WCDO Radio News

New York lawmakers passed a third budget extender Monday to keep state government running and employees paid as budget negotiations, continue in Albany. The stalemate continues due to issues like the state’s climate law, auto insurance reform, education and housing. The budget was due April 1st & has been late the last 5 years.

Greater Opportunities of Broome and Chenango County, recently won the bid from the Norwich School District to purchase Flanagan Field on Plymouth Street in Norwich, they plan to build a $9 million multi-unit apartment project for low-income housing at the site. The sale of the parcel has to be approved by voters in the Norwich School District when they vote on the district budget on May 19th in the Norwich City School District Office, 89 Midland Drive in Norwich.

AM NEWS TUESDAY 4-14-26

Walton Fire Department and Emergency Squad were dispatched Sunday at about 2:00 PM to a working structure fire on Fish Hollow Road in the Town of Hamden, that was called in by a passerby. Upon arriving, units found a 2 1/2 story farm house with smoke & flames showing, by 3:00 pm the fire was under control, the structure was a total loss and 1 nearby structure was saved, No injuries were reported to the 3 residents or firefighters, mutual aid was provided by several area Fire Departments.

P.M. NEWS Wednesday 2-11-25

The State Division of Criminal Justice Services announced that the missing persons report regarding 34 year old Chelsea Nicholson of Oneonta was canceled as of 9:00 AM this morning, she was reported missing on Tuesday morning and was last seen driving a red Kia in Oneonta, she was reported to be safe by Oneonta Police & no other details were released.

Governor Hochul highlighted proposals to bring down costs of auto insurance rates and tackle fraudulent claims, limit damages paid out to bad actors and ensure that consumers, not insurance companies, are prioritized:

(Hochul 2-11-26)

Governor Hochul said that similar reforms against Auto Insurance fraud were implemented in Florida, where insurance premiums were reduced on average by 20%, she is hoping the the state legislature will pass these reforms this session.

The Susquehanna SPCA responded to the another call of farm animals left abandoned in Guilford last weekend, where the animals were surrendered to the SPCA by the owners, the SPCA acquired a farm last year in order to process and take care of these types of rescues, according to Director Stacie Haynes:

(Stacie Haynes 2-11-26)

Haynes said that they are able to take on these types of cases from a larger demographic area now that they have a farm & staff, and they passed an inspection under the new Companion Animal Care Standards Act for Shelters and Rescues, following a recent inspection, more information is available at (607)547-8111.

Broome County will host the New York State Public High School Athletic Association baseball championships through 2029. The Games Will Be Played at such venues as Union- Endicott High School, Mirabito Stadium and Binghamton University for semifinal and championship match-ups.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-11-26

The State Division of Criminal Justice Services announced that 34 year old Chelsea Nicholson of Oneonta is missing, she is described as a white female, 5' 7", 220 pounds with brown hair & Green eyes, she is considered an endangered adult who may be in need of medical attention. She was last seen driving a 2013 red Kia SUV with New York license plate LGJ-4364 on Franklin Street in the city of Oneonta, at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, February 10. Chelsea wears glasses and was last seen wearing all black clothing. If seen, call 911 or the Oneonta City Police Department (607) 432-1111. For more information, go to www.criminaljustice.ny.gov (http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/). (Canceled)

This week, the Susquehanna SPCA was able to take possession of a small farm to assist when they have to rescue a number of larger farm animals, Director Stacie Haynes told WCDO news about the need for this space for their operation:

(Stacie Haynes 10-9-25)

Haynes said that since 2022, they have had to rescue about 300 farm animals for a variety of reasons, which pointed to the need for this farm space on Campbell Hill Road in Cooperstown.

Delaware County Clean Sweep will be held Friday for farmers and small businesses & County residents Saturday, Solid Waste Coordinator Tyson Robb explains;

(Tyson Robb 10-10-25)

Teams of people will collect the hazardous waste & materials from your vehicle, for those who pre-registered for the event.

NYSEG will be holding a public statement hearing at SUNY Oneonta on Thursday, October 16th at 1:00pm in the Morris Conference Center, for the purpose of receiving comments concerning the proposed changes in the electric and gas delivery rates and practices and the proposed closure of certain walk-in office locations operated by the Company.

Emergency Crews were on the scene of a multiple vehicle crash with on Interstate 81 at the Port Dickinson exit. 2 lanes of the highway were closed for cleanup & the accident reconstruction investigators, WCDO will have more information as it becomes available.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 10-9-25

Governor Kathy Hochul and labor leaders announced the maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit increase for unemployed workers across the state. As part of the current State Budget, the State invested nearly $7 billion to pay off the federal UI Trust Fund loan, and bring the fund to solvency and increase the maximum weekly benefit from $504 to $869. The increase in UI benefits comes at the same time as the federal shutdown impacts about 115,000 federal employees in the state

24 year old Deanna Eignor of Hobart pleaded guilty in Delaware County Court to Criminal Possession of a Firearm, back on January 12th, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Buena Vista in Delhi for a suspicious person & drug complaint involving 2 vehicles. Eignor was observed getting out of a vehicle with a backpack that contained a firearm. Co-defendant Kenneth Dillmann, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 3½ to 7 years in state prison, Eignor is expected to be sentenced to 1 year in jail for this conviction at a later date.

The Unadilla Fire Department was alerted to a possible structure fire in the town of Unadilla on State Route 7 near the State Police Barracks, around 12:00 AM earlier today, Unadilla Firefighters were able to make an aggressive push into the residence and contain the fire to the room of origin. Crews were back and in service by 4:45am, Unadilla was assisted by Sidney Fire Department & EMS, and the Wells Bridge, Franklin, Otego & Sidney Center Fire Departments.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand discussed the impact of rising health insurance premiums on New Yorkers across the state and to call on Republicans to extend the health insurance subsidies before the November 1st deadline,

(Gillibrand 10-8-25)

Without an extension, Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits will expire at the end of 2025, causing 20 million Americans to see a sudden increase in their health insurance costs. This includes at least 1.6 million New Yorkers, who will face an average yearly increase of $1,360 in the amount they pay for their premiums,

The Susquehanna SPCA has purchased a 26-acre farm in Cooperstown, to accommodate abused & neglected farm animals that can't be cared for at their usual facility. The SPCA acquired the farm after raising $360,000, more information is available at sqspca.org.

Delaware County Sheriffs Office received a report Friday of a threat made to an Insurance Company. 75 year old Robert Meredith of Andes, made multiple death threats to employees of the insurance company. Investigators found that Meredith was in possession of a semi-automatic pistol, he did not possess a State Pistol Permit. Meredith was charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, he was released on an appearance ticket returnable to Andes Town Court at a later date.

51 year old Cindy Manon of Margaretville pleaded guilty in Middletown Court to Driving a Motor Vehicle While Ability Impaired by Drugs. Manon was sentenced to 3 years of probation supervision, she is also required to attend a Victim Impact Panel, and her license is revoked for at least 6 months, if she violates these terms, she will be resentenced to 1 year in jail. On August 30, a State Trooper pulled over Manon, she failed the field sobriety test, a lab test showed positive results of methamphetamine and other drugs in her system.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that 8 SUNY campuses are developing departments, centers, and institutes of AI and Society to broaden AI development. The state has provided $5 million in funding to foster collaboration across disciplines to promote inclusive AI research, to address ethical concerns in the use of AI, and to advance responsible data use. Investments will launch the creation of the Institute for AI and Society at Binghamton University.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-4-25

The Chenango County Farm Bureau will host its Inaugural Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser from 8 to 11 am., April 5, at the Norwich Grange Hall, located at 167 County Road 32A in Norwich.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 4-27-23

State lawmakers have another Budget Deadline set for tomorrow, after numerous delays & disagreements among state leaders on key issues, according to local assemblyman Joe Angelino:

(Angelino 4-27-23)

The key sticking points have been Bail Reform & the Governor's Housing agenda.

Today, the Governor's Office sent state agencies to Assist Local governments IN Sullivan County following Saturday's Tornado in Callicoon Center and Roscoe. Affected residents can call the Disaster Hotline at 800- 339-1759 For Insurance-Related Questions. The State Department of Agriculture and Markets Encourages Affected Farms to Contact U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency to Report Damage. The National Weather Service in Binghamton determined the tornado was an EF2, with maximum winds of 115 mph. The tornado traveled 10 miles with a maximum width of 300 yards.

Law Enforcement Agencies around the state are participating in "Operation Safe Stop Day" today, where police officers are checking to see if motorists are stopping for school busses with their flashing lights on, picking up or dropping off students. It is estimated that 50-thousand New Yorkers illegally pass stopped school buses each day that school is in session. Penalties for a first-time offense include a fine of up to 400 dollars, five points on a person's drivers license and possibly 30 days in jail.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 4-27-23

The family of Jorge Jimenez, who was fatally struck by a vehicle driven by former Syracuse University basketball coach Jim Boeheim in February 2019, has agreed to settle a lawsuit against Boeheim. Terms of the settlement will remain sealed, Jimenez was a passenger in a car that that skidded on Interstate 690 and hit a guardrail. Boeheim was driving home after a game when he swerved to avoid the car and hit Jimenez, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Boeheim was not charged by police investigating the crash.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-2-23

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand discussed her dairy priorities for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill negotiations. Gillibrand said she will reintroduce her Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act, to change Class I milk pricing by requiring the United States Department of Agriculture to hold national hearings to review Federal Milk Marketing Orders.

(Gillibrand 2-2-23)

Senator Gillibrand will pushing Canada to uphold its dairy trade obligations as part of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, currently Canada is not allowing American Dairy Farmers to import their product into Canada.

Several area Fire Departments responded to a structure fire at 440 St. John Road in Afton early this morning. The fire was mainly confined to the 1st floor, there was smoke & heat damage to parts of the 2nd floor, 1 unconscious occupant was removed & was taken to Wilson Hospital. Firefighters from Afton, Harpursville, Greene, Bainbridge & Coventry Responded, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-2-23

Governor Hochul unveiled a $227 Billion Dollar Executive Budget proposal yesterday in Albany. The Budget contains a $1 Billion Plan to Fix New York State's Mental Health Care, a pledge Not To Raise Income Taxes, the New York Housing Compact Will Build 800,000 New Homes, to Address Statewide Housing Shortage, a $337 Million Investment Aimed at Reducing Gun Violence, $5.5 Billion to Promote sustainable Energy, more information is available at budget.ny.gov.

On Saturday night, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Town of Colchester, Deputies identified the driver of the vehicle as 44-year-old Tyrece Williams of Syracuse, who's vehicle registration was suspended, due to an Insurance Lapse. Williams was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended/Revoked Registration, Aggravated Unlicensed Operator, Failing to turn in license plates into DMV, among other charges, Williams was released and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Colchester Court at a later date.

About a dozen people were arrested at a protest at the Johnson City Wegman's Parking lot last night. People were protesting the police brutality cases of Tyre Nichols in Memphis & the Hamail Waddell keeling incident by Binghamton Police January 1st. Police from the Johnson City, Binghamton and Endicott Police departments, as well as the Broome County sheriffs Deputies and State Troopers responded.

Fireworks Over the Fairgrounds returns to the Chenango County Fairgrounds on July 4th, following a 2 year absence of the event due to the pandemic. This year's event will feature fireworks, The Jason Wicks Band, food vendors, a tractor pull by the New York Hot Farm Pullers, the event begins at 4:00 PM, tickets are available at BrownPaperTickets.com.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand highlighted provisions of her federal gun trafficking bill that were included in the bipartisan gun safety framework. Gillibrand said that in New York, 75% of the guns used in crimes are coming from other states with limited gun laws, so a federal law is needed to help stop gun trafficking into New York:

(Gillibrand 6-14-22)

Senator Gillibrand said that this package of bills is the most significant package of gun safety legislation in about 30 years.

The 22nd Annual Chenango County Dairy Day will be held in Norwich Saturday at the Fairgrounds in Norwich, Spokesperson Karen Hoffman told WCDO that the events will start with a Parade and a "Reverse Parade":

(Karen Hoffman 6-14-22)

Other activities include a kiddie tractor pull, farm animals, a hay bale maze and various farm themed kids games.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 6-14-22

Governor Hochul signed a 6-Bill Package protecting Patients and Providers in Anticipation of a Final Decision by the US Supreme Court on the possible overturning of the Roe Vs. Wade Abortion decision. The new laws give Legal Protection for Abortion Service Providers, Prohibits Misconduct Charges Against Healthcare Practitioners for Providing Services to Patients from other States, & Prohibits Medical Malpractice Insurance Companies from Taking Action Against a Reproductive Healthcare Provider.

A 6th meeting of the Norwich Downtown Revitalization Initiative Local Planning Committee will be held on This afternoon at 3:00 PM in person in the Community Room of Commerce Chenango at 15 South Broad Street in Norwich, Commerce Chenango President & CEO Kerri Green explains:

(Kerri Green 6-14-22)

Green said that the meeting is open to all members of the public, with time reserved at the end of the meeting for public comment, state approval could come by the end of the year.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's Office audited the Town of Otselic, the report showed that The Supervisor did not maintain complete, accurate and timely financial records and reports,  did not provide the board with accurate financial reports and did not record deposits totaling $127,000, cash withdrawals totaling $199,000 and fund transfers totaling $874 in the accounting records.  Auditors also found, the required 2016 through 2019 annual financial reports were not filed with the Comptroller’s office; also a board member had a prohibited interest in the contracts between the town and his auto parts businesses.

The Friends of Rogers announced a free Shredding Event tomorrow at the Rogers Center in Sherburne.  The event is free to the public & is sponsored by Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, it runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon tomorrow.

The Chenango County Fair Board is reminding area fairgoers that there will be tractor pulls on Thursday & Friday of Fair week.  Fair spokesperson Mary Weidman gave WCDO a timeline of highlights at this year's fair:

(Mary Weidman 7-23-21)

Weidman said that the Tractor Pull on Thursday will begin at 10:00 AM, the Empire State Pullers begins at 7:00 PM, and The Friday Chenango County Truck Pull is new this year and will be run with the New York Hot Farm Tractor Pull at 6:30 PM, more information is available at nyhotfarm.com.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 7-23-21

The ARC of Delaware County is seeking to add up to 25 people for a variety of positions, and they are holding their 3rd & 4th job fairs this month, ARC director of Community Relation Catherine Tweedie commented:

(Catherine Tweedie 7-23-21)

The next ARC Job Fair is today from 4:00 to 8:00 PM & another will be held tomorrow from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at their location on State Highway 10 in Walton.

The Rotary Club of Sidney and the Cullman Developmental Center are teaming up to create a series of events that will engage kids in curious, stimulating educational fun filled activities this summer.  The 2nd of 4 events will be held this Sunday for "Dairy Day" at Keith Clark Park, Rotary Spokesman Larry Halbert explains:

(Larry Halbert 7-23-21)

Halbert said that The Dairy Princess and her Court, Future Farmers of America students and advisors will provide hands on opportunities for kids to learn about the importance of Dairy Farming, the event will run from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Sunday.  The 3rd event of the series will be held August 7th.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 6-29-21

The State Health Department reported today that almost 72% of adult New Yorkers have received at least 1 COVID 19 Vaccine & 65.1% have completed their vaccine series.   The Statewide 7 day rolling average for Positive COVID tests is .39%; The Southern Tier Counties is slightly higher at .42%.

The Unadilla Valley Central School District will host a 5K run/walk at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, July 17, for 14 year old Cooper Hine, who is a Unadilla Valley 8th Grader, who was seriously injured in an ATV crash in New Berlin recently.  Another fundraising chicken barbecue and Chinese auction will follow at the South New Berlin Fire Department on July 17th.  Hine is hospitalized at the Upstate Medical center in Syracuse.

The Unadilla Rotary Club announced the return of the annual Autumn Fest, which will be held at the Covered Bridge Farm Market on Sunday September 26th at 10:00 am until 4:00 PM.  Vendors can get more information at unadillarotary.org.

Chenango County Public Health announced that due to the continued decline in COVID 19 cases, they will release updates once a week.  Currently Chenango County reported 7 active cases, 14 quarantines & no hospitalizations; they have had a total of 35212 cases, 3331 recoveries, & 77 deaths since the pandemic started 15 months ago.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 6-29-21

State Police responded Saturday to an ATV crash in the town of Davenport.   35-year-old Raina Andrews of Davenport was operating the vehicle, when it exited the roadway, struck a ditch and she was ejected.   Andrews was transported by LifeNet to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse with serious injuries.  The investigation is on-going.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested a Walton resident June 19th on Delaware Street in the Village of Walton.  Deputies observed a speeding vehicle traveling north on Delaware Street, they stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as 28-year old Kassondra  Pierce of Walton,  A routine DMV inquiry revealed that Pierce’s driving privileges and vehicle registration were suspended due to an insurance lapse.  Pierce was charged with unlicensed operation of a vehicle, speeding, operating an uninspected motor vehicle as well as other charges, her vehicle was towed from the scene & she was released to appear in the Village of Walton Court on a later date.

The State Health Department announced that Sunday's hospitalizations from the Coronavirus were down to 1,122, there were 10 deaths Sunday, over 56,000 tests were conducted, with .97% tested positive.  there were 552 Additional Coronavirus positive Cases in New York State Sunday, Bringing Statewide Total to 388,488; the death toll is 24,793

The Town of Guilford Board will hold a special meeting on Zoom Wednesday night at 7:00 PM.  The Town Attorney & the Board will be discussing the proposed Certificate Conditions on the High Bridge Wind farm LLC proposal, more information is available at 895-9966.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 49 year old Jonathan Brooks of Walton after stopping an uninsured vehicle in the Village of Walton.   Brooks is accused of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration; his driving privileges were also suspended because of his auto insurance not being in effect.  Brooks was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle among other charges, he was ordered to appear in Village of Walton Court at a later date.

State Police and Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies responded Friday night to a shooting on Light Road in Harpursville.  An investigation revealed that 38 year old Timothy Wilcox shot his estranged wife, 35 year old Meghan Wilcox then turned the gun on himself, and a 16-year-old teen was at the house at the time of the incident and was not injured.  Meghan Wilcox was transported Wilson Hospital in Johnson City where she is in critical condition, Timothy  Wilcox was transported to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City and later flown to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse & was in critical condition, he is employed as a peace officer with the Broome County Security Division.   The investigation is on-going.

State Police responded to a fatal motorcycle crash on State Route 79 in the town of Windsor.  50 year old Brian Bidwell of Virginia was traveling southbound on State Route 79 when he left the roadway for an unknown reason and stuck a ditch.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The
Community Foundation for South Central New York has received $200,000 in grants
from Chobani, to go to 5 central New York organizations helping farmers expand
their economic opportunities.  The 5
recipients are Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County, Cornell
Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, The Organic Growers’ Research and
Information-Sharing Network, Rural Health Network & Salt City Harvest
Farm.   More information about the
Foundation can be found at donorswhocare.org.

The
State DEC are reminding Hunters are prohibited from bringing whole carcasses of
deer, elk, moose or caribou into the state under new regulations to stop the
spread of chronic wasting disease.  Chronic
wasting disease hasn’t spread to New York yet this year, and regulatory changes
that took effect this week are aimed at keeping the disease out.    Hunters
can bring only certain parts of deer and related species into the state, including
deboned meat, cleaned skull caps, antlers with no flesh, hides, cleaned jaw and
finished taxidermy products.  DEC officers
will be monitoring roadways along state borders and will confiscate and destroy
illegally imported carcasses.

25-year-old
Mark King of Oneonta pleaded guilty to violating the federal Sex Offender
Registration and Notification Act.in federal court, after failing to register
with authorities of his address change to Oneonta.  King was convicted of attempted sexual abuse
of a minor in Alaska, he was ordered to register as a sex offender, and he
moved several months ago to New York State & failed to register his change
of address.  King has pleaded faces up to
10 years in prison, $250,000 in fines & 5 years to life of post-release
supervision, he will be sentenced in March.

New
York Central Mutual Insurance broke ground on a 35,500-square-foot building at
its headquarters in Edmeston Today.
Company officials announced that the new building will offer additional
conference rooms, work stations and offices, as well as a 600-seat auditorium
for events and town hall meetings.

About 120 People attended last night's Town of Guilford
Board meeting, which included discussions about the controversial plan by
Calpine, for the High Bridge Wind Farm Renewable Energy project proposal.  Guilford town Supervisor George Senek told
WCDO News what happens next:

(George Senek 6-13-19)

The High Bridge Wind Farm project calls for up to 30 Wind
Turbines to be placed in the town of Guilford, Calpine is also behind the
Bluestone Project which calls for 8 to 12 Wind Turbines in the Towns of Windsor
& Sanford.

An Internet Safety Awareness & Prevention of Child
Exploitation Conference will be held in Walton tomorrow, featuring a survivor
of Human Trafficking, plus presentations by the National Center for Missing
& Exploited Children, & the State Police.  The conference will be held at the New Hope
Church in Walton Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, more information is available
at832-5334.

Attorney General Letitia James announced the conclusion of
an investigation into pharmacies across the State that failed to post the costs
of drugs to consumers, as required by law.
The Attorney General's Office sent cease and desist letters to 44
pharmacies found to be in violation of the law, mandating compliance with
consumer protection laws that require that pharmacies maintain a list of their
prices for the 150 most commonly prescribed drugs. One of the pharmacies in
violation is located in Binghamton.

A bill has been forwarded in the state Assembly to legalize
Prostitution in New York State.  The bill
was forwarded after a group of workers in the sex trade lobbied for change at
the state capital recently.  The bill was
announced Monday and isn’t expected to be voted on before the end of the
current legislative session next week.

State Senator Jim Seward
announced senate approval of legislation he sponsors to exempt vintage
snowmobiles from state registration fees.
Senator Seward’s bill was developed in consultation with the New York
State Snowmobile Association and would encourage collecting without forcing
undue costs on hobbyists.  Companion
legislation has been introduced in the state assembly.

Commerce Chenango will hold the Human Resources Roundtable
Workshop will take place Today in the Community Room at Commerce Chenango
located at 15 South Broad Street in Norwich, beginning at 8:00AM.  The panel discussion will feature human
resources professionals from Alvogen, New York Central Mutual, NBT Insurance
Agency; and Preferred Mutual Insurance Company.
The workshop is open to Chamber Members only.

The "Green Light Bill” allowing Illegal Immigrants to
possess Driver's licenses Passed in the State Assembly this week, Local
Assemblyman Cliff Crouch voted against it:

(Crouch 6-12-19)

A State Senate vote on the bill has not been scheduled; the
Legislature ends their 2019 session next week.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies investigated a fatal motor vehicle accident on State Highway 10 in the Town of Walton Friday Night. 21 year old Aaron Tubbs of Treadwell was operating a bicycle on State Hwy 10, when he was fatally struck by a vehicle operated by 66 year old Michelle Mason of Hamden. Mason and her passenger were uninjured. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

Governor Cuomo today announced that New York State Police are stepping up patrols to crack down on dangerous drivers as students return to school. The Governor urged motorists to watch for students as they walk or bike to school, follow posted speed limits, and stop and wait whenever a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing and its "stop" sign extended. This is the latest step in a series of safety measures the Governor has recently taken to get the school year off to a safe start.In addition to stepping up enforcement efforts, the State Police will also be partnering with AAA for their "School's Open - Drive Carefully" campaign.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office announced that staff will attend community events around the state in September to help residents search for unclaimed funds. DiNapoli oversees more than 39 million unclaimed funds accounts valued at $15.5 billion until the money can be returned to its rightful owners. Unclaimed funds come from old bank accounts, utility deposits, uncashed checks, insurance claims, stocks and other sources that have been dormant for a number of years. Residents who cannot make it to the events can call 1-800-221-9311. The next Southern Tier event with representatives from the Comptroller's office will be on September 9th from 12:00 Noon until 10:00 PM at the Blues on the Bridge at Riverside Drive & Water Street in Binghamton.

The New York State Fair broke the overall attendance record in its 177-year history and surpassed several daily attendance records over the course of its 13-day run. More than 1.26 million fairgoers have passed through the Fair's gates so far since Opening Day.

New York Farm Bureau, the State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball, and Farmers for Free Trade, gathered at the State Fair last week to discuss their concerns, as a number of New York commodities, including dairy, soybeans, wine, maple and apples face retaliatory tariffs in several countries including China, Canada, Mexico and in the European Union. commodity prices have fallen on agricultural products, Equipment prices are rising due to the tariffs, and farmers are concerned about losing long established markets as countries turn to other, cheaper sources for their food. Net farm income was already down by 50% before the trade wars began. The principle agreement announced last week with Mexico is a step in the right direction, but an agreement with Canada needs to be completed for an effective news NAFTA deal.

Governor Cuomo announced the release of the formal application for state matched funds through his County-Wide Shared Services Initiative. The state will match dollar-for-dollar the actual savings achieved by a county or local government pursuant to an adopted shared services plan. A total of $225 million has been appropriated for these matches to consolidate local services and create efficiencies within county borders to reduce the burden on taxpayers. More information is available at ny.gov/programs/shared-services-initiative

Governor Cuomo announced that $14.7 million has been awarded to implement water quality protection projects on 43 farms across the state. The funding was provided through the second round of the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Waste Storage and Transfer System Program. It supports projects that will allow large livestock farms to better manage and store nutrients, such as manure, to protect ground water and nearby waterways. More information is available at agriculture.ny.gov.

62-year-old Almond Upton of Florida was sentenced to life in prison without of parole for deliberately running down State Trooper Christopher Skinner on I-81 in 2014. Upton was sentenced today in Broome County Court by Judge Joseph Cawley, following the 1st degree murder conviction for deliberately crossing several lanes to strike Trooper Skinner while he was conducting an unrelated routine traffic stop, at an excessive speed.

Coldwell Banker/Timberland Properties have teamed up with Community Bank, Neighbors Insurance & State Farm Insurance in Sidney, to give away Green Light Bulbs to honor military veterans on Friday for Veterans Day. Steve Rose of Coldwell Banker Timberland Properties of Sidney explains:

(Steve Rose 11-10-16)

Rose told WCDO News this afternoon that he had acquired additional bulbs, as the first 300 were gone in about 2 days, More information about the program is available at Green Light a Vet.com, the bulbs will be handed out while they last at the Coldwell Banker Timberland Properties Community Bank building at their Union Street Sidney location, and at the State Farm/Neighbors Insurance office at State Route 7 Riverside Sidney.

The State DEC announced that Veterans Day would be a designated annual free fishing day in New York State. No license is required to fish in any of the state's 7,500 lakes and ponds or 70,000 miles of rivers and streams. A listing of free fishing events is available at the DEC's website.

Job seekers and students are invited to attend the Second Annual College & Community Job Fair today in Norwich, Steve Craig of Commerce Chenango explains:

(Steve Craig 11-10-16)

The event is presented by Commerce Chenango and Morrisville State College, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PMat Morrisville’s Norwich Campus at 20 Conkey Avenue in Norwich.

Voting continues today & this evening, as people decide on the Presidential campaign, one seat in the US Senate from New York, 2 local seats in the US House of Representatives, plus all of the seat in the State Senate & State Assembly. Several towns also have seats to fill. Polls are open until 9:00 tonight.

Coldwell Banker/Timberland Properties have teamed up with Community Bank, Neighbors Insurance & State Farm Insurance in Sidney, to give away Green Light Bulbs to honor military veterans this Friday, Veterans Day. Steve Rose of Coldwell Banker Timberland Properties of Sidney explains:

(Steve Rose 11-8-16)

More information about the program is available at Green Light a Vet.com, the bulbs will be handed out while they last at the Coldwell Banker Timberland Properties Community Bank building at their Union Street Sidney location, and at the State Farm/Neighbors Insurance office at State Route 7 Riverside Sidney.

From September 2015 to September 2016, New York State's private sector job count climbed by 115,100, or 1.5 percent, according to preliminary figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor. In September 2016, the state's private sector job count fell by 4,400. Since the beginning of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's administration, New York State's economy has added 839,500 private sector jobs and experienced employment growth in 58 of the past 69 months. In September 2016, the statewide unemployment rate increased from 4.8% to 5.0%, which was equal to the comparable U.S. unemployment rate of 5.0%.

Governor Cuomo announced $1 million in funding is available to assist new and early-stage farmers through the State New Farmers Grant Fund. The Fund will provide grants of up to $50,000 to assist with up to 50% of eligible project costs, with the remaining 50% matched by the recipient. This year, the program has eliminated the 150 acres or fewer requirements and is now accepting farm applicants of all sizes. The application and guidelines are available online at http://esd.ny.gov. The deadline for submission is January 27th.

Governor Cuomo announced that the Department of Financial Services has issued guidance to health insurers outlining new insurance coverage requirements for substance abuse treatment. Under the new law, health insurers will be required to cover medication, including naloxone, for detoxification or maintenance treatment of substance use disorders under large group policies. Health insurers will also be required to provide coverage without preauthorization for inpatient substance abuse treatment in facilities that participate in their networks and are certified by the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

State Police arrested 64-year-old Leslie Bisco of Mount Vision for Aggravated DWI, with a B.A.C. result of .31% and other traffic violations. Police responded to the report of a vehicle stopped in the middle of the roadway on State Route 205 in the Town of Laurens. Bisco was arraigned in the Town of Laurens court and was remanded to the Otsego County jail on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 property bond, pending future court action.

Fire fighters from New Berlin, Norwich North Norwich Sherburne, Edmeston Garrettsville & Mount Upton responded to a fire at the Ken Tuttle Jr. farm on Balcom road early Wednesday morning. Fire investigators believe that the fire started due to an electrical short. Livestock was removed, no injurious were reported.

The 7th Annual Sidney Center Tractor parade will be held tomorrow through the hamlet. Those wishing to participate should begin lining up at 9:00 AM, the parade will begin at 12:00 Noon, owners of farm & garden tractors, collectible cars, doodlebugs and amore are invited to participate. There will be a variety of entertainment, children’s activities, and a chicken barbecue, more information is available at 369-9494, 369-9074, or 369-4538.

The State Department of Health has been notified of a laboratory confirmed case of mumps at SUNY Oswego and another at SUNY Plattsburgh. The case at SUNY Oswego is likely associated with a mumps outbreak in Long Island, where 45 cases of mumps have been confirmed. The source of the SUNY Plattsburgh case is under investigation. Students, who are susceptible to mumps because they have not been vaccinated because they have religious or medical exemptions, have been told they will be excluded from campus for 26 days after the last possible exposure if they do not get vaccinated. Mumps is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, headache and swelling of the salivary glands. Mumps cannot be treated, however two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against the disease. More information about the mumps is available at health.ny.gov.

State Police and the United States Postal Inspection Service announced the arrest of 22 people and the seizure of drugs, weapons, cash and one vehicle resulting from a joint drug investigation throughout Central New York. “Operation Pandora’s Box,” targeted drug suppliers from New York and around the nation -- and even overseas -- who are using the U.S. Mail to ship narcotics and synthetic drugs, along with other contraband, into the region. Among those arrested locally, 23-year-old Erica Cirzeveto of Binghamton, 24-year-old Nefateia Brink of Binghamton, both on a variety of drug charges, and 37-year-old Terry Davis of Oneonta, for Criminal Possession of Marihuana.

Congressmen Chris Gibson co-introduced bipartisan legislation to bring fairness to the federal system used to determine the price dairy farmers are paid for their milk. The Dairy Margin Insurance Location Calculation Act amends the Farm Bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to use statisitcs from each state to calculate average feed cost and actual dairy production margins. The current margin protection program is harmful to New York dairy farms because it uses calculations based on the average feed costs associated with the Midwest and other differing markets.

Governor Cuomo announced that efforts by state and local law enforcement have resulted in an 840% increase in tickets for texting while driving in New York State since 2011. While the number of cell phone tickets have decreased each year since 2011. The announcement was made in conjunction with Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Operation Hang Up, a distracted driving crackdown by the State Police and local law enforcement. New York State prohibits drivers from Holding a portable electronic device, Talking on a handheld phone; sending or retrieving e-mails, text messages, or logging onto websites, or playing electronic games.

State Police in Oneonta want to advise the public and local businesses that multiple stores in the Oneonta area have recently received several $10 and $20 Norfed “Liberty Dollar” medallions. These medallions are privately produced products that are neither backed by, nor affiliated with the United States Government. They are not genuine United States Mint coins and are not legal tender despite their appearance. These silver medallions are only worth the value of the silver that they are made of; any store clerk who is handed one of these during a sale should not accept it.

With just under 2 weeks to go, more than 500 fire departments across the State have signed up to participate in RecruitNY on the weekend of April 23rd & 24th. RecruitNY is designed to increase membership in volunteer fire departments, fire department volunteers will conduct tours of their facilities, demonstrate firefighting techniques, allow visitors to try on turnout gear. To find out which fire department are participating, visit recruitny.org.

The State Department of Health announced the launch of the “Treat Nicotine Addiction Campaign,” to urge health care providers to reframe smoking as an addiction to nicotine, rather than a bad habit, and to treat nicotine addiction with counseling and medication. Patients who are encouraged to quit and begin medication are 2 to 3 times more likely to remain smoke-free. The Treat Nicotine Addiction Campaign will run through June 2016.

State Police responded to a Broome County 911 report of a hunting accident in the Town of Sanford. 2 separate groups of hunters were hunting when 45-year-old Duane Wayman of Binghamton failed to observe another hunter & shot him. 50-year-old Andy Patrick of Johnson City was injured near his right eye, the right side of his chest and his left shoulder. He was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. All hunters possessed valid licenses, the investigation is ongoing.

State Police arrested 44-year-old Wayne Johnson of Oneonta for aggravated DWI with a BAC result of .23% and several other traffic law violations. The arrest occurred after troopers responded to an Otsego County 911 report of a vehicle in a ditch off of Emmons Hill Road in the Town of Oneonta. Troopers observed Johnson sleeping behind the wheel of a Pick Up stuck in a ditch, they accuse Johnson of being intoxicated when he tried to back his truck up and got it stuck. Johnson was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court on October 6th .

Governor Cuomo announced a new funding opportunity for school districts across the State aimed at connecting them to farmers to increase the use of locally grown specialty crops. Through the Farm to School program, $350,000 in grants is now available for projects that will help school districts buy & serve locally grown foods on school menus.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 36-year-old Steven Keller of North Branch for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the Town of Hamden. Keeler is accused of driving with a suspended license due, with an insurance lapse & also operating a vehicle with a loud exhaust. Keller was arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $500 bail.

On Friday evening, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, State Police, and Hancock Police Department conducted a joint Traffic Safety Check on State Highway 97 in the Village of Hancock. A total of 68 traffic summons were issued, 5 for unlicensed operation, 2 for unregistered motor vehicle tickets, 7 for uninspected motor vehicle tickets, and 1 aggravated unlicensed operation ticket. 13 subjects were also arrested for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana:

The identities of 2 women arrested by state police in Oneonta on Thursday have been identified as 30 year old Kelly Anderson of Maine, and 25 year old Amanda Castillo of Connecticut. . Anderson was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance; both Anderson and Castillo were charged with criminal possession of marijuana and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, they were held in the Otsego County jail pending court action.

FEMA has extended the deadline for policyholders who want to request a review of their Hurricane Sandy flood insurance claims. The new deadline is October 15th, 2015, for those who feel that their Hurricane Sandy flood insurance claim was underpaid. FEMA will review those claims; more information is available at 866-337-4262, weekdays from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

First responders were called to 8129 State Route 23 in the town of Davenport yesterday morning at about 10:15 AM for a report of a vehicle that drove into a structure. State police reported that the unidentified driver of the vehicle suffered a medical emergency, swerved off the road, then crossed back across oncoming traffic and hit the house. The driver and a passenger were transported to Fox Hospital in Oneonta; no one was in the house at the time of the accident. The investigation is continuing.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced today his office approved 1,821 contracts valued at $1.9 billion and approved 1.7 million payments worth $8.5 billion in August. His office also rejected 191 contracts and transactions valued at $713 million and nearly 1,600 payments valued at $61.6 million due to fraud, waste or other improprieties. Major Contracts Approved specifically in August were for the State Department of Agriculture and Markets for State Fair expenses, including $2 million paid out for 15 contracts to provide entertainers & $1.4 million for 3 contracts for ambulances, mobile restrooms and bedding/manure removal for livestock.

Governor Cuomo announced today that recent investigations to protect exploited workers in New York State have led to nearly $3.3 million in back wages, damages and settlements for 800 workers. In the upstate counties, State Agriculture Labor Specialists assisted in recovering more than $9,000 in back wages for 23 farm workers who were underpaid. State investigators conducted more than 380 field visits and met with 300 agricultural businesses to offer hiring assistance and educate employers about labor law compliance and available resources. The agency has increased the number of field visits, reduced the number of violations and is protecting workers by helping more businesses comply with the law.

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation today announced that $500,000 in grants are now available to help organizations to improve State parks, trails and historic sites. The grants are available for the program will be administered by State Parks and Parks & Trails New York. The program is designed to enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance and promotion of State parks, trails and state historic sites; as well as promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails and greenways.

State Police arrested 25 year old Ian Kosciusko of Worcester for sexual abuse. The arrest occurred after troopers were advised of an incident that occurred on September 11, at the Holiday Inn on State Route 23, in the Town of Oneonta. An investigation determined that an employee had unwanted sexual contact with an adult victim, Kosciusko was arraigned and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 property bond, An order of protection was issued by the court.

Empire State College will hold public information session about its associate and bachelor's degree programs at its Binghamton location, State Office Building, Room 505, 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton today at 4:30 PM. More information is available at 721-8651.

Governor Andrew Cuomo's $500 million broadband expansion program will be discussed in the 2015 State of the State address in January. The expansion would create a "NY Broadband Fund" that would offer grants to any broadband company that offers to match public funding to expand and improve existing infrastructure. Officials reported that the guidelines for the beginning of the expansion will be released shortly after the State of the State address next month & projects should be underway by mid-summer.

State Police from Sidney arrested 21 year old Dillon Kemmerer of Port Crane for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana and other vehicle and traffic law violations following a vehicle and traffic law stop when a Trooper observed he was driving a vehicle with a suspended registration while on State Route 41 in Afton. An investigation determined Kemmerer had several suspensions on his driver license and was driving without valid insurance. Also, after smelling marihuana, the Trooper found he unlawfully possessed a small amount inside the vehicle. Kemmerer was arraigned in town of Afton Court and sent to the Chenango County Jail on $5,000 bail

A controversial plant could fuel a new agriculture and manufacturing boom in New York according to supporters of a law that would ease restrictions on growing industrial hemp. A bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo would permit hemp to be grown as part of an agriculture pilot program starting next year. It passed unanimously in the Assembly and Senate. It is now awaiting Governor Cuomo’s signature. Lupardo said the goal is to establish capacity & interest in producing hemp products on New York land, with New York labor, to generate money and taxes that stay in the state.

New York Farm Bureau has come out with its annual "Circle of Friends," naming 125 State Legislators to their annual list of lawmakers who's voting record closely echoes the Farm Bureau's agenda. The "Circle of Friends" locally included State Senators John Bonacic, Jim Seward & Tom Libous, and Assembly Members Cliff Crouch, Bill Magee, Donna Lupardo & Pete Lopez.

A proposal to create a single-payer, government-financed health care system for all New Yorkers was the subject of a public hearing at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Richard Gottfried, chair of the Assembly Health Committee, has been pushing the proposal for more than 20 years. Under his "New York Health Act" bill, the state would get rid of private health insurance and replace it with a publicly funded system. The proposal is opposed by the insurance industry and business groups. Proponents of the single-payer approach said it would lower cost and improve access to care.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 28-year-old Justin Cody of Oneonta for torturing, injuring and failure to feed animals after a Trooper responded to a report of animal cruelty at a residence at the Lantern Hill Trailer Park on State Route 23 in Oneonta. An investigation determined two kittens had died while under the care of Cody who then put the remains under his trailer. He was issued a ticket for town of Oneonta Court December 9th

The chairman of the state Thruway Authority resigned, saying he will return to focus on his business interests. Howard Milstein, the billionaire New York City developer, is leaving the board. The 570-mile highway faces financial problems and is building a $3.9 billion new Tappan Zee Bridge between Westchester and Rockland counties. Milstein's departure won't impact the agency's operations, and they are in the process of finding a replacement to fill the unpaid post. An analysis by a consultant to the Thruway Authority estimates the highway system's revenue will be $67 million short of its needs in 2015 under the current toll rates.

State Senator Tom Libous has spent more than $100,000 in campaign funds on attorneys this year, according to the state Board of Elections. The Thomas Libous' re-election campaign spent another $53,000 on criminal-defense attorneys from mid-July to late August. That's on top of the $60,000 it spent on lawyers from mid-January through mid-July, as well as about $75,000 in 2012 and 2013. Libous was indicted in White Plains federal court in July on a charge of lying to the FBI. The use of campaign funds to pay for attorney fees has been the subject of debate in Albany. Gov. Cuomo's latest filing shows he spent $10,000 on an attorney as an investigation continues into the dismantling of the Moreland Commission

Governor Cuomo signed a bill that will enhance law enforcement efforts to identify previously unknown deceased persons. The bill will require that the state Division of Criminal Justice Services provide local law enforcement agencies with personal descriptions and other identifying information of unidentified deceased persons. This legislation allows this information to be accessed by all New York law enforcement agencies and also to agencies outside of the State by request. There are currently a total of 681 active cases of unidentified individuals who have died in New York State, with the oldest active record on file dating back to 1969.

Researchers are looking at whether money, from the Marcellus Shale natural gas boom, helps families in regions where companies are drilling, to compare Pennsylvania communities that have experienced the boom, during the last six years, with nearby ones in New York that haven't. New York has a moratorium on shale drilling, while Pennsylvania has become the second-largest producer in the nation. Some families in fracking communities get millions of dollars in royalties, many get tens of thousands of dollars, but others get nothing. The research will compare government-collected data that doesn't identify people. That includes data on crime, schools, economics, childhood obesity, teen pregnancies and state tax records on royalty income

Governor Cuomo announced 12 Citizen Preparedness Corps training sessions across New York State and also proclaimed September as Preparedness Month. The Citizen Preparedness Corps program, administered by the New York National Guard, aims to provide approximately 100,000 New Yorkers with the tools and resources to prepare for emergencies and disasters, respond accordingly and recover as quickly as possible to pre-disaster conditions. Those interested in attending a Citizen Preparedness Corps training session can visit www.prepare.ny.gov. Local Classes will be held on Wednesday, September 17th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Margaretville Central School & at 6:00 p.m. at SUNY Morrisville in Morrisville

A New dairy risk management program that was enacted as part of the recently passed Farm Bill is open for signups. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer urged the USDA to implement the program, which replaces the previous Milk Income Loss Contract program, by allowing dairy farmers to recoup some of the cost of low milk prices and high cost of production. There are also web tools to help farmers navigate the new dairy insurance program at fsa.usda.gov. The dairy industry is New York's leading Agriculture sector.

The State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the state health department ant the office of alcoholism & substance abuse services joined forces to train police officers from the Southern Tier and Capital Region in the use of Naloxone which reverses the effect of overdoses caused by heroin or other opioids, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. The state also is providing agencies that send their officers to the trainings with supplies of naloxone at no cost. Today’s session was held at SUNY Delhi, with more than 40 officers from 9 agencies getting the training.

State Police arrested 56-year-old Perry Webb & 52-year-old Charles Holmes of New Lisbon, for Petty Larceny and Criminal Trespass. The arrests resulted from a complaint of a missing silo loader from a farm in Morris, the investigation determined that both suspects allegedly took the silo loader from the property without permission, & scrapped it an a salvage yard in New Berlin, for $46. Webb and Holmes were issued tickets returnable to the Town of Morris Court on August 11th.

State agencies have begun adding gender identity to their data collection, as part of an effort Governor Cuomo said will help the state better meet the needs of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender New Yorkers. A new report identifies 8 agencies, including the Department of Health, collecting or updating their data systems to gather those demographics.

Legislation has passed the State Assembly and Senate to update current Internet privacy laws to protect victims of “revenge porn” whose explicit photos are posted online without their consent. Current privacy laws protect people only if recorded images or video show intimate parts of their bodies, Hence the images might not meet criteria for prosecution, even if they are posted for the purpose of humiliation and are sexually explicit in nature. Under the new legislation, existing surveillance law would be updated to make non-consensual broadcast of individuals engaged in sexual contact a felony.

Officials with the General Clinton Canoe Regatta & The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce announced that the historic LaFever Canoe, which had been stolen from the Regatta Museum at General Clinton Park, was located by a passerby, under the route 206 bridge in Bainbridge yesterday. Officials posted the loss of the canoe yesterday on social media, they said that the canoe will placed back on display at the Museum more securely. State Police are investigating.

The 4th annual "It's A Boobie & Butt Thing" cancer awareness golf invitational will be held on September 27th at the Afton Golf Club. Invitational Co-Director Lori Kemmerer said that they are looking for sponsors and donations currently:

(Lori Kemmerer 7-23-14)

Those who would like to sponsor or donate a raffle basket can call 624-4397; Money raised will help local cancer patients with travel expenses or insurance co-payments.

A federal judge rejected requests by attorneys for State Senator Tom Libous and his son Matthew for more information about the government's cases against them. U.S. District Judge Vincent Briccetti, denied motions that sought to force prosecutors to produce a "bill of particulars" that would provide more details about the charges. Thomas and Matthew Libous were indicted following a federal investigation, into allegations the senator helped his son get a job at a Westchester County law firm, and convinced a lobbying firm to pay part of his son's salary. Both have entered not guilty pleas.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced the House of Representatives passed the Highway Transportation and Funding Act of 2014, to make the Highway Trust Fund solvent until a full multi-year Transportation Reauthorization bill can be passed. The Highway Trust Fund will reimburse states for road and bridge improvements; it extends the solvency of the trust fund through May 2015, ensuring that urgent transportation infrastructure projects in New York State continue unabated.

The Delaware County Local Development Corporation closed on 2 loans totaling $118,000. The loans were made to Natural Gardens LLC and the Andrew Hinkley Insurance Agency, which together anticipate creating approximately 22 new jobs in Delaware County over a 2-year period. Natural Gardens will turn 80 acres of land into a teaching farm & event center for parties, weddings and corporate events, which will be complete with a microbrewery. The Andrew Hinkley Insurance Agency, from Harpursville is moving to 53-55 Main Street in Sidney. More information is available at economic development programs in Delaware County at 746-8595.

Delaware County Deputies investigated a motorcycle accident Monday in the Town of Tompkins on State Highway 10.   52-year-old Cindy Beteau of Deposit lost control of her motorcycle, struck the guardrail, she was thrown from the motorcycle and landed on the embankment. Beteau was air lifted to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, & was listed in serious but stable condition

State Police arrested 27-year-old Thomas Krietsch of Richfield Springs for Reckless Endangerment, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and discharging a firearm over a roadway. The arrest followed an incident where Krietsch is accused of discharging a weapon near the State Police Barracks on State Route 20 in Richfield Springs. Krietsch was arraigned in the Town of Richfield Court and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on bail pending court action on July 22nd.

Hospitals and health systems in Central New York lost more physicians over a year period than any other upstate area, according to a report from the Healthcare Association of New York State. The survey covers September 2012 to September 2013, it found 552 physicians joined medical staffs in Central New York, while 715 left.   67% indicated physicians are leaving their respective communities because of retirement. UHS reported that they have 184 physicians and it is difficult to recruit doctors to rural areas, including Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich and Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton.

Bill Samuels may run for lieutenant governor against Governor Cuomo’s pick, Kathy Hochul. Samuels is the son of Howard Samuels of Ontario County, who invented the Hefty bag and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1974. Samuels himself ran   for lieutenant governor in 2010, but dropped out and supported Cuomo’s choice, Robert Duffy. State Law dictates that lieutenant governor candidates can run independently in a primary, but they run jointly with the gubernatorial candidates in November elections.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is urging the USDA to pick a Cornell-developed software package to help farmers in the Northeast plan their crop insurance and price support participation. Schumer wrote Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, endorsing a joint proposal by Cornell, the University of Rhode Island and the University of Maine for a risk-management software package for farmers. The farm bill setting agriculture policy adopted by Congress last February set aside $3 million for online web tools to assist farmers. Schumer said help with financial decision-making is important in New York because farms are usually small and family-run.

April is Alcohol & Drug Abuse Awareness Month, and with prom & graduation seasons coming soon, it is important to remember that those events have been incorrectly viewed by generations as a rite of passage for teenagers to be introduced to alcohol, according to Dave Ramsey of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County:

(Dave Ramsey 4-24-14)

Ramsey pointed out that in recent years, new York state has instituted “Social Host Laws” making it illegal to serve alcohol to minors at parties at home, and making the party’s hosts liable for any damage or fatalities that may occur by serving minors alcohol.

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand called on FEMA to grant another extension to Sandy victims who still need to file flood insurance claims. Under the National Flood Insurance Program, Sandy-impacted homeowners must file a “proof of loss” form, a statement on the amount the homeowner is claiming under a flood insurance policy. The 1st deadline was last October 29th, in order to be eligible for coverage for flood damage, but many were unable to meet the deadline. With the new April 28th deadline approaching, Schumer and Gillibrand are calling on FEMA to grant another extension.

The Delaware County Board of Supervisors voted to implement a bed tax at its meeting yesterday in Delhi. Funds from a 2 percent hotel, motel and bed and breakfast room tax in Delaware County will be used to promote tourism. The resolution will now go before the state Legislature to be assigned a bill

State Police arrested 30-year-old Tory Brown of New Berlin for Criminal Contempt, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, Unlawful Imprisonment, Criminal Mischief and Harassment. The arrest occurred after troopers responded to a dispute in Columbus.   Brown is accused of grabbing the victim by the throat, damaging a cell phone & violating an order of protection.   Brown was arraigned in the town of Norwich Court and sent to the Chenango County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Home sales were down 1.8% statewide in the 1st quarter of the year after reaching a 6-year high in 2013, according to the state Association of Realtors. The report showed 18,790 closed sales statewide in the first quarter of 2014, down from 19,143 in the same period of 2013. Pending sales also fell 5.6% in the 1st three months this year, while new listings dropped 7.6% from a year ago. The median sales price for homes sold statewide was $227,000, a 5.1% increase from 2013’s first quarter.

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo introduced a bill that would allow farmers in New York to grow hemp, which is used to make fabric, rope, paper, oil, soap, lotion and food. A provision of the new Federal Farm Bill legalized the growth of hemp for research, it had been banned because it stems from the same plant as marijuana, but industrial hemp and marijuana are genetically distinct varieties of cannabis & it is not possible to extract a drug from hemp. If the legislation passes, New York would become the 11th state to produce hemp.

Governor Cuomo announced the State Liquor Authority has approved advisories to help support the continued growth and development of New York's Farm based beverage producers.   The SLA Board adopted changes, effective immediately, to eliminate unnecessary paperwork and clarify standards on brand label registrations, authorize the sale of "growlers" for beer and cider, eliminate a $1,000 bond requirement for farm wineries, reduce costs for manufacturers and wholesalers with multiple licenses by allowing them to deliver all their products in one shipment, and provide guidance to the industry concerning the new "roadside farm market law.  More information is available at taste.ny.gov.

Local counties will receive money from the state in their efforts to rid streets of potholes.  The money is part of the $40 million Governor Cuomo said would be divided among the state's 64 counties, to clean up roads after one of the harshest New York winters in years. The winter left roads, bridges and more in various states of disrepair, after heavy snow and extreme cold temperatures. Locally, Chenango County will receive $932,000, Delaware County $610,000, and Broome County $640,000. The money can be used for current or future projects.

Governor Cuomo said the state health commissioner’s resignation has nothing to do with a review of whether New York should move ahead with hydraulic fracturing. When asked about Nirav Shah’s departure to an executive post with the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Cuomo talked about the imbalance between government-sector and private sector salaries. Shah will step down at the end of June.  Shah was tasked with examining potential guidelines for fracking in September 2012, and had repeatedly said a conclusion was weeks away. Since then, Shah has declined to say when his work would be completed.  A final decision on whether to allow shale-gas drilling in New York still awaits the finalization of the health review.

The special commission appointed last year by Governor  Cuomo to investigate political corruption is winding down. The governor said he appointed the group because lawmakers failed to enact reforms last year and is dismantling it because the legislature has now passed new laws to toughen bribery prosecutions and to establish a new campaign finance policing office. Cuomo established the panel after federal bribery and embezzlement charges were filed against several state lawmakers. The new laws establish felonies of corrupting the government and corrupt use of position or authority.

New Yorkers are reminded to take precautions to prevent diseases that are transmitted by ticks as springtime weather returns.  Lyme disease is caused by the bite of an infected deer tick.  Ticks are active when the weather stays above freezing.  The time of greatest concern is in late spring and early summer when the ticks are active.  While this past winter was harsh, the abundant and long lasting snow cover likely provided insulation to allow the ticks to survive.  Deer ticks, carriers of at least four different pathogens, are starting to emerge, and will be present for the next several months across the state.

A new study shows continued gains in the number of New York children with health insurance, driven mostly by increased converage through public programs.  The Robert Wood Johnson foundation report shows the percentage of childen without insurance dropped from 5.6% in 2008 to 4.3% in 2012.  It shows significant gains among minority children, and children in low income families, as medicaid and children's health insurance programs offset a decline in the number of children covered through private insurance, from 66.6% in 2008 to 6.5% four years later.

State Police, the State Liquor Authority and the State University at Delhi conducted an Underage Drinker Initiative detail on Saint Patrick’s Day.   3 college students were used as operatives at bar checks in Stamford & Oneonta.  John’s Tavern in Stamford, the Sip N’ Sail Tavern in Oneonta, & the Red Jug Tavern in Oneonta all passed, however State police arrested 23 year old Chelsea Jordan of Cobleskill with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child & Unlawful Sale of Alcohol to a Person Under 21, for serving alcohol to a minor at Legend’s in Oneonta.  Jordan was issued for the City of Oneonta Court. Additional State Liquor Authority charges are pending against Legend’s.

State Senators Jim Seward & John Bonacic have been selected to serve on a new drug task force, to deal with the growing epidemic of Heroin.  Federal statistics show that more than twice the amount of people admitted to heroin use from 2007 to 2012, The Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction will organize meetings across the state shortly.

If you’re a cigarette smoker in New York, odds are that your purchase was illegally smuggled in from another state to avoid paying taxes. A new study (http://taxfoundation.org/article/cigarette-taxes-and-cigarette-smuggling-state) by the Tax Foundation said 56.9% l of cigarettes sold in New York were illegally imported, which is directly related to the state’s $4.35 per pack tax, which is the highest cigarette tax in the nation. Cigarette taxes are even higher in New York City (http://www.tax.ny.gov/bus/cig/cigidx.htm), $5.85 per pack.

The state’s new health exchange reports more than 1 million people have completed applications for insurance, while more than 717,000 have enrolled for specific coverage. The Department of Health said enrollment, for individual and family coverage since October, includes 343,000 New Yorkers, in the 16 commercial and nonprofit insurers in the exchange, and more than 374,000 in government-funded Medicaid. Open enrollments continue through next Monday for 2014 coverage at state-approved rates. Applicants with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty line are eligible for tax credits to help offset premium payments.  More information is available at health.ny.gov.

Governor Cuomo announced that the New York State Board for Historic Preservation has -recommended the addition of 21 properties, resources and districts to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.  The State Review Board recommended 1 local site, which is the Loomis Family Farm in Oxford.  The farm was settled in 1801 & includes an 1832 stone farmhouse, a large dairy barn, and other smaller farm buildings.  More information about the recommended sites in online at paththroughhistory.ny.gov.

State Senator Jim Seward will be at Sidney Central School this morning at 10:00 AM.  Senator Seward will take part in New York Agricultural Literacy Week & will read to first graders at Sidney Elementary from the book, “Who Grew My Soup?”  by Tom Darbyshire.  The agricultural themed book stresses the importance of local farmers and their role in providing nutritious food.  The event is coordinated by New York Agriculture in the Classroom, State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the State Education Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the New York Farm Bureau.

Veterans in New York seeking health insurance have been wrongly placed in the state’s Medicaid program, rather than federal programs. State comptroller Tom DiNapoli said the mistakes occurred because of poor coordination between the state Health Department and local social-services departments. The audit found from January 2013 through October 2013, Medicaid paid more than $105 million for services provided to veterans,  many of the veterans were also entitled to benefits through the VA. New York has about 913,000 veterans. To view the report, visit osc.state.ny.us.