US Senator Charles Schumer is calling for more stream and river guages for New York State. Schumer is urging passage of the Obama Administrations 2014 budget, which includes 36.2 million dollars for the gauge program, an increase of 7.3 million dollars. The budget also includes 63 million dollars for the USGS Cooperative Water Program, an increase of 400 thousand dollars. Schumer would like see up to 300 new stream guages installed nationwide, with New York State being given particular focus. Schumer said that if approved, the funding would go into effect October 1st. You can view the river guages for our local area online 24 hours a day at our website, at WCDO Radio dot com.

Vestal police charged 36 year old Dale Paulhamus of Newark Valley with 3rd degree larceny after an investigation in misappropriation of car parts and money while he was the parts manager of Matthews Auto Group in Vestal and Norwich. During 2011 and 2012, Paulhamus is accused of ordering parts and creating fictitious purchase orders that were charged to the Matthews Auto Group. Paulhamus either used the parts or sold them for cash according to police.

More than $1.1 billion in unclaimed life insurance benefits have been recovered nationwide after an investigation by New York regulators. The state’s Department of Financial Services said many insurance companies are not using lists of recent deaths from the Social Security Administration to determine whether a policy holder had died. New York regulators will direct insurers to go to NYPolicyFinder.com, to help residents locate lost life insurance policies and annuity contracts.
During a visit to Ithaca yesterday, Gov. Cuomo shed more light on his conversations with FEMA representatives about getting money for flood victims in the Mohawk Valley. Cuomo continued to say that he was not optimistic about getting aid for homeowners. Cuomo said many of the people he visited in the flooded regions did not have insurance that covered their losses. He would have to call a special session of the state legislature to get funding for flood victims.

State police officials said nearly 1,500 qualified applicants have already signed up to take the upcoming trooper exam. The application period ends September 8. Exam dates are October 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2013. The online application can be found at the State Police Recruitment website at nytrooper.com

State regulators have scheduled a series of hearings on a proposal to reduce the volume of carbon dioxide emissions allowed in a nine-state region. New York is part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which plans to cap emissions at 91 million tons each year starting in 2014, down about 45 percent from the current 165 million-ton cap. The proposal would also set a $2 per ton price on allowances power plants can trade. The DEC hearings will be in late August.

New poll results show former Gov. Eliot Spitzer leading in the race for New York City comptroller, but allegations of his involvement in a prostitution scandal continue to dog him. Two women’s rights group leaders held a news conference this week to denounce his decision to run again for public office. Spitzer resigned in 2008 after being identified as a client of a pricey escort service that was under federal investigaion. Spitzer was never charged with any crime. Spitzer topped fellow Democratic hopeful Scott Stringer by 42 to 33 percent among registered Democrats, according to a Wall Street Journal poll.

State troopers arrested 22 year old George Holbert of Guilford for 4th degree criminal mischief and 2nd degree Harassment following a dispute on State Route 8, in the Town of Guilford. Holbert was arraigned in town of Guilford court and sent to the Chenango County jail on $2,000.00 bail.

State troopers arrested 36 year old Rob Lane of Endicott for 2nd degree criminal impersonation following a traffic stop on I-81 in the town of Triangle. Lane used a false name and did not have a valid driver’s license. Lane was issued an appearance ticket for town of Triangle court July 15.

New York Senator Charles Schumer announced Monday that New York State will be a participant in the USDA Greek Yogurt Pilot Program. The USDA released a solicitation to purchase Greek yogurt for delivery to participating schools in the upcoming School Year. Schools in New York, Tennessee, Idaho, and Arizona will be participating in the program. Bids are due on July 22 and the FSA expects to evaluate the bids and make awards by the end of July.

State Senator Jim Seward Announced a 250 Thousand dollar state grant for medical equipment and to help complete renovations at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta. The grant will assist in the purchase of wall mounted computers and scanners to be used in single occupance patient rooms.

The Village of Bainbridge Planning Board will hold a special meeting Wednesday night to consider a site plan review for 2-4 Whitney Way in Bainbridge, the location where a fire recently destroyed the Upturn Industries building. The Meeting will be held at 7pm inside the Bainbridge Village Clerk’s Office. The meeting is open to the public.

The New York State Department of Transportation will hold a public information meeting to discuss the replacement of the State Route 30 and 206 bridge over the East Branch Delaware River in the town of Colchester. The meeting will take place at the Downsville Fire Station this Wednesday at 7pm. The DOT said the bridge was constructed in 1953 and is nearing the end of it’s service life.

The Binghamton Zoo will have an ice cream safari this Saturday July 13th. Five station will be positioned around the zoo with 5 different ice cream flavors. All of the zoo’s animals will be on display including animal spotlights. For more information, go to Ross Park Zoo dot com.

The next Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic for dogs, cats, and ferrets in Delaware County, will be held today at the Deposit Town Clerk building at 3 Elm Street. The clinic will run from 6:00PM-8:00PM, more information is available at 832-5200 or at delawarecountypublichealth.com

On Friday evening, July 19th at 9:00 pm The Shire Pub in Delhi will be hosting a fundraiser for Habitat of Delaware County. Members of Habitat for Humanity of Delaware County are planning for a building project in the Delhi area. Additional information regarding Habitat for Humanity of Delaware County is available by accessing delawarecountyhabitat.org or at 746-9987.

The Mayor of the Village of Sherburne is requesting a voluntary evacuation of the south end of the village due to flash flooding. Streets include Chapel, South Main and adjoining streets. This includes Sherburne Senior Housing.

A shelter is being set up at Sherburne-Earlville Elementary School. Two buses are being sent to Sherburne Senior Housing to provide transportation for residents. If you need additional assistance, please call the Sherburne Fire Department at 674-2204.

– Serious flash flooding is occurring right now in the Sherburne area. Multiple roads and streets are closed. Some streets/roads reportedly have 2′-3′ of water going across them. Emergency personnel are handling multiple calls in the area. Do NOT drive unless you are leaving your residence due to flooding. Flooding at night is particularly dangerous. Do not drive in areas where you can not see the roadway! – Flooding has also been reported on some townroads in Columbus. – Street flooding in the City of Norwich has subsided and most streets are passable at this time.

Rain is expected to continue over the next few hours and additional flash flooding is possible.