FEMA has extended the deadline for policyholders who want to request a review of their Hurricane Sandy flood insurance claims. The new deadline is October 15th, 2015, for those who feel that their Hurricane Sandy flood insurance claim was underpaid. FEMA will review those claims; more information is available at 866-337-4262, weekdays from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
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First responders were called to 8129 State Route 23 in the town of Davenport yesterday morning at about 10:15 AM for a report of a vehicle that drove into a structure. State police reported that the unidentified driver of the vehicle suffered a medical emergency, swerved off the road, then crossed back across oncoming traffic and hit the house. The driver and a passenger were transported to Fox Hospital in Oneonta; no one was in the house at the time of the accident. The investigation is continuing.
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A group of House Republicans plans to call for action on climate change in time for Pope Francis’ visit to the Washington, D.C. next week, including local Congressman Chris Gibson, who wrote a resolution stating that human activity contributes to climate change and urged his fellow Republicans to sign on, 9 House Republicans have signed on in addition to Gibson. Pope Francis has been outspoken in calling for world leaders to address the impacts of climate change, while numerous Republicans have denied that climate change exists
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Magic City Music Hall will be coming back to the Southern Tier; they will reopen at a new location at 1240 Front Street in the Northgate Plaza, at the site of a supermarket that closed 3 years ago. Magic City owner Stu Green comments:

(Stu Green 9-16-15)

Magic City Music Hall was forced to leave their former site on Harry L Drive in Johnson City in 2008 due to roofing concerns. WCDO will be giving away tickets for the first magic City Show with REO Speedwagon later this week. Tickets will be available for all shows starting this weekend.
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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced today his office approved 1,821 contracts valued at $1.9 billion and approved 1.7 million payments worth $8.5 billion in August. His office also rejected 191 contracts and transactions valued at $713 million and nearly 1,600 payments valued at $61.6 million due to fraud, waste or other improprieties. Major Contracts Approved specifically in August were for the State Department of Agriculture and Markets for State Fair expenses, including $2 million paid out for 15 contracts to provide entertainers & $1.4 million for 3 contracts for ambulances, mobile restrooms and bedding/manure removal for livestock.
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Governor Cuomo announced today that recent investigations to protect exploited workers in New York State have led to nearly $3.3 million in back wages, damages and settlements for 800 workers. In the upstate counties, State Agriculture Labor Specialists assisted in recovering more than $9,000 in back wages for 23 farm workers who were underpaid. State investigators conducted more than 380 field visits and met with 300 agricultural businesses to offer hiring assistance and educate employers about labor law compliance and available resources. The agency has increased the number of field visits, reduced the number of violations and is protecting workers by helping more businesses comply with the law.
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The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation today announced that $500,000 in grants are now available to help organizations to improve State parks, trails and historic sites. The grants are available for the program will be administered by State Parks and Parks & Trails New York. The program is designed to enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance and promotion of State parks, trails and state historic sites; as well as promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails and greenways.

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State Police arrested 25 year old Ian Kosciusko of Worcester for sexual abuse. The arrest occurred after troopers were advised of an incident that occurred on September 11, at the Holiday Inn on State Route 23, in the Town of Oneonta. An investigation determined that an employee had unwanted sexual contact with an adult victim, Kosciusko was arraigned and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 property bond, An order of protection was issued by the court.
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Empire State College will hold public information session about its associate and bachelor’s degree programs at its Binghamton location, State Office Building, Room 505, 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton today at 4:30 PM. More information is available at 721-8651.