WCDO Radio News

Assemblyman Cliff Crouch announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration is offering federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans to certain small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, nonprofit organizations across New York, following the excessive rain on April 1st this year. The disaster declaration includes Chenango, Delaware and Otsego counties; eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities qualify for the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Applications can be completed online at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. More information is also available at 800-659-2955, by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications are also available at sba.gov/disaster. Loan Applications must be completed and submitted to the SBA by August 13, 2018.

State Senator Jim Seward announced state grants of $50,000 each for Charlotte Valley, Franklin & Unatego School Districts. Franklin and Unatego will use the grants to assist with general education and classroom needs. Charlotte Valley will use the funds to help with costs associated with a parking lot improvement project to correct drainage problems and enhance safety.

The Sidney Main Street revitalization Project is wrapping up the work on one side of Main Street this week, except for the planting of trees perennials & grass that will be planted in the spring. Ian Law of Place Alliance explains:

(Ian Law 12-4-17)

The other side of Main Street will have construction begin in the spring, with plans calling for that side to be finished in time for the Hometown Day Parade in June.

Michael Rodriguez of Pennsylvania was charged with reckless endangerment & assault, for firing allegedly firing a weapon at the Galleria Mall in Wallkill on November 26th. A mother & 12 year old son were injured in the shooting, Rodriguez will not be arrested on any weapons charges as he had legal permits to carry the weapon in both Pennsylvania & new York.

The State DOT announced that construction on the I-86; I-81 & State Route 17 projects will be ramped up at several locations this week, starting this morning. Motorists are advised to check 511 for the latest traffic patterns in the Binghamton area.

The State Police CNET Team, State troopers, Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and State DEC executed a search warrant at 163 Sherman Hill Rd in the Town of Afton, following an investigation into the sale of methamphetamine. 36-year-old Matthew Mazepa, & 21-year-old Taylor Quackenbush of Afton were arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance. Officers seized crystal methamphetamine, marihuana, Digital scales, drug packaging material cash & cell phones. Mazepa was arraigned in Afton Town Court and remanded to the Chenango County Jail without bail. Quackenbush was issued Appearance Tickets for Afton Town Court and released.

Governor Cuomo announced the completion of a $1.7 million project to replace the State Route 28 bridge over State Route 7 and the Norfolk Southern Railroad in the town of Milford. The bridge opened to traffic today, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. The new bridge is a two-span structure supported by steel and concrete beams. It has 12-foot travel lanes and eight-foot shoulders in each direction. Approximately 5,200 vehicles use the Route 28 bridge each day.

The first side of the Sidney Main Street Revitalization project is winding down prior to the extended winter weather. Ian Law of Place Alliance told WCDO News of the timeline:

(Ian Law 11-20-17)

Sidney Mayor Andy Matviak said that the Main Street Property owners are being told NOT to use sale or salt like products on the newly poured concrete:

(Andy Matviak 11-20-17)

The Next public meeting with Sidney officials & Place Alliance will be December 4th at 10:00 AM in the 1st floor board room of the Sidney Civic Center.

Governor Cuomo today announced that temporary lane closures associated with road and bridge construction projects on State highways will not be permitted from 6:00 AM Wednesday through 6:00 AM on Monday, in order to accommodate motorists during the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel week. Some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. The AAA predicts that nearly 51 million people nationwide will travel more than 50 miles from home for Sunday, and more than 89% of those will be driving.

The 2 missing babies from Cattaraugus County were found safe and 3 people were in custody Saturday. Suffolk County police say the 2 children, their mothers and another person were stopped by authorities on the Long Island Expressway, no charges will be filed for the 3 taken into custody. The Missing Child Alert went out around 9:30 a.m. Saturday when Salamanca police were notified that 3-month-old Malani Ventura and 29-day-old Londyn Richardson were missing. They were last seen with their mother’s 16-year-old Selena Ventura and 18-year-old Keshuana Boggs Saturday morning they had been living at the Zafron Home for Pregnant and Parenting Teens. The alert was canceled just before 1:00 PM Saturday.

State Police, State Liquor Authority and Endicott Police Department conducted an Underage Drinker Identification Enforcement check Friday. They targeted 29 Broome County area convenience stores that sold alcoholic beverages, only 1 sold alcohol to an underage operative, at Kelly's Gulf on State route 26 in the Town of Maine. 21-year-old store clerk Zonia Altamirano of Apalachin was arrested for selling alcohol to a minor; She was given an appearance ticket for Town of Maine Court on November 28th.

The elections results are in for many of the key races in the Tri-County Area: Sidney Town Supervisor Gene Pigford is re-elected, for the 2 Sidney Council seats, the winners are Pete Cordes & Frank Selleck. Walton Supervisor Charles Gregory is re-elected, the Franklin Town Council winners were David Grant & Garret Sitts, Oneonta mayor Gary Herzig is re-elected, Oneonta Town Supervisor Robert Wood is re-elected, Oneonta town council Winners were Patricia Jacob & Randy Mowers, Butternuts town board Winners were Paul Irwin & Scot Lueck, for the Norwich City Council 4th Ward: Linda Kays Biviano wins, Norwich Town Council seats go to Stanley Foulds & Debra Cubbedge, the Otselic Supervisor is Marjorie Davis & Oxford Supervisor, incumbent Lawrence Wilcox wins. The proposition for all state voters: the Constitutional Convention was defeated, Cutting Public Pensions for convicted officials was approved, and allowing expansion of roads & bike paths in the Catskills & Adirondacks is too close to call. Candidates who won their races for seats on the Otsego County Board of Representatives include Ed Frazier, Michele Farwell, Kathleen Clark, Andrew Stammel, Margaret Kennedy, Peter Oberacker, David Bliss, Andrew Marietta, Keith McCarty, Adrienne Martini, Danny Lapin & Lizabeth Shannon.

Governor Cuomo announced that applications for home heating assistance would be accepted beginning Monday, November 13 throughout New York State. The Home Energy Assistance Program is making $327 million in federal funding available to eligible older New Yorkers and low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to help cover heating costs. Households that are eligible can receive assistance of up to $726, depending on income, household size, and how the home is heated. Applications are accepted at local departments of social services, anyone living outside of New York City can apply for a regular Home Energy Assistance benefit online at myBenefits.ny.gov. Last year, nearly 1.5 million households received assistance through HEAP.

Governor Cuomo today announced completion of a $2.3 million project to renew 9.2 lane miles of concrete pavement repair along Interstate 88 between the I-88/Interstate 81 interchange and exit 3 in the towns of Dickinson and Fenton. Interstate-88 serves about 25,600 vehicles use this stretch of highway every day.

New York State today filed a notice of intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for violating the federal Clean Air Act by failing to curb ground-level ozone pollution that blows into New York from upwind states. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said that at least 1 in 3 New Yorkers breathe air with unhealthy levels of smog pollution. The EPA's own studies demonstrate that pollution from states upwind of New York contributes substantially to the state's dangerous smog problem.

State Police arrested 34 year old Michael Graziano of Oneonta, for Grand Larceny and Falsifying Business Records, after troopers were advised of a theft by an employee that had occurred at Springbrook in the Town of Milford. Graziano allegedly falsified business records to steal over $7,000 in pay; he was arraigned in the Town of Milford Court and was release on his own recognizance. His next court date is on December 12th.

State Senator Fred Akshar, & Assembly Members Donna Lupardo and Cliff Crouch will hold a public Town Hall Meeting today, to discuss the ongoing repurposing of the Broome Developmental Center to provide substance abuse treatment to individuals struggling with addiction. Officials from the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Syracuse Behavioral Health, Broome County Department of Social Services and the Broome County Health Department will answer questions and address concerns related to the repurposing project. The event will run from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Chenango Valley High School.

Governor Cuomo announced $7.5 million to construct, rehabilitate and improve the homes of 367 income-eligible families across New York. The funds are awarded through New York State Homes and Community Renewal's Affordable Home Ownership Development Program, administered by the Affordable Housing Corporation. In the Southern Tier, a $600,000 grant will go to Delaware Opportunities for the acquisition and rehabilitation of approximately 15 homes located on scattered sites in Delaware County. $290,000 grant to M-ARK Project, for the acquisition and rehabilitation of approximately 10 homes located in Delaware County.

State Police executed a search warrant at 5435 and 5186 Elk Creek Road in the Town of Meredith, following an investigation into the illegal growing of marijuana. Police seized approximately 500 harvested Marijuana Plants, about 100 pounds of processed marijuana, plus 34 grams of hashish, a digital scale, $1166 in cash, 7 long guns, 2 Security surveillance systems. Police arrested 59-year-old Richard Lane of Walton, 48 year old Edward Lane of Meredith, & 61 year old Clayton Rockefeller of Meredith, for Criminal Possession of Marijuana, all 3 were arraigned in the Town of Davenport Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $2500 cash bail or $5000 bond.

The African Children’s Choir will be performing at the Binghamton First Assembly Church Friday Night at 7:00 PM, as part of a national tour, that has performed all over American & Canada since April. Tour Leader Keira Carnie explains:

(Keira Carnie 10-25-17)

The African Children’s choir has been performing for over 30 years, and has performed for Queen Elizabeth at her Golden Jubilee, and has performed with Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey & Keith Urban. Friday Nights show is free; the church is located at 225 Washington Street in Binghamton.

The Pouring of the Concrete has started, as part of the Sidney Main Street Revitalization Project. The concrete is being poured in a way to allow Main Street Businesses to remain open for their customers, the 1 side of Main Street that is being worked on currently is expected to be concluded in the next 2 weeks, the work for the other side of Main Street will begin early next year.

The New York State Preparedness Corps will conduct disaster preparedness training on Tuesday November 7th at the Sidney Public Library. The Training is free, & will cover how to prepare for a disaster, how to respond to one & how to recover as quickly as [possible. There will 2 sessions, one from 3:00 to 4:30 PM for senior citizens & another for the general public from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. The Tri County Senior Center & The Sidney United Way sponsors the Disaster Training, pre-registration is requested at 563-8065, or in person at the Senior Center.

An Informational meeting will be held this morning at 10:00 AM regarding the current situation with the Main Street Revitalization project. The public is invited to attend & participate, the meeting will be held in the Civic Center 1st Floor Board Room.

Governor Cuomo today announced grant awards totaling $2.3 million for urban forestry projects in communities across New York. The grants are funded through the state Environmental Protection Fund and are part of New York's ongoing initiatives to address invasive species, climate change and environmental justice. Locally, in Otsego County, the City of Oneonta will recieve $50,000 for their Emerald Ash Borer Preventive Maintenance Program, $42,240 for their Planting of Street Trees as part of the Market Street Project & another $50,000 for their General Tree Maintenance Program

The Jericho Arts Council announced the return of the popular Bluegrass Music act "Zink & Company" Saturday night. The show will begin at 7:00 PM at the Bainbridge Town Hall Theater, tickets will be available at the door, tickets can be reserved at 288-3882, more information about this & other shows are available at jerichoarts.com.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and K-9 Ozzie assisted the Delaware County Corrections Officers with a routine Jail Search, which revealed that William Effner was in possession of a powdery substance believed a crushed prescription medication, that he may have acquired from another inmate. Investigators arrested Effner for Promoting Prison Contraband; he will be arraigned on the charges in the Village of Delhi Court Tuesday.

The Village of Sidney Board of Trustees announced that they would have an informational  meeting Monday at 10:00 AM in the Civic Center Board Room regarding the ongoing Main Street Revitalization Project, The 3rd meeting of the series will be held on Monday November 6th at 10:00 AM at the Civic Center.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul announced today state funding to assist Unison in Norwich with a major expansion project:

(Kathy Hochul 10-17-17

Site Leader Dan Ketchum told WCDO News about the product line that will benefit from the expansion Project:

(Dan Ketchum 10-17-17)

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said that the project expansion at Unison is part of the Southern Tier Soaring economic development initiative.

State Senator Fred Akshar & Assembly Members Donna Lupardo and Cliff Crouch will hold a public Town Hall Meeting to discuss the repurposing of the Broome Developmental Center to provide substance abuse treatment to individuals struggling with addiction. Officials from the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Syracuse Behavioral Health, Broome County Department of Social Services and the Broome County Health Department will answer questions and address concerns related to the repurposing project. The Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 26th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Chenango Valley High School at 221 Chenango Bridge Rd.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Department Investigators & Probation Officers searched a residence in the Village of Walton, occupied by 28 year old Melissa Brannock & 30 year old Robert Robertson. Both were taken into custody by Delaware County Probation Officers and charged with Violation of Probation. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of a hypodermic needle containing Heroin. Today, Deputies arrested Brannock and Robertson at the Jail for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Criminal Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument; they will be arraigned in the Village of Walton Court at a later time.

Delaware County Deputies arrested 41-Year-old Robert Aleksander of Delhi, on 2 counts of Criminal Contempt, for an alleged violation of an order of protection violation in the Town of Bovina. Aleksander was arraigned & was released on his own recognizance; he will reappear in Court on November 21st.

The State DEC filed a formal challenge to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision that DEC waived its jurisdiction under the federal Clean Water Act for the Millennium Pipeline Company’s proposed Valley Lateral project. The DEC demands that FERC refrain from authorizing Millennium to commence construction of the project while DEC’s appeal is heard.

The Village of Sidney hosted the first of a series of meetings regarding the progress of the Main Street Revitalization Project. Ian Law of Place Alliance designed the project & told WCDO News of the 2 main items that has slowed the project down:

(Ian Law 10-9-17)

Law said that the plans will be to finish the one side of Main Street in the comings weeks, and start the second side as early as possible next year.

Village of Sidney Officials will give an informational meeting regarding the Main Street revitalization project; Mayor Andy Matviak said that changes to the timeline are likely:

(Andy Matviak 10-9-17)

This morning’s meeting will be held at the Civic Center at 10:00 AM.

New York lawmakers convicted of abusing their power and sent off to prison may have their pensions removed, when voters will be asked in November whether to change the state constitution to authorize judges to strip pensions from corrupt politicians. 30 state lawmakers have left office since 2000 because of criminal charges or allegations of ethical misconduct. Voters will also be decide whether to call for a constitutional convention, where delegates would consider tweaking or rewriting the state Constitution.

Oneonta Police conducted 3 no-knock search warrants this past weekend, resulting in the arrests of 2 men on drug charges. Police seized crack cocaine, marijuana, packets of heroin & cash, 34 year old Terrell Ford of Wilson North Carolina was charged with 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 25-year-old Damien Ortiz of Queens, was charged with 2 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance. Both were being held pending court action in the City of Oneonta Court.

Sidney Mayor Andy Matviak has announced a series of Meetings to get the public & the businesses owners up to date on the progress of the Main Street Revitalization Project:

(Andy Matviak 10-2-17)

Matviak said that the delays are making the board considering stopping the project for the winter after the one side is completed, and then begin the other side of Main Street next spring.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 42 year old Brad Stafford of Sidney Center, on an arrest warrant from the Town of Hancock Court, where he had been charged with 4th degree Grand Larceny. Stafford is accused of stealing more than $1800 from his employer by selling bluestone owned by his employer and retaining the payment it. Stafford was arraigned at the Town of Hancock Court and was released on recognizance on that charge, Stafford was returned to the Delaware County Jail where he is being held on an unrelated matter.

State Senator Fred Akshar will join Town of Bainbridge Supervisor Dolores Nabinger and local leaders today to officially open the Bainbridge Salt Shed. The $100,000 project will now provide protection from weather and erosion for winter road salt, Previously, road salt had to be stored on the bare ground and covered only by a tarp. Akshar will also help introduce Bainbridge Free Library & Town Hall Theatre's presentation of Jack and the Beanstalk performed by the Tri Cities Opera,

The City of Oneonta & the Oneonta Federated Church will host a 25th anniversary ceremony & dedication on Saturday @ 2:00 PM at the Maple Street Park at the intersection of Maple & Normal. Mayor Gary Herzig announced that a sign would be dedicated to acknowledge the work of Brian Arenella for his Eagle Scout project, as well as the work of the Oneonta federated Garden Club.

It was 6 years ago this week, that the region was hit by Hurricane Irene, followed by Tropical Storm Lee, and the devastation that followed. Assemblyman Pete Lopez said that 6 years later, life is still not back to normal:

(Pete Lopez 8-29-17)

Lopez said that the work is still going on around his Assembly District, with 1 eye on the sky in case another Hurricane or Tropical Storm hits the region.

The State DOT will hold a public meeting on Today to discuss plans to replace a bridge on State Route 41 over Long Pond Brook in the town of Smithville. The open house meeting will be held at the Smithville Community Center, on State Route 41 in the town Smithville Flats beginning at 6:30 pm. A formal presentation will begin at 7 p.m. The bridge was built in 1936 & is safe for continued travel and is regularly inspected. The project proposes to replace the bridge on its existing alignment. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in the spring of 2019 and be completed in two construction seasons.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 22-year-old Ashley Murphy, of Sidney Center, on a Bench Warrant issued by the Town of Walton, for failure to appear to answer a charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Murphy was arraigned in the Town of Walton Court and was released on her own recognizance and directed to reappear in the Town of Walton Court on a later date.

The Chenango County Department of Public Works will close County Road 38 between Hohreiter Road and Searles Hill Road, in the Towns of Guilford and Bainbridge today, between 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, for a Culvert Replacement project. Motorists are asked to seek alternative routes. More information is available at 337-1710.

The Oneonta City Clerk's office announced 3 meeting for today at City Hall. The Operations, Planning & Evaluation Committee will meet at 4:00 PM, the Finance Committee meets at 5:00 PM and the Zoning & Housing Board of Appeals meets at 7:00 PM. All meetings will be held in the Common Council Chambers & are open to the public.

The Chenango County Department of Public Works will close County Road 38 between Hohreiter Road and Searles Hill Road, in the Towns of Guilford and Bainbridge Monday, between :00 AM to 6:00 PM, for a Culvert Replacement project. Motorists are asked to seek alternative routes. More information is available at 337-1710.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 29 year old Ronald Boerner of Andes after a domestic incident in the Town of Bovina. Boerner was charged with Criminal Trespass & Criminal Mischief, after he allegedly entered a residence without permission and smashed a window out of a vehicle. Boerner was arraigned in the Town of Bovina Court where he was released on his own recognizance, and will re-appear at a later date.

The New York Lottery’s Yolanda Vega will be at the Great New York State Fair to award a Waverly man with his $1,000,000 scratch-off prize. The unidentified newest Lottery millionaire won his jackpot while making a last minute stop for two bags of ice he had forgotten to buy earlier in the day.

The 25th anniversary Chenango Blues FEST continues Tomorrow, Organizer Eric Larsen told WCDO News about the full day lineup:

(Eric Larsen Saturday)

Tickets are $35 at the gate tomorrow at the Chenango County Fair Grounds in Norwich.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit upheld New York State's denial of a water quality certification for the proposed Constitution Pipeline. The Pipeline would include construction of 100 miles of new natural gas pipeline across Central New York, crossing more than 250 streams and more than 80 acres of wetlands. In 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the pipeline but conditioned that approval on certification from New York State, the State DEC denied the certification on the grounds that they failed to provide sufficient information that the project would meet the state’s standards.

The Oneonta Department of Public Service will replace sidewalks on Columbia Street this week & into next week. Work will be conducted between 7:00 AM & 4:00 PM daily, there will be no on street parking or driveway access during the project, until the concrete has cured. More information is available at 432-6465 extension 3.

State police responded to the report of an accident in Morris to a man cutting a tree Friday. 39-year-old Bradley Jones was cutting down a tree, when a section struck him, and sent him down onto a bulldozer; he suffered a head injury & was airlifted to Upstate Medical center in Syracuse with non-life Threatening injuries.

The Broome County District Attorney's office announced that a Broome County Grand Jury handed up a 16-count indictment for 64 year old Ramadan Abdullah of Johnson City. Abdullah was indicted on 15 counts of criminal possession of a weapon, & Petty larceny, police seized numerous weapons from a storage unit & other proerties belonging to Abdullah last month, including pistols, assault rifles, thousands of rounds of ammo, several firearm parts and flak jackets. Abdullah was sent back to the Broome County Jail pending future court action.

The Delaware County Department of Public Works announced that they will begin Oil & Stone operations on many county roads Today. Affected roads include county routes 41, 8, 36, 37, 3, 6 & 18 in that order. Oil & stone work will then continue in southern portions of the county on County Routes 17, 67, 20, 27 & 22, the project should take about 3 weeks to complete, weather permitting.

The Sidney Village Board will hold their next regular meeting tonight at 7:00 PM, at the Civic Center. A presentation regarding the Main Street Revitalization project is expected.

Tomorrow will be the "Rock in the Park" Benefit Concert at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, organizer Jason Hall comments:

(Jason Hall 7-7-17)

This year's concert will benefit the Chenango SPCA & Sarcoma Cancer Research; local bands participating include Sundown, Fetish Lane, Wreckless Marci, Woodshed Prophets, and Jason Wicks more information is available at 972-6526 or on the Rock In the Park Facebook Page.

The Delaware County Department of Public Works announced that they will begin Oil & Stone operations on many county roads Monday. Affected roads include county routes 41, 8, 36, 37, 3, 6 & 18 in that order. Oil & stone work will then continue in southern portions of the county on County Routes 17, 67, 20, 27 & 22, the project should take about 3 weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Chenango County Sheriff's Deputies arrested a Town of North Norwich resident for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Using of Drug Paraphernalia and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. 53 year old Thomas Manwarren was charged Following a lengthy investigation into the sale and possession of methamphetamine in Chenango County, a search warrant was issued by Chenango County Court. Several packages of methamphetamine were seized from Manwarren's residence, he was arraigned in the Town of North Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $50,000.00 cash bail.

The 2017 State Legislative session appears to be over, barring a return to deal with left over legislation, or for an emergency situation, State Senator Jim Seward said that there were a few items that were not dealt with this year:

(Seward 6-26-17)

Other bills that were left behind were to legalize physician assisted suicide, to permit alcohol sales in Movie Theater, & a bill to loosen the statute of limitations for sexual abuse victims.

The Delaware County Department of public works announced that County Route 44 in the Town of Sidney would be closed to through traffic starting tomorrow morning, through Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM, for a culvert replacement project near Patent Line Road. The detour will be Covered Bridge Road to state Route 357 & back to County Route 44

The 1st "Rock In The Park" Golf Tournament will be held next month at the Afton Golf Course, as additional fundraiser to the Concert in Bainbridge. Organizer Jason Hall explains:

(Jason Hall 6-26-17)

For those who would like to sign up a team, they can call 607-972-6526.

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.

Governor Cuomo today announced that his administration has reached a 5-year contract agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association, which represents over 60,000 state government employees. The contract must now be approved and ratified by CSEA membership and authorizing legislation is expected to be passed before the end of the legislative session.

State Senate Leader John Flanagan said that his house will not vote on the bill to change requirements that would have made it easier for the vicitms of sexual molestation to sue their attackers. The proposal that passed the Assembly, and had the support of the Governor, would have given victims more time to file civil lawsuits, and would have allowed for a 1 year window for past victims to file lawsuits. The proposal had opposition from the Catholic Church and other religious organizations.

Chenango County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division responded to 305 Race Road in the Town of Greene for a narcotics investigation, they discovered 2 men manufacturing methamphetamine. Officers seized methamphetamine, scales, and packaging material & arrested 22-year-old Taylor Micha of Norwich and 36-year-old Paul Decker of Greene, for Unlawful Manufacturing of Methamphetamine, Criminal Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Material, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia. Both were arraigned and remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $25,000 cash bail, pending action in Town of Greene Court at a later date. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.

Town of Unadilla Officials announced that they are paving Idumea Road today, it will be closed to through traffic during the project, starting at 7:30 AM.

The Deadline for those who want to register a team for the upcoming Gus Macker Basketball Tournament has been extended, organizer Tom Revoir explains:

(Tom Revoir 6-20-17)

The Gus Macker Tournament will have about 400 teams competing on the weekend of July 8th & 9th, online registration is available at macker.com/local/norwich-ny.

Town of Unadilla Officials announced that they are paving Kilkenny Road today, from Sheep Pen Road to County road 3, the road is closed to through traffic during the project. Tomorrow, crews will be paving Iduma Road, starting at 7:30 AM, the road will also be closed to throught traffic during the paving process.

Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell, State Police & Johnson City Police announced a major weapons bust in Broome County. 65-year-old Ramadan Abdullah has been charged with multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon & Criminal possession of stolen property. Abdullah was arrested by Johnson City police on May 31 for shoplifting ammunition from Gander Mountain, a search warrant was executed on Abdullah's storage unit in the town of Union, where police seized 4 loaded handguns, 8 assault weapons, 64 high-capacity ammunition feeding devices, a loaded shotgun, 2 rifles & Thousands of rounds of ammunition. Search warrants were also executed at additional properties, resulting in the seizure of numerous rounds of .38 caliber ammunition, High-capacity ammunition feeding devices and ammunition & another loaded firearm. Abdullah was sent to the Broome County Jail pending arraignment.

New York Correctional system workers who have died in the line of duty are being honored. 43 state prison system employees have died on the job since 1861, are being remembered today at a ceremony in Albany, also 5 employees are being honored for outstanding service at the Albany Training academy. Also, the agency's Canine Unit is being recognized today, for detecting contraband being smuggled into prisons.

Governor Cuomo today announced that representatives from Audi of America performed New York State’s first series of autonomous vehicle demonstrations throughout the day today in the Capital Region. A driver manually operated the vehicle from State Street to I-90 where Audi Highway Pilot technology was then initiated, enabling automated driving for approximately 6.1 miles before a safe return to the Empire State Plaza. Two trained engineers were present in the vehicle at all times to monitor the system and ensure safety.

Newman Development Group, LLC has broken ground on a 170,000-square-foot, mixed-use development project in downtown Binghamton. The multi-million dollar project will include commercial and retail space and rental housing options at the site, located at 50 Front Street. To make way for the project, the developer demolished the former Sheraton Hotel, which had had been sitting vacant on the site.

The Village of Sidney & Albert Torto Construction announced that work on the Main Street Revitalization project will be gin on Thursday at 7:30 AM. No Parking signs will be placed in the affected areas, some changes in traffic flow may occur, with patterns restored daily at the conclusion of that day’s work at 4:00 PM. Work will begin near the Library & will work down to the Railroad tracks, various phases of construction will continue, likely through the month of December.

The Main Street Sidney Revitalization Project will be getting underway next week. Sidney Grants Administrator John Redente explains:

(John Redente)

The Project first calls for new wider sidewalks, with benches, & new trees within rain gardens. Both lanes of Main Street will be open, all businesses will be open their normal hours. Work will begin near the Sidney Library & work down to the railroad tracks.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual dinner this evening. This year's "Citizen of the Years" will be honored, they are Paul Eaton and Carl Griffith, and The “Business of Years” is the Sidney Elks Club, who will host the Annual Dinner tonight, the doors open at 5:30, dinner is served at 6:30.

The Greater Afton Area Chamber of Commerce has announced their winners of the Citizen of the Year & Business of the Year, President John Hinman comments:

(John Hinman 6-2-17)

Hinman said that the event would be held Sunday June 4th at the Fireman’s building at the Afton Fairgrounds, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.