(Cuomo Budget 1-21-14)

Cuomo said that the state spending is up only 1.7%, the state legislature now has until April 1st to get the budget plan passed.

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The new Senior Center opened today on the 2nd floor of the Sidney Civic Center, which will be tied into the recreational facilities at the Sidney Boys & Girls Club.  Club Director Trish Tyrell said that many area organizations and businesses have supported this project:

(Trish Tyrell 1-21-14)

Congressman Chris Gibson attended the ribbon cutting for the Senior Center this morning, he commented about the importance of this undertaking:

(Congressman Chris Gibson 1-21-14)

More information about the Senior Center or the Boys & girls Club is available at 561-2311.

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The Oneonta Police Department announced the arrests of 3 juveniles, in connection with the vandalism at Doc Knapp Field, Riverside Elementary School, the Swart –Wilcox House and a vehicle last weekend.  Police officials said the tips provided by the public led to these arrests.  All 3 suspects are under the age of 16, their identities will not be released, and the investigation is still continuing.

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The new season of “American Idol” began last week on Fox, with taped auditions from various venues.  Last week’s season debut featured 15 year old Kaitlyn Jackson of Norwich, performing her original song “Another Angel”.  Jackson told WCDO News about the experience, and the surprise of seeing herself on national television:

(Kaitlyn Jackson 1-21-14)

The next step for Jackson is “Hollywood Week” as she and 205 other hopefuls vie for the chance to become one of 30 finalists to compete for the next “American Idol”.

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Federal Authorities closed down Lyn’s Leisure Tyme Gun Shop in Davenport last Thursday, when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms raided the establishment on state route 23.  The Bureau has not released details of the raid Thursday, the Delaware county sheriffs department were not involved in the raid.

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Plans are continuing to go forward, for the ambitious plan to try to get village of Sidney residents out of the flood prone areas downtown, into a new settlement to be built in the Plankenhorn Road area.  Sidney village Economic development Director John Redente explains:

(John Redente 1-21-14)

Village Mayor Andy Matviak said that another informational meeting would be held on January 29th at 7:00 PM at the river street Fire Training Center.

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Norwich police and Chenango county Sheriff’s deputies arrested 33-year-old Travis Rifanburg of Norwich and 30 year old Kajuan Bunn of Brooklyn, following an investigation into heroin trafficking in Norwich.  Police officer & sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at 21 Plymouth Street in Norwich, Packaged heroin was seized during the search, Rifanburg was charged with criminal nuisance, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminally using drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana.  Bunn was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminally using drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument and unlawful possession of marijuana.

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The Broome County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division has arrested 21-year-old Eric Sturdevant of Port Crane for 2nd degree Burglary.  Sturdevant is accused of burglarizing a home in the Town of Colesville on October 12th he was arraigned in the Town of Colesville Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail pending future court action.

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The Platinum Street Ballers will be back in Sidney this year, as part of an annual fundraiser for the Sidney Boys & Girl’s club on Saturday November 9th at the Sidney High School Gym.  Club Director Trish Tyrell comments:

(Trish Tyrell)

Tickets are available at the boys & girls club in the Civic Center, the Sidney Great American, VEP, Sidney Flowers & Gifts, & Hometown Pizza in Franklin, the money raised will help the Boys & Girls club continue to operate their programs for area youth.

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Chenango County Sheriff’s department arrested a Town of Colesville resident and a Town of Afton Resident on charges of 3rd degree Burglary 3rd, Conspiracy and Criminal Sale of Marihuana.  The arrests followed a complaint from a civilian at Davy Field in the Village of Afton, who found 2 people inside a concession stand building; She was able to stop one of the subjects and contacted Sheriff Cutting, who responded to the location and took the 14-year-old male into custody. He was able to locate the second individual a short distance away and took the second 14-year-old male into custody as well.  Both defendants were released on juvenile appearance tickets and released to the custody of their parents.

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State Troopers arrested 18 year old Italyia Circelli of Arverne for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property and Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle & 20 year old Sydnee Girard of Freeport for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. The arrests were the result of a traffic stop on State Highway 17, in Hancock; Circelli was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on  $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 property bond.  GIRARD was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Hancock Court on October 21st.

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New York state spending dropped for the 2^nd  year in a row, but its debt hit a record $63.5 billion in the last fiscal year. The annual Financial Condition report from state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s report found state spending fell 0.3% in the 2012-13 fiscal year from the prior year. But since 2009, state spending outpaced inflation, growing a total of 9.5%. New York is the second most indebted state in the country.

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Tuesday marked the beginning of the enrollment period for Medicare. Seniors can choose from a number of Medicare plans for their insurance or keep their existing plan through December 7^th, each choice carries slightly different benefits and some plans have changed since the previous year. More detaisl are available at Medicare.gov

State police arrested 24-year-old Ivan Potocnik of Laurens for DWI & leaving the scene of a property damage accident.   Potocnik is accused of hitting a parked car on county route 10 in Laurens & driving away from the accident, he was stopped by state troopers a short time after the incident.  Potocnik faces court action shortly.

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57-year-old Binghamton fire fighter John Janos was found dead inside a Binghamton firehouse early Saturday morning, after responding to a false alarm Friday night.  Janos was a member of Binghamton’s Fire Department since 1988; an autopsy revealed that the cause of death was heart failure, Calling hours are scheduled for 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, at McCormick’s Funeral Home, Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 AM Wednesday, at St Thomas Aquinas Church in Binghamton.

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The Boys & Girls club of Sidney is holding their 2^nd fundraiser of the year.  Club director Jim Tweedie explains:

(Tweedie 4-8-13)