Travel bans were lifted in Broome & Chenango Counties this afternoon, with Broome County getting assistance from the National Guard. Governor Cuomo held a press conference at the DOT Facilities on Colesville Road this afternoon & said that more help was on the way:

(Cuomo 3-15-17)

Otsego & Delaware Counties will lift their travel bans at 6:00 PM, Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig announced that due to the large amount of snow on city streets, all street parking is prohibited until further notice, regulations at the city parking lots & municipal garage will be suspended. Motorists are advised to drive with extreme caution if they must drive.
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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced the indictment of 12 members of a criminal theft and fencing ring in New York and 27 other states. A 41-count indictment, unsealed in New York Supreme Court today, charged the 12 alleged co-conspirators with enterprise corruption, money laundering, criminal possession of stolen property and conspiracy. During “Operation Sticky Fingers,” State Police & other law enforcement agencies seized more than 5,300 stolen electronics and ink cartridges from the enterprise’s alleged kingpin, Richard Rimbaugh; and from various members of his crew. millions of dollars in merchandise was stolen from Staples, Office Depot, Best Buy, and other retailers, investigators also seized more than $7.7 million dollars from the defendants’ homes, financial institutions, and their Amazon and Pay Pal accounts.
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Lawmakers will be participating in conference committees to negotiate differences in the Assembly & State Senate Budget proposals. Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Crouch 3-15-17)

The state’s fiscal year starts on April 1st, and lawmakers expect to get the budget passed on time again this year.
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A fire at Munson’s Building Supplies on Oneonta’s East End was extinguished quickly this morning. The fire was electrical in nature and only minimal damage was reported. Fire fighters from Oneonta, Pindars Corners,  Otego & Milford responded.
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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that Securities industry profitability rose by 21%, while the average bonus paid to employees in New York City’s securities industry increased by 1% to $138,210. Pretax profits for the broker/dealer operations of New York Stock Exchange member firms, totaled $17.3 billion in 2016, the highest level in four years. The industry added 2,800 jobs in 2014 and 4,500 jobs in 2015.
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1 person was killed & 8 people escaped from the Skylark Motel Fire in Vestal Tuesday Morning. Officials said that fire fighters were slowed down getting to the scene by the winter storm; the name of the deceased has not yet been released. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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17 year old Kyle Jaramillo of Oneonta was arrested by City police after they allegedly found drugs and stolen goods in his apartment. Jaramillo was charged with 2nd degree burglary. Grand larceny, criminal mischief, criminal possession of a controlled substance & endangering the welfare of a Minor, Police seized heroin, televisions, stereo speakers, an air rifle and sneakers that were reported stolen recently for an Oneonta residence. The investigation is continuing, anyone with information is asked to contact Oneonta Police Detectives at 432-1111 option 4. All tips will remain confidential.
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Diana Ross will appear in concert on July 26th, as part of her “In The Name Of Love” tour, at The Anderson Center at SUNY Binghamton. Reserved Seat Tickets go on sale today at 12:00 Noon at the Anderson Center Box office, by calling 777-ARTS, or at Anderson.Binghamton.edu.
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Female lawmakers in New York say early voting would make it easier for all New Yorkers – and particularly women – to cast a ballot. Several legislators on Monday urged Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders to include early voting and automatic voter registration in the state budget expected to be approved by April 1. Compared to other states New York has low voter turnout rates and is one of a minority of states that still doesn’t allow early voting.
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A new bill is proposing a requirement for gender-neutral bathrooms in New York State. The Legislation was introduced in the Assembly to make all single-occupancy restrooms in public places gender neutral. Traditional signs for men’s and women’s rooms would be replaced to indicate accessibility to any gender.
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