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Libous Named to Development Council

State senator and deputy senate majority leader Tom Libous has been named to the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council.

Governor Cuomo announced this month that up to $750 million would be available as part of the second round of Regional Economic Development Council grants.

Libous said given the skilled workforce in the southern tier and academic excellence, the area has huge potential for growth. Libous will be working on a new proposal for this round of competitive grants.

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Wainright Gets Up to 15 Years for Stabbing

A Walton man found guilty in the stabbing death of another man last August will receive the maximum penalty for his crime. Lejuan Wainright, 21, will serve 5-to-15 years in prison for the death of Tyler Warner.

Wainright was found guilty of second degree manslaughter on May 3 in Delaware County court.

He and Warner got into a fight outside a bar on august 20th. He claimed self-defense.

He had originally been charged with first degree manslaughter, which the jury turned down.

Wainright is formerly from Florida. He will be sent to state prison.

State Passes Bridge and Road Investment

The state senate has passed the Bridge and Road Investment and Dedicated Fund Guaranteed Enforcement Reform Act.

The bill will ensure the dedicated fund will go towards rebuilding, replacing and reconditioning highways and bridges to improve the safety of those drivers who travel them. Senate supporters say this bill will end raiding of the fund for unrelated state projects, which has been ongoing for years. Similar bills have been introduced in the past without much luck in the assembly.

70 Percent of State Schools Failed to Pass Tax Cap Increase

New York State’s budget division reports that most of the schools that asked voters for a vote to over-ride the new 2 percent cap on property taxes are classified as having average wealth. They are also the districts that did not see voter approval for the most part.

While the figures show 48 school budgets passed last week, nearly 70 percent of them failed to get approval for an above-2-percent increase, nearly 70 percent were for what the state calls average-need districts.

There were 11 districts classified by the state as high-need that asked for a tax-cap override. Seven of those passed.

Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders say the tax cap is working to keep property taxes down.

Bugel to Receive Mental Health Evaluation

Gable Bugel, 22, was in court yesterday. Police officers say he started a fire behind the Community Bank on Main Street, Oneonta, the night of April 16. It was the last of a number of suspicious fires set throughout the city that weekend.

Bugel has been in jail with the opportunity to post bail. He’s been charged with 3rd degree attempted arson.

Schneiderman Cracks Down on Retailers to Comply with Americans with Disabilities Act

State attorney general Eric Schneiderman has announced agreements with three major retail chains to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to merchandise, services and amenities provided by their New York State stores.

Under the agreements Century 21, JC Penny and Petland Discounts will take significant steps to ensure that each of their New York stores complies with accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Vermeulin, Grace Head to Court

Columbus Town Councilman Bruce Vermeulin took Town Supervisor Tom Grace to court earlier this week, requesting that the judge compel grace to sign a contract with the Unadilla Valley Ambulance Corp. for service and a mutual aid agreement with Chenango County.

Judge Jeffrey Tait listened to both sides of the case before announcing he will make a decision by the end of the week.

 

 

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