The state DEC gave preliminary statistics regarding the deer-hunting season in the state last year. New York hunters killed about 214,000 deer last year, up about 5% from 2015. DEC Officials said that an estimated 109,000 adult bucks and 105,000 antlerless deer were harvested, final number will be released later this month and at the DEC website: dec.ny.gov.
————————–
Governor Cuomo has dispatched State Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos, & various State Agencies to the site on the Hudson River where a barge carrying 2.5 million gallons of gasoline ran aground Tuesday. No leaks have been detected at the site, in the Village of Catskill. The Governor ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the incident, State investigators will try to determine if weather, human error or any other factors caused the tanker to leave the shipping channel and run aground.
————————–
Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig delivered his State of The City Address at City hall last night. Herzig outlined the city’s economic development plans for the Main street & downtown area, as well as plans to replace old water mains & to make repairs to the city’s reservoir.
——————————–
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli suggested a more in-depth study, on why New York’s prison population older than age 50 has risen sharply over the past decade, while the under 50 prison population has dropped. DiNapoli’s office found reported that the cost of health care for the states prisons population totaled $380 million in 2016, an increase of some $64.5 million in the last 3 years, even though the total prison population has fallen to about 52,000.
————————————-
New York has more than 1,200 miles of multi-use trails for Biking, Walking, Running or horseback riding, and the state is offering an online map. TrailFinder offers a one-stop interactive map to 110 greenways, rail trails, canal trails, bikeways, and river walks located in every region of the state; more information is available at ptny.org/Trailfinder
———————————-
SUNY Oneonta President Dr. Nancy Kleniewski has announced plans to retire in July of 2018. Dr. Kleniewski has been the SUNY Oneonta President since 2008; a presidential search committee will be formed in the next few weeks to find a replacement.
————————————–

State Police in Binghamton arrested 3 men on drug charges after a traffic stop on I-81 in Kirkwood. Troopers arrested 32-year-old Matthew Simmons, 26-year-old Ryan Rivera-Aponte, and 48-year-old Ray Rivera, all of Newark New York for unlawful possession of marijuana and criminal possession of a controlled substance. All 3 were arraigned in the Town of Kirkwood Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.
—————————
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that there are currently 35 million unclaimed funds accounts, totaling 14.5 Billion Dollars. The money comes from old bank accounts, utility deposits, uncashed checks, unclaimed insurance claims, stocks & various other sources that were dormant for years, some dating back to the 1940’s. New York residents who believe they may be owed money can call 1-800-221-9311, or go to osc.state.ny.us.
————————————
State Senator Jim Seward said that the budget extender was put into place by Governor Cuomo, after lawmakers failed to get a budget ready for the Governor’s signature this past weekend. Seward said that one of the main sticking points was the “Raise The Age” proposal:

(Seward 4-5-17)

The proposal calls for raising the age of criminal responsibility above the current 16 & 17 years old law in effect, only New York & North Carolina still allow for 16 & 17 year olds to be tried & punished as adults for serous crimes.
————————————
The State DEC announced that a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to update their Final Impact Statement on Habitat Management Activities, for the Division of Fish and Wildlife is now available for public review and comment. Comments will be accepted through May 1st, the draft is available at dec.ny.gov or by calling (518) 402-8883.
———————————–
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive today at the Edmeston School District Auditorium-Small Gym today from 10:30 AM TO 3:30 PM. Appointments can be made at Redcrossblood.org.
—————————————-