A Winter Storm is heading up the East Coast & will impact much of the state starting tonight. Sidney High School Science Teacher & Meteorologist Rich Townsend explains:

(Rich Townsend 3-13-17)

The National Weather service has a Winter Storm Warning in effect tonight through Wednesday Night & a Blizzard warning has been posted for parts of Delaware County & neighboring Sullivan County.
———————————-
Another Opiate Awareness Program will be held this week at the Afton school district in conjunction with Lourdes Hospital & Yes Safe Choices. State Senator Fred Akshar explains:

(Fred Akshar 3-13-17)

Senator Akshar said that he was encouraged that both the Afton & Bainbridge School district are requiring students involved in their athletics programs to be part of the program. Future events are listed at yessafechoices.org/events.
——————————————
Firefighters from Cooperstown & surrounding communities responded to a fire in kitchen of the Phinney House Bed & Breakfast at 14 Elm Street in Cooperstown, at 7:30 this morning. The Vrooman family escaped from their house & safely removed nearby vehicles before firefighters arrived. The fire was under control in about 90 minutes, significant smoke and water damage was reported. The Cause of the fire is under investigation.
—————————————-
Oneonta Police Department received a call Friday Night from a citizen in southern New York State regarding an acquaintance who was stranded in Oneonta and possibly expressing suicidal and homicidal tendencies. Officers located 35 year old Samuel Browning of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, in the area of 145 Main Street. Browning was taken into custody without incident, he was found to be in possession of a loaded .357 magnum revolver and a small quantity of marijuana, the handgun had been reported stolen from the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Browning was charged with Criminal possession of a firearm, Criminal possession of stolen property, And Unlawful possession of marijuana. Browning was held at the Oneonta Police Department until arraignment in the City of Oneonta Court.
——————————————
The CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating an outbreak of Listeria infections. 6 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 4 states since last September, all 6 were hospitalized, and 2 people from Connecticut and Vermont died. The laboratory evidence indicates that soft raw milk cheese made by Vulto Creamery of Walton is the likely source of this outbreak, as all 6 people ate various types of soft cheeses in the month before their illness started. The outbreak strain of Listeria was identified in samples taken from three intact wheels of Ouleout cheese collected from Vulto Creamery; they have now recalled all lots of several types of their soft raw milk cheeses. This investigation is ongoing.
————————————-
The Oneonta city clerk’s office announced that due to the impending storm, parking restrictions in the Municipal Parking lots & Parking Garage would be lifted starting at 7:00 PM tonight. Vehicles owners & operators in the city of Oneonta are reminded that vehicles cannot be parked on the streets after 2 1/2 inches of snow falls. City officials said that people could sign up for snow and parking related messages by texting the keyword “SNOWTOW” to 888777.
——————————————

Governor Cuomo announced that actions are being taken to prepare and respond to the Nor’easter that will impact much of the state tonigth through Wednesday. The State Emergency Operations Center will be activated this evening & state agencies will be on heightened alert & will be ready to deploy personnel and state resources to the hardest hit areas, as needed.
————————————–
Fire Fighters from many area companies responded Sunday night to a Fire at the Milford Methodist Church. The fire was called in at about 7:00 PM, the church was heavily damaged & 2 nearby buildings had minor damage. No injuries were reported, the cause of the fire is under investigation, the building is expected to be ruled as a total loss.
————————————-
Governor Cuomo announced that the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved nearly $60 million in grants and interest-free and low-cost loans to support vital drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects across New York State. The Village of Sidney will receive $9.4 million to improve source water quality by developing new wells, and/or providing the existing two wells with a treatment system. Additionally, water mains with poor pressure and frequent breaks will be replaced and meters will be installed on all remaining unmetered services.
——————————-
Chenango County Sheriff’s Department arrested 2 Town of Greene residents for agriculture and markets law violations. Deputies arrested Martin and Mary Canny for 7 counts of failure to provide proper sustenance of farm animals and dogs, following a complaint on March 6th, the Leather Stocking Veterinary Clinic of New Berlin responded, they found numerous animals to be malnourished and recommended them to be removed from the property and offered assistance from the clinic. Martin and Mary Canny voluntarily gave up their rights to the rest of their animals, they were also taken to the Leather Stocking clinic.
———————————
The Anderson Center for Performing Arts at SUNY Binghamton has announced a major concert for this summer. The venue will host a performance by the legendary Diana Ross on July 26th, as part of her “In The Name Of Love” tour. Reserved Seat Tickets go on sale this Wednesday at 12:00 Noon at the Anderson Center Box office, by calling 777-ARTS, or at Anderson.Binghamton.edu.
———————————-
The State Health Department announced that the UHS Senior Living at Chenango Memorial; Hospital in Norwich is in the top 20% of New York Nursing homes. The distinction was based on the 2016 Nursing Home’s Quality Initiative, which evaluates the nursing homes Quality of Care & Performance. The UHS Senior Living department at Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich is located on the Hospitals 2nd floor & offers 75 beds.
——————————————–