State Police arrested 29-year-old Gregory Flanagan of Oneonta for felony DWI and several other traffic tickets Saturday. Flanagan was observed moving from his lane unsafely as he was driving on State Route 23 in the Town of Oneonta. An investigation determined that he was driving while intoxicated. This arrest was a felony because Flanagan has a prior conviction for DWI within the last 10 years. He refused to submit to a breath test to determine his blood alcohol content. Flanagan was arraigned in the Town of Oneonta court and was released without bail required. His next court date in the Town of Oneonta is on April 7, 2016.
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The sentencing of former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has been re-scheduled for exactly the same time as that of ex-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Men were convicted in federal court of abusing their power for personal gain, they will be sentenced at 10:00 AM on April 13th in Manhattan federal court, and Skelos will be sentenced with his son, Adam.
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Over the past 10 years, state aid to school districts has increased $6 billion to $23.3 billion in 2015-16, according to a report issued today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Over the past decade, school aid has averaged 23.6 percent of state-funded expenditures. The Division of the Budget projects this share to increase to 25.6 percent over the next three years. This year’s Executive Budget proposes a total school funding increase of $991 million, including $266 million in Foundation Aid and the elimination of the GEA entirely for 200 mostly high need districts and reducing it by at least 30 percent for the remaining districts. The full report is available at osc.state.ny.us.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 50-year-old Clifton Brooks for multiple drug related offenses in the Town of Norwich. Brooks was brought to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on drug related charges by the Village of Greene Police Department, While being processed into the facility, Correctional Officers located Crack Cocaine and Heroin, some of which was in a foot bandage. Brooks was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Introducing Prison Contraband, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, he is being held in the Chenango County Jail and will appear in the Town of Norwich Court for arraignment Thursday.
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The Oneonta Common Council will hold their next regular meeting this evening. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall.
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The United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties announced their 7th Annual Golf Tournament will be held Friday, May 20th at the Ouleout Golf Course in Franklin. Lunch ill be served at 11:30, Tee Time is 12:30 PM, More information is available at 432-2022 Or 432-8006
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Village elections are being held today, with key races locally in Bainbridge & Unadilla. Polling places are open until 9:00 tonight,
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The State Senate has wrapped up their Budget proposal in Albany, Local State Senator Jim Seward responds:
(Seward 3-15-16)
The State Assembly was also wrapping up their version of the Annual Budget Proposal on Monday, local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that he felt there was not enough money earmarked in that plan to fight the heroin epidemic:
(Crouch 3-15-16)
The Senate Budget & Assembly Budget will next be negotiated in Conference committees, a budget is expected to be completed by the April 1st Deadline.
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The Suicide Prevention Network of Delaware County is sponsoring a free educational forum, “Let’s Talk-Mental Health Awareness” tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the O’Neil High School at 47-49 Stockton Avenue Walton. There will be refreshments and a resource fair at 6pm and the presentation and panel discussion will begin at 6:30pm. More information on the event or about the Suicide Prevention Network of Delaware County is available at 832-5200.
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The American Red Cross invites individuals to give blood, as March is Red Cross Month. Another blood drive will be today Oneonta from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at the St James Episcopal Church, 305 Main Street. Appointments can be made by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
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The Chenango County Farm Bureau announces that today is National Agriculture Day, with an event in Norwich this morning. The event will be from 10:00 AM until 12:00 Noon at the Northeast Classic Car Museum, 24 Rexford St. Norwich. This year’s theme is: “Agriculture: Stewards of a Healthy Planet”
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