Starting Sunday March 1st, the bag waste reduction law will take effect in New York State. The Bag Waste Reduction Law bans Single Use plastic bags in grocery stores, clothing shops or home improvement stores; more information is available at dec.ny.gov/chemical.
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The New York State Association of Counties is calling on the Federal government to provide $3.1 billion in emergency supplemental funding for the public health response to the novel coronavirus. Of the $3.1 billion, at least $500 million should be directed to local and state health departments. Additionally, Governor Cuomo recently announced that he was seeking a$40 million emergency appropriation for the New York State Department of Health to hire additional staff, procure equipment and other resources necessary to respond to the potential novel coronavirus.
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A.O. Fox Hospital recently received the 2019 Financial Sustainability Silver Award from Centurion Service Group, which annually recognizes top U.S. hospitals for financial and environmental sustainability in responsible equipment management. The Award acknowledges hospitals for strategic participation in Centurion’s surplus medical equipment program for creating revenue by freeing important resources to access new technology and improve patient care.
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Governor Cuomo announced that New York State is now offering a free text message program to help kids quit e-cigarettes as the state moves to reverse the alarming rise in youth vaping. To access this program, text “DropTheVape” to 88709, more information about e-cigarettes is available at health.ny.gov/NoVape
The Otsego County Office of Emergency Services confirmed that 5 firefighters were injured in a Middlefield garage fire from a series of explosions Wednesday night at 3679 Otsego County Route 35. The firefighters were James Tallman, Jon Roach & Scott Monington of the Cooperstown Fire Department & John Sears & Ryan Smith of the Middlefield Fire Department, Roach & Monington were taken to a Syracuse Hospital for treatment of injuries, the other 3 were treated at Bassett Hospital & were released. Firefighters from Middlefield, Cooperstown, Westford, Cherry Valley, and Milford responded to the fire Wednesday night. State Police, State office of Fire Prevention & Control & the Otsego County Sheriff’s department are investigating the cause & origin of the fire.
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41 year old Nasir Azmat of Franklin appeared in Town of Franklin Court Thursday night to answer to more than 40 counts of charges relating to animal cruelty. Azmat pleaded “not guilty” to all charges, he was ordered to check in weekly with authorities prior to his next court appearance March 26th. Many protesters showed up to Franklin to show their support for the dogs who are known as the “Franklin 20”, who were brought to area shelters following Azmat’s arrest.
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State Police arrested 55 year old Robert Horan of Unadilla for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Forcible Touching, after an investigation of an incident in Unadilla in January. Horan is a case worker with Otsego County, the incident did not occur as a part of Horan’s official work duties; he was arraigned & was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on April 13th.
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The total number of flu cases in New York State has eclipsed the record number of since the State Department of Health began tracking flu cases 22 years ago. For the week ending February 22, there were 131,604 laboratory-confirmed cases so far this season, last week, the number of laboratory-confirmed flu cases decreased 26% and hospitalizations decreased 13%.
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The Bainbridge “Rotary’s Shrimp Madness” will be held Sunday @ 4:00 & 6:00 pm @ Bob’s Diner in Bainbridge. Tickets may be purchased @ Bainbridge SFCU, Bainbridge NBT or Bob’s Diner for $20, Proceeds will benefit Bainbridge Rotary programs, and more information is available at 604-4114.
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