State Lawmakers did not complete the 2017 session Wednesday, and are being called back to Albany to wrap up the session Friday Morning. A few items were left on the table when work completed late last night, but are likely to be voted on Friday, they included bills extending control of New York City Mayor authority over the public school system & the continuation of sales taxes in upstate and Long Island counties.
————————————-
A decision could come next week on the Division of Veterans Affairs re-opening an office in Sidney, local assemblyman Cliff Crouch explains:

(Cliff Crouch 6-22-17)

The previous office was closed after the Division learned that a rent was being charged to stay in the Sidney Civic Center, after the village of Sidney sold the building to a private developer, prior to the sale, the village allowed the office to be in the building at no charge.
———————————-
The State Department of Health today announced several new enhancements to the state’s Medical Marijuana Program. Changes increased the number of certified patients to the program, since the addition of chronic pain as a qualifying condition. The enhancements will streamline and simplify the registration process for practitioners, making it easier to certify patients for the medical marijuana program. There are 1,066 registered practitioners in New York’s Medical Marijuana Program, Nurse practitioners and physician assistants were certified & now make up more than 10% of the registered practitioners in the program.
————————————-
Construction is underway on a $4.2 million bicycle and pedestrian trail that will link downtown Binghamton with the South Side neighborhoods. The Greenway is part of Governor Cuomo’s $59 million investment in the multi-phase Route 434 Greenway / Route 363 Gateway project ; The 1st phase includes the Route 434 Greenway trail from the South Washington Street Pedestrian Bridge to the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Vestal Avenue in Binghamton’s south side The Greenway phase will also provide a crossing over Route 434 on the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge. The rest of the phases of the project should begin in 2020.
—————————
New York Regulators are taking public comments on proposed changes to the solid waste management rules. The DEC launched a revision last year, which includes changes to deal with the illegal disposal of construction & demolition debris, and a stronger oversight of Mulch Processing facilities. Comments will be accepted to the DEC through July 13th.
——————————–
New York state’s maple-syrup production jumped by 7.5% this year to a record 760,000 gallons, up from 707,000 gallons the year before, according to the USDA. New York ranked 2nd again for maple syrup production, behind Vermont, which produced 1.98 million gallons in 2017.
———————————

State Police arrested 45-year-old Vernon VanValkenburg of Masonville, for Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 4 counts of Reckless Endangerment, and Illegal Discharge of a Firearm within 500 feet of a Residence. Troopers responded to a report of shots fired by a subject at a residence on Finnerty Road in the Town of Masonville, VanValkenburg is accused of firing at a neighbor’s house, VanValkenburg was unable to possess a firearm due to a prior felony conviction, he was arraigned in the Town of Masonville court and remanded to the Delaware County jail on $1,000 cash bail. An order of protection was issued, no injuries were reported.
——————————–
The towns of Unadilla crews are working on paving Idumea road today. The road will be closed to Through Traffic until completion late this afternoon.
——————————–
Former First Lady of Canada Margaret Trudeau will give the keynote speech today at the Women’s Fund Annual Breakfast at the Holiday Inn in Binghamton. Trudeau’s speech will focus on her life as First Lady, Mother of current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the loss of a son and her former husband, & living with bipolar disorder.
———————————-
Delaware County Public Health announced another Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic For dogs, cats and ferrets today, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at the Masonville Fire Hall. Previous vaccination records are requested to verify if pets are eligible for 3-year coverage. More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com
————————————