The 100th anniversary of the New York State Police is being commemorated today at the Cavalry Club In Manlius, where State Police Superintendent George Beach & Troop D Commanding officer Mark Lincoln dedicated an historical marker, where the first troopers officially began their training in 1917. The State Police were officially established on April 11th 1917 as a full service Law Enforcement Agency by then Governor Charles Whitman.
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Lawmakers managed to get a new State budget enacted about 7 days late, State Senator Jim Seward commented:

(Seward 4-11-17)

The Budget Boosts Funding For The Tuition Assistance Program, Secures Funding for Improvements at BELLEAYRE Mountain Ski Center, Special SUNY Impact Aid For The Cities OF Cortland & Oneonta, plus key agricultural programs, & pay increases for Direct Care workers
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US Senator Charles Schumer is calling on the USDA to make crop insurance for malt barley more accessible to New York Farmers who want to get involved in the craft Brewery industry. Schumer said that New York craft breweries need state grown Malt Barley to make their beer, but many farmers are unwilling to plant it because it’s prone to losses from severe weather & disease. Schumer said that more farmers would take the risk if they had access to Federal Crop Insurance like growers in other states do, that insurance is only available in 4 New York Counties.
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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Annual Awards Gala at the Castle on the Delaware, in Walton on Wednesday, May 17th from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. Awards will be presented for Businesses of the Year, the new Business of the Year, a Tourism Award & Business Advocate of the Year. Chamber members need to register or pay online visit delawarecounty.org, more information is available at 746-2281.
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A special meeting for Afton Village Residents meeting will be held on Sunday, April 23rd from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Bolster Community Center, on Main Street. Residents will hear about 2 grants that could benefit the Village, residents can ask questions and give your feedback and ideas, to the consultants from GeoEco Design, as they discuss their Economic Revitalization Strategic Plan. More information is available at 639-4849.
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The State Department of Taxation and Finance today reminded all taxpayers that they have 3 extra days to file their federal and state income tax returns this year. The deadline to file and pay is Tuesday, April 18th, instead of April 15th, which falls on a Saturday this year. Also, Emancipation Day, which is a legal holiday in Washington, D.C., will be observed on that Monday April 17th, which pushes the nation’s filing deadline to the 18th.
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The Arc Otsego will host a free Self-Direction Information Session on Thursday, April 27, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at 35 Academy Street in Oneonta. The informational session will be led by Cynthia Spann and Vanessa Smith, from The Broome Developmental Disabilities Regional Office, they will discuss what self-direction is, what can be included in self-directed supports and services, and provides an overview of the process of becoming truly self-directed. Pre-registration by Tuesday, April 25th is requested; more information or pre-registration is available at 267-3210.
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Governor Cuomo signed legislation raising the age of criminal responsibility to 18-years-old, ensuring that young people in New York who commit non-violent crimes receive the intervention and evidence-based treatment they need. New York was previously one of only two states in the nation that automatically processed all 16- and 17-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system, no matter their offense.
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A public hearing will be held in Oneonta tonight regarding the future of fire protection for those in the Town of Oneonta. The town has paid for fire services from the City of Oneonta Fire Department; tonight’s public hearing will gauge public opinion on whether that set up should remain, or should the Town of Oneonta set up their own Volunteer fire department. The Public hearing will be held at the Elm Park Church at 401 Chestnut Street in Oneonta starting at 6:00 PM.
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