The state’s minimum wage is going up at year’s end. Downstate counties & New York City will see higher minimum wages implemented due to a higher cost of living, in most of the upstate counties, the wage will be increased to $9.70 an hour. The increases go into effect on the last day of the year.
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It now seems unlikely for the state lawmakers to be called back to Albany for a special session this week. Lawmakers were pushing for a pay increase for themselves for the fist time in 17 years; Governor Cuomo was pushing for stronger ethics reforms. Lawmakers come back to Albany to begin the 2017 session in January.
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The Chenango United Way campaign will be ending on December 30th at 3:00 PM. Officials stated that they need about $21,500 to meet this year’s state goal of $419,00. 22 programs and 17 food pantries and soup kitchens received funding last year; donations can be made in person or mailed to 83 North Broad St., Norwich 13815 or by phone at 334-8815.
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U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said that he wants Donald Trump to include “real spending” and not just tax breaks in his plan to overhaul America’s transportation infrastructure. Schumer said that he’s shared his view with the Republican president-elect; he said that actual investment of federal dollars is necessary if the nation is to repair and rebuild its infrastructure. Schumer says Democrats must stay true to their principles, but they shouldn’t oppose something “just because the name Trump is on it.” Trump vowed to repair and replace aging bridges, tunnels, airports and rail lines as part of a campaign to re-invigorate the nation’s transportation networks.
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State officials are reminding New Yorkers that if they have an old TV, laptop, cell phone, tablet or other electronic device to dispose of, they cannot put it with their regular trash. The State Electronic Equipment recycling & re-use act makes it illegal to have those items thrown out, they must be disposed of properly due to toxins that could contaminate the soil, air or water. The law also requires manufacturers of electronic devices to take back the products they have sold. More information is available on the state DEC website.
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The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested several people on sealed indictment arrest warrant on a variety of drug charges Thursday. Charged were 20 year old Marissa Peck of Andes, 22 year old Zachery Mattice of Delhi, 35 year old Dennis Fickeria of Margaretville & 45 year old Abelardo Vincente of Hancock. All 4 were held in the Delaware County Jail on cash bail. Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies also arrested 21-year-old Austin Rose of Andes on a sealed indictment arrest warrant; he’ll be arraigned on the undisclosed charges in January, when the charges will be unsealed. Rose was arrested at the Otsego County Correctional Facility where he is being held on a charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
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A Broome County Grand Jury handed up a 5-count indictment against 60-year-old Mark Tanner, for allegedly burglarizing 4 Binghamton businesses and menacing a police officer. The Broome County DA’s office reported that Tanner unlawfully entered JR’s Automotive Sales, Fairview Cleaners, Mr. Tire, and Broome Recycling, with intent to commit a crime. Tanner also displayed a weapon to responding police officers, with the intent to cause fear of physical injury, he faces court action shortly.
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The Otsego County Sheriffs department arrested 32 year old Robert Colvin of Unadilla, for allegedly breaking into a woman’s house, shoving the victim & stealing prescription medication, Colvin was charged robbery and grand larceny; Colvin was arraigned in the Town of Unadilla Court and was sent to the county jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond.
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State officials announced that a Specialist employed by The Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference was arrested and arraigned on a misdemeanor endangerment charge for allegedly smoking marijuana with 14-year-old child, while on an outing with the child. 27-year-old Michael Greenwood of Endicott was also charged with & Falsifying Business Records, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle. Greenwood was arraigned in Binghamton City Court and was released on his own recognizance. He has been terminated from his position.
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