STATE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER MARY ELLEN ELIA – WCDO Radio News

WCDO NEWS WEDNESDAY 8-2-17

wcdonews — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 18:08:51 +0000

State Police arrested 36-year-old James Brower of Norwich, for 1st degree Murder, he is accused of murdering 11-year-old Jacelyn O’Connor in his residence in Norwich Sunday, anyone with information is asked to contact State Police at 334-3296. Brower was arraigned in Chenango County Court & was remanded to the Chenango County Jail without bail pending court action in the Town of Norwich Court on Thursday, at 9:00 AM. The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office assisted with this investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
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Governor Cuomo was in Johnson City this morning, to deliver state funds to assist the Regional Econimic Development’s wishes to assist Binghamton area businesses add jobs:

(Cuomo 8-2-17)

The State has already invested more than $3.1 billion in the region since 2012, recent REDC efforts in Binghamton have led to the building of the new Pharmacy School in Johnson City & the expansion of the Decker School of Nursing into a bigger facility.
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Area Law Enforcement Agencies will team up with Area Dunkin Donuts locations to raise money for the “Cops On Top” fundraiser. Sidney Police Chief Jan Gorshack told WCDO News that the SIdney Police Deaprtment will be involved Friday:

(Jan Gorshack 8-2-17)

Police officers will also assist in the fundraising efforts in Bainbridge, Norwich, Vestal, Binghamton, Johnson City & Whitney Point this coming Friday morning.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 43 year old George Robinson of Delhi, on 7 additional felony charges following their investigation of complaints received from Fianncial Institutions in the County. Robinson was charged with 6 counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument & 1 count of 3rd degree Grand Larceny. Robinson is accused of acting in concert with 23 year old Justina Mastrorocco of Walton in stealing more than $3,000 by cashing 6 stolen and forged checks. Robinson was arrested in the Delaware County Jail where he is being held on bail on separate charges, he will be arraigned on the new charges at a later date.
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New York State has announced a new round of funding for a program aimed at keeping students from dropping out of school. The state Education Department on Monday said 44 colleges and universities would receive a total of $17 million as part of the Liberty Partnerships Program. Under the program, colleges partner with struggling schools and community-based organizations to help middle and high school students who are at risk of dropping out complete school and go on to college. Commissioner MaryEllen Elia says the program gives students access to skills assessment, tutoring, counseling and mentoring. The program was started in 1988.
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New York state now considers an inmate’s age at the time of the crime to ensure that offenders receiving long sentences as juveniles have a legitimate chance at release. Corrections officials say the Board of Parole made the change immediately after a 2016 ruling that juveniles must be granted a meaningful chance at release during parole proceedings. Though New York has never sentenced juveniles to life without parole, groups including the New York Civil Liberties Union had criticized officials for looking only at crimes, and not youth, in parole determinations. Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have narrowed the instances in which those who commit offenses under age 18 can receive the harshest penalties.
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U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said that the Food and Drug Administration should launch a formal investigation into the health consequences of chemicals used in fast food packaging. Schumer is asking for the investigation into chemicals used in plastics to make them more flexible and harder to break, but they have been linked to developmental and reproductive issues.

The Oneonta Common Council meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday has been rescheduled to tonight. The meeting will be held at 7:00 PM at the Common Council Chambers at City Hall.
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WCDO NEWS MONDAY 2-27-17

wcdonews — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 20:23:50 +0000

A new Siena College poll has Governor Cuomo at his highest favorability ratings in 2 years. Today’s Poll has 60% of respondents viewing Cuomo favorably, compared to 34% who have an unfavorable view. Today’s poll also has President Donald Trump with 68% unfavorable and only 29% favorable.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded a fatal, 2 car head on collision on Bear Spring Mountain in the Town of Walton Saturday. Sheriff’s Deputies and the State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit revealed that 43 year old Andrew Thompson of Tenafly, New Jersey, was driving on State Route 206 when a vehicle driven by 41 year old Joel Alves of Hopewell Junction crossed the center lines & collided head on with Thompson’s vehicle. Thompson was pronounced dead at the scene, his wife 43-year-old Wendy Hoeben, and their 6-year-old son were transported to Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton, Hoeben was treated & released, and the child was transferred to Westchester Medical Center. Alves was also transported to Delaware Valley Hospital where he was also treated and released. Alves was driving with a suspended driver’s license and a suspended vehicle registration, the investigation is continuing & charges are anticipated.
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Governor Cuomo today announced more than $36.6 million in savings for farmers across the state through the first 3 years of the Agricultural Assessment Cap. The Cap became law in 2013, preventing agricultural assessments from being increased by more than 2% annually. Southern Tier farmers are expected to save 3.2 million dollars with the cap in place this year.
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The Next the ReUnite Bainbridge Committee meets tonight at 7:00 PM at Bob’s Diner in Bainbridge. Discussions will include plans for events & projects for 2017. More information is available at 967-8700 or at bainbridgeny.org or visitbainbridgeny.org.
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An elderly woman died during a fire that engulfed her mobile at 417 West Service Road in Hillcrest Sunday night. Hillcrest Fire Department reported that 1 person was found on the backside of the trailer. Fire Fighters found the trailer fully engulfed in flames at around 8:30 PM, Fire officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the name of the deceased has not yet been announced.
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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia today reminded school districts of their duty to comply with existing state and federal laws that ensure the rights of immigrant children to attend New York’s public schools without fear of reprisal. The guidance provides districts with information pertaining to their duties under the law, regarding the confidentiality of student records, that Law enforcement officers may not remove a student from school property or interrogate a student without the consent of the student’s parent, except during a typical crime investigation. The guidance reminds districts that under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, parents must consent to disclosing personally identifiable student information, except in some rare situations.
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SUNY Delhi has been ranked among the country’s “Most Affordable Colleges for Incoming Freshman with Financial Need” by Student Loan Report. The ranking, based on Peterson’s college data, examined need-based scholarships and grants to incoming freshmen at more than 1,000 colleges. SUNY Delhi ranked at #158, with financial aid awarded to 87% of freshmen with financial need. The average financial aid award is $8,026.

Many locations in the Tri-County area were hit hard by Saturday’s torrential downpours, which led to downed trees, isolated power outages and damage to property. Walton & Conklin hit flood stage, many other towns hit action stage, the latest river levels and projections can be found at WCDORADIO.COM & click on River Levels.
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The Sidney Rotary Club is funding a Recovery Coach Training Program at the Tri-Town Hospital today. The program implementation and content will be delivered by Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council Delaware County and instructor, Jeannette Tolson. The Training begins today through this Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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WCDO NEWS THURSDAY 9-22-16

wcdonews — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 19:13:06 +0000

The kickoff meeting for the steering committee for the Oneonta downtown revitalization will be held on Tuesday September 27th, Oneonta mayor Gary Herzig told WCDO News of the timeline of events leading up to groundbreakings for projects:

(Herzig 9-22-16)

The steering committee meeting will be held on Tuesday from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Foothills Performing Arts Center on the 2nd floor. The meeting is open to the public, and public input is being solicited.
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State Senator Fred Akshar will meet with constituents Saturday at 2 locations in Chenango County, for what he calls “Pop Up” Meetings:

(Akshar 9-22-16)

Akshar said that at previous meetings, constituents expressed their concerns about the Opioid crisis, taxes and job creation.
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U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara announced Today that former top aide to Governor Cuomo; Joseph Percoco and 8 others are facing a wide array of federal corruption and bribery charges. Percoco served as the governor’s executive secretary, he is accused of taking more than $600,000 in bribes from an energy company that needed state approval to build a power plant in the Hudson Valley and an upstate developer that received several state contracts, as well as getting a job at the energy company for his wife. Percoco’s attorney said that the accusations are baseless, and from less than credible sources
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State Police arrested 55-year-old Donald Moshier of Lisle, for operating a motor vehicle while ability impaired by drugs, resisting arrest, menacing, unlawful possession of marihuana and several other traffic offenses. The arrest occurred after a trooper responded to check on a driver slumped over the steering wheel of his car on Smith Hill Road in the Town of Lisle. Moshier was asleep in the driver’s seat partly parked in the roadway. Moshier physically resisted being handcuffed, & is accused of swinging a metal flashlight at the trooper, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Broome County jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 property bond.
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U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a grant of $35,000 for the City of Norwich. The federal funding was allocated through the USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. The City of Norwich will receive funds to cover additional work related to the removal of contaminated soil, which was delaying the start of the tank construction as part of the upgrades to the Norwich water system. The City of Norwich will now be able to complete their $2 Million plus water infrastructure improvement project in the near future.
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New York Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia is proposing changes to the Common Core learning standards used to guide lessons at every grade level across the state. Elia released the draft revisions to the math and English language arts standards Wednesday and invited public comments through November 4th. Elia reported that 2 committees of parents & teachers recommended changing 60% of the ELA standards and 55% of the math standards.
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On September 6th, a Town of Norwich resident was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Chenango County Deputies arrested 62 year old John Rutan during an investigation of a motor vehicle accident in McDonough. Rutan was located in the Town of Preston, he found to be operating the vehicle in an intoxicated condition, he was had a blood alcohol content 2 ½ times more than the legal limit. Rutan was processed and released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Preston Court at a later date.
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The TRI-TOWN COALITION ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE will have a series of meetings this morning at the TRACKSIDE on Main Street in Sidney. The first meeting begins at 11:00 AM, followed by committee meetings at 12:00 Noon & 1:00 PM, the next full meeting of the coalition will be held on September 28th.

WCDO NEWS THURSDAY 3-3-16

wcdonews — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 19:21:47 +0000

State Police at Binghamton investigated a report of shots fired on Glenwood Road in the Town of Dickinson. During this investigation Glenwood Road was closed to the public between Adams Street and Prospect Street for several hours this morning, the investigation is ongoing.
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Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies, their K9 unit & members of State Parole conducted a “knock and talk” investigation Wednesday at 518 Cummings Road in the Town of Greene. Officers received information of methamphetamine being produced at the residence, they discovered liquid methamphetamine, & several ingredients and laboratory equipment used to manufacture the drug. 47-year-old Glenn O’Connor was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Manufacturing Methamphetamine and Possessing the Precursors to Methamphetamine & for violating Parole. O’Connor was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility. State Police and Village of Greene Police Department assisted with the investigation.
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Governor Cuomo, US Senators Charles Schumer & Kristen Gillibrand and members of the New York Congressional Delegation today announced more than $60 million in federal grants to support counterterrorism and emergency preparedness activities in counties across New York State. The funding, provided by the Department of Homeland Security through its State Homeland Security Program and Emergency Management Performance Grant, will assist counties in strengthening emergency response efforts. New York State receives more SHSP funding from DHS than any other state in the nation. Chenango, Delaware & Otsego Counties will each get about $130,000 in funding.
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Democratic Broome County Legislator Kim Myers has announced that she will be running for the 22nd District Congressional seat currently held by Congressman Richard Hanna. Myers will join Republicans Claudia Tenney and George Phillips as candidates for the seat; Congressman Hanna recently announced that he would not seek re-election.
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A Town of Norwich resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for 1 Count of Welfare Fraud & Offering a False Instrument for filing. 30-year-old Jessica Branagan of Norwich is accused of receiving public assistance and failing to report additional income she was receiving. Branagan received a total of $36,228.50 in assistance from April 2010 through July 2015.
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Yes Leaders from BG & Afton schools are teaming up with other organizations for a Heroin Awareness Night next Wednesday at the Bainbridge High School. Afton Yes Spokesperson Ronal Noone explains:

(Ronal Noone 3-3-16)

The event begins at 5:30 with a Pizza Dinner, followed by the presentation at 6:00 PM at the Bainbridge-Guilford High School, pre-registration is requested at www.YesSafeChoices.org by Friday Afternoon.
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The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold their Annual Celebration of Business Today. The Chambers will be Honoring New York Central Mutual Insurance as the NBT Bank Distinguished Business of The Year, Former Fox Hospital President John Remillard as the Eugene Bettiol Jr. Distinguished Citizen, and the Oneonta YMCA-Quality of Life Award. The event will be held tonight at the Hunt Union Ballroom at SUNY Oneonta starting at 5:45.
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State Senator Jim Seward will welcome the New York State Commissioner of Education MaryEllen Elia to the Laurens Central School today, for a tour of the district. The commissioner will interact with students, teachers, and administrators during her visit starting this morning at 9:00 AM.
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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today. The meeting will be held in the Guilford School Cafeteria starting at 6:00 PM.

WCDO NEWS THURSDAY 9-17-15

wcdonews — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 17:47:29 +0000

The Binghamton’s Job and Internship Fair will be held today at Binghamton University. The Fair will take place in the BU Events Center, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
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Delaware County Public Health will be conducting a Car Seat Event today. Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be at Delhi Campus Child Care Center at 1104 Arbor Hill Road Delhi, from 3PM-6PM, to check car seats and give instruction to parents and caregivers on proper car seat installation and use. More details are available at 832-5200.
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The Next Commerce Chenango Business After Hours event will be held today, with Frontier at 14 Classic Street in Sherburne. The event runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the Guilford School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM.
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Governor Cuomo issued a consumer alert advising New Yorkers to exercise caution when making used car purchases from private sellers over the internet following an increase in the number of complaints about online used car scams received by New York State Department of Motor Vehicles investigators. Each year, these state investigators, working with other federal, state and local officials, recover as much as $1.5 million in stolen vehicles and parts purchased online.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 32 year old Joshua Whaley of Pitcher on an active arrest warrant for 3rd degree Burglary, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing plus several other charges. Whaley was arrested & was found to possess methamphetamine & an illegal weapon; he was additional charged with Criminal Possession of a Control Substance and Criminal Possession of an Illegal Weapon. Whaley was arraigned & and is being held in the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $5000 cash bail pending future court action.
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State Police arrested 44-year-old Patrick Burton of Binghamton for aggravated cruelty to animals. Troopers responded to a Broome County 911 report of animal abuse in Conklin. Burton is accused of beating his girlfriend’s dog; Burton was arraigned in the Town of Conklin Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 property bond.
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Oneonta officials announced that more tests are being conducted next week on their water distribution system. Hydrant flow test & pipe condition tests will be conducted on Monday at numerous locations around the city, they will continue again on Friday the 25th. More information is available at 432-2100.
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New York State’s education commissioner Mary Ellen Elia stated that next spring’s Common Core tests would be shorter. Elia spoke to the Board of Regents Wednesday in Albany, she said that some of the writing and reading passages will be removed and the math assessments will lose some multiple-choice questions. The controversial tests are given statewide to 3rd to 8th grade students each spring to measure student and teacher performance. Elia said that teachers would have a greater role in developing the tests when the state begins working with new vendor Questar for the 2017 school year.
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The Chenango county historical society will unveil an agricultural education center in Norwich later this month, with the centerpiece being an 1800’s Oxford barn. Society Board of Directors President Joyce Zummo explains:

(Joyce Zummo 9-17-15)

The grand opening & ribbon cutting will be on September 26th from 11:00 to 4:00 PM at 45 Rexford Street in Norwich.
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WCDO NEWS FRIDAY 9-4-15

wcdonews — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 19:52:20 +0000

The Delhi Police department is investigating the circumstances after 2 people were found dead of suspected drug overdoses in an apartment on Main Street. 34-year-old Christopher Bailey and 25-year-old Krista Hess were found dead in Bailey’s apartment Wednesday night by a co-tenant, police found evidence of intravenous drug use, Police Investigators are working with the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of the deaths.
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Governor Cuomo announced that temporary lane closures associated with road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be lifted today through 6:00 AM Tuesday, in order to accommodate travelers during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. This weekend is expected to have the highest travel volume since 2008.
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Bainbridge Days will be held tomorrow around the village of Bainbridge, Chamber president John Payne explains:

(John Payne 9-4-15)

Bainbridge days is sponsored by the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce.
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The Chenango County Historical Society will be hosting its 39th Annual Antiques Show on Sunday September 6th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. 40 vendors selling their wares and support the Chenango County Historical Society. More information is available at 334-9227 or on the Chenango County Historical Society and Museum’s Facebook page.
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State and local police departments in New York are cracking down on impaired drivers for the Labor Day weekend. “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” is part of a national effort to reduce accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The campaign runs through the September 7th Labor Day holiday. 364 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2013, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Traffic Safety Committee 2014 annual report.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 35 year old Shane Bellows of Downsville for Reckless Driving, Criminal Mischief, Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident and Falsely Reporting an Incident following an August 15th property damage accident in the in the Town of Walton. Bellows is accused driving on State Highway 10 in a reckless manner when he became involved in a head-on collision & fled the scene & then falsely reported that his vehicle was stolen. No injuries were sustained as a result of the accident, he will appear in the Town of Walton Court at a later date. 70-year-old Joseph Bellows of Downsville was also arrested for Falsely Reporting an Incident for reporting the theft of his son’s truck, he was released to appear in the Town of Walton Court at a later date to answer that charge.
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The city of Oneonta department of public service will be flushing water mains on the low service next Monday through Friday during the overnight hours. Areas that will be affected by flushing include Min Street from Fox Hospital to Fairview Street, everything between Walnut & Market streets, Chestnut Street from Main to West Street, as well as side streets in the vicinity of the main roads. Changes in water color & pressure are expected; those with questions can call 432-2100.
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A fundraiser for Ken Long of Binghamton, who has stage 4 brain cancer, has been scheduled to be held in Bainbridge later this month. Cancer survivor & Bainbridge native Heather Bucalos will have an area set up at “Bainbridge Days” tomorrow to help raise funds for Long, who supported her during her recent battle against cancer:

(Heather Bucalos 9-4-15)

Bucalos said that she would be set up near Bob’s Diner & “Snips & Snails Consignment Shop” Saturday with a variety of fundraising items, she is also organizing a Glow Run September 26th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at General Clinton Park.
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The final points races of the season will be tonight at I-88 Speedway in Afton, with some of the classes having the champoinship up for grabs. Spokesperson Denise Paige explains:
(Denise Paige 9-4-15)

Paige also said that special races will be held September 25th & 26th & another race night will be held in October this year at I-88 Speedway.
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Governor Cuomo stated this week that he recognizes that the current Common Core program in New York State is not working and that changes to the program are needed in short order. Cuomo said in a written statement that a comprehensive review of the implementation, curriculum, and tests need to be re-examined by a commission made up of state Education Commissioner Mary Ellen Elia, teachers, parents, experts and state lawmakers to make recommendations before he delivers his State of the State address in January. Cuomo said that he does believe in having educational standards for New York’s students, and that he agrees with the goals of Common Core.
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The Greene Police Department & the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department are currently investigating an unattended death on Iona Lane, south of Town of Greene just off county road 32. the unidentified victim is a male subject mid-fifties, more information will be relased pending a Medical Examiners investigation, processing of the scene and notification of the next of kin.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 8-4-15

wcdonews — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 18:56:00 +0000

Governor Cuomo today announced that Modern Marketing Concepts is significantly expanding its operations and workforce in Kirkwood. The company will create at least 592 new, full-time jobs over the next five years, while also retaining 310 existing jobs, they will invest approximately $17 million to acquire the 426,000 square foot industrial structure formerly used by Link, and redevelop it into Link Park. Construction is slated to begin later this month, and will be completed in early 2017. Additionally, Link Park will partner with Binghamton University, and other area academic institutions to connect young talent with businesses at the facility.
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State Police at Oneonta arrested 63-year-old Stephen Scott of Schenevus, for Driving While Intoxicated with a B.A.C. result of .10%. This arrest occurred after a trooper responded to an Otsego County 911 report of a car crash on Interstate 88, eastbound near mile marker 67, in the Town of Maryland. An investigation determined that Scott was driving while intoxicated when he drove into a guide rail with his 2012 Subaru Forester and caused damage to both. Scott was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Maryland on August 25, 2015.
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The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance kicked off the back to school shopping season today by reminding New Yorkers that qualifying clothing and footwear purchases are exempt from New York sales tax year-round. State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Jerry Boone said that in addition, in New York City and the eight counties listed below, clothing and footwear items under $110 are exempt from local sales tax year-round, included in those 8 counties locally are Chenango County & Delaware County
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The Chenango Arts Council announced their schedule of shows for their upcoming 40th season. Chenango Arts Council executive Director Dian Batson-Smith explains:

(Diane Batson Smith 8-4-15)

Tickets or information about memberships are available at 336-ARTS or at their website Chenango Arts.org.
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The New York State Board of Regents today voted to appoint Mary Ellen Elia as the next Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York. Elia began her career in education in 1970 as a social studies teacher in Buffalo and taught for 19 years before moving on to administrative positions. Elia replaces John King as commissioner; she will start her new position on July 6.
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