State Police arrested 21-year-old William Holden of Bainbridge for felony criminal contempt and 3rd degree Assault. The arrest occurred after troopers were advised of a dispute that happened in a vehicle on State Route 206 in the Town of Bainbridge, where Holden allegedly struck the victim in the face causing an injury. Holden violated a court order of protection; he was arraigned in the Town of Bainbridge court and was remanded to the Chenango County jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 property bond.
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Governor Cuomo today directed the State Department of Health to expand free Zika virus testing to all pregnant women who, during their pregnancy, had unprotected sex with a partner who traveled to an area with ongoing Zika virus transmission. This expansion comes as the Department is investigating 1 case of possible sexual transmission of the Zika virus, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published reports of increasing numbers of confirmed and probable sexual transmission of Zika virus, including several involving pregnant women. To date The State Lab at the Wadsworth Center in Albany has conducted tests on samples from more than 1,400 patients and 40 have been found to be positive, those infected patients have been returning travelers from countries where Zika virus is ongoing.
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Lawmakers will be looking to restore cuts to the state budget by the Governor for Agricultural programs, Local Assemblyman & Assembly Agriculture Committee Chairman Bill Magee comments:

(Magee 3-9-16)

Magee said that both houses will send their proposed budgets out fro printing on Friday, conference committees should get started negotiating next week & the budget should be completed by the April 1st deadline again this year.
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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a consumer alert today for National Consumer Protection Week, reminding New Yorkers to protect themselves against recurring government “imposter” phone scams. These scams often target seniors, students, and first-generation Americans. Recent scams include callers posing as a representative from the Attorney General’s office, the IRS, or as officers of the court regarding alleged missed Jury Duty & the threat of arrest or other penalties. Schneiderman said that New Yorkers should also report instances of fraud to ag.ny.gov or 1-800-771-7755.
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The New York State Senate today passed a resolution honoring Mike Piazza for his impending induction into the National Baseball Hall of fame this summer. Piazza will be inducted with a New York Mets cap on his plaque, for his 7 1/2 years as a member of the team, which won the National League championship in 2000. Piazza spent part of Tuesday at the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum at Cooperstown before visiting the state Capital today. A copy of the resolution can be found at nysenate.gov/legislation/resolutions.
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The Delaware County Sheriff’s Department announced that there will be a fundraiser this Sunday in Walton, to support their K9 Unit, which has been an integral part of the County’s crackdown on Drug dealers in the County. The fundraise will be held on Sunday at Danny’s Restaurant at 14 Gardiner Place in Walton from 12:00 noon until 7:00 PM, donations can be made by check to Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills, with “K9 Drug Fund” in the memo box. More information about the fundraiser can be directed to Danny’s restaurant at 865-8496.
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The Binghamton Zoo will be open for the next two weekends on March 12th, 13th, and the 19th and 20th, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Visitors will be able to tour the zoo for half price admission on those days, The Binghamton Zoo is located at 60 Morgan Road in Binghamton, more information is available at 724-5461 or rossparkzoo.com.
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The “YES LEADS” program will hold a joint Heroin Awareness Night between Afton and Bainbridge-Guilford High Schools at the BG District today. The program will feature State Senator Fred Akshar, State Police, Chenango County Sheriff, Chenango County District Attorney, Chenango County Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services, Southern Tier AIDS Program & Recovering Addicts, The event is today starting with a free pizza dinner at 5:30, & the program begins at 6:00 PM.
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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce is accepting the nominations for Citizen of the Years & Business of the Years through tomorrow. Sidney Chamber President Stephanie Taylor comments:

(Steph Taylor 3-10-16)

More information is available at the newly revamped website, Sidney chamber.org or by calling 561-2642
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Governor Cuomo announced that $2.4 million has been distributed to 100 organizations that provide employment services to individuals with disabilities via the New York State Employment Services System. This funding is part of the Governor’s Employment First Initiative to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, decrease the poverty rate of those with disabilities; and encourage businesses to establish formal policies to hire people with disabilities.
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The Otsego county Chamber of Commerce will offer the Leadership Otsego program, which is accepting applications for the class of 2016. Leadership Otsego is a program that kicks off in April and engages emerging and existing leaders in a 6-month program that sharpens leadership skills. An informational session will be held today at 6:00 PM at Roots Brewing Company on Main Street, Oneonta. More information is available at 432-4500

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