Several area fire companies responded to the report of a fully involved garage & structure fire at 117 River Road in Gilbertville. Firefighters from Gilbertsville, Mount Upton, Unadilla, Sidney, West Laurens, South New Berlin & Morris responded, no injuries were reported. The investigation is continuing.
———————————
Assemblyman Cliff Crouch voiced his concerns today with recent reports claiming that 77 violent sexual predators will be granted the right to vote under the governor’s new policy of restoring voting rights to parolees.

(Crouch 7-24-18)

Crouch said that the 77 individuals in question have been deemed as too dangerous to return to society, & were all transferred to civil confinement in state psychiatric hospitals at the end of their prison sentences. Earlier this year the governor announced he would be implementing a new initiative to grant 35,000 parolees in New York state the right to vote.
—————————-
The American Red Cross has declared an emergency need for all blood types. A.O. Fox’s Tri-Town Campus is hosting a blood drive this Friday, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 pm in conference room number 2, at 43 Pearl Street West in Sidney. Appointments can be made at 561-7937 or redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are always welcome.
———————————-
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that his office conducted an audit of the Department of Taxation and Finance regarding Personal Income Tax. Auditors examined personal tax refunds processed during the 2017 calendar year, the department processed almost 7.7 million refunds totaling over $9.5 billion. Auditors stopped 10,414 refunds totaling almost $36.7 million and sent them to the department for follow up evaluation and appropriate action.
——————————————-
The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for June 2018. The Statewide rate was 4.2% in June, locally Chenango County dropped to 5%, Delaware County also dropped to 5% unemployment & Otsego County decreased top 4.5% in June.
———————————————
The New Jersey Devils today named Rick Kowalsky as an assistant coach. Kowalsky had just completed his 8th season as head coach of the AHL Devils in both Albany & Binghamton. Binghamton Devils’ General Manager Tom Fitzgerald stated that a search for the next head coach of the Binghamton Devils is underway.
————————————-
The National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum announced that they will again hold their annual “Parade of Legends” this Saturday at 6:00 PM on Chestnut Street & Main Street in Cooperstown. 59 Hall of Famers & this year’s inductees will all participate in the parade. The induction of the 6 new Hall of Famers will be held Sunday at 1:30 PM at the Clark Sports center in Cooperstown.
————————————–

The Leatherstocking Education on Alcoholism/Addictions Foundation will have an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new location at 189 Main Street in downtown Oneonta today. The event will be from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, LEAF staff will be present to answer questions and give tours. The ribbon cutting will be at 5:00 PM.
———————————————