Governor Hochul announced the start of the 2nd phase of a plan to allow 3rd parties to offer the Commercial Driver License road test, to both public and private entities. The program is being implemented to address the shortage of bus and truck drivers. Any qualified third party is now eligible to apply for certification through the DMV, New Yorkers can find more information at dmv.ny.gov/commercial-drivers.

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Famed “Star Trek” star & Author George Takei is scheduled to be a speaker at SUNY Oneonta on October 24 at 7:00 PM at the Alumni Field House. Takei is the author of “They Called Us Enemy”, which is a New York Times Best Seller, in which he describes his experiences of growing up in internment camps in the United States as a Japanese American during World War II.

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State Police and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services announced that a contingent of 50 State Troopers left Saturday morning for Puerto Rico to help the island nation as it recovers from the devastation left behind in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. The first wave of 50 Troopers, along with 69 New Jersey State Troopers, flew out of JFK airport at about 10 am. this morning bound for Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The flight was donated by Jet Blue Airlines.

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A free virtual job fair will be held Wednesday from 11:00am to 1:00pm for businesses & job seekers from across the region,, The job fair can be found at pvapi.premiervirtual.com

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The State DOT will hold a public hearing this Wednesday at 5:30 pm. to discuss plans to enhance safety at 4 sites on State Route 8 in the towns of Columbus, New Berlin and Norwich. The proposed project will widen traffic lanes and shoulders, improve sight distances & reduce curves, the hearing will take place at the Unadilla Valley Central School Auditorium. More information is available at dot.ny.gov/Rt8Safety

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Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested Amy Schermerhorn of New Berlin following a traffic Stop in the town of Pittsfield. Schermerhorn was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Operating a Motor Vehicle with .08% Blood Alcohol Content, She will appear in court at a later date.

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Johnson City Police arrested 3 people in connection with the shooting of a man in the abdomen last week. Destiany Kleine-Hill, Justice Marimberga and David Van Patten were all charged with Attempted Murder, 1st degree Robbery & 2nd degree Burglary.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 9-26-22

Delaware County Public Health Services will be conducting a Monkeypox vaccine clinic on Wednesday, October 5, from 4:30PM to 6:00 PM, at 99 Main Street in Delhi. The two vaccine doses are given 28 days apart. This is a 1st dose clinic only. More information is available at 607-832-5200 To register for the clinic, go to delawarecountypublichealth.com.

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DCMO BOCES in Norwich is currently auctioning off 3 used school buses. The online auctions are open to the public at municibid.com and ends Thursday, September 29th.

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Assemblyman Joe Angelino announced the launch of a $200 million Seed Fund Grant Program, which is targeted at helping small businesses recover after the COVID-19 pandemic. More Information and access to the application portal can be found at nyseedgrant.com. The program is in addition to the $800 million Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program, which helped more than 35,000 small businesses with roughly $639 million since it began last year. Businesses may call 877-721-0097 for assistance from Empire State Development.

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Norwich Police Department arrested Luis Franco of Brooklyn after they responded to a repport of an assault on September 22nd. The victim sustained broken bones, a fractured spine and a collapsed lung and was taken to a Binghamton Hospital, Franco was charged with Assault in the 2nd degree, he was arraigned and held on $25,000 cash bail.

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(Gabrielle Argo 9-21-18)

The event will run from 10:00 to 2:00 PM at Keith Clark Park in Sidney.
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This Saturday, the 23rd annual “Doctors With A Heart” event will be held at Progressive Dental offices at 101 South Broad Street in Norwich, plus at their Kirkwood, Endwell & Montrose Pennsylvania locations. Spokesperson Michelle Parker explains:

(Michelle Parker 9-19-18)

The event will run from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon, on a first come first served basis, for those with urgent dental needs, who have no money, job, or health care.
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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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A “Free Weekend at Noah’s World” for Delaware County Residents will be held today through Sunday at their 144 Roundhouse Road location in Oneonta. The free weekend is for Delaware County Residents with Children with Special Health Care Needs, who need help in accessing health care professionals and community resources. The event will run
today until 7:00 pm & Saturday and Sunday, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. More information is available at noahsworld.net or by calling Delaware County Public Health at (607) 832-5200.
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19th Congressional District Candidates will be debating in Walton on Tuesday, October 16th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the historic Walton Theatre on Gardiner Place. Congressional candidates who have secured a place on the ballot have been invited, including incumbent John Faso and challengers Antonio Delgado, Steven Greenfield and Diane Neal. The debate is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the Delaware County Farm Bureau and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.
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The 2nd Annual Uncle Bear truck Show will be held on Saturday September 22nd at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, Family Spokesperson Julie Fuller explains:

(Julie Fuller 9-21-18)

Musical acts will include Jason Wicks, Rylee Lum & others, all proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.
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Last Year, Hurricane Maria plowed through Puerto Rico, making public health conditions for the survivors very poor, with a 1 major Hospital being destroyed, and chronically ill patients are still struggling to get the care they need. 4 Members of Bassett Hospital will be going to Puerto Rico Saturday for about a week; Dr. Celeste Johns is one of the 4:

(Dr. Celeste Johns 9-21-18)

Dr. Chris Kjolhede (Coal-Heed), a Bassett pediatrician is also going:

(Dr. Chris Kjolhede 9-21-18)

Along with Drs Johns & Kjolhede, registered nurses Anna Buell & Rachel Gaston from Bassett will make the trip along with 8 other volunteers from around New York State.
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Live Nation Urban and TCG Entertainment announced that their new production “4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince” will come to the Anderson Center for the Performing Arts at Binghamton University Tonight at 7:30pm. Spokesman Chris Bodnarczuk explains:

(Chris Bodnarczuk 9-21-18)

Tickets are available at the Anderson Center Box Office at (607) 777-ARTS or online at anderson.binghamton.edu
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(Anna Buell 9-12-18)

The Bassett staff will include Buell, Dr. Celeste Johns, chief of Psychiatry; Dr. Chris Kjolhede (Coal-Heed), a pediatrician, and registered nurse Rachel Gaston along with 8 other volunteers from New York State.
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Tomorrow will be the “Test Drive Your Seat” event from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Forum Theatre in Binghamton. Tina Niles from NAC Entertainment explains:

(Tina Niles 9-12-18)

Broadway Theatre League Staff will be on hand to answer any questions on the season; more information is available at 772-1391 or at Broadway In Binghamton.com
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The Public Service Commission has given Spectrum another 30 day extension for filing their 60 day exit plan. The Commission took away its approval of the merger between Charter and Time Warner Cable in July, after they failed to adhere to the rules stipulated by the state upon the original approval of the merger.
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The Raymond Corporation is holding a Job Fair at their Greene Facility through 7:00 PM tonight. Raymond Vice President Steve VanNorstrand comments:

(Steve VanNorstrand 9-12-18)

The forklift manufacturer is looking to add anouther 75 jobs to their exisiting 1850 employees.
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A.O. Fox Hospital is co-hosting a special panel discussion event at Hartwick College’s Slade Theatre in Yager Hall today from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, Community agencies, law enforcement, crisis counselors, survivors, & A.O. Fox’s Emergency Department will facilitate a candid conversation about sexual assault, more information is available at 431-5180.
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Delaware County Public Health will hold a Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic For dogs, cats and ferrets today from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Sidney Fire Station on River Street. More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com
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The Afton Central School District Board of Education will hold open forums this week for their 2 candidates for Superintendent. Daniel Erickson of the Johnson City school district will have his public forum will be from tonight from 5:30-6:30 pm in the Afton Central School auditorium. Timothy McNamara of the Downsville School District, will be have his public forum Thursday from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Afton Central School auditorium.
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(Tina Niles 9-25-17)

The full line up of shows for the coming season can be viewed at BroadwayInBinghamton.com.
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The City of Oneonta Clerk’s Office announced 2 Committee meetings for today. At 5:00 PM, the Finance/Human Resources committee will meet, at 7:00 PM, the Zoning & Housing Board of Appeals will meet, both meeting will be held in the Common Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of Oneonta City Hall.
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New York’s new Drinking Water Council will hold its first meeting on Long Island to consider setting maximum levels of several contaminants not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. the 12-member council will recommend maximum levels for various chemicals which have contaminated drinking water in Rensselaer County and Newburgh. The council will also address dioxane, an industrial solvent that has contaminated water supplies in Long Island and elsewhere.
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Jennifer Lopez has pledged $1 million to aid victims of the hurricanes that have devastated Puerto Rico. Lopez joined Governor Cuomo at a press conference announcing aid to the stricken island; her personal donation will be taken from the proceeds of her residency shows in Las Vegas.
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State Police Major William McEvoy invites the public to help celebrate 100 years of service by attending the Centennial Open House at Troop C in Sidney on October 7th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The event will have demonstrations from the K-9 unit, Helicopter Rescue, Underwater Recovery Team, Special Operations Response Team, & the Centennial Mounted Unit, and much more. There will be historical displays, firearm displays, vintage Troop cars, motorcycles, along with hands-on patrol car displays, McGruff the Crime Dog, tours of Troop Headquarters and the new Forensic Center. There is no admission; parking will be done at off-site parking on Delaware Avenue and Union Street in Sidney, with Shuttle buses running from that site.
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Chenango County Sheriff’s department arrested 2 Town of Greene residents for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Nuisance. Arrested were 47-year-old Chad Shields of Greene, & 19-year-old Shawn Rhodes of Greene. Shields and Rhodes were arrested following an investigation into the sale and possession of Cocaine and Methamphetamine in Chenango County; they were arraigned in the Town of Oxford Court and remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $30,000.00 cash bail. The Greene Police Department, State Police, and the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office assisted the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office.

State Police responded to a report of a motorcycle accident on State Route 28 in the Town of Exeter. 86-year-old Herbert Black of Remsen was operating his motorcycle on State Route 28 when he entered a curve in the roadway, he was unable to maintain his lane and struck a street sign & was ejected and suffered serious injuries to his head, neck and chest. Black was transported to Bassett Hospital where he was pronounced deceased, no autopsy would be required.
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On Monday October 8th, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies and State Police responded to a reported bomb threat at the DCMO BOCES, Harrold Campus, in the Town of Masonville. The bomb threat was discovered written on a bathroom wall. The building was evacuated, a search found no explosive devises. Deputies have determined that a 14-year-old male was responsible for making the written threat. The youth and his legal guardian were subsequently issued a juvenile appearance ticket for the Delaware County Probation Department where the juvenile will answer a charge of Filing a False Report in the First Degree.
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State Police in Norwich observed a 2007 Hummer traveling on State Route 12 in the Town of North Norwich; the vehicle matched the description of a stolen vehicle from Utica, and had been in a pursuit earlier in Oneida County. Several attempts to stop the driver were made and were stopped for safety reasons as the suspect approached the City of Norwich and then the Village of Greene. Troopers reported that as the vehicle entered Broome County, 2 Tire Deflation Devises were deployed, the front tires were disabled & the suspect continued to the Town of Chenango, and then fled the disabled vehicle and ran into the woods, A search by a State Police & Broome County Sheriff’s K-9 teams led to 17 year old La-Tee Baker of Utica, who was located near Otsinigo Park. Baker was charged with reckless endangerment and criminal possession of stolen property, he was arraigned at the Town of Chenango court and remanded to the Broome County jail with no bail set at this time.
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The Oneonta police department special response team is scheduled to work in cooperation with the Greater Plains Elementary School to conduct a school lockdown drill on Thursday. The event will provide the Oneonta SRT Team to train in full gear, and it will give students & faculty a chance to become familiar with evacuation procedures in case of an emergency.
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The New York State Office of Information Technology Services is offering a number of resources and activities to help all users learn more about cyber security and how to safeguard themselves from cyber-based threats. The 2015 Cyber Security Toolkit features awareness resources geared to a broad audience, including government, businesses, schools, and the general public. New York ITS is also coordinating a statewide cyber security poster contest for students in grades K through 12 promoting online safety, winners will be featured on the ITS website and entered into a national contest, more information on the poster contest is available at its.ny.gov/eiso.
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The Assembly Minority Task Force on Heroin Addiction & Community Response will hold a regional forum aimed at identifying problems and weaknesses in current efforts to combat the rampant heroin epidemic. Local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch & other lawmakers will participate on Tuesday, October 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the SUNY Broome Decker Health Science Center in Room D201. Representatives from rehabilitation and treatment organizations and facilities, law enforcement and criminal justice, and those with firsthand experience dealing with heroin addiction have been invited to attend and provide feedback.
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The Commerce Chenango College & Career Connection Day will be held tomorrow at the Morrisville State College Norwich Campus, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Commerce Chenango spokesperson Jill O’Hara explains:

(Jill O’Hara 10-13-15)

More information about the college & Career Connection Day is available at 334-1402.
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The city of Oneonta FTO-CIC committee will hold their next meeting this afternoon at 4:00 this afternoon, the Oneonta Finance/Administration committee will hold their next meeting at 5:00 PM, both meetings will be held at Oneonta city hall.
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Governor Cuomo retunred today after a trip to Puerto Rico. The governor was invited by the Puertan Governor to discuss lagging healthcare and econimic challenges:

(Cuomo 9-8-15)

Cuomo arrived in Puerto Rico with a New York delegation Monday, they also discussed the need for Washington to take action to help Puerto Rico’s economy.
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Governor Cuomo today announced up to $500,000 in state grants to increase college access for 2016 high school graduates. New York State’s College Action Grants will award up to $5,000 to eligible high schools and community organizations that promote activities aimed at increasing the rate of low-income New York State high school seniors who apply to college, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and ultimately enroll in a college. Eligible high schools are those in which 50 percent or more of the students are eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced-price lunch program. Qualified not-for-profit organizations serving low-income students from such high schools are also eligible to apply for this grant opportunity.
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Assemlyman Pete Lopez will speak at the Citizen Voices meeting tomorrwo morning at 7:30 AM. Lopez will speak at the meeting at the Oneonta Block Company at State Route 23 in Oneonta.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 23 year old Steven Sanchez of Tarrytown on Friday, on 2 bench warrants issued by Delhi Town Court for failure to pay fines for disorderly conduct, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminally using drug paraphernalia & unlawful possession of marijuana. The arrest followed a civilian report of an erratic driver in the Town of Delhi. Sanchez was also issued tickets for consumption of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle and was later turned over to the Delhi Police Department for arraignment on the charges from the warrants.
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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will operate a statewide Election Day Hotline during the primary election this Thursday, September 10. Voters encountering barriers to access at their polling sites can report those issues to the Attorney General’s Office by calling the hotline at 800-771-7755, or by emailing the office at civil.rights@ag.ny.gov. The Hotline will be available from 6:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. on Election Day.