Otsego County was recently awarded a Federal Community Development Block Grant to rehabilitate mobile homes owned and occupied by low and moderate-income individuals and families. Gross income cannot exceed 80% of the established median for the County, the Mobile Home and property must be owned and occupied by the homeowner, All taxes must be current, Property must be insured, Mobile homes with unsanitary and unsafe conditions will not be eligible. More information is available 286-7244.
————————————-
State police in Oneonta arrested 45-year-old Guy Bentley of Fairview, New Jersey for petty larceny. The investigation determined that on December 31st Bentley had shop lifted $54.03 worth of merchandise from the Oneonta Wal-Mart store, he returned on January 2nd and attempted to steal another $ 31.00 in merchandise. Bentley was issued a ticket returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court on January 14th.
———————————————
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer today provided details about the state’s role as one of six sites in the nation, selected by the FAA, to test unmanned aircraft. Schumer was at Griffiss Airport in Rome and at Manley Field House in Syracuse to announce the first client to begin drone testing. An alliance of more than 40 public, private and academic organizations in New York and Massachusetts will operate the Rome site.
————————-
Local officials are warning against carbon monoxide poisoning with people trying to find different methods of staying warm. People are reminded to not to use ovens or stoves as heat and not to use gas or kerosene heaters in small spaces or with the door closed. Never run a generator inside your home. Also, make sure the batteries in carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. More than 400 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning each year.
———————————–
New York State’s new gun regulations passed their first court test, with a judge throwing out only a ban on loading more than seven rounds in a magazine. U.S. District Judge William Skretny ruled most of the legislation is constitutional and does not violate the Second Amendment. The legislation was passed in January 2012 and officially took effect New Year’s Day.
——————————–
Red Cross officials said people are encouraged to donate blood during January, National Blood Donor Month. The Red Cross needs to collect nearly 1,200 units of blood to maintain a sufficient supply. All current and new donors are encouraged to call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment or find more information.
——————————–
The Senate Democratic Conference announced the introduction of legislation to hold the state’s Primary Election day for state and federal offices in June. The bill would save state and local governments $50 million, by holding a single primary election, and moving Primary Election day from the month of September. The legislation, if passed, would bring the state into compliance with the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, to accommodate service members overseas and other Americans living abroad.
———————————–