Governor Kathy Hochul was picked Thursday in New York City as the Democratic party’s choice for the 2022 race for Governor. Hochul has more than $21 million in her campaign warchest, she earned 85.6% of the weighted vote at the Democratic Party convention Thursday, she will likely still face primary challenges from Congressman Tom Suozzi and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

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The 1st public meeting regarding the Norwich Downtown Revitalization Initiative was held virtually Wednesday evening. There is an Open Call for New Proposals for project within the DRI boundary to submit for consideration by the Local Planning Committee, Commerce Chenango President & CEO Kerri Green told WCDO News the timeline for projects:

(Kerri Green 2-18-22)

Green said that a Project Proposal Form can be found on the website: norwichdri.com. The Open Call for Proposals Informational Session will be held virtually on February 24th at 6:00 PM.

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Sidney Police arrested 44 year old Andrew Besuglow of Afton Tuesday on a drug charge, following a vehicle and traffic complaint received on December 3rd, where Besuglow was arrested for allegedly Driving while ability impaired by drugs, the substance was sent to the State Police crime lab for processing, where it was confirmed to be Fentanyl. Besuglow was charged with Criminal possession of a controlled substance, he was arraigned in the Village of Sidney Court where he was released on his own recognizance at appear back in court at a later date.

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The State’s 1st Free Fishing Weekend of 2022, on February 19 and 20, when freshwater anglers are permitted to fish for free without a license. Additional free fishing days include June 25 and 26, September 24 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day). During free fishing days, residents and visitors can fish for free on any of the state’s 7,500 lakes and ponds or 70,000 miles of rivers and streams. All other freshwater fishing regulations still apply.

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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce has returned to in-person networking meetings when they host a Recruit & Retain Staff Networking Breakfast March 18th. The featured speakers for this event include: Glenn Nealis, director of Delaware County Economic Development; also a representative of DCMO BOCES & a business-services representative from the State Department of Labor, to register, visit delawarecounty.org or call 607-746-2281.

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The Binghamton Rumble Ponies announced the 4th annual Meet the Rumble Ponies Dinner will return on Wednesday, April 6 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Binghamton. Tickets for this year’s dinner will go on sale Monday at 9:00 AM; Fans can also start purchasing game tickets at 9:00 AM on February 21st online at www.BINGRP.com. More information is available at 607-722-3866.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-18-22

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that the State Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., and Ivanka Trump must all appear for sworn testimony, and Donald Trump must produce additional documents in compliance with subpoenas from the Office of the Attorney General. The judge ordered the Trumps to appear for testimony within 21 days, and ordered Donald Trump to produce additional documentation within 14 days.

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The State Supreme Court, Appellate Division has ruled Delaware County was justified in terminating former Department of Social Services Commissioner, Dana Scuderi-Hunter and her petition to be reinstated and receive back pay was denied. In 2019, Delaware County filed charges against Scuderi-Hunter for misconduct, insubordination, and child endangerment. Under Civil Service Law, an independent Administrative Hearing Officer was brought in to review evidence, hear testimony, and make a recommendation to the Delaware County Board of Supervisors regarding the case, the Officer found significant evidence to support the charges and recommended immediate termination with no back pay.

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A Female State Trooper has filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to declare that former Governor Andrew Cuomo, top aide Melissa DeRosa and state police violated her civil rights. The trooper’s name was not disclosed in the lawsuit, which was filed Thursday filed in New York City, the trooper seeks attorney fees, damages for “severe mental anguish and emotional distress,” and a declaratory judgment that Cuomo, DeRosa and state police violated civil laws on the federal, state and city level prohibiting sexual harassment.

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NYSEG reports over 3000 customers are without power this morning, crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible.

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The Governor’s Office & the State Health Department announced that Wednesday’s COVID 19 Statewide Positivity was 2.19%, the Lowest Since October 30th, there were 3,065 COVID-19 Hospitalizations Wednesday, the Lowest Since November 30th, there were 46 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide in Nursing Homes & Hospitals.

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Governor Cuomo today signed legislation requiring industrial development agencies to live stream in real-time and post video recordings of all open meetings and public hearings. The video recordings must be posted online within five business days of the meeting or hearing and remain available for at least five years.

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This year is the 130th anniversary of the State University in Oneonta; they will observe that milestone during their Founders Day Picnic on September 4th.  Participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for local food pantries and the food pantry in Hunt Union.  The Picnic runs from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Academic quad.

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State Senator Fred Akshar released his Community Voice Survey on the State DMV’s new license plate replacement program requiring drivers to pay $25 for new license plates and an additional $20 to keep their current plate number.   % designs were unveiled by Governor Cuomo last week,   Akshar’s survey can be found at Akshar.NYSenate.Gov.

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Binghamton Police are asking the public for assistance in trying to locate 73-year-old James Andrews, was last seen outside at home at 19 Gregory Lane earlier this month.  Andrews suffers from undisclosed health issues, he is described as 5’ 8″, 155 pounds, with blue eyes and grey hair, anyone with information should contact the Binghamton Police Detectives division at 772-7080 or the Binghamton Police Desk at 772-7076.

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The Chenango Arts Council Announced a series of workshops for September.  Beginning September 14th, through October 19, a Photography workshop will be held from 12:00 Noon to 2:30pm on Saturdays, Advanced Drawing will be offered every Monday from September 23rd to October 14th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM; those interested can register by calling 336-ARTS or go to chenangoarts.org. 

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UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital’s capital campaign received a commitment from Blueox Corporation, in the amount of $50,000.   The capital campaign will support construction of a new Emergency Room and Walk-In Center, as well as strategic investments in Diagnostic Imaging and infrastructure to support the growth of future services. The work is part of the first phase of the hospital’s Chenango Medical Neighborhood Plan, which will transform the delivery of care at UHS Chenango Memorial.

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The Greene Rod & Gun Club announced that they will hold a Law Enforcement Appreciation day, on Sunday September 8th.  The event will be held at the Greene Rod & Gun Club on Foster Hill Road in Greene, More information is available at 669-4556.

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A vigil for SUNY Oneonta student Nicholas Stagnitta of Patchogue Long Island will be held tonight at 7:00 PM, in the President’s Garden on the SUNY campus.  Stagnitta was found dead in his apartment on Chestnut Street of an apparent suicide on Saturday, the vigil is open to the public.

A State Supreme Court Judge upheld a New York state law repealing religious exemptions for vaccines required for children in schools or day care programs.  The state Legislature repealed the religious exemption in June after nation’s worst measles outbreak in decades started in Rockland County.  Religious groups sued the state but the law was upheld by Friday’s decision.  New York allows exemption from vaccines for medical reasons such as a weakened immune system.

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The Sidney Central School District will be holding a special meeting today, the purpose of this meeting is to approve the school tax warrant. The meeting will be held at 6:30pm in the high school librar