State Senator Jim Seward announced a strategy to assist local
businesses and residents recover and rebuild from the devastating June/July flooding. FEMA announced federal help for counties affected by the flooding today, Seward said he wants the money to come quicker than in recent years, and he also called on the state to assist those in need:
(Seward 7-15-13)
Seward said that Legislation he cosponsored calls for establishing a state flood and emergency relief fund, a refundable state income tax credit against property taxes paid where homes and businesses suffered damage that reduced the value and a state task force on flood prevention and mitigation to help communities plan and fund flood prevention measures.
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Delaware County Sheriffs Deputies arrested 55-year-old John All of Kortright following a domestic incident, which occurred near his residence on County Route 33 in the Town of Kortright. All is charged with a violation of Disorderly Conduct, he was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court on the charge and remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $250 cash bail.
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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that an audit of the state Department of Health revealed an overpayment of $66,000 in Medicaid claims to Oneonta Dentist Dr. Prosper Bonsi. Bonsi is accused of submitting over 2300 claims for “Behavior Management” & after hours visits, DiNapoli suggested that the state retrieve $66,000 from Dr. Bonsi, and actively monitor Bonsi’s claims in the future.
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New Yorkers’ consumer confidence numbers are up in all areas of the state outside of New York City. The latest consumer survey suggests over 17% of Southern Tier residents expect to make a major home improvement in the next 6 months.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 20-year-old Timothy Reiche of Arkville for 2nd degree Assault, 3rd degree Criminal Mischief and Disorderly Conduct. The charges stem from a 2 incidents in Margaretville on July 4th, where Reiche was intoxicated and was causing a disturbance. Reiche is accused of damaging a parked vehicle and attempting to strike a member of the medical staff at an area hospital. Reiche was arraigned in Roxbury Town Court and sent to the Delaware County Jail on 2000 cash bail 4000 bond. He is to return to Middletown Town Court at a later date.
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State Troopers arrested 66 year old Thomas Catucci of Deposit for Driving While Intoxicated. The arrest resulted from an investigation following a complaint registered about a suspicious vehicle at a business on State Route 79 in Windsor. Catucci was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Windsor Court on July 17th.
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State Police will continue to conduct a statewide “Buckle Up New York Summer Parks” Initiative through July 28th. Police will focus on seatbelt use and child passenger safety violations at state parks throughout the state. Each year about 60 million people visit the parks throughout New York State; many of these guests include families with improperly restrained young children.
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The Broome County Health Department is conducting a countywide community health assessment to evaluate the perceptions of community residents to identify and address unmet health care needs. Broome County residents are urged to complete the survey by Friday, August 2nd. The survey asks about a range of health issues, including physical and mental health, whether the health services in Broome County are sufficient to meet the needs of the community, and if it is difficult to get to or use health services. The survey is available at surveymonkey.com.