Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 34 year old Shawn Stuber of Berne at the Orange County Jail, on an Arrest Warrant issued by the Delaware County Court for failure to appear to a court appearance for 3rd degree Assault. Stuber faced 2 additional, outstanding Bench Warrants issued by the Oneonta and Worcester Town Courts for failure to appear on charges of Making a Punishable False Written Statement and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Stuber was arraigned in Delaware County Court and was ordered held without bail pending an April 5th court appearance. Upon his release from the Delaware County Correctional Facility, Stuber will be turned over to New York State Police to answer the pending Otsego County charges.
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New legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, would establish a new federal grant program for daycare centers and schools that choose to test for lead. Schumer pointed to the recently revealed high levels of lead found in more than 60 samples taken at two Ithaca schools, as evidence that lead is a significant problem in New York. Schumer explained that toxic lead-based pipes were not banned until 1986 and, as a result, any building whose water is supplied by pipes made before 1986 could contain lead.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office investigated a 2 vehicle crash Wednesday Morning on State Highway 12 near County Road 45 in the Town of North Norwich. Deputies reported that a northbound vehicle was being operated Michael Davis, when he became unconscious, crossed the center line and struck a State DOT dump truck that was parked on the southbound shoulder. Donna Davis was a passenger in the vehicle, she suffered a broken ankle, both occupants were transported to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City.
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Governor Cuomo is working on a plan to ensure farmers aren’t negatively affected by his proposed $15 minimum wage. The governor told reporters Tuesday that agriculture is different from other industries that would be covered by his proposed wage increase. Cuomo called for a “special modification” to the minimum wage bill for farmers, proposal include possible tax breaks to offset higher labor costs to exempting them from the $15 wage entirely.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 40-year-old Eric Hall of Andes for endangering the welfare of a child, following a report of a domestic dispute in the Town of Andes. Hall was later arraigned in Colchester Town Court & on a warrant issued by New York State Parole due to a violation of Parole provisions, and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail without bail.
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Those who may have an idea for a business or a product, but don’t know how to get started, are invited to “Pitch Night” at the Oxford high School Auditorium tonight at 7:00 PM. A Panel featuring members of Commerce Chenango & The southern Tier Startup Alliance will be on hand, according to organizer Steve Palmatier:

(Steve Palmatier 3-24-16)

Those wishing to present an idea should be prepared to give a 3 to 5 minute presentation; more information is available at 336-7727
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STATE LAWMAKERS ARE CONTINUING TO WORK TOWARD GETTING a budget finished on time, as conference committee work moves forward. State Senator John Bonacic detailed some of the highlights from the Senate proposed budget that he hopes to see make it to the final State budget plan:

(Bonacic 3-24-16)

Bonacic also said that the state is committing millions of dollars in fighting the heroin epidemic, both house & the governor have vastly different amounts of money proposed toward that problem, which will be ironed out in the final budget document due by April 1st.
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State Police arrested 37-year-old Bernadette Kowatch of Arkville, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle, following a routine traffic stop. Kowatch was arraigned in the Middletown Court, posted $1,000 cash bail, and was given a return date of April 14th.
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Governor Cuomo today announced that in the past four years, 112,000 residential and commercial energy efficiency projects have been completed or are currently under development through New York State clean energy programs. These projects will attract $766 million in private investment and will save customers $341 million on their energy bills each year. Homeowners are saving an average of $56 per month on electric and natural gas bills, and building owners are saving an average of $1,023 per month.