About 175 people turned up to the Sidney High School last night for the Sidney Rotary Club Heroin & Substance Abuse Awareness Night. Sidney Police Chief mike Hood was one of the Panelists:
(Chief Mike Hood 2-11-16)
Chief Hood said that Sidney Police & other Law Enforcement agencies are being aggressive at trying to catch those trafficking heroin & opioids into the region, and also to try to get help for those who have become addicted to those drugs.
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Governor Cuomo today announced a proposal, to be introduced this legislative session, which allows teens with HIV to receive treatment without requiring parental consent. Under state law, minors generally cannot consent to medical care. The Governor’s proposal adds HIV to the list of exceptions in order to increase treatment for minors that may be affected with HIV – preventing infection and ultimately saving lives. In 2013, there were 141 newly diagnosed HIV cases in New York State among 13 to 19 year olds, and 951 people in this age group living with the virus.
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State Police are currently looking for 54-year-old Carolyn Weeks of Newfield in Tompkins County. Weeks was last seen leaving her workplace at the Titus Towers in Ithaca, Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 PM, she is described as a white female who is 5ft 7in tall, medium build, with long curly brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a tan winter medium length jacket, black scarf with a cream colored paisley pattern, as well as blue nursing pants and dark colored clogs. She drives a blue 2014 Kia Optima that has a New York registration of BXS1184. Anyone with information is asked to call State Police at 347-4441.
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State Senator Jim Seward announced that the Joint Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction will be in the Otsego County, Tuesday, February 23rd, at SUNY College in the Hunt Union Ballroom. Seward is a member of the task Force; they will be getting input regarding the heroin epidemic. The forum will be held from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 PM.
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State Liquor authority Officials Have Closed Down another Oneonta entailment & have denied their request for a liquor License. Therapy bar & grill is accused of serving alcohol to under aged patrons at their 99 Main Street location, therapy was operating under a temporary liquor license while waiting for permanent state approval. Therapy joins Choice Ultra & Legends Filling Station as Oneonta bars closed down for serving alcohol to minor last month.
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State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker today declared influenza is prevalent across New York State. Health care workers who are not vaccinated against influenza must now wear surgical or procedure masks in areas where patients are typically present. So far this season in New York, 817 flu-related hospitalizations have been reported, and no reports of pediatric deaths from flu. Flu season occurs primarily from October through May, often peaking in February. It is not too late to get vaccinated and there are ample amounts of the vaccine available. This year’s strain covers the most common circulating strains for the flu.
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State lawmakers have been weighing the pros & cons of the Governor’s plans to raise minimum wage to $15.00 over the next several years. Area Assemblyman Pete Lopez said that there should be a distinction between minimum wage & a “Living Wage”:
(Lopez 2-11-16)
The Governor this week said that increasing the minimum wage would lead to an extra 495 million dollars to the Southern Tier economy.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies arrested of 4 Walton men on felony drug possession charges following a vehicle stop in Walton Tuesday afternoon. Deputies stopped a vehicle for traffic violations; they discovered and seized 82 bags of heroin, over $14,000 in cash, prescription narcotics, marihuana, a hypodermic instrument, drug paraphernalia & 4 State Public Benefit Cards. Charged were Nathan Williams, Adam Green, Patrick Ladd, and Eric Black, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell, Green was additionally charged with Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. Williams was additionally charged with Speeding, operating a Motor Vehicle with an Obstructed View and other violations. All 4 were arraigned and were remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $150,000 cash bail pending future court action.
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Oneonta Police have arrested another person in connection with an incident in Oneonta last month. Oneonta Police arrested 17 year old Future Clovis of Oneonta for 1st degree Robbery, 1st degree Burglary, Criminal use of a Firearm, 2nd degree Assault & Menacing, The investigation is still ongoing.
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The State Department of Taxation and Finance Commissioner Jerry Boone will Outline Governor Cuomo’s 2016 State of the State Agenda at 12:00 Noon today. The presentation will be held at SUNY Delhi’s Sanford Hall Centennial Center at 2 Main Street Delhi.
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State Senator Fred Akshar has been appointed to the legislative task force to develop solutions to combat the growing heroin crisis. Members will solicit input from experts and other stakeholders about addiction prevention and treatment options, they will then develop recommendations used to draft legislation to address the issues raised.
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