State Police issued more than 15,000 tickets during this year’s Operation Hang Up traffic enforcement period, which targeted those using electronic devices while driving. This year’s campaign ran from April 6 through April 10, as part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Troopers issued a total of 15,104 tickets during the campaign, including 2,005 for distracted driving, 4,487 for speeding, 148 for move over law and 596 for seat belt violations. Troopers also arrested 206 people for DWI and investigated 129 personal injury crashes, which resulted in one fatality and 171 people injured.
————————————
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced today his office stopped $21.3 million in questionable or fraudulent personal income tax refunds from being paid so far in 2017. DiNapoli’s office paid out 4.6 million state refunds totaling $4.4 billion to date. Another 471,000 refunds totaling $466 million are expected to be paid in the coming days. Auditors also stopped over $2.2 million in refunds that were linked to unscrupulous tax preparers filing false return.
—————————————–
There will be a public meeting on Sunday for Afton Village Residents to discuss the Strategic plan & local Waterfront revitalization grant that the village has received. Representatives from GeoEco Design will answer questions Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Bolster Community Center on Main Street.
—————————————
The Illusionists comes to the Broome County Forum in Binghamton Tuesday & Wednesday nights, as part of their current North American tour to more than 50 cities. Tina Niles of NAC Entertainment explains:

(Tina Niles 4-17-17)

Tickets for THE ILLUSIONISTS are on sale at Arena Box Office & Ticket master at 1-800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com. More information is available at BroadwayInBinghamton.com or at theillusionistslive.com.
———————————-
State Tax department officials remind New Yorkers that they have extended the hours of their Income Tax call center through tonight at 7:30 PM, and tomorrow from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM. The Tax Assistance phone Number is 518-457-5181, they are prepared to answer more than 30,000 last minute calls prior to the tax deadline Tuesday night.
——————————
Governor Cuomo announced that the state’s Environmental Facilities Corporation has approved more than $32 Million dollars in Grants & Interest Free Loans for drinking water & wastewater treatment plant projects across the state.
—————————
The state budget has money set aside for a Hate crimes task force. Governor Cuomo’s office reported that the Task Force will include members of the State Police, and they will work with the State Division of Human Rights, as well as Prosecutors, school district & local law Enforcement Agencies.
——————————–

Fire destroyed Christopher’s Restaurant on State Route 28 in Oneonta Saturday morning. A passing motorist called in the blaze at about 2:20 AM, fire investigators believe that the fire started in the front dining room & spread rapidly. No injuries were reported, fire companies from surrounding towns responded.
——————————
April the Giraffe delivered a baby boy giraffe Saturday morning at Animal Adventure in the town of Colesville, with over 1 million watching around the world. Officials said that they would have a contest to name the baby shortly.
———————————————
Sidney Central School District is holding Kindergarten registration starting today through Friday April 28th. Registrations will be held weekdays from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Children must be five years old on or before December 1, 2017 in order to be eligible for kindergarten in September. More information is available at 561-7728.
———————————–