Governor Cuomo today signed into law sweeping election reforms that will make it easier for New Yorkers to vote and be counted in November. The 3-part package includes new measures allowing absentee ballot applications to be submitted to the Board of Elections immediately, expanding the necessary protections to allow a voter to get an absentee ballot due to risk or fear of illness including COVID-19 and ensuring all absentee ballots postmarked on or before Election Day or received by the Board of Elections without a postmark on the day after the Election will be counted. Ballots with a postmark demonstrating that they were mailed on or before Election Day will be counted if received by November 10.
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State Police at Oneonta arrested 39 year old Daniel Merwin of Jefferson for the 1st degree Assault, plus Menacing, Criminal Mischief & 2 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, they also arrested 37 year old Jeremy Chase of Harpersfield for Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Reckless Endangerment, Menacing & 2 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Troopers and Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a dispute between neighbors with a shot fired. Merwin is accused of striking Chase with a wooden fence post & using his vehicle to damage a fence, Chase is accused shooting a firearm into the ground, and the altercation allegedly took place in the presence of children. Merwin and Chase were processed & will appear at the town of Harpersfield court on August 24th.
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U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $286,263 in federal funding to expand nursing opportunities and combat workforce shortages in the Southern Tier. The funding will be used to establish clinical education and training programs in the region at UHS, SUNY and Broome County hospitals. The Appalachian Regional Commission will provide $110,111 of the total $286,263 project fund.
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Representatives from Casinos across the state were rallying in Albany today, as they seek guidance from the Governor’s Office & The State Health Department in order to re-open. Todd Chandler is the Assistant General Manager & Regional Director of Marketing for Tioga Downs; he told WCDO News that they have taken all the precautions for reopening, and casinos are always under intense scrutiny:
(Todd Chandler 8-6-20)
Chandler said that if Tioga Downs does not reopen by October 1st, the furloughed employees would officially become unemployed. About 5000 New Yorkers were employed at casinos prior to the beginning of the pandemic & the subsequent shutdown.
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Governor Cuomo and the State Health Department announced the latest statewide COVID 19 numbers on Wednesday. There were 601 new cases discovered Wednesday, about .78% of all those tested, which brings the state total to over 427,800. There are 518 people Hospitalized, 120 are in an ICU, 62 are on ventilators, there were 5 deaths from the virus, the state death toll since March is 25,275
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Chenango county Public Health released their latest COVID 19 numbers today. They are still at 218 total cases & have been for several days, they report that there are 101 Active Quarantines, 1 current Hospitalization, 7 deaths, 199 Recoveries and over 20,270 tests have been administered.
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Broome County Health Department reported a small increase in their COVID 19 positive tests; they are up to 1128 total cases since March, with 75 deaths, 989 recoveries, and 500 being monitored by the Health Department. The have performed over 34,300 tests.
State Police arrested 21 year old Jordan Pratt of Ithaca for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Troopers monitoring traffic on I-88 in Otego observed a vehicle a traffic infraction, troopers detected an odor of marijuana; Pratt is accused of possessing 2 illegal and loaded handguns and a quantity of drugs. The driver and 2 other passengers were not charged. Pratt was arraigned virtually and was remanded to the Otsego County jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.
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The Otsego County Health Department announced another free COVID 19 testing site Today from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, at the Southside Mall Parking Lot in Oneonta. The testing is for people who are not sick but want to be tested, by a nasal swab. This is a drive up testing site. Individuals will be required to remain in their vehicle and wear a mask when pulling up to the testing tent. This testing site is for Otsego County residents only, call 547-4279 to pre-register for the clinic.
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The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will host its 34th Annual Chamber Classic Golf Tournament today at the Oneonta Country Club, with a 1:00 PM shotgun start. The event will follow all Social Distancing Guidelines and Safety Protocols. A portion of the event proceeds will be donated to the Community Foundation of Otsego County. More information is available at 432-4500.
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Delaware County received 1 new positive test result for COVID-19 Wednesday and 1 additional recovery is reported. The number of active cases in the County is 3, they are isolated & recovering at home, there have been 100 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Delaware County, with 23 people now under mandatory quarantine, 6 people have died and 91 have fully recovered.
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