Regional Economic Development Council Grant money was awarded This Afternoon at the Egg in Albany. Governor Cuomo’s initiative started in 2001, with the concept of letting local stakeholders compete for state money for their own economic development plans:

(Governor Cuomo 12-8-16)

Locally, the Southern Tier regional Economic Development council, which includes Broome, Delaware & Chenango Counties, will receive 60.4 million dollars this year, and the Mohawk valley Council, which contains Otsego county won a top 5 award of $81.9 Million dollars.
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The Sidney Chamber Of Commerce is continuing with Holiday based activities. Chamber President Stephanie Taylor said that their new “Passport” game is continuing as well:

(Steph Taylor 12-8-16)

The passport game will be followed with the annual Holiday House decorating contest, where 30 winners will be chosen. More information is available at 561-2642.
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Binghamton Police have arrested 26-year-old Aizaz Siddiqui of Binghamton, for leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, in connection with the hit-and-run death of 20-year-old Stefani Lineva of Queens early Saturday Morning. Lineva’s body was found on State Route 434 near South Washington Street on Binghamton Southside at about 2:00 AM Saturday. Lineva was a student at Binghamton University, They announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the driver, other organizations have brought the amount of the reward up to $30,000. Siddiqui is being arraigned this afternoon in Binghamton city court.
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Funeral Services for Edward McKinley of Unadilla will be held at the First Presbyterian Church at 156 Main Street in Unadilla this Saturday 11:00 AM. The family will receive friends at First Presbyterian Church on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the YFC Teen Center; POB 362 Oneonta, 13820. McKinley suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by an SUV Monday afternoon in Unadilla
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The Tri county area is expecting lake effect snowstorm with varying amounts of snow. Sidney Meteorologist Rich Townsend explains:

(Rich Townshend 12-8-16)

Townsend predicts that we will have a much more active winter this year.
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Governor Cuomo announced the Department of Financial Services has published a Consumer Bill of Rights for New Yorkers facing foreclosure. Additionally, The Department has finalized a regulation protecting communities from the blight of “zombie properties” by requiring banks and mortgage servicers to report and maintain vacant and abandoned properties. Both actions follow legislation the Governor signed in June that curbs the threat “zombie properties” pose to communities by expediting foreclosure proceedings.
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Ithaca Police announced that they have a man in custody after a fatal shooting in a shopping mall parking lot of a UPS driver, and a lengthy stand off at the suspect’s residence. The names of the suspect & the victim have not yet been released.
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Oneonta police chief Dennis Naylor announced today that he has accepted a position at the Director of Research, Development & Training with the New York State Association of chiefs of Police. Naylor will continue to serve as Oneonta Police Chief through mid- January 2017.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 77-year-old Robert Harrison of Walton for possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, Deputies responded Wednesday to a report of a shots fired near Industrial Drive in the Town of Walton. Harrison was issued appearance tickets returnable to Walton Town Court at a later date.
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Governor Cuomo announces The 2016 Regional Economic Development Council Awards today in Albany. The Event will be held at the Hart Theatre, Egg Center for Performing Arts, at 1:00 PM, it can be viewed live at governor.ny.gov
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State Senator Jim Seward announced that non-profit organizations throughout the 51st senatorial district have been awarded a total of $2.8 million through the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program. Grant recipients who serve Senator Seward’s district are: ARC of Otsego County receives $872,996, Pathfinder Village receives $714,031, and Springbrook will get $576,100
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