Supporters came from all over to show their support for the residents of Islamberg in the town of Tompkins, as a group of Bikers known as the “American Bikers United Against Jihad” planned a rally, against the Muslim group who have been targeted in certain media as being a terrorist training ground. Julia Reischel of the Watershed Post was at yesterday’s rally; she told WCDO News that the rally was a lot smaller than expected:

(Julia Reischel 5-16-16)

Reischel said that state Troopers & Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies were on hand to insure the safety of the community & the supporters. Islamberg had also been targeted by Robert Doggart of Tennessee, who vowed to get a militia together to burn down the community and kill the residents; he was arrested earlier this year by the FBI for making terrorist threats.
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Tomorrow is school budget vote day across the state. Locally, 2 area school districts managed to lower the tax levy slightly; they were the Milford & Afton School Districts. School that have the tax levy unchanged from last year are Walton, Delhi, Charlotte VALLEY, Deposit, Oxford Academy, Laurens, Gilbertsville Mount Upton, & Morris. Slight increases in the tax levy were in Unatego, Bainbridge Guilford, Oneonta, increases of 1% or more are proposed in the Unadilla VALLEY & Norwich Districts, 2% or more were proposed in Sidney, Greene & Franklin and more than 3% increases were proposed in Harpursville & Windsor. State officials said that the tax cap for the tri-county region was tabulated at roughly 1%.
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Voting for the BG school district residents on the Budget & for the School Board seats will be held in the Bainbridge & Guilford town Halls this year. Voting will be from 12:00 Noon until 9:00 PM.
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Johnson City Police Patrolman Lou Cioci was presented the Congressional Medal of Valor by President Barack Obama this morning at the White House. Cioci was recognized for his actions on March 31st 2014, after fellow Johnson City Police Officer David Smith was shot and killed on Harrison Street, as Patrolman Cioci arrived, he opened fire on the gunman, hitting him several times, The injured gunman tackled Cioci, attempting to grab his service weapon, Cioci shot the man twice more during the confrontation, ending the attack.
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State Police arrested 47-year-old Albert Hughes of the town of Maryland for Aggravated DWI with a B.A.C. result of .23%, plus other traffic tickets. The arrest occurred after troopers responded to an Otsego County 911 report of a one-vehicle property damage accident on State route 7 in the Town of Oneonta. Hughes drove into a guide rail and caused damage, he was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Oneonta on May 24th.
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Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 40-year-old Ian Lyle of Unadilla on one count of DWI following an investigation of a one-car motor vehicle accident in the Town of Sidney. Lyle was additionally charged with making an unsafe lane change and was released on tickets returnable to Sidney Town Court at a later date.
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Governor Cuomo today announced $20 million in federal funding to support the State’s efforts to get unemployed New Yorkers back to work. The grant is the largest awarded to any state and exceeds last year’s total of $18 million. The southern tier will receive $818,516 in federal support.
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Governor Cuomo announced that he is advancing legislation to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York State. The legislation would Increase the number of individuals who will be linked to and remain in care by allowing HIV-related information to be shared with care managers. It would Streamline HIV testing efforts and extends the upper age limit of the beyond the current age of 64. It would Make clear that minors have the right to obtain life-saving HIV treatment and preventive services without parental consent & it would Expand the opportunities for STD screening and access to post exposure prophylaxis to prevent infection.
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Congressman Chris Gibson announced the passage of 18 bills aimed at combating heroin and opioid abuse. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act would improve the use of opioid therapy and pain management in treating veterans; amends federal law to impose penalties for extraterritorial drug trafficking and production of precursor chemicals used for illegal drugs; clarifies when a prescription for a drug like oxycodone may be partially filled; & amends the Controlled Substances Act to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for people suffering from addiction.
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Oneonta City Officials announced that crews will be milling & paving Water Street & Chestnut Street Extension today & tomorrow. There will be no on street parking, all vehicles must be removed by 6:00 AM, and remaining vehicles will be towed away. More information is available at 432-6465.
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Firefighters responded on at about 1:30 Sunday afternoon to a Structure Fire on Dunk Hill Road in Walton. Walton Firefighters received aid from Franklin, Delhi, Trout Creek, Bovina & Otego. Walton Fire fighters reported that the Fire was Called in by an alarm company, as a small fire in the wall of the building on the 2nd floor, the fire spread to the roof. The fire was under control at about 6:00 PM, no injuries were reported. Walton Firefighters were called back to the site at about 11:30 this morning for the report of a rekindle.
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