The Otsego County Health Department has reported that the Oneonta School district has 6 cases of Pertussis, also know as Whooping cough. Parents of students at the Oneonta School have been notified, Pertussis is highly contagious & is usually accompanied by fever, a runny nose & a harsh cough.
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Oneonta Police arrested A Milford man for 2nd degree Assault, criminal possession of a weapon & criminal Tampering. 23-year-old Michael VanDeusen was charged following a fight in Oneonta on November 18th, where an unidentified man from Mount Vision suffered a non-life threatening stab wound. VanDeusen was arraigned; he faces action in Oneonta City Court in January.
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The Afton Central School District has appointed Timothy McNamara as the new Superintendent of Schools. McNamara has accepted the position; the Afton School board is expected to act on McNamara’s appointment at their meeting this evening.
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Governor Cuomo announced nearly $6.5 million in grants to 55 state-approved anti-sexual assault crisis and prevention programs operated by hospitals, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies statewide. The grants will help fund local crisis hotlines and direct services for sexual assault victims, such as crisis counseling, advocacy and trauma therapy, and support prevention and education in schools, on college campuses and in communities. A complete list of the funded programs is available at governor.ny.gov/sites.
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Resorts World Catskills announced that the new casino in Monticello is expecting to add 1400 jobs once they are open for business. The company is holding job fairs in Sullivan & Orange Counties, the casino is one several new casino’s opening in the Upstate Counties, after the state amended their laws to allow for the casino’s to open.
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NY State of Health announced enrollment in Qualified Health Plans and the Essential Plan have reached nearly 900,000, outpacing last year by 13%. Open Enrollment in a Qualified Health Plans continues through January 31st, but consumers need to enroll by December 15th, 2017 for coverage beginning January 1st, 2018. Consumers can enroll in a health plan Online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, by calling 1-855-355-5777.
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Environmental Advocates of New York released an update to its 2016 report Tapped Out: New York’s Clean Water in Peril. The new analysis published by the DEC as required by the Sewage Pollution Right to Know Act, shows that from May 2013 to July 2017, a total of 10,687 overflows were reported, translating into over 3.8 billion gallons of sewage being discharged into waterways. Statistics indicates more work is needed to help municipalities fully comply with the Act and more funding is needed for municipalities to address aging infrastructure.
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Governor Cuomo today announced $2 million is available through round 3 of the Climate Resilient Farming grant program to help farms reduce their operational impact on the environment and better prepare for, and recover quickly from severe weather events. $2.9 million has been provided to 37 farms across the State to implement critical projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy savings, mitigate water and soil quality concerns, and increase on-farm resiliency to climate change. The Request for Proposals for the grant program is located under Funding Opportunities at agriculture.ny.gov; Proposals are due by February 26, 2018.
Destination Oneonta announced that the Oneonta Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held today. The event will be held starting at 5:00 PM through 8:30 PM in Muller Plaza on Main Street. Activites include Horse Drawn wagon rides, & music.
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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the District Conference Room of the Jr-Sr High School at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.