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Governor Cuomo announced today that Bowling alleys, gyms, museums and other low-risk indoor cultural venues will be allowed to open shortly with strict COVID-19 guidelines.  Cuomo said that Bowling alleys will be allowed to open Monday, with 50% occupancy capacity, face masks & social distancing must be followed & every other lane will be closed, thorough cleaning and disinfection of shared or rented equipment between each use will be required; and all food service must follow all state-issued guidance.  The opening date and rules for gyms will be revealed on Monday.

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Chenango County Department of Public Works will be holding their household Hazardous waste collection Tomorrow in Norwich, DPW Spokesman Dustin Hendricks explains:

(Dustin Hendricks 8-14-20)

More information is available by calling Hendricks at 337-1792, or email him at dhendricks@co.chenango.ny.us.

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The State Department of Motor Vehicles is expanding New Yorkers’ ability to complete certain transactions through secure drop boxes. The drop boxes can be used for license plate surrenders, address changes, and license and registration renewals. Customers using drop boxes must wear face coverings and maintain social distancing. Drop boxes are located at all state-run DMV offices and are available during regular office hours.  More information is available at dmv.ny.gov.

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A Black Lives Matter peaceful protest & discussion will be held at the Bainbridge Village Green Park Saturday afternoon at 1:00 PM.  Those who would like to speak are requested to send an email to BLMBAINBRIDGE@GMAIL.COM.  Mask wearing & social distancing requirements will be mandatory at the event.

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The Broome County Health Department announced that Friday that they were up to 1102 COVID 19 cases, with 74 deaths, 926 recoveries & 496 are being monitored by the Health Department they have conducted over 32,600 tests since March.

Chenango County Public Health announced that they had no new COVID 19 positive tests Thursday, they have had 218 total cases since March, there are 96 people under quarantine, 1 person is hospitalized, there have been 197 recoveries, and they have performed just under 19,000 tests.

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The Oneonta City School District has posted their extensive District Re-opening plan on their website.  With the expected influx of college students coming from all over the country to Oneonta, the district announced that they will remain in the remote learning environment to start the 2020-2021 school year; they will reevaluate that model when they approach the Interim Progress Report period of October 9th. 

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Congressman Anthony Brindisi announced over $290,000 in grant funding for fire departments across New York’s 22nd District.   The grant money is awarded through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, will help local fire departments prioritize operations and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  Locally the New Berlin Fire Department will get over $29,000; the South Otselic Volunteer Fire Department will get over $74,000.

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The State DOT is advising motorists that State Route 28 is closed between Margaretville and Andes just north of the intersection of NYS Route 28 and NYS Route 30 to allow construction work required in response to recent storm. Detours will be posted.  During the closure, southbound motorists will be directed to County Route 1 to Tremperskill Road, to State Route 30, back onto NYS Route 28. Northbound motorist will follow the same path in reverse. Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Up-to-date travel information is available by calling 511, visiting 511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

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 The Unatego Central School District will hold 3 meetings next week to get parents up to date about the district’s re-opening proposal, Superintendent Dr. Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 8-13-20)

The Virtual meetings with parents will be on Monday at 2:00 & 6:00 PM & Tuesday at 3:00 PM, more information is available on the Unatego District website.

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The Afton Central School district announced that there will be a remote Special Community Meeting today at 2:00 PM; the link to the virtual meeting is available on the district website.  Afton Superintendent Tim McNamara told WCDO News what their plans are for students for the fall:

(Tim McNamara 8-14-20)

McNamara said that on August 21 at 9:00 A.M. there will be a special live presentation in the Margery Secrest Memorial Auditorium and available remotely by clicking Special Community Meeting on the school website. The district’s reopening plan is also available on the district website.

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The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced more than $100 million in additional emergency food assistance for New Yorkers adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, is available.   About 700,000 low-income individuals and families enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or “SNAP” will receive a supplemental payment to bring them up to the maximum allowable benefit for August to help them avoid food insecurity.   More information is available at otda.ny.gov/SNAP-COVID-19.

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Sales tax revenue for local governments in July fell 8.2% compared to the same period last year, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Collections for counties and cities in July totaled $1.3 billion or $116 million less than in July 2019. Although revenue is still down compared to July 2019, the decline is less steep than any month since March, when the COVID-19 pandemic began to affect sales tax collections.

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Delaware County Public Health received 1 new positive test result for COVID-19 Thursday and no additional recoveries have been reported, the known active cases is 2. To date there have been 98 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, with 23 people now under mandatory quarantine.  The 2 people are receiving care at home, since March, 6 people have died and 90 have fully recovered.

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(Cuomo 6-8-20-#2)

The Governor said that on Sunday, more than 60,000 Coronavirus tests were conducted state wide, with only 1% testing positive.

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New York State Department of Health announced that only about 1% of those tested for the Coronavirus this weekend tested positive.  The state had only 702 new cases Sunday, bringing the state total to 378,799.  24,299 have passed away since the pandemic started in early March.

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Chenango County Public Health announced that they have 134 total cases of the Coronavirus, with only 1 hospitalized, 101 have recovered, 99 are quarantined, there have been 5 deaths, & over 5900 tests have been performed.

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The New York State Workers Compensation Board has received many questions about how the Coronavirus relates to Workers Comp claims, for both the employer & employee.  The latest information has been posted at wcb.ny.gov/covid-19.

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The Village of Bainbridge Department of Public Works will be working on Water Lines starting at 3:00 AM Tuesday, on East Main Street from River Street to the traffic light & West Main Street from the Traffic Light to Mount Pleasant Drive.  Residents may experience loss of water service or Roily Water during the work; they expect to restore service by 6:00 AM.

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School Budget votes will be counted starting tomorrow for all school districts statewide.  The Bainbridge Guilford central School District has a proposed budget of 20.1 Million Dollars, BG Superintendent Tim Ryan comments:

(Tim Ryan 6-8-20)

The Afton Central School District has a budget, a bus proposition, and others items for voters to decide on, including a large Capital Project, Afton Superintendent Tim McNamara comments:

(Tim McNamara 6-8-20)

The Proposed budget for the Afton District is $16.4 Million dollars & the Building project is about 19 Million Dollar Building Project.  Governor Cuomo announced over the weekend that they will extend the deadline for school districts to receive school budget ballots, they can be hand delivered by 5:00 PM tomorrow and can be received by mail through June 16th.

Governor Cuomo announced Sunday that the state is considering allowing outdoor Graduation ceremonies up to 150 people with social distancing later this month:

(Cuomo 6-8-20 Graduation)

Governor Cuomo signed legislation extending the deadline to submit absentee ballots until the day of the election.  Primary Ballots must be postmarked by June 23rd, the Governor will extend the deadline for school districts to receive school budget ballots, they can be hand delivered by 5:00 PM tomorrow and can be received by mail through June 16th.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 31 year old Mario Darder of Hancock following an investigation into a domestic dispute.  Deputies located an individual walking away from the scene of the reported domestic dispute, Darder possessed methamphetamine and heroin, he was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, he was released on an appearance ticket and directed to appear in the Tompkins Town Court on a later date.

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There will be a Community Partnership Mass Food Distribution Today at the Sidney Fire Station on River Street at 11:00 AM.  Arriving early will cause traffic problems & larger crowds, so please arrive at 11:00 & Stay in your vehicle.

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The Sidney Central School District announced that they will be hosting a car parade for the graduating class of 2020 on Friday June 12th, beginning at 11:00 AM at the Junior Senior High school.  The Parade will go down West Main Street to Main, River Union Street, onto Pearl Street & back to the School grounds for a drive through Barbecue.

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The Broome County Health Department announced Sunday that they have had 597 positive cases of the Coronavirus since Early March.  There have been 45 deaths, 474 recoveries, 273 patients are being monitored by the Health Department, and they have conducted more than 14,000 tests.

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Delaware County is reporting no new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, there have been 77 confirmed positive cases, with an additional 15 under quarantine, 2 of the confirmed active cases in the hospital, 5 are isolated at home, 5 people have died and 65 have fully recovered.

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(Cuomo 5-26-20)

Cuomo said that they also have to prepare for a traditional flu outbreak later this year that could be taxing to the hospital system.

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The State Health Department today announced that 73 people died Monday from the Coronavirus, bringing the state death toll to 23,564, Hospitalizations were down to 4200 statewide, the total number of Coronavirus cases is up to 363,836.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 27 year old Dylan Katen of Windsor for possession and use of a credit card that was stolen during a burglary of a Town of Sanford residence in 2019.  Broome County Sheriff’s Office Detectives learned the stolen credit card was utilized at a Deposit convenience store in December, they requested assistance from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.  The joint investigation led to Katen’s arrest, for 1 count of criminal possession of stolen property & petit larceny, he was arraigned by teleconference Friday night & was released on appearance tickets for Deposit Town Court on a later date.

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The Broome County Health Department continues to see an increase in the number of Coronavirus case, they are now up to 513 positives, with 35 deaths, 341 recoveries & 361 are being monitored by the Health Department.

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Chenango County Public Health is reporting 119 total positive cases of the coronavirus today, there are 50 people in quarantine, 1 person is hospitalized, there have been 5 deaths and 87 recoveries, and they have performed 3041 tests.

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On June 9^th Residents of the Afton Central School District will be voting on a 19 Million Dollar Building Project.  Afton Superintendent Tim McNamara told WCDO News what they are proposing:

(Tim McNamara 5-26-20)

McNamara said that between state aid & a capital fund, there will be no cost to the Afton District taxpayers. 

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The Organizers for the Chenango Blues fest announced that this year’s event has been cancel led due to the coronavirus.  The event has been moved to August 20th & 21st of 2021, more information is available at chenangobluesfest.org.

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The Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention invites community members to tune into the organization’s next meeting, on Thursday, May 28, at 6:00 PM through Zoom.  The presentation, titled “A Trauma-Sensitive Approach to COVID-19,” will be led by Amanda Decker, program director and prevention specialist for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County. Call 607-746-8300 for Zoom instructions.

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On Memorial Day there was no General Clinton Canoe Regatta but several locals decided that they would start at Otsego Lake and do the 70 mile course anyway; Duke Fisher was one of the organizers & Participants:

(Duke Fisher 5-26-20)

Fisher said that they echoed the time of the original paddlers from the early 60’s, finishing the course in 11 to 12 hours.

The State Coronavirus numbers has had an uptick since the 1st phase of the reopening started, Governor Cuomo commented about the upstate county numbers yesterday:

(Cuomo CNY)

The Governor was also asked about the number of people who are still not wearing masks in spite of all the facts about their effectiveness:

(Cuomo Masks)

The State Health Department reported well over 362,764 coronavirus cases, the state death toll is over 23,488 since early March.

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Delaware County is reporting no new cases of COVID-19 and 1 additional recovery. The known active cases in the County is now 12.  To date there have been 72 confirmed positive cases, with 26 people under quarantine,  5 are in the hospital, 7 are isolated at home, 4 people have died and 56 have fully recovered.

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Otsego County Department of Health has received notification of 1 new confirmed positive coronavirus case Saturday, this patient did not attend the Unadilla Livestock auction May 16th.  The county has 63 total confirmed cases, none one is hospitalized currently, 57 have recovered, there have been 5 deaths, and 13 people are quarantined

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The Otsego County Department of Health & the Susquehanna SPCA will continue to hold free weekly rabies vaccination clinics on-site for the foreseeable future.  The shelter is scheduling vaccination appointments for dogs, cats, and ferrets on Wednesday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. and on Thursday mornings from 9-11 a.m. Individual appointments allow for proper social distancing.  Registration is available by calling 547-8111, extension 108.  More information is available at sqspca.org.

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School Budget Votes will be held state wide tomorrow.  Locally, Sidney & Schenevus school district budget decreased their spending from last year, most have had slight to mild increases, local districts are close to 2% Property Tax Cap.  Capital Projects will be voted on by voters in Sidney, Unatego & Afton tomorrow.

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The Afton Central School District is asking for approval tomorrow on a capital project, Superintendent Tim McNamara comments:

(Tim McNamara 5-20-19)

McNamara said that state aid & the capital reserve fund will cover the cost of the project, meaning that there will be no additional burden on tax payers.

30 year old Christopher Bonno has been charged with 4th degree arson, 3rd degree Burglary & resisting arrest following the report of a barn fire at 3973 State Highway 23 in the town of Plymouth at about 8:00 PM Saturday night.  Smoldering hay was extinguished, no injuries were reported.

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The State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is hiring more than 1,000 new and returning lifeguards for the summer season at its swimming beaches and pools.  New York State Park lifeguards must meet certain eligibility criteria, which includes successfully completing the qualifying procedure, before being hired. For a complete schedule of qualifying dates, more information about hiring requirements, and an application, go to parks.ny.gov/employment/lifeguards. 

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Starting this Week, the Suit-Kote Corporation & Chenango County DPW will be working on County Road 32 between State Route 320 in the Town of Norwich and State Route 12 in the Town of North Norwich. It is anticipated this procedure shall take about 1 week to complete, depending on weather conditions.  The traveling public is asked to find alternate routes; more information is available at 337-1710.

Woodstock 50 appears to be on again, as organizers announced that the Oppenheimer & Co. investment corporation has signed on as a financial advisor to complete the financing for the concert.  The statement adds that preparations will continue as planned. Woodstock 50 is scheduled to take place August 16th to the 1th 8 in Watkins Glen, ticket sales will be announced shortly.

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Governor Cuomo announced that $21.3 million has been awarded to 6 affordable housing developments in the Southern Tier that will create or preserve 249 affordable homes. The funds were made available through New York State Homes & Community Renewal’s 2018 Unified Funding Application; Awards include $4.3 million for Endicott Square, in the Village of Endicott, creating 61 apartments in a mixed income development that repurposes a former school.

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The Raymond Corporation hosted more than 150 high school students at its headquarters in Greene, on Friday, for the company’s inaugural Engineering Day.  Students from 9 schools across the Southern Tier learned about career opportunities within engineering and associated disciplines, through 12 interactive exhibits, including 3D printing, & the award-winning Raymond Virtual Reality Simulator.

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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, the Walton Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware County Industrial Development Agency will present a 1 hour session on Walton’s designation as an “Opportunity Zone” by New York State.  The designation allows for incentivized business development in Walton, on Thursday, June 6 at Molto Espresso, 151 Delaware Street, Walton from 11 a.m. to 12:00 noon

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Sidney Village Police arrested 52 year old Alvin Mills of Sidney for sexual abuse & Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, following a recent investigation by Sidney Police & State Police.   Mills was remanded to the Delaware County jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond pending future court action.

(Heather Brewster 5-16-19)

The Tri Town Relay For Life will be held on June 7th at General Clinton Park from 6:00 to 11:00 PM this year. 

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Organizers of Woodstock 50 are declaring that the festival is still on after a Manhattan court judge ruled Tuesday that the event’s financial backer, Amplifi Live didn’t have the right to cancel the festival,  without the approval of Woodstock 50’s organizers. Woodstock 50 also requested that Amplifi Live be made to return nearly $18 million in funds that organizers claimed the company misappropriated, but the judge ruled that that matter needed to be determined by arbitration.  Woodstock 50 had been scheduled for August 16th to the 18th at Watkins Glen International Speedway.

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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce announced that they will honor local businesses at their annual awards ceremony at the Garden Party at Birdsong Farm in Delhi.  The ceremony will be held on June 26 at 5:30 PM at 38480 State Highway 10 in Delhi.    More information and to purchase tickets visit delawarecounty.org or call 746-2281

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a family of 4 escaped a fire in New Berlin, but lost all of their belongings early Tuesday morning.  the fire at the Richard Miller family residence was reported at about 1:30 AM Tuesday, The fire was fully involved when fire fighters from New Berlin, Morris and South New Berlin responded, and no injuries were reported.

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Volunteers are needed for a few shifts at the upcoming General Clinton Canoe Regatta on Memorial Day Weekend.  Volunteers are needed at the Gate, more information is available by calling Barb Mulkins at 967-5627; and in the Food Booth, and more information is available at 563-1952.

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The Delaware County Board of Elections announced today that  May 31st is the last day to postmark a registration form for the June 25th Primary Election.  Republican primary will be held for Hancock Superintendent of Highways, Sidney Town Clerk & for the Stamford Town Council.  Registration forms and applications for absentee ballots may be found at co.delaware.ny.us/departments or call 832-5321.

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State Police report that 50-year-old Daniel Smith was working on the vehicle at his home on Oak Hill Spur Road in Afton when it fell on him & killed him Tuesday evening at 6:34 pm.  State Police said that the driveway where Smith was working on his truck was sloped; the incident has been ruled as an accident.  The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and Harpursville Fire & EMS also responded.

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The Afton Central School District will be holding a second public informational meeting on a proposed Capital Project tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the school’s Margery Secrest Memorial Auditorium.  Superintendent Tim McNamara comments:

(Tim McNamara 5-16-19)

The Capital Project will be voted on by district residents on May 21, 2019.

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The next Delaware County Public Health Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic is Today from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Sidney Fire Station.  More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com

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The Town of Unadilla will be holding its annual Metal Day today from 6:30AM to 4:00 PM at the Town Barn on Martin Brook Road.  Town officials said that they will accept Tires without rims or large truck/agricultural tires, plus Scrap Metal, Appliances, Waste Oil, & Electronics.  More information is available at 369-4433.

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The Guilford Elementary School is holding a Kindergarten Parent Information Night tonight for children entering kindergarten in September. Children must turn 5 by Dec. 1st; the meeting is at 6:30PM in the Guilford Elementary Gymnasium.

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The Afton central School district will be holding a 2nd public informational meeting on their proposed Capital Project on May 16th.  District Superintendent Tim McNamara said that the project will not raise taxes:

(Tim McNamara 5-6-19)

The Project will be voted on by Afton District residents on May 21st from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM at the Afton School.

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May 5 to May 11, 2019, is National Small Business Week. Since 1963 this week has been designated to recognize the impact of America’s entrepreneurs and small businesses.  Steve Craig of Commerce Chenango comments:

(Steve Craig 5-6-19)

Statistics show that small businesses create two out of every three net new jobs in the private sector & over half of all Americans own or work for a small business, According to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 32-Year-Old Samantha Roupp of Bloomville Sunday for DWI, Driving with a BAC of .08% or higher, Uninspected Motor Vehicle, Failure to Keep Right, Moving from Lane Unsafely, and Consumption of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle.  Roupp was stopped on State Highway 10 in the Town of Walton, she was arrested & was arraigned in Hamden Town Court and is scheduled to appear at Walton Town Court at a later date.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s deputies, State Police & Village of Greene responded to the report of a suspicious death Friday evening in Smithville Flats.  The victim has been identified as 16-year-old Amelia Wakefield of Oxford, after authorities responded to a Water Street residence at about 6:50 PM Friday.  Wakefield was removed & was brought to Lourdes’ Hospital in Binghamton for an autopsy.  Oxford Academy officials announced that the School’s Crisis Team was available for students today; the investigation in Wakefield’s death is ongoing.

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117 packages of fentanyl and 35 packages of crack cocaine were seized by the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force during a search warrant in Binghamton Friday.  34 year old Sean Dingle was charged with several counts of Criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, Dingle is being held at the Binghamton Police Department until he can be arraigned in Binghamton City Court.

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State Police arrested 25 year old John Clark of Oneonta for Assault & Resisting Arrest after Troopers were dispatched to a dispute at the Lantern Hill Trailer Park.  Clark is accused of punching a person in the face.  Troopers located Clark hiding in the residence, He was found to have active warrants in the town of Morris and the city of Oneonta.   Clark was arraigned in the town of Oneonta Court and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond pending court action on June 6th 

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The Sidney Central School District is now registering children for their September 2019 kindergarten class.  Parents should call 561-7728 to set up an appointment to register their child, who must be 5 years old on or before December 1^st in order to be eligible for kindergarten this September.

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The Village of Sidney Spring Brush & Leaf Pick Up is running today through Friday, Village residents can also drop off appliances, tires & metal at the Sidney Village Garage on Friday & Saturday May 10th & 11th.  More information is available at 561-2329.

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