Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa is under fire, for saying to some state lawmakers in a ZOOM meeting that the administration “Froze Up” after being asked last summer for information by the US Department of Justice, regarding the death toll in the state’s nursing homes from COVID 19. Local State Assemblyman Joe Angelino is the Ranking Republican on the Assembly Oversight, Analysis and Investigation Committee, he told WCDO news of his reaction:

(Angelino 2-12-21)

The State Health Department has released updated statistics in the last week that greatly increased the number of deaths of Nursing home residents to over 12,700, by including those who died from COVID while in a hospital.  This Afternoon, DeRosa clarified her statements by stating that Governor’s Office had asked State Lawmakers to wait for the administration’s response on Nursing Home deaths, so the administration could first resolve the Federal inquiry, she said that they were fully transparent with the Federal & then state inquiries in that order.  Some Lawmakers are calling for limiting the Governor’s emergency powers & for the resignations of DeRosa; many have also been calling for the resignation of State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker.

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2010 Unatego graduate Aaron “Frosty” Foster, who grew up in Wells Bridge, passed away unexpectedly Thursday in Tennessee.  Foster was a bluegrass musician, who currently had the #6 song on the Bluegrass charts, with Troy Boone, entitled “Country Fool”. Foster was inducted in 2020 into the Unatego Central School District Hall Of Distinction, he was 28.

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Major League Baseball announced today that all 120 Minor League Clubs offered an invitation to become Professional Development League (“PDL”) license holders, have officially agreed to accept. The Binghamton Rumble Ponies, selected as partners by the New York Mets, will provide both facilities and communities that are essential to the development of the next generation of big-league stars.  The Rumble Ponies will compete in a brand new League for the 2021 season and beyond. They will take part in the New Double-A Northeast League, and will be seeded in the Northeast division.

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State Police arrested 33 year old Carlos Smith of Utica, for torturing, injuring & failing to feed 6 dogs left at his former residence in the town of Davenport in December.  Smith was officially charged with 6 counts of failing to provide proper sustenance to animals; a warrant was issued for his arrest, which occurred late Thursday afternoon.

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State Police located 15 year old Trevor Mallory in the City in Binghamton in good health; he was turned over to the custody of a family member.  Mallory was reported missing on February 2nd, where he was last seen leaving the town of Colesville in a vehicle.  State Police stated that tips from the public & and the sharing of Mallory’s picture on social media led to his reappearance.

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Republican Claudia Tenney was sworn in to serve in the New York 22nd Congressional District yesterday, she previously served in Congress from 2016 to 2018 when she lost her re-election bid to Democrat Anthony Brindisi, who she just defeated by 109 votes, the vote count wasn’t certified until earlier this week after a prolonged vote count & issues with ballots in Oneida & Chenango Counties. 

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A.O. Fox Tri-Town Campus in Sidney will hold a Blood Drive Monday from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM, Spokesperson Rebecca Brooks-White said that there is a shortage of many blood types:

(Rebecca Brooks White 2-12-21)

Appointments may be made at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-Red Cross.

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Chenango County Public Health reported another COVID related death today, bringing their total to 49. The report 102 active cases, 280 quarantined & 20 hospitalized, their total number of cases is up to 2285.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-12-21

State Police updated their information regarding Thursday’s crash of a garbage truck on State Route 17 in the town of Windsor.  The unidentified 64 year old driver from the Bronx was traveling at an unsafe speed, and made an unsafe lane change, he went through the guiderail and into the median, struck an earth embankment, the truck continued & the tractor became detached & overturned and came to rest in the median between the over passes for State Line Road.  The driver was taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, the truck is registered to Lae Transport Corp in Newark, New Jersey, the investigation is continuing.

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Stadiums and arenas can reopen with limited spectators on February 23rd, following the success of the Buffalo Bills testing program, Governor Cuomo explained during a recent COVID 19 briefing:

(Cuomo 2-12-21)

Under the new reopening guidelines, the Barclays Center will open when the Brooklyn Nets host the Sacramento Kings.

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This weekend will be the first Free Fishing Weekend of the year, when anglers are permitted to fish for free without a license.  Tips on Ice fishing are available on the state DEC website, Participants are reminded to be socially distanced from others, wear masks & avoid sharing gear when possible.

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Delaware County Public Health reported 17 news COVID cases Thursday out of 352 tests, they have 116 active cases, 22 are hospitalized & 309 are quarantined.

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The next Delaware County Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative committee virtual meeting is Today at 1:00 pm. This meeting will be live-streamed on the Delaware County YouTube channel; the link will be shared 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting on the Delaware County Facebook page.  The live-stream video will remain available on the Delaware County YouTube channel after the meeting has ended, and a recording will be available on Facebook.

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The Greater Oneonta Historical Society has a new exhibition coming to its History Center at 183 Main Street. “Up from the Ashes, Oneonta Shaped by Fire” opens Today, the exhibition covers the history of Oneonta’s early fire companies, the Oneonta Fire Department, & notable Oneonta fires,  it  will remain on display until May 1st, more information is available at 432-0960 or info@OneontaHistory.org.

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Governor Cuomo released his Executive Budget Proposal today with a presentation in Albany.  The Governor said that he is looking at 2 scenarios from the incoming Biden administration of either 6 Billion dollars in Federal funding coupled with a reduction in state spending by 9 Billion, or 15 Billion dollars in federal aid to make up for lost 2020 revenue from COVID:

(Cuomo 1-19-21)

The Governor also said that they will include revenue adding components to the budget in the form of allowing sports betting & by legalizing marijuana.  The State has until April 1st to pass its budget for the new fiscal year.

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Governor Cuomo reported today that New York’s health care distribution sites have administered 79% of first COVID Vaccine doses received from the federal government, and 77% of first and second doses.  The Governor said that the Southern Tier was at 97% which was the highest rate in the state.  A new COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker Dashboard is available at ny.gov/vaccinetracker.

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COVID 19 statistics have been released, on Monday; there were 9,236 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide with 1,614 Patients in the ICU; 1,049 Intubated, all were increases from Sunday’s numbers.  Over 177,000 tests were conducted, with 12,512 positives, that was just over 7% of all tested, there were 167 deaths from the virus.

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Chenango County Public Health reported 2 more COVID 19 deaths over the weekend; the County has had 32 deaths since last spring.  Chenango County reports 182 active cases, 541 quarantined & 25 are hospitalized.  Chenango County is up to 1750 total positive COVID cases.

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Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 21 year old Scott Sieger of Oneonta for Larceny and Criminal Possession of Stolen property, following an investigation into a missing credit card.  Sieger was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Oneonta Court at a later date.

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The Delaware County Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative committee held a virtual meeting on Monday, and it is available for viewing on the Delaware County YouTube channel.  The committee has created a follow-up survey for Delaware County residents that may be completed online at surveymonkey.com, it can also be printed from the Delaware County website and copies can be obtained from local Town Clerk’s offices. All surveys must be received by February 2nd; Responses to the survey are anonymous, and completely voluntary.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 1-19-21

Governor Cuomo will unveil his executive budget proposal today, virtually from Albany.  The Presentation will begin at 11:30 at Governor.NY.Gov.

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Members of Governor Cuomo’s Administration will Open State Vaccination Sites.  Today at 1:00 PM, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will open the State Vaccination Site at the Binghamton University Foundation, 10 Gannett Drive in Johnson City. More information is available through am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov.

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Delaware County Public Health reported a 21st person has died of Covid-19 related complications.  The County reported 5 new COVID cases Monday with 123 active cases, 15 hospitalizations & 230 quarantined.

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Otsego County Health Department reported 26 new cases of COVID Monday with 17 hospitalized & 205 Active cases.  Otsego County reports 363 positive cases since January 1st, there have been 4 deaths since January 1st.

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The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold a General Membership Meeting This morning at 7:30 AM.  The meeting is being held in the back of Bob’s Diner.

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The annual General Clinton Canoe Regatta Kick off Meeting to start planning for this year’s event will be held this evening.  The meeting begins at 7:00 pm at Galaxy Bowl in Bainbridge.

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