The Possibility for strong storms exists for Friday afternoon & into Saturday, local Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 4-18-19)

Townsend said that the worst case scenario from this storm would only put area rivers into “Action Stage”, which is below “Minor Flooding”.  River Gauges can be accessed at http://wcdoonline.com/river

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The Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced that 37 year old Marlon Graham of Deposit was sentenced Today in Broome County Court, to 15 years in state prison and 5 years of parole for possessing meth and fentanyl, Graham and Johnnah DeGraw were arrested last November when the Broome County Special Investigations Task Force executed a narcotics search warrant at 62 1/2 Wheeler Street in Deposit.  DeGraw was sentenced last month to 12 years in prison for her role in the drug selling ring.

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Overtime pay in 2018 at state agencies was at the highest level within the past decade, rising to $787 million, according to a report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Overtime hours also rose, with 18.1 million hours worked.     Meanwhile, the average number of state employees (excluding the State University of New York and the City University of New York) decreased slightly in 2018 to 155,818 — 12 percent lower than in 2009. The largest decreases occurred in the Department of Labor, Office of Children and Family Services and the Department of Health.

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State Senator Fred Akshar released the results of his latest online surveys.  On the Plastic Bag Ban, 40% opposed banning plastic grocery bags and opposed any additional taxes on grocery bags; 37% support banning plastic grocery bags but oppose any additional taxes on grocery bag sales; 22% support banning plastic grocery bags and taxing other carryout grocery bags; and 2% oppose banning plastic grocery bags but support taxing carryout grocery bags. On the First Responder Legislation Results 96% support the increase of the volunteer and EMS tax credit from $200 to $500, going up to $1,000 after 5 years of service, 95% support the Community Heroes Protection Act, which would designate targeted offenses against firefighters, EMS workers and law enforcement personnel as hate crimes.

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The Annual Unadilla Chamber of Commerce Dinner will be held on Sunday, April 28th at the Unadilla Methodist Church, Reservation deadline is Monday, April 22.  This year, the Chamber will be honoring The Meeting Place & Owner Dwight Mott as Business of the Year and George DeNys as the Commitment to Community recipient.  The Reservation deadline to attend the Annual Dinner is Monday, April 22.

The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado hit Port Crane around 1:30 early Monday.  The tornado had speeds that hit 100 miles per hour, classifying it as an EF1, it traveled about 2.3 miles.  No injuries were reported.

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State Police announced that Trooper Robert Annarino was dispatched to a possible overdose Tuesday in Oneida County.  Trooper Annarino was directed to a bedroom where he encountered a male subject face down on the bed, with his hand clinched underneath his chest, he requested assistance from EMS, as they began to roll the subject over, the man resisted & it was discovered that he was hiding an 8-inch knife.  Trooper Annarino gave verbal commands to drop the knife; the suspect lunged at Trooper Annarino, who fired his weapon, striking the subject several times.  The subject is identified as 24-year-old Tyler Johnson, he was pronounced dead at an area hospital, the results of the autopsy will be released shortly.