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Governor Cuomo announced a proposal to remove fraud from the School Tax Relief program known as “STAR”.  Cuomo proposes a 6-year ban imposed on those who knowingly provide false information on a STAR credit application.  In 2013, Governor Cuomo enacted reforms to the STAR program to crack down on delinquent taxpayers, in 2015, the State Department of Taxation and Finance was authorized to recoup STAR benefits from property owners who unlawfully received those state benefits, a power that previously was held by local assessors.  The STAR program provides $3.4 billion in relief from school property taxes, the Basic STAR benefit is for homeowners with incomes under $500,000, and the Enhanced STAR benefit for seniors with income of $86,300 or less.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 57 year old Gerald Walke of Franklin Monday on a charge of Felony Driving while intoxicated following a traffic stop for an obstructed license plate on County Highway 21 in the Town of Walton. Deputies allege the defendant operated a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated condition and additionally while having a prior conviction of Driving While Intoxicated. Walke was arraigned in front of Judge Hall at Walton Village Court, and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $2,000 bail.

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33 year old Robert West of New Berlin was arrested Friday by the Otsego County Sheriff’s department on 10 counts of failing to notify of an internet change within 10 days, which is a requirement for a registered sex offender.  West was remanded to the Otsego County Jail pending future court action.

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Governor Cuomo has removed a proposal from his executive State Budget plan that would have banned modified limousines, like the one involved in the fatal crash in Schoharie last October that killed 20 people.  Cuomo may still forward a bill this session for the legislature to consider regarding limousine modifications.

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A benefit “Sock Hop” will be held this Saturday, at the Sidney Elks Lodge at 5:30 PM. All proceeds will benefit the Delaware Valley Humane Society.

 Governor Cuomo directed an investigation into Facebook’s collection of personal information after a Wall Street Journal report on Friday said the company was obtaining “intimate secrets” from smartphone apps.   11 widely used smartphone apps, including programs that collect health information, were relaying information to Facebook, even when users are not Facebook members or logged into their accounts.  The Department of State, the Department of Financial Services and other state agencies will conduct an investigation.

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Current statistics show that the leading cause of death among women is heart disease.  Sue Button of UHS Cardiology Norwich will discuss the topic Today at Bohemian Moon, 103 West Main Street in Norwich, as part of the UHS Women’s Health Series, The event will begin at 6:00 PM, the presentation and discussion will follow at 7:00 PM.  More information on the series is available at 337-4183.

(Terry Potter 6-20-18)

Tickets are available locally at Blue Ox Store, or at the gate the day of the show.
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State Lawmakers wrapped up their session one calendar later than anticipated, in the early morning hours today. The 2018 session ended without a deal to renew the state law authorizing school zone cameras, Lawmakers also failed to reach a compromise on bills to overhaul teacher evaluations and address school security.
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State Police at Oneonta arrested 37 year old Heather Koncelik of Worcester on 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Troopers arrested Koncelik after she was found to have heroin and suboxone in her possession in the town of Worcester. Koncelik was arraigned & was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $500 cash bail.
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Broome County Sheriff David Harder announced that confidential tips provided by the residents of the southern tier have led to the capture of Noah Venth-Costick. On Wednesday morning, the Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division received information that Venth-Costick was hiding out in a residence in Afton. The Warrants Division observed a vehicle enter the driveway which was occupied by Venth-Costick, he was arrested without incident, and he was transported to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Facility where he is being held without bail.
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State Police arrested 33-year-old Robert West of New Berlin for allegedly sending messages of a sexual nature to the child by Snapchat. West has been charged with 2nd-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching, & 2 counts of endangering the welfare of a child. West was arraigned in North Norwich town court and sent to Chenango County Jail on $5,000 bail.
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Assemblyman Cliff Crouch and State Senator Fred Akshar will be holding a dedication ceremony to name the bridge on route 97 spanning the Delaware River the “Hancock Veterans Memorial Bridge” this Thursday, June 21 at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of Route 97 and Front Street in the Village of Hancock. The bridge is being named in honor of all those from the village who lost their lives in service to our country.
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The Greater Afton Area Chamber of Commerce announced that their annual Sidewalk Day will take place from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 25th this year. Merchandise and Craft Vending spaces are available now at www.AftonSidewalkDay.com or by calling event organizer Melissa Matthews at 242-8473, or Afton Chamber President John Hinman at 343-0533.
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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.
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