The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 34-year-old Jodi Babcock of Bainbridge, who was stopped for operating a suspended vehicle, aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, and loud exhaust. During the course of the traffic stop hypodermic needles & heroin were found. Babcock is accused of possessing the heroin with intent to sell, she was also wanted on a bench warrant by the City of Norwich Court. Babcock was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, along with vehicle and traffic violations. She was arraigned in the Town of Bainbridge Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $5,000 cash bail. The Sheriff’s Narcotics Division and Village of Sidney Police Department assisted with the Investigation.
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Vice President Joe Biden & Governor Cuomo today met today, to discuss the governor’s plan to expand Paid leave. Biden said that Paid Leave, increasing the Minimum Wage are all about common human decency:

(Biden 1-29-16)

12 week paid leave is 1 part of the Governor’s 2016 agenda that the state legislature will deal with in the current session.
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The State Department of Health today confirmed 2 additional cases of Zika virus in New York, bringing the total to seven. All of the infected patients are travelers returning to New York from countries where Zika virus is ongoing. Zika virus cannot be transmitted by casual person-to-person contact. Infected mosquitoes primarily transmit Zika virus, there is very limited chance of local transmission in New York during the winter. pregnant woman who have traveled to a country where Zika is ongoing, & are experiencing fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis, should contact their health care provider. Additional information on Zika is available at health.ny.gov/diseases.
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The Kennedy Performing Arts Center of Sidney will hold their Annual Winter Showcase tonight at the Sidney High School. Spokesperson Nikki Kennedy explains:

(Nikki Kennedy 1-29-16)

The showcase begins at 6:30 PM tonight.
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Boys & Girls 14 & younger are invited to participate in the Knights of Columbus Basketball Free Throw event Saturday in Sidney. Registration with parental consent begins at 10:00 AM at the Sidney High School Gym; the winners will be eligible to participate in the district & state competitions.
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Governor Cuomo announced that the ReCharge NY program, which utilizes low-cost power from the New York Power Authority to spur economic development, has supported 400,000 jobs since its inception 5 years ago. The Power Authority has awarded ReCharge NY power to 741 business operations, including 71 not-for-profit enterprises. Those allocations support 400,948 jobs and $33.2 billion in commitments for new capital investment. More information is available at nypa.gov/RechargeNY.
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The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce and other area organizations are teaming up for the annual Bruce Haak memorial Sleighride Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. The event will continue even if there is no snow, as arrangements have been made to bring wheeled units to General Clinton Park.
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The CASH Coalition of Otsego and Delaware Counties has announced that residents who meet income eligibility requirements will be able to prepare and file their state and federal income taxes for free. MyFreeTaxes is a service available to individuals and families who made under $62,000 in the 2015 tax year. The program is available beginning January 31st at CDO Workforce Offices in Oneonta, Delhi & Sidney, The Sidney Federal Credit Union Delhi Branch on Saturdays, 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, & at the Huntington Memorial Library at 62 Chestnut Street in Oneonta. Appointments are required at 432-0061.