The State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for December 2019. Statewide, the rate remained at 4%; Locally Delaware County had 4.8% unemployment, Chenango County 4.9% and Otsego County 4.7% in December.

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Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties is holding a fundraiser called “Keeping our community warm 1 brick at a time” for individuals who are struggling with rising heating costs.  Individuals, groups, or businesses can purchase a brick from Catholic Charities for $25; their name will be placed on the brick which is used to build the fireplace displayed in the agency’s Main Street window in Oneonta.  To purchase a brick, stop by the office at 176 Main Street Oneonta, donations may be mailed to that office, more information on Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties is available at 432-0061, or charitiesccdos.org.

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Bassett Healthcare Network is hosting its annual Indoor Heart Walk & Health Fair at FoxCare Center in Oneonta in partnership with the American Heart Association on Saturday, February 15th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Foxcare spokesperson Gabby Argo explains:

(Gabby Argo 1-29-20)

Learn more by calling 607-431-5009.

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Norwood Financial Corporation, the holding company for Wayne Bank of Pennsylvania, and UpState New York Bancorp, announced the signing of a merger agreement where Norwood will acquire UpState in a stock and cash transaction. The combined company will have $1.7 billion in assets and 31 offices. Norwood will retain the brand names of Upstate’s two units, Bank of the Finger Lakes and Bank of Cooperstown.

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Local law Enforcement Agencies are again warning area residents of the “Grandparent Scam”, where a con artist calls or emails the victim posing as a relative in distress or someone claiming to represent the relative & requests for them to wire money for a fictitious expense.  Law Enforcement agencies suggests that Before sending funds, independently contact the relative the scam artist is claiming to be, at a known phone number, to verify the details of the story.  Also Scam artist’s payment method of choice is the wire transfer; any urgent request to wire money should be treated suspiciously. Consumers who have been victims of this scam should immediately report it to local law enforcement; more information is available at Fraud Center at Fraud.org.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 19 year old Trent Wade of Rochester for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Operation of a Motor Vehicle with Improper plates, Speed not Reasonable and Prudent, and Operating a Motor Vehicle without Insurance. Wade was charged following a Motor Vehicle Accident on County Highway 14 in the Town of Meredith. Wade is scheduled to appear before the Town of Meredith Court at a later date.  

The State DOT announced completion of a $1.1 million project that replaced a culvert under Dilly Road in the Town of Colesville. The new culvert ensures more efficient water flow underneath the road, reducing erosion and enhancing safety for motorists traveling to and from nearby State Route 7. The Town of Colesville assisted in the project and will maintain the new pre-cast concrete box culvert.  The bulk of construction took place last summer to comply with stream work restrictions and minimize disruptions to school bus routes.

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NY State of Health announced that consumers will have an additional week to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan for 2020, as the Open Enrollment deadline has been extended until February 7th.  Consumers can enroll in a health plan Online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, or with the help of an in-person assistor at 1-855-355-5777

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The American Red Cross is holding 2 more blood drives locally today, 1 in New Berlin from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM at 12 School Street, another will be held from 11:30 AM to  4:30 PM at Binghamton University in the Old Union, at 511 West Drive.  Donors of all blood types are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

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A Meeting for Those Who Would like to Volunteer for the Chenango Arts Council will be held in Norwich today, Council CEO Alecia O’Neill explains:

(Alecia O’Neill 1-29-20)

The meeting begins at 5:30 pm in the conference room at 27 West Main Street, Norwich, prior experience is not necessary.  For more information, please call 607-336-ARTS or visit www.chenangoarts.org.

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