WCDO Radio News

The Oneonta Family YMCA will host the 17th annual Frostbite 5K on December 31st. Race-day registration and number pick-up will be from. 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Oneonta YMCA. The race starts Market Street near the Sidney Federal Credit Union at 1:00 PM and ends at 1:45 PM, more 432-0010 racewire.com/register.

The State Department of Labor released preliminary local area unemployment rates for November. Locally, the unemployment rate in Chenango County was 5%, in Delaware County the rate was 5.3%, & in Otsego County the rate was 4.7%. The State’s unemployment rate was 4.8%, in November.

In memory of Trooper Christopher Skinner, The State Police are inviting the public to join them by giving blood at the 2nd annual Trooper Skinner memorial American Red Cross blood drive on Wednesday, December 30. Trooper Skinner was killed in the line of duty, while conducting a routine traffic stop on I-81 in the town of Chenango. The public can Donate Blood in Memory of Trooper Skinner on Wednesday, December 30th from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM at the State Police Barracks at 84 Crescent Drive in Kirkwood

52-year-old Sam Nabinger of New Berlin has been charged with felony assault by State Police. Nabinger was charged following a report of an assault Monday in the town Of Morris.

49 Year old William Danielson of Oxford was sentenced Monday in Chenango County Court, to 20 years to life in prison. Danielson pleaded guilty to one count of 2nd degree murder, for the December 2013 death of his former girlfriend Lucinda Knoll of Norwich.

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Governor Cuomo's SAFE Act gun control law that bans assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines doesn't violate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Court upheld a lower court's decision striking down the 7-bullet limit for ammunition clips, New York had already agreed to not enforce the 7-bullet limit in the law.

Early Tuesday morning, State Police responded to a reported armed robbery at the Kwik Fill Gas Station at 27 Albany Street in Port Crane. State Police are currently seeking two suspects, first being a white male approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall, small build, wearing a light gray jacket, jeans, and red bandana. The second subject was approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall, small build, wearing a white and black checked hoodie, jeans, and a pink mask. A handgun and knife were displayed and the suspects were last seen leaving on foot, Any person with information can call State Police at 775-1241.

The State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for September 2015. Between August and September, the State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.1%, Locally, the unemployment rate in Chenango county was down to 4.8%, Delaware county was at 5.2% and Otsego county’s rate was at 4.5%, all down significantly from September of 2014.

Governor Cuomo today announced that more than 2 million people have camped at New York's 66 State Park campgrounds this year, surpassing the previous record set in 2014. As of Columbus Day weekend, 2.008 million people have camped at State Parks in 2015, up from 1.965 million the previous year. Those visitors booked State Park campsites, cabins and cottages for more than 618,000 nights this year. That represents a 4 percent increase over last year’s record of 594,400 overnight stays.

Governor Cuomo today announced that $39.2 million in economic development funding has been approved for 34 projects that are spurring growth and opportunity across the state. The funding, approved by Empire State Development’s Board of Directors, supports projects that are creating 233 new jobs and retaining 1,589 existing New York State jobs – many of which have already been created or retained. This funding will also leverage $338.6 million in private assets and other public funding to support local businesses and projects that are building a strong foundation for future economic growth and job creation.

The Oneonta Common Council will hold their next regular meeting today. The meeting will be held in the Common Council chambers at city hall beginning at 7:00 PM tonight.

The Assembly Minority Task Force on Heroin Addiction & Community Response will hold a regional forum today, aimed at identifying problems and weaknesses in current efforts to combat the rampant heroin epidemic. Local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch & other lawmakers will participate from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the SUNY Broome Decker Health Science Center in Room D201. Representatives from rehabilitation and treatment organizations and facilities, law enforcement and criminal justice, and those with firsthand experience dealing with heroin addiction have been invited to attend and provide feedback.

Governor Cuomo today announced that the State Liquor Authority has approved a host of advisories to help support the continued growth and development of New York’s beverage manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers. Governor Cuomo convened the state’s 3rd Beer, Wine, Spirits and Cider Summit last week, where industry participants raised specific legislative and regulatory issues facing the industry. Bainbridge Native & Binghamton Brewing Company Owner Kristen Lyons participated in the summit:

(Kristen Lyons 10-15-15)

The new State Liquor Authority advisories are posted at sla.ny.gov, more information about the state's growing beer, wine, spirits and cider industries is available at taste.ny.gov.

Area Republican Congressman Richard Hanna made national headlines today, as he joined Kevin McCarthy in suggesting that an investigation into the Benghazi incident may have been an effort to damage Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton. In a radio interview in Utica yesterday, Hanna implied that McCarthy was forced to withdraw his bid for House Speaker, by his Republican peers because of his statements regarding the political damage that they tried to inflict on Hillary Clinton & her presidential bid.

State DOT officials today announced the scheduled reopening of the Interstate 81 southbound ramp to State Route 17 westbound, a major milestone in the $135 million project to reconstruct the Prospect Mountain Interchange of State Route 17 and I-81 in the city of Binghamton and town of Dickinson, Broome County. The I-81 southbound ramp to Route 17 had been closed since December 2014. An estimated $164 million project to reconfigure Interchange 4 will begin next spring and is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

The New York State unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in over seven years in September, according to statistics released today by the State Labor Department. The statewide unemployment rate fell from 5.2% to 5.1% in September, the lowest level since April 2008, the state also added 11,400 private sector jobs in September.

The State DEC today urged outdoor adventurers to suspend exploration of caves and mine sites that serve as homes for bat hibernations. Human disturbances are harmful to the state’s bat population since the arrival of the disease known as white-nose syndrome, which has killed more than 90% of hibernating bats in New York. Officials warned that if you encounter hibernating bats while underground, leave the area as quickly and quietly as possible. 2 species of bats are currently protected under federal and state endangered species law, including the northern long-eared bat, which was prevalent in New York, but the current population for this formerly common bat is approximately 1% of its previous size.

The Norwich Business Improvement District announced a full line up of events for the annual Pumpkin Festival on Friday, October 23rd through Saturday the 24th in Norwich. On Friday, from 5:30-7:00pm is the Giant Pumpkin Contest-Weigh In, On Saturday; events include a Pumpkin Bake-Off Contest, the YMCA Halloween Parade, Horse & Wagon Rides, and music with Kaitlyn Jackson and the Hometown Ban& The Beadle Brothers, followed by fireworks at the end of the evening.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual ceremony to honor the Small Business of the Year award & the Breakthrough Business of the Year today. The award winners will be honored at the Chamber’s Small Business Banquet at The Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown.

On Saturday night, October 10th, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 23 year old Erick Daly of Queens with Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, following traffic stop on State Highway 17 in the Town of Hancock. Troopers initially stopped Daly for driving 83 mph in a 55mph zone, Deputies found Daly to be in possession of marijuana and an electronic stun gun. Daly was arraigned in the Hancock Town Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $500 bail.

FEMA is reminding policyholders who filed Hurricane Sandy flood insurance claims that the last day to request a review of their claim is today. If you feel your Hurricane Sandy flood insurance claim was underpaid, ask FEMA to review your claim by calling 866-337-4262 between 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

The Oneonta police department special response team is scheduled to work in cooperation with the Greater Plains Elementary School to conduct a school lockdown drill today. The event will provide the Oneonta SRT Team the opportunity to train in full gear, and it will give students & faculty a chance to become familiar with evacuation procedures in case of an emergency.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting Today, in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM.

The next Government Office of Storm Recovery Meeting will be held on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Sidney High School Auditorium. Acquisition and Elevation will be discussed as well as the National Flood Insurance Program. People who received the letter from Delaware County are encouraged to attend as well as any residents of the Village of Sidney.

The State Department of Labor released preliminary local area unemployment rates for August 2015. Locally, Chenango County's rate dropped to 4.6%, Delaware County to 5.2% and Otsego County to 4.7%. The State’s unemployment rate decreased to 5.2% in August.

The trial of 49-year-old William Danielson of Oxford will begin next week in Chenango County Court. Danielson was arrested in December of 2013 for the murder of Lucinda Knoll in Norwich; the jury selection will begin on Monday. Danielson was indicted by the Chenango County grand jury for 2 counts of 2nd degree murder, 1st degree robbery & 2nd degree assault.

Governor Cuomo today announced that more than 195,000 New Yorkers have registered to vote at dmv.ny.gov using the Department of Motor Vehicles automated online system, MyDMV. The service is the first and only online voter registration process in New York State. The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming November general elections is October 9. More information is available at dmv.ny.gov.

State Police raided 2 houses in Broome County on Wednesday following a lengthy investigation. The raids were conducted at 29 Walnut Street in Binghamton and 205 McKinley Avenue in Endicott, 4 people have been arrested on Federal Charges for allegedly operating Steroid labs at those addresses, more details are expected to be released shortly.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is reminding policyholders who filed Hurricane Sandy flood insurance claims that the last day to request a review of their claim is October 15th. Property owners, who feel that their Hurricane Sandy flood insurance claim was underpaid, can ask FEMA to review the claim by calling 866-337-4262. Call weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The deadline to Call FEMA is October15th.

Governor Cuomo today signed “Amanda Lynn’s Law,” to strengthen penalties against those who seek to unlawfully conceal or dispose of a body. The measure is named after a Western New York woman who died under questionable circumstances in 2009 & whose body was hidden in a garbage can to avoid discovery. Current law only regulates the manner in which cemeteries, funeral directors, and medical professionals can dispose of remains and fails to address situations where they are intentionally concealed, altered, or destroyed to prevent its discovery. The new law makes this offense an E felony punishable by up to four years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

The New York Harvest Fundraiser At “ 6 On The Square" In Oxford will be this Sunday from 2:00 TO 4:00 PM. The fundraiser will Benefit 6 On The Square programming. Local foods, wines & beers will be showcased along with arts & craft vendors, & local musicians. The full Schedule is available at 6ONTHESQUARE.ORG.

Governor Cuomo today announced that New York State Police arrested 769 individuals for DWI during the 20-day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over national crackdown on impaired driving. State Police and local law enforcement agencies reported that of the 769 DWI arrests during the enforcement period, more than 219 occurred during Labor Day weekend alone. During the same period last year, 663 people were arrested for DWI. During the “Drive Sober” campaign, Troopers also issued 47,359 tickets, 18,660 for speeding, 1,613 for distracted driving, 2,522 for child restraint and seatbelt violations, and 556 for failing to “move over.” Troopers investigated a total of 2,973 crashes during the period, 857 people were injured, and 25 people were killed.

State agencies spent more than $337 million on overtime in the first six months of 2015, a jump of $21 million over the same period in 2014, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced today. State employees worked more than 8.2 million overtime hours, up 5 percent over the same period in 2014. If overtime continues to rise at this pace, total costs for 2015 would exceed $700 million, an all-time record. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the Division of State Police overtime costs for June and July 2015 jumped by more than $22 million over last year. But the mid-year totals reflect only a small portion of overtime costs incurred in the statewide search for the two escapees from the Clinton Correctional Facility.

Governor Cuomo announced that New Yorkers have scheduled more than 700,000 reservations to visit state-operated Department of Motor Vehicles offices since introducing the service on its website in 2013. Customers who make reservations online ahead of office visits, reserving a day and time convenient for them, are able to avoid wait times, which have decreased dramatically since the launch of DMV’s Customer Service Initiative in 2012.

New York state parks, historic sites and campgrounds hosted another successful season, with nearly 38.6 million estimated visits from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day 2015, a 9.6% increase in attendance from the same summer period in 2014. The summer season finished with a strong Labor Day weekend, with 2.2 million estimated visitors for the three-day period, up from 2 million estimated visitors during Labor Day weekend 2014.

On Tuesday, Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested a Lakewood, Pennsylvania man on a felony assault charge following a domestic incident in the Town of Walton. 44 year old Joshua Loucks was charged with 2nd degree Assault and leaving the scene of a personal injury motor vehicle accident, for allegedly using a motor vehicle to cause physical injury to a 42 year old female by intentionally striking her with it, on State Highway 206 in the Town of Walton and then leaving the scene of the incident. The victim was transported to Delaware Valley Hospital where she was treated and released. Loucks surrendered to Deputies in Hancock and was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court where he was released upon posting $1000 cash bail pending further court action.

The Binghamton Mets secured their playoff spot with the Divisional Round Best of 5 series beginning tonight at NYSEG Stadium at 6:35 pm; game 2 will be Thursday night at 6:35 pm with Post game Fireworks scheduled. If the B-Mets advance, the Championship Round Best of 5 series would begin on Tuesday, September 15th at 6:35 pm and continue on Wednesday, September 16th at 6:35 pm at NYSEG Stadium. More information is available at BMETS.com

The Delhi Police department is investigating the circumstances after 2 people were found dead of suspected drug overdoses in an apartment on Main Street. 34-year-old Christopher Bailey and 25-year-old Krista Hess were found dead in Bailey’s apartment Wednesday night by a co-tenant, police found evidence of intravenous drug use, Police Investigators are working with the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of the deaths.

Governor Cuomo announced that temporary lane closures associated with road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be lifted today through 6:00 AM Tuesday, in order to accommodate travelers during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. This weekend is expected to have the highest travel volume since 2008.

Bainbridge Days will be held tomorrow around the village of Bainbridge, Chamber president John Payne explains:

(John Payne 9-4-15)

Bainbridge days is sponsored by the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce.

The Chenango County Historical Society will be hosting its 39th Annual Antiques Show on Sunday September 6th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. 40 vendors selling their wares and support the Chenango County Historical Society. More information is available at 334-9227 or on the Chenango County Historical Society and Museum’s Facebook page.

State and local police departments in New York are cracking down on impaired drivers for the Labor Day weekend. "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" is part of a national effort to reduce accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The campaign runs through the September 7th Labor Day holiday. 364 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2013, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo's Traffic Safety Committee 2014 annual report.

The city of Oneonta department of public service will be flushing water mains on the low service next Monday through Friday during the overnight hours. Areas that will be affected by flushing include Min Street from Fox Hospital to Fairview Street, everything between Walnut & Market streets, Chestnut Street from Main to West Street, as well as side streets in the vicinity of the main roads. Changes in water color & pressure are expected; those with questions can call 432-2100.

A fundraiser for Ken Long of Binghamton, who has stage 4 brain cancer, has been scheduled to be held in Bainbridge later this month. Cancer survivor & Bainbridge native Heather Bucalos will have an area set up at “Bainbridge Days” tomorrow to help raise funds for Long, who supported her during her recent battle against cancer:

(Heather Bucalos 9-4-15)

Bucalos said that she would be set up near Bob’s Diner & “Snips & Snails Consignment Shop” Saturday with a variety of fundraising items, she is also organizing a Glow Run September 26th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at General Clinton Park.

The 19th annual Delaware County Clean Sweep chemical disposal days are scheduled for September. County Solid Waste coordinator Sue McIntyre told WCDO News that online registration is already underway:

(Sue McIntyre 8-25-15)

Businesses & farms will drop off their items at their designated times on Friday September 18th, households on Saturday September 19th

The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for July 2015. Locally, Delaware county unemployment rate was 5.8%, Chenango County was at 5.2% and Otsego County had 5.3% unemployment in July. In addition, between June and July 2015, the state’s unemployment rate dropped 1/10th to 5.4%,.

Springbrook announced that Congressman Chris Gibson has been appointed to serve on their Board of Directors. Springbrook officials said that Congressman Gibson was formally elected to a 3-year term by Springbrook’s Board of Directors at the organization’s first board meeting of the 2016 fiscal year on Friday, August 14th.

The 2nd annual "Delaware County Senior Fun Day" will be held at Delaware County 4H-Camp Shankitunk in Delhi tomorrow from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Delaware County Office for the Aging is collaborating with co-sponsors Delaware Opportunities and the Delaware County Senior Council. Shuttle buses will be operating all day from SUNY Delhi to and from the event. The event is open to seniors age 60 and over who registered this summer.

The Afton Central School District Board of Education will hold their next meeting today. The meeting has been moved to 10:30 this morning at the Afton Central School.

Governor Cuomo directed the State Police to ramp up enforcement efforts as part of a national crackdown on impaired driving. The 20-day campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, runs from tomorrow through Labor Day, September 7th it is aimed at significantly reducing deaths and injuries caused by motorists driving drunk or impaired by drugs. On November 1, 2014, stronger penalties were enacted in New York to deter impaired driving. Drivers convicted of DWI or DWAI three or more times in 15 years face a Class D felony charge, up to 7 years in prison, and a fine up to $10,000.

Former Broome County resident & escaped prisoner David Sweat appeared in court this morning for arraignment on 2counts of 1st degree escape and 1 count of promoting prison contraband. Sweat did not enter a plea in Clinton County Court in Plattsburgh, so the judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Sweat and Richard Matt escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility, they were on the run for 22 days, Sweat was found June 28th where he was shot and wounded by a state trooper. Matt was shot and killed June 26th. Sweat has been transferred to another state facility, he is serving a life sentence for the murder of Broome County Sheriff's deputy Kevin Tarsia in 2002, and he faces court action again, on September 29th.

New York State’s private sector job count climbed by 19,300, or 0.2%, to more than 7.83 million in July according to statistics released today by the State Department of Labor. The State’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.5% to 5.4%, the State’s lowest rate since July 2008.

Friday promises to be a big day at the Delaware county Fair in Walton spokesman John Jackson comments:

(John Jackson Friday)

Jackson said that the fair will wrap up with the Parmalee, Jana Kramer led concert Saturday night at the grandstand

This Year’s Delaware County Fair Dairy Princesses Are Malorie Jordan & Sabra Warner of Franklin, they have been at the Delaware County Fair in Walton all week, to help promote the health benefits of 3 dairy servings per day. Jordan & Warner explain that 1 of their projects will be helping athletes refuel after this Saturday’s Fair 5K & 10 K running races:

(Jordan-Warner 8-20-15)

The full interview with Warner & Jordan will air tomorrow after the News at 10:00 AM on WCDO.

An accident in Otego on Sunday afternoon has left a Delaware County man dead and his wife severely injured. Otego Fire Department officials reported that the man and woman involved were apparently trying to drive a golf cart across the railroad tracks on a private agricultural crossing at the east end of the village and struck the Canadian Pacific train. The 2-engine train was pulling 31 freight cars. Oneonta State Police said that 57-year old Charles Turk of Bloomville was found dead under the overturned golf cart. His wife 58-year old Cynthia Turk was found lying nearby with 2 broken legs. Mrs. Turk was airlifted to Albany Medical Center. The investigation is continuing. She is listed in serious but stable condition at this time. The couple had been camping near the railroad tracks over the weekend. Medical personnel from Otego Fire and Rescue squads as well as Cooperstown Medical Transport, Otsego deputies and State Police all reported to the scene of the crash.

Improvements to the state DEC's sporting license-issuance and game harvest reporting system are in place in time for this year's hunting season. The 2015-16 hunting and trapping licenses go on sale Today and are valid beginning September 1st, Licenses and permits can be purchased at dec.ny.gov/permits, through the online License center at licensecenter.ny.gov or by calling 1 (866) 933-2257

The City of Oneonta will be painting the deck of the Pedestrian Bridge adjoining the 2nd level of the parking garage to the Main Street arcade walkway beginning this morning, The bridge will be closed today & Tuesday, during that time, Main street can be accessed from the Muller Park Stairs or by lower Chestnut Street. More information is available at 432-6465.

The Oneonta department of public service announced that they would be replacing a portion of the water main & services & the entire pavement on 8th street starting today. Work is scheduled from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM weekdays; a completion date has not been determined. More information is available at 432-6465.

The Otsego County Fair drew record crowds last week.
Organizers say over 31-thousand people attended the annual fair at the Otsego County Fair grounds in Morris. The Chenango County Fair in Norwich kicks off it’s 6-day fair tomorrow.

New York State had more than 9 million total jobs in 2014, a state record, but the increase was largely in New York City and the statewide labor force continues to decline. Battling back from the recession in 2008 and 2009, New York has added 538,000 jobs since 2009 and last year had the strongest growth since 2000 with 143,000 jobs added. The other upstate regions including the Finger Lakes and the Hudson Valley added jobs at rates less than half the national average during the same stretch. Jobs increased 2.4 percent in the Hudson Valley, 2.1 percent in the Finger Lakes and 1.5 percent in Western New York over the 5-year span, but were down 2.2 percent in the Southern Tier.

Jury Deliberations wrapped up for the 7th day today in Schoharie County Court without a final verdict, in the 3rd murder trial for Cal Harris. Harris is hoping to walk away a free man after this 3rd trial; the 2 previous trials in Tioga County resulted in convictions, for the murder of his estranged wife Michelle Harris in 2001. Jury deliberations will resume next week.

Governor Cuomo today instructed Acting State Labor Commissioner Mario Musolino to empanel a Wage Board to investigate and make recommendations on an increase in the minimum wage in the fast food industry.

(Cuomo 5-8-15)

The Wage Board will take approximately 3 months to examine the issue and make recommendations regarding a possible increase, those recommendations do not require legislative approval in order to become enacted. State law allows for a Wage Board to suggest changes to the minimum wage in a specific industry or job classification if it finds that wages are insufficient to provide for the life and health its workers.

The Tax Foundation of Washington DC tabulates a "Tax Freedom Day” for each state each year, which marks the day when residents and businesses have earned enough money to foot their tax bills for the upcoming year. Today is Tax Freedom Day in New York, New York has the third latest Tax Freedom Day, only residents in Connecticut and New Jersey will work more days this year to afford their obligations to the state and federal government.

The Oneonta Job Core will host a 5K race at the Oneonta Airport runway Sunday. The 5K on the Runway race registration begins at 8:30am, the Race starts at 10:00 am, it is sponsored by the American Red Cross and Starbucks Coffee.

Governor Cuomo departed New York with the NYS Trade Mission to Cuba this morning, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, as well as other lawmakers and business leaders joined Cuomo's trade mission trip to Cuba. The Governor & others are meeting with high-level Cuban leaders throughout the day today.

Hartwick College will host its first Local Trade Fair Thursday, with More than 25 local businesses promoting their products and services, spokesperson Kerri Green said that there a some spaces open for interested area small businesses to sign up & participate:

(Kerri Green 4-20-15)

The Event is free & open to the public; more information is available at 431-4998.

More than 115,000 available jobs are now listed on the State Labor Department Jobs Express website at jobs.ny.gov. The site sorts thousands of jobs by region and occupation, and also allows users to search jobs based on zip code and travel distance. The 115.000 job listings are a new record high, with new listings added every day.

On Friday, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to Gardner Road in the Town of Colchester for a reported violation of an order of protection, issued by the Delaware County Family; Deputies arrested 33-year-old Roger Vernold of Downsville for Criminal Trespass, Criminal Contempt, and Aggravated Harassment. Appearance tickets were issued for Town of Colchester Court at a later date.

The annual Big Wheels Golf Tournament, held at the Delhi College Golf Course, will take place on Friday, May 8, 2015, according to the Big Wheels tournament committee. The event serves as a primary fundraiser for programs and services, which provide assistance to Delaware County senior citizens.  Applications for the tournament can be obtained by contacting the Delaware County Office for the Aging at 607-746-6333.

Today at the Boston Marathon, WCDO Sports Director Nate Lull finished the 26-mile race in 3 hours 19 minutes & 1 second, with a pace of 7 minutes 35 seconds per mile.

The Village of Sidney will hold their 23rd annual Sidney Arbor Day program on Friday, April 24 at 10:00 AM at Bill Ray field, behind the Moose Lodge off East Main Street. This year’s Arbor Day award will be in memory of Bill Ray; a Crimson King will be planted at the Bill Ray field in memory of Bill’s years of service and dedication to the Sidney Recreation Commission and the community.

Governor Cuomo today announced the craft beer industry in New York State grew 59% from 2013 to 2014, with a total economic impact estimated at $3.5 billion. The number of craft breweries has more than doubled from 2012 to 2015, from 95 breweries in 2012 and 207 in January 2015. Craft beer production is up 54% from 2011 to 2013, Tourists visits support more than 3,000 jobs that pay more than $77 million in annual wages and generate more than $450 million in revenue.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced the introduction of the Family Farm Relief Act of 2015, to move the H-2A Agricultural Visa program from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture, to meet the unique labor needs of farmers. The Act Allows visa applicants to fill out H-2A applications and allows farm cooperatives and other agricultural associations to apply for workers for their members, & makes the program more workable for dairy and other livestock operations, it also requires reporting to Congress if delays occur in the H-2A Visa application process.

The State Assembly Democratic Majority introduced their version of the state budget proposal in Albany Tuesday. New Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie comments:

(Heastie 3-11-15)

The Assembly budget is over 150 billion dollars, almost 8 billion dollars more than the Governor’s executive budget proposal released in January.

The New York State Park Police are accepting applications for seasonal Park and Recreation Forest Ranger and Park and Recreation Public Safety Ranger positions, which provide public safety and security services within the state park system. Information on how to apply is available at nysparks.com; or at (518) 474-4029. Public Safety Rangers must complete 80 hours of prescribed training including 24 hours of Security Guard training and provide general security services in support of the State Park Police. The positions are seasonal in nature, generally from Memorial Day through Labor Day.