Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft will be able to start offering rides statewide beginning on June 29, in time for the 4th of July Holiday. The State Senate legislature passed a bill this year to allow for ride-sharing in the Upstate communities, but it did not allow it to start until July 9th. The new bill allows for ridesharing to begin in time for the possible Lucrative July 4th holiday.
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In conjunction with the Governors Traffic Safety Committee, The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office participated in the statewide, zero tolerance Click It or Ticket Seatbelt Campaign from May 22nd, to June 4th, with 3 highway checkpoints & dedicated patrols. National seatbelt usage in 2016 reached 90% for the 1st time. Delaware County Deputies issued 123 traffic tickets during the 2 week period, with 72 of those tickets being issued during the grant funded “Click It or Ticket” activities.
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Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a “Clean Energy for Agriculture Task Force” plan to help New York farmers cut energy costs and utilize clean energy. Recent Studies show that nearly 36,000 farms account for 3% of the State’s greenhouse gas emissions and 25% of NY’s land use, the plan aims to reduce the emissions by 40% by year 2030,
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An Elder Law & Special Needs Law Clinic will be held on Thursday June 29th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, for residents of Otsego, Chenango & Delaware, for those 60 and older. A free ½ hour legal consultation from an attorney will be available to discuss Wills, Trusts, Health Care Proxies, Bankruptcy, Grandparents Rights, Personal Injury, and many other issues pertinent to seniors. The event will be held at the ELM PARK CHURCH at 401 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. Pre-registration is required by June 27th at 607-231-5950
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The site of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair, The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, has officially been placed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is a program of the National Park Service and U.S. Department of the Interior, which recognizes the significance of buildings, structures and sites throughout the country. In August 1969, more than 400,000 people traveled to Max Yasgur’s dairy farm for the now-famous three-day music festival, featuring some of the most iconic musicians of all-time. Currently, The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is located at the Woodstock site.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is now taking applications for Sheriff’s Camp 2017. The camp program runs Monday mornings though Thursday afternoons and is for youths 9 years to 12 years old. Sheriff’s Office Staff put on demonstrations on drugs, canines, gun safety, horse & buggy rides, boating safety and scuba diving. Applications can be picked up at County school district or at the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, more information is available at 334-5175.

The State Senate passed of a package of bills to reduce mandated costs and other expenses that drive up local taxes for municipalities and school districts. Included in the package is a bill sponsored by Senator Jim Seward, to change the requirement for school districts to conduct internal audit risk assessments from annually to biennially. The package of bills was sent to the Assembly.
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The operators of New York State’s power grid expect electricity demand to be manageable. The New York Independent System Operator reported that electricity supplies are expected to be adequate, with enough resources to meet any peak demand this summer, even during heat waves where air conditioner usage peaks. Operators forecast that peak demand will be over 33,000 Megawatts, slightly above last years peak.
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Governor Cuomo announced $1.5 billion dollars for renewable energy projects such as wind, solar, hydroelectric & fuel cells, to advance the state’s goal of achieving 50% of electricity from renewable by 2030. The investment is expected to produce over 40,000 jobs in the coming years.
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The next regular meeting of the Unadilla Chamber of Commerce will be held on today, at The Meeting Place, at 187 Main Street, Unadilla. All directors and members are urged to attend with meeting starting at 5:30 pm.