The State Legislature plans to wrap up the 2018 session today in Albany. Final votes are expected to be on bills to expand school zone speed cameras, overhaul the teacher evaluation system & school security; lawmakers are not expected to act on legalizing recreational marijuana.
—————————————–
Former State Senate Leader Dean Skelos and his son Adam returned to a Manhattan Federal Court room Tuesday, they will be retried on corruption charges, after their previous convictions were tossed on appeal. Both were convicted in 2015< dean Skelos was accused of using his political influence to get his son Adam a series of “No Show” jobs with salaries totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. The 2015 convictions were tossed after the US Supreme Court changed the definition of public corruption, which allowed for retrial for Skelos & former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
—————————–
The Main Street Revitalization Project in the village of Sidney is progressing on schedule this year, after some setbacks last year. Sidney Village Grants Administrator John Redente explains:

(John Redente 6-20-18)

Redente said that Phase 1 of the Green Plain part of the project is nearing completion with archeological digs at the site; the project will progress along with the rest of the buy-out program from those living in the hardest hit section around River Street.
—————————————-
The Sidney EMS is into its 3rd year, with huge growth for a need of their services by the community, which means a need for bigger facilities, more staff & more equipment. Dana Weygand is the Director of Operations for SIDNEY EMS:

(Dana Weygand 6-20-18)

Weygand said that the unit is a Not-For Profit, they do charge for their services, with the money used to upgrade equipment & keep the staff up to date on the latest techniques 7 technologies, a fundraising effort should be announced shortly.
———————————————————–
There will be no changes to the state’s educational system for teacher certification. A New York court has thrown out rules that would have let some charter schools certify their own teachers. Acting State Supreme Court Justice Debra Young has ruled that only the state education commissioner and Board of Regents can set teacher qualification standards in New York State.
————————————————
The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce announced that the Next “Reunite Bainbridge” Meeting will be held on Monday June 25th, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. The meeting will be held at Bob’s Diner.
———————————————–

The State Department of Labor released preliminary local area unemployment rates for May 2018. The State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.6% in April to 4.5% in May 2018. Locally, Chenango County had 4.3% unemployment, Delaware County had 4.5% & Otsego County had an even 4% unemployment in May.
———————————–
State Senator Fred Akshar of the Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, announced funding for 17 County jails throughout New York State in order to fund substance use disorder treatment and transition services. The Task Force advocated for, and secured, $3.75 million in the 2018-19 state budget to help implement, support, and expand these services. Locally, the Broome County Jail will get $400,000 in funding for this program.
———————————
Delaware County Public Health and Delaware Opportunities will be holding a free Car Seat Safety Event at Delaware Opportunities on State Route 10 in Hamden, on Wednesday June 27th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Parents and caregivers can have their child’s car seat checked at no cost by certified child safety seat technicians; Car seats which do not meet the Federal Motor Safety Standard may be replaced. More information is available at 832-5200.