The State Health department reports the incidence of COVID 19 cases has remained steady, with the state positivity rate for those tested still slightly over 6%. Patient Hospitalizations have been slowly increasing, up to more than 2800, with almost 300 New Yorkers in an ICU & 116 on Ventilators, a 27% increase over a 7 day period. The total number of deaths in Hospitals & nursing homes is 58, 578 since the pandemic began.

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Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James today announced a major expansion in usage of New York State’s Red Flag Law. Following an executive order and legislation signed by Governor Hochul, courts across the State have issued 1,908 Extreme Risk Protection Orders, more than doubling the number of orders issued since the law became effective in 2019. State Police have applied for 339 orders since the Buffalo Tops Supermarket shooting, that was more than 300% higher than the number of applications made last year, and courts have approved 86.5% of those applications.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 25 year old Ryan Decker of Walton Sunday, after Deputies observed a vehicle traveling at 72 miles per hour in a posted 55 mph speed zone. Decker was stopped & a check of his driver’s license revealed that his driving privileges were suspended in the State of New York. Decker was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, speeding along with other charges, he was released and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Colchester Court at a later date.

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The Sidney Great American Food Store announced that they will be closing their doors soon, after many decades at their current Location. There will be a few changes in the coming weeks to many of the store’s policies, more details will be released on the store’s Facebook page.

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A.M. NEWS Monday 10-24-22

State Police responded Saturday to the Canadarago Lake boat launch for a report of a missing kayaker. 47-year-old Frederick Mayock of Springfield, Massachusetts was last seen assembling a kayak at approximately 12:30 pm., his kayak and other items were later found unoccupied. State Police Helicopters & Divers responded, anyone who may see Mayock is asked to call State Police in Sidney at (607) 561-7400.

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Oneonta Police & Emergency crews responded Friday night when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on the James F. Lettis Highway, at about 6:45 PM. 54 year old Dale Clark was found in the roadway, he was struck by 1 vehicle, and was later declared deceased. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oneonta Police Department at 607-432-1111.

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State Police are looking for any information regarding a shooting incident that occurred Saturday at about 12:50 AM at Madame Oars, at 584 Upper Court Street, in the town of Kirkwood. Police reported that 1 person was shot, anyone with information should call State Police at (607) 561-7400.

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Famed “Star Trek” star & Author George Takei is scheduled to be a speaker at SUNY Oneonta today at 7:00 PM at the Alumni Field House. Takei is the author of “They Called Us Enemy”, which is a New York Times Best Seller, in which he describes his experiences of growing up in internment camps in the United States as a Japanese American during World War II.

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Governor Hochul announced the start of the 2nd phase of a plan to allow 3rd parties to offer the Commercial Driver License road test, to both public and private entities. The program is being implemented to address the shortage of bus and truck drivers. Any qualified third party is now eligible to apply for certification through the DMV, New Yorkers can find more information at dmv.ny.gov/commercial-drivers.

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Famed “Star Trek” star & Author George Takei is scheduled to be a speaker at SUNY Oneonta on October 24 at 7:00 PM at the Alumni Field House. Takei is the author of “They Called Us Enemy”, which is a New York Times Best Seller, in which he describes his experiences of growing up in internment camps in the United States as a Japanese American during World War II.

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State Police and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services announced that a contingent of 50 State Troopers left Saturday morning for Puerto Rico to help the island nation as it recovers from the devastation left behind in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. The first wave of 50 Troopers, along with 69 New Jersey State Troopers, flew out of JFK airport at about 10 am. this morning bound for Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The flight was donated by Jet Blue Airlines.

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A free virtual job fair will be held Wednesday from 11:00am to 1:00pm for businesses & job seekers from across the region,, The job fair can be found at pvapi.premiervirtual.com

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The State DOT will hold a public hearing this Wednesday at 5:30 pm. to discuss plans to enhance safety at 4 sites on State Route 8 in the towns of Columbus, New Berlin and Norwich. The proposed project will widen traffic lanes and shoulders, improve sight distances & reduce curves, the hearing will take place at the Unadilla Valley Central School Auditorium. More information is available at dot.ny.gov/Rt8Safety

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Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested Amy Schermerhorn of New Berlin following a traffic Stop in the town of Pittsfield. Schermerhorn was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Operating a Motor Vehicle with .08% Blood Alcohol Content, She will appear in court at a later date.

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Johnson City Police arrested 3 people in connection with the shooting of a man in the abdomen last week. Destiany Kleine-Hill, Justice Marimberga and David Van Patten were all charged with Attempted Murder, 1st degree Robbery & 2nd degree Burglary.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 9-26-22

Delaware County Public Health Services will be conducting a Monkeypox vaccine clinic on Wednesday, October 5, from 4:30PM to 6:00 PM, at 99 Main Street in Delhi. The two vaccine doses are given 28 days apart. This is a 1st dose clinic only. More information is available at 607-832-5200 To register for the clinic, go to delawarecountypublichealth.com.

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DCMO BOCES in Norwich is currently auctioning off 3 used school buses. The online auctions are open to the public at municibid.com and ends Thursday, September 29th.

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Assemblyman Joe Angelino announced the launch of a $200 million Seed Fund Grant Program, which is targeted at helping small businesses recover after the COVID-19 pandemic. More Information and access to the application portal can be found at nyseedgrant.com. The program is in addition to the $800 million Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program, which helped more than 35,000 small businesses with roughly $639 million since it began last year. Businesses may call 877-721-0097 for assistance from Empire State Development.

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Norwich Police Department arrested Luis Franco of Brooklyn after they responded to a repport of an assault on September 22nd. The victim sustained broken bones, a fractured spine and a collapsed lung and was taken to a Binghamton Hospital, Franco was charged with Assault in the 2nd degree, he was arraigned and held on $25,000 cash bail.

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