a wooded area and was located at the Rogers Conservation Center. Vance was arraigned in town of Sherburne Court and sent to the Chenango County Jail on $3,000 bail.

Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the Department of Agriculture and Markets in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Conservation is launching the Dairy Acceleration Program (DAP) and making available $1 million in funding to help dairy farmers develop individualized business and environmental plans. To be eligible for DAP a dairy cattle farm must have complete financial records. Preference will be given to farms with under 300 cows. DAP funding will cover 80 percent of a project’s cost. Payments may include: up to $5,000 per farm to write a business plan or develop a combination of a business and facility growth plan; and up to $4,500 to update an existing Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) or $6,000 to develop a new one. Other legislation recently approved by the governor supports farmers in their efforts to reduce their energy bills with the installation of clean energy projects such as solar and fuel cells. Specifically, legislation approved by Governor Cuomo increases from 25 kilowatts to 100 kilowatts the maximum electricity generation for the solar electric systems eligible for net metering without the need to move them to a commercial meter.

Gov. Cuomo will greet President Obama in Buffalo on Thursday as the president kicks off a two-day tour through New York and Pennsylvania to talk about jobs and the middle class. Cuomo will send Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy to the New York State Fair on Thursday, the first day of the fair. Cuomo said he will also visit the fair later during its 12-day run. Traditionally, the governor opens the fair on the first day, which is also known as "Governor's Day." Gov. Cuomo will avoid a potentially dicey political conflict by not joining President Obama to other parts of upstate New York roiled over the state's ban on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas. Obama supports the technology. Parts of central New York and the Southern Tier are on the gas-rich Marcellus Shale formation, where energy companies want to drill. Obama's two-day bus tour will begin Thursday and hit the University at Buffalo, followed by stops in Syracuse, Binghamton and northeastern Pennsylvania. The governor has postponed a decision on whether to allow fracking in New York. Cuomo says he's waiting for a study by state health department.

New York state lost more personal income from people leaving the state in the 2000s than any other state. The Tax Foundation calculated that New York had a net loss of $45.6 billion in personal income from 2000 to 2010. The foundation tracks moves of people within and between states. States that gained the most income in the last decade are Florida, Arizona and Texas.

The state Senate Finance Committee have scheduled five statewide public hearings on how New York’s tax policies can be changed to reduce the burden on taxpayers and to help businesses create more jobs. Public hearings are scheduled for Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo, Mineola and New York City. The Business Council of New York State; National Federation of Independent Business; Unshackle Upstate; the State Economic Development Council; The Tax Foundation and New York Farm Bureau will participate.

A Chenango County man was arrested for selling cocaine in the town of Oneonta in January. 37 year Michael John Hunt of West Edmeston is charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Hunt was arrested after an investigation by deputies with assistance from Oneonta Police. Hunt was arraigned in Otsego County Court and sent to Otsego jail on $20,000 bail.

The Village of Bainbridge Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing tonight at 6:30 in the Village Clerk’s Office, 33 West Main St., Bainbridge. The purpose of the public hearing will be to receive comments, concerning the submission of an application, to the State Office of Community Renewal, for funding under the federal Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program for 2013. The public is welcome.

Advocates of a bill to legalize sparklers in New York have released polling data that shows two thirds of voters surveyed support the measure. The poll was done by the United States Fireworks Safety Commission. The bill, which passed both the Senate and Assembly, and is in a holding pattern until it’s sent to Gov. Cuomo for review, would legalize the sale of sparklers near New Year’s and the Fourth of July in New York State.

The Bainbridge-Guilford School Board will hold a special meeting on Thursday, August 22nd at 6:30pm in the district conference room. They will move into executive session to discuss several personnel items and they may convene in open session to approve the items.

Lyme disease is about 10 times more common than previously reported. The CDC said as many as 300,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. It's a bacteria transmitted through the bites of infected deer ticks. Symptoms include a fever, headache and fatigue and sometimes a rash that looks like a bull's-eye centered on the tick bite. Most people recover with antibiotics. If left untreated, the infection can cause arthritis and more severe problems. The majority of Lyme disease reports have come from the northeast, including New York. For more information go to cdc.gov

The Otsego County Conservation Association is seeking nominations for it's annual "Conservationist of the Year" award. The award is given to individuals, organizations or businesses that have made a positive difference in environmental protection, preservation or education in Otsego County. Nominations must be submitted by October 4th. To obtain a nomination form, call 547-4488 or email admin@occa info dot org.

Lawmakers continue to work in Albany, and ethics reform bills are getting priority after the recent arrests of 5 lawmakers on a variety of charges.  Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that he wants to see the governor’s proposal to deal with the situation:

(Crouch 5-16-13)

Among those waiting currently for their days in court are former democratic State senate leaders John Sampson for allegedly receiving $440,000 illegally & Malcolm Smith for allegedly violating campaign laws relating to a possible run for New York city mayor.

The General Clinton Canoe Regatta is expected to once again draw thousands of people to the region over the Memorial Day weekend again this year. One of the highlights this year will be the 2nd annual regatta Hall of Fame dinner & ceremony, Regatta chairman John Harmon comments:

(John Harmon 5-16-13)

The “Meet & Greet” portion will be under the tent at General Clinton Park on Saturday May 25th at 4:00 PM, the dinner will start at 5:00 PM and the ceremony will follow that.

State Troopers arrested 44-year-old Stephen Thill of Colchester, on an active arrest warrant for 2nd degree Aggravated Harassment from the Nassau County Police Department. The arrest resulted from another complaint, which occurred in the Town of Colchester, Thill was taken into custody and turned over to the Nassau County Police.

Oneonta Troopers arrested 30-year-old Zujeily Ganio of Mount Vision for Driving While Intoxicated with a BAC of .13%. The arrest resulted from a vehicle and traffic stop in Oneonta, she was issued tickets returnable in the Town of Oneonta Court on May 21st.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced this morning that he voted in support of the 2013 federal 5 year Farm Bill.   Provisions in the bill include a  safety net for dairy producers through a new marginal insurance framework, Promotion and improvement of local agriculture markets, risk management options that level the playing field for specialty crop producers, support for organic farmers and specialty research, The Senate Agriculture Committee passed their version of the Farm Bill Tuesday, both versions now must pass their respective houses, and head for conference committee action.

Governor Cuomo announced today that a 14-day statewide “Buckle Up New York” campaign to crack down on drivers and their passengers who are not wearing seat belts will be conducted by law enforcement agencies shortly.  The latest campaign will run from Monday May 20th  through June 2nd. “Buckle Up New York” is part of the nationwide “Click It or Ticket” campaign. During this year’s campaign, law enforcement agencies that share state borders will team up in what is being called “Operation Border to Border” to provide increased seat belt enforcement at border sites.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 49-Year-old David Pallik of Downsville for DWI with a BAC result of 0.16%, which is twice the legal limit.  The arrest resulted from a traffic stop on State Route 28 in Oneonta; Pallik was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court on March 19th.

The Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the man who stabbed Trooper Rodney Smith at the empire state plaza in Albany Sunday.  Trooper smith was approached by a man seeking directions, before stabbing him in the neck.  Trooper smith is recovering at Albany Medical Center; Police are looking for 18-year-old Eric Green as a person of interest,

A private family funeral was held today in Norwich for 36-year-old Jennifer Ramsaran of New Berlin, who was reported missing in December and whose body was found in the town of Pharsalia last week. Ramsaran will be buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in the town of Norwich, the cause of her death has not been determined, the investigation is continuing.

Governor Cuomo announced that the state DMV has investigated 13,000 possible cases of identity fraud since facial recognition technology was implemented three years ago. These investigations have resulted in more than 2,500 arrests and more than 5,000 individuals facing administrative action.  Research showed that about 50% of the subjects identified had one valid license while having a second record that was suspended or revoked, 20% of the subjects had suspended or revoked licenses, 30% of the subjects had multiple valid licenses.

State senate republicans are forwarding the 2013 Family Tax Relief Act, to assist the struggling families upstate, area state senator Jim Seward comments:

(Seward 3-5-13)

Seward said that the plan will update tax credits and exemptions, some more than 25 years old, would more than double the value of the Dependent Exemption; increase the Child Tax Credit and provide an additional $500 child tax credit; increase the value of the Dependent Care Credit; and restore STAR property tax rebate checks.

State Troopers arrested 40-year-old Rhonda Butler of Endicott for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument. The arrest resulted from a traffic stop on State Route 17C, Butler was arraigned and remanded to the Broome County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail.

Governor Cuomo announced $285,000 in available funding for the third year of the Governor's "Fresh Connect" program, which brings fresh food from New York farms to underserved communities throughout the state. The Fresh Connect program provided viable market locations for over 100 farmers, which helped, increase the sale of locally grown food. The applications are due by April 3rd, & are available at the Department of Agriculture and Markets' website: www.agriculture.ny.gov (http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/).

Vision 21 is looking to start an incubator operation in the tri town area with a location in the Village of Sidney.  The operation would offer office space to small and start up companies that cannot afford large overhead.  More information is available at 267-8541.

The Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 27-year-old Amy Dwyer of German on charges of 2nd degree Harassment, 3rd degree Assault, as well as 4th degree Criminal Mischief & Resisting Arrest.  Dwyer is arrested following an investigation of a Domestic Dispute, where she is accused of striking & biting the victim & smashing a cell phone that was being used to call police.  Dwyer was arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $500 cash bail; she will reappear in the Town of German Court at a later date.

New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Darrell Aubertine will deliver the Executive Budget presentation on behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo today in Norwich.  The presentation will be given at the Northeast Classic Car Museum at 24 Rexford Street at 11:00 AM.

Students in the Harpursville school district will be off again today, as work continues on a defective water pump in the school’s well.  Students are expected to return to classes on Tuesday.

The Broadway musical “ROCK OF AGES” comes to the Broome County Forum in Binghamton this evening.  The show is set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip, & features 28 hits from the 80’s.  Tickets are still available through ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000 or at the Arena Box office.