State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced the release of his report, outlining municipalities in various stages of Fiscal Stress. Locally, the worst ranking was Broome County, which topped the list of “Susceptible to Fiscal Stress”, which was the 3rd level of fiscal Stress identified by DiNapoli’s office. The report can be located at osc.state.ny.us.
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The State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for August 2018. The State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.3% to 4.2% in August 2018. Locally, Chenango County had 3.8% unemployment, Delaware county registered 4.2% & Otsego County 3.9% in August.
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Today is National Voter Registration Day, which is celebrated on the second Tuesday of September, to remind those of legal voting age to make sure that they don’t miss registration deadlines. Those who want to vote in the November elections must register to vote in person at your County Board of Elections by October 12th, if you are registering by mail, the application must be postmarked by October 12th and must be received by the Board of Elections by October 17th. Address changes must be made by October 17th.
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Former Focus Otsego operators Joseph Zupnik and Daniel Herman pleaded guilty recently to endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, in connection with an incident in which a 94-year-old resident in the facility was left in a recliner for almost 2 straight days. Zupnik & Herman were ordered to pay a fine of $5,000, the maximum fine for that charge. Zupnik & Herman are no longer associated with the facility, which is under new ownership, and is doing business as “Centers Home Health Care”
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Governor Cuomo signed legislation to prohibit the leasing of companion animals in New York. The practice has resulted in balloon payments and predatory interest rates that lower income pet owners cannot afford, the pets were repossessed, traumatizing both owners and their pets. The amended law will prohibit the use of a dog or a cat as security for payments in contracts and financing agreements with pet dealers. The bills passed both houses of the legislature earlier this year.
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52nd Street: the Music of Billy Joel will be performed at the Martin W. Kappel Theater in Norwich this Saturday Night at 7:00 PM. Chenango Arts Council Executive Director Alecia O’Neill comments:

(Alecia O’Neill 9-25-18)

Tickets are available at chenangoarts.org at the Box Office or at 336-ARTS.
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Governor Cuomo signed legislation that adds acute pain management to the list of conditions for which medical marijuana can be recommended as an alternative to opioid use. The bill will also allow for substance use disorder treatment providers to recommend medical marijuana to help patients manage underlying pain that contributes to the abuse of substances such as opioids. In order to recommend medical marijuana for pain management, a registered practitioner must determine that the patient’s pain degrades health and functional capability, along with certain other requirements.
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The Chenango County Department of Health and Area Agency on Aging will be hosting their annual Senior Flu Vaccination Clinic for adults age 60 and over Today, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at the Norwich Family YMCA. The Chenango County Health Department will administer flu shots, and are available to discuss programs and services. The Norwich Police Department will be doing a drug take back where they will collect any old or unused prescription medications for proper disposal. more information call the Chenango County Health Department at 337-1660.
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There will be Red Cross Blood Drives Today in 2 locations. A Walton Blood Drive will be held from 2:00 through 6:00 PM at Pines Brook Church, & another at the The Hancock Central School from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Donors of all blood types are needed, appointments can be made by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.