The Norwich Business Improvement District announced a full line up of events for the annual Pumpkin Festival on Friday, October 23rd through Saturday the 24th in Norwich. Today, from 5:30-7:00 pm is the Giant Pumpkin Contest-Weigh In, On Saturday; events include a Pumpkin Bake-Off Contest, the YMCA Halloween Parade, Horse & Wagon Rides, and music with Kaitlyn Jackson and the Hometown Ban& The Beadle Brothers, followed by fireworks at the end of the evening.
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State Senator Jim Seward announced that he is sponsoring a pair of free senior scam prevention forums in Oneonta and Cooperstown on Friday. Senator Seward is partnering with the State Department of State to notify senior citizens, caregivers, and others about the alarming trend of senior targeted scams. The forums will take place today from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the Elm Park Church, 401 Chestnut Street in Oneonta & from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Cooperstown Village Offices, 22 Main Street in Cooperstown. The forums are free and open to the public.
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Governor Cuomo introduced regulations through the New York State Human Rights Law that bans harassment and discrimination against transgender people.

(Cuomo 10-23-15)

These regulations affirm that all transgender individuals are protected under the State’s Human Rights Law, and all public and private employers, housing providers, businesses, creditors and others should know that discrimination against transgender persons is unlawful, it’s the first time that any Governor has issued regulations to prohibit harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender identity, transgender status or gender dysphoria.
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State Police responded to a Chenango County 911 report of an unattended death at 162 One Eye Street in South Plymouth. The deceased woman has been identified as 25-year-old Kristina Wilkinson, She was found unresponsive by friends when she did not show up for work Thursday. An autopsy was performed at Lourdes Hospital, the results are pending. While investigating this death, troopers observed marijuana in the home of 50-year-old Mark Pontario. Following the execution of a search warrant police found about 1.7 pounds of marihuana, 18 marihuana plants, marihuana growing equipment and an unregistered handgun. State Police arrested Pontario for criminal possession of marihuana, criminal possession of a firearm and unlawfully growing cannabis. Pontario was arraigned and was remanded to the Chenango County jail with no bail set at this time.
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Delaware County Public Health sent two specimens to State Rabies Laboratory and both tested positive for rabies this week. A raccoon in the Town of Sidney tested positive for rabies, no human exposures were reported. In the Town of Hamden a skunk tested positive for rabies. The skunk reportedly attacked a young unvaccinated calf; the calf was euthanized soon after the incident. Two people from Hamden are receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, after being exposed the rabies virus. 3 animals have tested positive for rabies in Delaware County this year. To report a suspected rabid animal call Delaware County Public Health Services at 832-5200. more information about rabies is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com.
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Governor Cuomo today announced 5 Million dollars in funding to assist the Catskill region for promotion for next year. Delaware County Chamber Of Commerce Presdnet Ray Pucci Comments:

(Ray Pucci 10-23-15)

Part of today’s announcement includes shifting the annual Adirondack Challenge into the Catskill Challenge, with more details to be released shortly.
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Pink Faith of Chenango County and Broome County will hold their 3rd annual Breast Cancer Awareness Fundariser tomorrow 1-5 PM at The River Club of Afton. Spokesperson Wendy Stooler comments:

(Wendy Stooler 10-23-15)

Admission to the event is $10 per person which includes the River Club Buffet.
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The Oneonta department of public service will conduct an additional week of brush & yard waste removal next week for the entire city. Residents are encouraged to review the programs regulations at oneonta.ny.us, or by calling 432-2100.
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Governor Cuomo today announced $1 million in funding is available to assist new farmers begin their careers. the New York State New Farmers Grant Fund will provide grants of up to 50 percent of total project costs. Funds may provide a minimum of $15,000 and maximum of $50,000 for up to 50 percent of project costs with the remaining 50 percent being matched by the recipient. The application and guidelines for the Fund are available online at regionalcouncils.ny.gov; the deadline for submission is January 22, 2016.
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