P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 4-17-25

Governor Hochul announced that work is beginning on a $4 million project to transform the intersection of the James F. Lettis Highway and Main Street in Oneonta into a roundabout. Work on the project is getting underway this month with tree removal and other site preparation activities. Major construction will start in early to mid-July and will focus initially on the northern end of the intersection and the interior of the roundabout. During this phase, only the ramps to and from the Lettis Highway will be open to traffic traveling eastbound on Main Street. All other vehicular and pedestrian access will be closed. Detours for vehicles and pedestrians will be posted.

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State Department of Labor announced that the number of private sector jobs increased over the month by 5,600, to 8,464,400 in March. New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.3% in February to 4.2% in March, The statewide labor force participation rate held steady at 60.9% in March 2025.

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The State Department of Motor Vehicles is urging New Yorkers to sign up to be organ donors. Last year, for the 1st time, more than 50% of New Yorkers had registered to become organ and tissue donors through New York’s Organ Donor Registry. More than 80% enroll in the registry do so through the DMV. Currently there are 7,917 New Yorkers awaiting an organ transplant, almost 500 New Yorkers each year, die while waiting for a transplant.

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Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 19 year old Kenyon Pickens of Guilford for reckless Endangerment, following an investigation into a 3 car accident on April 11th. Pickens is accused of attempting to avoid being stopped by a marked patrol unit, by accelerating his vehicle and driving in a reckless manner, Pickens failed to stop at a stop sign, resulting in a 3-car motor-vehicle accident at the intersection of State Highway 8 and County Road 37. Pickens was processed and was released on an appearance ticket for Town of Guilford Court at a later date.

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At this year’s General Clinton Canoe Regatta, there will be a new feature called the “Pacman Paddle With A Pro” race to be held on Friday May 23rd at 3:00 PM, to give novice paddlers a chance to paddle in a race with seasoned paddlers, . Regatta Committee member Duke Fisher explains:

(Duke Fisher 4-17-25)

The entry deadline for the new race will be May 1st at canoeregatta.org, more information is available by calling Fisher at 607-967-5917.

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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 4-17-25

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick announced that 10 Correction officers have been indicted by a Grand Jury in connection with the death of Mid State Correctional Facility Inmate Messiah Nantwi on March 1st. 15 staff members from both Mid-State and Marcy Correctional Facilities have been placed on leave or suspended since Nantwi’s death, the grand jury indictment accuses Jonah Levi and Caleb Blair of murder, while others were charged with Manslaughter, gang assault or conspiracy.

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The Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced that Jeremy Lewis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was found guilty by a jury for possessing a loaded and defaced handgun. Lewis faces 15 years in State Prison as a Second time Felony Offender, in October 2023, the Endicott Police Department were called to a residence for a report of a disturbance, they found Lewis was in possession of a loaded firearm, which was identified as a 22 Caliber Semi-Automatic handgun which had been defaced.

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Governor Kathy Hochul launched the ConnectALL Deployment Program Request for Applications, or RFA, to secure internet service to unserved locations across New York State. ConnectALL will accept applications from April 15 through May 5 to fund projects deploying traditional fiber optic, cable, hybrid fiber-coaxial, licensed fixed wireless broadband service, and federally designated alternative technologies such as unlicensed fixed wireless and low-earth orbit satellite services. New York State is investing $1 billion to the program.

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Tax collections for State Fiscal Year 2024-25 totaled $117.5 billion, $2.1 billion higher than forecast by the Division of the Budget in the Executive Budget Financial Plan, according to State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Tax collections were higher due, in part, to increased personal income tax receipts resulting from financial market growth. All Funds spending totaled $241.5 billion, 2.8%, higher than last year. The Full report can be found at osc.ny.gov/reports

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Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar released the results of the first quarter of targeted DWI response conducted by the BCSO Road Patrol. The Sheriff’s Office began administering the STOP-DWI Program in January of this year, and partnered with the Broome County District Attorney’s Office to fund an additional patrol deputy specifically to target drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. From January 1, 2025 – April 1, the DWI Enforcement Deputy charged 24 individuals with DWI, conducted 275 vehicle stops, made 44 arrests and issued 287 tickets.

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