Republican Congressional candidate George Phillips is challenging Republican former Congresswoman Claudia Tenney to a debate, prior to the primaries.  Both are seeking the Republican nomination to face off against current Democratic Congressman Anthony Brindisi, who defeated Tenney in the last election after Tenney served only 1 term.  Tenney has the support of President Trump.

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As concerns about the outbreak of coronavirus disease rise in the U.S., the American Red Cross is urging healthy, eligible individuals to give blood or platelets now to help prevent blood shortages that could result from lower donor participation.  Appointments can be made at redcrossblood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device, to find the next blood donation opportunity in your area. Blood donors with type O blood and all platelet donors are especially needed right now.

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New York State bans open burning this year from March 16th to May 14th.   The dead brush, dry conditions, high winds & more sunshine can lead to brush fires starting & spreading rapidly this time of year.  More information is available at dec.ny.gov or from your local fire department.

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Hartwick College President Margaret Drugovich was elected vice-chair of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, at the latest CICU board meeting.  Drugovich takes over after serving as CICU treasurer and chair of its Finance and Administrative Committee. She succeeds Adelphi University President Dr. Chris Riordan, who was named the CICU’s new board chair.  More information is available at cicu.org.

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Orlando Tercero is seeking to serve a shorter sentence & is expected in court today in his home country of Nicaragua, he was convicted of the murder of Binghamton University student Haley Anderson in her downtown apartment, and he then fled the area & went back to Nicaragua.    Tercero was found guilty of killing Anderson in November 2019 in Nicaragua, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

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A Montana man was sentenced recently to 110 years in prison, for killing a former Sidney High School Graduate & Disabled veteran in Great Falls Montana, and conspiring with his wife to steal his benefits.  25 year old Brandon Craft pleaded guilty in November for the 2016 murder of Adam Petzack, and for burying his body in his barn, his ex-wife Katelyn Zdeb will serve 20 years in connection with stealing the VA benefits.   Petzack grew up in this area prior to going into the military.

Governor Cuomo announced the state will provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer to New Yorkers free of charge, to prevent price-gouging and ensure New Yorkers have access to this prevention method.  The state will produce up to 100,000 gallons of hand sanitizer each week in various sizes and distribution will be prioritized by the most impacted and high risk communities and state agencies.  Governor Cuomo also confirmed 37 additional cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 142 confirmed cases.

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An Otsego County Court jury has found Kimberly Steeley of East Worcester not guilty of causing the deaths of her infant twins.   The jury finished deliberating Monday; Steeley was originally charged with two counts of 2nd-degree manslaughter for the June 2018 deaths of infant twins 11 days apart, both of asphyxiation.

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