Gabriel Truitt of Oneonta was sentenced to life in prison without parole in Otsego County Court this morning.  Truitt was convicted earlier this year on charges of 1st & 2nd degree murder plus arson, for setting a fire at Walling Avenue in Oneonta, former Oneonta Firefighter John Heller died in the fire while helping to evacuate people from the burning building.

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David Thomas of Oneonta was sentenced to 8 years in prison today for attempted murder.  Thomas pleaded guilty to attempted murder earlier this year in connection with a domestic dispute on a woman where she suffered a neck injury; an order of protection was also filed for the victim.

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Governor Cuomo announced that Hospitalizations from the Coronavirus Dropped to 765 on Thursday, the Lowest Daily Total since March 18th.  there were 776 new cases of the virus yesterday, about 1% of all of those tested, bringing the total number of cases since March up to 405,551.  10 COVID-19 Deaths were reported Thursday the number of ICU patients on ventilators was down to 98.

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Chenango County Public Health announced their latest Coronavirus Numbers today, they have had a total of 178 confirmed cases, 131 are quarantined, no one is hospitalized, there have been 6 deaths, 149 recoveries and over 13,800 tests have been performed.

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Governor Cuomo announced that all restaurants and bars statewide can only serve alcohol to seated patrons. Service must be provided at the table, not at the bar, to patrons who are socially distanced by six feet or separated by physical barriers. Patrons must also order food if they are ordering alcohol. Citizens who see violations can report complaints with photos to the State Liquor Authority at sla.ny.gov.

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Employees at UHS Primary Care Norwich coordinated a food and personal care product drive at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital and its outpatient office locations, in order to donate the items to the Catholic Charities Roots & Wings program.    Items such as diapers, formula and hygiene products were donated, 5 collection bins with over 80 items were donated & were distributed to those in need.

State Police identified the 2 women who died after a one-vehicle crash in the town of Pittsfield Wednesday as 21 year old Tehya Gonzalez of Bainbridge and 21 year old Cheyenn Aubry of Treadwell.  The driver is a 26-year-old male who is facing criminal charges; his name will be released after he is formally charged.   Police responded early Wednesday to a report of a vehicle that went off of County Route 13 in the town of Pittsfield.

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State tax receipts in June were down $1.5 billion or 17.3% from the previous year, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.  Due to the shutdown from the pandemic, June tax receipts were $475 million below projections, with shortfalls in personal income, consumption and business taxes.  Unemployment Insurance payments in June totaled just under $13.5 billion, compared to $135.6 million a year earlier.  The report can be found at https://www.osc.state.ny.us/

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Otsego County Department of Health announced 4 new cases with 2 people hospitalized, there have been 85 total confirmed cases, with 7 active cases, 73 have recovered, there have been 5 deaths, and 41 people are on quarantine & 35 individuals being monitored after travel from a state with high incidence of infection

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The New York State Sheriff’s Association is presenting State legislators with 10 proposals to protect law enforcement and civilians in the area.  Sheriff’s held press conferences throughout the state this week, they are seeking Increasing Resisting Arrest to a Class E felony, Making Failure to Retreat a Class D felony, Increasing the levels for assaulting a police officer by one degree, and making them crimes that require bail & Deem crimes against police officers as hate crimes.  They also are asking for May 15th to become a state holiday to honor police officers who have died in New York State.  The full list is available at nysheriffs.org.

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The next Chenango County Rabies Clinic will be held today at the Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich from 9:30 to 11:30 AM.  Pet owners are asked to enter the grounds through the gate across from Matthews Ford on East Main Street.   Pre-Registration is required at health.ny.gov/go2clinic/9, more information is available at 337-1673.

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