P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-26-21

Governor Kathy Hochul has chosen State Senator Brian Benjamin of New York City to be her lieutenant governor, who accepted the position in New York City this afternoon:

(Brian Benjamin 8-26-21)

Benjamin was the senior assistant majority leader in the State Senate, a special election will be held after Labor Day to fill Benjamin’s State Senate Seat.

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Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she will fire individuals who allegedly contributed to a culture that allowed for sexual harassment under former Governor Andrew Cuomo who resigned this week after the the report by Attorney General Letitia James alleged that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. Former Cuomo Staffer Melissa DeRosa & Linda Lacewell have already resigned, Governor Hochul said that she would finish assembling her team within 45 days of her inauguration.

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State Police announced that the driver in a fatal accident on I-81 in the town of Triangle Tuesday evening was 64 year old Paul Fridley of Fenton, Missouri. Troopers were dispatched Tuesday at about 6:15 PM for the report of a vehicle on its side & on fire. State Police are asking anyone who may have witness the crash of the Kia Sedona with Missouri plates, to call them at 775-1241.

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State Police & Delaware County Emergency Management responded to the report of a woman falling from a rock ledge in the town of Andes Tuesday. 60 year old Corinne Whitaker of Hastings-on-Hudson was pronounced dead at the scene by the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office after falling from a cliff on the Snake Pond Hiking Trail at around 8:00 PM Tuesday. State Forest Rangers, the Andes Fire Department and LifeNet medevac assisted at the scene.

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The Sidney Town Clerk’s office on Grand Street will be closed until further Notice due to a COVID positive test. Town Clerk Sheila Paul is working remotely, she can be contacted by email: clerk@townofsidney.com.

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The State Department of Transportation announced that State Route 28 near Frank Slawson and Epps roads in the town of Franklin will close September 7th, for a culvert replacement over Knapp Brook. DOT Officials stated that motorists on State Route 28 will be detoured to take state Route 23 to Davenport Center and then take county Highway 10 to Meridale to connect back to state Route 28, the project is expected to be completed on September 22nd.

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Sidney Chamber of Commerce announced their “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Hooley” event, to be held on Saturday September 25th in downtown Sidney, Chamber President Teri Schunk explains:

(Teri Schunk 8-26-21)

The Chamber is looking for parade participants, they can message the chamber through their Facebook page or email the chamber at office @sidneychamber.org.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-26-21

Governor Kathy Hochul has directed the State Department of Health to institute a universal mask requirement in all public & private schools, as determined necessary at the discretion of the Commissioner. The Department of Health will issue the requirement through regulatory action established by the Public Health and Health Planning Council. Governor Hochul will also pursue options to mandate vaccines for school employees or require weekly testing in the absence of vaccines and will continue to work with the Department of Health and the Legislature on establishing the mandate.

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The American Red Cross continues to urge people to donate blood, as the severe Blood Shortage continues. Donors are strongly urged to give today at the Broad Street Methodist Church in at 74 North Broad Street in Norwich from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Another blood drive is being held today at the South New Berlin Fire Department on State Route 8, from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM. Registration is requested at Red Cross Blood.org.

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State Police issued over 40 citations during an Operation Hard Hat detail in Broome County Wednesday. Troopers were set up while workers completed bridge work along I-81 in Binghamton, Police issued 25 tickets for speeding, 3 for failing to use seat belts, 3 for using a cell phone use, & 10 others for other infraction.

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Cooperstown Police Arrested 62 Year Old David Perez of the Bronx for criminal possession of a forged instrument and petty larceny on August 17th. Perez is accused of using a fake $100 bill at Schneider’s Bakery on Main Street in Cooperstown & faces court action at a later date.

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