(Heastie 1-5-17)

Governor Cuomo will unveil his agenda for 2017 with 6 speeches over 3 days starting Monday.
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State Police issued 33,153 tickets during the holiday season “Drive Sober of Get Pulled Over” campaign. The special traffic enforcement period from Friday, December 16, 2016 through Sunday, January 1, 2017, which also included local law enforcement agencies, was designed to significantly reduce deaths and injuries caused by drunk or impaired driving.
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Governor Cuomo today unveiled a new Enhanced Middle Class Child Care Tax Credit that will help more than 200,000 middle class families make their child care more affordable. The Enhanced Middle Class Child Care Tax Credit would supplement the current New York State Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and more than double the benefit for families earning between $60,000 and $150,000. Additional details are available at governor.ny.gov.
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An OPEN HOUSE will be held on Tuesday, January 17th at the Sidney Civic Center in the first floor conference room from 6:00 to 7:30 to view the planned improvements to Main Street. Project consultants will be available to discuss the design, collect input and answer questions prior to bidding the project and constructing the improvements in 2017.
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Retail Giant Macy’s announced that 68 stores will be closing worldwide in 2017. New York store closures include the Oakdale Mall store in Johnson City, as well as stores in Clay & Rochester, affecting over 140 employees. Sears also announced the closing of 150 K-marts or sears department stores, one k-mart in New Hartford & sears stores in Queens, Cheektowaga, Amherst, & Middletown, will close shortly.
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The Delaware county board of supervisors has chosen the first woman chair of the board this week; Tina Mole of Bovina is the new chairperson of the board. Mole has represented the town of Bovina for 13 years, she also works for State Senator John Bonacic, and she replaces Jim Eisel of Harpersfield, who served as chairman for 15 years.
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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released the results of an audit of the town of Walton. The audit showed that the Supervisor appointed the Clerk to act as his bookkeeper; however, the New York State Attorney General’s office has expressed the view that the office of the Clerk is incompatible with the Supervisor’s bookkeeper position. They also found that No annual audit is performed of the records of the Clerk or Supervisor. The Audit recommends The Supervisor should maintain the financial records or appoint a bookkeeper that does not have incompatible duties, such as those of the Town Clerk. The Board should conduct an annual audit of the records and reports of any Town officer or employee who received or disbursed moneys on behalf of the Town, or engage an independent public accountant to do so.
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The New York State Sportswriters Association has announced their 2016 football all-state selections, and several local players made the list. WCDO Sports Director Nate Lull Has details:

(Natefootball 1-5)

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The Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne announced a ribbon cutting later this month for their welcome center lobby. Spokesperson Jessica Moquin explains:

(Jessica Moquin 1-5-17)

The event will be on Thursday January 19th at 5:30 PM, and the public is invited to attend.
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State Police have launched a new website which includes instructions regarding license re-certification. Anyone holding a pistol license prior to the passage of the NY-SAFE Act has until January 31, 2018 to recertify. State Police will create the re-certification procedure and have launched a website troopers.ny.gov/Firearms – that includes the re-certification form. License holders can fill out the form online or print a paper version and return it by mail.
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Governor Cuomo announced that during the first 10 months of 2015, New York State recouped and returned $25.1 million to approximately 22,600 workers who originally were not paid the proper minimum wage, overtime pay or fringe benefits. This amount puts the state on pace to exceed the record $30.2 million disbursed to 27,000 workers in 2014. The State Department of Labor announced that more than 80% of all investigations are now completed within 6 months, in the Southern Tier region, $209,000 was returned to 293 workers.
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Assemblyman Cliff Crouch stated today that the Kraft manufacturing plant in Walton under review for closure needs to stay open. Crouch said that there are 150 local jobs as well as a methane digester project being pursued by the Village of Walton at stake. The methane digester project is being pursued through the Regional economic Development Council as a cost-saving measure for Kraft & as well as the Walton school district, to save on heating costs paid by area taxpayers. Crouch joins Governor Cuomo & U.S. Senator Schumer in trying to get Kraft Heinz from closing the Walton plant, and 2 others in the state, following a merger of the 2 food industry giants.
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State Police arrested 26-year-old Scott Losee of Sherburne for 3rd degree assault, criminal mischief and unlawful imprisonment, after troopers responded to a domestic dispute that occurred on November 2 in Sherburne. Losee allegedly assaulted his girlfriend causing an injury to her face. He also smashed her cell phone and kept her from leaving the home. Losee was arraigned in the Town of Sherburne court and was released without bail required. His next court date in the Town of Sherburne is on November 18, 2015. The court issued an order of protection against Losee.
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New York Farm Bureau has come out with its annual “Circle of Friends,” naming 158 State Legislators to their annual list. The award is an indication of the individual lawmaker’s support of New York agriculture and the Farm Bureau, based upon each legislator’s voting record on issues of agricultural importance. The “Circle of Friends” local recipients for 2015 are State Senators John Bonacic & Jim Seward & Assembly members Cliff Crouch, Gary Finch, Pete Lopez, Donna Lupardo & Bill Magee.
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State Senator Jim Seward will be in Worcester Thursday at the I-88 rest stop. Officials from the State DOT will join Seward and other local leaders to officially reopen the fully rehabilitated I-88 rest stop closed in 2010 due to budget constraints. Officials will also provide an update on work to reopen the I-88 rest stop in Wells Bridge.
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The New York State Office of General Services today announced that the surplus vehicle, highway equipment, and miscellaneous property auctions scheduled for Friday, November 12 in Unadilla was cancelled and will not be rescheduled. A listing of other New York State auctions to be held throughout the state can be found at nysstore.com. Specific items and terms of sale are available at ogs.ny.gov.
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(Ann Marie Troy 9-11-15)

The event will begin at 7:00 P.M. at the Broad Street United Methodist Church in Norwich, more information is available at 334-8244 extension 228.
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The Chenango Arts Council, Norwich Business Improvement District, and the Norwich Rotary Club announced that the Chenango Public Arts Initiative begins with a Gallery opening reception today from 5:30 to 8:00 pm; it is free and open to the public. The Gallery will be open both days of Colorscape Weekend this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and will stay on display until October 25. More information is available at 336-ARTS or email at: info@chenangoarts.org
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The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood to help ensure a stable and diverse blood supply is available during emergencies. There will be blood drives today in Norwich from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Guernsey Library, & in Delhi from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM at SUNY Delhi’s Farrell Student & Community Center. To find out about blood donations, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

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A SUNY Delhi freshman from Wappingers Falls was found dead in a wooded area near the campus Tuesday. The unidentified student was found unresponsive by friends, he was pronounced dead at the scene by the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s office. No foul Play is suspected; a memorial service for the student is planned on September 25th in Hopewell Junction.
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State Police are investigating a burglary to a home on Grove Street in Windsor, which occurred sometime during the overnight between August 2nd & 3rd. Police said that burglars took a small black Sentry Model safe, which contained a large amount of US currency. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact SP Binghamton at 607-775-1241.
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Thursday’s Primary Day elections have been tabulated, In Delaware County; The Democratic Party Town of Middletown Supervisor Primary was won by Marjorie Miller. The Republican Party Primary had Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Eisel winning for the Harpersfield Town Supervisors position. In the Primary for Town of Walton Supervisor, Charles Gregory defeats Bruce Dolph. In Chenango County, District Attorney Joe McBride wins the Republican primary, in the city of Norwich; Christine Carnrike won The Republican Primary for Mayor over incumbent Joe Mauirano.
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The Delaware County Industrial Development Agency recently completed a renovation project at the Sidney Industrial Park to ensure the continued growth of Gravity Ciders. The company outgrew their Walton facility; they were looking for a new production and warehousing facility to keep up with the demand of their Awestruck Premium Hard Ciders. The IDA invested $32,000, to keep Gravity Ciders in Delaware County; more information is available at dcecodev.com or 832-5123.
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A 2nd rally against a proposed pipeline and compressor in Franklin is planned for Saturday, at 10:00 AM in front of 483 Van Tassel Road in Franklin. The rally is close to the location of the proposed compressor station.
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Changes have been made at the Sidney Boys & Girls club, which will be reopening at the Civic Center shortly. Club Board member Ronnie Haag explains:

(Ronnie Haag 9-11-15)

More information is available at 563-2456.
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The Bainbridge Rotary Club is sponsoring the Bill Denman Memorial River Ride tomorrow for interested cyclists. The first loop will begin at 9:00 AM and the 2nd at 11:00 AM both loops begin at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge.
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The Delaware county department of corrections will hold the 5th Annual Andrew Brown Memorial Golf Tournament tomorrow, at the Hardwood Hills Golf Course in Masonville. Registration is at 7:30 AM, shotgun start is at 8:30 AM, and money raised will assist Delaware county residents being cared for by Catskill Hospice & Palliative care.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division obtained a Search Warrant for the residence of Michael and Toni Spencer of Walton; they seized 10 marihuana plants, processed marihuana, a video surveillance system, growing equipment, firearms and public assistance benefit cards. Investigators charged 47-year-old Michael Spencer, 39-year-old Toni Spencer and 18-year-old Bradley Jackson with Criminal Possession of Marihuana & Unlicensed Cultivation of Cannabis, for allegedly growing and possessing more than 16 ounces of marihuana. All three were arraigned in the Town of Walton Court and were remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash bail.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division arrested 44-year-old Shannon Hunter of Oxford and 45 year old William Miller of Gilbertsville. Deputies stopped a vehicle just off of State Hwy 12 in the Town of North Norwich, Shannon Hunter was found to be in possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia, the driver, William Miller was found to be in possession of Hydrocodone pills and drug paraphernalia. Hunter was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell, Miller was charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, both were arraigned in the Town of North Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office on $5,000 cash bail.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a late August hit and run accident that has resulted in the closure of the Corbett Bridge spanning the East Branch of the Delaware River in the Town of Colchester. A DOT supervisor discovered recent structural damage to the bridge located at the intersection of Corbett Road and New York State Route 30, a Subsequent inspection by engineers determined that the structural integrity of the bridge was compromised as a result of the accident and the bridge was immediately closed to all traffic. Officials anticipate the bridge will remain closed for an extended period of time for appropriate repairs, they believe the structure was struck by a large vehicle, anyone with information should contact Deputy Christopher Erwin at 287-4756.
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The 3rd annual Catholic Charities Bands brew & Barbecue event is scheduled for later this month in Norwich, spokesperson Robin Beckwith comments:

(Robin Beckwith 9-10-15)

Tickets are available at the Norwich YMCA, Hummel’s, Garf’s Deli, Commerce Chenango & M&T Bank in Norwich, or online at Brown Paper Tickets. Com.
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Gary Herzig will be officially sworn in as the new Oneonta mayor on Tuesday September 15th at 6:30 PM. The ceremony will be held at the common council chambers at City hall prior to the start of the common council meeting, which will begin at 7:00 PM.

Regional Lawmakers are responding to governor Cuomo’s plans that were outlined in yesterday’s “State of The State” address in Albany.  State Senator Jim Seward of Milford said that he liked the tax cut agenda:

(Seward 1-9-14)

State senator Tom Libous of Binghamton also responded favorable to the governor’s tax plans:

(Libous 1-9-14)

Libous said that he was a bit surprised that the Governor did not mention Hydrofracking during the speech, which has been on hold in New York for over 5 years.  Next, the governor will unveil his executive budget proposal to lawmakers on January 21^st.

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The Catskill Mountains Film Festival announced that they are accepting submissions for the festival exhibition & competition. The event will take place on May 2nd through May 4th primarily on the SUNY Delhi campus but also at suitable venues in Delaware County.   More information is available at catskillmountainsfilmfestival.org.