P.m. news Tuesday 4-15-14

Firefighters from several area companies responded to a fire at 1886 county route 39 in the town of Bainbridge this afternoon.  The fire was reported at around 1:10 PM as a tractor fire, but was later reported as a barn fire.  WCDO will have further details as they become available.

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Governor Cuomo announced the selection of 215 educators from all 10 regions of the state to the list of New York Master Teachers.  Locally, teachers named to the list include Richard Townsend of the Sidney School District, Abigail Costello of the Unatego School District, Cory Raner of the Oneonta School District & Kyle Tibbits of Harpursville School District; these educators join the 104 Master Teachers announced in October 2013, bringing the total number of Master Teachers in New York to 319. The full list is available at suny.edu/masterteacher.

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State Troopers arrested 43-year-old Michael Fahey of Windsor, for Felony Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers responded to Stannard Road to investigate a disturbance in which Fahey is accused of attempting to get into his father’s residence. Fahey struck & severed a utility pole & then fled the scene. Fahey and the vehicle were located in a yard nearby; he was arraigned in the Town of Windsor Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.

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Governor Cuomo announced that the State Department of Taxation and Finance’s tax enforcement programs collected $3.9 billion in the past year, helping ensure that taxpayers are protected and tax evaders are held responsible.  The $3.9 billion in evaded taxes collected is $200 million more than the previous year, with $800 million collected to benefit local governments, the remaining amount will be for State programs.

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Health officials say a 2nd wave of flu has struck this spring and is putting more New Yorkers in the hospital now than in January. A different strain of flu is circulating than the one in midwinter, and people who already had the flu can get it again — especially if they didn’t get the vaccine. The state Health Department said there were more than 2,500 confirmed cases of flu statewide last week. The CDC continues to recommend people get flu shots if they haven’t this year.

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State police arrested 25-year-old Maria Amato of Clinton Corners for Driving While Intoxicated.  Amato was charged after crashing her vehicle into a barn on Charlotte Creek Road in the town of Davenport.   Amato registered a BAC of .15, she will answer to the charges on April 22nd in Davenport town court.

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The state DEC is working with the U.S. EPA and the Coast Guard to revise and update its plans for preventing and responding to spills. The process also includes emergency response drills, by federal authorities, and improvements to maps that detail environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands.  The EPA said the work is necessary following a substantial increase in the transport of oil across the state.

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New York’s new budget contains amendments to social services law to keep welfare recipients from spending government money on alcohol, gambling or strippers. The measure prohibits gaming facilities, liquor stores, adult entertainment venues and some other retail outlets from accepting electronic benefit transfers from public assistance recipients. The law already prohibits them from cashing welfare checks. The amendments set a $50 penalty for a first offense at a liquor store or adult venue selling alcohol and possible liquor license suspension for a second offense. For gaming establishments, the first violation carries a fine up to $100, rising to $500 for a second offense and a possible misdemeanor and $1,000 fine for subsequent violations.