Ernest & Heather Franklin of Guilford will be arraigned in Chenango County Court on Friday, they were indicted by a Chenango County Grand jury last week on charges of 2nd degree murder, arson & tampering with physical evidence. The couple is accused of murdering their 16-year-old son Jeffrey & setting fire to the family residence to cover up the murder on march 1st. Both are being held in the Chenango county jail pending Friday’s court action
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Free college tuition or tuition assistance, upstate expansions for Uber & Lyft ride sharing services & juvenile justice reforms are among some of this year’s top issues as lawmakers negotiate the state budget, with the deadline fast approaching, Assemblyman Pete Lopez comments:

(Lopez 3-28-17)

Lopez said that there were 3 different sets of numbers for state aid to school districts from the Governor, the assembly & the state senate, for the education portion of the budget, with is one of the largest portions of the state budget each year.
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The State Unemployment rate dropped 2 tenths to 4.4% in February, according to the State Labor Department. Local Unemployment rates were higher, with Chenango County at 6.3%, Delaware County at 6.6% and Otsego County at 6% in February.
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Otsego Now and State Senator Jim Seward have filed a Memorandum of Understanding along with entities from 9 counties today, calling on NYSEG to address energy infrastructure deficiencies. Seward stated that when prospective employers look to relocate, reliable energy infrastructure is near the top of their list, & NYSEG’s infrastructure has been eroding. Seward and the others are calling on the Public Service Commission to intervene.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 19-year-old Max Spangenthal of Manhattan Saturday for driving while ability impaired by drugs following a traffic stop in the Village of Delhi. Spangenthal was additionally charged with failure to dim headlights, among other violations, he was released on tickets returnable to Delhi Town Court at a later date.
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Governor Cuomo today announced that for the first time in 14 years, the State would increase funding for the maximum Tuition Assistance Program or “TAP” award. With the increase, the State has allocated more than $1 billion for grants and scholarships for New York students who pursue higher education at a public or independent college or university in the State. Last year, TAP served nearly 400,000 students across the State.
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The State Office of Community Renewal has announced a $400,000 award to the city of Oneonta under the state HOME program. The city had submitted an application requesting funding to assist low to moderate-income homeowners & occupants to correct deficiencies in their homes. Those interested should contact Community development director Judy Pangman
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The Village of Sidney crews will be working on a tree removal tomorrow beginning at 8:00 AM. West Main Street from Pearl Street to Concord will be closed for most of the day, motorists are urged to take alternate routes around the work area.

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Several Law Enforcement agencies responded to the report of a bomb threat at the Greater Binghamton Airport Monday morning. No Bomb was found in a vehicle parked at the facility, the investigation revealed that the caller suffers from Mental Health issues, & was not taking her medication, she will not be charged. No flights were cancelled & only a few delays were reported.
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State Police arrested 24-year-old Melanie Suchy of Oneonta, for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a B.A.C. result of .26%, plus Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and other traffic violations. Troopers responded Saturday to check on a vehicle that was off the roadway on County Road 48 in the Town of Oneonta. Troopers accuse Suchy of driving while highly intoxicated when she attempted to turn her vehicle around and became stuck on a snow bank, she also was found to unlawfully possess a small amount of marijuana. Suchy was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court today.
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Investigators arrested 34-year-old Michael Kilmer, of Delhi, for possessing contraband within the Delaware County jail. Kilmer is accused of possessing Marijuana & prescription tablets upon entering the jail Friday on unrelated charges. Kilmer was charged with Promoting Prison Contraband and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, Kilmer remains incarcerated on the previous charges and will be arraigned on the new charges in the Town of Delhi Court at a later time.
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An American Red Cross Blood drive is being held in Sidney today at the Sidney Elks Lodge on River Street. The Blood Drive will be held from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, more information is available at redcrossblood.org.
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