———————————————–

As concerns about the outbreak of coronavirus disease rise in the U.S., the American Red Cross is urging healthy, eligible individuals to give blood or platelets now to help prevent blood shortages that could result from lower donor participation.  Appointments can be made at redcrossblood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device, to find the next blood donation opportunity in your area. Blood donors with type O blood and all platelet donors are especially needed right now.

————————————————

New York State bans open burning this year from March 16th to May 14th.   The dead brush, dry conditions, high winds & more sunshine can lead to brush fires starting & spreading rapidly this time of year.  More information is available at dec.ny.gov or from your local fire department.

———————————————

Hartwick College President Margaret Drugovich was elected vice-chair of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, at the latest CICU board meeting.  Drugovich takes over after serving as CICU treasurer and chair of its Finance and Administrative Committee. She succeeds Adelphi University President Dr. Chris Riordan, who was named the CICU’s new board chair.  More information is available at cicu.org.

————————————————

Orlando Tercero is seeking to serve a shorter sentence & is expected in court today in his home country of Nicaragua, he was convicted of the murder of Binghamton University student Haley Anderson in her downtown apartment, and he then fled the area & went back to Nicaragua.    Tercero was found guilty of killing Anderson in November 2019 in Nicaragua, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

—————————————————

A Montana man was sentenced recently to 110 years in prison, for killing a former Sidney High School Graduate & Disabled veteran in Great Falls Montana, and conspiring with his wife to steal his benefits.  25 year old Brandon Craft pleaded guilty in November for the 2016 murder of Adam Petzack, and for burying his body in his barn, his ex-wife Katelyn Zdeb will serve 20 years in connection with stealing the VA benefits.   Petzack grew up in this area prior to going into the military.

Governor Cuomo announced the state will provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer to New Yorkers free of charge, to prevent price-gouging and ensure New Yorkers have access to this prevention method.  The state will produce up to 100,000 gallons of hand sanitizer each week in various sizes and distribution will be prioritized by the most impacted and high risk communities and state agencies.  Governor Cuomo also confirmed 37 additional cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 142 confirmed cases.

———————————————-

An Otsego County Court jury has found Kimberly Steeley of East Worcester not guilty of causing the deaths of her infant twins.   The jury finished deliberating Monday; Steeley was originally charged with two counts of 2nd-degree manslaughter for the June 2018 deaths of infant twins 11 days apart, both of asphyxiation.

———————————————-

(Dr. Howard Zucker 3-6-20)

Dr. Zucker & Governor Cuomo said that the number of people who have tested positive for the Corona Virus doubled again overnight to 44 cases in New York State, 5 are currently hospitalized.

===========================

State Attorney General Letitia James sent a Cease & Desist order to televangelist Jim Bakker, for selling fake Corona Virus cures on his television show.  James, on advice from the state Health department officials, threatened legal action if he fails to stop selling his “Silver Solution” as a treatment for the virus, there is no cure for the coronavirus according to the CDC. 

========================

The prosecution rested Thursday in the Manslaughter Trial of Kimberly Steeley in Otsego County Court.  Steeley is accused of the asphyxiation deaths of her 2 infants 11 days apart in East Worcester in June of 2018. 

===========================

As New Yorkers prepare to set their clocks forward one hour this Sunday for Daylight Saving Time, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York is urging everyone to change the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Homeowners with alarms that have sealed, non-removable batteries should test the alarms to see if they are functional.  Batteries should be changed twice a year, because according to the National Fire Protection Association, almost 3 of every 5 home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or without working smoke alarms. Last year New York State led the nation in home fire deaths with 126 fatalities, more information is available at fasny.com.

=======================

Beginning Saturday, the Greater Oneonta Historical Society will present a display of the history of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters.  There will be an opening reception on Saturday from 2:00 to 3:00 PM at the Oneonta History Center, 183 Main Street.  The reception is free and open to the public, more information is available at 432-0960.

=======================

A

=======================

=======================

Th

State Police have located the body of a white a female Thursday afternoon near the area of State Route 17 & State Route 434 in Apalachin.   The female has been identified as 37 year old Casie Weese, who was reported missing early Sunday morning, after she left a party with her husband, they had a flat tire near Main Street Apalachin, & she left the scene following a disagreement.   An Autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

=======================

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold their next First Friday Networking Breakfast this morning, from 8:30 to 10:00 am.  The meeting will be held at the Old School House Inn & Restaurant in Downsville,   The featured speaker for this event is Sean Leddy from the Delaware County Planning Department who will be speaking about the county’s outreach efforts and importance of participation in the 2020 Census, which will begin in earnest in Mid-March.

==============================

The DCMO BOCES Spelling bee will be held tomorrow in at the SUNY Oneonta Goodrich Theater Saturday at 10:00 AM, Spokesperson Martha Ryan comments:

(Martha Ryan 3-6-20)

Melodie of course is Melodie Loya of Bainbridge, who made it into the top 50 the last 2 years at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC.  Ryan also said that the fundraising effort is continuing to help the families of tomorrow’s winner, to make it to the Scripps competition & stay in Washington for all the days of the event, more information is available at 335-1292.

=====================

Governor Cuomo has proclaimed today “Special Olympics New York Day” as the nonprofit organization marks the 50th anniversary of its founding.   Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 67,000 athletes across New York; more information is available at specialolympicsNY.org.

—————————————————-

The Manslaughter Trial of Kimberly Steeley continues today in Otsego County Court.  Steeley is accused of the asphyxiation deaths of her 2 infants 2 weeks apart in East Worcester in June of 2018. 

———————————————–

A group of State Senate & Assembly Minority Republicans are looking to get an increase in local Highway funding in the CHIPS program, which has not been increased in 7 years.  Governor Cuomo has forwarded a $275 Billion Dollar Infrastructure program in his latest Budget proposal for highway & bridge projects.

————————————————–

The State Assembly & Senate have approved of a bill that requires backseat adult passengers to buckle up.   Current law requires front seat adult passengers to be buckled, but the legislation would force adult backseat passengers to use a seat belt too – a move supporters say will save lives and cut down on the risk posed to buckled-in front seat riders.

—————————————————-

The State Health Department announced that New York has set a record with the number of flu cases reported this season.  Over 130,000 cases of lab-confirmed flu has been reported, it’s the highest number of cases reported since tracking began during the 1998-99 season.

—————————————————-

Following a meeting at the White House with Vice President Mike Pence, Congressman Anthony Brindisi announced his support for the $8.3 billion Corona Virus emergency response plan in Congress.  Brindisi urged citizens to follow CDC guidelines; he also has information on his website at Brindisi.house.gov/coronavirus.

—————————————————

———————————————————

A.O. Fox Hospital’s Tri-Town Campus in Sidney will transition to a daytime schedule starting May 1st; the facility’s emergency services will operate from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily.  Sidney Village Mayor Andy Matviak commented about the change in Emergency room hours:

(Andy Matviak 3-3-20)

Officials with Fox Hospital reported that the Tri-Town’s Emergency Department receives an average of 2.76 per night, with declining visitations over time, they are also exploring extending primary care hours in the Sidney region to accommodate same-day appointment needs.”

———————————————-

The Manslaughter trial of Kimberly Steeley of East Worcester is underway in Otsego County court.  Steeley is accused in the asphyxiation deaths of her 2 infants 2 weeks apart in June 2018.

———————————————

The Norwich Police Department arrested 32 Year Old Alexander Guzman of Norwich Monday in connection with a number of burglaries around the city since last summer.  Guzman was charged with 8 counts of Burglary, 6 counts of Criminal Mischief & 2 counts each of Grand Larceny & Petty Larceny, for allegedly breaking into several businesses & churches & stealing items and damaging property.  Guzman was released with an appearance ticket for Norwich Court at a later date.

————————————————-

The 1st Democrat has entered the race for New York’s 122nd State Assembly District, Richard Shaw of Downsville is a vet, & has served as the President of the Downsville Fire Department, 4 republicans are running for the seat, Joe Angelino, Vic Fuhrman, Nick Libous & James Powers, all are running to fill the seat that has been occupied by Cliff Crouch since 1995, Crouch announced that he is retiring at the end the year & is not seeking re-election.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 56 year old Richard Costello of Franklin in relation to an October 2019, oil spill on roadways in the Town of Franklin.  Costello was charged with Reckless Endangerment following an investigation of a motor vehicle accident on Case Hill Road in the Town of Franklin on October 27, 2019, caused by a fuel oil spill, which resulted in slick road conditions on several area roadways and thousands of dollars in clean-up costs.  Costello was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Franklin Court on a later date.

——————————————–