Governor Cuomo held his daily COVID briefing today, he admitted that the state should not have with-held the nursing home information requested by the State Legislature at the same time that the US Department of Justice was requesting that information, he defended the actions of State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa, The CDC & their guidance on the Controversial March 25th guidance to send COVID patients from hospitals back to nursing homes:

(Cuomo 2-15-21)

Members from both parties are looking into an investigation of Cuomo’s administration regarding several aspects of the COVID 19 pandemic in the last year.

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The State Health department reported that over 180,000 New Yorkers were tested for COVID Sunday, and 3.5% tested positive, the lowest level in 3 months. The number hospitalized has dropped to 6600, the number in ICU beds dropped to 1270, the number of Ventilators was down to 875, there were 103 COVID deaths Sunday from the virus.

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A wintry mix of precipitation is expected overnight, Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Townsend 2-15-21)

Townsend said that there is a possibility for another storm later in the week that bears watching.

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The Sidney Police Reform & Reinvention Collaborative Committee will hold a Zoom Meeting Wednesday evening, to go over the Public Comments they have received from their recent survey, Mayor Andy Matviak explains:

(Matviak 2-15-21)

Mayor Matviak said that the ZOOM meeting with be from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday, the link is available at the Sidney village website or their Facebook Page.

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State Police arrested 31 year old Kerri Bunnelle of Little Falls for Vehicular Manslaughter, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle and Aggravated DWI, following the investigation into an August 4 accident last year old State Route 8 in New Berlin, that killed 43 year old Matthew Fredericks of Herkimer. Police stated that Bunnelle was the driver of a GMC Envoy that crossed over into a Ford Focus head-on driven by Fredericks, who did not survive the crash. Bunnelle’s blood alcohol content was .23% & she also did not possess a valid drivers license. Bunnelle was virtually arraigned in the town of Norwich court and released on her own recognizance. She will appear in the Chenango County Court at a later date.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s office arrested 57 year old Jose Hernandez from the Bronx, after failing to signal for a turn in the Village of Delhi February 10th. Deputies stopped the vehicle, Hernandez did not possess a New York State Driver’s License and his driving privileges were suspended in 2009, 2012 and 2016 because of narcotics related offenses. Hernandez was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and failure to signal a turn, he was released and directed to appear in the Town of Delhi Court on a later date.

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The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce announced that due to the weather forecast, tomorrow morning’s General membership meeting is rescheduled to next week Tuesday, February 23rd at 7:30 am at the back of Bob’s Diner. More information is available at 967-8700.

A.M. NEWS Monday 2-15-21

Due to the ongoing safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 Hall of Fame Weekend ceremonies will take place as indoor television events, adhering to all of the required New York State guidelines. The Hall of Fame’s 2021 Induction Ceremony will take place live on MLB Network on Sunday, July 25 beginning at 1:30 PM. EDT, honoring honor the members of the Class of 2020: Derek Jeter, Marvin Miller, Ted Simmons and Larry Walker.

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A.O. Fox Tri-Town Campus in Sidney will hold a Blood Drive today from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM, Spokesperson Rebecca Brooks-White said that there is a shortage of many blood types:

(Rebecca Brooks White 2-12-21)

Appointments may be made at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-Red Cross.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in the Town of Walton, Deputies arrested 26 year-old Jeffery Robinson of Sidney Center for Harassment, 3 counts of criminal mischief and 1 count of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. Robinson was arraigned by virtually by Town of Middletown Court, he was released on his own recognizance following the issuance of a temporary order of protection for the victim, he will appear in the Town of Walton Court on a later date. Robinson was turned over to the City of Norwich Police Department to be arraigned on an active Bench Warrant for failure to appear or pay a fine.

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Sidney Police Department responded Thursday to a disturbance at a business in the Village. 34 year old Michael Ide of Otego was wanted on active arrest warrant from the City of Oneonta, he allegedly had a small quantity of crack cocaine and methamphetamines, he was charged with 2 counts of Criminal possession of a controlled substance & Aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, he was released on appearance tickets and turned over to the City of Oneonta Police Department. That arrest led Sidney Police to request a State Police K9 unit to search a vehicle, where narcotics, drug paraphernalia, packaging material, a rifle and ammunition were discovered, 34 year old Brandon MacLaury of Guilford was charged with Criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and Criminal possession of a weapon, he was virtually arraigned & was released & will appear in court at a later date.

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Delaware County Public Health reported 14 new cases of COVID 19 on Friday & again on Saturday & 12 on Sunday. The County reports 129 total cases, 22 hospitalized & 303 quarantined. Delaware County Public Health has vaccinated 613 people.

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Governor Cuomo announced Tuesday’s results regarding the ongoing COVID 19 Pandemic. There were 636 new positive cases yesterday, or .87% of those tested statewide, bringing the state wide total to 418,225.  There were 4 COVID-19 Deaths, bringing the toll since March to 25,179.    Patient Hospitalizations were down to 564, the number of ICU patients was down to 134, there were 69 patients on Ventilators.

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Chenango County released their latest COVID 19 statistics today, with 1 new positive, giving them 212 cases since March.  Chenango County has 136 people in Quarantine, 1 person is hospitalization, and there have been 189 Recoveries, 7 deaths, & 17,275 tests Performed.

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Broome County Health Department announced that they had 9 more positive COVID 19 cases today, bringing their total to 1029.  They report 829 recoveries, 69 deaths, 703 are being monitored by the Health Department.

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Governor Cuomo announced that State Police and local law enforcement will be increasing patrols over the next week to crack down on speeding across the state. Unsafe speed was a contributing factor in 34% of all fatal crashes from January to May this year, compared to 30% of fatal crashes during the same period in 2019, The “Speed Awareness Week” enforcement campaign is part of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee’s ongoing efforts to improve safety on New York roadways.

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The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will host its 34th Annual Chamber Classic Golf Tournament at the Oneonta Country Club on Thursday, August 20th, with a 1:00 PM shotgun start.  The event will follow all Social Distancing Guidelines and Safety Protocols.   A portion of the event proceeds will be donated to the CommunityFoundation of Otsego County.  More information is available at 432-4500.

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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand discussed the US Senate’s lack of renewing the CARES Act that lapsed August 1st, which led to state and local governments cutting services, & families face lesser or no unemployment benefits & families have been unable to pay their rent and face eviction.

(Gillibrand 8-5-20)

Gillibrand also said that New Yorkers returning to work are also challenged by a growing child care crisis and reduced transportation due to budget shortfalls which limited service, plus millions of jobs have not yet come back since closing in the early days of the COVID 19 pandemic.

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Otsego Now established a State Disaster Emergency Grant Program for Otsego County, with financial assistance from the Community Foundation of Otsego County and the Cooperstown Foundation. Small businesses and not-for-profit corporations with fewer than 50 employees are eligible for grants up to $500 for the purpose of acquiring personal protective equipment or installing fixtures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, More information is available otsegonow.com.

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The Cancer Services Program has a free mobile coach cancer screening event today at the Morris Fire Department from 9:00am to 2:00 pm to provide NO COST mammograms and Pap tests to women 40 or older.  More information is available at 1-888-345-0225.

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The Regatta Row 2020 Art Trail on North and West Main streets in Bainbridge will be coming to an end this week.   The online auction of the chairs and paddles is closing at 10:00 pm Friday, at 32auctions.com/rr2020chairs and www.32auctions.com/rr2020paddles.  To vote for People’s choice chair go to jerichoarts.com and click on the link on the homepage.

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Delaware County Public Health received no new positive test results for COVID-19 Tuesday and 2 additional recoveries have been reported. The known active cases in the County is now 2. To date there have been 96 confirmed positive cases,  with 17 people under mandatory quarantine, 2 people are isolated at home and no one is in a hospital, 6 people have died and 88 have fully recovered.

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Preferred Mutual Insurance Company presented the Village of New Berlin with a $150,000 donation to the New Berlin Firehouse project; which will be a  7,000 square-foot firehouse with 6 garage bays, offices, meeting rooms and training area, construction is slated to begin later this year.