New York state’s fiscal position has improved, but the state may face increasing budgetary challenges in coming years as revenue growth is expected to slow and billions of dollars in settlement money are spent, according to the analysis of the state budget proposal by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. DiNapoli praised the Governor’s reform proposals, including a constitutional amendment to authorize the forfeiture of pension rights for public officials who are convicted of crimes related to his or her public office, and campaign finance reforms.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Village of Sherburne man for possessing methamphetamine and the items used to manufacture the drug. Jason Wheeler was stopped for operating a vehicle while on his cell phone and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, in the Village of Earlville. A search of the vehicle located items used to manufacture methamphetamine as well as the finished product. Wheeler was charged with Unlawful Manufacturing of Methamphetamine, Criminal Possession of Precursors of Methamphetamine, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, he was arraigned in the Village of Earlville Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail.
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The City of Oneonta Police Department & State Police arrested a 45-year-old Joseph Chickerell of Otego on 2 counts of 4th degree grand larceny. The arrest came after an investigation into reported stolen utility trailers from two different sites in the City of Oneonta in early January and valued in excess of $1,000 each. Chickerell faces court action at a later date.
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Congressmen Chris Gibson, Richard Hanna and Seth Moulton of Massachusetts introduced the Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act. The bipartisan bill introduced in the House this week seeks to modernize the Small Business Administration’s approach to broadband access, connecting more small businesses & farms with financing programs and guidance on broadband acquisition. The House bill is a companion to bipartisan Senate legislation co-sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.
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The town of Guilford is accepting letters of interest from the Economic Development committee. Candidates must be a residents of the town, be 18 years of age, letters will be received until March 30th , interviews will then be scheduled with the town board. More information is available at 895-9966, letter should include an email address & telephone number & should be sent to Town Of Guilford. 223 Marble Road Guilford NY 13780
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24 year old Ryan Lawrence of Syracuse has been charged with 2nd-degree murder in the death of his daughter, 21 month old Maddox Lawrence. the 2 were disappeared from Syracuse late Saturday night. Ryan Lawrence was taken into custody Monday afternoon in Baldwinsville. Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler said they believe the body they recovered from the Inner Harbor is 21-month-old Maddox Lawrence. Ryan Lawrence is being held without bail at the Onondaga County Justice Center, he was arraigned this morning and will be held pending future court action.
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NY State of Health announced more than 2.8 million people have signed up for health insurance as of January 31st, which was the end of the open enrollment period. Since the Marketplace opened in 2013, the number of uninsured New Yorkers has declined by nearly 850,000. According to recently released data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of uninsured declined from 10% to 5% between 2013 and September 2015.
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Oneonta city officials announced a public meeting would be held today at 7:00 PM in the Oneonta Middle school cafeteria, regarding the status of the citywide property revaluations that were conducted last year. Representatives from the firm that conducted the revaluation will be present along with the city assessor to let residents know when they can expect to be notified, how to interpret their notice and how to make inquiries. More information is available at 432-2397 or by email: rmaxwell@oneonta.ny.us
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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce has refurbished their website, chamber president Stephanie Taylor Explains:

(Steph Taylor 2-24-16)

the Sidney Chamber website is located at SidneyChamber.org.
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