The State Department of Labor announced the adoption of the final farm labor overtime regulations, the phased-in, gradual reduction in the overtime pay threshold will begin on January 1, 2024, with the threshold set at 56 hours. The process will continue with the overtime threshold limit reducing by 4 hours every other year until reaching 40 hours in 2032. More information is available at dol.ny.gov/farm-laborers-wage-board.

———————————————–

The Delaware County Board of Supervisors announced that a joint mission of the U.S. military and the County of Delaware with an Innovative Readiness Training mission, which will be bringing medical professionals to Walton July 11th through the 19th, providing several free medical, dental & Veterinary services. Director of Delaware County Planning & Watershed Affairs, Shelly Johnson-Bennett told WCDO News about the effort:

(Shelly Johnson-Bennett 2-22-23)

Volunteers will be needed to help with the event anyone interested can call Delaware Opportunities at (607) 746-1600.

——————————————

AK Strong T-shirts are being made available locally, to assist with the medical expenses for the McEwan-Lomnicki as their daughter Anielle, also known as “AK”, remains at a Syracuse Hospital with injuries sustained when she was hit by a car while walking home from school last week. Local businessman Mike Gavin explains:

(Mike Gavin 2-22-23)

Gavin said that area restaurants will be donating 10% of their sales to the family, Beez Kneez will participate on Friday, Gavin’s, Machos Taco’s, Tina Old Fashioned Donuts, Sidney Joe’s Pizzeria, Trackside Dining & Club 55 will be participating on Saturday. Donations are also being accepted through the Trinity O’Connor Foundation, more information is available by contact Kim Ayres at 607-226-8031.

————————————————-

A mix of Winter Precipitation is expected this evening & over night, Local Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Townsend 2-22-23)

The National Weather Service has a Winter Weather Advisory in effect through tomorrow Morning.

——————————————————

Governor Kathy Hochul appeared in Johnson City this morning, she outlined some of the executive Budget Proposal Items that are aimed at helping the Southern Tier:

(Governor Hochul 2-22-23)

Governor Hochul discussed $1.4 billion in School Aid for the Southern Tier, Over $151 million in DOT capital projects, $50 million for Binghamton University to continue establishing a hub for battery technology innovation, Over $23 million for local paving and pothole repairs, $963,000 for Broome Community College, $16 million for addiction services funding, the 227 Billion Dollar Budget proposal is being negotiated & is due on April 1st.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-22-23

The New York State Department of Health today issued the results of its latest annual chronic disease public opinion survey. According to the survey, 88% think heroin use is a serious public health problem, 90% site the use or misuse of prescription opioids, 92% said childhood obesity, 85% think tobacco use continues to be a major problem, 80% reported issues with health care access, 77% said alcohol consumption & 46% think marijuana are other serious health problems.

——————————————————————————–

The Downsville Fire Department is hosting a Red Cross blood drive today at their location on State Route 30 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Appointments can be made at 1-800 RED CROSS, redcrossblood.org or with the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

————————————————————

(Cuomo 4-8-20)

Cuomo said that the Number of those entering Hospitals & ICU beds is about 1/3 of the peak number from 10 days to 2 weeks ago; the number of recoveries continues to steadily increase.

Governor Cuomo today said that New Yorkers, who are unemployed because of the Coronavirus situation, will be receiving a $600 benefit, and their weekly benefits will be extended an additional 13 weeks to 39 weeks.

————————————————————————-

 Chenango County Health officials announced Wednesday that they are now up to 53 confirmed Coronavirus cases.  7 people are hospitalized, 7 have recovered, 67 are in precautionary Quarantine, and 327 are in Mandatory quarantine.

—————————————————————————————————-

The Otsego County Department of Health had 38 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus Wednesday, 4 are hospitalized, 9 have recovered & there has been 1 death.   113 people are in mandatory quarantine, 2 people on precautionary quarantine, 43 people have been released from quarantine.

————————————————————————-

Delaware County announced Wednesday that they have 42 Coronavirus cases, excluding those cases that that were transferred to New York City.  22 are in mandatory isolation, 6 in precautionary quarantine & 42 are in mandatory quarantine

————————————————————————-

Broome County had 88 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus Wednesday, 9 have recovered, there have been 6 deaths, 48 are in precautionary quarantine, and 161 are in mandatory quarantine.

——————————————————–

Commerce Chenango will start a “Virtual Lunch” Webinar Series over the next 5 Thursdays on “Zoom” starting tomorrow, regarding Important Issues and Concerns to area businesses trying to navigate their way through this difficult time.  Commerce Chenango CEO Kerri Green explains:

(Kerri Green 4-8-20)

Green said that the virtual series is being offered free of charge and is open to the public. Participants are asked to support a local restaurant by ordering their to-go lunch prior to the webinar. To register, email “register@chenangony.org” or call 334-1402. An email confirmation with the invitation link for the webinar will be sent to the registrant 24 hours in advance of the webinar.

————————————————-

State Senator Jim Seward’s office announced today that he was moved out of intensive care Unit at Albany Medical Tuesday night, where he is being treated for the Coronavirus, he is expected to begin to convalesce at home as soon as it is deemed appropriate.

——————————————————

The New York State Fair will be five days longer this year, if the fair isn’t canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.  The state budget includes a total of $5 million to extend the fair and continue repair and rehabilitation of the fair’s facilities to allow for year-round operation of the fairgrounds.  The five-day extension will push the first day of the fair up to Friday, August 21.

———————————————–

The Coronavirus pandemic has thrown the Dairy industry, local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch explains:

(Crouch 4-8-20)

Cornell University economists predict that the Coronavirus could be even more devastating to the Dairy industry than the 2009 recession.

Delaware County meeting will continue today, by teleconferencing.  The Department of Public Works Committee will meet via conference call at 8:45 AM, The Delaware County Finance Committee will meet via conference call at 10:30 AM, and The Delaware County Board of Supervisors will hold its regular meeting at 1:00 p.m. by teleconference as part of the County’s COVID-19 response plan.  All business conducted by the Board of Supervisors will be recorded for the public and a full transcript will be made available on the county’s webpage. 

——————————————

Governor Cuomo announced the state will invest in private companies to bring rapid COVID-19 testing to scale and accelerate testing capacity. Businesses interested in working with the state to manufacture these rapid tests on a large scale should contact Empire State Development at 212-803-3100 or COVID19supplies@esd.ny.gov.

—————————————

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held today at the AO Fox Hospital Tri-Town Campus in Sidney.  The Blood drive will be from 1:30 to 5:30 PM, Appointments are requested at 1-800- RED CROSS or at redcrossblood.org, or with the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

———————–

The Delaware County Board of Elections reported that registered voters will receive a mail check card shortly; however these cards were printed out before the dates of the Primaries were moved to June 23rd from the original April date, anyone with questions can contact the Board of Elections at 832-5321 or by email BOE.MOVE@co.delaware.ny.us

————————

(Gene Pigford 11-29-18)

Supervisor Pigford said that the buildings were purchased for a nominal fee and will initially serve as a Green Space.
————————————
Sidney area residents over 65 can get assistance with medical bills of prescription costs through the Mary MacKinnon Trust Fund. Community Bank Trust Department Spokesperson Julia Goff explains:

(Julia Goff 11-29-18)

Goff said that the trust fund has been active & growing for over 50 years, more information is available at 433-4212
—————————————

The race in the 22nd Congressional District is over, with Anthony Brindisi officially being called the winner, and outgoing Republican Claudia Tenney finally conceded the race yesterday. Brindisi has already been in Washington for orientation, Tenney leaves after serving only 1 term in Congress.
———————————–
The Tri-Town Coalition On Substance Abuse Prevention will hold their next regular meeting this evening. The meeting will be held in the Sidney High School Library from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, the guest speaker will be Megan Waldrath of PRC.
———————————–
The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting this evening in the Guilford Elementary School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

(Teri Schunk 11-16-18)

The Annual Tree Lighting will be held at 6:00 PM, and Santa & Mrs. Claus will be set up to see area children at Whitaker Way after the parade & Tree Lighting.
—————————————–
The Jericho Arts Council announced that they will have the out of the Woodwork Players at the Bainbridge Town Hall Theater. “Mom’s Gift” will be performed tonight & Saturday night at 7:00 PM, and Sunday at 2:00 PM at the Town Hall Theater. More information is available at JerichArts.com or on the Out Of the Woodwork Players Facebook page.
———————————————–
ACCO Brand employees rallied together for the Sidney United Way campaign this year, with 250 employees taking part in this year’s fundraiser. The donations will help local charities such as the Sidney Emergency Squad, Local Girl and Boy Scout Troops, Delaware Valley Humane Society, Tri-County Senior Center, American Red Cross, Local Food Banks, Catholic Charities and many others. the fall 2018 campaign raised and donated more than $25,000 to help support the work of the Sidney United Way.
————————————————–

New York State’s unemployment rate fell to 4.0% in October 2018, matching its lowest level on record, according to preliminary figures released by the State Department of Labor. The number of unemployed New Yorkers fell in October, from 397,600 to 387,700, its lowest level since April 2001. There was also a 26,600 person increase in the state’s civilian labor force, the largest monthly gain recorded since March 2004. Current labor force data extend back to 1976.
————————————————
The Delaware County Board of Supervisors has proposed a 103 Million dollar budget proposal for fiscal year 2019 this week. The plan calls for a Property tax increase of about 1.56%. A public meeting will be held on the budget at the next board meeting on November 28 at 1:00 PM in Delhi.
————————————————
The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and urgently needs donors to give blood today at 2 area locations. The Oneonta blood drive will be held from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM at SUNY Oneonta & in Cooperstown from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Bassett Hall, 1 Atwell Road. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS
—————————————
Free Coats, Hats, Scarves & Gloves in gently used condition will be given away this Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the Butternut Grange hall at 7 Bloom Street in Gilbertsville. The event is open to anyone in need.
———————————————————

(Seward 5-29-14)

The legislature has only a few weeks left before the end of their 2014 session.

————————–

Convicted murderer David Dart of Portlandville had his application for parole release rejected for the 2^nd time. Dart has served more than 24½ years in prison for the September 1989 murder of 18 year old Gillian Gibbons, who was found fatally stabbed by her sister, in her car parked ion the lower level of the Oneonta Municipal Parking Garage.  A campaign to keep Dart from being released was launched on Facebook by Gibbon’s relatives.

———————————–

The Delaware County Board of Supervisors approved establishing a 2% occupancy tax at their recent meeting in Delhi.  58 of the 62 counties in the state have a similar tax.  The tax is expected to bring in an additional $197,000 in revenue. The plan now goes to Albany for approval by the state Legislature. The board also authorized the purchase of a 12-passenger van for the Veterans Service

————————————–

State senators are pushing considering a new bicycle safety bill, which would add a bicycle and pedestrian safety component to the required driver’s education manual and exam. The new material will cover safely passing a cyclist on the road, special considerations while driving in urban areas, the definition and designation of bike lanes and navigating an intersection with pedestrians and bicycle riders.  The surge in cycling popularity has resulted in more than 200,000 riders sharing state roadways.

—————————————-

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce announced their 28^th Annual Golf Classic will be held on Thursday, August 7^th.   The event will be held at the Oneonta Country Club; with 11:30am Lunch and registration & a 1:00pm shot gun start. More information is available at 432-4500.

———————————————-

Governor Cuomo announced that New York and 7 other states have agreed on a plan to dramatically increase the number of clean vehicles being driven by consumers. Under the Multi-State Zero-Emission Vehicles Action Plan, the states set a goal to have 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles on U.S. roads by 2025.   The Multi-State ZEV Action Plan can be accessed at  nescaum.org.

——————————

(Bonacic 4-21-14)

The Delaware County hotline to inform police of heroin & drug related problems is 888-914-9111, all calls will be confidential.

———————————-

State Troopers arrested 49-year-old Patrick Keigel of New Lisbon for Unlawful Imprisonment, Menacing and 3^rd degree Assault.  The arrest followed a dispute in New Lisbon, where Kiegel allegedly pulled a victims hair out, threatened to strike the victim with a hammer & held the victim against their will.  Kiegel was arraigned in the Town of New Lisbon Court and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $1,000 cash bail.  An  order of protection was issued against Kiegel for the victim.

———————————-

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 65-year-old Carolyn Steifel of Oxford Saturday, on charges of Felony Burglary and Petty Larceny.  Stiefel was charged following an investigation into a reported larceny at a Norwich business, where she had been ordered to never return, due to previous larceny issues.  Stiefel was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and remanded to the custody of The Chenango County Sheriff’s pending court action.

—————————

The former State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno will go on trial again next month, he is accused of 2 charges under a revised fraud case alleging the he took bribes or kickbacks.  Bruno is accused of accepting more than $400,000 from a businessman for helping with state grants. Bruno led the Senate’s majority for 14 years before stepping down in 2008.  Bruno was acquitted in 2009 of 5 fraud counts and convicted of 2 others. The convictions were overturned on appeal.  The trial is scheduled for May 5th

—————————-

The Delaware Valley Humane Society announced today that they would celebrate their 50th anniversary in June.  The event will be held on Saturday June 21st from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM at the shelter in Sidney.

————————————

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their next “Business After Hours” event today.  The program will be hosted by Snips & Snails Children’s Consignment, the Bainbridge Main Street Guild & Buttercup Bakery & Culinary Center, the Snips & Snails location at 28 North Main Street.  The event runs from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

——————————————-

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

————————————-

The Village of Bainbridge Planning Board will hold their regular monthly meeting tonight at 7 PM in the Village Clerk’s Office at 33  West Main Street in Bainbridge.  The public is welcome

(Sue McIntyre 11-19-13)

———————————-

The Chenango county sheriff’s office reports that Stolen items have been recovered following a recent investigation.  The larcenies occurred from vehicles between the evening of November 5th and November 6th in the area of State Highway 41, Collyer Road & Cummings Road in the Town of Smithville. Anyone that had items stolen are asked to contact the department at 337-1932.

————————————-

A delay in development of a new federal flood insurance program, to insure premiums are affordable, has prompted a group of federal lawmakers to introduce legislation to freeze any potential rate hikes.  Without a delay, flood insurance premiums could rise by as much as 20% per year. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is among the supporters of legislation to hold off on increased rates

—————————————-

Governor Cuomo announced the launch of FuzeHub, a new collaborative resource platform developed to spur the growth of State manufacturers.  FuzeHub aims to connect small and medium sized manufacturing companies to several state technology resources, including the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, universities, economic development organizations, and other programs to help businesses overcome challenges, encourage innovation and driving economic growth and job creation. Find out more at governor.ny.gov

—————————————

State Assemblyman Cliff Crouch will be hosting another town hall meeting tonight in the Town of Nanticoke.  The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM at the Nanticoke Town Hall at 755 Cherry Valley Hill Road in Maine. 

(Solvei Blue)

—————————————

The State DOT announced that crews would be performing bridgework on Interstate 81 southbound over the Chenango River, between exits 5 and 4 in the City of Binghamton, beginning at 9:00 this morning.  Traffic will be reduced to a single travel lane; the work is anticipated to be completed by 3:00 PM.  Also crews will be removing concrete barrier on State Route 17 westbound between exits 72 and 71 in the City of Binghamton, starting at 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.