Governor Cuomo announced the State Police will conduct a week-long enforcement initiative to crack down on speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. The Speed Week campaign runs today through next Tuesday August 11th. Speeding is listed as a contributing factor in nearly one third of all fatal crashes in New York State. In 2013, 352 people were killed and nearly 19,000 injured in speed related crashes statewide. During “Speed Week”, Troopers will also be watching for distracted or impaired drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers that are violating New York’s Move Over law.
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New York State is on alert for a virus that’s killed millions of birds in the Pacific Northwest & Midwestern U.S. Experts believe it could land in the northeast, but steps are being taken to try to stop the new type of Avian Flu, which barely gives any warnings. The Risk foe Avian Influenza is increasing as all types of birds migrate through the region. Health departments are taking proactive steps before the first case has been reported.
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State police in Binghamton arrested 56-year-old Sally Adams of Binghamton for Aggravated DWI, with a BAC result of .31, almost 4 times the legal limit. Troopers responded to the report of an intoxicated drivers on Pierce Creek Road in the Town Of Conklin, Adams will appear in Conklin town court on august 11th.
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A State Ethics Board that was created to address Albany’s lingering corruption problem, squabbled over perceived Meddling by Governor Cuomo, with some members vowing to oppose any effort to hire a new executive director with any ties to Cuomo. Members of J-COPE have reportedly disagreed over the selection process to select a new executive director following the resignation of Letizia Tagliafierro. J-COPE is looking to appoint the 3rd executive director in the last 4 years, the agency oversees the enforcement of the state’s ethics rules & financial disclosure requirements, the executive directors is picked by a vote of the commissions 14 members, 6 of which are picked by the governor & the other 8 picked by legislative leaders.
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New York State will likely emerge as 1 of the states to reap big benefits from President Obama’s plan to fight climate change with new emission limits on Coal Fire Plants. New York should be able to comply easily, as the state currently generate only 3.5% of its electricity from coal, at the same time, the state’s economy will likely benefit from new jobs from the emerging renewable energy projects in both wind & solar power. New York’s energy plan is due by September of 2016; the public will have a change to comment on the plan before it is approved.
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Democrats picked Barbara Fiala & Republicans have picked Fred Akshar as their choice to run in the special election for the vacant seat in the state senates 52nd district. Denver Jones is seeking to get his name on the ballot, he ran as a Republican in 2014 against then incumbent Tom Libous, but lost, Jones is looking to get on the ballot under the “Taxpayers Party” Line. Rich Purtell was selected by the Libertarian Party to run for the seat.
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Oneonta police responded to the report of a broken window at a business at 224 Main Street, eyewitnesses claimed that 3 young males broke the window by kicking it. One of the 3 suffered lacerations; police followed a trail of blood to 300 Main Street where they discovered that 21 year old Evan Bowker required medical attention. Bowker was treated at Fox hospital & was released, he was charged with criminal mischief, he was held pending arraignment in Oneonta City Court.
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The B-G Central School District is seeking Community members interested in serving on a Capital Project Facility Committee. The next meeting will be held on August 31, 2015 at 6:30 PM in the District Conference Room. Interested community members should contact the District Office at 967-6321.
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The Sidney Community Band will hold their next Don Clayton Trails Side Concert tonight at 6:30, under the pavillion in Keith Clark Park in Sidney. D.J. Wooden is tonight’s featured performer, the concerts are held every Wednesday night through the summer months.
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The Oneonta Department of Public Service announced the closing of the James Georgeson Drive entrance to Neahwa Park until further notice, due to an apparent settling beneath the road surface. DPS & the City Engineering Department will be conducting exploratory investigations to determine the cause & extent of the problem, until the problem is rectified, the road will remain closed, and The Park can still be accessed at the Neahwa Place entrance near the Main & River Street Intersection. More information can be obtained at 432-6465.