Fire at a storage unit in Norwich this morning, destroyed items that were stored there by the Chenango Toys for Tots program. About $8,000 worth of toys were destroyed, according to Toys for Tots spokesman Roger Barnhart, who suggested that the best way to help them at this late stage is with monetary donations:
(Roger Barnhart 11-29-13)
Several fire departments responded to the blaze, damage was reported as extensive, but did not affect all 42 units at the site. No injuries among fire fighters have been reported. The addresses to mail donations again: 107 Crest Drive, Bainbridge 13733 or 1-11 Lee Avenue, Norwich 13815. Checks and Toy Donations will also be accepted starting Monday between 9:00 AM & 5:00 PM, at WCDO at 75 Main Street in Sidney.
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Tomorrow is “Small Business Saturday” across the country, where people are encouraged to do holiday shopping at their locally owned merchants. Steve Craig of Commerce Chenango explains:
(Steve Craig 11-29-13)
Commerce Chenango will have refreshments for shoppers in downtown Norwich tomorrow, for those who bring a receipt from an area business, to the New Commerce Chenango location at 15 South Broad Street, between 10:00AM until 2:00PM Saturday.
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Oneonta police arrested 26 year old Jeffrey Purdy of Oneonta following a month long investigation. Purdy was charged with attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance of heroin, he was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $15,000 bail.
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The 21st annual “Alumni Basketball Night” sponsored by the Sidney Alumni Basketball Association, will be held tonight for 2 games starting at 6:00 PM. The games will be played at the Sidney Middle School this year, more information is available at 643-2913.
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Nearly 2 in 5 New Yorker voters believe that creating jobs should be the top priority for Governor Cuomo & The state legislature in 2014, according to a new Quinnipiac poll. 37% said that job creation was the top issue, 22% said tax reduction and 21% said stopping corruption, 18% said increasing education aid.
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Oneonta police arrested 2 men for allegedly conspiring to steal gasoline from a car’s gas tank. 27-year-old Anthony Pagillo of Cooperstown was charged with 3rd degree criminal mischief, petty larceny & 5th degree conspiracy, 32-year-old Richard Ortiz of Oneonta was charged with 5th degree conspiracy and petty larceny. Pagillo is accused of poking a hole in the gas tank & taking about $40 worth of gasoline, both face court action shortly.
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The state labor department released unemployment statistics for October. The states unemployment rate rose .1% to 7.7% in October, in spite of the private sector job count increasing by 112,700 in the last year. Chenango county’s rate fell 1/10th to 6.2%, Delaware county’s rate dropped 3/10’s to 7.1% and Otsego county’s rate rose 1/10th to 6.2% in October.
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New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that his office completed an audit of the Afton Fire District. The audit found that fire district controls are not adequate to ensure that financial activity is properly recorded and reported, and that district moneys are safeguarded. Auditors found the treasurer does not present the board with budget-to-actual reports for expenditures on a monthly basis. Also, the board is not reviewing monthly bank statements or bank reconciliation.
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Oxford Village Mayor Terry Stark will participate in the annual Oxford Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Sunday at 5:00 PM at Lafayette Park. The event will feature music, refreshments.
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