Hillcrest – WCDO Radio News

WCDO NEWS FRIDAY 5-17-19

wcdonews — Fri, 17 May 2019 18:04:20 +0000

Ernest Franklin of Mount Upton is seeking a retrial, after being found guilty of murdering his special needs stepson Jeffrey, and setting fire to the family residence to cover up the murder. Franklin was due to be sentenced in Chenango County for the murder arson & tampering with physical evidence charges when the motion for a retrial was filed. Ernest Franklin’s wife Heather pleaded guilty to manslaughter, arson and evidence tampering for her role in the case.

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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Department announced 18 year old Cody Coleman has been charged with 2^nd degree murder & criminal possession of a weapon, in connection with the death of 16 year old Amelia Wakefield in Smithville on May 3^rd. Coleman was being held on a probation violation in the Chenango County Jail since the May 3rd fatal shooting of Wakefield, he was returned to the Jail without bail after an indictment was unsealed this afternoon in Chenango County Court.

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SUNY Delhi will hold its 102nd annual commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday. About 800 students will graduate with certificates and associate, bachelors, and master’s degrees, according to a media release. The ceremony will be held at the track and field facility on campus. The latest information will be available on the college website at www.delhi.edu.

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The Hartwick College Commencement Ceremony will be held tomorrow, May 18th on the campus. Seniors will assemble by 10:00 AM; the ceremony will begin at 11:30 AM at Elmore Field.

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The Fagan Flyers Fly In Breakfast at the Sidney Municipal Airport will be held this Sunday. the event will run from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, there will be plane rides, displays, craft vendors & demonstrations by LifeNet.

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“Help After Loss” will host the “Halos Memory Run/Walk on Sunday from 12:00 to 6:00 PM at the Greenlawn Elementary School Track in Bainbridge. Anyone who has experienced loss can participate and register at form.jotform.com. more information is available at helpafterloss.com or call 607-240-1550. An Event Page is also available at facebook.com/events

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This Sunday, Delaware County Public Health will be holding a free Car Seat Safety Event at Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton, from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 PM. 75% of children are riding in car seat that are not properly installed or do not fit correctly. Parents and caregivers can have their child’s car seat checked at no cost by certified child safety seat technicians. This free event will educate parents and caregivers on proper car seat installation and use. Car seats which do not meet the Federal Motor Safety Standard may be replaced. Be sure to bring your child/children to the event and expectant parents are also welcome.

In April, the number of private sector jobs in New York State grew by 24,600, or 0.3%, to 8,300,500, a new, all-time high, according to preliminary figures released by the State Department of Labor. New York’s statewide unemployment rate was at 3.9% in April.

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Chenango County Habitat for Humanity has 2 upcoming fundraisers. The 1st is a 2-day Habitat Yard Sale today from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM & Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at 16 North Canal Street in Oxford. The 2nd fundraiser will be the annual Habitat Yard and Bake Sale on Friday, May 24th at 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Saturday, May 25th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM near Fred’s Inn, at 5157 State Highway 12 south of Norwich. More information is available at 843-6249.

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The village of Unadilla will be holding their annual metal pick-up today between hours of 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. NO RUBBER, PLASTIC, GLASS, OIL, PAINT OR OTHER LIQUID WASTE WILL BE PICKED-UP & that includes Freon which would be in refrigerators, or air conditioners. Metals must be placed at curb by 7:00 am; more information is available at 369-3421.

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The Sidney Rotary Club will hold their next Membership night tonight at the Sidney American Legion at 22 Union Street. The event will begin at 5:00 PM.

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Senator Fred Akshar will be hosting his 32nd “Face Time With Fred” town hall meeting on tomorrow from 1:30pm – 3:00pm at the Hillcrest Fire Department in Hillcrest. Community members are invited to attend the informal meetings to discuss important state and local issues.

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Destination Oneonta’s Fabulous Friday Event will be held today on Main Street from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. The event will feature Tom & Doug’s Cruise In & Music From Off the Record.

WCDO NEWS MONDAY 12-18-17

wcdonews — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 20:00:28 +0000

State Police arrested 56 year old Cal Harris of Owego for DWI, with a B.A.C. result of .13%, plus Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident and other traffic violations. Troopers responded to a hit and run accident on I-81 in the town of Preble Saturday night, after a 911 caller reported that a GMC pick-up truck had side swiped their vehicle. Troopers located the Harris in that vehicle, he was processed & will appear in town of Preble Court on January 9th. Harris gained notoriety following 4 trials for allegedly murdering his wife Michelle in 2001; he was released after the 4th trial when the judge found him not guilty on murder charges, following 2 previous convictions & 1 hung jury.
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23-year-old Kevin Perry of Laurens was scheduled to appear in Oneonta Town Court this morning to face a felony hearing. Perry of accused of fatally shooting his parents in their Town of Laurens residence last Tuesday, he remains held without bail in the Otsego county jail pending future court action.
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A garage & workshop at 207 Ireland Road in the town of Bainbridge was destroyed by fire Friday afternoon. Fire fighters from Bainbridge, Sidney, Masonville, Coventry & Guilford responded to the blaze, no injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
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The Delaware County Office for the Aging & NY Connects is seeking volunteer drivers for the non-emergency medical transportation program. Areas in the county that are currently underserved are Davenport, Delhi, Downsville, Grand Gorge, and Hancock. Transportation is typically for doctor or dentist appointments, laboratory tests, X-rays, prescription pick-ups and dropping off clients for hospital stays. Drivers who volunteer their time are reimbursed for their mileage to and from their homes; more information is available at 832-5750.
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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli today issued a reminder to New Yorkers that not only are contributions to New York’s 529 College Savings Program accounts tax deductible* but now lower fees, higher maximum balances and the elimination of the $25 minimum contribution fees make it easier to save for continuing higher education. Contributions made by December 31st can provide up to $10,000 in state tax deductions on 2017 income tax filings. More information is available at nysaves.org.
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Binghamton Police arrested 35-year-old Mike Rivera of Binghamton for 2nd degree attempted Murder, for allegedly stabbing his wife several times. Rivera was arraigned and was remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail pending future court action.
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Governor Cuomo unveiled a proposal to direct the Commissioner of Labor to schedule public hearings to examine industries and evaluate the possibility of ending minimum wage tip credits in New York State. In certain workplaces, such as car washes and restaurants, where wages and tips are both generally low, workers’ income can rely entirely upon tips. The Department of Labor will hold public hearings to solicit input from workers, businesses, those who wish to testify will be able to pre-register on the Department’s website, times & locations for the hearings will be posted on that website shortly.
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Emergency crews responded to the report of a tractor-trailer rollover at about 2:00 this morning, near exit 2 on I-88 West. The Broome County Sheriff’s Office, Chenango Bridge Fire Department, and the Hillcrest Fire Department all responded, 1 lane of traffic was closed for the investigation & the clean up, so far no tickets have been announced.
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State Police stopped a vehicle on I-81 in the Town of Chenango for speeding, an odor of marihuana was detected and 21-year-old James Togo of Wilmington, Delaware, was arrested. During a search of Togo’s vehicle, Police seized 2 pounds of marihuana, a scale, drug paraphernalia, various controlled substances, and over $4,000 in cash. Togo was charged with Criminal Possession of Marihuana, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & several traffic violations. He was arraigned and was remanded to the Broome County jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.
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State Senator Fred Akshar visited 3 local schools today & & will visit a 4th on Thursday as part of his new district-wide “Akshar All-Star” student recognition program. Each month, Akshar will recognize 3 or 4 local students selected by their school districts in the 52nd Senate District who have shown leadership, compassion, & school spirit. Akshar visited students today at Norwich High School, the DCMO BOCES, Deposit High School and Thursday he will be at the Newark Valley Senior High School.

WCDO NEWS TUESDAY 2-28-17

wcdonews — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 19:52:23 +0000

The Hillcrest Fire Department reported that it was 74-year-old Roberta Bush who died in a trailer fire Sunday night. The fire was reported at around 8:30 PM Sunday at 417 West Service Road, Bush was found in the back portion of the trailer after fire fighters extinguished the blaze.
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State police reported that they are investigating the death of Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy say a sheriff’s deputy Kevin Haverly on State Route 23 in the town of Ashland. The accident occurred shortly before 6 a.m. This morning, where Deputy Haverly’s patrol vehicle left the roadway and hit a utility pole, He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Governor Cuomo was one of 6 governors who did not attend a governors meeting with President Trump this week, where the President told the governors that federal aid to the states for Medicaid would be cut. Cuomo had a private meeting with trump in New York City on January 18th.
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Talks are continuing in Albany among lawmakers to Expand access to ridesharing services like Lyft & Uber into the upstate counties. A number of ridesharing companies have successfully operated in New York City over the last several years; a bill is expected to make it to Governor Cuomo’s desk this year.
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Governor Cuomo has proposed the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, to invest a record $2 billion in critical water infrastructure across New York State. The bill follows reports of tainted water from industrial pollutants in Flint Michigan, and Hoosick Falls New York last year.
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The next meeting of the Sidney Chamber of Commerce will be tomorrow morning at 7:45 AM at Trackside Dining on Main Street. Upcoming Events for the Chamber include the New Member Coffee Hour on March 22nd, and they will be hosting the 4-Chamber Mixer on April 20th.
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New York State is expanding it’s testing of foods & Beverages in an effort to prevent food borne illnesses. The state announced that over 67,000 samples were tested last year, which was up 10% from 2015. State testing resulting in over 300 recalls last year.
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State Lawmakers return to Albany today, after having a week off. Lawmakers a little more than a month to get the budget finished for the start of the fiscal year on April 1st.
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Today, the players, coaches and families of the 2016 Little League World Series Champions Maine-Endwell will be treated to a full day at the State Capitol in Albany. State Senator Fred Akshar and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo will host the events, which will feature resolutions recognizing the team’s achievement on both the Senate and Assembly floors.
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The village of Bainbridge Board of Trustees will hold a budget workshop tonight at the village clerk’s office on West Main Street, the workshop begins at 6:30 PM & is open to the public.
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WCDO NEWS MONDAY 2-27-17

wcdonews — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 20:23:50 +0000

A new Siena College poll has Governor Cuomo at his highest favorability ratings in 2 years. Today’s Poll has 60% of respondents viewing Cuomo favorably, compared to 34% who have an unfavorable view. Today’s poll also has President Donald Trump with 68% unfavorable and only 29% favorable.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded a fatal, 2 car head on collision on Bear Spring Mountain in the Town of Walton Saturday. Sheriff’s Deputies and the State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit revealed that 43 year old Andrew Thompson of Tenafly, New Jersey, was driving on State Route 206 when a vehicle driven by 41 year old Joel Alves of Hopewell Junction crossed the center lines & collided head on with Thompson’s vehicle. Thompson was pronounced dead at the scene, his wife 43-year-old Wendy Hoeben, and their 6-year-old son were transported to Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton, Hoeben was treated & released, and the child was transferred to Westchester Medical Center. Alves was also transported to Delaware Valley Hospital where he was also treated and released. Alves was driving with a suspended driver’s license and a suspended vehicle registration, the investigation is continuing & charges are anticipated.
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Governor Cuomo today announced more than $36.6 million in savings for farmers across the state through the first 3 years of the Agricultural Assessment Cap. The Cap became law in 2013, preventing agricultural assessments from being increased by more than 2% annually. Southern Tier farmers are expected to save 3.2 million dollars with the cap in place this year.
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The Next the ReUnite Bainbridge Committee meets tonight at 7:00 PM at Bob’s Diner in Bainbridge. Discussions will include plans for events & projects for 2017. More information is available at 967-8700 or at bainbridgeny.org or visitbainbridgeny.org.
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An elderly woman died during a fire that engulfed her mobile at 417 West Service Road in Hillcrest Sunday night. Hillcrest Fire Department reported that 1 person was found on the backside of the trailer. Fire Fighters found the trailer fully engulfed in flames at around 8:30 PM, Fire officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the name of the deceased has not yet been announced.
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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia today reminded school districts of their duty to comply with existing state and federal laws that ensure the rights of immigrant children to attend New York’s public schools without fear of reprisal. The guidance provides districts with information pertaining to their duties under the law, regarding the confidentiality of student records, that Law enforcement officers may not remove a student from school property or interrogate a student without the consent of the student’s parent, except during a typical crime investigation. The guidance reminds districts that under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, parents must consent to disclosing personally identifiable student information, except in some rare situations.
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SUNY Delhi has been ranked among the country’s “Most Affordable Colleges for Incoming Freshman with Financial Need” by Student Loan Report. The ranking, based on Peterson’s college data, examined need-based scholarships and grants to incoming freshmen at more than 1,000 colleges. SUNY Delhi ranked at #158, with financial aid awarded to 87% of freshmen with financial need. The average financial aid award is $8,026.

Many locations in the Tri-County area were hit hard by Saturday’s torrential downpours, which led to downed trees, isolated power outages and damage to property. Walton & Conklin hit flood stage, many other towns hit action stage, the latest river levels and projections can be found at WCDORADIO.COM & click on River Levels.
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The Sidney Rotary Club is funding a Recovery Coach Training Program at the Tri-Town Hospital today. The program implementation and content will be delivered by Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council Delaware County and instructor, Jeannette Tolson. The Training begins today through this Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-15-13

admin — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 22:10:35 +0000

More than 2.6 million New York property taxpayers who receive the School Tax Relief exemption will soon have to re-apply for the benefits as part of a massive state undertaking to root out fraud in the 1.9 billion dollar system. In the coming weeks, homeowners will receive a letter instructing them to reapply for the STAR program online or by phone by December 31. People will need to verify their salaries, Social Security numbers, and primary residence. The initiative, approved as part of the state budget last March, will seek to stop some property owners from claiming the tax breaks on multiple homes. An audit in March found widespread abuse of the STAR program, and the state is holping to save at least 1 million dollars a year with the new system.
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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced charges against 48 year old Joe Junkovic of the Bronx for allegedly engaging in a scheme to defraude the state department of health out of more than $700,000 dedicated to providing cancer screening services to low income New Yorkers. Junkovic allegedly used a non profit corporation that he controlled, Cancer Service Network, to obtain more than $25 million in federal and state funding to administer cancer screening services, and then billed the state health department for thousands of hours that he did not work. Junkovic is charged with one count of mail fraud and one count of theft of US government property.
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The New York state division of criminal justice services is assisting the Cayuga County Sheriff’s office in searching for 16 year old Victoria Groom, who was reported missing from Skaneateles on August 7th. Groom is white female, 5 foot 2, 130 pounds with blonde hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information should call 1-800-346-3543
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Gov. Cuomo warned parents and young people about an increase in child-identity theft. He said child victims may not know their identities had been stolen until they get older and start applying for loans or need a credit report. The problem is that a thief can use a minor’s personal information and Social Security number to open a credit-card account or take out a loan. The state Division of Consumer Protection said be aware of any suspicious mail addressed to your child. If any credit-card offers or debt collection materials contain your child’s name, contact the credit agencies. The state website on identity theft is dos.ny.gov
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A helicopter will take to the sky over the next three weeks to assist NYSEG in its continuing efforts to provide safe, reliable electric service. As weather permits, NYSEG contractors will prune trees along transmission rights of way in Chenango Bridge, Morningside Heights, Hillcrest, Port Dickinson, Sanitaria Springs and Center Village/Harpursville using a special saw that hangs beneath a helicopter. Those with questions can log on to nyseg.com
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State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the indictment of John Hall, a former Engineer-in-Charge for the New York State Office of General Services who oversaw emergency service projects, for defrauding the State of more than $50,000. As alleged in the indictment, Hall approved fraudulent expense reports submitted to OGS by a contractor, in exchange for expensive construction equipment and home improvement materials for personal use. Hall is charged with sixteen felonies and was arraigned in Seneca County Court.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-14-13

wcdonews — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:57:15 +0000

A Public Hearing by the Delhi town board will be held today on the Proposed Leatherstocking Pipeline. The hearing will be held at 6:30 PM at the Delhi Town Hall, 5 Elm Street in Delhi,
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Motorists are advised that bridge work will require the closure of the State Route 17 eastbound on-ramp to I-81 northbound today between 9:00 AM & 3:00 PM. Motorists on State Route 17 eastbound to Interstate 81 northbound will be detoured to the Hillcrest exit 4N to State Route 7 northbound to the Interstate 81 northbound on-ramp.

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The next CHENANGO COUNTY RABIES CLINIC will be held today for dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets. The free Rabies Clinic will be held at the Plymouth fire station from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 12-6-12

wcdonews — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:27:48 +0000

Otsego County deputies arrested 43-year-old Steven Belton of Oneonta Tuesday night, deputies confiscated heroin, marijuana, $14,000 in cash and three electronic digital scales. Belton is charged with 3^rd & 7^th degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, criminal possession of marijuana, and criminally using drug paraphernalia. Belton was arraigned in Oneonta Town Court and taken to the Otsego County Jail without bail.

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The state DOT announced that crews will be performing bridge maintenance on Interstate 81 southbound over the Chenango River, between exit 5 (Front Street/Broome Community College) and exit 4 (Hillcrest/Binghamton), beginning at 10 AM this morning. Motorists will encounter a left lane closure between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The left lane will be open to traffic at 1 p.m. and the right lane will be closed between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. This work is anticipated to be completed by 3 p.m. this afternoon.

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A Siena College poll shows that a majority of Downstate voters support the return of Hydrofracking to upstate New York, but Upstages remain opposed to it by a small margin. The poll said that downstaters approved of Hydrofracking by a 42 to 36% margin, while those in the upstate counties oppose it by a 45-39% margin. An overall poll puts the totals at 42% favored Hydrofracking while 36% opposed it. The poll was virtually unchanged from results in an October Sienna Poll.

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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting tonight in the District Conference Room to discuss regular district business. The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM with committee meetings. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:30 PM.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-5-12

wcdonews — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:34:23 +0000

Governor Cuomo met with local leaders in at the Greater Binghamton Airport, as well as BAE systems & Norwich Pharmaceuticals today, regarding the success of last year’s southern tier regional economic development projects:

(Cuomo)

The southern tier economic development council won 1 of the 4 grants given out last year. 2 other councils in the WCDO Listening area also received awards last year. 10 councils are vying for 4 awards in the next cycle.

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The Sidney American legion will host a children’s Christmas party later this month. Spokesman Larry Halbert explains:

(Larry Halbert)

The Sidney American legion is located at 22 Union Street the event runs from 1:00 to 2:30 PM on the 15^th.

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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced the arrests of 39 individuals and the seizure of more than one million dollars in cocaine as part of a takedown of three large-scale drug distribution networks. The networks transported cocaine from the New York City and Buffalo, to be sold in Cortland, Syracuse and Watertown. The Attorney General’s office conducted a series of raids early this morning and confiscated in excess of ten kilograms of cocaine and arrested the defendants. The Investigation is continuing.

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New York farmers dropped off truckloads of locally grown food to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York today. The event is in conjunction with the New York Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting in Albany. Today’s donations bring the total of food donated by farmers across the state this year to more than 5.3 million pounds.

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Oneonta city manager Michael Long has received credentialed manager designation from the international city-county management association. Long is one of 20 in new York state now accredited, he recently was appointed as the city of Oneonta’s first ever city manager.

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The State DOT today announced that pavement work will be performed on State Route 17 eastbound that will require the closure of the on-ramp to Interstate 81 northbound in the City of Binghamton, beginning at 6:00 tonight. A signed detour will guide motorists to exit 4 Hillcrest-Binghamton, to resume travel northbound on Interstate 81. crews will also be performing overhead sign work on State Route 17 eastbound between exit 71 Airport Road and exit 72 Front Street, starting at 6::00 pm tonight, both projects are expected to be completed by midnight tonight.

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