Governor Cuomo today delivered the State of the State addresses in New York City & In Buffalo. The Governor said that this year they would focus on strengthening the shrinking Middle Class:
(Cuomo 1-9-17)
Cuomo will deliver the speech 4 more times over the next 2 days and the State Legislature will begin the 2017 session.
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The FBI arrested a bank robbery suspect in Binghamton following a Rochester bank robbery January 5. Joseph Peeples allegedly stole over $100,000, 7 LEFT Rochester by bus, got off in Binghamton and was arrested at a hotel on Collier street in Binghamton by the FBI & Binghamton Police. The investigation is continuing as Peeples is suspected in other bank robberies.
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Governor Cuomo today announced the closure of the Indian Point Energy Center by April 2021. The nuclear power plant has presented numerous threats to the safety of over 20 million residents and the environmental health of the area. After extensive litigation and negotiation, Entergy has agreed to end all operations at the facility, with plans to shut down Indian Point Unit 2 as early as April 2020 and Unit 3 in April 2021 – 13 and 14 years earlier than required under the anticipated federal re-licensing terms, respectively. The state will continue to closely monitor Entergy to ensure public safety and mitigate safety risks associated with the plant, including for storage of spent nuclear fuel.
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State police arrested 42-year-old Gary Reed Jr. of Sidney, for allegedly driving drunk & possessing a leaded stolen handgun Saturday night in the town of Tioga. Police conducted a traffic stop on State Route 17C and accused Reed of driving while highly intoxicated, he was charged with aggravated DWI, criminal possession of a weapon and other traffic violations. Reed was arraigned in the Town of Tioga Court and was remanded to the Tioga County Jail on $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 property bond.
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A new law that went into effect on January 1st offers support For Farmers. The Farm Workforce Retention Tax Credit will allow eligible farm employers to claim a refundable tax Credit for each farm employee that is employed for 500 or more hours Each year for tax years beginning. The credit is equal to $250 per employee in 2017.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 30-year-old Rory Smalls of Kingston Friday for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, following a traffic stop on State Highway 17 in Hancock. Smalls was found to have operated a motor vehicle at a high rate of speed, while having 8 active suspensions on his license, Smalls was arraigned at Hancock Village Court, and he was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $500 bail.
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Assemblyman Cliff Crouch announced today that he would maintain his appointments to the Agriculture, Labor, Rules, Ways and Means, and Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry Committees. He will also continue his work as Chairman of the Assembly Republican Conference. Crouch has been an Assemblyman for 22 years, since first being elected in 1995.
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The next regular meeting of the Oneonta parks & recreation committee will be held this evening. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM in the common Council Chambers at Oneonta City Hall.
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The Oneonta operations, planning & evaluation committee will hold their next regular meeting this afternoon. The meeting begins at 4:00 PM & is open to the public, at City Hall. The Oneonta Finance/human resource committee will follow that meeting at 5:00 PM.
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State Police have determined that those responsible for the December 31st explosion on Diamond Valley Road in the Town of Tioga, were legally present on the land where the explosion occurred & were legally allowed to possess the substance used for the explosion, no federal or state laws have been violated. This investigation is closed.
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Governor Cuomo unveiled a plan to protect senior citizens from financial exploitation and foreclosure. The plan includes establishing an Elder Abuse Certification Program for banks located in New York State, amending the banking law to empower banks to place holds on potentially fraudulent transactions, and strengthening legislation that will protect senior homeowners with reverse mortgages.
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2 Smyrna residents were arrested for obstructing governmental administration and endangering the welfare of a child. Deputies arrested 17-year-old Michael Russell and 43 year old Jodi Clark of Smyrna following an investigation into a missing juvenile female, Police accuse the 2 of hiding the female in their residence, Clark is accused of letting the female remain at her residence. Both were taken into custody without incident, processed and released on an appearance tickets for Village of Smyrna Court at a later date.
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The Department of State today announced the adoption of new regulations requiring political consultants to disclose the names of their clients and the public officials who they also work for. The new rules state that individuals who provide political consulting services to elected officials or persons seeking office, and have clients that do business with New York State government, are required to file disclosure statements twice a year with the Department. The regulations will go into effect on January 18, 2017.