Fundraisers are underway with more to come, to help the family of Anielle “AK” McEwan Lomnicki with Medical Expenses associated with AK getting hit by a car while walking home from school last week. AK’s father, Rich Lomnicki told WCDO news this morning how she was doing:

(Rich Lomnicki 2-21-23)

Kim Ayres of the Trinity O’Connor Foundation is helping to coordinate the fundraising efforts for AK’s Family, she said that the Polar Bear Club donated a sizable amount at Saturday Night’s Vigil at Keith Clark Park, which drew over 400 people, She told WCDO News about other efforts getting underway:

(Kim Ayres 2-21-23)

Ayres said that JM Trophies & Specialty Gifts will be making up T-Shirts & donating proceeds, plus Shupperd’s Tack Shop is printing up signs “AK Strong”, all proceeds from that will go to the family, information is available at Shupperd’s Facebook page, also Gavin’s Pizza is collaborating with local restaurants, On Friday, The Beez Kneez will be donating 10% of all sales & on Saturday, Gavin’s, Machos Tacos, Tina’s Old Fashioned Donuts, Sidney Joe’s Pizzeria, Trackside Dining, Club 55 Restaurant will be donating 10% of all sales to AK and her family.

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Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar announced that they will be offering a $5,000 sign-on bonus for all new Corrections Officers hired as lateral transfers. Sheriff Akshar stated that they were down by about 40 full time positions in the Corrections Department, Eligibility for this bonus is open to certified Corrections Officers currently employed at local correctional facilities across New York State. Under the new incentive, qualified lateral transfers will receive an extra $2,500 in their first paycheck with the Broome County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility, plus other incentives, The incentive was approved by the Broome County Legislature on February 16th.

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Broome County DA Michael Korchak announced that 45 year old Alan Holmes of Binghamton pleaded guilty to felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. In June of 2021, Holmes was arrested following a Traffic Stop in Johnson City, he was a passenger in the vehicle & was found to be in possession of a large quantity of fentanyl, plus he was out on parole for a 2019 narcotics conviction. Holmes will be sentenced to 5 years in New York State prison on May 17th.

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CDO Workforce announced a Job fair at their Sidney Office in the Civic Center at 21 Liberty Street tomorrow from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Job Openings are currently available at the US Postal Service, Cullman Child Development Center, Unalam & Chobani among others, more information is available at 607-832-5776.

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The State Department of Labor reminds New Yorkers that a new law is in effect that reiterates the State’s commitment to protecting workers who take legally protected absences from work. The law clarifies that it is illegal for employers to threaten, penalize, discriminate, or retaliate against employees for using absences protected under federal, state, or local law, including time off covered by New York State Paid Family Leave and New York State Paid Sick Leave. More information is available at dol.ny.gov/retaliation.

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A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-21-23

The Norwich City Police Department is investigating an assault on 1 of their officer on Monday at 8:47 p.m. at the Stewart’s Shop on State Route 23 in the Town of Norwich. The suspect driver is a White Male wearing a baseball cap, with a black Puma Hoody, dark pants and was seen driving a white Chevy sedan with out of state plates, traveling east on Route 23 toward South New Berlin. The passenger with the suspect was Jesse Dann. Anyone with information should call the Police Department at 607-334-1212.

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Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their next meeting this morning at 7:30, the meeting will be held at the back of Bob’s Diner, members & directors are urged to attend.

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Governor Cuomo announced today that New York will be lifting COVID restrictions when we hit 70% vaccinations for the adult population, & that could happen very soon:

(Cuomo 1)

The Governor Also said that mask restriction in schools will be changing, if individual school Districts want to do so:

(Cuomo 2)

The Governor said that the change in school district mask wearing will tie into the guidelines at summer camps when they re-open this year.

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State Police & local emergency squads responded Saturday afternoon at about 2:15 PM, to a multiple vehicle crash on State Route 7 near the Meadow Crest Park in the Town of Unadilla.  Police stated that a Chevy driven by Michael Tucker of Sidney, was traveling west bound on State Route 7, a Volkswagen Beatle was facing eastbound, driven by Jeanmarie Doelger of Bainbridge, had stopped to make a turn into a driveway when 3 motorcycles driven by Emma Stebbins of Bainbridge, Kory Bennet of Bainbridge & Ralph Bennet of Mount Upton struck the rear of the Doelger vehicle, Ralph Bennet’s Motorcycle struck Tucker’s Chevy & Tucker then hit a mail box.   Doelger was transported to AO Fox Hospital Tri- Town campus in Sidney, Stebbins was airlifted to Wilson Hospital, Bennett and Tucker were taken to Fox Hospital, Ralph Bennett was transported to Wilson Hospital.

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Blueox Corporation announced the sale of their Blueox Neighborhood Market convenience store chain to Stewart’s Shops based in Saratoga Springs, today. Blueox Corporation had 11 local convenience stores for over 35 years. The sale to Stewarts is expected to close in September.  Blueox will continue to operate their energy business, delivering fuel oil, kerosene and propane and will continue to service and replace energy equipment including furnaces, boilers, and hot water heaters.

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Sidney Police Department received a tip Saturday that 29 year old Anthony Masi of Sidney, who was wanted on an active arrest warrant, was shopping at Advance Auto on Delaware Ave in Sidney.   Police found Masi inside, he resisted arrest and refused to comply with the officer, running through the aisles to avoid arrest.   Masi was eventually taken into custody, he was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine, Suboxone and a hyperdermic needle, he was charged with Obstruction of governmental administration, Resisting arrest, Criminal possession of a controlled substance among other charges, he was arraigned & was released on his own recognizance to appear back in court at a later date. 

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Delaware County Public Health Services and Friends of Recovery- Delaware Otsego will be sponsoring a one-day Recovery Coach Basics course on June 16th, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Delaware River Masonic Lodge at 37 Meredith Street, Delhi.  The course includes all materials. Scholarships are available, to register, or for more information call 267-4435 or email at Kyle@friendsofrecoverydo.org.  The deadline to register is this Friday June 11th.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 6-7-21

Following Saturday’s COVID testing, the state Health Department reported a .47% positivity rate, Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity is 0.52% — Has Declined for 62 Consecutive Days, there were 816 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide, the Lowest Since October 8, there were 13 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Saturday. 

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Governor Cuomo announced that the ‘Vax and Scratch’ program, which provides free State lottery scratch-off tickets to individuals 18, has been extended through the end of this week at 10 state mass vaccination sites, including the SUNY Oneonta site.  All state mass vaccination sites are open for walk-in appointments for eligible New Yorkers.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies responded 4:30 AM Friday to a report of an attempted robbery at Davenport residence, where the victims reported that an acquaintance demanded cash, Pepper-sprayed them & attempted to strike them with a hammer.  28-year-old Elijah Vergari of Oneonta fled prior to arrival of the Deputy, he was later taken into custody by Oneonta Police and was turned over to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.  Vergari was charged with attempted robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, 2 counts of attempted assault and unlawful possession of a noxious material.  Vergari was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility pending further court proceedings.

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Sidney Fire Department was alerted Friday evening of 2 kayakers stuck in debris under an overpass along the Unadilla River.   Fire Department Members acted quickly and launched the rescue boat to access the stranded kayakers, who had already been in the water 20 to 30 minutes prior to the 9-1-1 call being placed. The Kayakers were transported to an area facility.

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The Unadilla Flag Day Parade will be held this year on June 14th, beginning at 7:00 PM starting at the Elementary School. Anyone interested in being in the parade contact Jeff Jones Jr. at 607-267-2494.

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Otsego County Fair officials announced that they have received clearance for the 2021 summer fair, which will run from August 3rd to Sunday, August 8th.  More information is available at otsegocountyfair.org.

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