Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul toured the flood-damaged areas of the village of Sidney today with village officials, regarding the plans for the River street area residents and the area itself. Hochul commented about the tour to WCDO News:

(Kathy Hochul 12-2-15)

Mayor Andy Matviak said that it is important for high-level state officials to see where they are at with their plans and maybe get the process moving along at a quicker pace:

(Andy Matviak 12-2-15)

Matviak said that they are still working with FEMA, and they have also spoke individually with most of the homeowners in the River Street area about buy-outs, elevations and the possible development in the Plankenhorn Road area.
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Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul visited Norwich this afternoon following the tour of Sidney; she met with Business Leaders at Commerce Chenango, toured the Business district, convened a Women’s Roundtable at the Artist’s Pallet, & toured the Northeast Classic Car Museum.
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Governor Cuomo today announced that during the past year, 43 new farm breweries have opened their doors in New York State, bringing the state’s total number of operational farm breweries to 106. Additionally, the Governor’s Farm Brewery law, which created a new license for craft brewers that use New York grown ingredients and included an exemption on brand label registration fees for small brewers, has saved brewers nearly $1 million to date. Aside from the 106 farm breweries, New York is now home to 133 micro-breweries, up from just 40 in 2011, and 39 restaurant breweries, up from 10 in 2011. Additionally, eight farm breweries have opened off-site branch stores, a practice which was also authorized under the Governor’s law.
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Governor Cuomo announced a 60% decrease in alcohol-related traffic fatalities since Governor Mario Cuomo raised New York State’s drinking age to 21 exactly 30 years ago. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience alcohol-related car crashes and other unintentional injuries; school, social, legal, and physical problems; abuse of other drugs; and death from alcohol poisoning.
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The Trial of Former State Senate Majority leader Dean Skelos continues in a Manhattan Federal Courtroom. Skelos is accused of using his political influence to get his son Adam No-Show jobs with politically connected firms in exchange for political favors. Skelos’s trial follows the recent conviction of former deputy Majority leader Tom Libous of Binghamton and former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on similar corruption charges.
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Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul visits Sidney & Norwich today. Hochul will meet with Local Officials and will Tour Sidney Green Plains site, in Norwich, Hochul will convene a Roundtable with Business Leaders at Commerce Chenango this afternoon, she will then tour downtown Norwich, convene a Women’s Roundtable to Discuss Governor Cuomo’s Initiatives at the Artists Pallet, & she will tour the Northeast Classic Car Museum.
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Oneonta Police & State Police arrested 27-year-old Jason Cousins from Unadilla for Burglary, Attempted Robbery, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Assault, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property & Menacing, following a home invasion in Oneonta. Cousins is accused of displaying a stolen handgun, taking property & striking & injuring 1 of the victims. Cousins fled the scene and was apprehended and taken into custody, the investigation is continuing.
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State police announced that they would host a community-policing meeting on Wednesday December 2nd at the Stamford Fire Department from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Police will discuss law enforcement operations, & the mission priorities of the state police, the school liaison program, traffic safety plus community & police interaction. There will be a question & answer period.
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Otsego County Chamber of Commerce hosts the NBT Bank Holiday Open House today from 5:00 TO 7:00 pm at NBT Bank’s Wall Street Oneonta Branch location.
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Otsego County will hold a free rabies clinic today at the Susquehanna animal shelter on State Route 28 in Cooperstown, for dogs, cats & ferrets. The clinic will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.
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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting is schedule for this morning at 7:30 AM. The meeting will be held at the Sidney County Club.
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The Oneonta Airport Commission Work group will have their next meeting today. That meeting will begin at 4:00 PM at the Airport.
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