The State Division of Consumer Protection assisted 21,855 New Yorkers with a variety of consumer protection matters in 2021, resulting in a record $2,918,025 being returned to consumers’ wallets; the top five areas for complaints relate to errors in delivery, insufficient refunds, defective products, online scams, and COVID cancellations.

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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of an initiative to expand and create child care centers across all SUNY campuses for students and faculty. The initiative includes the distribution of $4.5 million in federal and state funding to support current centers, & a program to train the next generation of child care professionals, SUNY universities receiving funding locally include; SUNY Broome, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Delhi, & SUNY Oneonta.

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The Northeast Classic Car Museum is raffling off a 1965 Mustang Convertible this year. The drawing will be held on Wednesday, October 12th, in the Lobby of the Museum on Rexford Street in Norwich. The raffle is open to U.S. residents age 18+. Official Rules are available at classiccarmuseum.org.

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The State Police are looking to recruit people to become part of the New York State Police Family. Troop C Commanding officer Jeffrey VanAuken told WCDO News that the process to join is easier than ever:

(Major Jeffrey VanAuken 2-10-22)

Major Van Auken said that the State Police currently have specialized units such as the Special Operation Response team, Underwater recovery Team, positions in forensics, canine handlers & even a snowmobile unit for extreme winter issues.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 3-14-22

Oneonta Police reported that the investigation into the death on January 27th, of 20-year-old, SUNY Oneonta Student Tyler Lopresti-Castro continues. There remains no indication of a crime being committed and the investigation is being conducted as a suspicious death. Lopresti-Castro left a party in the center city around midnight, cell phone data collected indicates he was on foot in the neighborhood where he was living in an apartment. Preliminary findings indicate alcohol and caffeine were present in Tyler Lopresti-Castro, but his actual blood alcohol concentration was unknown in the hours before his discovery. The public is encouraged to contact the Oneonta Police Detectives with any additional information at (607) 432-1111.

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State Police reported that 1 person was killed in a single-car crash on Route 11 in Kirkwood Thursday morning. State Police identified the victim as 30-year-old Eric Marks of Conklin. Troopers were dispatched to the crash around 10:15 am. an investigation showed that Marks was traveling southeast when he left the roadway, struck a culvert, went into a ditch, struck a tree and then came to a rest in the ditch.

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The New York Office of Cannabis Management announced Thursday the first 100 cannabis retail licenses will be awarded to those with previous marijuana convictions. Also, hemp farmers will be able to start growing cannabis in the summer, supply of products will be seen in the fall, and retail stores will be open by the end of the year.

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The City of Norwich Local Planning Committee held their first ZOOM Meeting yesterday afternoon regarding the 10 Million Dollar Downtown Revitalization Initiative Grant Award, Commerce Chenango President & CEO Kerri Green told WCDO about how quick this process is expected to move:

(Kerri Green 2-10-22)

Several more meetings will be scheduled in the ensuing months, more information is available at ny.gov/programs/downtown revitalization initiative.

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The State Police are out all over the state this week looking to recruit people to become part of the New York State Police Family. Troop C Commanding officer Jeffrey VanAuken was in Kirkwood today, he told WCDO News that the process to join is easier than ever:

(Major Jeffrey VanAuken 2-10-22)

State Police currently have specialized units such as the Special Operation Response team, Underwater recovery Team, positions in forensics, canine handlers& even a snowmobile unit for extreme winter issues.

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The Spring Concert Series at the Community Cultural Center in Sidney Begins this Saturday Night, with 3 other shows already scheduled, spokesperson Clarissa Walrath explains:

(Clarissa Walrath 2-11-22)

More information is available by calling 607-604-4584.

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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 36 year old Nicholas Simonds of Oxford for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia.  Simonds was found to be in Possession of a large quantity of heroin, while also possessing several items that indicated that Simonds was distributing narcotics.  Simonds was arraigned in the Town of Oxford Court and released on his own recognizance, he will appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.  

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State and local law enforcement agencies across New York will be stepping up patrols and targeting impaired driving during the Super Bowl weekend. The enforcement campaign will run from Friday through Monday. During the 2021 campaign, law enforcement throughout the state issued 26,127 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations, including 846 arrests for DWI

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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-10-22

State Police charged 61 year old Douglas Webb of Sherburne for Offering a False Instrument for Filing & Falsifying Business Records. Webb, who was a bus driver at the Sherburne-Earlville School District, was initially arrested last week by State Police for Forcible Touching and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, the investigation revealed that on his application to become a school bus driver, Webb failed to disclose that he had a previous conviction on a charge of sexual abuse. Webb was released on appearance tickets to the Sherburne Village Court on February 17th.

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Governor Kathy Hochul announced the end of the indoor mask mandate in New York State effective today. Previously, the state had required masks to be worn inside businesses where vaccination status was not being checked. The mandate will remain in effect at homeless shelters, healthcare centers, state-run nursing homes, schools and childcare centers, and correctional facilities. Statewide COVID-19 Cases Down 93% Since January 7th Peak, the COVID-19 Hospitalizations is down 63% since the peak on January 12th, the positivity rate for COVID 19 tests decreased to 3.67% on Tuesday

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Delaware County Public Health will be conducting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for people 12 and older today at 97 Main Street, in Delhi. Pfizer 1st or 2nd doses will be available from 1:00 to 2:00 PM for walk-ins only. Pfizer boosters will be available from 1:00 to 2:00 PM registration is required at apps2.health.ny.gov; more information is available at 607-832-5200.