The State DEC issued a drought watch for the entire state of New York following consultation with the State Drought Management Task Force and Federal partner agencies. DEC officials said that below normal precipitation over the last 9 months, low stream flows, and reduced groundwater levels have prompted the need for the action. Residents are encouraged to conserve water whenever possible during the coming Summer months. More information is available at dec.ny.gov.
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The New York Lottery’s Yolanda Vega today presented an over-sized check worth $5 million to 70-year-old William Villecco of Harpursville at Wegman’s in Johnson City today. Villecco chose to receive his prize in a single lump sum payment totaling $4.2 Million Dollars.
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State Police & Delaware County EMS updated the information on Wednesday Night’s explosion at 3949 State Route 206 in Masonville. At 9:26 pm, Delaware 911 received a call of a house explosion at the Kela Charles, Masonville fire units responded to find the home completed destroyed by an apparent explosion and heavily involved with fire. Mutual aid assistance was received from Trout Creek, Sidney, Sidney Center, Bainbridge, & Franklin. 29-year-old Kerry Vaccaro was outside of the residence at the time of the explosion, she was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City. 31-year-old Shayne Charles was in the basement, he was eventually airlifted to the burn unit at Upstate Medical in Syracuse. 53-year-old Kela Charles refused medical treatment for her injuries. The cause of the explosion has been determined to be accidental in nature and caused when Shayne Charles attempted to ignite a propane hot water heater in the basement.
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Governor Cuomo announced a new series of aggressive enforcement actions to combat the illegal sale of K2 and other synthetic drugs. The Governor announced the State Department of Health’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, in partnership with the New York State Police, will step up enforcement efforts to crack down on the illegal sale of K2. Additionally, the Governor will require that the State Liquor Authority and New York State Gaming Commission increase their oversight and enforcement efforts to revoke a store owner’s liquor and lottery licenses if they are found to be illegally peddling K2. The latest action follows an incident in Brooklyn where about 3 dozen people become sick after using K2.
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Jermaine Bagnall-Graham of Sherburne officially filed petition signatures to appear on the Democratic and Women’s Equality Party lines, in the race for the 51st State Senate District. Bagnall-Graham is seeking to unseat Republican Jim Seward, who has held a seat in the Senate since 1986. Bagnall-Graham has officials started a website for the campaign at jermaine. today, & a Facebook page, Facebook.com/jermaineforsenate.
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The Music of The City of the Hills festival will be held to benefit the Oneonta Soccer Club. the music-festival will be running from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm with Food, vendors, refreshments and the music of Mike Herman, Country Express, Just Throw Money & SUNDOWN at the Wright Soccer Complex in Oneonta.
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The village of Morris will conduct its 36th annual community-wide Yard Sale Day on Saturday, July 16. The event will feature dozens of family sales, food tents, and vendors in the village park. Shop early for the best bargains.
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Sidney Alumni weekend continues tonight through Sunday, Sidney Alumni spokesman Greg Davie commented about Saturday & Sunday’s scheduled activities:
(Greg Davie 7-15-16)
The full line up is available at sidneyalumni.org.
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The Broadway Theater League announced that tickets are on sale for their next season, which starts in December. Tina Niles of NAC Entertainment explains:
(Tina Niles 7-15-16)
More information is also available at 722-1391.
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A jury has been selected in the trial of Almond Upton. Upton is charged with first-degree murder in the May 2014 death of State Trooper Christopher Skinner. Upton was driving north on Interstate 81 in the Town of Chenango when he swerved from the left lane to hit Trooper Skinner who was standing outside his vehicle during an unrelated traffic stop. The trial will resume this morning.
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Governor Cuomo announced that Trooper Donald Atkinson and Trooper Lawrence Gurdo are the recipients of the New York State Police Officer of the Year Award. The troopers were recognized for helping rescue a 14-year-old girl from the waters of the Whitney Point Reservoir in Broome County last summer. Both men braved cold water and an extremely strong undercurrent to pull the teen to safety from reservoir dam, near the mouth of a quarter-mile-long intake tunnel. Trooper Atkinson has been a member of the State Police for more than 15 years, is assigned to Troop C in Whitney Point.
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The Annual Chenango County Republican Party “Lobsterfest” will be held this Sunday in Norwich, republican committee spokesman Tom Morrone explains:
(Tom Morrone 7-15-16)
More information is available at 226-3271.
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Unatego Alumni Association will hold their first annual weekend, with a variety of events, starting tonight at the Long River Inn, and continuing on Saturday & Sunday. Association Spokesperson Judy Pitel said that they are trying to raise money for scholarships & to acknowledge outstanding alumni:
(Judy Pitel 7-15-16)
More Information is available at 435-3053.
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