U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released her original report on the shortcomings of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and how it has failed to bring relief to New York borrowers pursuing public service careers. Senator Gillibrand said today that the program was created to alleviate student loan debt for individuals committed to public service careers for at least 10 years, but in recent years a small percentage actually received the delivered promise:

(Gillibrand 10-14-21)

Senator Gillibrand is pushing for passage of the What You Can Do for Your Country Act, which would expand PSLF eligibility so that every type of federal loan and repayment plan is included in the program and would provide a partial forgiveness benefit after five years. Gillibrand said that 1 out of every 14 participants denied loan forgiveness lives in New York, only 1.2% of New York participants have had their loans forgiven.

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State Police arrested Chenango County Sheriff Candidate Debra Cubbedge of Norwich on Tuesday, along with 21 year old Kymani Frazer of Yonkers, they were both arrested for 2nd degree criminal trespass, after Troopers were dispatched to a dispute at a residence on County Road 44 in the town of Plymouth. State Police said that Frazer and Cubbedge entered the residence without permission and remained inside unlawfully; they left prior to the trooper’s arrival and were located in the City of Norwich. Cubbedge & Frazer were released, and will return to Plymouth Town Court on October 27.

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The American Red Cross of Western New York will be hiring for a number of positions, This Saturday, October 16 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. A walk-in hiring event will be held at our Southern Tier Chapter office 620 E. Main Street, Endicott to recruit for Entry-level Phlebotomists to assist in operating upcoming blood drives. No experience is necessary, Walk-ins are welcome or applicants can pre-register at redcross.org/careers.

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A virtual “Glow Run” has been organized for Amanda Decker of Bainbridge, who is going through a form of Cancer, local Cancer survivor & Glow Run Organizer Heather Bucalos told WCDO News about this year’s Bainbridge Glow Run called “Glow For Amanda”:

(Heather Bucalos 10-14-21)

Bucalos said that Registration is underway at runsignup.com, then look for the Bainbridge Glow Run, Registration is available through October 29th, more information is available at the Bainbridge Glow Challenge: Glow4Amanda Facebook page.

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Governor Kathy Hochul says New York will appeal Judge David Hurd’s decision to continue to allow religious exemptions to the state’s vaccine mandate for health care workers. Judge Hurd blocked the state from enforcing the mandate, Governor Hochul said Wednesday she is working with the state attorney general’s office to appeal the decision in the second circuit Court of Appeals.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 10-14-21

Otsego County Department of Health reported 23 new COVID Cases Wednesday, with 1 more death reported. Otsego County remains at a HIGH level of community transmission, they recommend everyone wear a mask indoors in public to maximize protection from the Delta variant. Vaccination Rates in Otsego County are reported at 54.7% of total population fully vaccinated, with a higher rate among those 65 & older at almost 80%

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Delaware County Public Health reported 85 new COVID cases from October 9th through the 13th, with 3 more deaths reported. Delaware County has 160 active cases, 10 hospitalized & 303 quarantined, there have been 59 deaths from COVID, only 51% of county residents are vaccinated.

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Commerce Chenango will hold their annual Legislative Breakfast this morning at the Silo Restaurant in Greene, starting at 8:00 AM. Representatives from the Economic Development Council and The Business Council of New York State will attend; local lawmakers State Senators Fred Akshar & Peter Oberacker and Assemblyman Joe Angelino have been invited to attend.

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The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood and platelet shortage and must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week, to meet hospital and patient needs. Donors of all blood types – especially type O – and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS. A blood drive is being held today in Franklin from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Franklin Methodist Church, 475 Main Street.

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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that his office would sponsor a gun buy-back in Utica on Saturday, as part of a new statewide program. The Attorney General’s Office will be accepting working and non-working, unloaded weapons in exchange for compensation on site. This Saturday’s gun buyback will take place at the Utica Memorial Auditorium, from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM.  Other gun buybacks will take place in Binghamton,  Poughkeepsie, Yonkers, and the Buffalo region in the coming weeks.

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New York State continues to look into alternative energy systems, one that continues to be studied is Solar Energy.  Assemblyman Pete Lopez said that the initial cost might be prohibitive for some:

(Lopez 10-18-13)

Another issue is available sunlight, as a 2009 state study shows that most sections of the state could use solar energy successfully, except for the southern tier, which failed to get a high enough percentage of sunlight.  The study suggests that Solar could be used as a 2nd energy source behind other traditional methods.

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The Norwich School District will conduct an “early dismissal drill” today, consistent with the District’s Emergency and Disaster Management Plan and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.  High School/Middle School will be dismissed at 1:55 p.m.  Perry Browne will be dismissed at 2:45 p.m.  Stanford Gibson will be dismissed at 3:00 p.m.   Latchkey will not be available today, parents should plan for alternative childcare arrangements this afternoon.

State Police, Delaware County sheriff’s deputies & Walton Police responded on February 19^th to a murder-suicide & arson at 294 John Lockwood Road in the Town of Walton.  After the fire was extinguished, 2 sets of remains were removed; one was identified as 47 year old Debra Sundstrom of 1884 South River Road in Walton, from suicide by a gunshot to the head.  On Friday, a 3^rd set of human remains was located at 1884 South River Road, who was identified as 49 year old Randy Sundstrom, the husband of Debra Sundstrom, his death was ruled as a homicide, Randy Sundstrom’s death may have occurred during February of 2010. . The second set of human remains from the February 19^th fire was identified as the homeowner-51 year old Dominick Bosco, the cause of his death is undetermined.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police at 561-7400.  The investigation is continuing.

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State Police investigated a 1-Car fatal motor vehicle accident on Afton Lake Road at around 2:20 AM Sunday.  The investigation revealed that 22-year-old Ryan Lewis of Harpursville lost control of his vehicle while negotiating a curve; he struck a tree with the passenger side. 24 year old Joelyn Sines of Harpursville was a front seat passenger, she was pronounced dead at the scene, 22 year old Mitchell Birch of Afton and 22 year old Caleb Gregory of Afton, were both transported to Wilson hospital in Johnson City, Lewis has been charged with 2^nd Vehicular Manslaughter and Driving While Intoxicated, he was transported to Wilson hospital, he faces action in Town of Afton Court at a later date.  The investigation is continuing.

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Lawmakers in Albany are working on Governor Cuomo’s ambitious agenda for the year.  Assemblyman Pete Lopez said that the agriculture and energy agenda’s are doable:

(Lopez 2-25-13)

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A Binghamton man was arrested Saturday on drug charges, after being pulled over for an inspection violation.  24-year-old Daniel Gregoris was charged with Criminal Possession of a Hallucinogenic Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and driving an Uninspected Motor Vehicle, he is accused of possessing several grams of Ecstasy and a small amount of Marijuana in the vehicle.  Gregoris faces court action shortly.

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State Police at Sidney arrested 21-year-old Gregory Castro of Binghamton, for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. The arrest resulted from a traffic stop in Sidney; Castro was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable in the Town of Sidney Court on March 14^th.

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Delaware county sheriff’s department Investigators arrested 31 year old Richard Dostis, of Walton for failure to register his e-mail account information to law enforcement within 10 days, as required of a level 3 sex offender in new York.  Dostis maintained at least 1 e-mail account, which he failed to register with authorities, he was charged with 1 count of Failure to Register and/or Verify an Address or Status Change, and he will be arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court at a later time.

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The Delaware County Sheriffs Office responded to a one car motor vehicle accident Sunday on County Highway 22 / East Brook Road in the Town of Hamden. 52-year-old Anthony Triarsi of Yonkers left the roadway and struck a utility pole.  Triarsi was not injured; he was issued a traffic summons for the unsafe tires.

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The Greater Afton Chamber of Commerce will hold their kick off events this Wednesday in Afton.  Chamber president Elena Hulsey explains:

(Elena Hulsey 2-25-13)

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