Governor Cuomo signed legislation to identify and develop new training standards for therapy dogs. The bills calls for new guidelines for therapy dog handlers and facilities in assessment, training, risk management and animal welfare.

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Congressman Anthony Brindisi announced his Holiday Cards for Heroes program, encouraging families in his 22nd Congressional District to show appreciation for Veterans with homemade holiday cards. The deadline to send in cards is Friday, December 20th. Cards can be dropped off or mailed to Congressman Brindisi’s district office in 49 Court Street in Binghamton.

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Chenango County Sheriff’s department arrested 20 year old Benjamin Bivar of Bainbridge as a fugitive from justice warrant out of Pennsylvania.   Deputies responded to a 1 car motor vehicle crash on State Highway 41 in the Town of Smithville Sunday, Bivar was the operator of the vehicle & was found to have an active warrant out of Lackawanna County Pennsylvania for criminal charges; he was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility without bail. 

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Operation Merry Christmas has received many more requests for toys & children’s clothing for underprivileged families this holiday season.  Program Spokesperson Dorene Ireland asks the public to locate their trees in areas stores, take a tag & try to help with this year’s efforts:

(Dorene Ireland 12-3-19)

Some of the Operation Merry Christmas Trees can be found at ACCO, Amphenol, Community Bank in Sidney, NBT in Sidney, SFCU in Bainbridge and Sidney, the Sidney Central School, Sidney Flowers & Gifts, Sidney Memorial Public Library, Trackside Dining, & Village Variety in Unadilla. The giveaway day will be on December 14th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the AO Fox Hospital Tri Town Campus in Sidney.

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A Town of Oxford resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Assault in the 2nd degree.  46 year old Maria Titchener of Oxford was arrested & was arraigned in the Town of Oxford Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $500 cash and $2,500 bond, pending future court action.

NYSEG continues to restore power after heavy snow and wintry conditions disrupted service to thousands of customers. The company expects to have all customers restored by 10 p.m. on Tuesday evening.  Currently, more than 7,000 customers are without power, including over 1100 in Broome County. The hardest hit areas include the Southern Tier, Capital region & The Catskills, mainly from heavy wet snow that has the brought down trees limbs & power lines.  To report a power interruption, or downed power lines, call NYSEG at 1.800.572.1131.

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Commerce Chenango announced that NBT Bank is hosting the Business After Hours Today with their Annual Holiday Spectacular from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.  The event will be held at NBT’s 52 South Broad Street, Norwich.   Attendees are being asked to support either Toys for Tots by bringing a new, unwrapped toy or a non-perishable food item for the Catholic Charities Food Pantry. 

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The State Department of Health’s AIDS Institute is hosting the 21st Annual World AIDS Day Event today at the Empire State Convention center in Albany, In recognition of World AIDS Day, which was observed on Sunday.   The public is invited to visit community-based service organization booths and view the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in the Convention Center beginning at 9:00AM.  More information is available at health.ny.gov. 

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Governor Cuomo signed legislation to help connect veterans who experienced sexual trauma while on active duty or during military training with vital information and resources. The new law requires the Division of Veterans’ Services to maintain a Military Sexual Trauma Portal on its website where veterans can go to find information about where to seek treatment and counseling for military sexual trauma. The law goes into effect in 90 days.

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