P.M. NEWS Thursday 1-17-13

Yesterday’s fire at Matteson Hall on the SUNY Oneonta campus has been ruled accidental.  The investigators from the Oneonta Fire Department reported that the fire started as from a malfunction and the improper use of an electric plug strip on the 3rd.  Inspectors ruled tat Matteson Hall is structurally sound, but the electrical infrastructure and 3rd floor fire alarms have been compromised.  Disaster Clean-Up from Endwell, has been retained to clean the third floor, which  is expected to take at least two weeks.  The college will continue to offer shelter at Chase Gymnasium for students displaced by the fire & a plan for long-term housing is under development now. 177 students were affected.  No injuries were reported.

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While the new state gun law passed by a wide margin in the legislature this week, area lawmakers voted against it.  Assemblyman Cliff Crouch voiced his concerns over the bill on the floor of the assembly:

(Crouch 1-17-13)

Area state senators Jim Seward, John Bonacic and Tom Libous voted against the new gun law in the senate this week.

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State Police responded to a 1 car motor vehicle accident on Interstate 81 in Kirkwood,  the investigation revealed the 3 Bronx residents in the vehicle possessed approximately 7 ounces of cocaine, marihuana, and various drug paraphernalia. Arrested were 21-year-old MAX OTANO for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, he was arraigned and committed to the Broome County Jail without bail.  Police also charged 21-year-old STEVEN RIVERA for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana; he was issued an appearance ticket for the Town of Kirkwood Court and released. Police also arrested 21-year-old JOSHUA CRUZ for Reckless Driving and other vehicle and traffic law violations. CRUZ was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Kirkwood Court and released.

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The state labor department announced that in December, the State’s economy added 34,300 private sector jobs,  the state’s overall job gain to 123,200. the state reached an all time high private sector job count of 7,353,000.  the  December unemployment rate fell from 8.3% to 8.2%.  the upstate counties rate  dropped from 7.9% to 7.8%.

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Governor Cuomo’s approval rating continues to be high among new Yorkers, according to the latest Sienna Polls, which were conducted between January 10th and 15th.    The poll found Cuomo with a 71% favorability rating, and a 60% job-performance rating, almost identical to December’s poll numbers.  Those polled also supported strong bans on assault weapons and increasing penalties on illegal gun purchases, which were 2 key provisions in the states new gun laws that were passed by the legislature earlier this week & signed into law by Cuomo Wednesday in Rochester.

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State troopers in Oneonta arrested 33-year-old Stephanie Couse of Oneonta for Aggravated Harassment. The arrest originated from a complaint on State Route 23 in Davenport,  Couse was issued an Appearance Ticket to appear in the Town of Davenport Court on January 22nd.

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The Binghamton Mets announced today that last years coaching staff would return. Manager Pedro Lopez returns for the 2013 season, along with batting coach Luis Natera and pitching coach Glenn Abbott.  The home opener will be on April 11th against New Hampshire, and tickets details are available at binghamton.mets.milb.com.

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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting tonight in the Guilford Cafeteria to discuss district business. The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM with committee meetings. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:30 PM.