P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 10-24-23

The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for September 2023. The State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.9% in August to 4.0% in September, locally Chenango County reported 2.9% unemployment, Delaware County 3.4% & Otsego County had 3.0% in September.

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Local government sales tax collections in New York state totaled $5.9 billion in the third calendar quarter of 2023 (July – September), an increase of 3.6%, or more than $205 million, compared to the same period last year, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. This marks the second consecutive quarter of collections returning to lower pre-pandemic year-over-year growth rates. The full report can be found at osc.state.ny.us.

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Applications for the New York State Trooper Entrance Exam are now available through March 4, 2024. The most recent recruitment effort raised the maximum age to apply from 29 to 34, Military applicants may be eligible to apply up until the age of 42 & the State Police has also revised its tattoo policy, more information & a study guide is available at joinstatepolice.ny.gov.

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Governor Hochul announced that the state investment in renewable energy is continuing, with 3 Offshore Wind and 22 Land-Based Renewable Energy Projects, which is expected to power 2.6 Million New York Homes and Deliver 12 Percent of New York’s Electricity Needs in 2030. The Projects are projected to create about 8,300 Jobs and Bring $20 Billion in Economic Development Investments Statewide. Local projects will include Stonewall Solar will build a 145-megawatt solar facility co-located with 20 megawatts of energy storage in the Town of Meredith.

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Hartwick College officials announced that they are hosting 2 Candidate Forums prior to Election Day. The Hartwick Institute of Public Service announced that the forums are for Otsego County and Oneonta Common Council candidates. Tomorrow, candidates running for election in Otsego County will participate, on Wednesday, November 1, the institute will host candidates running for election in the City of Oneonta. Both events are scheduled for 6-8 pm. in the Shineman Chapel House on the Hartwick College campus.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 10-24-23

24 year old Zachary Rowe of Harpursville, appeared for arraignment on a 2-count indictment in Delaware County Court. On October 1st, Sidney Police Officer Royce Terry arrested Rowe on a bench warrant, after being taken into custody, Sidney K9 Officer Riggs conducted a search of his personal property, Riggs quickly discovered and indicated the presence of narcotics, Sidney Police obtained a search warrant & seized $7,000.00 in illegal methamphetamine and fentanyl. The indictment charges Rowe with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with intent to sell, he was remanded the defendant to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 42 year old Brian Bennett of Oneonta for Criminal Contempt and 2 counts of Aggravated Harassment, following a Domestic incident, in the Town of Walton. On April 28th, 2022, Deputies responded to a Domestic incident, Bennett had been harassing 2 victims by electronic means and that 1 of the victims had a full stay away Order of Protection in place against Bennett. On May 4th, 2022, 2 arrest warrants were issued by the Walton Town Court, On October 11th Deputies arrested and charged Bennett on both arrest warrants, he was held at the Delaware County Correctional Facility to await centralized arraignment.

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A free virtual job fair will be held Today, from 11:00am to 1:00pm, for all businesses and job seekers in several counties, including Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego Counties. During the last online job fair, 144 job seekers and 42 businesses or organizations with more than 2,000 job opportunities were in attendance, more information is available at working-solutions.org.

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Another American Red Cross Blood Drive is being held today at the Sidney Elks Lodge on River Street from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. Appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS.