35 year old Charles Harrison of Binghamton was sentenced Thursday to serve 48 months in federal prison following his trial and conviction for possessing a firearm as convicted felon. The trial evidence demonstrated that, following his 2012 conviction in a federal court for Conspiracy to Possess and Distribute controlled substances, Harrison was serving the final portion of his sentence at a halfway house in Connecticut, he escaped, resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest, US Marshals found him in March 2022 hiding under a mattress in an apartment in Binghamton, Marshals also located a loaded handgun next to Harrison, the jury voted to convict him of possessing the firearm Harrison was sentenced to serve 3 years of supervised release to begin after his prison sentence.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s office arrested Thomas Taranto of South New Berlin for DWI, on State Highway 8 in the Town of Masonville. On January 11th, Deputies observed a vehicle traveling at 72 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone, they performed a traffic stop & charged Taranto with driving while ability impaired by drugs, Speeding, obstructed plate, & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Taranto released on the traffic tickets and an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Masonville Court at a later date to answer the charges.
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Broome County District Attorney’s office announced that Carheem Felton of Binghamton pleaded guilty Wednesday to Criminal Possession of a Weapon, on August 2nd 2022, Felton opened fire at another individual at the Northside Deli in Binghamton, Binghamton Police Department located Felton attempting to flee the scene while still in possession of the firearm. Felton will be sentenced April 17th to 9 years in prison and 5 years post release supervision.
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The Sidney Center Improvement Group annual meeting will be held this coming Monday, at 6:30pm at the Sidney Center Fire Hall. The meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. The Improvement Group Board is seeking new members and more involvement in order to continue bringing programming, events and improvement projects to the Hamlet of Sidney Center and for the Town of Sidney.
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State Police remind the public that there is still time to to apply for the Trooper Entrance Exam. Applications are available through March 4th, There has been an update to the age and education requirement, go to joinstatepolice.ny.gov/qualifications for the latest requirement changes.
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There is still time for New Yorkers to Apply for the HEAP program, to get help in paying for heating bills this winter. Low-income New Yorkers must show Proof of residency, have recent pay stubs for all household members, along with Photo Identification for each household member, more information is available at ny.gov/services.
A.M. NEWS Friday 1-19-23
Delaware County District Attorney’s Office announced that 25 year old Zachary Rowe of Harpursville appeared in Delaware County Court and pleaded guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Rowe appeared in Delaware County Court for a court conference on January 16th, he admitted that he possessed fentanyl in the Village of Sidney on October 1, 2023, and he intended to sell fentanyl, he also admitted to using drugs in close proximity to a child. Rowe was sentenced to a 5-year term of felony probation supervision, he must successfully complete the Delaware County Adult Treatment Program, if he does not successfully complete the program, he will be re-sentenced to 4 years in state prison and two years of post-release supervision.
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Tickets go on Sale this Morning as Legendary Rockers “Styx” will be performing in Binghamton on March 26th, Promoter Stu Green of Magic City Productions comments:
(Stu Green 1-16-24)
Styx has had a string of hits in the 70’s & 80’s & still remain a big concert draw 50 years after starting their recording career.
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The Norwich Theater Company will present 3 performances of “Always…Patsy Cline”, featuring 27 of Patsy Cline’s most famous songs at the Martin W. Kappel Theater in downtown Norwich, Mary Beth Miller of the Chenango Arts Council explains:
(Mary Beth Miller 1-19-24)
The Performances will be tonight & Saturday Night at 7:30PM & Sunday Afternoon at 2:00 PM, Tickets are available at the Chenango Arts Council office, at Service Pharmacy in Norwich, New Berlin, and Sherburne, or online at www.norwichtheatercompany.org.
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]]>Governor Hochul gave the Executive Budget presentation this morning in Albany, she talked about her emphasis on assisting law enforcement, Education, addressing Mental Health issues and economic development, among other topics:
(Hochul 1-16-24)
The proposal increases spending by 4.5% for a total of 233 Billion Dollars, Lawmakers have until April 1st to get a deal finished by the beginning of the state’s fiscal year.
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Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti announces the guilty plea of Rajee Al-Mashni for a fatal hit and run that occurred in 2023 in Johnson City. Al-Mashni pleaded guilty to Manslaughter and Driving While Ability Impaired by Combined Influence of Drugs and Alcohol and Attempted Assault, in Broome County Court, for fatally striking Elizabeth Atkinson with a vehicle at the Oakdale Commons on March 5th, 2023. Al-Mashni also entered a guilty plea to Attempted Assault, for a June 2022 motor vehicle accident in Binghamton which left several people seriously injured. Al-Mashni will be sentenced to 5 to 15 years in State prison when he is sentenced April 9th.
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Binghamton Fire Fighters responded to a blaze at 2 Pleasant Street, where 1 person escaped & another died in the fire. Fire Fighters believed that the building was vacant, but 1 occupant was taken to an area hospital for smoke inhalation & the other was dead at the scene. The investigation into the cause of the blaze is continuing.
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Tickets go on Sale this Friday Morning as Legendary Rockers “Styx” will be performing in Binghamton on March 26th, according to Stu Green of Magic City Productions:
(Stu Green 1-16-24)
WCDO will go you the chance to win Styx Tickets before you can buy them on Friday, at the Box office or through ticketmaster.com.
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Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 “Meet the Rumble Ponies” dinner on April 3 at the Holiday Inn Binghamton. The event starts at 5:30 pm. with the entire Opening Day roster of your 2024 Rumble Ponies available for autographs and photographs. Then, bid on an array of amazing auction items, with proceeds to benefit the Rumble Ponies Foundation. Tickets are available for purchase until March 29 online at bingrp.com, by calling 607.722.3866, or by visiting the Mirabito Stadium Administrative Offices,
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Next Blood Drive Will Be Held Today In Walton from 1:30 pm. – 6 pm., Pines Brook Church, to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
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]]>(Rich Townsend 9-18-18)
Some areas along the Chenango River & the Lower Susquehanna may see more minor flooding over the next day or two; A Flood Warning remains in effect for parts of Broome & Chenango Counties, Local river gauges can be checked at WCDORadio.com.
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Governor Cuomo today announced nearly $224 million in federal funding to support counterterrorism and emergency preparedness efforts in counties across New York. The funding is provided by the FEMA through its Homeland Security Grant Program, to support regional preparedness efforts, including planning, equipment, training and exercise activities that are critical to sustaining and improving community prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities. Full details and the amounts allocated to individual counties are available at governor.ny.gov.
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The Unatego Touchdown Club will be holding a 5K run or Walk in otego this Saturday. Proceeds raised by the event will benefit Unatego Athletic Programs. The run begins at 3:30 PM at the American Legion on Willow Street in Otego, Pre Registration or more information is available at 725-6315 or at the Unatego Touchdown Club” Facebook Page..
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The Oneonta Common Council will be holding their next regular meeting this evening. The meeting is open to the public, starting at 7:00 PM in the Common Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of City Hall.
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The Chenango County Department of Health and Area Agency on Aging will be hosting their annual Senior Flu Vaccination Clinic for adults age 60 and over on Tuesday, September 25th from 9:30 to 11:30 at the Norwich Family YMCA. The Norwich Police Department will be doing a drug take back, they will collect outdated or unused prescription medications for proper disposal, more information about the event is available at 337-1660.
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Magic City Productions is bringing Ringo Starr & his All Star Band to the Floyd L. Maines Memorial Arena in Binghamton this evening. The 2018 All Starr Band includes Colin Hay of “Men At Work”, Steve Lukather of “Toto”, Gregg Rolie of “Journey” & “Santana” and Graham Gouldman of “10cc”, a few tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.com or at the Arena Box office.
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Governor Cuomo announced the strategic deployment of assets throughout the state as heavy rain and flash flooding are forecast for areas of the Southern Tier, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, Capital Region and Mid-Hudson Valley. Remnants of Tropical Depression Florence are hitting the state today; the DOT is setting up staging areas in Binghamton, & Oneonta locally in anticipation of the need for storm response, with a variety of heavy equipment ready to go if needed.
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Some flash flooding is affecting local schools this morning. The Bainbridge Guilford, Oxford & Greene School Districts are closed today, & the Afton & Harpursville School districts are on a 1 hour delay, & the Laurens school district is delayed 2 hours.
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The State Department of Transportation will hold a public open house meeting on Wednesday, September 26 at Afton Central School, from 5:30-7:00 pm to discuss 2 bridge replacements on State Route 41 in the towns of Afton and Coventry. The project will replace the bridge carrying Route 41 over Cornell Creek in the town of Afton as well as the bridge carrying Route 41 over Wilkins Brook in the town of Coventry. Both bridges, which were built in the 1930s, are inspected regularly and safe for continued travel. The bridges will likely be replaced during separate construction seasons in 2020 and 2021. More information about the project is available at 721-8167.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Department responded to the report of a man with a shot gun near the Charlotte Valley School Monday. The school was in lockdown while deputies investigated, the man with the shot gun was a hunter in the area behind the Davenport head Start, the lockdown was lifted, and no arrests were made.
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THE BAINBRIDGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is having their next meeting this morning at 7:30 AM. The meeting will be held at Bob’s Diner.
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(Cliff Crouch 1-24-18)
The Assembly Minority Conference will introduce a package of bills this session to address the issues facing victims of domestic violence and their families.
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State Senator Fred Akshar will continue with his “Akshar’s All-Stars” student recognition program Thursday at the Greene High School as well as the Union-Endicott High School & the Owego Free Academy. Each month, Senator Akshar recognizes three or four local students selected by their school districts in the 52nd Senate District who have shown great leadership, compassion, & school spirit. Akshar will appear at the Greene High School at 12:15PM Thursday.
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The Tri-Town Coalition On Substance Abuse Prevention will hold their next meeting at the Sidney High School Library on Wednesday, January 31st from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Topics of discussion will be the “Truth Pharm” Parental Education Program, a Review of the “Chasing the Dragon” documentary & planning for the 2018 year.
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Magic City Productions announced today that Daughtry will play at the Broome County Forum on March 30th at 8:00 PM. Tickets will g o on sale on Friday morning at 10:00 AM at the Arena Box office, ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation of Monday’s fatal fire at 553 German Hollow Road in the Town of Plymouth. Investigators have determined the fire started in the area of a wood stove being used to heat the residence. It was also determined from autopsies that Debbie Pfeiffer, Amber Morrow and Benjamin Pfeiffer all died from smoke inhalation.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 22 year old Nicholas Corrao of Stamford on 1 count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child following a report of child abuse in the village of Stamford. Deputies allege that Corrao acted in a manner which was injurious to the mental and moral welfare of a child less than 17 years of age. Corrao was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to reappear at the Town of Stamford court at a later date.
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The State Labor Department released local unemployment rates for the month of December. Locally, Chenango County was up to 5.8%, Delaware County had 5.7% unemployment & Otsego County had 5.2% unemployment, the state rate was at 4.4% for December.
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The Unatego School District Board of Education is holding a special vote today from 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM, in the Unatego Middle/High School building in Wells Bridge. Eligible voters in the Unatego district will vote on the leasing of 3 large and 1 small passenger school buses.
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(Dave Richards 2-14-17)
Richards said that the Unatego school board memebers vsited other area school buildings that have been repurposed, they hope to be able to the Otego elementary school building as a viable important building for the Otego Comuntiy.
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State Senator Fred Akshar will be chairing a key committee this year, that could lead to taxpayer savings & maybe increased votoer partiocicaption, Senator Aksahr explains:
(Akshar 2-14-17)
Senator Akshar said that Governor Cuomo & Attorney General Eric Schneiderman have weighed in on the issue, and they hope to get a compromise worked out this session:
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The current state budget has extended the hire-a-vet tax credit from this year through January 1st of 2019 & the period of eligible employment for qualified veterans has also been extended through January 1st of 2018. The credit is provided to any business that hires a veteran returning home from military service, on a full-time basis for at least one year. The credit is equal to 10 percent of wages paid, with a maximum of $5,000 per veteran, it increases to 15% of wages if the veteran is also disabled, with a maximum of $15,000 per disabled veteran.
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Governor Cuomo announced that New York State is formally calling on the federal Environmental Protection Agency to establish an official drinking water standard for the federally unregulated contaminant 1,4-dioxane. Under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA has primary authority to regulate drinking water quality, to date, the EPA has not only failed to issue an Maximum Contaminant Level for this contaminant, but an existing federal loophole exempts public water systems serving less than 10,000 people from even testing for it & other contaminants.
Governor Cuomo announced that legislation authorizing 16 and 17 year olds to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry goes into effect this Week. The new legislation enables this population to enroll in the Registry at the same time they first apply for a driver license, learner permit or non-driver ID, potentially increasing enrollments in New York by thousands. More Information is available at health.ny.gov.
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State Police responded to a structure fire at 8 Lancaster Street in Cherry Valley early Monday morning. The Cherry Valley Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire, 86-year-old Frank Menento died during the fire. State Fire Investigators are assisting State Police with the investigation and a cause has not been determined yet.
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Magic City Productions announced that The Price Is Right Live is coming to the Floyd Maines Broome County Arena on April 22nd at 8:00 pm. Tickets will go on sale Friday, February 17th at 10:00am at the Arena box office, Ticketmaster.com or at 800 745 3000.
(Avasprague 1-27-17)
More information on the event is available at Delhi schools.org
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The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce & several other local organizations have teamed up for the annual Bruce Haak Memorial Sleigh rally on January 28th in Bainbridge. Organizer Phil Canonaco comments:
(Phil Canonaco 1-27-17)
The event is free & open to the public; donations for the Delaware Valley Humane society will be collected at the event.
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Magic City Productions brings HOWIE MANDEL will be live in concert at the Broome County Forum Sunday at 3:00 PM. Tickets are still available at The Arena Box Office, through TICKETMASTER at 1- 800-745-3000 or at Ticketmaster.com. Mandel most recently served as a judge on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
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State police arrested 25 year old Schuyler Schmidt of New Berlin for Criminal Mischief & Reckless Endangerment. Troopers responded to the report of man outside a home on State Route 8 in the Town of Columbus, who had punched and smashed a windshield of an occupied car during a dispute with the woman inside. Schmidt was arraigned in the Town of Columbus Court and was released. An order of protection was issued against him.
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65-year-old Robert Doggart of Tennessee will have his trial begin February 6th in his home state. Doggert faces several charges, including solicitation to commit a civil rights violation and solicitation to commit arson of a building; he is accused of plotting an attack against the residents & the buildings at Islamberg near Hancock.
25-year-old Joshua Underwood has been indicted by an Otsego County Grand Jury on charges of 2nd degree murder and attempted arson, for the murder of 52-year-old Mark Morrison in Morrison’s apartment at 229 Main Street in Oneonta on January 1st. Underwood is accused of killing Morrison & trying to start a fire to cover up the crime, he then called police to report the crime. Underwood was sent back to the Otsego County jail on $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond.
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Norwich City Police and Chenango County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 25 year old Paul Presnell & 20 year old Kailey Hughes after they executed a “No Knock” search warrant at 95 Plymouth Street in Norwich Thursday. Presnell is accused of possessing methamphetamine, he was charged with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal nuisance. Hughes was charged with criminal nuisance. Both were arraigned in Norwich City Court and sent to the Chenango Jail, Presnell’s bail is set at $10,000, while Hughes’ bail is set at $5,000m pending court action on January 31. The investigation is continuing and more charges are possible.
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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a settlement with Acer Corporation, after a data breach of its website exposed over 35,000 credit card numbers. Sensitive Acer customer information was not protected for almost a full calendar year, Acer has agreed to pay $115,000 in penalties and to shore up its data security practices. Acer was the target of a cyber-attack resulting in a compromise of credit card information. The subsequent investigation revealed that at least one attacker exploited Acer website vulnerabilities to view sensitive customer data. In all, sensitive data related to 35,071 people, including 2,250 New York residents, was stolen.
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New York State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, is reminding New Yorkers that the final deadline to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan for 2017 coverage is Tuesday, January 31. To continue to meet high demand, the NY State of Health Customer Service Center will have extended hours on Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Consumers who want to secure 2017 coverage should act now. For more information about the Marketplace, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov.
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SUNY Delhi Admissions representatives will be at the CDO Workforce office in Sidney today, to provide information about the application process, financial aid, and training & career programs available at SUNY Delhi or other SUNY Colleges. Reservations are encouraged at 561-7550; the program will begin at 1:00 PM today at the CDO Workforce office at the Sidney Civic Center.
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Maiorano & Associates located at 7-9 Main Street, Sidney will be holding their Grand Opening today from 2:00 to 8:00 pm with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:00 PM. CEO Serafino Maiorano will give a complimentary seminar at 6:00 pm; reservations are requested at 516-359-4907.
(Andy Matviak 12-13-16)
The meeting will run from 6:30 to 8:30 PM Wednesday, more information is available at 561-2320
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34-year-old James Williams of Oneonta was arrested by Oneonta Police following a disturbance at the Sip & Sail Tavern on Water Street. Williams was charged Saturday with criminal possession of a weapon, plus menacing, reckless endangerment, obstructing governmental administration, false personation & trespassing, Police accused Williams of using a chain as a weapon, and giving police a false identity. He was held at the Oneonta Police Department pending arraignment in the Oneonta City Court.
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State Police arrested 25 year old Andrew Carnrike of Smyrna for the felony Assault, plus Criminal Obstruction of Breathing and 2nd degree Harassment, after troopers responded to a dispute on East Main Street in Smyrna. Carnrike allegedly pushed & grabbed the vicitm by the throat and followed the vicitm to a neighbor’s home, Carrike is also accused of assaulting the neighbor, causing injuries. Carnrike was located, arrested & was arraigned in the Town of Smyrna Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $10,000 cash bail, he faces court action on Thursday.
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Aizaz Siddiqui of Binghamton was released on $50,000 Bail today from the Broome County Jail. Siddiqui was accused in connection with the hit & run death of Stefani Lineva along State Route 434 on Binghamton Southside on December 3rd.
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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli proposed changes to the state’s procurement practices in the wake of criminal charges and allegations of corruption in the awarding of state economic development project contracts. By state law, the Comptroller’s office is responsible for reviewing and approving state agency contracts above $50,000 and certain contracts over $1 million for state public authorities, In recent years, executive and legislative actions have eroded the Comptroller’s contract oversight. In 2015, state agencies issued over $6.8 billion in contracts without Comptroller review. DiNapoli suggested restoring previous powers to his office that have been steadily removed in the last 5 years, Create tougher ethics requirements and penalties for those who abuse the procurement process, & Increase transpoarency over the entire process.
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Governor Cuomo’s office and state lawmakers are discussing a plan to authorize Uber, Lyft & other ride-sharing services statewide as part of current negotiations, which may lead to a special session of the legislature being called back to Albany befroe the end of the year. State lawmakers have been lobbying for a pay raise for teh first time in 17 years, while the Governor has been lobbying for more stringent ethics reforms to be passed. Uber & Lyft have been allowed to operate in New York City under the same rules & taxis & limosines, they would not have to operate under those rules in other locations around the state.
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The next meeting of the Oneonta Downtown Revitalization Initiative local planning committee is tonight at 7:00 PM at the Foothills Performing Arts Center. 2 more committee meeting are scheduled for December 20th & January 3rd, both at the Foothills Performing Arts center.
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Governor Cuomo announced $2.8 million in NYSUNY 2020 awards for Binghamton University, to support the development of a renewable energy research and development facility, to focus on battery life maximization. The facility will collaborate with several other SUNY campuses, provide student research opportunities and promote workforce training in energy conservation.
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Magic City Productions announces that Comedian Howie Mandel will perform at the Forum Theater in Binghamton on Sunday January 29th at 3:00 PM. Tickets go anon Sale This Friday December 16, at 10 AM At The Arena Box Office, Ticketmaster.com, or by Phone 1 800 745 3000
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