State Police will join local law enforcement agencies across the state in an effort to crack down on impaired driving during Super Bowl weekend. The STOP-DWI campaign will include underage drinking enforcement; drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Law enforcement will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Drivers should also remember to “move over” for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road when they travel New York roadways.
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The 2018 hunting seasons in New York tallied the lowest number of recorded hunting-related shooting incidents according to the State DEC. The number of incidents tied the 2016 mark of 13, as the safest on record; The DEC documented 5 tree stand incidents and 0 fatalities in 2018, down from 12 tree stand incidents the previous year. More information is available at the DEC’s website.
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The New York State Department of Health reported that Influenza activity levels were categorized as geographically widespread for the 6th straight week, last week. There were 5,227 laboratory-confirmed influenza reports; a 38% increase over the previous week, the number of patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza was 786, a 12% increase over last week. There were no influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported this week. There has been one influenza-associated pediatric death reported this season.
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Over 600 county delegates from across the state gathered this week for the New York State Association of Counties’ Legislative Conference in Albany. County leaders are closely watching and preparing for voting reforms, adult-use marijuana legalization, bail reform, property tax cap permanency, cashless bail, community college funding, and the budget impacts of state-mandated programs. Delegates passed a series of 38 policy resolutions in 12 issue areas. These resolutions will become the basis for the Association’s advocacy efforts; they can be viewed at nysac.org/resolutions.
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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce has collaborated with industry expert Jeff Bump of Grow Hemp New York, LLC for an informational seminar about growing hemp on February 8th. The Meeting will be held at the Delaware County Business Center, 5 1/2 Main Street, Delhi on February 8 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Registration is required at 746-2281 or by email: info@delawarecounty.org.
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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2019 Citizen of the Year & Business of the Year Awards. More information can be obtained by calling the Sidney Chamber office at 561-2642, The Deadline to submit the Nomination Forms is March 15, and the award recipient will be honored at the Annual Chamber of Commerce Dinner to be held on June 7, 2019.
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The Otsego County Chamber Of Commerce Energy Infrastructure and Economy Summit will be held today from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the OTESAGA HOTEL in COOPERSTOWN. The event will explore energy, climate change, and the region’s economy with area industry leaders and policy makers from across New York State. More information is available at 432-4500, Extension 104.
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The Substance Abuse in the Workplace forum will be held today by Chenango Health Network, Commerce Chenango and UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital. The event will be held at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich, Breakfast will begin at 7:45 AM, and the presentation will follow at 8:30. Dawn Lanouette of Hinman, Howard & Kattel, LLP is the event’s featured speaker, a panel discussion, moderated by Commerce Chenango President & CEO Steve Craig, with follow.
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An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held today on the SUNY Oneonta campus. The drive will be held from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM Appointments can be made with the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
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