The state assembly passed the Paid Family Leave Act today in Albany. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie comments:

(Heastie 2-2-16)

The bill is expected to face stiffer opposition in the Republican led State Senate.
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State Lawmakers are continuing to tackle the education portion of the proposed executive Budget. Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that there is good & bad in that he wishes that the Gap Elimination Adjustment was gone once & for all:

(Crouch 2-2-16)

Some lawmakers are proposing legislation to get rid of the Gap Elimination Adjustment in this year’s budget.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Investigators today arrested 30-year-old Johnny Uhl, an inmate at the Delaware County Correctional Facility. UHL was charged with one count each of Promoting Prison Contraband and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, for possessing crack cocaine inside the Jail. Uhl remains incarcerated, he was recently arrested in connection with a Meth Lab operating in the village of Walton in January, he faces arraignment on the new charge in the Town of Delhi Court at a later time.
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The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of their 2016 Annual Awards: New York Central Mutual Insurance is honored with The NBT Bank Distinguished Business of the Year Award. John Remillard is honored as the Eugene A. Bettiol, Jr. Distinguished Citizen, for his years as President and CEO of Fox Hospital. Oneonta Family YMCA is honored with the Quality of Life Award, the annual celebration will be on Thursday, March 3rd at 5:45 PM at The Hunt Union Ball Room at SUNY Oneonta, reservations are now being accepted at 432-4500 Extension 207 or e-mail: kelly@otsegocc.com.
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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware county will be conducting NYSERDA’s free energy workshops entitled “EMPOWER Save Energy, Save Dollars.” Those attending will learn how to reduce energy bills with low-cost or no-cost actions. The next Workshop is Saturday, February 27th from 10:00AM to 12:00 noon at the Hamden town Hall on State Route 10, Preregistration is available with Cornell Cooperative Extension-Delaware County at 865-6531 or EMAIL: vsd22@cornell.edu. More information is available at ccedelaware.org.
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The Next General Clinton Canoe Regatta meeting will be held today. The Regatta Meeting will be held at the Highway 7 Bar and Grill at 6:30 PM, the Race Committee Meeting will begin and at 7:30 PM the Regular meeting will start.
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A Village of Oxford resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s on an active Arrest Warrant for 3rd degree Assault. Deputies arrested 39-year-old David Anderson on an active arrest warrant issued from Village of Oxford Court. Anderson was arraigned in the Village of Oxford Court & he was remanded to the custody of The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office in lieu of $1,500 cash bail. Anderson is to re-appear in the Village of Oxford Court at a later date.
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A City of Syracuse resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd Degree. Deputies made traffic stop operated by 42-year-old Tomas Rouse, in the Town of McDonough for failure to keep right. Rouse was allegedly operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, he was also found to possess marihuana. Rouse was arraigned in the Town of McDonough Court and released. Rouse is to reappear in the Town of McDonough Court at a later date to answer to his charges.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Town of Pharsalia woman for Driving While Intoxicated. Deputies responded to an accident on County Road 47 in the Town of Pharsalia, where 48-year-old Mary Blaylock was allegedly operating the vehicle while intoxicated. Blaylock was released to a sober third party and is to appear in the Town of Pharsalia Court at a later date.

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Several area fire departments responded Monday Afternoon to as brush & grass fire at 227 Garlick Road in Afton. The fire was knocked down in about an hour, no injuries were reported.
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Governor Cuomo today announced the New York State Department of Health will offer advanced lab testing for individuals with symptoms who have travelled to areas where Zika virus infection is ongoing. This will be done by the Wadsworth Center – one of only three state laboratories in the nation with the ability to conduct this kind of advanced testing – and will also include screening and confirmatory tests for antibodies against Zika and other related viruses. Additionally, the state has launched a new information hotline (1-888-364-4723) for New Yorkers to call and learn more about the virus.
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