State Police responded to a report of shots fired on Algerine Street in Afton, at about 11:30 this morning. Troopers found one person with a Gunshot wound that required medical treatment, who was in police custody. The investigation is continuing.  The Afton School district Superintendent Betty Briggs told WCDO News that the building was placed in “Lockout” following the reported shooting, but there was only staff and no students in the school today, due to a scheduled “Conference day”.
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State Police is currently investigating 2 burglaries that have occurred in Otsego County, 1 in the Town of Pittsfield and the other in the Town of Burlington. Both burglaries occurred on January 19th, and involved the theft of property from homes on County Highway 13 and State Route 80. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police at (315) 858-6014.
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Governor Cuomo announced $14 million in Grants is available to protect soil and water resources on farms across New York State ram, to address water quality challenges on farms in watersheds across the State. The program complements the Governor’s proposed $2 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, which would provide additional funding for source water quality protection initiatives, including projects to ensure proper management and storage of manure on farms across the State.
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Governor Cuomo announced that 41 million dollars in Grants are available to cultural & Arts organizations around the state. The State Council on the Arts grants is awarded in 16 programs in all 62 counties in the state.
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Maiorano & Associates held a grand opening & Ribbon Cutting at the new location at 7 Main Street in Sidney Friday. CEO Serafino Maiorano commented about moving a branch of his financial services business to Sidney:

(Serafino Maiorano 1-30-17)

Maiorano & associates also has an office in Brooklyn, their local office number if 604-4351, their website is at Maiorano and associates.com.
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A new Siena research poll says Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2017 agenda is largely supported by New Yorkers. Cuomo maintains a 56 percent to 37 percent favorability rating, unchanged since late last year. His job performance rating stands at 45 percent approve, 53 percent disapprove — also little changed from last month. Meanwhile, 47 percent of voters are ready to back the governor for a third term, a job Cuomo is seeking again next year.
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State Police arrested 28-year-old Tammy Roe of Davenport for Criminal Possession of a Weapon & Menacing, after troopers responded to a dispute in Davenport. An investigation determined that during a verbal dispute with her ex-boyfriend Roe had threatened him while holding a knife. No one was injured. Roe was arraigned in the Town of Davenport and was released, pending court action on February 14th.
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The Binghamton Senators have called a Press Conference for Tuesday afternoon at the Holiday Inn of Binghamton, they are expected to address the replacement team for the Senators, after Ottawa team officials announced that they are moving the their top Farm team out of Binghamton after this current season. Published reports out of Albany suggested that New Jersey Devils would be moving their farm team from Albany to Binghamton; an official comment is expected at tomorrow’s press conference.
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State Police and Broome County SIU Task Force executed a search warrant at 475 Popple Hill Road in the Town of Lisle as a result of an investigation into the sale and manufacturing of methamphetamine. Police seized items associated with one pot meth manufacturing, Arrested were Matthew Crowningshield, Heather Clark, Scott Doty & Andrew Kuhr. They were charged with Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Manufacturing Methamphetamine; they were arraigned and were remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.
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State Senator Fred Akshar and Senator Chris Jacobs of Buffalo were appointed as the 2 new co-Chairs of the Senate’s bipartisan Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction. The Task Force will again hold forums, meet with experts, and evaluate what further state measures are needed to reduce drug abuse.
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The Harm Reduction Work Group is coordinating today’s Medication Take Back Event. Residents are asked to remove outdated or unused prescription medications from their homes for safe disposal. Today’s event will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the North Norwich Town Hall located on County Road 23. The program is in collaboration with The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and The Norwich City Police Department.
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Law enforcement cell phone tracking devices are coming under scrutiny in several states, where lawmakers have introduced proposals ranging from warrant requirements to a ban on the technology. The devices mimic cell phone towers and allow law enforcement to collect unique subscriber numbers and other basic data from cell phones in a particular area, Law enforcement officials say the devices help to find suspects and victims, and to solve crimes. This year, lawmakers in at least 6 states are proposing bills to require warrants to use cell phone surveillance devices, including New York State.
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The next Reunite Bainbridge Committee Meeting will be hold tonight at 7:00 PM at Bob’s Diner. David DeClue, President of the Bainbridge Development Corporation, will be asking committee members and other interested parties to brainstorm ideas for potential uses of the Jericho Tavern if & when it is ever purchased. Also, the committee is looking to Form of a committee to explore places where murals could be designed.

(Dave DeClue)

DeClue said that the last master plan developed by the town of Bainbridge was done with the assistance of SUNY Oneonta in 2002 & 2003.
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The city of Oneonta announced their first meetings for 2017. City hall will be closed on Monday January 2nd, it will open on Tuesday for the Common council meeting at 7:00 PM, on the agenda for that meeting, the council has designated many items as surplus & up for sale, and the complete list is available at publicsurplus.com. The Oneonta Board of public Service will hold their first meeting on January 5th at 4:00 PM.
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Congressman Chris Gibson will leave Congress after 3 terms in Washington, representing the 19th district. Gibson accepted a job offer from Williams College, in Massachusetts. He will begin in February as a visiting lecturer on leadership, & he will continue to live in Kinderhook New York. Gibson may also write another book, and pursue other possible academic positions; Republican John Faso will replace him in the 19th Congressional District.
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Congressman Richard Hanna of the 22nd district in New York State will leave Congress after serving 3 terms in the House of Representatives. Hanna has decided to retire at the age of 64 from Public service, he also owned a successful construction company in Barneveld prior to running for Congress, he said that he wishes to spend more time with his family, which includes 2 elementary school aged children.  Hanna will be replaced by Claudia Tenney.
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Organizers OF first night Oneonta Have A Full Slate of Events Around The city new year’s EVE. Entertainment is scheduled at the Foothills Performing arts center at 7:00 PM; fireworks are scheduled for about 10:15 PM. The full schedule is available at first night oneonta.com

Sidney Village Police will be out patrolling New Year’s Eve to make sure that people travel safely, Sidney Police chief Jan Gorshack explains:

(Jan Gorshack 12-30-16)

State Police will also be out in full force across the state for New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day this year. Troopers will be looking for speeders, aggressive drivers, drivers using hand held devices, and drunk or impaired drivers.
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Governor Cuomo announced that between December 21st to 23, Members of the administration participated in volunteer events held at 18 organizations statewide to distribute 4,065 toys, coats and school supplies to communities in need. Donations, provided by businesses and individuals, were brought to drop-off locations across the state and collected by organizations at holiday gatherings ahead of the distribution events.
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State Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker reminded all New Yorkers to test their homes for radon, an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that can ultimately be fatal. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.; Test kits are available through the State Department of Health’s for $11 at www.health.ny.gov. Tests of residential basements in New York State found elevated radon levels in about 37% of the homes.
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State Senator Jim Seward will be sworn into office for his 16th senate term on Sunday at 2:00 PM; at the Foothills Performing Arts Center. Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig will serve as master of ceremonies. Supreme Court Justice Michael Coccoma will administer the oath of office.

(Andy Matviak 12-14-16)

Representatives from Delaware County Planning Department, the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, 2+4 Construction, Delaware Opportunities & the Village of Sidney Grant Administrative Staff
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The Bainbridge Development Corporation has sent out surveys for town of Bainbridge businesses & residents, as they seek to update the Bainbridge town Comprehensive Plan. Dave DeClue is president of the Bainbridge development Corporation:

(Dave DeClue 12-14-16)

DeClue said that they would like to get the surveys back as soon as possible in the coming weeks, and they hope to tabulate all the results and bring them before the Town Board early next year. The Last Town of Bainbridge Comprehensive Plan update was in 2002-2003.
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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli today urged New Yorkers to read the fine print on gift cards this holiday season for details about fees and expiration dates. While some gift card sellers have done away with inactivity fees, consumers should still ask whether fees apply when purchasing a gift card. As a rule of thumb, DiNapoli said New Yorkers should register the card with the retailer and use gift cards within a year of purchase to avoid inactivity fees. Money from unused gift cards issued by New York businesses is turned over to the State Comptroller’s office as abandoned property after five years of dormancy. In State Fiscal Year 2015-16, $11 million from gift cards was turned over to the state’s Abandoned Property Fund.
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Lieutenant governor Kathy Hochul announced today planning grants are being made available for Brownfield Remediation projects around the state. The grant applications are due in March; there are currently 38 designated Brownfield Opportunity Areas in the state.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Arrested 36 year old Chad Walters formerly from the Sidney, at the Texas State Penitentiary. Walters was released from the Delaware County Correctional Facility in November, 2014, after posting a $50,000 bail bond, he was arrested on a Bench Warrant issued for failure to appear on a charge of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance. Walters is currently serving a 4 1/2 year prison sentence in Texas on a felony conviction for evading police officers, Walters was extradited from Texas to New York on Tuesday after waiving extradition proceedings, he is being held in the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail pending trial.
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