Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa is under fire, for saying to some state lawmakers in a ZOOM meeting that the administration “Froze Up” after being asked last summer for information by the US Department of Justice, regarding the death toll in the state’s nursing homes from COVID 19. Local State Assemblyman Joe Angelino is the Ranking Republican on the Assembly Oversight, Analysis and Investigation Committee, he told WCDO news of his reaction:

(Angelino 2-12-21)

The State Health Department has released updated statistics in the last week that greatly increased the number of deaths of Nursing home residents to over 12,700, by including those who died from COVID while in a hospital.  This Afternoon, DeRosa clarified her statements by stating that Governor’s Office had asked State Lawmakers to wait for the administration’s response on Nursing Home deaths, so the administration could first resolve the Federal inquiry, she said that they were fully transparent with the Federal & then state inquiries in that order.  Some Lawmakers are calling for limiting the Governor’s emergency powers & for the resignations of DeRosa; many have also been calling for the resignation of State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker.

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2010 Unatego graduate Aaron “Frosty” Foster, who grew up in Wells Bridge, passed away unexpectedly Thursday in Tennessee.  Foster was a bluegrass musician, who currently had the #6 song on the Bluegrass charts, with Troy Boone, entitled “Country Fool”. Foster was inducted in 2020 into the Unatego Central School District Hall Of Distinction, he was 28.

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Major League Baseball announced today that all 120 Minor League Clubs offered an invitation to become Professional Development League (“PDL”) license holders, have officially agreed to accept. The Binghamton Rumble Ponies, selected as partners by the New York Mets, will provide both facilities and communities that are essential to the development of the next generation of big-league stars.  The Rumble Ponies will compete in a brand new League for the 2021 season and beyond. They will take part in the New Double-A Northeast League, and will be seeded in the Northeast division.

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State Police arrested 33 year old Carlos Smith of Utica, for torturing, injuring & failing to feed 6 dogs left at his former residence in the town of Davenport in December.  Smith was officially charged with 6 counts of failing to provide proper sustenance to animals; a warrant was issued for his arrest, which occurred late Thursday afternoon.

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State Police located 15 year old Trevor Mallory in the City in Binghamton in good health; he was turned over to the custody of a family member.  Mallory was reported missing on February 2nd, where he was last seen leaving the town of Colesville in a vehicle.  State Police stated that tips from the public & and the sharing of Mallory’s picture on social media led to his reappearance.

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Republican Claudia Tenney was sworn in to serve in the New York 22nd Congressional District yesterday, she previously served in Congress from 2016 to 2018 when she lost her re-election bid to Democrat Anthony Brindisi, who she just defeated by 109 votes, the vote count wasn’t certified until earlier this week after a prolonged vote count & issues with ballots in Oneida & Chenango Counties. 

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A.O. Fox Tri-Town Campus in Sidney will hold a Blood Drive Monday from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM, Spokesperson Rebecca Brooks-White said that there is a shortage of many blood types:

(Rebecca Brooks White 2-12-21)

Appointments may be made at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-Red Cross.

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Chenango County Public Health reported another COVID related death today, bringing their total to 49. The report 102 active cases, 280 quarantined & 20 hospitalized, their total number of cases is up to 2285.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-12-21

State Police updated their information regarding Thursday’s crash of a garbage truck on State Route 17 in the town of Windsor.  The unidentified 64 year old driver from the Bronx was traveling at an unsafe speed, and made an unsafe lane change, he went through the guiderail and into the median, struck an earth embankment, the truck continued & the tractor became detached & overturned and came to rest in the median between the over passes for State Line Road.  The driver was taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, the truck is registered to Lae Transport Corp in Newark, New Jersey, the investigation is continuing.

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Stadiums and arenas can reopen with limited spectators on February 23rd, following the success of the Buffalo Bills testing program, Governor Cuomo explained during a recent COVID 19 briefing:

(Cuomo 2-12-21)

Under the new reopening guidelines, the Barclays Center will open when the Brooklyn Nets host the Sacramento Kings.

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This weekend will be the first Free Fishing Weekend of the year, when anglers are permitted to fish for free without a license.  Tips on Ice fishing are available on the state DEC website, Participants are reminded to be socially distanced from others, wear masks & avoid sharing gear when possible.

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Delaware County Public Health reported 17 news COVID cases Thursday out of 352 tests, they have 116 active cases, 22 are hospitalized & 309 are quarantined.

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The next Delaware County Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative committee virtual meeting is Today at 1:00 pm. This meeting will be live-streamed on the Delaware County YouTube channel; the link will be shared 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting on the Delaware County Facebook page.  The live-stream video will remain available on the Delaware County YouTube channel after the meeting has ended, and a recording will be available on Facebook.

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The Greater Oneonta Historical Society has a new exhibition coming to its History Center at 183 Main Street. “Up from the Ashes, Oneonta Shaped by Fire” opens Today, the exhibition covers the history of Oneonta’s early fire companies, the Oneonta Fire Department, & notable Oneonta fires,  it  will remain on display until May 1st, more information is available at 432-0960 or info@OneontaHistory.org.

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Governor Cuomo announced today in his COVID briefing, that the vaccine supply will be increased again from the federal government:

(Cuomo 2-10-21)

The Governor also announced that starting February 23rd, sporting events & concerts will be allowed with certain restrictions, the 1st event will be a Brooklyn Nets Basketball Game at the Barclays Center.

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The State Health Department continues to see favorable numbers regarding COVID.  The state tested over 176,000 New Yorkers Tuesday with 4% positive, the lowest rate since late November, Hospitalizations continue to decrease, the number of Patients in an ICU bed went up slightly & the number of Patients on Ventilators decreased to 955, there were 136 COVID related deaths Tuesday.

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Chenango County Public Health reported 19 new cases of COVID 19 today, they have 110 Active Cases, 302 in Quarantines, 25 hospitalized and a total of 2256 since the pandemic began.

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This week Delaware County Public Health has been allocated 100 doses Of the COVID 19 Vaccine, all are allocated for 1b essential workers.  Employers in Delaware County seeking COVID-19 vaccinations for their staff that are listed in Phase 1B can email their contact information to dcph@co.delaware.ny.us.  More information about Vaccines is available at nyuhs.org/southerntiervax

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A.O. Fox Hospital’s Tri-Town Campus announced that they will be holding a blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross on Monday, February 15th, between 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the main conference room at 43 Pearl Street West in Sidney.   Appointments are required at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS, all blood types are needed.

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City of Norwich Emergency Management Director A. Wesley Jones announced that after 26 years, he will retire from that position effective on April 20th.  Jones joined the City as the Assistant Emergency Management Officer in April of 1995 & in January 1997, he took the position he now holds.

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State Police responded Tuesday Morning at about 11:30, to Interstate 88 west in the town of Bainbridge for a 2-vehicle crash involving a State Department of Transportation Plow and a garbage truck.   The westbound lanes were closed at exit 9 for several hours to remove the two vehicles.  An investigation revealed that the plow truck was in the left lane plowing the passing lane and shoulder of the roadway.  The garbage truck passed on the right and struck the snowplow wing on the passenger side.  The impact caused both vehicles to go into the median. The garbage truck was registered to Global Transportation in Iowa & was being operated by 77-year-old male from Tennessee, The DOT truck was operated by a 22-year-old male of Oxford with a 55-year-old passenger of Greene, and No injuries were reported.  The roadway reopened around 2:20 p.m. 

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State Police at Binghamton are searching for a missing runaway teen. 15 year old Trevor Mallory was last seen on February 2nd at 4:30 PM leaving an address on Colesville Road in the town of Colesville.  Troopers were told he got into a grey colored 4-door-sedan; the vehicle make and model are unknown.  Mallory is described as 5 foot 9 inches and 135 pounds.  He has brown hair and brown eyes, anyone with information should contact State Police at 775-1241.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-10-21

Current Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig announced the passing of Former Oneonta Mayor & Businessman Albert “Sam” Nader at the age of 101.  Nader co-owned the Oneonta Yankees Baseball team from the late 60’s until 2008 & was responsible for getting Oneonta an airport while mayor.

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The Otsego County Department of Health was notified of 10 deaths related to COVID in residents of a long term care facility in January. The total deaths for 2021 are now 24; they reported 15 new COVID cases, they have 98 active cases, 17 hospitalized. Otsego now has 43 COVID deaths since early in 2020.

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Delaware County Public Health reported 9 new cases of COVID 19 Tuesday; they have 96 active cases, 21 hospitalized and 225 in quarantine.  County residents can find about more about vaccinations at nyuhs.org/southerntiervax.

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The Sidney Central School District has been notified that a 3rd grade student has tested positive for COVID-19. The student has not been on campus since Friday, February 5th. The Delaware County Health Department has conducted an investigation and the contact tracing has been completed. There will be no change to the instructional model at this time.

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