The fire that occurred on Monday at 22 Benton Avenue, in the Village of Walton that claimed the life of Phillip Kirk has been ruled as accidental. Fire investigators from Delaware County Emergency Services, Delaware County Cause & Origin Team, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control concluded that the fire was caused by an unattended cigarette on a couch in Kirk’s apartment. Residents from the other 3 apartments in that building were able to safely exit their homes once the fire was discovered. The structure has been declared a total loss due to extensive smoke & water damage.
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Governor Cuomo today announced that a report by the State Department of Labor details the impact of a $15 minimum wage for New York workers and their families. The report stated that 2.3 million New Yorkers would earn higher wages and as a result, increase spending power by more than $15.7 billion across New York State. The Governor is urging the State Legislature to pass his phased-in minimum wage proposal this session. Cuomo said that the Dollars Reinvested in Southern Tier Regional Economy by those making a living wage would be $495,300,000; The Governor’s report is available at governor.ny.gov
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State Police arrested 23-year-old Dylan Debrock of the town of Maryland, for DWI. The arrest occurred after a trooper responded to an erratic vehicle spinning its tires on Valley View Estates Road in the Town of Milford. The trooper located the 1995 Ford Thunderbird stuck just of the roadway with Debrock standing on the hood. An investigation determined that he was driving while intoxicated when his car slid off the roadway became stuck. Debrock was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Milford on February 16,
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Small grants have led to possible breakthroughs in treating veterans suffering form Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. State Senate John Bonacic explained the treatment at a mental Hygiene Budget Hearing in Albany recently.

(Bonacic 2-10-16)

Bonacic said that they would try to get 2 million dollars into the state budget this year to expand the program, in hopes that a larger sample size, with greater success could lead to federal funding & an expansion of the program.
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State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s Office has returned more than $2.5 million in compensation to New Yorkers last year, through the state’s Lemon Law Arbitration Program. $2 million was refunded to 53 consumers who bought a new car and claimed their car was a lemon; the attorney general’s office refunded more than $450,000 to 26 additional consumers.
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A pretrial hearing For Almond Upton Will Start on march 3rd, Upton is accused of crossing lanes of traffic on I-81 & intentionally running down State Trooper Christopher Skinner in June 2014. Upton is being held without bail in the Broome County Jail, his Murder trial is slated to begin with Jury selection on July 5th in Broome County Court.
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Broome County District Attorney Stephen Cornwell has revealed a plan called “Operation S.A.F.E.” that would encourage those struggling with drug addictio into get help, without fear of arrest. Those suffering would be able to go to any local police agency seeking help; the law enforcement agencies would then redirect them to 1 of over 50 drug treatment facilities.
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The Sidney Rotary Club will be hosting a heroin-substance abuse awareness night Wednesday night at the Sidney high school. Sidney Rotarian Lorraine Keckeisen is one of the events organizers:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 2-10-16)

There will also be raffles & door prizes & a free dinner; Registration is requested at 561-7712 or chaynes@sidneycsd.org.
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The American Red Cross urgently needs blood donors to make an appointment to give this winter. Eligible blood donors of all types are needed, especially those with O, AB, B negative and A negative. Upcoming blood donation opportunities. today in Deposit from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Deposit Central School, 171 Second Street. Those wishing to doante can download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to make an appointment or for more information.
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