LOCAL NEWS AND SPORTS April 25th

Today’s Local & State News

Otsego County Game Plan

An Otsego County economic game plan has been established. State Senator James Seward, Otsego County Economic Developer Carolyn Lewis and Otsego County Development Corporation President Doug Gulotty got together Tuesday to discuss the progress and results of the recent economic summit. Seward says this will also help the county regain confidence and help spread the word that the area is open for business and it’s a great place to live, work and to raise a family.

Child Abuse Open House

The month of April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Chenango County Child Advocacy Center in Norwich has been creating awareness of the problem of child abuse through the pinwheels for prevention program throughout Chenango County and pinwheel gardens in area schools and outside area businesses. The center is also conducting a logo contest for the center. Mike Middaugh, supervisor of the Chenango County Child Advocacy Center says there is about 400 child advocacy centers in the u.s., including 35 in New York State. Middaugh wants people to know they can make a difference in a child’s life. To recognize child abuse prevention month, celebrate its one year anniversary at their new site. And their accreditation by the National Children’s Alliance, the child advocacy center at 8 Silver Street in Norwich will hold an open house this Friday from noon to 6 pm. The public is invited to attend to tour the center and ask questions.

Republican primary

Election officials say the turnout for yesterday’s Republican Primary in New York State was low, but Mitt Romney took the majority of votes in the Empire State. The former Massachusetts governor also took the lead in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. The unofficial tallies show Romney got 56-percent of the votes, with Newt Gingrich with 16-percent and Ron Paul at 11-percent. That gives Romney 95 delegates for New York.

Tickets for hand held devices

New York state troopers report more than 65-thousand drivers have been given tickets for using hand held devices in the car so far this year. The numbers were released on the second day of the state police campaign to crack down on cell phone and texting while driving. The effort is called operation hang up. The governor’s office reports more than 150 people were ticketed during the first day of the increased enforcement effort. In Otsego County, 131 people have been ticketed so far this year. New York State’s legislature passed a law last year increasing the penalty for texting while driving, allowing officers to pull a driver over for the act. Before that, the ticket could only be issued in conjunction with a separate offense.

Business in the Oneonta Area

Those interested in business issues around the Oneonta area can attend a meeting tomorrow morning. The subject will be sales tax collection, and Otsego County Treasurer Dan Crowell will be there. The meeting is sponsored by the Citizens Voices Organization. Crowell will talk about the city’s revenue stream, with particular attention on sales tax collection and it’s distribution. The city and town of Oneonta are considering a partnership on sales tax collection. Those who want to learn more about the community’s revenues and projected business future can attend the meeting by sending an email to citizenvoices@hotmail.com. The meeting is tomorrow morning at 8am at the Carriage House.

Today’s Local Sports Round-up

High School Baseball

Gilboa clipped Roxbury 9-8

High School Softball

Afton shut out Susquehanna Valley 5-0

High School Track

At Windsor Oneonta boys and girls ran by Windsor to finish first

High School Golf

Herkimer topped Cooperstown 166-184

High School Lacrosse

Johnson City ran by Oneonta 11-7

Women’s College Lacrosse

Oneonta State played even with No. 2 SUNY Cortland for the first five minutes of yesterday’s contest before Cortland asserted itself en route to winning 18-11. The loss for Oneonta (11-3/4-3 SUNYAC) puts them in a possible must win scenario this Saturday versus Brockport depending on how the Golden Eagles make out today against Buffalo State. Oneonta is battling for the final playoff spot with both Brockport and Buffalo State and SUNY Geneseo.