The South New Berlin Fire Department responded to a house fire on State Highway 23, at around 4:00 this morning. Fire fighters from Morris, New Berlin, Norwich & Mount Upton assisted South New Berlin firefighters at the scene. Firefighters remained on the scene into the late morning hours, more details are expected to be released after investigators work to determine the cause of the fire.
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Governor Cuomo kicked off his re-election bid yesterday, touting his record on taxes, the economy and social issues. Cuomo offered a list of accomplishments during his first term, citing an improving upstate economy, ending the gridlock at the state Capitol and pushing progressive ideas that he said makes New York a leader in the nation. Cuomo got a higher minimum wage and the lowest middle-class income taxes since 1953. He said will push for better rights for immigrants and public financing of campaigns, as well as expanding infrastructure projects if re-elected. Cuomo faces Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino in November.
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State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he wants lawmakers to accelerate increases to the minimum wage and pass the Dream Act before adjourning their session next month. Silver said he doesn’t want to wait until next year to pass the Dream Act, which would extend state financial aid to students in the country illegally. Silver also supports raising the $8-per-hour minimum age to $9 at the end of this year, with automatic increases tied to inflation. Currently, the wage is set to go to $9 at the end of 2015. Silver said he also supports implementing a broad public financing law for statewide campaigns
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Congressman Chris Gibson has authored “ The Vector-Borne Disease Research Transparency and Accountability Act of 2014” to update guidelines on treating tick borne illnesses, which will lead to insurance companies paying for treatments:
(Gibson 5-23-14)
Gibson said that early indications are that the bill has support in both houses of congress & in the White House. Gibson was in Sidney today to speak to the Sidney Rotary Club.
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The State DEC has adopted a 10-year black bear management plan, which includes several proposed hunting rule changes, following thousands of public comments. DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said that the strategies outlined in the Plan seek to achieve and maintain bear population levels that are acceptable to the public while providing sustainable opportunity for New York’s big game hunters, and to also minimize human-bear conflicts. The final Black Bear Management Plan is available atwww.dec.ny.gov/animals/7215.html.
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The Pathfinder Village Board of Directors announces plans to build a new $1.2 million community healthcare center in Edmeston. Last month, the Pathfinder board approved building a 3,800 sq. ft. facility, named as the “DR. WILLIAM F. STRECK COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC” it will be located on State Route 80; it was named to recognize Dr. Streck’s contributions during his tenure with Bassett Healthcare and Pathfinder Village. Construction is expected to begin in May 2015. More information is available at pathfindervillage.org.
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The 7th Annual Dan Elwood Memorial 5k Run/1 Mile Walk to benefit Hospice will be held at the General Clinton Park, Bainbridge, NY at 9:00 AM on Saturday. Day of race registration is $22 and will take place from 7:30 – 8:30 AM at General Clinton Park next to the pavilion. The 5k run will pass by the Elwood family home on Dingman Hill where Dan grew up. The 1-mile walk will take place on the new walking trail around Clinton Park. More information can be found at 967-8888 or 967-7373.
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