A weak tornado touched down Tuesday night in Afton, according to the National Weather Service. A storm survey team determined an EF 1 tornado touched down five miles west of Afton and was on the ground for less than 150 yards. The small tornado touched down at 8:32 p.m. about 300 yards west of Saint John Road near the intersection with Hill Top Drive. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 100 miles per hour. Numerous snapped and uprooted trees were found in the path of the storm. There were no fatalities or injuries

——————————–

66-year-old Diana LeDuc of Margaretville was arrested by Delaware County Sheriff’s Office for 3 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, and 3 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.  LeDuc is accused of selling large amounts of cocaine, a Search Warrant executed Thursday led to the seizure of ½ ounce of cocaine, $500cash, 2 handguns, 2 high capacity ammunition loading devices and a Public Assistance Benefit Card issued to LeDuc.  Additional arrests and more charges are pending; LeDuc was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail.

———————————-

During the Labor Day weekend, State Police issued more than 9,000 tickets across the state.  Troopers served 3094 for speeding, 497 for seat belt violation, 153 for violating the Move Over Law, 310 for Distracted Driving, and 168 for DWI.  State Police investigated a total of 590 accidents between August 29th through September 1st, compared to last year’s 317. This years accidents led to 171 people injured, and 3 people were killed.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced his office completed audits the Sidney & Walton School Districts.  The audit of the Sidney School District said that District officials have taken steps to increase educational productivity & reduce the costs associated with instructional materials and program delivery. District officials decreased special education costs by using aid to finance additional teaching and learning technology, while at the same time reducing the district’s real property tax levy.  The Audit of the Walton School district states that after incurring several years of operational surpluses, the board adopted budgets that included plans to use nearly $2.5 million of fund balance to finance operations from 2010 to 2013.  The district’s unassigned fund balance declined by 94%, DiNapoli’s office suggests that Walton school board carefully consider the amount of fund balance they appropriate in future school budgets.

————————————————

The Annual Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival will be held this weekend in Downtown Norwich.  The festival runs on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the East and West Parks in Downtown Norwich.  There will be a juried exhibition of art and fine crafts for sale, plus Artist demonstrations, educational activities and original music.  More information is available at 336-3378 or colorscape.org.