Governor Cuomo & Vice President Joe Biden met yesterday in New York City, to discuss the state’s efforts in developing infrastructure to deal with future harsh weather conditions:

(Cuomo 10-21-14)

This phase of the infrastructure upgrades includes holding Master Plan Design Competitions, for LaGuardia, Kennedy & Stewart airports, to bring them up to current standards.

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New York State spending rose 3.3% to $137.5 billion while State-funded debt fell slightly to $63.3 billion, according to the annual report released by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.   The report found that since 2010, state spending has grown 8.4%, which is in line with inflation rates, New York was the 2^nd most indebted state after California, and ranked 5^th among all states in debt per person. The report can be found at osc.state.ny.us.

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Sidney village police arrested 55-year-old James Butler of Sidney for Possession of Sexual Performance by a Child, Possession of Obscene Performance by a Child and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.   Butler was arraigned in Sidney court and was remanded to the Delaware county jail without bail pending future court action.

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State Police arrested 19-year-old Garret Lyons of Arkville for Criminal Mischief, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon, after Troopers responded to a domestic dispute report at a residence in the town of Middletown. Lyons is accused of punching and choking the victim, and keeping the victim from using a phone to get help. Troopers also found Lyons to unlawfully possess a gravity knife; he was arraigned in the Town of Middletown Court pending future court action.

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The State Board of Regents approved new options for students to meet the state’s high school graduation requirements. The new regulations create alternate tracks students can choose to earn a high school diploma. These include Career and Technical Education; Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; the Arts; Bi-literacy; and Humanities. The new regulations also establish a two-year Global History and Geography course requirement and modify the design of the Global History and Geography Regents Exam. For more information go to nysed.gov.

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The Gaming Facility Location Board met last night but no decision or announcement regarding casino license recommendations was made. In the Eastern Southern Tier region, Traditions Resort & Casino, in the Town of Union, Tioga Downs, an existing Nichols racino, and Lago Resort & Casino, in Seneca County, are competing for a casino license. The location board is expected to make its recommendations late this month. The Gaming Commission would then review the board’s recommendations and issue the final licenses. New York State can issue up to four licenses in the three upstate regions. No region can get more than two licenses.

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The Oneonta Common Council will hold a meeting tonight. Housing projects, a proposed purchase of a ladder truck and personnel actions are among business on tonight’s agenda. The council will meet in City Hall on Main St., at 7 p.m. The public is welcome

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New York will receive $4.3 million for programs that serve domestic violence victims across the state. The funding is provided through the Federal Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, which support the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs to prevent domestic violence. It also provides shelter and support services for victims of domestic violence and their children, as well as services for underserved populations throughout the state.