P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 9-19-14

by wcdonews Posted on September 19, 2014

Governor Cuomo signed legislation that protects young children by expanding the ban on the sale of products containing TRIS, a cancer-causing chemical used as a flame retardant.  The new law expands the definition of TRIS to include an additional chemical, TDCPP from being used in consumer child care products, including baby products, toys, car seats, nursing pillows, crib mattresses, strollers and other items intended for use by children under three years of age.    Alternative flame-retardants are available as a substitute for TRIS, ensuring that these products can remain essentially the same but with reduced children’s exposure to the chemical.

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Tomorrow is the Catholic Charities event “Bands, Brews & Barbecue” at the Chenango county fairgrounds in Norwich. Catholic Charities Director Robin Beckwith explains:

 

(Robin Beckwith 9-19-14)

 

Beckwith said that event runs from 1:00 to 8:00 PM, tickets are available at the Catholic Charities Norwich office as well as the Norwich YMCA, Commerce Chenango, Garf’s deli, Hummel’s, & M & T Bank, or online at brown paper tickets.com.

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The Unadilla Rotary Club is hold an Autumn Fest in Unadilla this Saturday. Rotarian Zoë Vandermeulen explains:

 

(Zoë Vandermeulen 9-19-14)

 

The event is open to the pubic at the Unadilla Community field Saturday.

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Addressing climate change and promoting recreation are among New York’s conservation goals, according to the state’s draft of a new “open space conservation plan .” New York is rewriting its plans for the outdoors, and residents have until Dec. 17 to contribute thoughts on hunting, skiing, encroachment, water supplies, trailblazing and other uses of land in the state. The DEC will hold public hearings to solicit input. The state will also accept comments at dec.ny.gov

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The State court system adopted rules to protect people in debt and make it harder for debt collection companies to win default judgments. The rules will go into effect Oct. 1st. Each year, more than 100,000 credit card collection cases are brought against individuals in New York courts. Under the new rules, creditors will be required to submit affidavits containing detailed proof in support of default judgment applications, including the validity of the debt at issue and the chain of ownership for the debt, and lawyers for creditors must submit an affirmation that the statute of limitations has not expired.

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Bike Otsego 2014 will be held on Saturday, with 5 bicycle rides around the county.   The “Grand Slam” event covers 75 miles, other rides include a 31-mile for intermediate riders, a 12-mile ride for all ages, also mountain bike riders have a choice between 2 routes through Oneonta, at 1.5 or 2.5 hours.   All rides begin and end in Neahwa Park.

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Tomorrow is “National Car Seat Saturday” & Delaware County Public Health and the Village of Sidney Police will be holding a free Car Seat Safety Event at McDonalds in Sidney from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Parents can have their child’s car seat checked at no cost by certified child safety seat technicians. Car seats that do not meet the Federal Motor Safety Standard may be replaced. More information is available at 832-5200.

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Sidney Center will hold their annual tractor parade tomorrow. Registration for those wanting to participate will be held at fireman’s field starting at 10:00 AM, the parade will be followed by the presentation of trophies and a chicken barbecue.

 

 

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A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 9-18-14

by wcdonews Posted on September 19, 2014

Ganesh Ramsaran testified in his own defense Thursday during his murder trial in Chenango County Court in Norwich. Ramsaran initially waived his right to testify, but changed his mind and took the stand on Thursday. Ramsaran is charged with 2nd degree murder for the death of his wife, Jennifer, in December 2012 the trail continues Monday morning at 9:00 AM.
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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and New York State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico announced the indictment of 41 people charged with operating 2 drug trafficking pipelines that transported heroin between New York City; Providence, Rhode Island; Worcester, Massachusetts & Syracuse, and cocaine from Puerto Rico to Syracuse. 9 members of the same Syracuse family helped run one of the rings, and 1 was involved in the second ring. The defendants were arrested in a series of early morning raids in Syracuse, the Bronx, Manhattan, Ossining & Paterson, New Jersey.
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Foothills Performing Arts Center has tickets on Sale now for a Motown Revue act that will be performing tonight. Foothills Executive Director Bill Youngs said that the performers would meet with concertgoers after the show:

(Bill Youngs 9-19-14)

Tickets are available at FoothillsPAC.org or at the theater Box office on Market Street in Oneonta.
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New York State’s private sector job count grew by 3,900, or 0.1% in August, according to preliminary figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor. This latest monthly employment gain raised New York State’s overall private sector job count to 7,605,000, an all-time high. The statewide unemployment rate declined from 6.6% to 6.4% in August 2014, its lowest level since late 2008. A county-by-county breakdown of unemployment rates will be released next week.
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The 12th annual Sidney Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Induction Weekend starts tonight during half time at the Sidney-Chenango Forks Football game. Sidney Alumni Spokesman Greg Davie explains:

(Greg Davie 9-19-14)

The Induction dinner & ceremony will be held at American Legion on Union Street Saturday at 5:00 PM.
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P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-18-14

by wcdonews Posted on September 18, 2014

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 51-year-old James Warren of Hamden on Robbery and Assault charges following a domestic incident in Delhi at approximately 6:30 Wednesday morning. Warren was charged with 3rd degree Robbery, & 3rd degree assault; he is accused of forcibly stealing property from the victim and then assaulting the victim during a domestic dispute.   Warren was arraigned in the Town of Kortright Court and remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $1500 cash bail pending his appearance in the Town of Delhi Court at a later time.

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The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Seized more than 50 Marihuana Plants & dried Processed Marihuana In The Town of Hancock. Investigators Arrested 58 Year Old James Nelson Of Colchester for criminal Possession of Marijuana & Unlawful Cultivation of marihuana, he is accused of growing & processing Marijuana near his residence; he was issued an appearance ticket for town of Hancock court on September 29th & was released.

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Governor Cuomo announced that the maximum & minimum rates for weekly Unemployment Insurance benefits would increase on October 6th. The minimum rate will increase from $64 to $100 and the maximum rate will increase from $405 to $420.   Under state reforms, the maximum benefit rate for claimants will increase annually until it reaches 50 percent of the average weekly wage in New York State. The minimum will remain at $100.

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State Police arrested 22-year-old Patrick Parker of Laurens for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a reportable BAC result of .18%, more than twice the legal limit.   The arrest resulted from a routine traffic stop County Route 11 in Laurens; troopers accuse Parker of driving while intoxicated. Parker was issued tickets returnable in the Town of Laurens Court on October 2nd.

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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman backed a federal proposal designed to ensure that the nation’s lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands receive proper protection under the federal Clean Water Act. A coalition of 8 states submitted comments to the EPA & the Army Corps of Engineers on their joint Waters of the United States Proposed Rule, which seeks to clarify what types of waters are covered by the Clean water Act, following 2 recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that led to uncertainty among businesses, citizens, and municipalities as to their obligations.

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The State University of New York said $710,000 has been awarded for materials and advanced manufacturing research. This is the first round of funding, from the SUNY Materials and Advanced Manufacturing Network of Excellence. The award was granted to nine collaborative projects on seven SUNY campuses, including SUNY Binghamton. The money will be used to support the state’s manufacturing sector, by bringing faulty and student researchers together with industry experts, to encourage the development and commercialization of their work.

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A state judge has ruled a New York referendum, on the creation of a new redistricting commission, must be reworded to delete language describing the proposed panel as “independent” because it would be misleading to voters. Supreme Court Justice Patrick McGrath said top legislators would appoint most members of the commission and lawmakers could reject the commission’s proposals and substitute its own. His ruling orders the Board of Elections to remove the word “independent” to prevent voters from thinking the commission would be free from political influence. The referendum will be on the November ballot

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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-18-14

by wcdonews Posted on September 18, 2014

Wal-Mart has agreed to pay $66,000 in penalties & fees in a false advertising investigation, after claims were made that Wal-Mart overcharged for Coca-Cola products, to customers across New York. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said the investigation followed the June 2014 Father’s Day sale of 12 packs of Coca-Cola products for $3, when consumers went to purchase the soda, they found that they were routinely being charged $3.50, and they were told that the price increase was due to a New York State Sugar tax, that does not exist.

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New York State could soon legalize marijuana for recreational use, as State Senator Liz Krueger will reintroduce the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act during the next legislative session in January. The bill calls for allowing the opening of retail dispensaries, which would be regulated by the State Liquor Authority & would establish an excise tax on all marijuana sales. Adults would legally be able to possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana & grow up to 6 plants at home for personal use. New York became the to legalize medicinal marijuana recently, but only in smokeless forms.

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Governor Cuomo signed legislation that requires property owners to notify their local governments whenever a newly constructed or rehabilitated residential structure is comprised of a truss type, pre-engineered wood or timber construction. The required notification process will allow local governments to provide fire departments and first responder organizations with information about buildings that employ this particular construction design, which is compromised quickly when exposed to heat & fire. The law takes effect on January 1, 2015.

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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the Guilford School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

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P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 9-17-14

by wcdonews Posted on September 17, 2014

New York City DEP will build a new hydroelectric facility at the Cannonsville Reservoir. The 14-megawatt facility will generate enough electricity to power roughly 6,000 homes & avoids the emission of 25,620 metric tons of greenhouse gases each year. The facility is also expected to generate $2 million in revenue each year; construction of the $72 million plant could begin as early as 2016, it’s also expected to create 60 construction jobs and 5 full-time jobs to operate the plant.
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Governor Cuomo announced an additional $55 million in funding for 5 economic development projects in the 3rd round of the competitive NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant Program. 1 of the 5 projects is the SUNY Bridge to Entrepreneurial Excellence will receive 6 million dollars. The facility will be housed at Broome Community College, within the Southern Tier High Technology Incubator and they will be partnering with SUNY Binghamton. NY SUNY 2020 funding will ensure that the space is constructed & equipped to launch outcome-oriented inventions.
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The Sidney Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will take place this Friday & Saturday. Sidney Alumni Spokesman Greg Davie explains:

(Greg Davie 9-17-14)

Alumni being inducted this year include Del Hodges, Roxie Birdsall, Rick Mirabito and Geri Mirabito.
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The Chenango Arts Council has several shows lined up into next year, at the Martin W. Kappel Theater in Norwich. Chenango Arts Council Executive Director Diane Batson Smith explains:

(Diane Batson Smith 9-17-14)

The return of the “Bronx Wanderers” is October 18th at 7:00 PM; tickets & memberships can be found at ChenangoArts.org.
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The final Department of Energy report from a federal study on hydraulic fracturing, found no evidence that chemicals or brine water from the gas drilling process moved upward to contaminate drinking water at a site in Pennsylvania. The report was the first time an energy company allowed independent monitoring of a drilling site during the fracking process and for 18 months afterward. Researchers found the chemical-laced fluids used to free gas stayed about 5,000 feet below drinking water supplies. The fracking process uses millions of gallons of high-pressure water mixed with sand and chemicals to break apart rocks rich in oil and gas. That has led to a national boom in production, but also concerns about possible groundwater contamination.
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Former Delaware County Board Chairman Ray Christensen of Davenport has died at the age of 76. Christensen was the Town of Davenport supervisor for 17 years and Chairman of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors for 6 years.
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Governor Cuomo announced the Farm to Fork Solutions Forum to focus on helping New York State food and beverage manufacturers grow their business. FuzeHub will host the forum and connect businesses with technical experts to identify solutions to overcome challenges; FuzeHub has assisted more than 450 manufacturing companies across New York. The Farm to Fork Solutions Forum will be held October 3rd at Rochester Institute of Technology, more information & registrations are available at fuzehub.com.
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NBT Bank presented a $50,000 check to the Chenango County Historical Society on September 10th at their Business After Hours. The money will be used to continue the reconstruction of the Perry Loomis Horse barn. Once complete, it will be an Agricultural Education Center.

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A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 9-17-14

by wcdonews Posted on September 17, 2014

State Police observed a 2 car fatal accident on State Route 12 in the Town of Chenango Monday afternoon. Police reported that a vehicle driven by 78 year old Laura Palmatier, went into the opposing lane to pass an uninvolved vehicle in a passing zone. and collided with a vehicle driven by 81 year old Dolores Hankins head on. Palmatier was transported to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, where she died Monday evening, Hankins was pronounced deceased at the scene. The investigation is still ongoing.
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Governor Cuomo signed a bill that increases access to hepatitis C tests by allowing physicians and nurse practitioners to authorize registered nurses to administer the test to a patient without the need for a patient-specific order. Currently, a registered nurse may offer the hepatitis C test but cannot administer the test without an order from a physician or nurse practitioner for the specific patient to receive a test. The new process is the same that currently exists for administering certain immunizations.
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A Child Safety Seat Check will be held today in Otsego County from 4:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m. The Event will be held at the AAA on Oneida Street in Oneonta, more information 547-6474,
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The GO-EDC will hold a panel discussion today on “the Role of the Media in Influencing Economic Growth,” co-promoted with Citizens’ Voices. The event begins at 4:00 PM today in the main lobby at the Hampton Inn off of River Street in Oneonta.

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P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-16-14

by wcdonews Posted on September 16, 2014

Governor Cuomo and Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey announced that they have directed their state’s respective Homeland Security Advisors and State Police Superintendents to immediately lead a bi-state review of current safety and security procedures.

(CUOMO 9-16-15)

The governors will convene a meeting to review initial recommendations in 10 days. In 30 days, the group will again report directly back to both governors with any and all further findings and recommendations.
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Former Greene Police Chief Steven Dutcher pleaded guilty to 2 counts of official misconduct and 1 count of criminal contempt in Broome County Court. Dutcher purchased items with village funds for personal use, if Dutcher pays $3,038 in restitution to the village of Greene, he will be placed on probation and fined $1,000.
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Broome County Executive Debbie Preston presented a $365 million budget to the County Board Monday. Preston said the budget contains a 2.5% tax levy increase, due to unfunded state mandates & the rising costs of doing business. Taxpayers would see an annual tax increase of $5 per $80,000 in home value if the budget is passed by county lawmakers.
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The DEC reminded hunters to apply for deer management permits this week, ahead of the October 1 deadline. Hunters can apply for up to 2 deer management permits once they have secured a hunting license. Sporting licenses and permits can be purchased at one of DEC’s 1,100 license sales outlets, or ordered at 866-933-2257, or online at dec.ny.gov/permits.
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The Unadilla rotary club is hold an Autumn Fest in Unadilla this Saturday. Rotarian Zoë Vandermeulen explains:

(Zoë Vandermeulen 9-16-14)

The event runs form 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Unadilla Community field Saturday.
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New York tax collections have continued to rise despite a growing income gap between its richest residents and everyone else, even as a national study shows overall growth in state tax receipts slowing as the income gap widens across the U.S. State officials say New York’s progressive income tax rate, which rises from 4 percent to nearly 9 percent for earnings above one milliond dollars, buoys its largest revenue stream for public services and helps insulate it from the problem faced by states dependent on more regressive taxes like sales taxes. New York’s annual average tax revenue growth is 3.28 percent so far in this decade.
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State Labor Commissioner Peter Rivera has convened a Wage Board as directed by Governor Cuomo. The Board will investigate what, if any, modifications should be made to the required cash wage rates, and the allowable credits for tips, meals and lodging for food service workers and service employees in the hospitality industry. The Wage Board, made up of members representing labor, businesses and the public, will make a recommendation to the Commissioner by February 2015
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New York ranks near the bottom for nursing home quality in an annual report that analyzes nursing home care in each state. The report by Families for Better Care, a Florida-based nursing home advocacy group, gives New York an overall grade of F and a rank of 45. New York received the same score and ranking in last year’s report. The report evaluates states on eight quality measures ranging from the average amount of nursing home staffing to the percentage of facilities with deficiencies. New York got failing or below average grades in five of eight categories. Read more at nursinghomereportcards.com
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A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-16-14

by wcdonews Posted on September 16, 2014

Oneonta Police responded to a call of a fight in progress in the area of 368 Main Street Sunday. Officers found a victim on the ground bleeding from his head with labored breathing. Police arrested 18-year-old Joseph Schof from Bullville for 2nd degree Assault. The victim was later transported to Albany Medical Center with serious head injuries. Schof was arraigned in the City of Oneonta Court and released on $5,000 cash bail. The unidentified victim from SUNY Oneonta is currently listed in critical condition, the investigation is continuing.
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The Unadilla Chamber of Commerce will meet on today at 8:00 am at The Unadilla Fire Station on Clifton Street. All directors and members are urged to attend
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Delaware Opportunities will continue its participation in the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program for 4 more years through a contract with Hunger Solutions New York. The goal is to increase the number of eligible people participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the School Breakfast and Summer Food Service programs. More information is available at 746-1670.
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The Chenango county health department will hold a free rabies clinic today for dogs, cats & ferrets. The event will be held at the South New Berlin fire station from 6:00 to 7:00 PM more information is available at 337-1673.
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The next meeting of the Oneonta Common Council will be held this evening at City Hall. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the Common Council Chambers.
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