Governor Cuomo & the State Health Department are anticipating clusters of COVID 19 cases as college students return to campuses across the state.  The Health Department issued guidance that establishes a threshold, where if a college experiences 100 COVID cases or an outbreak equal to 5% of its student body, whichever is less, that college MUST go to remote learning for 2 weeks. If the local health department finds after the 2 week period, that the college cannot contain the number of cases, and then further remote learning could be required, the guidance for colleges is available at governor.ny.gov.

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New York State United Teachers  Union called on the state to update Department of Health school reopening guidelines to make mandatory the wearing of masks at all times indoors during the school day, except for appropriate break periods and in cases of medical accommodation.  In a letter to state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, the union cited ongoing concerns with school reopening plans across the state and different mask policies among school districts. The Union urged the state to look to scientific research regarding mask efficiency and recent guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics that recommends the universal use of face masks.

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The Sidney community rallied behind the Sidney Police Department with a fundraising campaign that allowed for the purchase of a storage unit at the Police Departments firing range, about a mile away from their station.  Erin Insinga of the Delaware Valley Humane Society was one of the people involved in the fundraiser:

(Erin Insinga 8-28-20)

The Sidney Police Department now has their shed to store all the training accessories; a picnic table has also been donated for their site.

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The State Health Department announced the latest state wide COVID 19 numbers, as they have now tested over 8 million tests, after testing over 97,000 on Thursday, which uncovered 636 new cases, there were 3 more death attributed to the virus, bringing the state death toll is up to 25,312.

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Chenango County Public Health added 1 more COVID 19 case to their total; they are up to 224 cases since March.  Currently there are 79 quarantines, 1 hospitalization, and 202 recoveries and there have been 7 deaths.  Over 21,800 tests have been conducted.

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A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 8-28-20

Otsego County Department of Health is investigating 7 new cases of coronavirus, 6 of the cases are SUNY Oneonta students. The other case has been associated with a gathering of high school students.  Currently there are 13 cases in SUNY Oneonta students and 5 cases in high school students. All cases are have been investigated and contacts are being notified.  Otsego County has 135 total confirmed cases, there are 21 active cases, and no one is hospitalized.

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Delaware County received 1 new positive test result for COVID-19 Thursday and 1 additional recovery has been reported. The known active cases in the County is 3, all are recovering at home. To date there have been 103 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Delaware County, with 30 people now under mandatory quarantine,  6 people have died and 94 have fully recovered.

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On Wednesday morning, troopers investigated a crash where a car struck the rear of a horse-drawn Amish buggy on State Route 11B in Dickinson. Troopers determined the driver of the car who hit the buggy was not paying attention, the buggy’s occupants, including two young children, only had minor injuries. The horse also had a minor injury and was transported from the scene.

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State Police arrested 22 year old Keegan Allen of Schenevus for 2 counts of Petit Larceny, for entering at least 2 vehicles; one on Murdock Avenue and another on Madison Avenue in Oneonta and stealing change.  Troopers were advised by the Oneonta City Police that Allen was in the East End Laundromat and he was taken into custody & was also charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.  He was issued appearance tickets for town of Oneonta court on September 8th and was released.

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2 Broome County residents have been arrested following a break-in that occurred at a residence on Wilson Hill Road in the town of Chenango. Troopers arrested 28 year old Christina Martinez of Johnson City for the Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, She was processed and released on appearance tickets to the village of Johnson City court, on Thursday State Police arrested 44 year old Jamie Levene of Binghamton for 2nd degree Burglary, he was already at the Broome County Jail for an unrelated crime with another agency.  He was transported to SP Binghamton for processing and then returned to the Broome County Jail.

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“Unite Chenango” will host a Black Lives Matter event at Kurt Beyer Park in Norwich tonight, 1 of the guest speakers is Reverend LaDana Clark of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, who served in the US Army and also served in the Plainfield New Jersey Police Department in a variety of roles in 2005 through 2011.  She told WCDO News that no one is suggesting that Police be eliminated, and she gave her ideas of what should be happening:

(Reverend Clark 8-28-20)

Tonight’s event will begin at 6:00 PM; Reverend Clark also has a website related to her church activities at ChurchNTheHood.org.

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A Black Lives Matter gathering in Bainbridge was met by dozens of counter protestors supporting Police agencies Saturday afternoon.  Gilda Ward of the Tri-County Tea Party Patriots said that she was there to Support the police of the area:

(Gilda Ward 8-17-20)

Ward said that some members of other groups with confederate flags were asked to take those down, & they did not, she reported that there were a couple of fights that broke out, but no arrests have been reported by Bainbridge Police.

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Governor Cuomo announced that gyms could open again in New York State shortly:

(Cuomo 8-17-20)

The Governor Said that Gyms could operate at 33% capacity upon re-opening.

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The Bainbridge Guilford Central School District will hold informational meeting with district parents Tuesday & Wednesday, regarding their re-opening plans for the fall.  BG Superintendent Tim Ryan explains:

(Tim Ryan 8-17-20)

Ryan said that virtual meetings will be held Tuesday at 6:00 PM, Wednesday at 10:00 AM and a meeting will be held Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM at the High School Auditorium, with a limit of 50 people due to CDC guidelines.

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The State Health Department reported 408 new positive COVID 19 cases Sunday, out of just fewer than 57,000 tests.  There were 534 hospitalizations, with 133 in ICU beds & 64 on ventilators; there were 6 deaths Sunday, bringing the state death toll to 25,256.  425,900 New Yorkers have tested positive for the virus since March.

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Chenango County Public Health announced that they were at 218 total positive cases of COVID 19 since March.  91 people are quarantined, 1 is hospitalized, 197 have recovered, there have been 7 deaths, and they have conducted over 19,600 tests.

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The Broome County Health Department announced that they are up to 1110 positive COVID 19 cases since March, with 74 deaths, 965 recoveries & 440 people are being monitored by the Health Department, they have conducted over 33,400 tests.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 8-17-20

A Black Lives Matter gathering in Bainbridge was met by dozens of counter protestors favoring Police & some had confederate symbols, Saturday afternoon.  Unadilla native & standup comedian Taury Seward aimed some of his comments at the counter protestors:

(Taury Seward 8-17-20)

Brief altercations were reported, but no arrests have been reported by Bainbridge Police yet.

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The Otsego County Health Department announced another free COVID 19 testing site on Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, at the Southside Mall Parking Lot in Oneonta.  The testing is for people who are not sick but want to be tested, by a nasal swab.  This is a drive up testing site. Individuals will be required to remain in their vehicle and wear a mask when pulling up to the testing tent.  This testing site is for Otsego County residents only, call 547-4279 to pre-register for the clinic.

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U.S. Senator Charles Schumer will meet with business owners for an economic summit today in Sidney today.  Schumer’s meeting will begin at 4:00 PM at the Sidney Civic Center.

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1 of the Sidney Central School District’s parent informational meeting has been posted to the school website & social media and parents need to access the fall attendance registration form, also available on social media and the district’s website, Superintendent Eben Bullock explains:

(Eben Bullock 8-17-20)

More information or registration is available at 561-7703 today and Tuesday; all parents need to complete the official registration form for attending school in September and it will only be available through Tomorrow.

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Governor Cuomo announced today that Bowling alleys, gyms, museums and other low-risk indoor cultural venues will be allowed to open shortly with strict COVID-19 guidelines.  Cuomo said that Bowling alleys will be allowed to open Monday, with 50% occupancy capacity, face masks & social distancing must be followed & every other lane will be closed, thorough cleaning and disinfection of shared or rented equipment between each use will be required; and all food service must follow all state-issued guidance.  The opening date and rules for gyms will be revealed on Monday.

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Chenango County Department of Public Works will be holding their household Hazardous waste collection Tomorrow in Norwich, DPW Spokesman Dustin Hendricks explains:

(Dustin Hendricks 8-14-20)

More information is available by calling Hendricks at 337-1792, or email him at dhendricks@co.chenango.ny.us.

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The State Department of Motor Vehicles is expanding New Yorkers’ ability to complete certain transactions through secure drop boxes. The drop boxes can be used for license plate surrenders, address changes, and license and registration renewals. Customers using drop boxes must wear face coverings and maintain social distancing. Drop boxes are located at all state-run DMV offices and are available during regular office hours.  More information is available at dmv.ny.gov.

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A Black Lives Matter peaceful protest & discussion will be held at the Bainbridge Village Green Park Saturday afternoon at 1:00 PM.  Those who would like to speak are requested to send an email to BLMBAINBRIDGE@GMAIL.COM.  Mask wearing & social distancing requirements will be mandatory at the event.

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The Broome County Health Department announced that Friday that they were up to 1102 COVID 19 cases, with 74 deaths, 926 recoveries & 496 are being monitored by the Health Department they have conducted over 32,600 tests since March.

Chenango County Public Health announced that they had no new COVID 19 positive tests Thursday, they have had 218 total cases since March, there are 96 people under quarantine, 1 person is hospitalized, there have been 197 recoveries, and they have performed just under 19,000 tests.

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The Oneonta City School District has posted their extensive District Re-opening plan on their website.  With the expected influx of college students coming from all over the country to Oneonta, the district announced that they will remain in the remote learning environment to start the 2020-2021 school year; they will reevaluate that model when they approach the Interim Progress Report period of October 9th. 

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Congressman Anthony Brindisi announced over $290,000 in grant funding for fire departments across New York’s 22nd District.   The grant money is awarded through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, will help local fire departments prioritize operations and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  Locally the New Berlin Fire Department will get over $29,000; the South Otselic Volunteer Fire Department will get over $74,000.

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The State DOT is advising motorists that State Route 28 is closed between Margaretville and Andes just north of the intersection of NYS Route 28 and NYS Route 30 to allow construction work required in response to recent storm. Detours will be posted.  During the closure, southbound motorists will be directed to County Route 1 to Tremperskill Road, to State Route 30, back onto NYS Route 28. Northbound motorist will follow the same path in reverse. Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Up-to-date travel information is available by calling 511, visiting 511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

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 The Unatego Central School District will hold 3 meetings next week to get parents up to date about the district’s re-opening proposal, Superintendent Dr. Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 8-13-20)

The Virtual meetings with parents will be on Monday at 2:00 & 6:00 PM & Tuesday at 3:00 PM, more information is available on the Unatego District website.

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The Afton Central School district announced that there will be a remote Special Community Meeting today at 2:00 PM; the link to the virtual meeting is available on the district website.  Afton Superintendent Tim McNamara told WCDO News what their plans are for students for the fall:

(Tim McNamara 8-14-20)

McNamara said that on August 21 at 9:00 A.M. there will be a special live presentation in the Margery Secrest Memorial Auditorium and available remotely by clicking Special Community Meeting on the school website. The district’s reopening plan is also available on the district website.

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The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced more than $100 million in additional emergency food assistance for New Yorkers adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, is available.   About 700,000 low-income individuals and families enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or “SNAP” will receive a supplemental payment to bring them up to the maximum allowable benefit for August to help them avoid food insecurity.   More information is available at otda.ny.gov/SNAP-COVID-19.

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Sales tax revenue for local governments in July fell 8.2% compared to the same period last year, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Collections for counties and cities in July totaled $1.3 billion or $116 million less than in July 2019. Although revenue is still down compared to July 2019, the decline is less steep than any month since March, when the COVID-19 pandemic began to affect sales tax collections.

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Delaware County Public Health received 1 new positive test result for COVID-19 Thursday and no additional recoveries have been reported, the known active cases is 2. To date there have been 98 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, with 23 people now under mandatory quarantine.  The 2 people are receiving care at home, since March, 6 people have died and 90 have fully recovered.

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