Governor Hochul today announced the launch of Round 13 of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, which will include core capital grant and tax-credit funding combined with a wide range of programs from 10 State agencies, including $150 million in grant funds from Empire State Development. The Councils are encouraged to support projects that advance or address strategic State priorities, More information is available at apps.cio.ny.gov.

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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will host a special presentation tomorrow regarding potential public transportation options for Delaware County Chamber President Ray Pucci comments:

(Ray Pucci 5-16-23)

The meeting will begin at 11:00 am in the Meeting Room of the Delaware County Business Center at 5 ½ Main Street in Delhi, a ZOOM link will be posted at delawarecounty.org.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded May 10th to the Town of Meredith to assist US Homeland Security Units with the apprehension of 48 year old Charles Bodie of Meredith, who was wanted on an active US Federal Court Warrant for the Sexual Exploitation of a Child. Deputies and Homeland Security conducted surveillance of property in Meredith where Bodie had been living, on May 11th, they arrested Bodie on the warrant, he was transported to the Delaware County Correctional Facility, where he was to be held indefinitely. Bodie was scheduled to be transported to the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York at a later date for arraignment on the Sexual Exploitation of a Child charge, if found guilty, Bodie could face 15 to 30 years in prison.

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The Broome County Sheriff’s Office announced that a stolen vehicle traffic stop in the Town of Kirkwood led to an arrest on multiple felony drug charges last week. On May 7th, a deputy identified a vehicle as stolen from Binghamton, after stopping the vehicle and confirming its status, Officers seized 11.3 grams of cocaine, a digital scale and $1,423 in cash, 38 year old Jorge Cortina of Binghamton was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell & Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, he was processed and issued an appearance ticket to answer for his charges on June 7, 2023 in the Town of Kirkwood Court.

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The Arc Otsego has been awarded $30,002 in grants from the Trustee Management Board of New York State ARC Trust Services to support The Arc Otsego’s guardianship and recreation programs. More information about The Arc Otsego Guardianship and Fit and Fun Grants, is available at 607-433-8400.

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The Chenango County Historical Society opens a new exhibit today from 4:30-6:00 PM. “Hometown Health” explores the healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry in Chenango County throughout the first half of the 20th century. Refreshments will be provided compliments of UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital, and each guest will receive a vintage booklet commemorating NBT Bank’s 150th anniversary, along with a promotional coupon from Sherwin-Williams.

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The federal public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 expired on May 11th, but COVID-19 remains a threat. The Chenango County Health department suggests that county residents stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, get tested, and stay away from others when they appear sick or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. The Chenango County Department of Public Health will continue to offer FREE COVID-19 vaccine, more information is available at 607-337-1660.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 5-15-23

Delaware County Public Health announced that a Skunk tested positive for rabies in the Village of Deposit. An unvaccinated dog and 1 person were exposed to the rabid skunk, the dog had to be euthanized because it had not been vaccinated. The individual exposed to the skunk is receiving post exposure prophylaxis. To report a suspected rabid animal call Delaware County Public Health Services at 607-832-5200, for more information visit delawarecountypublichealth.com

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A Broome County judge on Friday has sentenced Jason Johnson of Nineveh to 60 years in jail for the attempted murder of Trooper Rebecca Seager in June 2021, Johnson was found guilty on a number of felony counts last year in Broome County Court for shooting Trooper Seager in the hip in the Town of Colesville, Johnson was taken into custody following a 21-hour manhunt.

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The Chenango County Department of Public Works announced the closure of Church Hill Road in the town of North Norwich today. The road will be closed between Bryant Road and Ellison Road for the replacement of a bridge deck. Local traffic will be allowed, more information is available at 337-1710.

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The 18th Annual Women’s Fund Breakfast, will be held on May 30th at the Double tree Inn by Hilton in Binghamton, the Keynote Speaker will be Pulitzer prize & Emmy Award Winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. the event is sponsored by the Women’s Fund, which is a component fund of the Community Foundation for South Central New York, more information is available at donorswhocare.org

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Nicholas & Terry DeCutler were arraigned in Otsego County Court Monday on 2nd degree Murder charges. The Brothers are accused of fatally stabbing 24 year old Kaleb O’Neill in an alleyway at Dietz Street in Oneonta on Memorial Day. The DeCutler’s were being held on Bail in the Otsego County Jail pending a court appearance on September 19th.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Melanie Moore of New Jersey for failing to stop at a stop sign on Townsend Street in Walton. Moore’s driving privileges had been suspended, she was charged with Failing to Stop at a Stop Sign and Aggravated Unlicensed Operator of a Motor Vehicle, she faces court action at a later date.

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The Delaware County Fair had a successful 1st day Monday at the Fairgrounds in Walton, Spokesman Jason Craig said that the rides on the midway are ready to go today:

(Jason Craig 8-16-22)

The Delaware County Fair runs through Saturday, more information is available at delawarecountyfair.org.

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Governor Kathy Hochul announced that all SNAP households will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for the month of August. the additional allotment will result in a $234 million to eligible families, households already near or at the maximum benefit level will receive an additional payment of $95 this month.

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Norwich Middle School Principal Michelle Osterhoudt, has accepted the position of Superintendent of the Margaretville School District. Osterhoudt, of Oneonta will take over as the Margaretville Superintendent for the start of the new school year, she had served in the Norwich district for several years, she also served on the Oneonta Common Council and served various capacities for the Oneonta NAACP.

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The State DEC has expanded its Drought Watch to about 2/3rds of the state’s land, as dry weather conditions continue. The watch now includes all of the counties south of the Mohawk River Valley, & excludes those in the Adirondacks, Eastern Great Lakes, Westchester County & New York City. DEC Officials are encouraging residents in affected counties, particularly those dependent on private groundwater wells, to conserve water whenever possible during the coming weeks. No mandatory restrictions are in place under a state drought watch.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 8-16-22

Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak announced that 35-year-old Jason Johnson of Nineveh has been found guilty of attempted murder & several other charges for the shooting of State Trooper Becky Seager on June 9th , 2021. Troopers responded to East Windsor Road for a welfare check, Trooper Becky Seager was shot in the hip, which was followed by a 19-hour manhunt, Johnson was found the next day at State Route 79 near the Susquehanna River in the town of Colesville.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s office have arrested 47 year old James Amato of Colchester, back on July 12th, Deputies responded to a trespass in progress, where Amato is accused of entering a gated property after being told he was not allowed there. On August 10th, Deputies arrested Amato for Criminal Mischief & Criminal Trespass, he is scheduled to appear in the Town of Andes Court on a later date.

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A Blood Drive is being held in Sidney today, at the A.O. Fox Hospital Tri Town Campus on Pearl Street. The Blood Drive will run from 1:30 to 6:30 PM, Appointments are requested at 1-800-RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org.

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The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold its next regular meeting today. The meeting begins at 7:30 am at the back of Bob’s Diner.

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The Chenango County Fair will return to the fairgrounds tomorrow through Sunday for its 175th anniversary, Chenango County Fair Spokesperson Mary Weidman explains:

(Mary Weidman 8-9-22)

The annual event will begin with a ribbon cutting to open the grounds at 1:00 PM Wednesday and celebrate the 175th Anniversary.

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The Trial of Jason Johnson of the town of Colesville continues in Broome County Court. Johnson is accused of shooting State Trooper Becky Seager in June of 2021, Jason’s father, David Johnson is accused of tampering with evidence on behalf of his son. Police had been called to the East Windsor Road locations for the report of shots fired, Johnson was apprehended following a 19 hour manhunt, Trooper Seager was hospitalized after being shot in the hip.

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Police and Emergency crews responded to the report of a 2 car motor vehicle accident on the Vestal Parkway near Binghamton University last night. 1 person was killed in the accident, the identity of the deceased has not yet been released, the investigation is ongoing.

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Governor Hochul signed legislation that will authorize the Department of Labor to develop a public awareness campaign to promote the New York State Job Bank. New Yorkers looking for jobs can go to newyork.usnlx.com; while companies looking to add to their workforce can place job openings for free at dol.ny.gov/recruit-your-workforce

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Law enforcement agencies in Otsego County & the District Attorney’s Office are investigating the discovery of a deceased woman in the town of Morris. The woman was found by 2 people who were using a metal detector in a remote area, the identity of the woman & the cause of death has not been determined, she is believed to have been dead for about 2 months.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 8-9-22

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 31 year old Kyle Davis of Mohawk for Burglary, Grand Larceny, Crinminal Mischief & endangering the welfare of a child, following an investigation in to a theft at a storage unit facility in the Town of Otego. Davis allegedly burglarized a storage unit while in the presence of a small child, Investigators responded to the Herkimer County Correctional Facility, and took him in to custody, he was processed at the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, was issued and Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Otego Court and was returned back to the custody of the Herkimer County Correctional Facility.

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A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Oneonta from 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., today at the Quality Inn, State Highway 23. To donate blood, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS.

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34 year old Patrick Kain of Norwich pleaded guilty in federal court to 3 counts of sexual exploitation of a child and 1 count of committing a felony involving a minor by a registered sex offender. Kain admitted that from about 2016 through 2019 he created sexually explicit images and videos of 3 different victims, each of whom was about 5 years old, he also possessed about 90 videos and 10 images of child pornography not involving his own victims, on a laptop and at an online storage account, Kain faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years and a maximum sentence of 160 years, a $250,000 fine and restitution to the victims, when he is sentenced on October 6th –

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Otsego County Sheriff’s department arrested 27 year old Brandon Doyle of Sharon Springs after an investigation into an animal cruelty in the Town of Westford last month. Doyle was charged with Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals & Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance following a cattle complaint reported from the Susquehanna SPCA Doyle was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Town of Westford Court at a later date.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office announced that a “Click-it or Ticket” detail in the Town of Davenport on May 29th, with the Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputies, resulted in the arrest of 46 year old Stacey Juhl of Worcester. While conducting a seatbelt checkpoint, Deputies observed a vehicle attempting to avoid the checkpoint; they stopped the vehicle on Southside Drive & found that Juhl’s driving privileges had been suspended on 3 occasions for failure to answer summonses in Otsego County courts, as well as for an insurance lapse. Juhl was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and having an obstructed drivers view, she was released and directed to appear in the Town of Davenport Court on a later date.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 21 year old Timothy Reed of Johnson City for DWI following a personal injury motor vehicle accident on County Highway 23 in the Town of Walton. Deputies responded at about 2:30 AM on May 30th, to a 911 report of a motor vehicle accident on County Highway 23, near the intersection of Woodlawn Road, Reed was identified as the driver of the vehicle & charged, he faces court action at a later date.

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The Community Cultural Center of Sidney will have their official Ribbon Cutting ceremony this Saturday at 1:00 PM, at the corner of Bridge & Main Street. The 1st use of the building will be for an art exhibit, and then many other options will be available, according to Executive Director Pat Cristelli:

(Pat Cristelli 6-10-21)

Cristelli said that the Students Art Exhibit will be open from Monday June 14th to Friday the 18th, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM each evening, Saturday the 19th from 5:00 to 9:00 PM and Sunday June 20th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 6-10-21

 UPDATE IN MANHUNT:

Just after 4:30 p.m., Jason Johnson was taken into custody near a river bank off State Route 79 in Colesville.  

EARLY AFTERNOON UPDATE:

Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies and State Police responded to East Windsor Road in Colesville to check on the welfare of an individual at 8:35 PM Wednesday night, . Law enforcement did exchange gunfire with Johnson, State Trooper Becky Seager was shot in the hip & was taken to Wilson Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Multiple agencies are looking for 34 year old Jason Johnson this afternoon, he is described as a white male, 5’7 and 160 pounds with a Mohawk style haircut, he was last seen in the East Windsor Road area near Thorn Hill. He is considered armed and dangerous, It’s possible that Johnson may be operating a 1996 Ford F-250 pick-up truck, blue in color with the NY license plate HZV7759, Police said that the public should not approach him and should call 911 immediately.

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Empire State Development will open the online application portal Today for the COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program. The minimum grant is $5,000, the maximum grant amount is $50,000 per applicant and will serve as reimbursement of employee wages, rent and mortgage payments, taxes, utility bills and PPE purchases other operating expenses from the pandemic. More information may be found at NYSBusinessRecovery.ny.gov.

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The Otsego County Fair will be held in Morris this year, after being canceled last year due to the COVID pandemic, Spokesperson Lisa Jones comments:

(Lisa Jones 6-10-21)

The Otsego County Fair will run from August 3rd through the 8th, more information is available at otsegocountyfair.org.

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