(Jason Hall 7-7-14)

The concert will be on August 17th tickets are $15 each, with children 12 & under free, all proceeds will benefit Chenango County Toys for Tots.

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The Sidney central school district projects are progressing on schedule so far this summer.  Sidney superintendent Bill Christensen comments:

(Bill Christensen 7-7-14)

Sidney school officials request that residents stay away form the construction site, as there are still a few hazards on site that have not yet been addressed & could result in injury.

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Binghamton police announced that 19 year old Scott Wright of Binghamton died from injuries sustained in a shooting Friday. 21 year old Andre Lee was arrested Friday, for allegedly shooting Wright & hitting another man in the head with a glass bottle.  Lee has been charged with 2^nd degree assault, 2^nd degree attempted murder & criminal possession of a weapon.  Binghamton Police also charged 21-year-old Tichelle Bethea of Binghamton, with hindering prosecution.  The investigation is ongoing; anyone with information can call Binghamton Police at 772-7080.

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29 year old Kyle Whitfield of Smithville has been indicted on manslaughter and assault charges. Whitfield is accused of fatally stabbing  33 year old James Button Jr. of Greene on March 3^rd outside Whitfield’s home, Button was pronounced dead at the scene. Whitfield was indicted by a grand jury on March 20th for 1^st degree manslaughter, 1^st degree assault, 2^nd degree manslaughter and 2^nd degree assault.

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Governor Cuomo officially signed a medical marijuana into law, making New York the 23^rd state to legalize the drug to treat patients. In the final days of session last month, Cuomo and legislative leaders negotiated a medical marijuana program for New York, the program will begin in 18 months and does not allow the drug to be smoked. The state will certify up to 5 companies to grow and distribute marijuana. The governor has the power to halt the program if either the state’s health commissioner or superintendent of the State Police recommends it.

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CEO Dan Ayres of O’ Connor Hospital in Delhi and Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney, announced that he has accepted a position in West Virginia as President and CEO of Summersville Regional Medical Center. Ayres’ last day here will be September 28th. Ayres has been CEO at O’ Connor Hospital since 2004 and Tri-Town Regional Hospital since 2009, a search for a replacement is underway by Bassett healthcare officials.

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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 28-year-old Sara Briggs of Oneida for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and 5 counts of endangering the Welfare of a Child.   Briggs was stopped for erratic driving. During the investigation it was found that Briggs was impaired by multiple prescription narcotics while operating a motor vehicle with 5 children in the car. Briggs was arrested and arraigned in the Town of North Norwich Court; she was released on her own recognizance and is to reappear at a later date.

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Crews from several fire departments responded to a fire at 459 Keech Road in Guilford, at about 1:15 this morning.   Crews from Mount Upton, Norwich, Oxford and South New Berlin assisted the Guilford Fire Department, with no injuries reported.  Chenango County Fire Investigators will look into the cause of the fire today.

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NY State of Health reported that 908,595 New Yorkers have completed their applications and 590,639 have enrolled for coverage since the launch of the Marketplace on October 1, 2013. More than 70% of those who enrolled were uninsured at the time of application. The open enrollment period for individuals runs through March 31^st, Individuals and families can get information and enroll in a plan at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or by calling 1-855-355-5777.

A.O. Fox Hospital is holding an Open House today to celebrate the completion of the “Gold Standard of Patient Care” modernization project.  This final phase of the project includes the creation of a 14-bed observation unit, the event takes place from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm today in the observation unit, on the 1^st floor of the hospital.  Tours will be available and light refreshments will be served.

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State Police from Sidney arrested 37-year-old Bryan Ohara of Mount Upton for 2nd degree Criminal Contempt.  Ohara is accused of violating a court order of protection by initiating unwanted communication with the protected party.  Ohara was arraigned in the town of Guilford Court and remanded to jail in lieu of $30,000 cash bail or $100,000 secured bond.

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Governor Cuomo today announced that New York State Police were successful in 15% of Automated External Defibrillators saves for individuals under sudden cardiac arrest, since 2007. Cuomo said that the success rate of state police was twice the national rate of 8%.   All marked State Police vehicles and state buildings are equipped with the devices, and troopers are given comprehensive, special training to use them in emergency situations.

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Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting announced that his office has launched a smartphone app that allows the office to communicate much more effectively with the community. The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office app is a free download and is available for both iPhone and Android smart devices, Users simply search “MobilePatrol” and after downloading, select the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office.

State Police from Oneonta arrested 27-year-old Natalie Hilyer of Erie, Pennsylvania for Driving While Intoxicated with a reportable BAC result of .14%.  Hilyer was stopped by Troopers on state route 28 in the town of Oneonta for driving without her headlights; troopers determined that she was intoxicated.  Hilyer was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court on March 18th.

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The family of Michele Harris in Tioga county is hoping to gain new information on her 2001 disappearance.  A confidential tip line is being set up by her four children and their father Cal Harris.  Cal Harris was arrested for the murder of Michele in 2005, and has since had two convictions overturned on appeal. Harris will go to trial for a third time in Schoharie County, after a state appeals court granted a venue change. No trial date has been set. Michele’s body has never been found. The confidential tip line can be reached at (607) 215-5166

Former New York Governor David Patterson now has a permanent presence in the Capitol’s Hall of Governors. Paterson’s official portrait was unveiled Sunday afternoon. Governor Andrew Cuomo introduced Paterson at the event, hailing his leadership through a time of fiscal catastrophe. Paterson took office on March 17^th 2008, just as the nation’s financial system began its meltdown. Paterson was lieutenant governor under Governor Eliot Spitzer and rose to governor when Spitzer resigned due to a prostitution scandal. Spitzer’s portrait has not been added to the Hall of Governor’s.  Paterson’s did not to seek re-election in 2010, which cleared the way for Cuomo to successfully run.

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