Governor Cuomo signed the medical Marijuana Bill Tuesday, allowing doctors to prescribe it to those where traditional pharmaceuticals have not worked. Cuomo said that Lawmakers had to pass a bill that allowed for dispensing marijuana under tight restrictions, and without affecting public health or safety:

(Cuomo 7-8-14)

The bill allows for medical marijuana for 7 years, it can be suspended at any time following concerns from the state health commissioner or state police superintendent.
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Farmers Markets are now open to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to local residents. Delaware County senior citizens may take advantage of the Farmers Market Coupon Program, to receive twenty dollars worth of free New York State grown produce. The coupons can only be used for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating vendors. Delaware County Office for the Aging will coordinate the distribution of the booklets for households of eligible seniors. Go to co.delaware.ny.us
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State Senator Tom Libous said he would be found innocent of the federal charge that he lied to the FBI and vowed to run and win re-election this fall. Libous said he will fight the charge. Libous has had a close relationship with Gov. Cuomo and Libous revealed that Cuomo left him a phone message after his indictment a week ago. Libous stressed that he will seek re-election in the fall, even as he faces the federal charge and battles cancer. He said his doctors have given him approval to continue to serve in the Senate and run for office. He has a Democratic opponent, Vestal Town Supervisor Anndrea Starzak
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Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino unveiled a new ballot line called “Stop Common Core,” aiming to turn anger over the tougher school-testing standards into votes in November. Astorino has enough petition signatures to get the third-party line on the November ballot. It would give the Westchester County executive three lines on the November ballot, along with the Republican and Conservative parties’ lines. Astorino is running for governor against incumbent Democrat Andrew Cuomo
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Officials in New York are enlisting the public’s help in going after invasive species.Gov. Cuomo said citizens can help combat invasive plants and animals by learning how to recognize them and prevent their spread. Non-native species like the Asian longhorned beatle, zebra mussels and feral pigs can outcompete native species, interfere with ecosystems and cause damage to crops and trees. This is New York Invasive Species Awareness Week to highlight ways that gardeners, boaters and others can help stop the spread of invasive species. Go to dec.ny.gov
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The Fresh Air Fund kicked off its 138th summer of serving New York City children last week. Each summer, over 4,000 inner-city children visit suburban, rural and small town communities across 13 states through Their Volunteer Host Family Program. Fresh Air children are boys and girls, from six to 18 years old, who live in New York City, more information on hosting a Fresh Air child, is available at 221-7722 or freshair.org.
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A fundraising concert is scheduled for the evening of July 18th at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, to raise money for the Bainbridge Soup Kitchen. Steve Eisenberg, of the local blues band Buddha Kings is taking part in the event:

(Steve Eisenberg 7-8-14)

The concert is free, with plenty of available parking at General Clinton Park.
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